Thursday, March 31, 2011

Richmond Street Snow Banks, Toronto


24x24 Oil on canvas
As much as I like the abstract shapes and lines of snow banks, and tracks in the snow, I think I am ready for some warmer weather and a good rain to wash away the salt crusted snow that lingers on. I will look forward to getting back to some rainy scenes.
I wasn't sure about the composition of  this piece with the one ray of strong light and the car in the middle, but I think the orange and yellow and the figure on the right has taken the eye away from the car. The snow bank may need some work, but I was afraid to overwork it and lose the dark value.
I am the type of person who likes to set goals. They are somewhat haphazard goals, and often get worked on in the same way. I am trying to get at least ten 24x24 paintings done to take to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition this summer (if I get in) and also to start submitting to galleries. I have been waiting on contacting galleries because I want to make sure that I feel ready to start getting my work out there. Sometimes we get too anxious.


9 comments:

daybe said...

Really nice painting Catherine, great sense of light and nice work with the atmospheric perspective. Snow bank looks fine to me in the image you posted. Good luck with you goal, Hope you make it. I really love the Outdoor show in Toronto.

Absolute nonsense blog said...

Lovely painting. My eye landed on the car and it could be because of the light area between the buildings, it draws you in to the car. So I don't think the orange light on the building takes away from that. I live in a totally different climate to you, so I love the way your paintings seem to carry across the 'feel' and atmosphere of the streets in your part of the world.

SUSAN RODEN said...

Lovely geometric shapes and the pop of the orange coloring Catherine. Harmonic.

Kim Rempel said...

Oh, it works! Great painting. Beautiful light and shapes : ) And for sure you'll get in!

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

I think all of us are ready for some nice warm Spring weather! This is a gorgeous painting - and the beautiful golden color on the building'f front works wonderfully as a foil to all of the cooler colors. Beautiful!

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

First of all - I love the painting. and I love the ray of light that peeks through the buildings! Second of all I wish you rains that wash that snow away, followed by some nice sun and spring flowers! Third - we should link arms now, because that's exactly my goal - some nice big squares to approach a gallery with. good luck!

Marie Theron said...

This is a true symphony of different geometric shapes of the square windows, the longer shapes at the left and the checked pattern of the tracks! Very accomplished as always. Your tips to me were valuable, Catherine and I settled now with thin acrylic undercoating for my paintings and then switching to oils.

Tammy Hext said...

Hi Catherine,
this is stunning - I love the light and the way you use it to lead our eye around the piece - my goes from the car to the figure and the right, up the sky and back again - well done
Tam

SKIZO said...

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