Practice Makes... Better
Did I mention "virus" back in January? That's when I was taken out by some sort of related virus: very sore throat and fatigue, but no fever. Not COVID-19. But here we are. Little did I know that my March website updates would involve posting my art progress during a pandemic. Our new normal. Our public artist-run center at VASA in St. Albert will be closed until at least the end of May. So I carted most of my studio home to keep on painting. That brings me to March, and the Five-Day Painting Challenge, with the ArtWorkLiving Facebook group.
DAY 1: The Ranch. My advice for this challenge was to paint what you love. A landscape I am always really in love with, is my husband's parents' ranch, south of Pincher Creek, Alberta. The sweeping view slopes down from the house and up into the foothills and the Lewis Overthrust formation of the Rocky Mountains (the ranges of Glacier National Park, Montana, and Waterton National Park, Alberta) North of that other peaks continue, including Victoria Peak and Corner Mountain, pictured here. I have stood atop Corner Mountain a few times to enjoy the breathtaking reverse view.
THE 20-MINUTE TIMER. This challenge reminds us how much can be accomplished in a short time! For us watercolorists, this is particularly tricky, as some of our craft can depend on getting the paper soaking wet and waiting until the right stage of dampness for further strokes. In this challenge there is no time to wait. Anyway, the point of this challenge is to do it. The paintings will not always be good, but they will be done.
DAY 1: The Ranch. My advice for this challenge was to paint what you love. A landscape I am always really in love with, is my husband's parents' ranch, south of Pincher Creek, Alberta. The sweeping view slopes down from the house and up into the foothills and the Lewis Overthrust formation of the Rocky Mountains (the ranges of Glacier National Park, Montana, and Waterton National Park, Alberta) North of that other peaks continue, including Victoria Peak and Corner Mountain, pictured here. I have stood atop Corner Mountain a few times to enjoy the breathtaking reverse view.
THE 20-MINUTE TIMER. This challenge reminds us how much can be accomplished in a short time! For us watercolorists, this is particularly tricky, as some of our craft can depend on getting the paper soaking wet and waiting until the right stage of dampness for further strokes. In this challenge there is no time to wait. Anyway, the point of this challenge is to do it. The paintings will not always be good, but they will be done.
The Ranch In Winter
20-minute watercolor sketch on Fabriano 140 lb. soft press. 7 x 10. Palette: cobalt blue, burnt sienna, permanent rose, quinacridone gold.
Mood and Making Art
The year 2020 started out in the dark and the cold, much as every January does. Throw in a virus or two and pretty soon art production is brought close to a halt. I did have time to think however. Yes, I'm still driven to express the beauty I find in landscape. Here's a painting begun at the end of 2019 and so is my first completed work of 2020.
Foggy Douglas Fir, 11 x 14
Outside is the word for 2019
As I look back on a year of painting, gardening and greenhouse work, I feel blessed to have hiked, paddled and explored some beautiful landscapes with amazing groups of artists and with family. Most recently, I met with a new group of watercolor artists of the International Watercolor Society, Canada branch. A few of us Edmonton region members were able to gather for the first time for a fair weather October paint-out at Elk Island National Park.
Jasper Watercolor Retreat
I am so falling in love with Jasper National Park. And it helps that a great group of watercolor artists with the Jasper Watercolour Retreat Society keep getting together for plein air painting every fall (and they meet in spring). I love hanging out on the beautiful Athabasca, Snaring and Whirlpool Rivers. And I'm getting to know Jasper's hidden gem creeks and mountain peaks. This year it was pretty cold, but we still had some wonderful sessions. It helps that we have a cosy indoor painting space at Tekarra Lodge too.
Beauty in Winter
This landscape is inspired by the natural prairie settings where I live. Riverlot 56 Ski Trail celebrates the beautiful low winter light and the crisp fresh shadows that unfold under an Alberta sky. So happy this painting found a very good home as soon as it was framed.
