A third painting based on my meanderings around Caulfeild Park has finally made an appearance on a much-worked canvas. There are probably 3 or 4 (or more) painting attempts beneath the final image. I don’t think painters are supposed to admit this (Painting Rules Manual, Item #467: ‘Painting over old paintings is Bad’) but I have a thing about waste and having endless canvases around with bad paintings on them. I rather like the texture that resulted from my do-over process anyway.
Caulfeild 3, acrylic, 24″ x 12″
On the drawing side, I did my own little urban (rural?) sketch at Southlands Farm in July. Farm animals are charming. Even the pigs were cute. I’ll draw them next time.
Went out with the Urban Sketchers today – finally! The destination was the Sun Yat Sen Gardens and surrounding area. I sat at a bus stop and drew what was across the street. After two hours, my drawing didn’t seem finished so I added a few things later.
Today’s work is evidence that I have much practice to do. I think that I don’t know really how to organize or plan my drawing. I kind of see something, try to do a pencil draft then get caught up in too much detail and get frustrated. In the end, I may have a sketch but it’s not very…powerful, I guess. The composition isn’t thought out, there’s no real focus – my attention wanders from thing to thing… But it’s still fun. It’s challenging and there’s always a next time. And if I keep at it, maybe I’ll get better.
So, the Wild Turkey Tour is called the wild turkey tour only because I saw a couple of wild turkeys at the side of the road. They ran away too quick and I missed a photo op. The tour was a driving holiday through the Kootenays, a part of BC I hadn’t seen. Revelstoke, Nakusp – Hot Springs! – New Denver (charming), Kaslo (super interesting, especially the SS Moyie), Nelson, Grand Forks and the odd but interesting Greenwood. I didn’t get a lot of drawing done but managed a couple of quick sketches.
Nelson Brewery Company and various other studios/businesses – really rushed because it was starting to rain.
A shed near the Trans Canada trail in Greenwood (and our picnic table). Also rushed because we wanted to start the next leg of the journey. Quick drawings are actually a good thing, I’ve decided. Helps to quell the annoying perfectionist in me. Must do More!
A few of the monoprints I did over Christmas were soft dreamy landscapes, not quite defined or finished. I added some charcoal and a bit of pastel to this one. It’s reminiscent of some wanderings over the Yorkshire countryside I did a few years back. There’s no sheep in it though. Perhaps they’re hiding behind the trees.
“Yorkshire Field”, oil monoprint on paper, with charcoal and pastel, 12″ x 9″
Over the Christmas break I spent a few days down at Malaspina Printmakers. I only had a short time so I thought monoprinting might be the best thing to do. Of course I’m not totally happy with the prints – so what else is new – but it sure was nice to work at the studio again. Plus I met some new people who made my feeble printmaking efforts so much more enjoyable.
Today I took out the largest print and added some pastel and charcoal. Here it is:
“Fairview Slopes 1″, Oil monoprint on paper w/charcoal & pastel, 17.5″ x 22.5”
AND, I finally finished the changes/revisions/redrawing of the illustrations for the children’s book I’ve been working on since last year about this little guy:
His name is Craigellachie Crow. Not sure if/when the book will be available but if/when it is, you’ll find out about it here.
