Acrylic on Textured Canvas 30 x 40 $1200
I've had the busiest couple of months doing lots of organization for shows coming up throughout this year. I've been submitting for entrance into shows, helping to apply for a grant for the Bowker Creek Brush Up Art Show and Sale in August, and I've been varnishing and framing like a crazy woman! As well I've been suffering from Blog Withdrawal and thinking that I'd be forgotten, when two of my blogging buddies, Virginia Floyd and Lorraine Shirkus, sent me kind messages checking in on me. Thanks ladies you really made my day!
This weekend is the Oak Bay Artists' Spring Studio Tour. I've spent the last few weeks preparing for the show by painting this larger version of a smaller piece I did called Country Road. When I completed Country Road I immediately thought that it was an image that could easily be much larger. So I went to a 30 x 40 canvas, and textured it with molding paste. I'm quite happy with the results, and when I compare the two, I prefer the brushstrokes of the smaller piece. But they both have their merits and I feel equally happy with them.
I have just finished hanging my show, and standing back and looking at it, I can honestly say it's my best Studio Tour Show to date. I have over 50 paintings, from 6 x 6 up to 30 x 40, in oils and acrylics, featuring still life and west coast scenes. It is the culmination of one full year of blogging, the goal of which was to push myself to improve my craft. I see so much personal growth as I look at all these paintings. This year I learned to paint with oils (I'm still learning), I experimented a lot with brushwork and edges, and I can definitely see and feel improvement in my craft. I absolutely love that! I also love how great blogging is, as a sharing forum and making friends with artists who I have only met online, but who I feel connected with.
Now that I'm starting my second year of blogging, I'm going to launch a blog project, starting soon (if only the weather would warm up). But first I'll be posting an interview with my good friend, portrait artist Manon Elder, who has an impressive exhibit at the Provincial Museum here in Victoria. I'll look forward to sharing her story with you. Talk to you soon!
This weekend is the Oak Bay Artists' Spring Studio Tour. I've spent the last few weeks preparing for the show by painting this larger version of a smaller piece I did called Country Road. When I completed Country Road I immediately thought that it was an image that could easily be much larger. So I went to a 30 x 40 canvas, and textured it with molding paste. I'm quite happy with the results, and when I compare the two, I prefer the brushstrokes of the smaller piece. But they both have their merits and I feel equally happy with them.
I have just finished hanging my show, and standing back and looking at it, I can honestly say it's my best Studio Tour Show to date. I have over 50 paintings, from 6 x 6 up to 30 x 40, in oils and acrylics, featuring still life and west coast scenes. It is the culmination of one full year of blogging, the goal of which was to push myself to improve my craft. I see so much personal growth as I look at all these paintings. This year I learned to paint with oils (I'm still learning), I experimented a lot with brushwork and edges, and I can definitely see and feel improvement in my craft. I absolutely love that! I also love how great blogging is, as a sharing forum and making friends with artists who I have only met online, but who I feel connected with.
Now that I'm starting my second year of blogging, I'm going to launch a blog project, starting soon (if only the weather would warm up). But first I'll be posting an interview with my good friend, portrait artist Manon Elder, who has an impressive exhibit at the Provincial Museum here in Victoria. I'll look forward to sharing her story with you. Talk to you soon!
Beautiful painting, Claire! I love the way you handled the sky peeking through the leaves, the vibrant color and the brush strokes. It's good to see you back to posting . . . good luck with the exhibits!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post Claire! I also love Autumn Escape...beautifully painted with wonderful rich colors. Good luck with your exhibit..wish I could see it.!!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! Love the laciness of the branches overhanging the road.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post about what you've been doing. I hope you will post some pictures of you studio tour. I want to see how your pictures looked hanging.
Thank you Lorraine, Hilda and Virginia for your good wishes. The Studio Tour was a big success and now I'm exhausted! LOL Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHello Claire,
ReplyDeletethis landscape is very beautiful!
The strength of color and vigor of the strokes in delight!
I really enjoyed the input of the blue in the mix - is a bold and artistic solution!
A hug from Brazil