"Shinny in Trinity Newfoundland"

We are having a Canada show at the gallery to coincide with the Olympics in Sochi.
25 artists are coming up with paintings they feel represents what Canada is to them.
So many things came to mind but i kept coming back to hockey.
This is a scene of kids playing pond hockey which probably happens in most small villages and towns all across this great land
on any given night throughout the winter.
I based this wee village on Trinity Newfoundland. 

Watercolour on CP paper, 15" X 20".

"Victoria Street:

I spent part of October last year in Nelson B.C. taking care of someone's home and had some pleasant moments sketching in and around town. This painting is from a sketch i did of Victoria Street in Nelson. Nelson is a picturesque little town in the Kootenays. A beautiful spot to visit if in the area. Some great local restaurants too! I was house sitting for a lady who had a cattery. 

There were 19 of the little critters. 

An uncommon breed called "Siberians' because they originate from Siberia and resemble small lions. Some good sketching was had with them as well! 

This is watercolour on Arches C/P paper.   

20 X 27" .

"Roundstone"

One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go! Hehe! That's about where i'm at just now. There's many more i would love to do but only enough time for the four i most need to have done. Show time is in 24 days and counting. I have 32 in the bag. It's off to the framers now, and he is always so happy to see me these days. The framer i have is excellent and reasonable too, which be so important when framing 30 or more. Yikes! Scary thought actually. My credit card is rather hot these days. Hopefully enough sell to pay for the frames at least. Ahh, the life of an artist. Can't be beat. Cheers everyone. Until next time!

"A Crow and a Half"

Not too sure what to think of this one but thought i would post to see what the reaction might be. I used lots of paint straight out of the tube which is ridiculous for watercolor as it is a pretty pricey way to paint. Would try it again using acrylic. But i did experiment and once tons of paint was laid down dropped water on it and watched as the paint swirled and did cool stuff. I will do more crows as i think they make interesting paintings and are interesting creatures to boot! I love watching them as they carry on and make me laugh. Hope all are well and happily painting.
Blessings! ross

"The Choir"

I got the idea for this one from a wee doodle my step-daughter did in my sketch book of a persons head! The head she drew is the little green one second down on the left. It was great fun to carry that through to the finished piece. It has been a long while since last i posted here. Not that i have been far away or anything, just painting is all, getting ready for two upcoming shows. Hope to have more to share in the near future. Hope all are doing well and enjoying the beauty of Fall days. Blessings to each and everyone.

"Yupo Paintings"

These are my first attempts at using Yupo paper with watercolor which i tried last year. I had just visited Sandy Maudlin's blog and she has some amazing Yupo paintings there with some very helpful hints on how to use this rather unusual support. When i did the fist one, i almost could not stop smiling and laughing because it was just so much fun! I had forgotten about it till i saw Sandy's paintings and I just have to try some more now incorporating some of her helpful techniques. I was amazed too that the cows sold at my first show! I still have the rooster, and he is adorning my studio space just now.  Give Yupo a try if you have not already.

"Tribute to Janet Mitchell"

This is my tribute to a great Alberta Artist, Janet Mitchell who lived from 1912 - 1998. Her work was both beautifully light hearted and filled with childlike whimsy. She is a great inspiration to me. 

I was also lucky enough to purchase a painting by her which i have posted here for you to see. 

It is called "Head of Classics".  I had such fun doing a Janet Mitchell style painting and hope to do a few more in a series which of course will be called "A Tribute To Janet Mitchell". 

This one i did is 4" X 22" on 300lb. Arches CP paper.

Isn't this just a delightful painting? It is quite large and fits nicely over our fireplace. 

She did it on a full sheet of watercolor paper and the framing and matting make it a nice size. 

I enjoy looking at it each day. It is also one of very few original paintings that i own but hope 

to continue collecting as the opportunities present themselves.