Art Log

I met with friends at Tim Horton's recently and found myself transfixed by the lighted baked goods: muffins, cookies, danishes, but it was the iced donuts that brought me back to a time long ago. My mother had been an exemplary baker, sometimes decorating wedding and birthday cakes for others. She seemed to thrill to the rising of dough, often making puff pastry, donuts, strudels and danish pastry with elaborate weaving, topped by glistening icing. It was rare that I would arrive home and the house would not be filled with those aromas. So I bring you the beginning of my Confections series, much more memory than a part of my life today.

Sweet Pink Icing was very enjoyable to paint. I imagined the texture as I painted it, unable to take a bite until it was done.  9 X 12 acrylic on canvas board.  Purchase now and you can choose your frame colour.

When it comes to donuts, you're either a sprinkle person or you're not.  Here's a big one for you:  8 X 8 X 1.5" acrylic on canvas with deep cradle, so no need to frame.  

See the individual items under Confections on my website www.PocketDesertPainter.com

Enjoy every moment!

July 1st we went for a walk along the boardwalk in the Oliver Wetlands and I can't describe how hot and dry it would have been if not for the lovely breezes that swept down the Okanagan Valley.  However, at this time and for the last 6 weeks like much of the province of BC, we have been completely blanketed by forest fire smoke.  

It's peach season in July and August in the Okanagan Valley.  Succulent, dripping with sweet fragrant juices, it makes my mouth water to even think about them.  Sliced with ice cream?  Or served with cream?  With my brushstrokes, I attempted to get the fuzziness of peach skin.

It's been a great couple of weeks for sales for me at the ART WALK Osoyoos, Faustino's Cidery and The ART GALLERY Osoyoos and word of mouth sales.  Many thanks to all of these venues for allowing me to show my work.  I did sell another painting but discovered I hadn't photographed it.  Note to self:  ALWAYS photograph your work!  Many thanks to my patrons!

Stroll down Main Street Osoyoos and shop for art works from 6 to 9 p.m. as the evening cools down.  Some venues offer light refreshment.  I will be located in front of The ART GALLERY Osoyoos ready to greet you in person.  Looking forward to seeing all my friends.

Why do I keep painting these teapots, you might wonder.  It’s not just their form and colour, it’s that for me they are symbolic of a daily ritual that involves taking the time to create moments of contentment, peace and joy.  Each day I stop whatever I’m doing—if possible—and make a pot of tea.  Not just a cup, a pot is usually 2 cups—and I want the feeling to last.

Look-Alikes: the tomato and green teapot 8 X 8 X 1.5” acrylic on cradle board.  No need to frame as the sides are a painted continuation. $90

Afternoon Ritual: the blue teapot and lime 8 X 10 X 1.5 “ acrylic on cradle board.  No need to frame as the sides are a painted continuation. $150

So, what are you daily rituals that give you peace and contentment?  Send me a photo and it might end up as a painted transformation.

8 X 8 X 1.5" acrylic on cradle board. No need to frame and made to the highest standards.

I sometimes think we are held together by our rituals. They give us peace, pleasure and contentment albeit short-lived in many cases. I bought this little blue teapot in a thrift store and couldn't wait to bring it home and paint it with a variety of companions. What are your rituals?

Today I was thrilled to be showing as guest artist at Front Street Gallery in Penticton.  And what's more I have a story to tell you.  A young woman entered with her boy and looked around the gallery.  She stopped in front of my designated wall, looked at the painting shown here and asked how I did this.  "I just have to have it [the painting], that's our name".  Of course I was thrilled that it would go to a Moreira.  While there are a number of people in the Okanagan with Moreira for a surname, I am happy it has found its rightful home.  I will be in attendance next Saturday the 14th from 11 to 1 at the Front Street Gallery to greet you. 

A word to the wise:  the street market is on so be prepared to walk a little to getting parking.

A few years ago here in the Southern Okanagan a fruit distributor had a sign painted on his warehouse which said, "The Taste of Summer" and, for me, the taste of summer has always been the pears which, at this time, are forming on the trees.  Bartletts, Anjous, their delicate scent and juicy bite, now that's summer.

10 X 8" acrylic on 1" deep cradle board prepared to the highest standard.  

It all started with a small celebration which called for a martini . . . the ritual of the chilled glass, the speared cocktail olives, the cocktail shaker, the gin and just a hint of vermouth. But it's the fun colours of those cocktail olives, green and red, that excites me even more--only a painter would say that, right?

And then what's a hamburger without a dill pickle?  Maybe for you it's a sandwich with the dills sliced--that's the way I like them.  I think I'm really fond of the looks of food floating around in a glass jar.  What's next?  Pickled beets?  Maraschino cherries?  Leave me a note on my site with your suggestion please.  

Light, Shadow, Colour

You are invited! I am so very pleased to be the feature artist at the Front Street Gallery in Penticton from July 6th to July 19th, 2018. For the opening day, July 7th (as well as July 14th), I will be present to meet each and every one of you between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.. The show runs from July 7th to July 19th in the coziest little gallery. Please come!

Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 4 p.m. at the Front Street Gallery, 60 Front Street, Penticton, BC