Art Log

When I first saw this iris it was after a late spring rainfall, days long, that I thought would crush every flower in the garden, however, despite its delicate bloom, this iris bloomed and endured. This is from the garden where I painted in Naramata on the Garden Tour.

I had such fun painting this iris, revelling in the array of purples, mauves, reds, and blues but when it came to the background I wondered if it should be a representation of its natural habitat or glazes of cobalt, mauves, and French ultramarine blue. As you can see the latter decision held sway. A slight halo around the dark iris makes it appear somewhat mysterious.

Oils on 9" X 12" X 1.5" cradleboard, the sides are a continuation of the background. No need to frame.Varnished, wired and ready to hang.

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I had not noticed how windy it was the spring day I set out to the local town garden to photograph irises. No matter the shutter speed on my little camera, no matter how much I tried to block the wind, all the irises dodged before me, except this one which has won my heart.

During the successful Naramata Garden Tour I painted this little beauty with many compliments for it and the little roses on display. But I wasn't able to finish the intricate design of multiple greens at that time. Finessing a painting seems to take forever, as it was in the final stages that I discovered there were more irises in the image than I'd originally thought.

If one of you is iris savy, and I know there are a few, would you please do a count and let me know. Is it four or is it five irises in various states of development?

To learn about my new works and events please click on the following link https://PocketDesertPainter.com/newsletter

I am delighted to be an artist at one of the homes on the sold out Naramata Garden Tour this year. Naramata is a little jewel of a village, north of Penticton, perched on a cliff high above Okanagan Lake, a place of vineyards, trails for hiking and biking and breathtaking views.

If you are planning to be in the Okanagan this summer, Naramata is a special place to visit and even stay.

To learn about new works and events please click on the following link https://PocketDesertPainter.com/newsletter

It's the most wonderful time of the year, so the lyrics go and that is surely the case here in the Okanagan Valley, especially for artists and tourists alike.  If you are visiting the Okanagan or having guests this summer please invite them to Picture This! Gallery in Penticton for some fresh viewing of art work.   

Tues - Fri 10 - 5 Sat 10 - 1pm 133 Westminster Ave W, Penticton.  

This is a sample of my work to be found at Picture This! in Penticton.

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Choosing a subject I want to paint is never difficult for me, I recognize it instantly. Something like love at first sight, I am drawn to an image. And then comes the delivery of the image, making it my own, using the techniques I've learned I attempt to approximate the idea I have in mind, not just copying a photo. But for me, finding the title, matching title to image can be elusive. For every painting I have a working title, in this case 'Frisson' meaning a thrill, used as "I felt a frisson of excitement when I looked at Monet's landscape" or "a frisson of excitement when the orchestra began"  but I must discover the title in the end and, in this case, I found it when I put on a CD of Nina Simone's and when it came to 'I Put a Spell on You' I grew undecided.  In the end it's 'Frisson'. 

Oil on canvas, 20 X 16" prepared to the highest standards. Unframed.  Contact me if you are interested.

Finished at last! The most delicate of pink peony petals slowly unfold to reveal the blazing fuchsia centre with its burnt orange and yellow stamens. To me, it is amazing how structured a peony is while developing the softest almost pleated petals. Inside is always a surprise and this one doesn't disappoint. This painting brought out all my perfectionist qualities, not letting go of the paintbrush until I was satisfied.

In keeping with my series of paintings with song titles, 'I'm Yours' is a title that has been used more in more than one version, from Billie Holiday to the current version by Jason Mraz.

20 X 20 X 3/4" oil on canvas. Unframed. Shipping just a little extra.  Contact me if you're interested.

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 I was nearing the finish line on this gorgeous peony with its striking shifts of pink and fuchsia and deep shadows when what should play on my music station?  'Unchained Melody' the song the Righteous Brothers made famous.  With Bobby Hatfield hitting the high notes, delivering vibrato with ease, it seems to be the perfect title for this beauty.  If you don't know 'Unchained Melody' play in on Youtube, the solo version.  I hope you love this painting as much as I do.

Oil on 16 X 20", 3/4" deep canvas, framed in a 1" black frame.  Shipping a little extra.

Please send this along to a friend who might like the painting.

Painting a white flower has always been a goal I wanted to achieve. But doing so is an elusive task.The under-petals have distinct shadows of their own and the white I sought to paint hardly exists as the petals reflect every surrounding hue.The petals of a peony riot with the slightest movement. And while I've signed the piece, I am keeping that brush handy for a last minute flourish.

'Love Me Tender' 24 X 24 X 3/4" oil on canvas.  

If you know someone who might be interested in this piece, please forward this to them.  

Please send me your thoughts on this painting please, I'm somewhat isolated by Covid and the cold weather.

It was a snowy day, the flakes cascading down, as I listened to Frank Sinatra classics while in the final stages of this painting, trying to decide on a title. A new tune played and instantly I knew, 'The Way You Look Tonight'. Doesn't  this flower resemble a woman swirling in a pink satin and chiffon gown?  

This was so much fun to paint and watch the form emerge from brushstrokes onto the canvas.It makes me want to run my palms over the petals.  A lovely present for someone or yourself . . .

16 X 20 oil on MDF. This will be framed in white. Contact me for pricing.

I turned to Youtube and was listening to a variety of singers and then Nat King Cole came on singing with Natalie.  I put the brush down to listen to 'Unforgettable' their duet- it was then thatI had my title for this rose painting. I feel the same way about that lush sound as I do about roses.  Aren't roses the loveliest of flowers? I just completed this--I haven't even signed it--but I love the complexity of colours in this type of rose, the way the petals billow, crest and fall. The sun spotlights the centre, holding our attention until we move through the petals, some with warm cast shadows, others cool, some backlit from the sun. Such fun to paint and watch the form and volume emerge.  I almost get the scent, looking at it.

I haven't even pulled it over stretcher bars or framed it yet but I wanted to get it out to you for your viewing pleasure.

I painted this during a Realistic Floral Painting with Ciel Ellis, gaining a lot of knowledge about technique, colour and oils.

11" X 17", will be framed soon. I hope you find this one 'Unforgettable'.