Pink Peony Heart

Oil on Canvas (8x8 in)

SOLD

This is another close-up of one of my favourite flowers, the peony.  My neighbour had a particularly nice crop of them this year and was kind enough to let me snap some reference photos of them while in bloom.  I love to work at capturing the light and shadow contrast as well as the subtle colour variations within the petals.

How Sad is that Doggie in the Window?

Oil on Gessoed Board (10x8 in)

SOLD

While on a recent visit to Old Quebec City, we were walking down one of the many narrow cobblestone streets and came across this scene of a lonely looking hound, peering out the window, oblivious to all the people milling by.  He seemed to be looking for something; perhaps his master was overdue, thus his look of longing.  With the wonderful contrast of the dark interior against his golden fur, I just had to turn it into a painting.

Cold!

Oil on Cradled Birch Panel (6x6 in)

SOLD

You can just tell that the temperature of the water is not to his liking.  Didn’t stop him from bravely venturing in and enjoying the beautiful ocean.  Definitely cooler than pool water.

Harley's Nose

SOLD

Oil on Gessoboard (8x8 in)

Another Harley portrait, this time from above, with her happy little face panting in the warm sunshine.  I liked this vantage point for the painting because it’s often how we see our pets, looking up at us in unrestrained affection, or in hopeful anticipation of a treat.

A Proud Canadian

Oil on birch panel (10x8 in)

Not for sale

Harley is an adorable gal, the much-loved pet of friends of mine.  She didn’t care too much for having her picture taken, so again, it was a challenge to get a good reference picture to use for this painting.  But she tolerated me for a bit as she gazed out from the cottage deck on to the river below.  Alas, the moment was fleeting and she soon turned her attentions to other things, having something much better to do than to pose for the paparazzi. 

Wheatley River Cow

Oil on panel (8x8 in)

SOLD

While in PEI this summer we stayed with our good friends in Wheatley River and passed by this field of cows pretty much every day when we were out and about.  This lovely gal was good enough to stay put for a few seconds while I snapped a few photos of her.  The landscape was bathed in sunshine and the mood was leisurely and relaxed, just like this contented cow.  

Chasing Gulls

SOLD

Oil on panel (8x10 in)

Again, while on recent vacation, I saw this beach scene with a young child chasing after the ever-present seagulls, which I had to paint.  It’s good to be young.

The Garden Gate

oil on canvas (10x10 in)

Click here to buy

This painting is based on a neighbour’s garden gate.  The knocker caught my eye as I was walking by, and although I thought it might be very challenging to execute (it was), as usual, it was a very enjoyable challenge.  It seems for me that the beginning of almost every painting starts out like a mystery as to how I will ever be able to approach the subject and capture what I want to capture about it.  I’m happy with how this turned out and that I managed to get to the end of the mystery …

Basilica Angel

                  

Oil on Gessoboard (6x6 in)

Not for sale

On my recent visit to Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful St. Dunstan’s Basilica which is right downtown Charlottetown.  The church graciously allows photography during visiting hours, and so I was able to take a reference shot of the lovely angel font at the front of the church.  I took some artistic liberties since in reality, the angel is not golden but a white alabaster.  

Sunglasses

                

Oil on Gallery Canvas (8x8 in)

SOLD 

My son had left his sunglasses lying around and when I spied them I thought they’d make a great subject for a painting, and made a mental note to do that.  The next day he told me he was heading out for the weekend to a friend’s cottage, so I grabbed the sunglasses and took a few reference photos to get me started with some ideas before he left with them.  Good thing I did, because when he got back at the end of the weekend, it turned out that he’d left the sunglasses behind somewhere, never to be seen again.  

Beachcomber

              

oil on canvas (8x8 in)

NFS

Click Here to purchase a print of this painting

On vacation I came across this scene that sent me back to my own childhood.  Memories of playing for hours in the sand and beachcombing for all kinds of treasures; shells, sea glass, pretty rocks, all the while trying to avoid the seaweed and jellyfish that also dotted the very interesting landscape.  I can still smell the salt water and feel the ocean breeze …

Lost in Thought

                                                                     

                                              Oil on gallery canvas  (8x8 in)

                                                               SOLD

Sometimes I wonder what, if anything cats are thinking about when they have that faraway look on their faces.  But then I conclude they are thinking about whether they should get up and eat or just go back to sleep.  In this regard, I’m a lot like cats …

Peony Bud

                         

Oil on Canvas (6x6 in)

SOLD 

I was taking a picture of a much bigger bloom that was fully open, but when I saw this little guy hanging off to the side, I knew I had to paint it.

Ball Mason Jar

                                

                                                       Oil on Panel  (9x12 in)

                                                            SOLD 

This is a painting I did for a Daily Paintworks challenge - create a painting with lettering or numbers in it.  I've been wanting to paint a glass jar so this fit the bill.  It was also a challenge for me to work on a flat panel rather than my regular stretched canvas support.  It took some adjustment to get used to the smooth and slippery surface, but I may become a convert!        

Coco in Repose

Oil on gallery canvas (8x8 in)

SOLD

Click Here to purchase a print of this painting

This is my cat Coco who is not often cooperative when I attempt to get reference photos of her.  This time she seemed content to “vogue” for me on the chair.  This particular pose provided lots of light and shadow contrast which I really enjoyed painting. 

Clouds In My Coffee

SOLD

Oil on Canvas(10x10 in)

I found this little cup and saucer at a flea market and knew that the hobnail details would make for an interesting and challenging painting.  I hadn’t noticed it when I took my reference photos, but the coffee was reflecting the sky from the nearby window, thus the title, Clouds In My Coffee.

Stratford Swan II Alpha

                                            Oil on Canvas (10x10 in) 

                                                       SOLD

Same Alpha swan from the Stratford, Ontario visit I mentioned yesterday.  This time he was heading back down the Avon River to order all the other swans around, in case they forgot who was the boss.  Nonetheless he was lovely to behold and definitely a great painting subject, cooperative or not.

Stratford Swan I (See Ya Later)

                                                  Oil on Canvas (9x12 in)  

                                                              SOLD

I spotted this swan during a recent visit to Stratford, Ontario, a pretty little town about a one and a half hour drive west of Toronto.  This fellow made it clear that he did not want his picture taken and motored away along the Avon River at breakneck speed.  I managed a few pics anyway, and here is the resulting painting.

Floral Abstract I

Oil on canvas (9x12 in)   

SOLD

This piece was inspired by a beautiful peony that was blooming in a neighbour’s yard.  I usually stick to a realist style, particularly with flowers since they are so beautiful on their own, but I decided to push it to the abstract so I could exaggerate the lines and colours to push them further.

Pause

SOLD 

Oil on Canvas (10x10 in)  

Working again with the yellow cup and saucer here, I wanted to intensify the light and shadow contrast on the cup itself, so it was fun working with the varying depth of darks in the shadows, trying to get the shiny reflectiveness to come through.

Sunny Fruit Bowl

Sunny Fruit Bowl  (10x10 in)  

This bowl of fruit just called out to be painted as it seemed to be lazily basking in the afternoon sunlight.  

Teacup Meditation

                                              Oil on canvas (10x10 in)

                                                           SOLD

I’m having fun exploring the tea time theme, especially with this particular teacup.  I find the yellow colour feels very relaxing.

Rose Teacup

Click Here to Buy

Oil on canvas (10x10in)   

This cup and saucer was a housewarming gift from a good friend many years ago.  I always thought it would make a nice painting with all the lovely roses on it.  It was challenging to capture the glow of the reflections on the side.

Which One to Choose?

SOLD (8x8in oil on gallery canvas)

A friend from France brought these beautiful (and delicious) Belgian chocolates back from a visit and I knew as soon as I saw them that I needed to paint them!  Thankfully I managed to get a few reference pics before the entire box was devoured …

Tea Break

Oil on canvas (10x12 in)

SOLD

Growing up in the Maritimes as I did, more often than not you enjoyed tea from a young age. It's still such a comfort to sit down with a hot cup of tea for a little break from work or even better, visit with a friend.