Title

Today as Christians through out the world rejoice in the reminder that “He is risen!” (Mark 16:6)

I share with you my painting "Celebration" for all that I am is only by the grace of God.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Fun, joyful, invigorating, and playful are all words I would use to describe this painting as well as how I felt painting it. This one painted itself there was no angst lurking, just complete joy in the whole painting process. One of those paintings that make me feel so blessed to be an artist and did I tell you it looks fantastic hanging on my wall!

First Snow January 2012

2011 Looking Back

2011 was a year of exploration and experimentation.  I tried many new techniques and painting styles, some I liked some hit the reject pile.  There were many learning curves and much fustration, but the ah ha moments made up for them.

 I did a series of paintings using a limited palette,  I found a limited palette made things much easier when trying to re-create a color I enjoyed the simplicity.

 Moving out of my comfort zone I took a walk on the wild side and tried my hand at some landscapes, I loved the freedom of not having to do a detailed drawing and just jumping in with the paint.

I painted two roosters on wood for the Berry Beat Festival, my favorite was the doodle rooster http://www.melodiedouglas.com/apps/blog/show/7648972-artful-doodle-rooster-abbotsford-berry-beat-festival-2011created by doodling but on a much bigger scale then on paper.  I have since found out that my form of doodling has a name for it called Zentangle.  http://www.zentangle.com/

I took part in a group show "Seven" with 6 other very talented artists at the Federation Gallery, it was a honor to meet and work with my six co-artists Lorry Huges, Bob Araki, Enda Bardell, Etsu Inoue, Marney-Rose Edge, and Elsa Bluethner

I also took part in the West End Community Center "Art In The City" event, the best part of these events is the opportunity to meet other artist, see all the amazing works and meet new customers.  The high light for me was when a young boy bought two of my paintings, he was maybe 8 or 9 and already has a love of art!  And obviously has an excellent eye!

I had all three of my paintings juried into the Federation Gallery, Still Life show a almost unheard of honor

I saw how wonderful and giving artists and social media are when Trevor Jones put out a call on Twitter for donations for the Trees for Life Charity Exibition it was a honor to take part. http://www.melodiedouglas.com/apps/blog/show/7308275-entwined-trees-for-life-charity-auction

In all I completed 29 paintings, 28 of which were acrylic and 1 in pastel.

Can I reach 52 in 2012??????

As 2011 comes to a close it is time to finish up and post some of the paintings that I have been sporadically working on.  This painting contains two of my favorite things the color red and a umbrella.  

The Red Umbrella

24" x 36"

Acrylic on Canvas.

The references for this painting came from a trip to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary   http://www.reifelbirdsanctuary.com/ in Ladner, BC   This was my first trip to the sanctuary, and what a perfect place to spend a warm spring day, with miles of paths and trails to meander along.

I suffered from immense camera envy as I saw many photographers out with their super duper zoom lenses photographing the birds.   Although I had my 70 - 300 zoom lens on and I did get some good photos a more powerful lens would be nice.....ah a girl can dream right?

I loved the contrast of the old rustic bird house with the sleek beautiful blue feathers of the bird.

Perched Sparrow

18" x 24" acrylic on canvas

Wow, finally the sun is shining and i've been able to haul out my easel, set up my painting supplies and paint outdoors.

In a previous post I told you about one of my photo expeditions where I fell and broke my wrist, this reference photo was the last photo I took before the said misshap.  This reference was taken on the lower south end of Hayward lake.  The old poles that you see standing are from a time when logging  was still a huge industry in the area.

This painting went through many transformations, from my very realistic style, to more abstract, and finally to this.  I wanted the strokes of colour to each show individually and not all blended together, I wanted a looser look and believe me it was a struggle for this painter of realism not to paint every individual tree, branch, and blade of grass.  All in all i'm pretty happy with it and look forward to doing another.

Hayward Lake

24" x 36" Acrylic on canvas

I thought you might enjoy seeing how "Satin Embrace" came to life.  During my painting sessions I always take lots of progress shots, so I compiled some of the shots into this little video clip for you.    You can see the painting here http://bit.ly/nqhoxf 

Like almost all of my paintings there is a memory that goes with this one.  

It was on September 23, 2007 a beautiful, sunny and warm Sunday afternoon that I decided to head over towards Mission BC with my camera and see if I could find anything interesting to shoot.  (If I had only known I would have stayed home safe and sound)  

Shortly after taking the reference  photo for this painting, disaster struck.  I was walking down a gravel path, when my feet skidded out from under me on some loose gravel and I came down on my left hand breaking my wrist.  

Needless to say the pain was excruciating, but my first thought was to quickly look around and make sure no one saw me, vanity first of course   I sat there for a few minutes, trying to make it look like I was sitting in the middle of the path simply because I wanted to lol.  After a few minutes I managed to get myself up to my truck and turn on the A/C before I passed out I was feeling dizzy and nauseous.   Thank goodness I drove an automatic or I never would have been able to get myself home, unload my camera gear and drive myself to the emergency room to get a cast on my poor broken wrist.  

I did get some really nice photos though and I didn't break my camera!

Layers and layers of thin glazes were used to build up the water creating many sutle delicate colour shifts.   There are some lovely purple hues that sadly the camera can't seem to pick up on.

Into the Depths of Hayward Lake, BC

24" x 24"

Acrylic on canvas