Looking Back - 2011

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:25:00 +0000

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 :D

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??????

The Red Umbrella

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:30:00 +0000

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.

Sheltered - Coastal Arbutus Trees

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:15:00 +0000

I've always loved the smooth reddish bark and the twisty branches of the Arbutus tree they are a favorite of mine. Because these trees only grow close to the ocean and I am inland it's always a treat to see them. To learn more about the Arbutus Tree you can check out this link from the Government of Canada

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/arbutus.htm

Still working in a loose style I did very little blending in this painting, it was constructed by numerous brush strokes of many colours placed closely together.

Hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Sheltered - Coastal Arbutus Trees

24" x 36" acrylic on canvas

Emmadale - Commissioned portrait

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:40:00 +0000

This is Emmadale a beautiful Airedale Terrier that I recently had the privilege to paint. I was a little nervous about doing a pet portrait, but i'm pleased to report that the customer is thrilled with it!

Emmadale

14" x 18" Acrylic on canvas.

And the Birds Sang

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:25:00 +0000

And the Birds Sang!

We are polluted with noise, just think back to the last time the power whet out and how the silence was deafening, you could hear every little noise the house made, the sound of each branch gently brushing against the side of the house, or the sound of the person next to you breathing. When was the last time you were deep in the woods or high upon a mountain top and listened to the trees and grasses russling in the wind, the insects buzzing, and the birds singing?

This reference photo came from Mc Donald Park between Abbotsford and Chilliwack. It is known to the many astronomers in the area as a "Dark Sky Park" one of the few places in our area where the sky isn't polluted by light. It is nestled up against Sumas Mountain, the mountain itself acting like a huge amphitheather, blocking off the light of Abbotsford to the west, Chillwack to the east and Mission city to the North.

And the Birds Sang!

24" x 36" Acrylic on canvas

Perched Sparrow

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 02:34:00 +0000

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

Hayward Lake

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:45:00 +0000

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

Satin Embrace - Video

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:49:00 +0000

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

Into the Depths of Hayward Lake, BC

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 05:07:00 +0000

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 :roll: 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

Fishing on the Fraser

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Two Bit Bar in Glenn Valley is one of my favorite places to go to for some nice quiet communing with nature time. With a nice small sandy beach it's a great place to picnic or just hang out. It's also a popular place to go fishing for the locals.

The reference photos for this painting were taken one early September evening during a glorious evening sunset. It was such a peaceful tranquil evening, a gentle breeze, insects buzzing, waves gently lapping at the shore and fishermen fishing, a perfect late summer photo shoot.

*** For you fishermen, most likely they were fishing for Coho.

The original photo was more of a silhouette so I had to improvise and lighten every thing up so that we could have a better view of the fishermen. I love the light I was able to capture in this painting it has a wonderful glow to it. Hope you enjoy it.

Fishing on the Fraser

11" x 14" Acrylic on canvas board