New Parrsboro Sunset, 11x14, Acrylic

Well, I say it all the time but this looks better in person. I didn't do a small daily painting yesterday, but did try to work on this smalled version of a big oil (see my Studio Blog). You wouldn't believe, given the simplicity of the subject, how difficult it is. It so easily slips into being trite. Now... even if no one believes me, I have painted that magical night when the sky erupted into the most unbelievable colors - even I as a huge sunset fan - had never seen. This is acrylic, and I did many, many layers, and used lots of medium, and IRL it has a luminous quality (or maybe I'm just drinking my own kool-aid!).

Pine Cones in a Vase, Oil, 6x8

Click To Bid

Another on that kooky background!  These are, again, my Nova Scotia pinecones.  I would have liked the set up to be a little less flimsy - the background would not stay upright in back of the yellow covered box - and instead it rested a few inches away (I should take a photo of my set up) - to get it eye level I have a plastic storage box, with a big phone book, then a tall box on top.  On top of this I drape the cloth or paper, then in back (against the microwave) I lean the background.  So the shadow did not touch the background!  Anyway I went to Kabloom for more flowers - I was going to splurge - but they were closed, so.... the little pine cones filled in.  They are surprisingly hard to do - you can't try to 'draw' the little 'leaves', it'll make you crazy, you have to just kind of look at the light spots and the shadows (which is the best way for me to paint anyway...)  Happy November!

Turquoise House, Oil 8x10

Last plein air painting from Nova Scotia.  This sweet turquoise house had a big dahlia patch running alongside it.  I really enjoyed painting this, with thick paint, trying to lay down broad patches of color.  The arches of the bare trees made a nice frame to the house, too.   I could've made more, or less of the house, but that's something I may explore later on a bigger canvas.

Backyard View, Parrsboro 8x10

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!  On Friday Joan and I meandered into Parrsboro and explored the neighborhoods a bit.  Everywhere there were Canadian flags, which, when I think about it, is not too unusual, since it's their national flag!  But the backlit houses in a row, with the flag and the blue-roofed house beyond, looked good to me.  While we were there painting we were given a flag by the man doing repair work at the Canadian Legion, where we parked... a nice souvenir!

Thursday In Nova Scotia

Raining here today, so I only got the bottom painting in before it started.  Then I painted the candle we have on the table this afternoon.  Yesterday no painting, just sightseeing - too too much to paint - I think you really need two weeks in a new place to get acclimated and then decide what you want to paint.  I have more photos on my Studio Blog.

Parrsboro, Day 2

Reserved

Here I've tackled two little cottages. The quiet here will knock you over. Fabulous. I'm trying to loosen up in my plein air, and the top painting is maybe a little too 'tight' for me. I do love the subject, though. The second one is a little more lively. What do you guys think?

We are in artist's heaven. Who cares what we eat or drink, or when we sleep (I took a nap on the bluff in front of the cottage next door - in the wonderful fresh air, with the scents of balsam and ocean wafting by - I tell you... Heaven....

Also you can check out Mary Sheehan Winn's blog for more photo's & links for this painting trip.

LIVE from Parrsboro, Nova Scotia!

 Painting trip to Nova Scotia - (hardly know where I am these days!) with Mary Sheehan Winn who's husband's family is from the Parrsboro area.  She's kindly hosting a little trip - Joan Brancale is here also.  We came up in the Grand Marquis, after all of us promising to 'pack light', and, well, I guess none of us really are able to do that. :)  The scenery is amazing, the cottage is right on the water, and it is truly inspirational.  If you don't like dead quiet this is not the place for you!  The tides are famous for their extreme levels (I would have though "Tsunami!" if Mary hadn't told me.)  I feel the BUTTER should be famous, too...(why IS it so different?).  

Today we explored in the morning, when there was NO wind and it was warm.  Then as the wind kicked up we took out our paints, and I did this - it's the direct view from where we're staying.  The sand is a deep pink, leaving transparent rose colors when the tide comes in at the waters' edge.  I'll try again tomorrow, but for not having done a plein air piece in a long long time, I'm not too unhappy with it!  There is a shadow on the upper and lower right that I didn't see back at the cottage.  We have to come into town to post - no