Lilacs

I was very fortunate last Tuesday when a fellow artist brought lilacs to our painting session. I had a 16x20" canvas with me and after I borrowed purple oil paint I was set to go. The artist who brought the bouquet, found a vase and arranged the lilacs in an artistic manner, or so he claimed. I arranged my easel where I could paint the lilacs from the vantage point that I liked best. Here is the finished result. 

                         

Spring at the Stream

The weather is beginning to change and the buds are opening on the pussy willow bushes and the willows. The maples have a sheen of green and today, I think, the leaves will open. I love the spring time! This rushing stream was done from a photo because, even though the weather is changing, it is just not convenient to go out to paint on location. We are busy working in the garden, cutting the grass, and getting the yard ready for summer. Maybe soon, very soon, I can paint on location, in the woods, and listen to the forest awakening. This is done on a 16x20 canvas.

                                         

Late summer at the Creek

The leaves are starting to change and they sparkle against the dark green of the pines. The Stream hurries by, among the boulders, and the sky goes on forever. What a wonderful day to paint. This oil painting is done on a 16x20 canvas.

                        

The Smallest International Bridge in the World

Returning home in the Spring is always challenging, as far as painting is concerned. There is a difference in the paints you choose to paint with in Ontario, as opposed to Florida. The yellow is the biggest change. In Florida because of the lush foliage and the bright sun, we usually choose lemon yellow to mix with the ultra marine blue, to create more yellow greens. in Ontario, painting from photos as I am now, the summer greens need a cadmium yellow to mix with the same ultra marine blue. It is too cool and cloudy to paint outside at this time of year, but in a few weeks, when the buds open, we will have the need for the lemon yellow again, as the leaves are all new and just developing. As summer   nears the yellow greens turn to more vivid greens, and we need cadmium yellow again. What an interesting hobby this painting is. 

This painting is on an 11x14'board and was done from a photo. I am quite pleased with the result. As the title states, this is a big island on the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands, joined to a smaller island on the U.S. side of the Thousand Islands. They of course, are joined by a small bridge, which we like to think, is the smallest International Bridge in the World, well, maybe, just the Thousand Islands.

   

                           

Heavenly Biscuit

This business thrives, as you can see, in a small house. Last year there were five or six tables inside, the bakery and order desk and cash. As you can see there are small tables on the small porch and most people stand. The fire department didn't like all this, wonder why, and this year they had to change a few things. Now you line up, outside, beside the building, on their new ramp. The door must be kept closed. When it is your turn you go in, order what you want, pay, help yourself to coffee and sit wherever you can, usually outside since now they only have two tables inside and a bigger kitchen. In spite of all the fire code regulations they have kept their charm, which is mainly friendly service, crowded conditions for customers, which means everyone chats with everyone else and has fun. 

I painted across the road from the Heavenly Biscuit and all morning there was a steady stream of people willing to stand in line for quite a while, and then devour heavenly biscuits and cinnamon rolls.Everyone obviously enjoyed their visit. I decided to take my turn in line, when it was quite short, only about eight customers. I left my painting, on the easel, since it was done, and lined up. When I got to the door, a gust of wind caught the easel and it all went over. I think I whispered something and ran and picked everything up. I went back over and the people in front of me in line said, Here we saved your spot.. At the order desk!  Wonderful. The cinnamon bun was about four inches across and two inches deep and full of cinnamon, brown sugar and butter. It was heavenly!!!

                        M.  

The Porch at Edison Estates

                          

If you have been following my blog, you will know that this is the second version of this porch on the Edison Estate in Ft. Myers . The first version, posted last year, was sold and subsequently during a move, was lost. The purchaser asked me to re do the painting. Here is the finished result, for the second time, on an 11x14 Masonite board.

It is sold.

Time Square

This oil painting on an 16x20 canvas was quite an undertaking. I had signed up for a workshop on perspective using a Streetscape and this was my example to be used. I started with a photo and during the workshop I learnt a lot of interesting techniques on planning a painting and then how to plan the use of perspective and implement this new knowledge. The instructor was excellent, she wins many awards in the art shows down here and is an excellent teacher. During the lessons she wondered around the class and offered a lot of individual advice and guidance, which I needed. This painting was started during the class but finished on location at Time Square. This is the heart, the downtown of the B each and as you can see has open air patios that serve meals as well as drinks. Many of the seniors at the Beach spend time sitting and watching the action in this area. Buskers are always there and sunset is an event with a live band and entertainment. These days the area is even busier as the students are coming here for their winter break. Bikinis and partying are favourites to watch. The Cincinnati firemen are famous here for their entertaining shows that they put on daily, outside, for the college kids. The group of firemen has been coming down for years, but their stay is short just two weeks then they return to fighting fires in Cincinnati, and practicing for next years shows.

     

      

                     

This oil was sold off my easel at Time Square.