16 x 20 – Acrylic on Wood

I started this painting intending to paint a quiet scene with a still pond just beginning to thaw as winter warmed to spring. As I painted I realized that the water wasn’t still at all. Everything, including a quiet pond is constantly moving, changing, flowing together and apart in a sinous dance…

How do you paint change? How do you reconcile a thing that imparts stillness with the fact that nothing is still at all? The tree and the water and the air between them are all the same – crashing together and rushing apart only to merge again.

12 x 16 – Acrylic on Wood

Clouds rise from the dead tree’s branches as smoke from a factory and laze about in the endless blue sky. Early fall brings the beginning of change to the valley below but the snag remains aloof and unaffected.

Did you know a dead tree that is still standing is called a snag – I didn’t. I just love the internets.

12 x 16 – Acrylic on Wood

We got a bit of snow recently and there’s some more on the way so I’m feeling a wintry painting coming on.

But it’s still a beautiful fall day in Hockley Valley. The dead tree is complete and moves in and out of the background as sun and shadow both define and hide it.

12 x 16 – Acrylic on Wood

Hmm, I think the first couple shots I took are a little green. The sky is really more purple than turquoise – so this image is a more true representation of the actual painting – at least on my monitor.

12 x 16 – Acrylic on Wood

The branches of the dead tree remind me more and more of the steel plant in Hamilton. We drive the skyway often and the plant makes an impressive site. I’ve even taken ref pictures of it – I know it’s not a natural feature of the Canadian landscape but I’m finding it compelling nonetheless. It’s all slate buildings and orange fire wreathed in smoke and water. I may have to paint it.

12 x 16 – Acrylic on Wood

Well it’s -10 degrees outside but in Hockley Valley it’s a gorgeous fall day with little fluffy clouds, gentle breezes and the smell of gently rotting leaves.

I couldn’t decide what size to make this painting – some of the shapes in the sky are quite big though so I went slightly smaller than I was thinking at first. Sometimes I just know what size a painting should be but then there are those other times where i don’t.

18 x 36 – Acrylic on Wood

Here is my last painting of 2011 – a very good year if I do say so. I’m still waiting for a picturesque winter day that I can immortalize in digital film and hopefully paint. But until then I have a few others waiting to be painted. I think I’m feeling a blue sky with fluffy clouds coming on.

Happy New Year and may the best be yet to come!

18 x 36 – Acrylic on Wood

Only a few days left ’til 2012! I can hardly believe how quickly this year has flown by! I’ve only a little left of this painting too! I guess this will be the last of 2011.  No worries though as I have about a zillion paintings planned for next year.

I’ve made it to the top of this one – all the branches striving for the light, gently jostling for the best spots.

18 x 36 – Acrylic on Wood

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday! I’m finding lots of time for family and friends, but I’m still managing to squeeze in some painting too!

I have moved to the top of the tree where the branches thin out and you can see glimpses of sky bright with sunshine. It’s very interesting working with this limited palette. Everything’s on fire!

18 x 36 – Acrylic on Wood

It’s looking like we’ll have a green Christmas for sure this year. That’s ok since we will be doing some visiting and that will make driving easier. I do like those first few hours after a snowfall when everything is glittery and pristine. But I can be patient.

I have done some more work around the tree this session. Sun-kissed and dappled with fallen leaves the foreground is providing a nice contrast so far.