December 30, 2009 - Paris at night

Bit of an impressionistic experiment with this one. I don't normally do night scenes. I loved the rich orange light that was in the photograph that I took a couple of years ago and wanted to try to replicate it. I did a couple of darks washes over masking fluid and then got to work on the "light" colours. It was fun if not very successful.

December 29, 2009 - Covent Garden pub

Had this scheduled to paint for a few days now. I think I need to add some darker colours. We'll see. Already planning a larger painting panoramic style so watch this space.

This is based on a photo taken in the Spring 2008 in the Covent Garden area of London. Always a busy place.

December 28, 2009 - Strasbourg river scene

We went to see Strasbourg for a day in the fall of 2007. I saw this scene and thought I should paint it. A town of beautiful bridges and French/German architecture. They also know how to do it up for Christmas. Unfortunately we were a few days too early for the Christmas markets. Maybe next time (and maybe next time it won't rain all day). This is for hubby who spent a year there at university. Can't believe I haven't done a watercolour of the town yet.

December 28, 2009 - Emil's present completed version

Remember the wheel theme that I painted for a special little boy? If not go back to November pics or look at these. This is the completed version printed out from my scans, mounted to a wood block frame and then covered with plexi that screws through the print to the frame. Paint the sides a matching colour and voila! I made a little boy happier than I thought.

December 28, 2009 - Green mini

Yep, yet another car. I saw this photo from a Paris trip and thought I would add another one to the collection.

December 27, 2009 - Grisaille London

So we had sepia, now for some grisaille with a spot of colour. I've been doing this with photos as well. I might even try it with the photo that this is based upon. Quite fun.

December 27, 2009 - I'm back

Back from Christmas and all it has to offer. We didn't actually go anywhere except 20 mins away to my parents' the 25th and the 26th but I had ideas in my head for paintings if not the energy or time to carry them out. So I'm back. And I went to the art store today and they are having a 20% off sale so I finally got a new mat cutter (I just realized the one I had and that I cannot find blades for anymore was bought when I was high school and not a short time ago like I've been thinking and hence why I can't find blades).

I saw an ad for brushes with a sepia landscape of the Hagia Sophia and I wanted to try that out. I've been doing some aged photos lately so why not try a watercolour. Here's the first attempt - Paris rooftops.

December 24, 2009 - Christmas Eve

This is a cheat because I painted this a long time ago but you can understand I'm kind of on vacation but wanted to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Back to regular scheduling soon and new works.

December 19, 2009 - Citroen 2cv

The car theme continues and was a suggestion of the husband. This same citroen has been sitting at a car mechanic's down the road for months now and I know my husband looks at it every time he goes by. It would be really neat but also a BAD idea.

And I inspired a friend in Australia to write about the Cinquecento on his blog. Check out the modern versions on his site.

What next - mini? We do love those as well.

December 18, 2009 - Fiat 500

Well, I was supposed to go out and photograph today but it's been put off yet again. Snow pictures are lovely but I also don't want my lens to get covered in snow or me for that matter. So I paint. And I paint one of my husband's favourite cars. I had hoped for the modern version to be our bundle of joy next year but that's looking unlikely. Oh what I would give to not have to lug piles of groceries in the snow this winter and to look forward to excursions outside of the city in the good weather. Oh well.

So this is for you, hubby. Thank you.

December 16, 2009 - New York park bench

And now the bench. This is from a photo from my November trip to New York and it's just outside of Central Park. Seems like it was only yesterday that it was autumn. Really it still is but it was awfully chilly today and there were some flurries about.

December 16, 2009 - Thread

And now for a spool of thread (which reminds me that I really must google the sewing machine make to find out what replacement needle I need seeing as I goofed by buying on speck).

December 16, 2009 - Blue shoes

Probably shouldn't have been painting tonight but part of me really wanted to and also really wanted to produce something. I was productive last night (got a watercolour all framed up and ready to deliver to its new owner and got little Emil's pictures mounted on blocks and covered with plexi). After a day with a friend at the Art Gallery of Ontario I should feel inspired and I am a bit. The mind is willing but the body is weak and all of that. Anyway, the above are not my favourites (although my husband loves the bench). I wish my headaches would go away but that probably won't happen until April. Oh well.

December 13, 2009 - Pink Room

An outline drawing of a dining room table and chairs made we want to attempt something similar but with more definition. I saw a room set-up in an old Elle Decoration (UK) magazine and thought I would attempt that. I can see room for improvement but I'm pleased enough with it especially as it was a quick attempt.

December 13, 2009 - Gerbil

I saw an image of a little gerbil standing up and taking notice and I just had to try to paint him. Say it's in memory of my gerbil Ernie who died many years ago.

December 13, 2009 - Trio of orchids

Another productive Sunday painting and otherwise wise. I only began painting just before supper and just after. The rest of the day was filled with the usual chores (laundry, changing the bed, cleaning) but I also got to try out two German Christmas cookie recipes and my taster says they are great and I can make them again. They are good especially since if you make them together you aren't wasting eggs as one recipe takes 3 egg whites and the other 3 egg yolks. They're made with almond meal instead of flour. Yum. I also got to the art store to see about frames for the painting I sold last week but no luck. I'll try downtown tomorrow after my planned photography trip to the junction and the delivery of a matted print I sold last week as well (figured since they are in Toronto I might as well hand-deliver it, saves CanadaPost from destroying it as it's a Christmas present for someone).

This trio of orchids is from an image on Decor8 featuring an Australian store. Just loved the three pots and orchids.

December 12, 2009 - deer

Just wanted to get in a quick sketch before dinner. I've been seeing deer motifs everywhere lately especially in design magazines. So here's my take with watercolour pencils.

December 9, 2009 - Distillery District

Another Distillery district image and more playing with my watercolour pencils. They are very handy for doing a quick sketch and I love the magic of adding water and watching your image change.

December 9, 2009 - Green chair, Distillery District

I've been trying to make use of the photos I took while on a week-long photography workshop especially as I have managed to track them all down now (Aperture didn't want to give up some of the photos that it placed in a hidden folder). This quick sketch is from a photo of a chair I took while at the Distillery District, a former Whisky making site now full of shops, restaurants, galleries and studios. During the week it is a bit quiet so taking pictures that sunny Wednesday was a treat. I like to think about that time and the feeling I had at the end of my work at the museum and starting something new with the first week having the treat of being able to take pictures for half a day and play with them on macs half the rest. It was also the real beginning of good weather and since it has rained all day after a snowstorm last night, it's nice to think about that time.

December 8, 2009 - Berlin cafe

I couldn't stop with just one painting/drawing last night so back to the Berlin pictures and for some colour. I loved this little spot outside a cafe in Prenzlauerberg near our apartment. I just think it's so nice that there are cushions and blankets for customers. So civilized and cosy.

December 8, 2009 - New York street

I nearly completely forgot that I bought a set of watercolour pencils in Berlin. How did that happen? I do enjoying experimenting with them and I feel I'm still at that stage. I thought I would use the Hahnemuhle rough paper for it since it would add to the pencil look.

Today is an odd day and not what I had planned. The gym - out the window and pushed to tomorrow. I slept in, which I haven't done for a while, because of a storm last night that kept us awake and me worried about our porch screen coming through our new front window. This necessitated action at 2 in the morning. Anyway, I sold a photograph last night on etsy so that has been printed out and I have to add more. Just thought I would get this in first.

December 6, 2009 - Decorations

As expected the natural light pics are best.

December 6, 2009 - Winter items

This isn't really following the Christmas theme as such. I created these images because I might blow them up and put them on the storage boxes I got at Ikea on Friday. I'm trying to organize the basement yet again and one of the bad sites was a closet - hats, scarves, mittens and everything else was everywhere. So I thought I would put them in boxes beside the closet and they have to be labelled. The closet will also be getting a makeover. Not sure if this is a good idea or not but it's not the most attractive closet anyway (Ikea low budget). I was thinking of doing a faux baroque door painting. We'll see how that goes. I might post the results (only if it comes out well, otherwise it will just be plain old white).

For the mittens, the green ones just didn't say "mittens" enough but the purple ones did.

December 6, 2009 - Miscellaneous

This is just in the order that I created the pictures. This was a random image although I was inspired by a Christmas issue of Elle Decor with a similar floral arrangement.

December 6, 2009 - Christmas!

So what have I been up to and what's my excuse for not painting since the 2nd? Well, I have spent time promoting my work and also organizing my photos (a lot easier with my laptop). And Friday was "getting into the Christmas spirit" day although early in the day I was put into a mood that made me not want to do that. But it was sunny, I had a drive from my parents to Ikea to get a cheap but lovely tree (thanks!) and it made for a nice surprise for my husband when he got home. I have the time this year to do this all in one go so I put on some Christmas music and had a hot chocolate at the end of it.

Hence the Christmas theme. I'll even post some pics of the decorations as proof later on. I'll see if I can get some good pictures at night.

Very prolific today. Thought I would dole the paintings out over a few days but why wait.

Here goes.

December 2, 2009 - 3 photos and a watercolour

More playing around with Paris photos yesterday afternoon until a headache got the better of me. It cleared and I did a small painting of a door in Paris. Probably shouldn't have. Anyway, it's just okay. For instance, you can tell it's a door. I used the very "bleedy" smooth paper I got in Germany. It's a bit of a challenge. I love it and hate it at the same time.

Well, I'm pleased with the photos. I'll probably post them on redbubble today.

December 1st, 2009 - new photos

Okay, so no new watercolours after my productive Sunday. But that's because I have a new toy so I've been concentrating on photos instead and playing around with textures so I'm posting these instead. I also just opened a shop at redbubble. Check out my shop. I'm under "easelarts" there as well. Maybe you'll see these images there.

Once again, I'm going through my Parisian images. Most of these date back to 2007 but now with a new twist.

November 29, 2009 (again!) - Kensington Market

So it was worth tracking those Kensington market photos down. Here's a painting based on one of those images.

I loved that week-long course. I need to plan half a day to shooting a neighbourhood or place in Toronto like we did everyday that week. I enjoyed it so much.

November 29, 2009 (again!) - Toronto

See I said I would do it if I found my photos. Well it was touch and go there for a while. I had to use finder and run a search which takes a long time. I was already consoling myself with the fact that my first day of class's photos taken in Kensington market were gone but I had the others. However, finder found them and I transfered them to a proper file.

Now this image isn't based on Day 1's class. This was day 4 at the western end of the beaches. I liked the colours that this committed walker was sporting. Just a quick sketch but it's done.

November 29, 2009 - Now for a different city

Leicester! Yes, I went to Leicester. Why? Well, I had ideas of pursuing another degree. I wouldn't actually have to go there but could do it by distance. Well, I would have to show my face once a year and to defend my thesis but that's it. But my plan to meet with some people to talk to them about the course but more especially about funding my studies fell through. It's still at the back of my mind but there it will stay for a while if not forever. I also wanted to see what Leicester looked like. For awhile I was employed by a company based there and I like taking the train especially from the newly renovated St. Pancras station.

Anyway, it was a beautiful sunny day there. Leicester is quite quirky and has a lot of old bits that are interesting but also some newish bits that you rather avoid (the centre shopping area is an example of 60s ? town planning that doesn't work so well). It also seemed to be well stocked with Subway sandwich places for some reason. I ended up leaving it too late for lunch and grabbed an awful sandwich at the train station (very nice train station by the way). I spotted the Turkey Cafe earlier in the day and loved the tile and the name of the place. It looked very art nouveau. Unfortunately, it had a Burger King right beside it.

I should really continue painting today to make up for yesterday. I have to find some photos that are lurking on a defunct Aperture library. I've been putting that off for way too long. Maybe they will inspire more paintings. They're photos taken from my week-long course at the Toronto School of Art in June so maybe Toronto will actually feature in a painting. I feel bad that it doesn't usually. Poor old Toronto but you're rapidly falling out of favour with me for a number of reasons that proper management could fix.

November 27, 2009 - Dutch house in New York

Again, this was from my April trip and on the same walk. I spotted this little house that was nothing like any of the others and reminded me of Dutch architecture.

And once again I'm not happy with this work but felt I had to do something today. We're off tonight for a birthday concert to see James Ehnes at the new Koerner Hall. So glad we can make it. Anyway, that's the excuse. I didn't want to do anything too time consuming since time is ticking but then again, some of my favourite works didn't take that long. Oh well. Better tomorrow? Let's hope.

November 25, 2009 - London tea

Another London memory. I took a picture of this cafe near Borough Market/London Bridge. It's actually in one of the archways of the rail line. Too bad it was shut, I would have liked a peek inside.

Anyway, no images today. Bad back and very sleepy. I'm not as happy with this one compared to some of my other ones lately so I don't want to push it and be unhappy with another one. Off to watch tv then early bed. I'm that crazy...

November 24, 2009 - New York (again part 2)

Yet another image of New York and once again this image came from a photo taken during my spring trip there. I love the brightly coloured restaurants. I'm fuzzy about location again but see below about my walk one Saturday with group friends, savouring wine, eating good food, and crossing a bridge for ice cream and a magnificent view.

November 23, 2009 - London

More blasts from the past. I took an image of this place on the South Bank near the Design Museum in London May 2008. It looked like a combination restaurant and gourmet shop. Very nice area which used to be old warehouses and are now lofts and restaurants and shops.

November 23, 2009 - New York (last trip!)

Been getting a lot of ideas for paintings by going through some old photos. Perfect day to get that done.

I believe this restaurant is in Greenwich Village but honestly, we walked around so much that day in April that it could be Nolita or Soho because we walked through all of those and Chinatown and lower East side and Brooklyn. You get the picture - lots of walking. This was interspersed during part of the afternoon with tastings of rioja wine in several liquor stores. Not something you will get in Toronto.

Anyway, I wanted a sketchy quality to suggest movement and to just suggest people rather than a study of individuals.

November 22, 2009 - red vehicles for Emil

Finally got around to my Christmas commission for a special 1 year-old who loves things with wheels. The rocket was the original inspiration (because he has one). So that sort of started the theme with red. I like bicycles and he's part Dutch so that had to be included. And who doesn't like an old-fashioned double-decker bus. But this is only the first stage. I want to mount them to wood blocks and put a layer of acrylic over top. Not sure how to do this last part since I don't really have the tools to polish the edges at my disposal anymore but we'll find a way.