Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird was inspired while on a bike ride last year spring. It took me a year to complete but I am happy with the results.

Red-winged Blackbird painted on two canvas panels. One is 18"X36" and the other is 6" X 36". I believe this is called a diptych. 

Grand-daughter

I recently did this painting of my grand daughter for her first birthday. It was a huge learning experience since I haven't ever completed any portraits in Acrylic before.

My Buddy

I finally did it! I painted a picture of my dog! The photo is not that great since I made the classic mistake of varnishing the painting before photographing it.

I am very pleased how this painting turned out. Originally it was going to be more detailed with an orange background. However, this painting painted itself and I quickly realized that less was more this time.

Majesty

Majesty was inspired by a photo that I took either on the way to the mountains from Calgary or along the Banff - Jasper Highway.
Each time that I have been to the Rocky Mountains in western Canada, they have created a real sense of awe within me.

Cathedral

Cathedral is a painting of a location along a trail that I walk my dog several times a week. It is my favourite section of trail especially when the sun is low.

This painting did not come easily. It went through many transitions before it finally captured the mood that I was aiming for. I was about to give up and paint over it but thanks to one of my artist friends who encouraged me, challenged me, made many suggestions and taught me a lot along the way, I was able to bring this painting to the place where I am satisfied with the result. Sometimes it takes a community to create a painting. Thanks Mike!

Mount Seymour, BC

Both times that I have been in BC, I hiked Mount Seymour. Both times it was a highlight of my visit. I really enjoy being in the midst of the lofty mountain grandeur. This painting brings back all the memories of having been there: the cold air, the awe, the tired muscles from climbing ....

Winter Blues

Winter Blues is a painting that I started several years ago and never finished. My son actually had the unfinished painting hanging on his wall for a year or so until I decided that it was time to finish it. 
I challenged myself with a limited palette for  this one. I wanted to do a relatively monochromatic painting so to this end I used a blue, a complimentary orange and white. The orange was used mainly to darken and neutralize the blue.
This is a scene that I photographed at Mer Bleue in Ottawa during late afternoon a day or so after we had some freezing rain. With the low sun and the ice on the trees it was a magical moment. Unfortunately, I was not able to capture the glittering ice in my painting but I am still pleased with the lighting and the painting as a whole. I feel that there is still something magical about the scene.