Donnybrook Building

6x12" oil painting on 1"panel

After sketching and painting this little building numerous times, I've just been informed by a Riverdale Farm employee that it's called the Donnybrook Building. This is just the bottom half of the building. It was once two stories which kind of explains the small door (that seems to fascinate me). It's believed that farm animals used to live on it. Yep... 'on' it. I'm going to continue investigating the history of this awesome little building. To be continued... ; )

climb

SOLD

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat

Not sure how this pic ended up so angled... but here's my drawing in my paintbox which sits on my lap. : )

Good 'ole Winsor Newton travel palette with my choice of tube paints squeezed out. I change and/or add colours as my style changes over the years. Although the warm cool staples remain the same. 

The path didn't go in that direction, but I added it since there was just so much greenery around the base of the little building. I know everyone says green is a difficult colour. Not sure that's true, it's just that there's always so much of it! I decided to call this one 'climb' for two reasons, the little ladder and because the flowers are climbing towards the sun. : )

afternoon outing

$60 - original 8x10"watercolour painting with 8x10"mat

Well, here's my second piece from the day at the beach. I looooove painting boats (even little ones!) and plan to paint more of them this summer. They are colourful wonderful shapes. Here's a pic of my paintbox. You can see people standing by the boats but I added the little knapsack. : )

living amongst the trees

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour with 8x10"painting

I spent the day at the wonderful High Park here in Toronto, plein-air painting with a friend. We had a great day amongst all the green (!). Can you spot the little duck swimming by. There were lots of them keeping up company. : )

Making progress and trying to keep the greens interesting and true. The house is there... it's just 'amongst the trees', hence my title. : ) 

My little paintbox has served me well over the years. Placed on my lap as I work, it includes my palette, brushes, pencils, water container, a compact mirror (to look at the painting in reverse) and a rag clipped to the right side. It's just great!

the brook

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

It turns out that the James Gardens in Toronto is quite the hidden gem! A bunch of us from the Don Valley Art Club went painting there on Saturday only to discover hidden brooks, a beautiful duck pond, and lots of frogs and turtles. The place is a painters dream.

Here's a pic of my paintbox with my watercolour palette in it and a 6x8" watercolour pad bulldog clipped to it. I've done a lot of plein-air painting and urban sketching in this trusty little box. 

; )

cut through

$60 - 6x8"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

I love this little passage way. I've been meaning to paint it for awhile and today I got the chance. : )

One Handed Palette and Water Holder!

My new watercolour palette and water cup holder. I saw one of these on Urban Sketchers, so I decided to make my own. : )

I got an inexpensive plastic corrugated board from the hardware store and flipped it over to use the back. I got plastic (not cardboard) so that it's WATERPROOF.

The water cup MUST have a lip on it. (dollar store)

Position the cup where you want it and trace it with a sharpie. Trace the BOTTOM of it! Make sure the hole is smaller than the lip.

I decided to cut a shape for the thumb hole on my palette too. (This is optional if you don't use a thumb hole.) A bulldog clip can hold your palette to the board.

 Ready to cut...

Cut with an X-acto knife. Ready to assemble...

I pushed the cup in only half way. Then added a bull dog clip, just for a little extra reinforcement. : )

 Don't forget the lid!

The space between the cup and palette holds an extra brush. 

All done. And my thumb fits into the hole perfectly so I can hold the board with one hand. This will work perfectly while I stand, or sit, when painting in life classes, urban sketching or plein-air painting. It's nice and light. Can't wait to try it out!

I've left an extra bit on the right so that I can clip a cloth/paper towel there.  Happy Painting Everyone!

cozy courtyard

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat

The Toronto Watercolour Society spent a day plein-air painting at the University of Toronto. Every old historic college has a beautiful hidden courtyard in the centre of it. We happily found this one with a lovely bunch of striking, and proud, red flowers.

afternoon shadows

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat

Friends and I, from the Toronto Plein-Air Group, headed out to paint at Riverdale Farm yesterday. It's fun there however, after lunch we decided to wander across the street to Toronto's historic Necropolis Cemetery. It opened in 1850 and is full of old interesting gravestones as well as huge gorgeous trees. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. 

Below is a pic of my work in progress. I drew it with charcoal pencil then used lots of variations of green!

rocky stream

SOLD

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting and 8x10"mat

Fellow painters and I spent the day at the wonderful Toronto Botanical Gardens called Edwards Gardens. While under a shady tree, I painted this rocky stream, which was moving quite fast from all the rain we've had. There were about 10 of us from the Don Valley Art Club there and we all had a great sunny day. Below are a few pics of my trusty paintbox. ; )

1/2 way there...

Robert Library, University of Toronto.

 

On Sunday, the Toronto Urban Sketchers (TOUSK) went out sketching at Robarts Library. This University building is a very interesting structure. In fact, there is a constant discussion amongst Torontonians on whether it's shaped like a turkey, a peacock or a turtle! So, we planned to draw it. Unfortunately very cold weather drove us inside. Well, maybe not 'unfortunately' since I managed to do these sketches. 

Students didn't mind/notice and I don't think there is enough of a resemblance to anyone to cause offence. ; )

I'm one of the TOUSK correspondents. Check out our blog! - here

through the garden gate

SOLD

I spent Saturday at the Toronto Botanical Gardens with fellow artists from the Don Valley Art Club. It's a place I've painted at many times before however, this time, I stumbled across a hidden garden archway. I think I'm finally getting the hang of plein-air painting. It's soooo challenging. 
$160 - 8x16"painting
Here's my set up - 

and here's me!