heading out

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

Snow can't stop this little pup from enjoying his day!

balancing act

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

It's a balancing act trudging through all the snow we've had! People are skating in their boots.

winter rose trellis

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

I walk past this beautiful rose trellis often. It always makes me smile, no matter what the season. I especially enjoy it in winter with all the lovely snow shapes and the last remaining flowers. 

Bella

SOLD - $120 - 9x12"original watercolour painting

I've been painting this lovely model for 19 years now. I believe she was the first life model I ever drew. It's always a lovely surprise when she shows up for our session.
Meanwhile, portraits aren't getting easier... just different. Here's a detail - 

older and wiser

   $60 - 6x8"original gouache painting

A friend told me that she could see in my latest gouache portraits that I was really enjoying painting with gouache. I was thrilled with that comment, and she's right! I do love painting with it. Watercolour is awesome but sometimes it's nice to apply some thick paint.  ; )

Here's my set up. I use the same air tight (pretty much) palette that Lena Rivo uses. Check her out on Instagram if you're interested. Her gouache paintings are awesome.

Here's a close up. Trying to let lots of colours blend together, just like watercolour.

It's nice to look at the painting in black and white, to make sure the values are working together. 

I am now a firm believer that working with a different medium (gouache) for a while really enhances your knoweldge of your usual medium (watercolour). It's really informative to be able to make comparisons. : )

whisps

$60 - 4x6" original watercolour on 90lb paper with 8x10"mat

One of my favourite models! I painted this at my last life drawing session. It's small, which I think enhances it's lovely delicacy. I seem to enjoy painting small. I prefer paintings to find their way into the nooks and crannies of a home, as opposed to over the couch or mantel. : )

Here's a detail -

sam's scarf

SOLD

6x8" original gouache painting with 8x10"mat

I loved painting this portrait. I went for it with bold colour, including lots of opera pink paint! 

it's a new year

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

The way the holidays fell this year, it seems like there's nothing but time! Time to paint. I'm enjoying switching between watercolour and gouache. I think the change helps me understand each of them better... make sense? : ) 

p.s. this painting has a nice white border around it. 

january's flower - the carnation

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

I love January. The start of a new year is always inspired by new year's resolutions and fresh ideas. This orange carnation is January's flower, bringing in the new year with lots of bold colour. 

Here are some close ups -

at home together

$60 - 5x7" original watercolour in 8x10" mat. Ready to frame!

These two make a cute couple. : )

looking forward to the new year

$60 - 5x7original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

Look below for the step by step process. I remembered to take pics along the way!

Enjoy. Happy New Year!!

Paint Over!

SOLD -  8x8" original gouache painting.

This second picture is of an old watercolour painting. I didn't like the charcoal lines, the lost shapes in the flowers or the boring flat red of the strawberries. So, I painted over it with gouache, which was a pleasure since the drawing was all done for me! The flowers ended up pink... I keep getting a lot of pink in my gouache paintings. Not sure why. Oh, I guess I'm using too much red. Haha.

button

$60 - 5x7"original gouache painting

Well, I'm plodding along with gouache. I haven't given up on watercolour, that's for sure, just shakin' things up a bit. A couple of these portraits have gotten a bit too pink... I'll have to watch out for that.

p.s.

I did enjoy painting that little button. : )

December already!

$60 - 5x7"gouache sketch with thin border, includes 8x10"mat.

I tell ya', this gouache stuff is so vibrant, silky... and tricky. It's not watercolour and it's not quite oil. I'm having lots of fun figuring it out though! Meanwhile, how is it already December?! #onlythreeweeks #goodprice ; )

Gouache Portraits

SOLD

$150 - 5x7"original gouache painting in warm brown 8x10" wooden frame.

Here are my latest two gouache portraits. I'm very happy with the one above.  Since it's from a photo from the sktchy app I had more time to spend on it (compared to our 25min sittings at the art club.)

There's a slide show of this one on my Instagram page if you want to check it out!

just looking

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

Ready to pop into a store bought frame.

These colourful friends are looking around, just checking things out. 

sweet smile

SOLD

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour with 8x10"mat, ready for store bought frame. 

I painted this lovely model during a life drawing session, using complimentary colours red and green. I love her subtle expression.

Latest News!

First of all, it turns out that there was an article about our art show in the Toronto Observer, including a pic of me and my art table! Here's the link. 

Second, I decided to use gouache at our Don Valley Art Club portrait session. 

Gouache (opaque watercolour) creates a mat finish of very intense colours.

These 25 minute poses, at 5x7" each, are fellow artists. It's challenging to grab hold of a bit of likeness in the short time allowed. I'm going to keep playing with this medium. 

We'll see... ; )

for your info

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

Enjoying a Friday off with a coffee, a treat and today's news.

Toronto Arts and Crafts Show 2018

 Thanks so much to everyone who came to the show. It was a great turnout. One of our best ever! I think the recent snowfall got people in the Holiday Spirit!

 Lots of my hand-painted cards have found a new home. Many customers plan to frame them instead of give them away. 

My crochet birds were a new item this year. I just wanted to have a fun little surprise on my table, and returning customers certainly were pleased!