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Room with a View

Plein air oil painting of a small cabin across a road from the ocean — Room with a View (8″ x 10″ oil on panel)

On the May long weekend (a Canadian holiday) we had an arts event on the small island where I live. My friend and I decided to do the same as last year and paint plein air out on point by the ocean. It was a bit windy and cool on the first day but still lovely and sunny. Lots of people came by to talk art and look at what I was working on as well as other paintings I brought etc. I managed to mostly finish this before the light changed too much!

Degnen Bay, May

Oil plein air painting of a bay with several boats moored — Degnen Bay, May (8″ x 10″ oil on panel)

This one was painted en plein air on a lovely May day. In order not to get over-heated or sunburned, I chose to set up in the shade. As a result, because it looked correct when painted in the shade, some of the painting is fairly pale. I actually like it this way even though the scene in reality had a bit more contrast.

Flaming Tulips

Oil painting of bright red tulips against a forest backdrop — Flaming Tulips (9″ x 12″ oil on panel)

This was the scene recently in my garden so of course I had to try to capture the glow of the red tulips against the dark cedars and firs. A bright green vine draws the eye upwards…

Not plein air – the light just wasn’t going to last long enough to paint this so I took some photos to work from. Sometimes it doesn’t do to be a purist!

Blossom Scent

Oil painting of a garden with an old apple tree pink with spring blooms and a comfortable seat — Blossom Scent (9″ x 12″ oil on panel)

I rarely turn down the chance to paint in a garden and this one was so lovely. The apple blossoms were working their magic and were full of the hum of bees. A comfy sofa with colourful cushions was an added bonus along with a whimsical red kettle hanging from a branch. This apple tree is so old that the main mossy trunk has fallen on the ground and the upright trunk was originally a branch – but it’s still thriving!

Garden Fantasy 3

ink and oil painting of a flower garden in summer including crocosmia and other flowers — “Garden Fantasy 3″ (12″ x 12” ink and oil on raised panel)

This is the third and last (for now) of my garden fantasy series. I had so much fun letting loose with these that I think there may be more!

This one has more of a summer rather than spring feeling. There’s a shimmer of heat in the air that’s still full of the scent of blossoms…

Garden Fantasy 2

ink and oil painting of a lush garden including allium and bergamot with a male Anna's hummingbird — “Garden Fantasy 2″ (12″ x 12” ink and oil on raised panel)

The second in my garden fantasy series …this one includes some allium and bergamot with a male Anna’s hummingbird coming to see what’s what. The gardens at this time of year are teeming with life and that’s the kind of feeling I wanted to show.

Garden Fantasy 1

ink and oil painting of a lush garden including iris and bergamot with a female Annas hummingbird drinking from a blossom — Garden Fantasy 1 (12″ x 12″ ink and oil on raised panel)

I recently created a series of 3 “garden fantasies”. They do not show a view of any particular garden but are inspired by local gardens especially at this lush and vibrant time of year.

Jenny’s Spring Garden

Oil painting of a spring garden view with trees framing mountains beyond — Jenny’s Spring Garden (9″ x 12″ oil on panel)

A view of a friend’s garden complete with bird bath/fountain and foster cat! The distant view and the mountains of Vancouver Island were calling me too. What a joy to spend a couple of hours in Jenny’s garden painting!

Catherine’s Garden Pond

oil painting of a very full garden including pond, trellis and many spring plants — Catherine’s Garden Pond (8″ x 10″ oil on panel)

I went with a friend to paint at another friend’s garden recently – wonderful to have these local connections! There were so many options for what to paint but this curious concrete pond caught my eye …with a wooden structure in the background and plants all around.

Narcissus and Friends

Oil painting of a spring bouquet including tulips and narcissus — Narcissus and Friends (9″ x 12″ oil on panel)

I found a delightful bouquet of spring blooms at the market and of course “had to” paint them. So much fun capturing the shapes and textures all the while the room was filled with the scent of narcissus.

Green Tea Doodles

take some time for tea and check out my doodles