The Trapper's Cabin

My husband found this old trapper’s cabin on the Forestry Trunk Road between Grande Prairie and Grande Cache, Alberta.

The simplicity of the scene and the thought of the lifestyle appealed to me.  However,  I have used artistic license and created a slightly different scene for it in this painting.  This original acrylic artwork is 20 by 24 inches and on gallery wrapped canvas and looks really nice framed. 

It will be available for sale in my gallery.  Let me know how you feel about this painting.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… Dir: wait… Rank: wait… I: wait… I: wait… Robo: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…

Have you visited my art blog known as The Creaky Easel? I have been trying to keep it 100% art related but it seems that you must do your share of blog promotion and getting noticed by the big search engines.

The Creaky Easel has a lot more of the details of my art promotion and has the links to all my gallery links for original artworks and prints and greeting cards available from my work. If you have not been to The Creaky Easel, check it out today and if you like it, please subscribe to my feed.

I am very excited to announce that an article has been published about my artwork.  I am this week’s featured artist on Desiner’s Depot, a website by Noelevz.  Check out this site, there is a lot of interesting information available on Designer’s Depot; and I am honored to be chosen for this article. Noel has done a lovely job on this article as on everything on the site.  After you read the article, please drop me a comment and let me know what you think about it. Click this LINK to read the article now.

I am beginning to get settled in here in Grande Prairie, AB where my new adventure has taken me. The weather here is much better than the rainy climate I am used to and I am starting to feel a lot better. I have more energy and can breathe better so I am looking forward to a few hiking expeditions and maybe even painting a few plein aire pieces.

I am currently working on a new painting as well as trying to find local art associations to get involved in and looking for a local gallery or even just some wall space in a coffee house to exhibit my artwork.  It is quite a challenge to get established in a new town, but I am determined to do it.

I have been away from the keyboard for a while now as I am off on a new adventure.  We have just moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta and I will be pursuing my art career from here for a while.  I am just barely set up in my new studio and have left most of my gear behind until our old house sells and we make the final move.

This should be good for me to build my skills as a painter and push my creativity in a new direction.  I have only brought my acrylic paints with me and will this year try some plein aire works.  There are some beautiful spots that I have already found and I am anxious to get back to my easel!  My chihuahua will keep me company and may make an interesting subject to paint as he loves being outdoors.

Today is a rainy day and yet I can see two beautiful little  birds on my porch railing.  I just know I will love it here.  Wildlife abounds in the area, so there will be a lot of subjects for new artworks.  There will be a lot of new photos for reference!  I have already been out with the camera and have some photos of old farm machinery and an old barn and even some buffalo.  There are numerous elk, moose and deer in the area and are a daily sight.  Perhaps even my photography skills will improve!  This would likely be a miracle, as there are a lot of technical things nvolved there that I just do not seem able to grasp!

So there it is in a nutshell and I will keep you updated as I get settled.  Thanks for stopping by.

Well, at long last, I have gotten up the nerve to enter some paintings in a competition. I have to wait until August to find out the results, but I am excited that I finally managed to do it. I have a problem with self confidence and worry that my artwork will not meet up with other people’s standards.

Even if I manage not to get kicked out on the first round, I will be happy. There is a lot of competition out there for artwork and each category has some fine artists. I entered in the landscape category and also into still life for the florals (if I remember correctly).

Contests and competitions are not usually my thing, but I think the exposure will do me more good than harm so I am sticking my neck out for a change.

There are many interpretations of what art is.  There is no right and wrong to art, it is a personal, emotional experience for each of of us.  The use of color and form can be anywhere from simple to intensely complex.

As a child, I came close to losing my eyesight and I believe that has a large impact on what my interpetation is.  I use a lot of bright, bold color that is not true to nature but somehow satisfies my ceative side.  However, this does not appeal to those who love the ture colors of nature.  I paint life as I wish it to be not always for what it is.  My painting is never political or social in any way, I simply paint what appeals to me.

I love looking at other artists’ work.  I find it inspiring for my own.  Even if the style of the art is not something I like I will see color combinations or techniques and materials that I had not thought of using in my own creations.  My husband is truly only interested in landscapes with a western theme.  My daughter prefers a more abstract work.   My favorite artworks were created by my children and grandchildren and they are priceless.

This is a new painting I have just completed but am not sure it is finished. I will keep it for a while until I can decide whether it is finished. It seems a bit dark and forlorn to me at the moment. I am open to all comments and critiques.

At long last, the flamingo diptych is finished!! Hurray!  I have a new painting started and will hopefully finish it soon.  The diptych will be posted on the front page and the new one will be shared soon.  Lightning will strike if I get interrupted this time!

As usual, Christmas seems to have suddenly appeared on the horizon. Of course, I am not ready for it, I never am. I have only one painting that seems Christmassy, and that is this red hibiscus:

I am thinking of doing hand painted cards this year as I have only a few to do but have a box of ready made ones just in case.

I have 3 paintings on the go, but have not spent much time painting lately. My husband has decided we should move again and it may happen before Christmas. I am hoping to wait until spring but whatever will make him happy, I will do. He is so unhappy in his current job and I hate to see it. The move won’t be a hardship for me as I have a son there and also some very good friends. I can paint anywhere.

Well, that is the update on my life. See you soon!