At it again ..en Plein air …in Chatham NB.
These two scenes …Bare Bones..the tree on top of the hill near St Michael’s..a tiny 5 X 7 in. Painted using my little Gorilla painting kit ..and the old stone building nearby (The Bishop’s Palace) where I did the drawing on site and the watercolour in my studio. The Bishop’s Palace is to be demolished this coming Monday…. A sad day for this historic old building
Time to catch up! Kelly and I had a few good car painting days …..
The first here is the little church at Wilson’s Point, Miramichi NB….where I have just retired from being their Artist in Residence for the past several years. Kelly Hay Hambrook will be taking over the position and I know they’ll appreciate her art as much as I do. (Look her up on Facebook)
The painting was done entirely with a set of tinted charcoal by Derwent …..both pencils and blocks. The colours were just right for this type of scene…woodsy and rough.
The second painting was done in the back parking lot of St. Patrick’s church in Nelson, Miramichi….the focal point being the old brick rectory. My husband and I married at St. Patrick’s many years ago…and this is such a familiar sight to me. I’ve done a few paintings of the church previously..all sold as the parishioners here love their little church. The painting was completed in pastels.
The third painting , an urban scene…in oils, was done in downtown Newcastle, Miramichi. I loved the looked of the older homes on a backstreet.
On a coffee drive up around the South Esk and around through Sunny Corner and Eel Ground we spotted some deer on the roadside…I took photos of course and one of them ended up being this little 8 X 10 in piece of art. I started with a charcoal sketch and transferred it to my Gelli plate for painting. The print was pulled on black drawing paper. I was thrilled with the outcome and it has given me more ideas for monoprints.
Another winter day out in the car, this time the location was St. Mary’s Church in Newcastle, Miramichi.
The drawing of the church took about 1 1/2 hours…leaving no time for me to complete the watercolour itself on location that day. It was painted in my studio from a photo I took (as usual) before starting the drawing. The first photo here is the completed drawing on Arches 100% cotton paper with an inset photo of the scene. The second photo is the completed watercolour. As you might notice…I take a bit of artistic license with colour. I’m more interested in making a painting work as a whole than copying.
(Touch a photo to enlarge)
Forest Heart is another successful Monotype. I got brave enough to try a larger size this time (10 X 8 in.) and I am quite pleased with the outcome.
My regular fare in paintings are scenes from my everyday life whereas these Monotypes seem inclined toward a more dream like or imaginative state. I find it exciting to have these varieties of expression.
Contemplation
Monotype 1/1
Size 7 X 5 inches (will be matted to 10 X 8 in.)
Finally ..what I call a successful Monotype!
—a monotype is a one of a kind hand pulled Art Print — It is NOT printed from a photograph of a painting!
My thoughts on it’s creation —
A woman on her knees looking back contemplating her childhood wishing she could help the child but unable to do so, as there is a great divide. The child looks up toward her adulthood contemplating what the future will bring. The light surrounding their heads signifies the invisible connection between past and present.
Feeling a bit moody with the dark winter days?
Winter’s Magic
Hand pulled art print from an original charcoal sketch (finishing touches with ink and pastel)
Size 5 X 7 in.
Inspired by a photo I took on a drive to the Enclosure.
(Touch to enlarge)
