I am thrilled to be chosen for the Feature Artist for June at the Courtyard Gallery in Enderby, B.C. My fun Beach Babes series plus a few other paintings are on the feature wall with my art cards and earrings (some made from my painting palettes!) on the table below. Wonderful paintings and cards are also on display by Lisa Figuero, this month's guest artist. It is always a delight to check out the interesting and varied paintings, glass works, wood works, pottery, art cards, jewelry and more in the Courtyard Gallery, 104 - 907 Belvedere Street, Enderby, BC,

@karenoliversfineart #karenoliversfineart, #canadian artist, @courtyardgallery

I was so fortunate to stay at my friend Ev's home with a view of Okanaga Lake. I was the host at the Courtyard Gallery in Enderby, B.C. on Saturday and Monday. Staying at Ev's cut down my driving by half and I was able to enjoy a visit with my Mom and sister on Sunday, just perfect! I still had my plein air set up from doing an oil painting demo on Friday and had 2 unfinished (actually BARELY STARTED) paintings. I set up with the beautiful view just beyond my easel. It felt strange to work on different subjects with my plein air set up but was just as enjoyable! The last photo is the inspiring view, a heart felt thank you Ev!

"Scrabbling" 
12" x 9", Oil on canvas panel, #20011526A

"Springtime Romance"
14" x 14", Oil on gallery board, #2001526B

I had the good fortune to arrive in Sicamous the day before Sue's figure drawing. There was no instruction other than the poses were timed and you did your own thing. I only had computer paper and charcoal so mine were small and tight. It took me a little while to get into it as the 2 minute poses were almost timed out before I got started!! There were 2, 5, 10 minute pses and 1 25 minute pose to end the session. As my computer paper was small, my charcoal piece large, I quickly ran out of shapes to draw so I started on our lovely models face (bottom photo), timing out at 25 minutes for both. What fun but exhausting time, thanks Sue and Dody's Art For Everyone!!

What a wonderful season to keep actively living and enjoying an outdoor lifestyle where transportation is either by foot or bike. Food shopping is only what will fit on the hard plastic milk crate on the back of my bike or my husband's panier. After Bugamvilla's plein air, I came home and painted two more small paintings to use up the paint on my palette and to paint a couple more experiences that I enjoyed. I had the painting below to finish as well of the fruit vendor I pass by multiple times a day. 

"Sandia y otras frutas en venta "
6" x 11 3/4", oil on wood canvas, #20030426A

"La Vision Mas Amplia"
7" x 5", oil on canvas, #  It still surprises me where I will see roosters on my daily travels!
#20030426B

Sadly another season has ended with a wonderful group of varied artist. It is such a perfect set up, figuring out each week where to meet in town for the next week. Sometimes it was somewhere very public like the main square, other times we were invited to private homes or places where people were renting with others (with permission of course). The artists come and go depending on their time away and the skill level was from new beginners to experienced travel diaries, all are welcome. A drink or meal in a close restaurant usually followed for those available and good food, artist speak and laughter ensued, what fun!
​
My sketchbook is an accumulation of my experiences while in Mexico as well as a trip back to Canada. I draw, paint, glue in objects/labels etc., all memories that flood back when looking at this sketchbook. It is for me and who I choose to share it with, not public consumption.

We were invited to Josephina's apartment complex with Tracy staying there. Happily Josephina joined in as we spread out on the different levels of patios and palapas. When the first person has to leave, we do a "Slap Down" (sound of books hitting the tiles) and take a photo of the "works in progress". Artist speak, laughter, coffee and food after were enjoyed at Taza Negra. .My view from the mid palapa area down the street and my sketch of Azteca Bungalows

Our intrepid and varied group met by the Las Hamacas restaurant/mini malecon area. Quite a few of us are leaving in the next week so it was the last Saturday meeting for me. I had my oil paints and palette packed away so it was sketchbook and watercolour fun for me. I sat in the alley way with a few others and sketched what was ahead. Shade is always my first priority so I tucked in next to a building and sat on the stairs. Some of the group had to leave early and the photo below is the remaining "works in progress". I had finished one and was working on the second which I finished at home after our coffee/breakfast and swim break.

An artist was telling me about a beautiful sketch in Gigi's sketchbook so I asked if I could see it. I was absolutely amazed to see a wonderful and accurate sketch of my brother Ken and his dog Star!! They were both in their happy place!

Our group was small (4 artists this time) and we met in the central jardin or square. We borrowed chairs from Laura as we sketched what interested us. Three of us tried our hand at Laura's restaurant and one artist focused on the church tower. As always it was fun to put them together, talk art, laugh and enjoy coffee and breakfast at Laura's.

Twelve artists gathered at Bugamvilla's Restaurant at 8:30am and set up on the walkway or under palapas to paint what inspired them. It is always fun to look at the "throw down" paintings in progress to see what the artists saw and how they executed it. Amy and I are the only two that worked in oils.

Below I used my "Artist License" to change the view from less sand to more water. As always, chasing the sun and shadows is such a challenge when painting on location. 

"Renta de Sombrillas"
8" x 10", plein air oil on canvas  #20002426

This time 12 artists showed up to sketch and paint whatever they found interesting at Anchora or the Styx Restaurant. We arrived around 8:30am and watched as they were setting up for a wedding celebration. This unique spot has all kinds of drift wood made into chairs, hearts, lamps, well everything...even the bathrooms. You can tell how interesting it is by all the different subjects painted!!

I couldn't bring my oil painting supplies as I borrowed my husband's bike as he worked on mine. He doesn't have a big basket on the back to put my oil palette, tripod and painting supplies in so I put my sketchbook bag over my shoulder and headed out. The lagoon view is what intrigued a couple of us. I borrowed a chair and snuggled up beside a boat on the ground for shade and happily sketched and painted. I still had time so did a second one with a calligraphy pen called an Elegant Writer. This black pen when touched with water will bleed out into various shades of teal, green and pink (no rhyme or reason). I inked what I wanted them went back over with the Elegant Writer in places then added plain water with a brush to make the ink bleed. These sketches are on individual sheets that I will make into a book later (I don't know how thick the book will be for this time frame).

Everyone was invited to Linda's complex for a windup paint out and pot luck lunch. The other renters were gracious and invited us to paint where ever we were inspired in the complex. The addition of a sit down lunch, lots of laughter and art speak was a real bonus. I painted the view of the wall just beside the front gate. As always, when someone leaves, we take a photo of the art "in progress" and today it was to enjoy our potluck feast. Thanks Linda and friends!!

"30 Calle Rosales"
11 1/2" x 5 3/4" plein air oil on wood  #20029326

We were invited to Linda's building roof top for our weekly plein air. I had a small 6" x 8" canvas I had been gifted by Peggy and chose to paint the church bell tower. It was hard to settle down and choose something as the rooftop had a 360 degree view. It was a very different and busy view with all the roof tops!! Most of the group went for drinks and food after. Lots of inspiration, conversation (sad goodbyes as well) and laughter. As always, a highlight of my week.

The "art in progress", as always a photo is taken when someone has to leave and is not necessarily finished.

"Companario de la iglesia"
7" x 5" Plein Air Oil on canvas, #20024326

Maria invited the group to her suite and upper community deck for our Saturday plein air. As you will see in the photo below, there was a lot to choose from.

I drew and painted 1, drew the second one and added paint when I got home. The delicious Azteca soup from our group lunch after at Ava's was drawn when I got home. What a fun and inspiring morning!

Monique asked permission for us to paint at this beautiful hotel. The renters were inquisitive and welcoming! There is an inner courtyard on the road side that 2 artists chose as well as an oceanside beautiful shaded courtyard that six chose. When the first artist is ready to leave, we do a slap down (sound of books/substrates on the tile floors) and take a photo of the group's works in progress. There is often ooohs/aaahhs as well as discussions of "how did you do that?", "what colour did you use there?", "I love how you did ...", lots of "artist speak"! Coffee, food, drinks and laughter followed at a local cafe, what fun! The top left photo was of where I was standing in the left corner to paint the first one, the second one (far right) was painted inside the courtyard.

"Hotel Monterrey View"
6" x 11 1/2", Plein air oil on wooden canvas, #20019326A

"Tree Hug"
5" x 7", Plein air oil on canvas, #20019326B

I had just arrived back in Mexico after a visit with our  family in Canada. I had a wonderful and busy time, enjoying myself thoroughly. We also had a mini holiday at the Mount Washington ski hill as a birthday celebration. Unfortunately there was no snow to ski, but what little we found, we enjoyed.
​The next day was with the Playa Paint Pals again meeting at a beachside restaurant, Bugamvilias. There were 12 of us enjoying whatever sparked our interest. Unfortunately someone had to leave early so most of the sketching was still in pencil or works in progress.
This group is open to all levels of sketchers and each week we try to pick the destination for next week. Maria has volunteered the place that she is renting, what fun we will have!
I painted the two sketchers enjoying a breakfast break and some of the table items.

Fun, fun, fun once again! Our group met between Rosita's and La Rana. Some artists were welcomed and sat in Rosita's and a couple of us sat in the shaded area of the street. One of the fun or interesting parts of plein air creating is the view continually changes. I had the view of Rosita's from across the street and then a van pulled in front and the driver went in the restaurant. When the first person has to leave, we all gather and take a photo of the "works in progress" (first photo). My shade and view was gone so I added the sky when I got home after a delicious breakfast was enjoyed with the wonderful artists.

These are the final 3" x 3" squares in my sketchbook. They are things in my daily life that the prompts elicited. I used inks, water colour, mixed media, magazine pages and pencil, whatever was inspired by the prompt. I really enjoyed this process and it helped that I made it work for me, especially with travelling. I would highly encourage you to put it on your calendar for next year and do it whatever way works for you. Thank you Opus! 

@opusartsupplies, #opusdailypractice, #artchallenge, #canadianartist, @karenoliversfineart

I have enjoyed working on the Opus Daily Practice Challenge for the month of February. This month has travelling in it so I made it easy on myself and did 3" x 3" squares in my working sketchbook, listed the dates and the word prompts and filled them in (trying daily) with things in my world. I did not worry about the date and focused on the word prompt instead. I am on target for finishing this challenge by the end of the month, yay!!

@opusartsupplies, #opusdailypractice, @karenoliversfineart, @canadianartist, @travelsketching

Once again I have taken on this challenge put out by Opus Art Supplies for the month of February. I set up 3" x 3" squares in my working sketchbook with the word prompt and day #. Instead of doing the days in order, I fill whatever box I have an idea for (way less pressure for me) and try to do one a day. I did travel to visit our lovely daughter, husband and 2 grandchildren to get my heart fix for 10 days so did a few ahead and then caught up when I came back.. I've made this challenge small so I can do it and enjoy without to much pressure. 

​@Opusartsupply, #opusdailypractice, #canadianartist, #artchallenge

A gathering of 13 artists were invited again this year to plein air paint at the lovely grounds of the Las Palmas property. We were to find whatever inspired us and tuck ourselves into a shady spot. We had a pool view, casas, fountain area, 2nd floor balcony and beach to choose from. You can tell by the group "works in progress" paintings that there was a lot to choose from. Three of us were painting in oil and the rest in water colour. When the first person had to leave, we gathered our paintings and took a photo. There are always a lot of oohs and ahhhs and questions about techniques and supplies, such a generous and fun group! Oh and did I mention the laughter and conversation at coffee/drinks after?

Villas Las Palmas
12" x 16" plein air oil on canvas pad, # (SOLD off the easel, thank you Lorry for initiating and Elizabeth for purchasing!!)

More fun sketching at Bistro Escondido, this time with the Monday Playa Paint Pals.  I brought along a piece of handmade paper with bits of flower petals in it to try to sketch with. I am not sure what the paper was made from but the water colour and ink just soaked through and did not move or blend. It was also bumpy to ink on. Lesson learned, very pretty but not useful for anything in a sketchbook other than to glue something on (which will be it's use).
​
The second sketch I did was on precut sketching paper, not water colour so was not able to blend as I preferred but happy with the result. I did not realize I had not brought actual water colour paper with me that morning. I have precut my variety of papers for my handmade sketch book that I will sew and make covers for when I am home from Mexico.

Travelling again to see family, I thought I would post Lesson 4 in this free online course on collage (it is over now). It has all the parameters listed in the first photo of my sketchbook. These pieces are even larger, now a 5" x 5" square format. The first one is with my painted "found" papers and the photo below it is completed with the "inflight" magazine on our last flight (permission to take one was granted). 

Catherine (Cat) Rains has a free 5 day workshop on her website: https://catherinerains.com/
@karenoliversfineart, #funwithcollage, #canadianartist, #collageclass

Nine artists met around 8:30 a.m. at this hotel and beach restaurant. As always my first choice is to look for shade that hopefully will last the paint out. I tucked myself beside the building on the sand and had a wonderful time watching the fishermen and all the birds coming to feast, food for all! I painted on an 8" x 10" gallery wrapped canvas my friend Peg gave me before she left (a wonderful gift!!). The canvas depth was to deep to sit on my easel so I had to prop it up on a stick. It is interesting to paint when your canvas is not straight! 

​I had arrived a little early as I have a hard time deciding on what to paint and my procrastination then includes chatting to the other artists. I had more time to just focus on what interested me. At first it was the view of the calm ocean through the hammock, then the 3 men fishing.

Monday morning, 10 of us gathered at Viva Maria and headed to whatever interested us. I sat down under a beach umbrella and began to sketch the beached fishing boat. Pelicans and all kinds of birds flocked near the shore to engorge themselves in a fish boil. A lovely husband and wife were getting their fill as well. They filled a large bucket with fish they called "Jorel". In my VERY limited Spanish, we conversed and shared in the delight of watching the fish being caught by both the fishermen and birds!! The sketch below was drawn and painted on location.

I was so enamored with the whole event that I sketched the ones below from photos when I got home!.

I found it interesting as well that they buried the fish in the sand to keep the flies off and rinsed them off in the ocean when it was time to leave (top left you can see the tails by the bucket). The bottom right is the smaller fish their partner caught (waist deep in the ocean with a throwable net) - large bait catches large fish. I would of been happy to catch one of these, as you can tell the size of them by the large bucket lid they are sitting on! 

Eleven artists arrived at Quinta Julia apartments and basically took over the property. We were welcomed with interest and allowed to paint wherever we were inspired. Some people painted on the second floor, others on the ground floor walkway, in the yard etc. It was a lovely morning! I always find it inspiring to see what the artists chose and how they rendered it. When someone is leaving, we do a "throw down" or "slap down" (on the tiles) and take a photo of the works in progress. Rarely is someone finished but it is always inspiring to take a photo of all participants work! Very interesting how two artists captured the same yellow umbrella with the same lean (notice the door is closed in 1 and open in the other).

"Quinta Julia"
12" x 16" plein air oil on canvas pad, #20031126

I have really been enjoying this free online workshop on collage. As I am travelling and not in my studio, I had to improvise. Instead of having nice papers to paint on, I had to use til receipts, found paper, toilet paper roll wrapper, well you get the idea. The second way she showed was to use bought decorative papers. I did not have any way of purchasing any so I used the inflight magazine from the flight we travelled on (with permission). Both worked well enough for these  exercises in my sketchbook.

This lesson's "rules" are in the photo below with the two 4" x 4" boxed examples that I did. The photo below that was of the inflight magazine pieces using the same "rules". I enjoyed both!