This was so fun to paint. I started with a canvas I keep in my studio to try colours on, use up the paint on my palette and just play on, no plans, just play! I had been working in my sketch book and doing studies on canvas paper of birch trees. When I looked at my play canvas, I thought WOW, that would make great trees if I can tame the rest. "Birch Trees" 30" x 15" Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas with painted sides #20029122 On hold, sale pending I wish I had taken a photo of my play canvas before I started! The photo on the top left (below) has the birch trees taped out and the background painted over top. I tried to use dull colours but for me that is really hard. The top right is with the tape pulled off to see what I had. On the bottom left I am trying to define and dull the colours so they drop into the background. I had the painting against the window in my studio and the sun was shining through it. The colours don't really show in the photo but the trees were in brilliant jewel tones and I thought, thank you nature for showing me just what my vision was, now to paint it....! I came into my studio and my painting was against a window. The sun was shining through it and the trees looked like jewelled stained glass, just what I wanted! Okay how to make that happen...I need to dull the background further and add more light to the trees (easier said than done). Loved working on this one and the final result!
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I am happy to have my little painting "Sonic Echo" in the upcoming Federation of Canadian Artists "Works on Paper" Exhibition from January 25 until February 6. This little gem is painted with acrylic and inks on water colour paper. Water is very important to me and is often found in my work. This painting depicts the sounds heard underwater, in nature and manmade. Click Here to preview the show.
Even on a short flight, I take a sketch book to pass the time. If the seating area is not full, I can usually quickly sketch people around me. So many people are focused on their phones that they don't notice me or think I am writing as my homemade concertina sketch book is only 8" x 6". If the seating area is full, I concentrate on the footwear I can see, that way I don't have people making eye contact and wondering what I am doing. Occasionally it stirs up an interesting conversation. My flight was delayed so I had extra time. I also will take my sketch book and sketch on longer flights.
Meet Marley. This is Marley as a new puppy. He has grown and fulfilled his earthly life. Marley was commissioned by Brent for his brother after Marley passed away. I had previously had the pleasure of painting Brent's French Bulldog Pierre. Hopefully this surprise Christmas present will warm his heart every time he looks at it. "Marley" a commissioned pet portrait 10" x 10" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas with the painting over the sides and bottom #20007122 NFS (not for sale) The pictures above are the painting in progress. The first (top left) is the photo reference I used. The second (top right) I am working on the underpainting and trying to figure out the background. The 3rd photo (bottom left) is more progress on Marley and the background. The bottom right is with his eyes painted in and more details. Sometimes I don't paint the eyes until later as it can feel like the dog is watching me! More details on the eyes and nose. Thanks Brent for the pleasure of painting such a cute pup and for sharing the reason behind it.
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Karen Oliver's Art JourneyThanks for stopping by to see my art journey and what I am currently working on. Archives
February 2025
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