On the move again.

Update: Jan 27th, I'm moving to Smooth Rock Falls!!

At a population of 1473, I guess we just changed it to 1476! ;)

______________________

I've only been in this house for 3 months and I have to move again! Oh no! :(

Forget the painting a week challenge, I have to pack AGAIN. I was just finishing the curtains for this living room. I will be continuing my drawings as regular art practice but I don't think I will be painting.

This time, I'll be moving outside of Timmins. I don't even know where I'm going so I will look at it as an adventure.

Update: late evening.

The whole day was slow; from getting up to cooking supper and so I was late putting out the compost to feed the fox. Funny...it was the fox that cheered me up. :)



When I went out the door, my fox was waiting at the bottom of the steps for me. I stopped, showed him the bag of compost and he happily followed me down the road to the bin. After a few seconds of indecision, he daintily ate his supper and I walked back onto the road. When he saw that I was leaving him he ran ahead of me right up onto the deck, like a dog asking to go inside. I told him he wasn't allowed in and so he headed off for a drink at the river.

I will miss the foxes and Blackie's family when I move. They have had a great start to life and they will have to get on without me.

I'm sure I will meet other interesting animals, wherever I wind up. The adventure begins...

Pam

Almost done the charcoal sketch.

Another workshop is almost complete. It's too dark to finish the details tonight.

Step 6:
A day of only painting tomorrow, yeah. (I'm tired of running around town, it seems like the day goes by and nothing gets accomplished.)

Jan 20th udate: I'm done the fabric workshop sketch. :)



Pam

Finishing the Charcoal Sketch

After a turkey supper, I worked some more on the charcoal sketch for my fabric sketching workshop. I figure I better get this done before going back to painting or I won't have the workshop ready.

Step 5:


Tomorrow, Sunday, I get to go across the road and groom Tigger and Tuesday.
Here's Tigger:

Better stuff my pockets with carrots and sugar cubes. :) That's more fun than walking for exercise.

Then painting to finish the goose, *$#@% I'm a week late in my challenge! :(

Pam

White and Black Charcoal Studies

I found out that my drawing workshop was moved up a week and so I had to do a step-by-step charcoal.

I got the first 4 steps done for the workshop on drawing draped fabric.








I have to put this aside and continue painting tonight.
Pam

Challenge week 1.

I had to decide whether to finish my "Copy a Master - Bouguereau" or the "Canada Goose" for the first week of "A Painting a Week" challenge.

I decided that the goose didn't need the detail the master work would so I have the Canada Goose painting on my easel to finish this weekend.

Step 6:
























Watch for more.

Pam

Nature Watch

I found another website to be involved with. I already participate in the Christmas Bird Count, which should be the January bird count because all the birds wait until after xmas to hit my house. :( I have so many now that I have to feed them twice a day.

Nature Watch: it has 4 sections, Frog Watch, Ice Watch, Plant Watch and Worm Watch. I'm always outside and interested in all these aspects of nature so my observations might as well be put to use. :)

It is run by Environment Canada and individuals contribute their findings to the website.

I have also found a Nest Watch bird cam site to browse although I won't be actively helping.

I didn't paint tonight because I had to cut out the curtains to sew for my new house. These -30 deg.C. and -40 deg.C. wind chills are just too much. I need heavy curtains to cover my big windows. Saturday, much later today because it's after midnight, is painting day and I have to finish one painting this weekend.

I have a few minutes to check out the Nature Watch website before turning in for the night.
YAWN

Pam

Another exhibition opening to attend.

I did a quick session on the "Copy a Master - Bouguereau" last night because tonight I have to attend the opening of the 53rd Annual Northern Ontario Artist Association Juried Exhibition at La Galeruche, in the La Ronde Building, Timmins. I'll see my polar bear painting again and it won't be finished touring until September.

Step 7: Corrected the placement of the facial features and started shading with burnt umber. I also added a glazed layer of burnt umber, alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue to the background.
























Pam

The Pink Stage

My "Copy a Master- Bouguereau" challenge went to the pink stage last night. The nose and mouth have been shifted and the left cheek has to move right even more. The ear had to be bigger so I threw some pink on there too. I haven't tried to fix the eyes yet, that will come closer to the end.

I couldn't work very long on it due to lack of sleep because of an acute sore throat the night before. Between the throat and a general malaise of the body, I decided I needed to rest.






















I was really enjoying myself while I worked, the oils gave me the ability to change what I didn't like and rework areas that needed correcting. I haven't had this much fun painting in a long time! I can't wait to get back to it.

Pam

It's a New Year!

Well, the New Year's challenge begins today. Jan 2nd and the wind chill was -40 deg.C. last night.

I spent New Year's day pouring over instructional art videos on Oil Painting and learned a few tips that I can put into practice. You will see me switching between paintings as one painting becomes wet and has to dry for a couple of days. Oil paint doesn't dry fast like acrylics so I'll have to plan all my paintings ahead of deadlines now. :( I'm so used to pushing an upcoming deadline. Oh well, I LOVE the look of oil paints so there is no turning back.

Let's see, which one to work on first.

Hmmm.... I'll go and look and the prospects.

OK, so I put the first layer of oil onto a previously started "Copy a Master Challenge" acrylic painting. I am copying William Adolphe Bouguereau's painting of Gabrielle Cot.

Step 4 in acrylic to
























Step 5: First Layer of oil paints. The nose, mouth, and eyes still need a little repositioning. I was using a 1" hogs hair flat brush for the whole time tonight.

























A long way to go. Off to read a book. :) More tomorrow.

Pam