Maple Sugar Still In The Making...

Waiting For The Sap    12" x 16"    o/c

Although it is not plainly seen, this painting was painted on a pre stained gallery wrapped canvas. As in the previous paintings the ground colour was an acrylic orange red. 

I think that this painting reflects a more contemporary feel/ look because of the addition of the truck . It may not be as "nostalgic" or "romantic" as horses and stone boats as seen in some past paintings of sap gathering. But I do believe 'the truck' in this case, does serve an "update".

This is a sketch for the finished painting, "Waiting For The Sap" . This sketch was on the same canvas as the finished painting and gives some idea of the procedure and direction taken.

 Sketch for "Waiting For The Sap"

'til next...

The Sugar Shack Series Continues...

..The Family Business    16" x 20"    O/C

Yes, as I thought it would, the series of sugar shacks/houses  continues. The "sugaring off"is in full swing. It is always a special time when someone suggests visiting the sugar bush to watch and taste some of the many maple products that are produced there.

This piece was painted on a larger than usual canvas. Usually in this type of weather, this size would be a ideal 'larger size'. Most larger canvases become unwieldy in the wind or snowy weather. In the colder temperatures, this is a large canvas to cover with oil paint. Not to mention the loss of light beginning earlier in the afternoon ...The days are shorter !

This painting was executed with the usual two blues, two reds, two yellow and titanium white.

' til next...

Sugar Bush Painting..

Pancakes with Maple Syrup In The Bush    10" x 12"    o/p

Another "Sugar Bush Painting" in what is fast becoming a series of late winter paintings while waiting for spring.
When visiting this particular sugar shack, one may sample fresh pancakes smothered in maple syrup made on the premises. ...Does not get much better...

This piece was painted with a limited split palette on a pre gessoed panel that was under coated with a red-peach acrylic colour.
Odourless Solvent was my medium. (Used Sparingly)

'til next...

Cottage on the St. Lawrence River

St. Lawrence Cottage    10" x 12"    O/P

This piece was painted on a Masonite panel that had two coats of thick gesso applied to the surface. (no sanding between applications) An acrylic (pinky peach) colour was applied to this surface before painting on it.
The palette for this painting was the usual (split) palette. No other "favourite" colours were added to the palette.

This "blown up section" shows the texture of the unsanded gesso on the panel surface after painting.

 

(Photo reference for this painting provided by A.W.B. Sherman )

'til next..

 

 

Sugar Shack

Sugar Shack -  In The Bush    10" x 12"    O/P

This piece was painted on a Masonite panel that had three coats of gesso, unsanded between applications. For this particular painting, I did not apply an acrylic coloured background.The palette for this painting was my usual limited split palette.
This painting, out of necessity, was painted from a reference photo taken by Artist A.W.B. Sherman, and used with his permission.

    

Original photo by Bruce Sherman ..

'til next...

Another beautiful winter day, with more snow to come..

 

Cast Winter Shadows And Woodpecker     12" x 16"     O/P

A beautiful sunny day with a promise of ten cm. (four inches) of snow to follow. So,winter painting continues ! ...Perfect, just perfect ! (sarcasm intended) :)  .. .

This panel was gessoed and pre stained a "peach colour" . 

The oil colours that I used for this painting were my usual limited palette. 

My medium was odourless mineral spirits which I used freely (as a wash) at the beginning of the painting to mass in the bigger shapes and to establish the layout or composition of the piece. As the painting progressed , I used less medium.

The larger format, 12" x 16" was fun to work on . It seems that I have been stuck on 10" x 12" for a long time.

'til next..

Old Time Winter..Snow, Snow and .. Snow !

 

Early Morning Chores    10" x 12"    o/p 

This painting was painted from a reference photograph taken ( and e-mailed to me) by my good friend and fellow artist, A.W. (Bruce) Sherman. As we are mostly house bound by the cold and deep snow, we cannot get out to do any outdoor painting. I thank him for his thoughtfulness, and for allowing me to use this reference, as it got me through this morning's painting session . 

This Masonite panel was pre gessoed, two coats. The panel was then coated with a layer of red- orange acrylic paint, pryer to painting.

I used my usual limited palette for this painting. 

The original photograph from which the piece was painted is seen above.

'til next..