CHRISTINE'S SUMMERS, 16X21 in, watercolour; Artist's Collection

I loved the challenge of this scene particularly with unforgiving watercolours. The reflections in the sun glasses, the shadows of the straw hat cast on Christine's face and the lawn chair were great fun. I have included clues like the tent trailer, picnic cooler and picknick table to show that summer sun and Christine go together. This is one of several watercolours I have pulled from a 1990 personal collection. The way that I paint with watercolour allows me to do a good deal of preliminary sketching before I apply the colour.

THE COMFORTER, watercolour, 10X15 in.; unframed; $100, Available

Imagine pulling out a leather portfolio of your paintings and finding a stash of watercolours that date to 1990. Nice find. I did that the other day. As I recall, this particular painting was not an original scene with me. I likely borrowed it from something I saw in an art magazine, liked it well enough and it gave me the opportunity to paint some soft colours and textures. I enjoyed watercolours exclusively for many years because of the way colours flow, sometimes sponteously, to produce an occasional surprise effect. The artist still takes credit for these surprises.

AUTUMN GRAZING 18x24 in. ; Acrylic on canvas, SOLD

From some vantage points Mount Baker appears larger than ever. A foal notices me as mother grazes amid the autumn grasses. Soon the rains will come to the lower mainland of B.C. Today the sun is warm upon the animals and the barns in the background.

Frame: one inch black floating frame (front loading)

WINDOW ON THE SKY - Rome 16x20 in.; SOLD

When using photography it is crucial that a painter not merely duplicate the photo. Part of my craft as a painter is to frame a photograph in the viewfinder in such a way that it will serve me well when I render a painting of the scene. In this case a photograph assisted me with one of those challenging scenes in which perspective for windows, roofs and roadway are in the extreme. On our May 2007 visit to Rome this commercial passage between buildings captured my imagination. I loved the arch with its window through which you catch a glimpse of the same bright sky that one sees above the most distant building. I wanted to paint the dramatic darks and lights so they invite the viewer to visually wander down the street. At the foreground of the wall with the motorbikes I used artistic license to create a ristorante with dull interior light. My alternative was to paint the dumpster that was actually there. Although foot traffic at times can be busy in one of these typical streets I found it unoccupied and chose to leave it that way. A couple of people far in the distance carry on the day’s errands. I was pleased with the Christmas season project. This painting is in the possession of a couple with whom we travelled to Rome. I am thrilled each time I see it in their home.