Fair time!

Our local fair is soon coming to the close.  This painting was inspired by the 6 horse hitch event a year ago, and I have been working on it, on & off, for the last year.  It was accepted in the Norfolk ArtsCo Juried Competition, and placed.  The next day it was sold.  It has generated many interesting conversations, and best of all, I've seen horse people come up and name the horses & people in the painting.  Now that's cool!

So what will I follow up with for next year's show?!  I have about 10 great ideas from which to choose, after watching the events again this week.  I envision the composition in my mind, to edit the subjects.  So far they're all going to be painted, but the one that will go in the show is yet to be seen.  I better get painting first!!!

Life

Creek Crossing, 12 x 24

I've neglected this blog in the last few months, and have no legit excuses!  The winter was mostly spent painting, and the spring was spent getting the garden ready for my annual show at the end of June.  Thank goodness it was such a wet spring here, keeping the lawns nice and green.  My lawns are like the frame to a painting, setting off the gardens, giving the eye a rest. 

We spent a week in Calgary, in July, and when we came back the gardens and lawns were dry & dormant.  So sad to see, and it's still like that now.  This has not been the good plein air season I'd been hoping for!  So, I've done a few pieces indoors, inspired by our western trip.

I went on a beautiful ride, through fields, across creeks, up and down hills.  We saw these 2 spectators, and I thought how lucky they were to be there, to see what they saw, every day!

Blowin' in the Wind, 9 x 11

Then after traveling a little further, I too was able to see the panoramic view that they could see.

360 View, 12 x 24

It was so beautiful, the moving clouds dropped some showers on us a couple of times, but it never mattered.  It was warm, breezy, and I was on a horse in a spectacular setting ... what could be better?

I'll work at being more regular here!  I have a few more ideas from the trip to get on canvases... sometimes life just gets in the way.  I take it (painting) as it comes... no pressure, no expectation, it will happen when it's meant to.

Recent Projects

                                            Waiting patiently with a handler. The tenderness of their connection really caught my attention.

Same Percheron as above, from the same day.

A Percheron whose picture I took at the local fall fair.

Still a work in progress!

a commission

a commission

a commission

"Learning the Ropes". 

 

"Bows 'n Bums" I was very lucky to be able to  climb up to the driver's seat to get this view!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This piece was donated to the Ontario Percheron annual fund-raising banquet.

 It has been too long!  I've had good intentions to keep up to date with posting here, but over the holidays and up till now, there have been too many excuses not to!  No longer!  One of the excuses was that I was too busy painting, and I have accomplished these pieces.  To see all that I've been up to, check out "Fine Art by Anda" on Facebook.

Long term project

I've been quite busy doing commissions in the past 2 months, and now that they're done, I can go back to ideas of my own.  I do enjoy commissions, don't get me wrong, they're a nice break, and it's nice to have a specific goal and purpose in mind.  But now I can go back to all the great visions I picked up at the Fair and the Plowing Match!
Usually my pieces don't take that long... I don't rush, I'm just a fast painter, and spend a lot of time doing it.  I would like to do a piece that will take me a longer time to finish, one that is more difficult, ambitious, intricate, and eye-catching.  I've been mulling over this concept/idea/subject  for a while, and have started it.  Finding the right size canvas - done.  Initial layout - done.  Base-coat with background and positioning of the subjects - done.

The scene is from our local Fair, as the 12 teams of 6 horse hitches line up for judging.  An amazing scene to witness, an amazing collection of horses, dressed to the 9's!  You can see the whole piece in the first picture,  1' x 4', and in the close up is the first team on the right.   One horse, one team at a time.  We'll see how long this one takes!

the marathon continues!

I'm in the middle of a few pieces at the moment, as they rotate around me, touching up here and there as I see fit.  There are actually 4 on the go, and a 5th to be started soon, all commissions for Christmas.  I love doing commissions... it helps me see things with a different, more critical eye.  It also forces me to keep working till I'm 110% satisfied, because I don't like to send off a piece unless it meets all expectations.  And I like the fact that I'm not rushed for time, yet! 

While working on these pieces, I'm getting lots of practise on horse anatomy etc, and find it's getting easier, and better.  This is good, because a future idea that I have for a 'masterpiece' will require this skill!
This one still needs some work, but you get the idea.  I'll show all 3 pieces (same 4 abreast team, shown 3 different ways) when I think they're 'done'.

the marathon begins!!

I just finished spending 5 wonderful days at the Simcoe Fair, watching and taking pictures of all sorts of horse events.  I took almost 3,000 photos in that time, of every horse/team from every angle, several times, just looking for the right shots of energy and conformation!  So far I've done 2 paintings, with so many more to go!  In that time I also got a few commissions, for Christmas.
To top all that, my piece "Prep for the Lesson" that was accepted into the Sanders Visual Arts Competition was sold!  Only sale in the show, so far.

I'm pumped!

some tiny pieces!

                                                                       the Blue Jay is 4 x 6

These  4 are 1 3/4" x 2 1/2"
which is close to actual size

next step!

Well, my piece got in.  I'm pretty happy with that, and I got some good comments from the judges.  Nothing I didn't already really know, or feel in my bones!  It goes to show that you should follow your gut!  I should have put a larger, deeper fancy frame on my piece, like in the museums, to fit the style of the painting.  Next time, whether I've seen it done before or not, I'll do what I feel is right.

So, now to the next pieces!  I have so many ideas, and lots of little frames, and a couple of shows coming where small would work, so I'm doing a few small pieces.  Actually I did 4 last night... really small!!!  They're not even quite 2" x 3".  Still need to take their pics... will post them later.

wish me luck!

Well, I just took in my "Prep for the Lesson" to a juried art show.  I'm pretty certain it will be accepted, but I want to get to the next level and get a prize or recognition, something!!  When I took it in, there were a lot of huge pieces submitted... I hope size doesn't matter!  Good things come in small packages, right!?  Skill is one of the 4 categories for evaluation.  There were some pieces that were quite bad, sorry to say, but quite a variety of skill too.  I'm looking forward to seeing it all set up...I'll find out tomorrow!

On another note, I just finished my first piece of a Canadian Cowgirl.  Quite happy with it, but may make a few subtle changes, touch ups.  I like the splash of red that spices up the usual horsey colour palette, and am now planning one of the group in action.

studies

I'm bombarded with ideas at the moment.  Between the Int. Plowing Match and a recent horse show, I've got lots of images going through the old brain.  Then there's a bank of ideas still from my existing inventory of images!  So I'm working on a smaller scale for a while... you could call them studies.  Quick ones, 1 or 2 a day, depending on the size.

 I also had a commission as a result of my show... specific in colour, wanting teal.  That was fun!  Working in my fav colour, so bright, and pretty, for lack of a better adjective!!  I need to do more like that once in a while.
The teal pieces are 4 x 5, all the others 8 x 10.

There's something about it...

The more I look at The Lesson, the more I feel there's something that needs changing.  I'm thinking that the subject is just too big for the painting... sorry you can't see what I'm saying because you can only see a small pic of the painting... but I feel that this piece is just a study for what should be a much larger painting.  I think I'll start to work on it!

The Lesson

I think I'm done this one.  Have spent a lot of time on the little details.  I may touch it up a bit (hard not to when I'm studying it!)... trying to get the movement of the horses in... the littlest stroke at the right angle can make such a difference.

On another note, we have an art competition coming up in the local fair.  I'm having such a hard time deciding what to put in it!  It's a juried show, where abstract usually wins, but that doesn't deter me.  My choices are between the last 2 I've just done,  (Prep for the Lesson  or The Lesson) ... any opinions out there?!

work in progress

I have mixed opinions about sharing works in progress.  I don't want to share things that aren't at their best, but I do like to share the process.  Not everything looks good in the beginning, and if you saw it, you might not want to look any further!  This one has been a work in progress for quite some time.  Getting the composition right was the toughest.  I had 2 riders in it, but then realized one rider had a column coming out of her head, so they're both gone.  This is the riding arena of Manege, the academy in Amsterdam.  Like a palace.  I'm putting lots of work into the architectural details first... the riders will come soon.  How many, I haven't decided yet.  You'll have to wait and see!
Even looking at this, I see so many flaws... please be patient!!

Lucky me!

My show was supposed to be taken down this weekend, but fortunately it's able to stay  until the 28th of Sept. instead.  I have some procrastinating friends who will like that!  There's pros and cons to being in a small town venue, and this is a definite pro!  I like the flexibility allowed... it's definitely more my style!

I've just finished working on another horsey piece, and think it's done.  I took the ref photo while in Holland... at the Manege... what an amazing place.  I think I'll do a painting of the actual riding arena next... we were there during a semi-private lesson... I really want to share it with you.  I hope you like this one... the lighting is something I've always wanted to work on, like this one, resembling Vermeer or Rembrandt.

I'd rather be painting!

I seem to be spending too much time on the computer lately, when I'd rather be painting.  Tomorrow and the next few days, when it's nice, I'm going out to do just that! 
My show is soon coming to a close, and I'm in the process of setting up some future venues so there's a goal ahead to plan for.  I need that. 

I really love painting, but am developing quite a collection downstairs!  I believe my work is good,  & my prices are reasonable,  (let me know if I'm wrong please! ), but they're just not moving.  I've just added quite a few more pieces to my site on FAA (Fine Art America)  so maybe if someone likes a piece but can't afford it, they can at least get a print or some cards.  I've always held the belief in the value of originals.  Once an original is sold, I won't touch that file.   This digital age sure has its pros and cons!

BTW. Just finished this piece on the right!  Old doors in Paris with no door knobs!  Very interesting!

I'm back!

at the easel that is!!  I have been busy doing so many other things lately, my painting has not been happening, but I've finally gotten back and now have just finished 2 and have 2 others on the go.  When I get doing one thing, it's difficult to stop!  Maybe I'm a little obsessive compulsive!!  I have this thing though, that once I start something, I want to finish it.  Now, a big garden is never finished!! LOL  maybe that's why I'm out there so much... but a painting... it can be done.  I won't admit what a fast painter I am. 

Post Show Blues

Now I know what they're talking about!  I've heard the term often, and thought, how can you feel blue when you've got a show on?!!  My show's not even over yet, and it's starting.  It's all the stuff that goes through an artist's head....

- relief after all that work is done, but then the "what next?" question.
- wondering if anyone will go to the show!
- wondering how it's being received, will there be any sales?
- contemplating any future shows... how to improve from this one?
- and the almighty question... what to paint next?! 

I have lots of ideas, but can't seem to decide where to start next.  I need an image to 'grab' me!

working on a mac now

I've had a few computer issues lately! My old laptop was 8 yrs old... time to retire!   Luckily my show is up and open till Sept 11 (easy date to remember!) so I'm not too stressed.  I've decided to try a mac, since my son is a mac fan, and I trust his opinion!  plus he can help me if I have questions.  There are some issues that I've had to work out, and another is that the website program is not compatible with mac, yet.  A new program will come out in 2 weeks, then I'll be able to update my site on my new computer.  Not much will happen in the next 2 weeks... I'm taking a break.  Getting that show up was a lot of work!
I feel the need to paint coming on again though!  The nice thing is that I don't have anything else scheduled, so I'm open to new plans again.  I'm one who does need a goal though, something to work towards.  This weekend I'll be meeting some new contacts, and who knows, there could be more shows in the future before I know it!

affirmation!

Once in a while, and not often enough, we get something that tells us we're on the right path.  I guess that's life... testing us to the limit!  You plod along, start to doubt yourself, plod a little more, but eventually something will happen to keep you plodding!
My presence here has resulted in a call or two that have given me hope that I may be getting somewhere!  I don't want to be famous, but would like to share my work with as many people as possible.  My site is now up to over 1000 visits!  Keeping in mind that some are regulars, checking back, that's still a pretty awesome record.  My presence in other internet venues will also result in something in the long run, I'm sure now.
Even if it doesn't though, I'm still as happy as can be doing what I'm doing.  Isn't that what it's all about?

We've had a heat wave here the past few days.  The heat drives me to top gear, and I went on a blitz - a series of 4  poppy paintings. 2 done, 2 to go.  Plus a couple of other boards have been started.  I sometimes find great frames, but odd sizes, so these need to have masonite boards cut to fit.  Sometimes I look at the board, gessoed, and it tells me what it should have.  No, I'm not crazy!

I'm still here!

I'm sorry it's been a while... we went on a trip to Amsterdam, Normandy and Paris.  If you follow me on FB, you already know that.  The pictures and inspiration I brought home from that trip were a little overwhelming, to say the least.  But when we were home again, I had to get into gardening mode again to get the place ready for the local garden tour that was on Father's Day weekend.  For the tour I also put out some art.... so had to get that ready too!  Plus, I had to paint from time to time, naturally.
Now I'm in 'get ready for the August show' mode... will have the Waterford Old Town Hall all to myself!  My first solo show.  I'm really excited about it, and want to have some fresh, recent stuff for it.  I've done about 6 pieces since the trip, which is pretty good.  The garden tour sales were disappointing... not as good as my own "Art in the Garden" show last year.  I guess they were mostly gardeners, not art seekers.  So for this show I'm hoping for a little more in the way of sales.  I believe my prices are reasonable, and my work is good.  The 'bad times' don't help much either... but I continue to paint just because I love to.

My subject matter is all over the board!  I've done 4 from the trip, but then did a dog commission, and a waterfall in the winter.  Go figure... then I paint flowers during the winter!   Today I did some work outside in the shade of the trees.  I paint whatever moves me at the time...  which relates to the theme of my show - time.  I'm calling it "Spots in Time", and will add a quote or explanation with each piece to its meaning in my times.  I hope it's something different from other shows.

I've attached this one, in progress still I think.