Christmas Wishes - All the best for the Coming Year

As this year comes to an end I would like to thank you for supporting the Arts and especially your support for Art by Wendy.  It is your encouragement that keeps me focused and on task throughout the year. I hope that the joy and excitement of Christmas stays in your heart all year.

Winter Berries - This little chickadee adds so much life and excitement to our garden during these snowy cold days.  (Contact Wendy to purchase)

I will take a Christmas break and my next post will be in two weeks, Thursday, Jan 5, 2017.  In the meantime here are a few last minute Christmas Ideas. Gift Ceriticates are available.  

 A heartfelt gift for that special person: 

A commission - Capture that Best Friend in a Pet Portrait.  A keepsake that will be cherished by everyone in the family. 

And for the Artist on your list.  

a. Private Drawing Lessons   Get more information  here. 

A really special gift for the Artist on your list:

 All day Marketing Workshop - Let's Get Your Art Out There - Sunday, Feb 26 or March 5, 2017.  This is an opportunity to work with a small group focusing on ways that work for you, to market your art.  Whether you are looking at full time or part Art Sales, there are effective, proven strategies that will get your work out the door. $70 Limited to 8 per session.  Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey, BC.  REGISTER NOW  with Wendy.   Out of Towners give me a call and we can set something up.

 Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you follow by email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my Email List.
Have a great artful day,
Wendy

What does a Plein Air Painting Trip REALLY look like? Part 3 Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Or 6 Ways to Get You Painting on the Road

MORNING CALM - 3 x 4 - Watercolour
Early morning is sometimes the nicest time to paint on the water. 

Let me first explain, like you, I don't travel alone. I travel with my husband and our dog, Max.  (A new puppy who is now 4.5 months old). My husband is a non-painter and our new puppy is definitely a non-painter!  To have a successful trip with other members: ie husband gets to fish, go crabbing and sight seeing;  puppy gets lots of walks and attention; and I get to do my thing requires lots of pre-planning. This has been my blog focus lately.  See the glamour of a Plein Air Travel Trip here, see Preplanning Ideas here,

Now, the meat and potatoes:  How to get your Art into the traveling day:

1.     Combine Activities: Walks and hikes are great times to combine art with life.   Max and I usually head out for walks in the early morning and late afternoon/evening each day.  I use those times to scout out places to paint.  After a good walk Max is ready to have a nap, one of the great features of a puppy!  He and I will grab my paint bag and while he naps I can work on a painting or sketch.  

2.    Paint Small: Now is not the time to work on a large canvas.  Be realistic, you only have an hour or two:  Light changes, hunger calls, other members want to move on.  I use a 5 x 7 format for watercolours and my small 5 x 8 sketchbook for quick sketches. 

3.    Be Prepared: The Girl Guides have it right "Be Prepared". Have you art bags packed and ready to go. If you have 2 hours to paint you don't want to spend it rounding up gear.  I have a special bin for my cameras and paint bags.  Whatever the situation - basic kit, full gear or painting on a log - I can grab my kit and I am ready to roll.

FISHING IN THE TIDAL POOLS - 5 x 7 - Watercolour
Catch the early morning changing skies.  Had lots of cloudy skies this trip, got some great cloud formations in my pictures. 

4.    Share Jobs:  My husband and I have been camping for years and we have our own routines. He likes a slow start and big breakfast later in the morning, I am a early riser, eat light and go kind of person.  Some days I hit the road and paint for a couple of hours early in the morning and other days I take it slow and keep him company for breakfast.  We also take turns making dinner when in camp and that will also be a painting time for me when it is not my turn to cook.  

BUSYBODY - 5 X 7 - Watercolour
A really fun rainy day project, even tried a few new things with it.

5.    Be Realistic:  A painting trip is not working in a studio.  Things can change.  It can rain for days.  If you are going to new places, on the move every other day, you won't be able to do as much as you want.  I have been doing painting trips each summer for years and know what I need for each situation.  Yes, even those days of rain. Now I pull out my iPad and use my reference pictures to paint in the trailer.  In the old, pre digital days I always carried a batch of reference pictures I could pull out and work with. 

6.    Take Risks: To get work done you need to take risks all the time.  There are the risks you face as an artist, that whole blank page thing.  You may find yourself stalling with little excuses, no shade, can't see anything to paint, little things like that. But the biggest risk is dealing with the fear of painting in front of people.  Yes, there is fear.  What will people think? or say? The fear of getting out in front of people to paint is a big one that stops many artists.  It is not always easy but once you get started success does build success.

Summer is nearly over, still time to get out your basic kit, take a risk and start working.  Not too soon to start planning for next year, make it  really rock.

If you missed my last post series on Drawing Tips for summer fun check them out.  It is a four part series starting here.  

Looking for a starting point in your drawing?  I will be happy to get you up and running.  Call me now and set up a few lessons to get you on the road to a summer of fun with your art.

Special Note: Looking for a fun Plein Air Painting Festival centered on an historic site? Right here in the Fraser Valley. August 26, 27, & 28. Prizes for everyone at all levels.  $15 - www.kilby.ca to register and get more information.  See you there.

For Commission Works see here

For Private Drawing Lessons see here

For Marketing Mentoring see here

For Marketing or Art Presentations Contact Wendy 

Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you follow by email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar)

Have a great artful day, Wendy

Dig Deep for those Greens - Art Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Yes, there will be Green again!!

Red greens, blue greens, soft gentle greens to sink into and those bright garish greens that stop you short!! After last week's crazy Demo Week (see here for more on that) I am ready to get back into the studio and paint.

My best friends, the chickadees, are back in the garden! They are the ones that really bring the life back to the yard.  They chitter, they chatter, they bath in the birdbath.  They flit and they flirt.  Best of all they bring their babies to feed. So cute watching the little ones crying for food, bathing in the bird bath, and sulking when they can’t get their way.  Other birds come and go, never staying long, but the chickadees are my real backyard buddies.  

So of course they need to be featured in my work!!

Sunshine and Sunflowers WIP - Watercolour

My plan: chickadees and sunflowers.  (Okay I admit it.  I am really into the summer more than spring.  But I am ready, aren't you?)

My picture Sunshine and Sunflowers,  is a work in progress now but already you can see the problem.  Green.  I love it: to look at on a summer day, to play on, to feel the softness as I settle down with a book.  But to paint!  It's a challenge.  Everything looks green, local colour is green, green everywhere.  But the whole picture can't be one be blog of green!!

My palette: Daniel Smith GreenGold (GG) , Ultramarine Blue (UB), Alizarin Crimson (AC), Aureolin,(A) Gamboge (G), Burnt Sienna(BS).   (The GreenGold has to be Daniel Smith’s as the other brands just don’t seem to work the same way.  This greengold is the colour of the moss on the branches shining in the sun.  It is that lovely blue green (when you add UB) that brings to mine the firs as you walk down a forest trail.  It just seems to be my kind of coastal green.)

The Challenge: build my greens just with this palette.  I know, easy to grab lots more tubes of paints with greens and browns, and golds, even reds.  But lots of tubes, introduces lots of new colours and suddenly things don’t blend any more.  Stay with your palette and dig deep, there are many subtle ways to suggest green with what you have.  Here is a sample of some of the greens I have created with mixing  UB, A, AC and G with the GreenGold.  The UB + GG I did two samples.  One with a little UB and one with lots.  Just dropping in a little AZ changes it again.  So many greens and green suggestions right here.  

Sample strip of some of the greens mixed with GG.
Note the changes with the purple glaze.(UB + AC)

Those greens were only created with weak and strong mixes.  What about all the colour variations when you start to glaze over them.  Glaze over with a blue, a yellow or a red.  More colours.  I included a glaze of purple (UB + AC) over the test strip once again, lots of different grayed down shades.  Of course another layer creates more. If you go back and look at Sunshine and Sunflowers WIP again, you can see how they blend together and read as green but really are quite different!!

Follow up from last week's post: The 3 presentations went well.  I met some wonderful people, made new friends, and got totally inspired. A really special thank you to Jackie who took the time to send me this comment Sunday night after a full day workshop yesterday on Marketing. 

"Hi, Wendy.  I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your Marketing Your Art Workshop.  I learned SO much!  It is the BEST workshop I have ever been to on ANY subject.  Thanks so much." 

It really made the whole day worth it for me to hear that.

Well back to work, hope to post the finish picture next week.  (Of course you know what the next challenge will be - working with yellow.  No easy task!!)

 Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you  Like my Facebook Page  or follow by email.    (see sidebar, top right corner on my blog page)
Have a great artful day, Wendy

For Commission Works see here

For Private Drawing Lessons see here

For Marketing Mentoring see here

For Marketing or Art Presentations Contact Wendy 

Christmas Wishes for Everyone

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Early Morning on the Mud Flats - 7.5 x 13.5 , Watercolour

Every few years the Snowy Owls come south to the Fraser River Delta to spend the winter.  It is an exciting time for bird watchers and photographers.  They settle on the Mud Flats and watch the excitement as people flock to see them.

When they were last here, Steve and I got up early and headed out before daylight to see them.  When we arrived there was no one around and it was still dark.  We headed out on the dyke, not quite sure what we would find or even where to look. We had only walked about 50 feet when suddenly we realized there were soft white bumps sitting on the logs right beside the dyke.  We couldn't believe it. They were not concerned with us and simply content to look around. As the morning light started to filter through the skies it was an awesome sight. There must have been about 50 owls, scattered among the bushes in front of us.  I got some great pictures.  Sad to say as the daylight settled in more and more people came and then the owls were nervous, they moved further out into the mud flats and were much harder to see.  Apparently there is plenty of food in mud flats for them, so they are happy to stay here for the winter before heading north again.

As I looked through my winter pictures I was drawn to my owls and decided this one was to be my Christmas Picture.  Enjoy!

Have a wonderful holiday with family and friends, I look forward to sharing my thoughts and tips on art and art marketing with you again next year,
Wendy

 Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you follow by email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar) Have a great artful day, Wendy

Words Artists Don't Want to Hear!!

Financial Records

Data Entry

File Management 

System Back up. 

Not exciting stuff!!!

 New paint, art books,  art show.  Much better!!

I was recently involved in planning an Art Business Conference.  One of the sessions was on "Managing Your Files for Your Art Business".  It was cancelled, not enough interest. 

You are an artist. You sell your work. You are a small business.  Let's take a look at your computer. What's on it, files for all your paintings. Yes, and you are probably going to say that you make a copy once and awhile on a flash drive or CD. 

Wait a minute, what else is there?.

Christmas Treats for Mr. Jay - This picture file would be lost
if there is no backup and my computer dies. 

Your sales record, your financial trail, and tax information.  What about your email trails for special events, shows, commissions.  Your contact info for collectors and future clients.  Templates for advertisement, course outlines for workshops and demos, images for publicity.  Oh, and now videos, slideshows, and more. 

Scary isn't it, how your computers has become the backbone of your business.  Not too long ago you would have paper copies of most of this information but now it is all on your hard drive.  

Is this information backed up?  Is a flash drive or CD really the safest thing to do?  Flash drives are small, easy to lose and if not handled correctly are notorious for failing.  CD can get scratched, need I say more.

For Backup think - 3, 2, 1!

Three copies of your data, on two different media and one off site!  This is considered the industry standard.

Don't panic.

It doesn't need to happen overnight but this is the direction you want to head.  Learn about external hard drives (they have amazing space for very reasonable prices), off site storage (the cloud is one possibility) and setting up file storage programs (many programs and devices have built in software to regularly do full and incremental backups, you don't have to rely on your memory).   No, this isn't rocket science, the computer world is ready for us non-techies and this is totally doable.  (Well  after a bit of research and the usual computer learning curve that sends me to the wall!!)

 The words Artists really don't want to hear are - your computer is toast and your files are lost!!

Google Backup Strategy 3-2-1 and start your research today.

February is Marketing Month for Artists and coming up fast. My Marketing Workshop Shop dates are set.  See Workshops/Private Classes for all the info.

Special Note: 

Did you notice the Change on my site? As we head into winter, gray and black seems to be the overriding colour in our clothes and the weather.  I thought I would try removing a bit of black from my world and give something new a try.  What do you think of the colour change??

Be sure to like and share my posts. You won't miss a single one if you follow by email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar)

Have a great artful day, Wendy

Renaissance Painting Techniques and Pencil??

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Renaissance  Painting Techniques and Graphite

An unusual combination 

The Renaissance Painters used a Grisaille, a painting executed usually in shades of gray, as an underpainting for oil. After completing the grisaille they glazed layers of colour on top creating not only a beautiful painting but saving time and paint.  (Certainly something to consider when you were making your own paint!!)  Since the late 17th century, using a grisaille underpainting is not as popular but still used by many artists.

Summer Morning - Commission

A QUIET SPOT - Commission

The effect of the grisaille underpainting on the medium on top is very interesting.  It does create a unique finish.  In my case, as you know I like to work in graphite.  But sometimes there is a something in my subject that calls out for a bit of colour.  ( Graphite purist you may want to stop reading now!!  I realize this is sacrilegious in your world.  But . . .   sometimes you just need that bit of colour!!)

As a result, I have mixed a bit of coloured pencil into my graphite and I find I have had some very happy results!

Usually I add just a bit of colour in a few places to highlight an important feature of a bird or animal but this time I went all the way!.  I first did a complete drawing with graphite, with all my tonal values.  And I must admit that it was a lovely little drawing at this point. But I pressed on.  Using Prismacolor pencils I glazed over my pencil work.  It was very interesting to see that the colours could be mixed right on the paper even with the graphite underneath.  The graphite seems to have a muting effect to the pencils and gives an interesting overall tone and texture.  One that really appeals to me.

A QUIET SPOT - Detail

Here is a close up from "A Quiet Spot".  You can see the lighter part of the leaf has no graphite underneath while the branch and shadow area do.  Notice how nicely the colours mix; the density of colour; the texture it provides; Interesting, eh!

So all you dry media artists like myself, we don't have to feel left out.  Those Renaissance Painters had some great techniques that we can use as well!!

Have a great day,
Wendy
PS
Here are links to some of my other pictures that mix graphite and coloured pencil.
a. Drawing a White Cat with Pencil!!??
b. This Little Lamb is "On His Own"
c. Can you draw White with a Gray Pencil???

Christmas Greetings to Everyone

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year 

from Wendy, Steve and Rusty

Hunt and Peck - 12 x 16 - watercolour

This little pair of Downy Woodpeckers arrived at our feeder late this fall. They were only here for a few days but managed to fit a photo shoot into their busy schedule.  I was delighted with my pictures and featured them with a sudden early snow fall for my Christmas Picture.

Steve, Rusty and I are very excited to spend Christmas with our family, our little grandson is now 1 and walking so he will add a special note to our celebration.  We hope that you will have a wonderful time with family and friends.
See you in the New Year,
Wendy

Special Note: 
February is Marketing Month for Artists!!
My all day Marketing Workshop is set for Sunday, February 22, 2015.  Build your Marketing Skills to become an Independent Artist.  See my Marketing Page for more information and registration.

 Contact Wendy to purchase any of my Work.  Collectors enjoy a 10% on all original work.

Have you seen the River Run??

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Squawk!! Screech!!

It's mine!!

No mine!!

I found it!!

Squeals and Screeches fill the air.

The river is alive with sound!

During the hot summer things were quiet, the water a slow trickle weaving through the rocks, in no special hurry out to sea.

But now it's fall!!

The winds are howling, leaves are dancing and the river is a raging beast, filled by our heavy rains. This is the time of the salmon!

River Run - 12 x 16 - Watercolour -Available

They have been waiting out in the bay for the rivers to rise so they can start their trek up to the spawning grounds. With them comes a collections of others: eagles, bears, seals and gulls.  To name just a few.  All waiting for the salmon.

To watch the run is breathtaking.  How can they do it?  The water is so fast, the rapids so rough and  the elevation changes so steep. Still they move on, up river to the spawning grounds.

This year on the coast it was a bumper year, a record numbers of sockeye were returning.  We decided to join the migration and head to Adams River, the site of biggest sockeye spawning ground in southern British Columbia. It was amazing to see the fish at the end of the run, brilliant red and green shining in the sunlight.

Driving up from the west coast east to the Interior of British Columbia, we really appreciated their journey.  They had entered the Fraser River early in September and reached the Adams River by mid October.  Quite a feat if you have ever seen the Hell's Gate section of the Fraser River Canyon!!

Once the eggs are laid the fish die. Their bodies litter the rivers, providing food for gulls and eagles. They come from everywhere to share in the feast.

River Run is part of this story.  The gulls have found a dead fish, wedged in the rocks and now they are squawking and screeching: announcing their find and claiming their share.  The river is full of these sounds as this ritual is happening at every crevice and rock along the shore.  Quite a sight to see!
Have a great day,
Wendy
Special Note: February is Marketing Month for Artists!!  My all day Marketing Workshop is set for Sunday, February 22, 2015.  Build your Marketing Skills to become an Independent Artist. See my Marketing Page for more information and registration. 

Have you had a "fight to the finish"?

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

 You Begin,

Then Retreat!

Move forward again

Step Back!

and Battle On!

Mine started very innocently.  I was excited, I had a wonderful photo  of two little House Sparrows perched on a bird house from my trip to  Kilby Historical Site at Harrison Mills. I had great plans for the painting and I even had a title ready to go!

My plan: a square painting; the view on an angle; use the shingle line to lead to my focal point. I was ready!

My colours were mixed and I started to work. The shingles were fun to paint, I incorporated all my main colours into them, made them interesting and I felt they seemed to have a bit of life to them. That's when the trouble started!

My shadow colour killed my shingles!  

I fought back - switched to a purple black.  My shingles started to breath again.  I glazed them with Quin Burnt Orange, then again. Things were looking bleak.  I advanced - I painted the birdhouse!  My husband came by "those colours look funny" he commented. 

Definitely Time to Retreat!

I grabbed my colour theory books, I read, I experimented. 

I glazed and lifted. 

We battled!

Finally we collapsed, the colours were working

my picture had come to life!!

I relaxed and started to move on. But wait, a final skirmish! at the Framing Table!

The shape didn't work, the square was out.

I cropped!

"House Hunting" was born!

House Hunting - 4.5 x 6.5 - Watercolour

Special Note:  February is Marketing Month for Artists. My all day Marketing Workshop is set for Sunday, February 22, 2015.  See my Marketing Page for more information. 

Visitors come to visit, but should they stay for days??

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

It's great to have Visitors!

They change things up!

They renew friendships!

But what happens when they stay for DAYS!!

Just Arrived - Watercolour - 3.5 x 5.5   Available

This little Dark-eyed Junco just arrived the other day at our feeder.  He will stay till spring. Not sure where he was all summer but his arrival signals change!  Sure enough, we were enjoying an endless summer, suddenly wind storms, rain, deep cold and winter is here!!

But this little visitor is not like the smelly fish that Martha Stewart talks about in Visitor Etiquette.  The one you hope will leave after a few days. He is a welcomed friend. He brings life to our gray, bare trees on a drab winter day!

I wanted to capture the colours just at the moment of change with my Junco.  The reds and golds are everywhere but still that sense of summer green is in the air.  "JUST ARRIVED" seems to fit the bill!

Special Update:

Our Stellar Jay (see last post)  gave me a real surprise yesterday.  I was working in my studio when there came a tap on my patio door.  There was my jay, with his friend and a squirrel looking back at me!!

Christmas Show:

Thursday, Nov 20-Sunday, Nov. 23, 10-4pm daily, GardenWorks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr., Burnaby.  

Christmas Card Making Workshops happening there as well - Thursday, Nov 20, 1-3pm.  $35 Refreshments and supplies included.  Limited space, phone 604-434-4111 to register. More info on my Workshop Page

See you there!!

Bold as Brass - Animal Artistry comes Alive

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

What fun!!

We have been adopted!!

Yes, this little stellar jay has adopted us!

Isn't he a beauty!

Has some great poses!

Loves to sit for a picture!!

Well we have encouraged him, just a bit!!

This little jay came to our feeder just a few days ago and seems to have put us on his daily route.  Each morning he comes around, checks the feeder and to see what's happening, chasing all the little birds off to the trees.  I decided to throw him some of the peanuts that we  had ready for squirrel treats.  He was very pleased and of course came back for more.  I quickly grabbed my camera and took a few shots. 

 I needn't have hurried!

He was prepared to do lots of tricks as long as the peanuts kept coming!!

Not sure where he put them, as he flew away and was back in minutes. I was happy to get my shots and ready to move on.  He wasn't!! He had lots to say when I stopped. Since then he arrives like clockwork each day looking for a treat, even coming up to the patio door to see what's keeping us.  A very bold little guy!!  

Of course I had to paint him!!

Bold as Brass - Watercolour - 5.5 x 4.5 Available

I love the character of these birds.  They are bold as brass at the campsite, coming right up to the table to check for scraps.  Poor Rusty, our dog, has often lost his dinner to their quick action at meal times.  They have no qualms at standing close by, studying the action, waiting for the moment and grabbing their reward.  We see them often when we are camping,  it brings back those summer memories to see them here at home. 

Have a great day,

Wendy 

Have You been to the Dark Side??

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

I mean the REALLY,REALLY Dark Side!

Where everything is black or shades of gray and

White is a stranger!

That's where this drawing has taken me!

Eyes of the Forest - Graphite, 20 x 16

Eyes of the Forest is a drawing of a Northern Hawk Owl that we were fortunate to see while hiking on Mount Revelstoke.  It was settled in amongst a group of firs on a branch.  As you can see from the picture below he was well camouflaged.  We would not have seen him had we not heard his call just before we arrived.

Can you find my owl??  Pretty well hidden, eh?

I really wanted to capture the way he blends into the tree.  I realized it required moving into the Dark Zone.  In drawing we have a name for it!  Bright, light pictures are High Value pictures and pictures full of dark, gray tones are Low Value.  Most pictures are in the mid-range with a more even spread of values.  Working in the Dark Zone can lead to black  mess!!  A dangerous place for an artist!

To work on my picture I put my darkest dark near the owl's head.  I did that quite early on in process so I had a point of comparison.  When I studied my picture I kept reminding myself, that's my 10, is this a 10.  (Artist talk for really dark!)  This helped me to keep most of the drawing in the mid value range and even move up to light grays with some of the moss and branches.  I really wanted to capture a shaft of light going across his chest and I picked it up with a bit of the branches around him as well.  When I was done, I was very pleased.  My owl is there but there is a really strong sense of the kind of environment we found him in.   

Eyes of the Forest will be off to Revelstoke later this month, he will be part of the Art in the Park  2014 show which will open in Revelstoke Nov. 7th.- Dec 5, 2014.  The show will then travel for a year promoting the 100th Anniversary of the Park and the Parks Program in Canada.  Pretty exciting, eh?

Capturing animals in graphite is one my passions and one of my specialties.  If you would like to commission a drawing of one of your pets Contact Me .  I would be pleased to work with you to bring your project to life.  See more of my Pet Commission Work on my Commission A Drawing Page. 

Special Note: To learn more about the Residency see my first three August 2014 Posts beginning with this One. 

Can you draw White with a Gray Pencil???

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

What does white look like?

Is White really White?

How do you do that with a gray pencil?

Arctic Travelers - 9 x 12 , Graphite - Available

When it came time to draw my snow geese, this was my problem!! 

I studied the drawing and determined what was pure white.  Highlights mostly.   They became my guide:  The Zero Value.  Everything else had some value of gray. I then worked up the scale, carefully creating shades of gray till the final dark was reached.

Of course I didn't stop there!!  I like to blend my graphite which gives that lovely soft tone to the light areas.   But it does require many layers to get the darks. For me it is worth the effort, I love the soft feathery look it gives my geese.

My Arctic Travelers are Lesser Snow Geese visiting the marshlands at Riefel Bird Sanctuary.  They come each fall from Wrangel Island, Russia, in the Arctic Ocean, north of Siberia.  Hard to believe they travel 5,000 km each October to winter on the farmers' fields and marshlands here in the Fraser Valley.  They can travel at pretty good speeds; some of  them have been tracked flying non-stop from Alaska to here (2500 km) in less than 36 hours!

The younger geese stay with their parents for quite awhile.  They have a light gray colour rather than the bright white. This threesome is the parents with one of their kids!

Capturing animals in graphite is one of my specialties, if you would like to commission a drawing of one of your pets Contact Me.  I would be pleased to work with you to bring your project to life.  See more of my Animal Commission work on my Commission Page.. 

What does Pink really look like??

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Blush, Brillant, Coral, Classic,  Fluorescent, Deep or Dark?

Oh, don't forget Hot and Cold!

How do you know you have Pink?

AFTERNOON TEA - Watercolour, 16 x 20, matted, unframed $450

Working on Afternoon Tea I found myself deep in the Pink !

Fuchsias have four lovely long, slender, pink sepals spreading out to cover shorter broader, purple petals below.  Seems easy enough but when it came time to paint "the pink", things became a challenge. 

 In artist's language we use the term "local colour", pink was the local colour but what really does that mean.  There is: pink in the sunlight; pink in the shade; and pink in the reflected light. The sunlight and the shade also have soft parts and harsh bright or dark parts.  Then consider that the reflected light comes from the other petals, both pink and purple, the leaves and the sky.  Of course the sky and the leaves have their own "colour thing" going on as well but let's not get into that!  

I tried to work with a bit of a formula for each flower, but quickly gave that up. No formula worked! Each petal had its own story! I worked each petal with light wet glazes often changing the colour 3 or 4 times within a petal.  Sometimes leaning to a warm colour and sometimes to the cold, trying to respond to each of the "colour" demands.  I must admit sometimes I didn't know whether I was coming or going! 

So like my little hummingbird, I invite you to flutter amongst the blossoms and enjoy their lovely pinks and mauves and greens and blues!!  Enjoy!  It is fun to look at but a challenge to paint!!

Happy to Join my picture The Fire Dance in Salmon Arm!!

Special Note: I was up to Salmon Arm last week for the reception of the 46th Open National Juried Exhibition of the Society of Canadian Artists.  As many of you know my painting "The Fire Dance" was a successful entry in the show.  Sad to say it did not win an awards but it was picked as the Cover Picture for the Show Cateloge!!  The show runs until the Sept 27, at the Salmon Arm Art Gallery.  Stop by if you are in the area. 

Have a great day,

Wendy 

A Day at the Berry Patch - Finished!!!

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

A Day at the Berry Patch - 11.5 x 14 - Graphite  $400 Unframed

My House Sparrows are done!! 

With a touch of coloured pencil and graphite they have really come to life.  Of course I did the males, they have the lovely plumage, which is really very striking in the sunlight.  (No, I am not sexist, but really, the males are more fun to draw.)  I was surprised when I read they were now a very common bird in North America.  I have not noticed them at our feeder at all. They do love seeds and insects so although they live in urban areas they must stick closer to the farming areas where both are plentiful. 

Interesting to read about these sparrows, they were originally from the Middle East and spread to Europe and North Africa.  They were introduced to North America in 1852 in New Year. They are a very adaptable bird and when introduced to an area they can spread at a rate of 230 kilometres per year!  I guess we can learn a few tricks from them on how to be more adaptable!!

I am sure that despite being mostly seed eaters they will enjoy a few of these blackberries when ripe as well!!

Be sure and check out my Points to Ponder on my new Marketing Skills page here on my blog.  I hope they help to bring new life to your Art Marketing this year. 

Have a great day,   
Wendy 

A Day at the Berry Patch - WIP

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

A Day at the Berry Patch

Aren't these little House Sparrows pretty little things? 

I captured them on one of my many trips to Riefel Bird Sanctuary in South Delta.  I have a selection of prints, cards and memo pads there and so I visited it often to restock my work.  (It is such a great place to visit I would be happy to go anytime!)  

My sparrows were perched on the fence that follows the trails around the Sanctuary.  The blackberry bushes  are everywhere pushing up against the fence so of course I have to include them.  They provide an exciting, lush backdrop for my two males as they enjoy the day! Hopefully they will be able to enjoy some of the berries as they become ripe. 

Back to work, the fun part, the birds are done, so now it is time to really build up the background!!

Be sure and check out my Points to Ponder on my new Marketing Skills page here on my blog.  I hope they help to bring new life to your Art Marketing this year. 

Have a good day,

Wendy 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Winter's Coming - My Christmas Picture 2013 - Sold

 

I would like to thank you, my wonderful supporters, for all of your support and encouragement throughout the year.  It has been fun writing to you and sharing my Art World with you.  I would like to wish you all a

 

Wonderful Christmas and all the best for the coming Year

 

 

I look forward to connecting with you in the New Year.

 

Wendy 

Update on Bulgaria

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

The Dance of the Poppy - 4 x 5 Watercolour

 

My minis are settled and happy in Bulgaria.  The 4th Painting and Mixed Media Competition at the Lessedra Gallery opened on Dec 11 at 7pm. and runs till Feb 15, 2014. There are 248 artists entered the show from 49 different countries,  twenty-three artists are from Canada. Sad to say I was not one of the prize winner but I am happy to be part of the show.  It is really kind of interesting to think my pictures are busy entertaining so far away with so many different kinds of art.  

Eagle on the Rocks - 3.5 x 3.5 Watercolour

 The days are flying by so quickly, hope your Christmas preparations are going well.  Steve has been busy doing the Christmas baking and I am trying not to eat too much of it!!  A hard task as he makes so many wonderful treats. 

Rocky Shores - 5 x 6  Watercolour

 

Have a great day and think good thoughts for my pictures far away.  As always if you wish to buy any of my work or register for workshops just Contact Wendy .

 

To see some of the show:

http://www.lessedra.com/mixed_media.php

 

 

Stellar Jay

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Stellar Jay - 11 x 14 - matted, unframed $230

Isn't he great??

I was going to call him a "Jay with an Attitude" but felt that was unfair.  Jays are lovely, hard working birds on the go all the time.  A pair of them has been busy working on our hazelnut bush sneaking away with all the nuts.  I didn't realize that it was producing any until I saw one of them scooting off with a nut in his beak!!  Here I thought I was so lucky to have two of them hanging out in our front yard, chattering with the squirrels and flittering about.  I must admit I really enjoyed their company and I if the price to pay was our hazelnuts that's okay too.  But I would have loved to have seen a few of them on the branches!
Things are getting very busy now with all the holiday hustle and bustle. Organizing the last Christmas show of the season, advertising for winter workshops, preparing the last of Christmas commissions are just few of Art by Wendy's jobs right now.  It is all lots of fun but things like a snow day can really but a wrench in the works.  I hope all your Christmas jobs are getting done and as my daughter keeps reminding me "you are doing this because you love it so have fun on the way!"  So far I am on track, hope you are too!
Have a great day.

As always if you wish to buy any of my work or register for workshops just  Contact Wendy.  Gift certificates are available and make lovely Christmas Gifts.
Have a good day.

Winter's Coming

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

WINTER'S COMING - 12 X 16 - $245 Matted & Unframed

 

My little Stellar Jay is finished and ready to fly.  He seems to have lots of life and really looks like he is ready to grab those bits of seeds on the stump, chitterling away, telling everyone they are for him.  Camp Robbers is common name used for the jays as they hang around camp and are ready to grab anything editable at a moments notice. He certainly looks like he is ready to grab and run!!

 

This scene is part of what I love about the West Coast forests: the lush greens in hundreds of different shades, the soft puffy mosses layered over the branches and trees like a coat of snow, the ferns spiky swords woven amongst the stumps and bushes, and the firs and cedars towering over everything.   My favourite place to walk!!

Enjoy my Stellar Jay.

 

To purchase "Winter's Coming"  Contact Wendy