Red Oriental

I painted this flower at least ten times before I got it right.
And still, I don't know for sure if it is done.
But, for what it is worth, here it is.
Hope you like it.
~~Kathleen

I am Featured in the Arts section of the local Newspaper.

The paper came out today and the interview that I did with reporter James Emery turned out better than I ever imagined it would.
(Airdrie Echo)
http://www.airdrieecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1525259
I was so excited when he interviewed me, that I could not remember what we even spoke about!
So the content was a total surprise to me.
Needless to say, I am very pleased with it.
While it is a Local newspaper, it covers parts of Calgary and all of the surrounding area of
Rocky View, which is a huge coverage.
He included my photograph as well as featuring a picture of my frog painting
"The Wedding is Off!"
I can see where this will be a positive thing for me as well as exposing my art to more people.
Hope you agree.
~~Kathleen

A lily in the making

They say, that a Rose is a Rose.....
But a Calla Lily is an expression of grace and beauty!
I do believe that A Calla Lily is a difficult flower to paint.
This beauty is a cream white with very soft green undertones and struck me as such a delicate flower.
The way the flower twists and turns around itself, kind of makes one wonder what it is trying to hide.
In all I have always loved the shape of these flowers. They are graceful and just plain lovely.
Hopefully I have done this beautiful flower justice.

~~Kathleen
"Lily"
Acrylics on Canvas
12" X 24"

Rachels Mum

So, I decided to go one step further with painting flowers.
This time I used a Yellow Mum, and tried to "loosen up a bit!"
I think I have a better understanding of how to paint a flower now....Hopefully.
Some seem to do this with some effortlessness.
I struggle.
I am always questioning myself, and oftentimes, I cannot seem to relax
when attempting anything new.
In this painting, I have used the act of light shining almost through the Flower
all the while, casting a shadow on the background!
Well here it is....
Hope you like it.
Rachels Mum
Acrylics on Canvas
8" X 8"

An Exercise in shadows (?)

This is a work that I have wanted to attempt for a very long time.
It is shadowing the petals of a flower that I am trying to teach myself.
Again, I began on the wrong step, and had to re-work the whole painting.
I changed the colours of the flower completely
and am still not sure that it is finished.
But here is where I am tonight.
Hope you like it!
~~Kathleen
Acrylics on Canvas
8" x 10"
Rachels Daisy

Detail of Pollen on leaves;

Chocolate and Energy!

Every once in a while, I indulge in Chocolate!
Not just a couple, but a whole lot.
I will eat a whole bunch of it and then am good for a few months with no desire for sweets in the interim.
The other day amidst yet another huge snowfall I got into a bag of Hersheys Kisses.
I ate them royally and without count!
While I was doing this I was downloading some new photos for references for painting.
I had to change the batteries in my camera and one fell onto the pile of wrappers from the Kisses.
I looked at it and thought "Heck I don't need batteries, Chocolate does it all!
So here is my picture....Two of the greatest inventions of all time:
Hersheys Kisses (already consumed), and the Battery.
I am now all charged up!
~~Kathleen
 

The Wedding is Off!

Froggy got stuck in a sunshower the other day.

So Miss Toad has to wait for the rain to stop, and Mr Froggy to dry out to have a happy wedding day.

This is painted from a reference photo by Kristina Kotarski
You can enjoy her photography here
http://www.hellfirediva.com

Detail of frog;

Hope you like him. I do!
~~Kathleen

"Every once in a while Miracles Happen"

I have the wonderfully good fortune of being in (almost) daily contact with one of the finest Macro photographers out there.
Her name is Kristina (Tina) Kotarski also known as Hellfirediva.
She is an award winning photographer, and I must admit, I spend a lot of time as an artist looking at her site and drooling.
Luckily for me, (a miracle) Tina has given me permission to attempt to try and translate her work into my Medium of Acrylics.
This is my first attempt at doing this and I hope that some day I can do her work justice.
Please look at her work here....
http://www.hellfirediva.com/gallery/gallery.htm
This is my rendition of Tinas photograph of a tiny frog/toad sitting under a Toadstool and being dwarfed by the Morning Dew.


"Morning Dew"
30cm X 45cm
Acrylics on canvas

~~Kathleen