Monday, September 28, 2015

End of Day, Main Beach, Waskesiu


End of Day, Main Beach, Waskesiu
20 x 20"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2015
(commission)
sold

Early this summer I had a lovely email from a fellow Waskesiu enthusiast asking if I would consider creating a painting to represent the feel of the national park at sunset and including Spruce, light, and the lake. Although it seemed right up my alley, commissions are tricky because you never know what the client might be imagining in their head. Never-the-less I agreed to give it a try. Lucky for me he happens to watch my Facebook page and I was able to get an idea of what he preferred based on his "likes" of the 6x6" paintings I posted this summer. That might have been a little cheaty of me, but it really helped me focus on an idea. Actually it helped me focus on two! There was another image that I thought could be the one for him, so I painted it too! I was happy to give him a choice and the above painting is the one he will be giving a home.

I have to say he was a delight to work with and he was totally understanding of my crazy life (two injured kids and a father who broke his hip- all in one month- I am glad September is over) and how it dictated the time I could spend at the studio to get his painting done. If all commissions went like this I would be thrilled to do more.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Adding to My Collection




I am so excited! Yesterday I received the beautiful and funky floral still life abstract painting that I bought from Lisa Daria Kennedy. She is one of the daily painters I have been watching and swooning over for the past five or so years. This is painting #2303 for her. Can you imagine that dedication? It is impressive to say the least. One of my other favourites, Abbey Ryan, just celebrated her eighth year of daily painting and today my painting hero, Edward B. Gordon is on painting #3168. The king of them all is Duane Keiser who pioneered the daily painting movement in 2004. His work is breathtaking. Please click on the links to learn more about each artist and to see the work they create.

So yes, with the purchase of "#2303 Beak" I have added to my sub-collection of Lisa Daria Kennedy paintings (I have five now) as well as my over-all collection of work by artists I admire. The shear joy and excitement I felt when I found the package in the mail is what I can only hope my clients feel when they receive my boxes. This summer I have shipped paintings to Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna and I have paintings waiting to go to Mexico! It is a wild ride and I love it!

I have said it before and I will say it again... there is something, a certain je ne sais quoi, about owning and living with original art. I don't say that because I am trying to convince people to buy my work, I say that because I have experienced it first hand. To sit and look at a piece that belongs to you, an original piece of art nowhere else to be found, to imagine the mood of the artist, the thought process, the skill and vision they have. And the passion! It moves me to another place. And to know I am supporting an artist in their journey is huge to me. Huge. I will support original art when I can... like the simple and stunning faux vase I bought from Paula Cooley at Art @ Solar Gardens this past weekend. I have always wanted a piece of her work and even though buying it put me in the red for the weekend, I knew it was the piece I had to have. It was the one.


Can you blame me? It is a delight. And trust me, I am delighted. 

Thank you Lisa, thank you Paula!


Monday, September 21, 2015

September Fields

September Fields
6 x 6
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/september-fields/414042
sold

The light on the fields at this time of year is quite spectacular. 

Thank you so much to those who came to the art show at Solar Gardens this past weekend. It is most appreciated. Unfortunately it was a little on the quiet side, but that is the way it goes sometimes. I appreciate everyone who stopped by and took a business card- I hope you will check in once and a while to see what I am up to. And please come to the Open Studio where I paint. It is on Sunday, November 20- more details at the top of the blog.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

I'm Ready for Solar Gardens!

The weather looks amazing and this is going to be a great weekend at Solar Gardens for art of all types: paintings, fibre art, metal work, pottery, photography, drawings and more. Please come - the show is open Saturday and Sunday from 11-5. You will find me and my work in the big tent (I'm under the high top!). A huge thanks to Judy and Roger for pulling this show together.





Friday, September 18, 2015

Art @ Solar Gardens


This is happening on the weekend. I will be there with my small 6 x 6 inch paintings and maybe a small selection of larger work. It was a lot of fun last year and this year Sunday has been added, so there is plenty of time to check out the art work and beautiful Solar Gardens site. Two days of art, plants and  pizza. Please come and enjoy! Keep in mind the sign for Windmill Road points left but you will turn right to get to Solar Gardens.

NOTE: I will be able to accept credit cards at this event!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Misty At Point View

Misty At Point View
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/misty-at-point-view/413168 
sold

Point View (Waskesiu) is one of my favorite places to have a wiener roast and skip rocks with my kids. I have also sat on the rocky shore and painted on a stormy day... and I stop there every time I go out on a photo shoot for my art. This particular day was just a couple of weeks ago when I went up to the lake to help close the cabin. It was raining, but softly, like mist rather than full-on rain drops. The effect was so peaceful. As the points of land went back in space they slowly disappeared into the haze. Quite a lovely sensory experience with the feel of the mist against my face, the sound of the water gently lapping at the shore and the sight of the gradation of grays.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Prairie Parallels

Prairie Parallels
6 x 6"
oil on board

The fields in the prairies are very stripey these days. A drive through the country reveals patterns and designs of the cut crops. In this case it was parallel line after parallel line.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Parking Lot Sunset, Waskesiu

Parking Lot Sunset, Waskesiu
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/parking-lot-sunset-waskesiu/412653
sold

I will always remember this evening at the lake. My sister and brother-in-law were there, usually we aren't at the lake at the same time, and it was a glorious night. What do you do on a perfect night like this? Easy- take the dog (theirs) for a walk and get ice cream! Of course being who I am I also brought my camera with me and I was glad I did. I veered off from the others and went down to the main parking lot to capture the beautiful late-day sky behind the Spruce. While snapping pictures I ran into a friend walking with her family, so we had a quick catch-up and made plans to meet for a visit very soon. 

The entire evening left me feeling so happy I just knew I would be painting it. And now I have.

Monday, September 14, 2015

September Harvest

September Harvest
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/september-harvest/412381
sold  

Another first for me- painting the rows of a combined field. It is always a sign of the times when these stripes appear on the fields... Thanksgiving is on its way and then, dare I say it, winter.

This coming weekend is Art @ Solar Gardens. I will be there for the two day event with about twenty other wonderful artists including Bridget Aitken, Jacqueline Faye Miller, Monika Kinner-Whalen, Judy Wood, Pat Doig and Ken Wilkinson. Hopefully the weather will co-operate and it will be a busy, successful event. Come if you can!


Sunday, September 13, 2015

Harvest and Hay Bale

Harvest and Hay Bale
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/harvest-and-hay-bale/412106
sold 

This is a new one for me. Despite being a landscape painter living on the prairies, I have never painted a bale of hay. So here it is... my debut!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Waskesiu River Revisited

Waskesiu River Revisited
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

I couldn't help but paint another Waskesiu River scene. This place has a personality all its own and I have found it very inspirational this year. So much so that when I have a few things finished I believe there is a large canvas waiting for this subject.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Prospect Point

Prospect Point
6 x 6"
oil on board

Early evening clouds over Prospect Point near the town-site of Waskesiu. Sometimes the sky is so soft and subtle it is overwhelming.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Old Mossy Tree

Old Mossy Tree
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015

This tree. I love it. I have painted it before, but there used to be a pair. Now only one stands. The other has fallen from old age, weather and other elements. This one will be next and when that day comes I will be sad. It stands watching the marsh, the only place I have ever seen a moose in all of my time in Prince Albert National Park. It is a special place on the road to Birch Bay. Perhaps this year is my last painting this stoic guard- it, too, may be down after the winter.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Summer's Evening Glow

Summer's Evening Glow
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015

Well, the trend of small paintings continues for awhile. I am getting ready for the Solar Gardens show which is coming up faster than I like on September 19 & 20. I have been painting these little ones, as you know, but I have also been selling them. Trust me- I am NOT complaining! I will take that "problem" any day of the week. Thank you so much to those of you who have found a painting (or paintings) you want to live with. I will keep painting them as long as you keep liking them.

I just made a quick overnight trip to the lake to do some closing up chores. My whole family had intended to go for the long weekend, but last week my oldest son was injured at football practice. The poor guy is laid up for awhile and can't make a long trip, so I went by myself. I am a glass-is-half-full kind of gal, so I decided that since I would be on my own I would make a painting trip out of it, too. Last evening I hunkered down in the cabin and got in serious painting mode. Above is the first painting I pulled off. Inspired by one of the many glorious Saskatchewan sunsets this summer.

my make-shift painting set-up in the cabin

Behind the scene I am also working on a commission which is, in fact, larger than a 6x6 so please stay tuned for that. Much more to come in the following days.