I'm Stoked!

Early Morning. Late September, Meewasin

36 x 60"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

sold

Yes, you read that right... I am stoked! Not sure if it is still cool to say that, especially for someone of my, ahem, maturity, but there it is. The reason I am stoked is because this month a law firm in town purchased these two paintings for their brand new office which is being built as we speak.

 Strange Land

36 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

sold

This is now the second law firm to purchase my work as last November an office in Regina purchased one of my Georgian Bay pieces for their newly renovated digs. It is an exciting development to have my work a part of "corporate collections". January has been a good start to what is hopefully a year of happy surprises.

Palaeozoic Beach, Georgian Bay

36 x 48"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

sold

Reimagined Sky

Reimagined Sky

36 x 36"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2015

 

This painting was finally dry enough to transport out of the studio so I could take a photo. It's a sky I have painted before on a much smaller scale. I've always wanted to try it on a large canvas and while I am in a bit of an inspiration limbo, it seemed like a good time to try. I recently read that when an artist is stuck or blocked a good way to deal with the rut is to reimagine something you have done before; to try it in a different way. For this painting I decided I would go big and avoid blue sky at all costs. It isn't coming through well on my monitor, but there is actually quite a bit of soft pink in the sky surrounding the main cloud.

 

Anyway, I hope you like it. Next up is reimagining a birch tree I painted about four or five years ago.

Winter On The South Saskatchewan

Winter On The South Saskatchewan

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

This is my second painting of 2015. I actually painted it with acrylics to begin with and the results created a bit of a yawn-fest. My studio mate, Bridget Aitken, and I agreed that it was a sweet painting but flat and boring. I decided to take the risk of ruining it and went back over it with oils. Luckily the situation improved and the painting was saved from a coat of gesso! Now at least there is some substance to it and some juicy brushstrokes to keep you interested. I'm not sure if they are coming through in the photo, but trust me, there is more oomph to the painting now. I am not sure it will ever dry, however, because there is a good amount of Titanium White in that snowy hillside!

Yesterday, I had a studio visit from two delegates from the Sexual Health Centre "Affairs of the Art" art auction committee. They came to choose two of my paintings to be included in their biannual auction which will be held on Sunday, March 22. I have participated in two previous auctions, so I was pleased to be asked again. They ended up choosing "Winter On The South Saskatchewan" which I had propped in a frame that really suited it. Once it is properly mounted I will try to get a photo of it in the frame.

Rushing Water

30 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

The second painting they chose was "Rushing Water" which is probably my favorite of the seven 30x30" paintings I did from the trip to Georgian Bay.

It should be a really great auction, with artwork to bid on from some terrific local artists including Bridget Aitken, Jan Corcoran, Jane Harington, Miranda Jones, Anne McElroy and Kathy Bradshaw.

Down That Insecure Road Again

Jack Pine On Lynx Lake, La Ronge

48 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014
sold

It's happened again. I have put myself in a place of discomfort and mild stress. I have submitted two of my paintings to the Mann Art Gallery Winter Festival Show and Sale. There's a juror, there's prizes, there's three possible gallery spaces the artwork could be place in... and therein lies the stress. Of course a person wants to do well. Of course it would be great if both pieces made their way into the big, main gallery. Of course it would be great to win a prize. Of course it would be great if something sold. The bottom line for me, however, is that I just don't want to make a fool of myself! How is that for setting the bar low?! Really, I just don't want to look lame in front of my peers.

Georgian On My Mind, Georgian Bay

36 x 36"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014
sold

I chose to submit two paintings I feel really happy with, which I guess is all you can do. I think "Georgian On My Mind" is a bit of a risk to have submitted, but it is a painting that I felt really excited about as I worked. It is dark and dramatic, rather flat and graphic and really different for me. The photo of it isn't great- it's got more oomph in person. The Jack Pine was a bit of a struggle. I went back and forth sorting out the sky and water and trees- well, everything- but in the end I felt content about the result. I am especially fond of the rock. It is a painting that had me thinking about different concepts as I went along, in fact, I even did a sketch before I began working on it. There was a piece at the studio that I considered submitting, but I am so glad I didn't. People really like it, but when I listened to my heart I realized that I am unsettled about it, so it would have been a mistake to submit.

The Winter Festival show will be at the Mann Gallery in Prince Albert from February 6- March 21 with the opening reception being on Friday, February 6th at 7:00 p.m.

A Little Break

It's been a couple of weeks since I wrote on this blog. While I was missing in action I was in Cancun, Mexico with my family for about ten days. It was a much needed break and now I am looking forward to getting this year underway. I am always so hopeful at the beginning of a new year- it feels like anything is possible and that anything can happen.

The holiday gave me a lot of time to reflect and dig down into myself. I spent time absorbing the new environment, colours, sounds, people and music. I also read a lot. The bottom line is I feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle my work. I'm brushing off 2014 and kicking 2015 into gear. I hope you will stick with me... who knows what will come off my easel!

Note: all photos © Nicki Ault, 2015

Not Flowers II

Not Flowers II

36 x 24"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

HaPpY NeW yEaR!!!

The last painting of 2014 ends up being another possible option for my little bathroom. This was so much fun to paint. Dripping, spraying, wiping, scrubbing, dabbing- basically lots of playing with no concern with things going right or "turning out". In the end I do think I like it. It has some impact in person. So now I have a decision to make. Which one goes in my house?

 Not Flowers

36 x 24"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014