Thursday, November 29, 2018

Charlotte's Sky: A Personal Fav Still Available

Charlotte's Sky
36 x 48"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2018
available at Assiniboia Gallery

Gosh I love this painting. I think it would make a fabulous Christmas present for someone!

Saturday, November 24, 2018

New 6x6's for Open Studio!

A sampling of brand 
new 6x6's 
available at Open Studio
© Nicki Ault, 2018

I have been so busy with other things that paintings my 6x6's tends to get put on the back-burner. The last time I painted any would have been for the daily painting project I did for Art Now two months ago. It's always fun to have some on hand for Open Studio, so I have been taking a break from large work to ensure I have my display boards filled for Sunday's Open Studio. Above are nine new ones, but there are more, so please come and see them in person!


Friday, November 23, 2018

Big News! Calgary Listen Up!

Nightfall
10 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
available at Webster Galleries in Calgary

There has been an exciting development in my little art world over the last three weeks. I have been approached by Webster Galleries in Calgary! As a result I envision a little road trip in my near future as I have lots to learn about the art scene in that great city. 

Webster Galleries has been around for thirty plus years and the original owner, John Webster, recently sold his well-established business and retired. The new owner, Paula Cook (she is bursting with enthusiasm), relocated the gallery and reopened in September. That is the Coles Notes version anyway. I am anxious to learn more and to see it all in person. I believe the next step for me is to stretch my wings beyond my province, I just need to make sure the timing is right. The last year and a half were so incredibly busy that a slower pace has a certain appeal, and being sick for two months really drove home the need for balance.

I have been candid with Paula about all of this and I certainly appreciate how understanding she has been. In the meantime she has invited me to be part of the Webster Galleries Small Paintings Show opening on November 30th! I am filled with joy that she is so excited about my art. Thankfully the rotating postal strike did not affect the box I shipped and the gallery is now in possession of nine of my paintings! If you are in Calgary or surrounding area I would love it if you would pop in and let me know what you think. There is an opening for the Small Paintings show on November 30th from 3:00-6:00 and the exhibition runs until December 15th.

Here are links to the paintings in the show and the biography they have on their website for me.

Please share this news if you have connections in Calgary. Many thanks!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

The Only Road

The Only Road
8 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
available

I did this at the landscape workshop I did in September with Doug Swinton. I pretty much love it. Doug told me to put a cooler blue at the horizon to push the distant area back... cool colours recede and warm colours come forward. I knew that yet loved seeing how his brain implemented this understanding and hearing him talk about it fired me up with some exciting revelations.

"The Only Road" will be available at our Open Studio on Sunday...
Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Pewter and Platinum Glow

Pewter and Platinum Glow
30 x 40"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2018
sold

A few last minute tweaks on this one after a quick critique from Bridget, my studio mate, and it is done! 

This new sky will be at our Open Studio on Sunday and I would love for you to see it in person, so please come! Details below...

Monday, November 19, 2018

Severe Weather Warning (Again) and Makeover Monday!

Severe Weather Warning
(after)
12 x 12"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
available 

This is the third and final redo on this painting. I first reworked it this spring when I decided the field was a bit too bright. I felt better about it, but ultimately, as I lived with this updated version, the sky didn't have the presence I felt it should have for a painting called "Severe Weather Warning". A couple of weeks ago, as I was puttering around trying to decide what to paint, I realized the horizon line on this one needed to drop down so the sky would feel more ominous. I also darkened the distant sky to add to the feeling of an impending storm and to create more depth to the piece. This is the final incarnation of "Severe Weather Warning". This is where the buck stops. It will not change again. 

Below you will find the first "makeover" and then the original painting:

Severe Weather Warning
(after first makeover)

Severe Weather Warning
(original)

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The Blues, Waskesiu and Open Studio!

 The Blues, Waskesiu
20 x 20"
oil on panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

That sun is back there somewhere, ending the day behind heavy storm clouds.

On Sunday, November 25 the studio where I paint will be open from 11-5 for our big annual Open Studio Art  Show and Sale!. We only open twice a year, so now's your chance to meet the artists and see where we work. Please come and tell your friends!


Friday, November 9, 2018

Going Out Strong

Going Out Strong
8 x 8"
oil on panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

One word.

Impact.

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Prairie Clarity

Prairie Clarity
10 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
sold at Assiniboia Gallery

This one is calm, cool and, hopefully one day, collected. Ha!

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Summer Storm At Northside

Summer Storm at Northside
8 x 8"
oil on panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
available at Darrell Bell Gallery

July 18, 2018 - I have never seen anything like this storm!



Tuesday, November 6, 2018

The Power of Light

The Power of Light
8 x 8"
oil on panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

In these troubled times, when our world seems increasingly dark and divided, I find myself gravitating to themes of light in my paintings; glowing, hopeful beacons that will show us the way to a brighter day.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. 
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” 
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Swinton Sky

Swinton Sky
8 x 8"
oil on panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I painted this at the Doug Swinton workshop in September. It was overall very blue and cool in its colouring and temperature. Doug came around to my easel when I thought it was almost finished and suggested I put some warmer colors at the horizon to add interest, which I did... and voila! Instantly interesting! I also popped a bit of warmth up into the clouds for cohesion.

I like the energy in this one.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Moon Light

Moon Light
8 x 8"
oil on panel
© Nicki Ault, 2018
available at Darrell Bell Gallery

Warm light fading, cool air settling in and the crescent moon witnessing it all.

Friday, November 2, 2018

Escape The Day

Escape The Day
30 x 24"
acrylic and oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2018
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I worked on the under-painting for this piece when I went out to my studio mate's acreage for one night in the summer. For the first time I used a tube of metallic copper acrylic paint and when I got back to working on it in September, I made every effort to keep the copper showing through as I painted the top layers in oil. It is a striking piece!