A New Day

A New Day

(after)

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available

A New Day

(before)

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

Happily, the "after" on this painting makeover seems way more bright, fresh and finished compared to the original. I am waaaay more on board with the middle-ground and much more happy with how the horizon and sky feel pushed back. The various greens and sunny yellows really give a sense of cheer and hope for a new day, so now the title makes more sense. As much as I loved the expressive nature of the "before", I think it seems much more resolved as a painting now, and I managed to keep some of the fun marks in the foreground anyway. Much better, me thinks.

Ablaze (Painting Makeover)

Ablaze

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

As I mentioned the other day when I posted the painting makeover of "Spring Fever", I have several pieces at the studio that I have come to severely dislike. They are paintings I don't feel good enough about to sell, but at the same time I feel there is something salvageable contained in them. Even if it is just a hint of their former selves.

"Ablaze" is my most recent painting makeover. It is quite the transformation from what it was before. In fact, it has two former versions...  this one which is under the above image where the intense reds and oranges show through in the sunset.

And this one which is under the red and orange "Ablaze".

A crazy evolution! This painting has been on a roller coaster, but I love where it ended up... and so did someone else because it is on hold! I posted it on Instagram and it was put on hold quite quickly. I am posting my painting makeovers on Instagram on Mondays (I'm calling it Makeover Monday), but my blog is not synced up to that yet. Next week I should be. Please check out my Instagram if you haven't yet. I am nicki.ault.studio or you can click on the link at the top right-hand side of this blog which will take you to my page. It is fun over there! I find I post more spontaneous studio things on that site. As always, thank you for checking in here, on Facebook and hopefully on "Insta".

You da best!!!

Grace

Grace

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

This one went through a few evolutions. It is a bit more saccharine than the others from this series, but I am happy with where it left off.

Hillside Ascent

Hillside Ascent

16 x 16"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2016

 sold

The novelty of experimenting with this series has not yet worn off. I want to take it further! The question is- where will it go?

 P.S. If you haven't seen it yet, check out my interview on the Daily Paintworks news blog!

The Ceremony of Fall

The Ceremony of Fall

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

I hope I am not boring you yet! Man, this new series has me fired up! I haven't felt this intrigued in awhile- especially with a subject I have tackled before: my beloved prairies. There is something about the fluttery, colourful leaves against a neutral backdrop that really has my head spinning with ideas. After I did this one, I tackled a different scene on a 20 x 20 which I will show you as soon as I get a good photo. I am even contemplating scaling things up to a 30 x 30 'cause sometimes I get crazy like that!

Flutter By

Flutter By

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

This one started off really experimental; there are lots of layers and marks and building up of colour to get to this result. I like it, I am happy with it, but there is a part of me that feels like it didn't end up in the place I thought it was going to go at the outset. That's okay, I learned a few things and now I will continue the idea to the next piece. Keep on swimmin'!