Secrets of the Sinking Sun

Secrets of the Sinking Sun

30 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Webster Galleries

I'm pretty excited that this beauty has arrived safely in Calgary at Webster Galleries. The photo shows the painting well, but in person this piece will immediately transport you to your favourite memory of an evening at the lake. The glowing light on the water is magical and a feeling of calm will wash over you.

I love the moments of connection when I deliver work to my galleries, so it feels weird to send boxes by courier. Phone calls are the next best thing and I am so happy Paula and the team at Webster's are enthusiastic about the two new pieces they just received. Tomorrow I will show the other painting and if you are in Calgary, please stop by to check them out.

Family Holiday 2019 - Mountain Adventure!

all photos © Nicki Ault, 2019

Well that was fun! We just returned from a family holiday!

We took a ten day trip to the mountains and made it an adventure. The kids, 17 and 15, were a great age to explore this new landscape with. They were into everything: the hikes, the views, the Sky Tram, the canyons, the hot springs, the zip-line, the planetarium, the waterfalls, the white water rafting, the canoeing, the Columbia Ice Field, the Skywalk - EVERYTHING!

The trip got underway with a night in Edmonton (teenagers like to go to sport stores to check out shoes), then a scenic drive to Jasper for several nights, then a spectacular drive to Canmore where we rented an RV already parked in a campground for a few nights. We were able to enjoy campfires and marshmallow roasts.

We wrapped things up with a very short stint in Calgary where we managed to connect with a couple we hadn't seen for years and years. On the way out of town we hit the TELUS Spark science centre and then stopped in Drumheller to go through the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Both are first class!

My head is spinning with ideas for new projects and paintings! I have never had a desire to paint the mountains, but now I am intrigued. At any rate, it was the break I needed from my normal routines. I didn't bring any art-making supplies with me; the trip was all about family and unplugging. The odd thing is that I actually did pack some of my painting clothes. I didn't wear them at all, obviously, but maybe subconsciously they are like a security blanket. Anyway, mountain explorations will have to wait for a month or so because I have two big art events in September for which to prepare, so stay tuned!

You know you had a great holiday when you feel energized and motivated to get back to work!

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!

Calgary Bound! And A Little Of My History

These are heading to Calgary!

© Nicki Ault, 2017

The truth is I don't always know what to say. I have no words when I receive an email from someone who wants to buy a painting. Well, I mean, I do have words. I know how to talk about pricing and shipping, and I certainly know how to say thank you. What I mean is, I do not know how to eloquently express what this support means to me. You see, for this there are no words. There are no words that express my gratitude to the extent that I feel it.

Ever since I won a Grover newsprint pad of paper from Ms. Eckert for a drawing contest in Grade One, I have loved art. I have wanted to make art. The actuality of that has ebbed and flowed through my life. The desire to create has always been there; the time, motivation, energy, support, finances and confidence have not. I clearly remember, as a struggling young adult, going to see a counselor at a woman's support office- I think it was called "Working For Women". I was sad, depressed even, feeling like I wanted to be at a different place in my life, but having no idea how to get there. At the time I had a university degree, I was working a job I liked but it was unrelated to my schooling and I didn't consider it a career, and I was making porcelain dolls as a hobby. My deep desire was to be an artist, but I was working a job that was so not an artist and when people asked me what I did I felt embarrassed to tell them because my heart wanted to be something other than that. I recall my counselor reframing my situation for me. She said, "if people ask you what you do, why don't you tell them you are an artist - it is true, you make and sell porcelain dolls in a gallery. That is what you do and WHO you are. Oh, and you also work this other job."

My mind was blown.

The restructuring of my thoughts at that moment was profound. I do not remember her name, but I have never forgotten her.

So, all these years later, when I receive an email from someone wanting to purchase a painting my heart literally jumps in my chest. Every time. I honestly feel moved that this is my reality. I have no words powerful enough in my vocabulary to say what that means to me. So, with these two paintings heading off to Calgary this week, all I have to offer is a thank you.

But you can bet it is from the very bottom of my heart.

A Quick Hello

The summer has been going so quickly and it isn't slowing down anytime soon. We just returned last night from a holiday to Calgary, Alberta. We were visiting family and had a wonderful time. We took the kids to Banff in the Rocky Mountains and it was so fun to see their reaction. As we drove west of Calgary the kids thought the rolling hills were the mountains because even they are more dramatic than the flat prairies where we are from. You can imagine their shock when they saw the real mountains! Tommy was especially amazed that the peaks went higher than the clouds. I thought I would share a few pictures since I don't have any art to post. I do love my country.

 On Saturday I am leaving everyone behind and heading off to my own little utopia for a week. I will be at the Kenderdine Campus at Emma Lake for a glorious week of studio and plein air painting. I am in the midst of prepping my new boards with Golden brand GAC-100 and I can hardly wait to experiment. I hope to have lots to show you very soon. Take care everyone!