Throwback Thursday

Good Morning Meewasin

18 x 24"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2012

sold

I painted "Good Morning Meewasin" almost exactly four years ago. It was a scene I had always wanted to try and now I have painted the subject several times over. Saskatoon has the most beautiful trails and parks along the riverbank, the Meewasin Valley, and in the fall the colours are spectacular.

This painting went into a show I did that spring with my Dad; my paintings were mostly tree related and my Dad, a wood worker, featured his beautiful wooden bowls and wooden accessories. We called the show "Family Tree". It was hands down the best art show experience I have had to date. The memories we made are precious and I am so happy to have helped my Dad cross something off his bucket list. Here are a few pictures from the event:

I am being flooded with memories as I write this post. Happy Throwback Thursday! 

"Good Morning Meewasin" resides in a beautiful home in Calgary...

Another "Meewasin" Underway

Stage two - in the studio

Stage four - in the school gym

I can't get enough of the Meewasin Valley! I pondered my reference photos for two years and once I finally painted "Good Morning Meewasin" this spring I haven't been able to stop imagining more canvases with this subject. This particular morning in 2010 was absolutely glorious. I dropped my boys off at school and immediately had to drive to the river to take photos. It was a calm, clear morning and the low-rising October sun was catching the tops of the autumn foliage. It was stunning. Thank goodness I (almost) always carry my camera with me.

This painting began at the studio last week. First I put some acrylic washes down (stage one- no photo) and began laying out the composition in acrylic (stage two- top photo). The next stage was getting some of the darks put down in oil and making some of the areas more specific (stage three- no photo). I am now at stage four (above) which developed at the school gym the other night when I was invited to set up my easel and paint at an art-related fundraising event. It was lots of fun and between chatting with children and parents I was actually able to get a bit of work done.

I am anxious for tomorrow arrive because I will be able to work on this for another four hours. Could there be anything better than painting in the studio on a blustery November afternoon?

Announcing The Upcoming "Family Tree" Show

Good Morning Meewasin

 18 x 24"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2012
sold

Hello friends! I am still here! Sorry for the unexpected disappearance. After the Gardenscape show I was completely exhausted. When I woke up on Monday morning I was very stiff and I, unfortunately, made one wrong move while washing my face and put my neck out. Not good! I have been in pain since that time but still had to get through my son's birthday and Easter! The third time to the Chiropractor yesterday was a charm and I am feeling so much better today. It is like a fog has lifted.

Now I have loads of business to tend to and the first on the list is making an announcement about my upcoming show at the beginning of May. I am so excited about it- I just know it will be a highlight of the year for me...

I am doing a show with my Dad!

When my Dad retired several years ago he began turning wood bowls and doing other wood related projects (he makes beautiful wooden wine bottle stoppers). As I began showing my artwork around town he would occasionally say that maybe someday we would have a show together. At first I didn't take him seriously, but then my mom told me she thought it might be on his "bucket list". Well when I heard that I was instantly on a mission to make it happen! We have rented a little gallery space for the weekend of May 5 and 6 and we are putting together a show called "Family Tree". I am doing paintings with the theme of trees and he, of course, will have his beautiful wooden bowls.The icing on the cake is that my sister (who lives down east) will be home in time for this show, so it will really be a family affair (she doesn't know this yet, but we might put her and my other sister to work!)

beautiful wooden bowls by my Dad, Bob Racine

So there you have it... the details for this show are at the top of the blog and all are welcome to attend if you happen to be in Saskatoon that weekend.

* I recently painted the above piece "Good Morning Meewasin" which will be in the show. Meewasin is a beautiful trail that follows both sides of the South Saskatchewan River that flows through Saskatoon. I took the reference photo while standing on the Broadway Bridge looking down toward the trees lining the riverbank. The early morning sun on the autumn foliage was spectacular!