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

Early Morning, Late September- Meewasin

Early Morning, Late September- Meewasin

36 x 60"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014
sold

This was hard to photograph, but hopefully you get the jist. This is the largest canvas I have painted to date- it is BIG. I spent a lot of time ruminating over the image and the canvas size and finally I decided to get off the pot and just do it! The three Meewasin studies I showed you over the last month led up to this painting. It had been awhile since I painted from my Meewasin reference photos, so the studies helped me feel more confident in tackling this three foot by five foot bad boy.

We are so lucky in Saskatoon to have such a stunning riverbank. The Meewasin trail follows both the east and west side of the river and the bridges connect it. The colours in the fall are spectacular, but it is beautiful in all seasons. Right now it is green and lush. After the Winter and Spring we experienced this year people are out enjoying the parks and paths, making good use of this public space. I hate to think about it, but it won't be long before the colours change and we see the oranges, golds and yellows again.

Exciting Trip Announcment!

© Nicki Ault, 2013

Before Colour Theory class this morning I felt compelled to take a quick stroll on the Broadway Bridge to photograph the beautiful morning light skimming the treetops on the Meewasin Trail. The leaves are just beginning to turn and in about a week's time we will see more shades of golds and oranges appearing, even some reds. The Meewasin paintings I have created to date are all from about this time of year and happily the only one that remained just sold.

Speaking of fall colours, I am extremely excited to tell you about a trip that I have been planning with two friends, Bridget Aitken and Jackie Miller. We are going to Georgian Bay, Ontario to paint!!! I can't even believe it is true, and yet it is. I have the plane tickets to prove it! Bridget and Jackie have more time at their disposal than I do, so they are driving. They are leaving on Tuesday, September 24th and will get a head start on painting the landscape, but hopefully the energy they build will rub off on me when I start painting. I will be flying to Toronto on October 7th and they will drive to meet me. It only seems logical that we would take a bit of time to visit some galleries, hopefully including the AGO and the McMichael Gallery, before they whisk me to Georgian Bay on the 8th. Can you imagine?! It will be a trip made in heaven. I do, however, go from extreme elation over the idea of the adventure to extreme guilt in leaving my family for 10 days, but it is an opportunity that I am hard-pressed to ignore. I will just have to get over the guilt. Bridget grew up in the east and her family has a cabin in Georgian Bay- I feel honoured to be invited along to share in her history and a part of the world that she loves.

So there it is... in sixteen sleeps I will be on my way to paint in Georgian Bay!



Illume

Illume, Meewasin

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

available exclusively at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

One last little 8x8" kiss for the Meewasin Trail. I'm pleased with the light in this one- it actually kind of kisses the tops of the trees. I'm pretty sure I will revisit the subject again, it has been so much fun playing with all of these colours.

Note: I thought it was a word and when I looked it up to make sure it really was, the dictionary said that "illume" was a poetic word for illuminate. Perfect. Spell check doesn't acknowledge it, though.

Meewasin- It's Getting Closer

stage five

I was able to spend about four hours at the studio this afternoon and when I left this was the state of my newest Meewasin painting. It is getting there, but there is more work to be done for sure. I probably won't post another photo until I can say it is complete.

The next couple of weeks will be very exciting... lots to tell you about and more paintings to show. I hope you'll check back!