Winter On The South Saskatchewan

Winter On The South Saskatchewan

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

This is my second painting of 2015. I actually painted it with acrylics to begin with and the results created a bit of a yawn-fest. My studio mate, Bridget Aitken, and I agreed that it was a sweet painting but flat and boring. I decided to take the risk of ruining it and went back over it with oils. Luckily the situation improved and the painting was saved from a coat of gesso! Now at least there is some substance to it and some juicy brushstrokes to keep you interested. I'm not sure if they are coming through in the photo, but trust me, there is more oomph to the painting now. I am not sure it will ever dry, however, because there is a good amount of Titanium White in that snowy hillside!

Yesterday, I had a studio visit from two delegates from the Sexual Health Centre "Affairs of the Art" art auction committee. They came to choose two of my paintings to be included in their biannual auction which will be held on Sunday, March 22. I have participated in two previous auctions, so I was pleased to be asked again. They ended up choosing "Winter On The South Saskatchewan" which I had propped in a frame that really suited it. Once it is properly mounted I will try to get a photo of it in the frame.

Rushing Water

30 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

The second painting they chose was "Rushing Water" which is probably my favorite of the seven 30x30" paintings I did from the trip to Georgian Bay.

It should be a really great auction, with artwork to bid on from some terrific local artists including Bridget Aitken, Jan Corcoran, Jane Harington, Miranda Jones, Anne McElroy and Kathy Bradshaw.

Feelin' Sketchy Saturday and Auction Tomorrow

10 minute sketch

pencil on paper

© Nicki Ault, 2013

 

 15 minute sketch

pencil on paper

© Nicki Ault, 2013

Two weeks in a row! The Saturday drop-in drawing session was excellent today. The model was fantastic; she was a veteran and what a difference that makes. I so wish I got her eyes right in the second sketch. Dang. I loved the lines of her neck and shoulders in that pose. I may go back and tamper with it a bit... try to get those eyes better.

My nerves are starting to kick in because tomorrow I have three paintings in a curated auction raising money for the Sexual Health Centre. It is a biannual auction and I was in it for the first time two years ago. The curators go around to various studios in town and hand select the work for the auction. I am extremely pleased that they wanted me to participate again. They chose two of my 6x6" paintings which will go as a set and then a 36 x 36" painting... here they are:

The Day The Lake Became The Sea

6x6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault
sold

Hover

6x6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault
sold

In The Thick of The Thicket

36x36"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault
sold

I framed them all and my fingers are crossed the crickets won't be chirping when they come up for bid! The auction is being held at the Albert Community Centre on Clarence Ave. in Saskatoon and is open to the public, and I do believe there is a charge at the door. Viewing of the artwork is from 2:00-3:00 and the auction then goes from about 3:00-5:00. I hope to go, but I need to sort out a date because this is the type of nerve-wracking thing a gal needs support for!

Update: the auction went well and my paintings have new homes!

Auction tomorrow

Top : View From A Clearing

7 x 7"

oil and acrylic on canvas
sold

Bottom : New World Clouds

7 x 7"

oil on canvas
sold

Three of my little paintings have been chosen for a "Curated Auction" of original art taking place in town tomorrow. The two shown above will be auctioned together as a set and then "Haze" will be auctioned on it's own. It is one of the main fundraisers for Sexual Health Saskatoon, so I hope it will be a successful day. A couple of months ago two gentlemen came around to our studio and selected pieces from about five of us to put in the auction. I think in total they gathered work from approximately 25 local artists. Most are very established, but they like to get work from emerging artists as well. I guess that's the category I fall into! This is a long standing auction in town and, I'm told from an artist's perspective, a good one in which to be involved.

 Haze 

10 x 10"

oil on canvas
sold

I think I will attend the viewing time tomorrow- I am curious to see all of the art, but then I think I will bolt when the auction starts! It would be extremely embarrassing if the room was dead quiet when my work comes up! I don't want to stand there listening to crickets! Ha!  

If you live in or near Saskatoon, the viewing of the work is at 3:00 in the Albert Community Centre and the auction starts at 4:00. Bring your wallet... you may get a great deal on an original painting by Degen Lindner, Jane Harington, Jan Corcoran, Miranda Jones or possibly even Greg Hardy!!!