Waskesiu Sky in a Showcase

Waskesiu Sky

10 x 10"

oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2011  

sold

I showed you this piece earlier this year, but I am posting it again because today I delivered it to the Mendel Art Gallery for their annual Member's Showcase. I am somewhat embarrassed to say that this is my first year as a member, but better late than never. Members were allowed to submit up to two pieces, so I also took "Protected Prairie". I am planning to attend the opening reception on Friday night and if you are in Saskatoon you should too! It is from 7-9 p.m. at the Mendel and I'm sure there will be a wide variety of work to view... and purchase, of course. A commission from the sales will go towards acquisitions for the gallery's permanent collection.

I'm quite happy with the framing I had done for "Waskesiu Sky". It was a small fortune, but I really wanted to try something different to help make this piece stand out. (The photo of the framing is way off in colour, but you get the idea). The "matte" has a beveled edge and is housed in a white box; both are painted a crisp, fresh white. The canvas is set inside and is floating on a recessed board painted dark charcoal. I think it looks really clean and modern.

Update: I promise to show you "Old Friend" very soon. I just received a helpful critique from Carol Wylie, who is a new member of the studio where I paint. I tweaked it yesterday and when I looked at it today, I felt that, in fact, it just may be finished. I am hoping for an overcast sky tomorrow so I can take a good photo. Today was as clear as clear can be, so it didn't happen.

Waskesiu Sky.... and what are you doing tonight?

Waskesiu Sky

10 x 10"

oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2011 
sold

I went to the studio last week and had a blast painting three canvases- all skies. This is the first one I did. I love creating skies with thick swipes of paint and somewhat unexpected colour. For these three pieces I began with a solid ground of Cadmium Orange (in acrylic). I was very conscious of leaving bits of the orange popping through here and there. I love the energy it gives the painting. I'll show the other two over the next few days.

Tonight is the opening of "Branching Out", a group show I was invited to be a part of at Willow Studio. I think there are about thirty artists participating. We were invited to submit a large piece of artwork with the theme of trees. I submitted "Enchanted", and in fact, the owner loved my grid of small work at the Open Studio last November (which is where she introduced herself to me), so she said I was welcome to submit up to 16 of my small tree related pieces. I ended up taking 10. Fingers crossed that this exposure will bring new contacts... or even a sale!

Anyway, if you are in or near Saskatoon, the opening starts at 7:00 and the address is 148, 2nd Ave. N. I'll be there with a couple of my best pals sipping wine and dreaming of the furniture and decor I wish I had!