Showing posts with label Wolf Willow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wolf Willow. Show all posts

Friday, October 9, 2015

Fall Show - Wolf Willow

Fall Show - Wolf Willow
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2015

Wolf Willow. I love it. What is it about those dancing, silvery leaves that captivates me so? I have made attempts to paint their loveliness in the past... sometimes successful (in my mind), sometimes not. I am gearing up to try it again on a large scale, but that big canvas on my easel is daunting.... and it is taunting me- all white and huge and full of potential.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Loyalty and Empathy

Loyalty and Empathy: 
Life on the Prairies
(commission)
24 x24 "
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2012
sold

I delivered this painting last night to my dear friend who has always wanted a piece of my work. She came to the Family Tree show that Dad and I had in May and fell in love with two paintings, "Kindness and Joy" and "Dreams and Opportunities". She asked if I would be able to paint something along those lines for her and of course I wanted to try. The square format was a bit of a challenge as the other two were very rectangular, but I decided to zoom in on the subject even more and then I found a composition I liked.

I met my friend almost exactly ten years ago when we were both brand new mommies. We happened to have signed up for the same mommy/baby class through Public Health and when we got talking we realized she lived a few blocks down from me. We connected immediately and, in many ways, became a lifeline for each other in those early baby days. Her family no longer resides around the corner and our lives have gotten progressively more busy with active kids, but we still find time to connect and support each other. In keeping with the other two "Life on the Prairies" paintings that were inspired by friends, I have used her initials in the title- L.E. for Loyalty and Empathy. She has been a wonderful, loyal friend who has offered me many conversations filled with empathy and understanding over the years. 
 
I hope this painting gives her tremendous joy and I hope she realizes each brushstroke was applied with love.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wolf Willow

Wolf Willow #2
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2011  

sold

Here is a little prairie painting I haven't shown you yet. I did it just before the show at Agar's and it is a scene from the Saskatoon Natural Grasslands. Next week I am going there on a field trip with Tommy's class and I am on a mission to find out about these burnt orange/red bushes.

As a side note, my sister sent me a link to one of the most wonderful stories I have heard in a while. It involves fascinating and imaginative paper sculptures, random acts of kindness and an intriguing mystery. Here is the link...

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Wolf Willow

#26 - Wolf Willow
(30 paintings in 30 days project)
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2011  

sold

This painting was so fun. Through my brushstrokes I really wanted to try to express the different directions of the grasses and wild growth. Van Gogh was in the back of my mind while I painted because of this small goal. I admire that he was a master at making strong, bold marks with his brush. I am under no illusions that this painting is comparable to his work, but it was fun trying to paint the grass with that expressive excitement.