Hydrangea Arrangement

Hydrangea Arrangement

19.5 x 13"

acrylic, oil and oil pastel on terraskin paper

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

I am getting really excited. The show for Hues Art Supply goes up on Monday. Here is the first painting I have to show you. This is the second exhibition of work I will be showing with my friends Bridget Aitken and Jackie Miller. In planning for the show the goal was that we try something new and push ourselves out of our comfort zones. We ended up focusing the theme on still lifes. Jackie and Bridget, as it turns out, are much more adaptable than me. I struggled with the change from my landscape routine. To be honest, I actually find still lifes to be a bit of a yawn-fest. Despite this, I rallied and decided to add flowers to the table of pottery, books, vases, fruit, onions and other inanimate objects that we set up as still life vignettes at the studio. As soon as that pop of colour was added to the mix I began to get inspired.

Besides the challenge of a new subject, I found other ways to push/torment myself. I painted almost exclusively on paper surfaces, I worked solely on rectangular formats when I am more accustomed to painting on squares, and I mixed up my media. Some of these experiments didn't make the cut, but others had some pleasing qualities.

Through the self-doubt and struggle that took place in preparing for this show, I realized yet again how much I have to learn about painting and creating. The way I see it, it is better to know this than to not know this. I feel empowered. I feel like I can't help but move forward in my art-making because I am open and ready to try. I am willing to take a chance. I am willing to see what might happen if I step into the unknown. But I also know myself and I have observed the way I fight change and worry desperately about failure. I am coming to realize that, for me, these things go hand-in-hand. I don't think the desire I have to improve, grow and develop can exist in a pure state. Where this desire exists, in the background will always be some element of stress and agony; the fear of not actually being able to improve, grow and develop. 

Seeing The Light

Seeing The Light

~9 x 13"

acrylic on watercolour paper

© Nicki Ault, 2001

Well, my dry spell continues; a visual artist's equivalent of writer's block. I am hoping to break this unfortunate streak this week. I am going to the studio for sure tomorrow and paint is hitting canvas no matter what... unless anyone wants to go for coffee, in which case I could probably be talked into it! But no! NO! I must focus and try to get a feel for my new studio space. I just need to start working and hopefully I will begin to feel like I am a painter again.

In the meantime I have been doing more work at my house; the renos are winding down and it feels great. With furniture finally being delivered and put into place the fun begins... where will I hang my art collection? I have some wonderful pieces- local, Canadian and international- and now it is time to proudly display them in my home. And of course I must hang the pieces of my own art that I have kept for myself. I've said it before and I will say it again, there is nothing like living with original art.

I had to go into the archives for the image you see today. This is my first successful acrylic painting (at least in my mind). I kept it and I still love how the thing looks! It will be hung somewhere in my house, but I might have to update the frame first.

I put this quote on my Facebook page earlier today and it is really helping to inspire me:

 "Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen."
~Robert Bresson
(http://artquotes.robertgenn.com/)

So on that note, wish me luck for a day of painting... it is going down tomorrow!

Well Hello Old Friend

Old Friend

24 x 36"

acrylic on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2011 
sold 

Okay.... I feel like saying "Ta daaaa!" because this one feels like it has been a long time in the making, so "Ta daaaa!"

As I explained a few posts ago, this is a tree I have painted before but I had forgotten where I had seen it. This past Labour Day weekend I was at Waskesiu Lake with my family and I wandered out one evening to take resource photos for the upcoming winter months. At one point I happened to look up at the tree I was passing and immediately thought, "Well hello old friend!" I had found it, glorious as ever and as unique as the day I first saw it. I love this tree. I love the dead, broken lower branches, I love the foliage reaching for the sky, I love the markings on the trunk, I love that it stands apart from the rest of the forest. I love this tree.

one of the distant pictures

I took of my old friend

Now down to business. Do you think I should perhaps add another leafy bit on the left down at the very bottom near the tree trunk so less sky shows? Or perhaps it is the actual lower left corner that is bothering me and I should make it more leafy with no sky showing there. It's just a small triangle of sky, but I wonder? I realize I am being finicky, but that's my way. All that being said, I love the trunk.

Please share your thoughts, ideas, feedback, wisdom... or lack thereof.  I'm all ears. No comment is silly.

And one more question... do you have a favorite tree?

Is It Done?

acrylic on canvas

40x30
(reworked- no longer looks like this)

So this is the big abstract reflection I have been working on. I think it is done, but before I varnish it I thought I would see if anyone has any comments. It went through a lot of changes and it is now at a point where I feel pretty good about it and I worry that if I put the brush to it again I might just ruin it. I love, love, love doing reflections, abstract or otherwise. As it turns out I do have several of the abstract variety that will be in my show and they are all based on the images in my mind and the photo references I had from Spruce River, P.A.N.P. Every time I have gone there to paint, the river looks different. This particular time there were hundreds of water striders on the surface. The water was spinning and swirling like I had never seen before. The reflection was agitated and almost seemed alive. To me, it was spectacular. I kept thinking that the little bugs looked like they were dancing as they skimmed the surface. This impression influenced the naming of all these abstract reflections. For example the first one I posted on August 24 which is 40x30 is named "Water Striders- Big Broadway Number" and the little 7x7 I posted on Sept. 7 is called "Water Striders- Foxtrot". Today's painting is called "Water Striders- Street Performance" and I have more I will post in the coming days. It's fun and a little silly... and I feel a bit like I'm giving some props to one of my favorite shows... So You Think You Can Dance. These names make me smile, however, not only is it scary to share my paintings, but I also feel nervous about what people will think of the titles I give them. I am quite determined to never call any of my work "Untitled 1", "Untitled 2", etc. And why not stick a little humour in? Smiling can't hurt and it might even boost the enjoyment of the piece.

Some details:

The Sky That Day

7x7

acrylic on canvas

sold

This is the second sky that I have for my show that is of a lighter nature and will be paired with the sky I posted on Friday. Here I like the shapes of the clouds coming in from the edges of the canvas and I like how the orange ground peaks through against the blues. Another simple, free, light and easy recording of the sky that day.

This past weekend was a real treat for me and my kids. My sister was in town for a visit and man, do we love Auntie Karen! Time spent with her is guaranteed fun and new toys! Unfortunately it was a quick visit and our time with her was limited because she was actually here on some official business. The University of Saskatchewan invited her, an accomplished alumni, to participate in a symposium that was organized this past weekend as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations for the College of Arts and Science. Yup, my super smart, beautiful, witty sister is considered an expert in her field... which is History (more specifically Latin American History). She did her BA at the U of S and then went on to complete her Masters and PhD at Tulane University in New Orleans. She's not just super smart, she's super-duper smart. However, social gaffs still happen when you are super-duper smart as the following tale will illustrate.

Karen took part in the symposium on Saturday afternoon at the university and all went well. Then that evening she was invited to a fancy-pants reception at Boffins Club on campus and, being the modern day, independent woman that she is, she had no qualms about attending by herself. However, when she arrived at the restaurant she stood in the entrance not sure how to proceed. Should she seat herself? Was there assigned seating? What to do? Luckily she spotted the maitre d' standing nearby so she approached him to find out what the situation was. He kindly told her to go ahead and seat herself at any available table or join one where there was space. A short while later the formalities of the evening began with the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Dr. Gordon Barnhart, being "piped" in to the room in a small procession. It was at this point that a red-faced Karen realized it had been no maitre d' she had spoken to earlier... it was a representative of the Queen... and there he was making a grand entrance behind the bagpipes!!! Ah-hahahaha! I told her it was a good thing she hadn't given him her coat and asked him to park her car! Too, too funny. She was quite amused herself and said it was okay for me to tell this story. So now hopefully all of my bloggy friends are smiling and amused as well.

So props go out to my accomplished sister, Karen Racine. I am very proud of her. Check out the link which will tell you the names of the three books she has written (the most recent was just released on Sept. 28) as well as the many articles and reviews she has to her name. She is a great role model for my kids, not only for all of her scholarly background and fascinating world travels, but for her humour and ability to not take herself too seriously.

Feeling Sick- In More Ways Than One

 Duck Pond in October, Forestry Farm
20x16"
acrylic on canvas
sold

The paintings I am posting today were purchased by a dear friend and her husband at my last art show. I know they make her happy which absolutely thrills me... and after this last week, I need to remember the joy art brings me and the people I share it with. The top painting is 20x16, the middle one is 8x10 (also the first abstract reflection I ever did) and the bottom one is 7x7. They are all acrylic on canvas.

 Reflection, Spruce River

8x10"

acrylic on canvas

sold

Reflection for a Writer

7x7

acrylic on canvas

sold

Whew! It really was quite was a week!

I was so fatigued this week, all I felt like doing was sleeping and in fact, three out of the five afternoons Tommy was at Kindergarten that is exactly what I did! The sore throat came on Thursday and the fever hit on Friday.... crazy shivers and heat waves. The highest temperature I took was 103. I felt like I was in some sort of altered state. Anyway, the worst seems to have passed. I slept most of today and now I will probably be up all night! In case anyone is wondering what differentiates a cold from the flu here is what I found out... headaches and fevers rarely accompany a cold, so if you have them with your stuffy nose and sore throat you have the flu. Also, extreme exhaustion never happens with a cold, but with the flu it comes early and is prominent.

Aside from feeling physically sick this week, I also felt psychologically sick after the meeting John and I had with our financial planner on Tuesday evening. This economy took a round out of our "portfolio" and although some things are recovering it got me feeling very guilty. Before we had Sammy I had a full time career and John and I had a pretty good lifestyle. After my year maternity (I love Canada) I went back to my job and Sammy went to daycare full time. I lasted 6 weeks and then gave my notice. I could not do it. Since then, for the most part, I have been a stay-at-home-mom. I know deep in my heart this has been the right choice... especially for my children, but this week when I realized the impact of the economy on our finances, I got thinking that if I had been working for the last 6 years it wouldn't be so bad. We would have been able to save more and invest more. I say that for the most part I have been a stay-at-home-mom because when Tommy was 18 months old I needed to get a break, so I got a very part time job working in a retail store when John was at home and I am still doing that now. My ideal world would be that I continue to do this and sell some of my paintings which would bring in just that much extra to keep me home with the kids while they are in school. I would love it if they could continue to come home for lunch and if they could always have a parent available to help with field trips or see their assemblies or volunteer for school activities. I would love it if they would never have to be part of a before and after school program. Unfortunately I am starting to wonder if this dream is very realistic. I'm really starting to think that when Tommy is in school full-time next year, maybe I will have to consider changing my role again.

At this rate I'll never figure out who I am!

A Good Weekend

We had a really great visit with my brother-in-law and his family. They have one little fella who is about 20 months old. Oh what fun my boys had with their one and only cousin! It was such a treat to see them all together. They were thoroughly entertained by each other, however Tommy did have a bit of a melt-down on Saturday night. It was a moment of  true despair. He thought Sammy didn't love him any more because he was paying so much attention to little Georgie. Tommy sobbed and sobbed until finally my dear sweet Sam realized why Tommy was so upset. He went straight over to his little brother, put his arms around him and said, "Oh Tommy, I still love you it's just that I have you for my whole life and I only have Georgie for two days. Do you understand now?" Yup, you guessed it.... mommy cried too!

 

Water Striders- Foxtrot

7x7

acrylic on canvas

sold

Here is a little 7x7 abstract reflection that I did one afternoon when a neighbor had the boys over for a play date. These reflections make me so happy when I do them, especially when they go as smoothly as this one did. It is acrylic on canvas and will likely be in the show. It was inspired by a photo from one of my favorite Plein air painting locations, Spruce River, P.A.N.P. Unfortunately the large reflection I am working on at the studio right now is not going as well. Rats. But I am not giving up on it yet. I am determined to make it work... Why you ask? Because I jumped the gun and had it framed before it was finished. I thought I would save time and take it to the framer with the batch I had ready to go. Lesson learned.  

 

Up Early and Posting!

I could not sleep and as I lay in bed this morning all I could do was think about my blog! Seemed like a good reason to get up and start writing. I'm probably thinking about it because my brother-in-law and his family are arriving today from Edmonton and I likely won't get a chance to post anything for a couple of days. We are all very excited because we haven't seen their little guy for ages. He is twenty-one months and my boys can't wait to play with him.

 

Life After Death

7x7

acrylic on canvas

sold

This little painting I am showing you today was done after the large fungus you saw in the post on August 27. Ever since I did that one I have been interested in these parasitic treasures you can find in the forest. Some of them are spectacular. I don't know much about them, but from what I can tell they grow on sick, dying or dead trees. This one was growing inside a rotting tree stump that I found while walking through the forest and I am calling it "Life After Death". It is acrylic on canvas and is 7x7". I don't know if it will make it into the show or not. It is painted in a tighter fashion than say my reflections, but at the same time I don't think it is "anal". This particular one was sort of flat, yet had this undulating surface at the same time and the colours were spectacular! I had the little fungus to the left looking a bit like a derby for awhile. After a few tips from my instructor at the art camp, hopefully it blends in more and no longer looks quite so hat-like!

Have a great long week-end! And once again, thanks to all of you who have been leaving comments.

Deep Breath

Whew!!! The boys bedtime couldn't come quick enough for me tonight. How do kids have that much energy? Seriously, non-stop all day. Tommy started Kindergarten this week and the teacher told me after school today that he was such a great listener and he just did so well. I was so proud because he is, well, a tactile kid; a do-er shall we say and I wasn't sure he could keep his mitts to himself. I think he used all his self-control at school because after school he couldn't for the life of himself not bug Sammy! I think all I said after school was, "Tommy leave Sammy alone. Get off your brother. Give Sammy some space. Sammy doesn't have to play with you if he doesn't want to. Tommy, stop sitting on your brother. Let go of Sammy's cheeks. Find something else to do. No you can't have candy." You get the idea. Just when I thought my patience couldn't take any more, something cute happened. We were upstairs doing the night-time routine. I was in my bedroom, Sammy came in and we both headed to the bathroom to see if Tommy was done brushing his teeth. I stopped just short of the door and couldn't believe my little fella. His toothbrush has a suction cup on the bottom of it, I guess so it can stand up by the sink when it's not in use. Tommy had it suctioned to the side of the counter-top so it was sticking out parallel to the floor. He was bent down moving his head back and forth, side to side, up and down trying to brush his teeth that way! I looked down at Sammy who was standing beside me and his face had this soft look to it. He simply said, "Cute". I took a deep breath, let it out, enjoyed the moment and was able to wrap up the night without losing my mind.

Untouched

22x28
acrylic on canvas

sold

I have been in touch with the gallery curator this week and we have nailed down a date for my opening reception. It will be on Sunday, November 8 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. I think it will be called Nicki Ault : Multitudes (A Collection of Recent Work). I had told her about the Walt Whitman quote and gave this to her as an option for the title as well as a few other ideas. This is the one she picked. Now that she has these details nailed down she is going to get working on the advertising. I am posting a painting today that will likely be in the show. It is one of the larger pieces I will have and it is done from a photo I took when I went on a hike with my kids through Boundary Bog near Waskesiu Lake in northern Saskatchewan. It is acrylic on canvas and is 22x28". I hope you like it.

I had a conversation with one of the artists (Jan Corcoran) at the studio yesterday to try to get an idea of what to include in the show and also what to do if I disagree with the curator. She said that quite often new artists want to put in everything; as much as possible and just load up the walls. Ahhhh, guilty as charged! Yup, that is where my mindset has been! Jan said that the curator wants to find some cohesion between the work so that it makes sense as a show. And she said to remember that less is more. I love learning! I am going to take a deep breath, release my grip and let the curator do her job and see what she comes up with. I will try to be vocal if there is something I strongly disagree with, but I am curious now to see what her vision might be for my paintings. Learning is good. Growth is good.

Just Keep Swimming

As I mentioned in my blog the other day, I finally told a few of my girlfriends about this new journey I have begun. Well, the next morning emailed the link (how crazy is that? I have a link!) to my immediate family. My two sisters were so excited for me. So were my parents, but they didn't quite understand what a blog was about. One of my sisters embraced this idea so enthusiastically that she immediately forwarded the link to a few people she thought might enjoy it. Later, when we spoke on the phone, she felt a bit sheepish and hoped I didn't mind that she had done that. At first I felt this pang of fear and drop in my self confidence (which actually didn't have far to fall because it is relatively low already) because one of the people she emailed is an old childhood friend of the family ( Hi Trev), but then I took a deep breathe and realized that in the end, this is what I want for this journey. I don't want to put myself out there just a little bit... I want to put myself out there full on; no holding back. And when things get a bit scary or intimidating I am going to follow some wise advice that a funny little fish once said... "Just keep swimming".

This same sister, who is one of the smartest, kindest, wittiest, prettiest, people I know, and by far the most generous, said that finding out about my blog inspired her to start a journey of her own. She has been thinking about making some changes for awhile and I guess this gave her motivation to get started. I am soooo proud of her because change is scary and it is hard, but sometimes it is what you have to do in order to get where you want to be.

 

 Nestled

7x7

acrylic on canvas

This painting (acrylic on canvas, 7x7) was done at the workshop I attended this summer and will also be part of the show. It is a little fungus that I had been looking as I ate my meals in the veranda off the dining hall. It was tucked right in the crook between two birch trees that were sort of growing out of each other. The entire time I was working on it I couldn't get over the feel of the paint. The air was incredibly humid and the paint acted much more like oil than acrylic. I had so much fun; I felt like I was playing. Because of the climate I had no choice but to paint differently than I usually do. My mind kept repeating a quote that the instructor had brought up in an earlier discussion. It somehow gave me permission to play and experiment; to not think I always have to paint in the way I have become accustomed.

"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."

                                                                                                  -Walt Whitman


And now that I have begun this blogging adventure, I think it will become my way to discover all of my multitudes.

Fury

Fury

24x10

acrylic on canvas

sold

This little baby is a bit of a departure isn't it? I think I will put it in my show because it perhaps introduces another side of myself... a side I am still discovering. I did it this summer when I went to a week long painting workshop at a northern lake in Saskatchewan this past July. The class was held at the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus which is a satellite to the University of Saskatchewan and is the world's best kept secret. It has a fascinating rich history which helped shape the art world in this province for many years. I first attended a class there in the summer of 2000, went back again in 2001 and then along came my kids and subsequently my hiatus. :) I finally managed to suppress my mommy guilt enough to return in 2007, 2008 and now 2009. I love it there. It is my happy place. The place where I am not a wife or a mommy... I am just me. It is a place that is helping me figure out just who that is..

But, back to this painting I posted today. It is named "Fury" and not by accident, I might add. I painted it in the evening immediately following the last critique session of the workshop. I had been one of the last students to be critiqued and had just finished hearing ( from a very obnoxious lady in the class) that I should do something with the big red blob on one painting (it was an unfinished piece) and that my paintings had all been done before and that I should loosen up in my technique (I've heard this comment before). I was stunned into silence and later burst into tears in private with my dear painting friend, Debbie, who said all the right things. About half the class went down to the beach to paint the spectacular sky as the sun was quickly setting. After I regrouped I was so angry. I hit that beach in a serious fury (well, painting-wise anyway). I was all emotion and I laid it down on that canvas for the world to see! The next morning the instructor (and probably the artist who has the most influence on me) said, "Whoa, where did that come from?" I had to giggle because it came from some deep spot I didn't even know about before then.

Now, I am all for critique sessions because I can learn so much from really good discussions, but when comments are made that are in  no way constructive, that is where I have a problem. That is likely why I bristled at hearing the comment Edward B. Gordon received about his paintings being "trivial". How is that helpful to him as an artist? And who determines what is trivial? And why do I have to loosen up? And is there something that is inherently wrong with being tight? And...and...and...you're not the boss of me!!!!

On a lighter note, I was beyond pumped today to actually discover I have some followers! I am so appreciative and hope my little stories and paintings always make them glad they checked back in.

A Full Day

This has been the most exciting day for me... Who would have ever imagined that I would discover comments from Edward B. Gordon on my blog?!!! I am overwhelmed that he took the time to have a look at what I have started here. And then when I realized he read the story of my sad attempt to get one of his paintings I broke into a bit of a cold sweat. Luckily he seemed to have a sense of humour about it and I am glad he was entertained. Seriously, how cool is he anyway? A master painter, a dedicated artist, an intelligent business man, a poet (in my mind anyway), and one class act.

I was so excited to find his comments that I couldn't contain my secrecy any longer. I immediately emailed "my girls"; three of the best friends a person could ask for. The email I sent them was  filled with exclamation marks and OMG's. I'm a lousy typist at the best of times ( I took art in high school instead of typing), but add in shaking hands and it becomes a true gong show. It wasn't long before they emailed back and may I just say that I love them? They were equally excited, if not more so than I was because not only were they hearing about the comments, but they were finding out about my blog for the first time. I would never have imagined that a side effect, if I can call it that, of having kids would be that I would meet the most wonderful women and they would become such a vital part of my life. I am so lucky.

I received an email from the St. Thomas More Gallery curator today wondering if I had thought of a name for my show because she is going to get started on some of the advertising later this week. She said it could be something as simple as Nicki Ault: Recent Work. It seems a bit dry and because all of the pieces are inspired by the boreal forest I feel like there should be some reference to it in the title. I'll have to think on it. My sister put in her two cents and offered up "The Boreal Fo Real". It made me laugh. I'm open to suggestions if anyone reads this.....

You Can Go Back

16x20

sold

And here is another painting that I plan to include in the show. It is acrylic on canvas and is 16x20". It is one of my favorite places to paint en Plein air. Spruce River in Prince Albert National Park. It is the subject of the other two reflection paintings I posted a few days ago. It is a glorious slow moving river that winds its way through the forest then out into the meadows and back in again. It looks different every time I am there.

I am extremely grateful to Barbara Muir, another artist I have discovered in this blogging world, for stopping by my blog and posting such kind-hearted, supportive comments. She is an excellent portrait painter who approaches her subjects in such a unique and vibrant way. Her portraits exude character and life.

Ahhh, this has been a full day. And now to go to bed... my little people register for school tomorrow. My little Tommy will be going to Kindergarten. He is so ready for school, but I don't know if the school is ready for him... he doesn't have a library voice and he likes to use the word "poop" way too much.

Advice Where You Least Expect It

I was flipping channels the other night after the kids went to bed and I caught the last part of the make-over show "Style By Jury". They were helping transform a single mom who was a dancer years ago, but had let that part of herself slip away. One of the confidence building exercises they had her do was choreograph a ballet piece to be judged by a panel. How intimidating can you get when you have been out of that world for awhile? However it was something she wanted to get back into and she knew she still had a passion for dance deep inside. When it was all over she was completely elated to have faced her fears and gone through with the whole process. She then had this light bulb moment which really resonated with me. She basically said that so often when we have our children we put our dreams aside to focus on them and make sure they are getting all that they need. She realized that, in fact, this  is actually the time we should bring on our dreams full-force because it is our job to inspire our children. I love this advice! And when it is put that way it makes so much sense.

I hope my boys will someday see that mommy is an individual with dreams of  her own and that it is okay to chase them... even at 41...and even if they aren't the most practical of options!

On that note I have three more paintings to post which will be going into my show in November. They are all 10x10" and acrylic on canvas. I was trying to catch the sunlight filtering through the tress in the forest and illuminating the moss beds.

Deep In The Woods- 10x10 sold

Lit- 10x10 sold

Streaming In- 10x10 sold

Galleries and Playgrounds- A Good Day

After a morning of being domestic (laundry, dishes, tidying) I spontaneously decided there was no time like the present to pack the kids in the van with a mittful of candy, a DVD in the player and head out on a little road trip. I had been wanting to get out to Rosthern, a town a 1/2 hour away, to check out a group show that some friends have right now at the Station Arts Centre. They call their group "Men Who Paint" and they are really terrific landscape artists. It was great fun to see their work all framed up and looking so official. Of course I saw a few pieces I would like to add to my fledgling art collection, but I didn't commit to anything.

The kids had been so good for me so I took them to a nearby playground at a Regional Valley Park and they had a blast. There was even a zip-line! Sammy really wanted to try, but had to build up his courage. He finally did it and thought it was so awesome he proceeded to do it 3 more times! Little Tommy decided not to and that was fine by me because I wasn't sure he could hold on the whole way.  

It dawned on me while at the gallery today that I still have loads to do for my upcoming show. Since the theme of the day was " there is no time like the present", I went to the studio after supper, put my head down and got working on the tasks associated with painting. All that finishing work that is necessary, but not creative. I signed and varnished 14 paintings and packed them up to bring home so that I can hopefully get some decent photos taken over the weekend. Once that is done I have to make arrangements for framing. And I still have come up with names and pricing. There are still 3 paintings at the studio which may or may not be finished. My show is running from November 1- December 17, so time is ticking and I need to get all of these things sorted out. The paintings will all be landscape images from the Boreal forest in Northern Saskatchewan. The following painting is likely going to be part of the show (I think I need to retake this photo- there seems to be a glare on the top right corner).

The Gift

24x30"

acrylic on canvas

sold

This one is 24x30" and is acrylic on canvas. This was the most spectacular fungus; there were actually five layers growing with the largest being the size of a dinner plate. My friend Steve took me to see it and it was like receiving a wonderful gift. As long as there is nature I will never be bored.

I am already beginning to think I may need to start a second blog! One that is more directly about my art; one with smaller entries and more images. Hmmm... must think some more.

Seven and Inspiring

The last two evenings have been very exciting around here. We have been trying to get Sammy (7) up on two wheels! My dad bought him a bike last summer, but he had no interest in figuring it out. When we tried again this spring he gave up after the first try. He is the kind of kid who just wants to be perfect at something from the start. He doesn't like to be embarrassed and he doesn't want to disappoint anyone.  He can be very hard on himself and for the most part things have always come pretty easy for him. Anyway, we had a bit of a chat and I said I  wanted him to try again. I reminded him that he wouldn't be such a good swimmer if he didn't practice and I thought he would have so much fun riding his bike if he could just give himself a chance to learn. He agreed so out we went... and he is really close to having it sorted out! (All the protective gear probably helped subdue his large fear of wipe-out pain). It was an absolute thrill as a parent to see the determination in his eyes and the single-minded focus which was then followed by intense pride. The speed at which his confidence jumped was amazing to see and it wasn't long before he was helping his little brother ride his bike (with training wheels). Sammy was totally teaching Tommy the way John and I had been helping him just moments before.... "that's right, you've got it. Keep your eyes looking straight ahead. Find the balance. Good job. You're doing it!!!" It was one of those Hallmark moments of life. And yes, I had tears in my eyes. 

 

On the Edge of Fairy Island

 8x24"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2009

sold

Watching Sammy struggle with his fear of failing and all of the emotions that go with it really made me think about how afraid I am of failing as an artist. I'm still not convinced I have the right to call myself an artist. It is something I need to get to the bottom of. The fear of failing can be almost paralyzing. Today, however, I was inspired by my seven year old and so I will take a deep breath and post another painting. This one is going in my show this fall because, well.... I like it! How is that for mustering confidence?!

My Upcoming Show

What a delightful treat... I went to the studio yesterday morning and was able to stay for about 4 hours this time! Woo hoo! I worked on my big abstract reflection and then took a bit of time to tweak some other paintings and sign ones I thought were finished. I left actually feeling like I might have a handle on the show I am preparing for this fall. It was a good feeling for sure.

What show? Well, I have a solo show in an actual gallery here in town! It's all extremely exciting and feels so official! At least official compared to my other two solo shows which were held in a local coffee shop; one was in spring 2004 and the other was in spring 2008. The coffee shop was an excellent location for a newbie like myself and a great first step, but the owner really had no standard for the art she agreed to show other than the subject matter had to be restaurant appropriate. She didn't even look at my work before it went up and she wasn't even there when I hung it! Anyways, I took a painting workshop in the summer of 2008 and a fellow student reminded me of a gallery in town, St. Thomas More Gallery, that is a big supporter of student art and emerging artists. She encouraged me to approach the curator which took me 6 months to do, but in Feb. 2009 somehow I got the nerve up to talk to her. I had to submit jpegs of my work and she responded very favorably! That was one of the best emails I ever recieved; the acceptance from her gave me some sort of validation that I needed. And it really does feel more official. I am having a solo show in an actual gallery! It makes me giddy!                     

 

 The Muse

40x30"

acrylic on canvas

sold

 

 Water Striders- Big Broadway Number

40x30"

acrylic on canvas

NFS

 
Above are a couple of the pieces I will have in the show for sure. Others are still being decided upon and I will post them as they are finalized. They are both 40"x30" and done in acrylic on canvas.

Man, even though I have no readers it is still nerve-racking to post these images! I actually haven't told a soul that I have started a blog... I haven't even shown it to my husband yet! Just the remote possibility that someone would find this blog and consider commenting makes me aware that I am opening myself up to potential judgments and criticism. I am just now struck with new-found admiration for the artists I have come across in this blogging world and appreciate even more their willingness to share their art and really "put it out there".

Speaking of judgments and criticism, when I looked at my beloved Edward B. Gordon blog yesterday I was stunned to read that somebody had the nerve to tell him that his subject matter is trivial! What the...?! Seriously?!! I would like to know the context of the conversation, maybe then I would know if I actually had the right to be as offended as I was when I read that. Actually, I probably have no right to be offended at all since it has nothing to do with me, but I'm a Leo and I'm loyal, what can I say? Honestly, the only explanation that makes sense is that this is a person who has looked at Mr.Gordon's paintings, but has not actually seen them. The beauty and worthiness he sees in the moments of every day life are so far from trivial... I'm just exasperated by the notion...