Fall Settling In

Fall Settling In

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

I really am not thinking too much about the fall, sorry to bring it up! There is still way too much summer to enjoy. I did, however, finally spend some significant time at the studio yesterday. I was sick last week and then I had a headache that persisted all day and night for a good six or seven days. Obviously this made it hard to get any meaningful work done. I finally woke up yesterday morning from an uninterrupted sleep - I didn't have to get up in the middle of the night to take more Advil! Feeling like I had a new lease on life, I headed to the studio and worked and worked. It felt great!

I spent time struggling with the smaller of the two commissions I have on the go, but I took a photo and once I analyzed it on the screen I knew where to make the necessary changes. It may need a few tweaks today, but otherwise I think it is done!

To decompress from that battle, I painted a new little 6x6 (above) which was actually supposed to have a spring feel to it, but my palette decided to jump a couple of seasons ahead of me and land in the fall.

Now to get more work done on the really big commish! I am behind schedule from where I had hoped to be. June got the best of me yet again.

Show At Boffins Restaurant!

News flash! On Monday Darrell Bell hung some of my work at Boffins restaurant on the University of Saskatchewan campus! He emailed me last week to see if I had anything on hand at the studio that he could use to create a small show for the summer. Luckily I had five paintings that he was able to mix with a couple of pieces of mine he already had at the gallery.... and voila! A solo show is born! Huge thanks to Darrell for thinking of me for this opportunity.

 

 

 

*All photos courtesy of Darrell Bell.

Not Flowers I

Not Flowers I

36 x 24"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available?

As you know from previous posts, I was invited to be in a quick two day show last weekend with nine other artists. The idea, I was told, was to exhibit work that was experimental and perhaps outside of what you normally do; to push your personal boundaries and step out of your comfort zone. I had this piece on hand that I painted for my bathroom after we renovated. I said I would use it if nothing else because it certainly fit the criteria. I ended up getting sick a week before the show, so I didn't finish all of the brand new pieces I hoped to create, so I did end up using this one. 

I had three pieces to submit, all paintings which were out of my comfort zone to paint, but I have to say, putting them on a wall in a public show really pushed my comfort zone! It was a great experience though and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Huge thanks to Mike Remando for asking me to take part.

Silent Sunset

Silent Sunset

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

I love these sunset reflections. Once the commissions are done, I am going to do another 24x36 canvas along this theme. For now this one and "Quiet Is The Day" can be found at Darrell Bell Gallery (main level). I also have two 6x6's left at the studio, "Delicate Balance" and "Shimmer And Shine", in case you need a wedding gift for someone this summer. I think they are kind of romantic.

Quiet Is The Day

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

available at Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

Delicate Balance
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available

Shimmer And Shine

6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available

Blue II

Blue II

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

I've been sick. It was a long week, but I am on the mend now. I feel like I have to catch you up on a lot! I still have paintings to show of the ones I delivered to Darrell Bell Gallery just over a week ago - this one and another. Plus I have to tell you about the group show I was just in, "Funky, Fresh and Full of Spice" and show you those paintings. Also, there is a little news to share!

Stay tuned as I get back on track this week!

Pea Soup Swamp (Painting Makeover)

Pea Soup Swamp

(after)

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

Wowzie! This new version makes me sooooo happy. I am all about that reflection. The original (below) just seems so basic; so unfinished. I think the "after" scene is much more sophisticated. Growth. That is what I am seeing in myself with these makeover Mondays. And it feels good.

Pea Soup Swamp

(before)

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015

Hot Pink Finale

Hot Pink Finale

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

This one has a little kick to it. That hot pink, or in painting terms, Quinacridone Magenta, packs a punch. I love that colour, so I kind of made up this sunset, replacing oranges and yellows with pinks and a little soft purple.

Wheat Field

Wheat Field

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

This one might make a great Father's Day Gift! I've revisited this scene/photo reference of mine several times. I love it... but it may be time for it to retire.

Farmer's Field In Spring

Farmer's Field In Spring

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Today I delivered five new paintings to Darrell Bell Gallery and they were all still a smidge wet. Not ideal, but I really wanted to get them to the gallery in time for the days before Father's Day, so I took a chance on transporting them in this sort-of-fragile state. I was extra paranoid because I actually had six paintings done, but yesterday I knocked one over face down at the studio and it very well might be ruined. Artist troubles.

Funky, Fresh and Full of Spice

Oh boy!!! What have I done? What. Have. I. Done?

I said yes to this. Literally I said yes to this on May 27. See my post on June 7 about how nutty June is. And yet, I said yes to this show.

I was approached by a friend and colleague, Mike Remando, who was putting together a show of fun work, work that would allow the artist to be out of their wheel house and play and experiment and be crazy and wild. He asked me to be one of the ten artists in the show and after a brief moment of contemplation I threw caution to the wind and said YES! Basically I have no idea how the work I have in my head will translate on paper (or in this case, board), but I am going for it! I am just going to have fun and be free. Be free to be me... a me you haven't seen. A me that tries to give no effs. And the commitment is only one to three pieces so why not just do it! So I am!!! Come if you can! Details above. And wish me luck!