Rushing Water, Georgian Bay

Rushing Water, Georgian Bay

30 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

This is one of my favorite paintings from my trip... I had so much fun working on it and layering all of the colours and drips that show through the top layers. I tried to remain true to one of my goals which was to stay loose and keep some of the under-painting qualities. I also tried to use my colour theory and think about values and how the light would hit the plains of the boulders. It was challenging and exciting all at once. I am really happy with how the rushing water in the background came out- I was nervous about that part because, really, how do you paint rushing water??? Anyway, hope you, like it!

Hillside Sketch, Georgian Bay

Hillside Sketch, Georgian Bay

8 x 10"

oil on canvas board

© Nicki Ault, 2013
sold

This is another of the paintings that saw a few exuberant wipes when I was painting in Georgian Bay this fall. Oddly enough it was the size, all 8 x 10's, that seemed to stump me. I think only one of the four paintings remained in its original state- the others all got wiped multiple times over and one of them simply ended up on the dart board! When I let go of the horror of the first attempt at this landscape, I began playing with intense colour and just had fun. Eventually I ended up here and left it for what it was.

Winter Layers

Winter Layers

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

I painted this last winter, but I was reminded of it today when my sister sent me a text describing the landscape as they were driving north to see her in-laws. The prairies look so peaceful and quiet at this time of year. And it is quite remarkable the colours you will find if you only look. 

And To All A Good Night

Wherever you are and whatever you celebrate, 

may joy and happiness fill your home. 

Let there be peace on earth.

Bargue Drawing Update

Bargue Drawing #2

graphite on Stonehenge paper

It's been awhile since the last Bargue update, however I have been working on it every Thursday at the drawing class at Atelier 2302. This photo was taken around mid-November so it has changed a lot since then, in fact it is almost done. I admittedly avoided the beard for as long as I could, but in the end it was not as intimidating as it first seemed. The key was to break it down into manageable parts, working from larger shapes to smaller shapes. I can hardly wait to show you the final result- I will be getting it framed. 

The next project will use comparative measure and I will be copying a most excellent Bargue plate of a sculpture of a male torso/body. Ooooh if it turns out I will be so proud!

Since you are here and I've got you thinking about these things why not swing over to the newly updated website of my instructor, Craig Berry, and have a look at his work and the courses he is offering in the new year at Atelier 2302.

The Grasslands at Dusk

The Grasslands at Dusk

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

available at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

A final shameless plug for my work down at Lifestyles this holiday season! I actually think this one sold the other day. Back to the Georgian Bay work soon... oh, and I have a progress shot of the Bargue drawing to show too. A lot of hours have gone into that little baby.

Morning Canola

 

Morning Canola

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

available exclusively at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery

sold

The commercial break continues... if you have more shopping to do, check out Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery in Saskatoon- maybe one of my paintings will be the perfect gift for that special person. If not Lifestyles has loads of wonderful gift ideas that might just be right.

Prospect Point From Murphy's Bay, Waskesiu

Prospect Point From Murphy's Bay, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

 © Nicki Ault, 2013

available at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

Here is another Christmas gift idea, this time for someone who has a soft spot in their heart for Waskesiu Lake. This is a view of the road and hillside near the golf course as seen from a boat. My parents love to take us to Murphy's Bay to float around, play in the waves and have picnics. The kids love to wade to shore and explore all of the fallen trees and forest paths. A new addition to these excursions is a bit of fishing and the occasional tube ride. It is comforting to have these memories in the dark days of winter.

Serene Emma

 

Serene Emma

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

available exclusively at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery

sold

This is a very familiar view if you have ever been to the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus; the point of Fairy Island across from the campus may very well be one of the most painted locations in Saskatchewan. This painting was just delivered to Lifestyles and I hope it makes a the perfect gift for someone who has a soft spot in their heart for this place.

Prairie Dugout

 

Prairie Dugout

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

available exclusively at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery

sold

Continuing with the commercial break from Georgian Bay, here is another of the new paintings that can now be found at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery. Happy shopping!

Tinged in Pink

Tinged in Pink

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

available exclusively at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

I will take a commercial break from the Georgian Bay work to introduce you to the new paintings that I delivered today to Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery in Saskatoon... just in case you have some holiday shopping to do! And may I say that Darrell has one beautiful gift boutique on his hands- it's swoon-worthy!

Pasture Sketch, Georgian Bay

Pasture Sketch, Georgian Bay

8 x 10"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2013
sold

This painting started out as a real wiper; it had several incarnations and finally morphed into a sketch loosely based on Patchwork Pasture.

Patchwork Pasture, Georgian Bay

Patchwork Pasture

18 x 24"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

I was not expecting to see the amount of farmland and pastures that we did in Georgian Bay- it felt familiar yet different. The grasses in the fields were not like home and the skies did not seem as immense as they do over the Saskatchewan prairies. I enjoyed the challenge of painting a somewhat familiar landscape with a palette of new colours.

Lonely Boulder, Georgian Bay

Lonely Boulder, Georgian Bay

18 x 24"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

It was dusk as we made our way to Bridget's cottage the day I arrived. We stopped at a park near the shore to take some photos and this boulder was out in the middle of nowhere amongst the grasses on the way to the water. It seemed lonely, like it was too far from the rocks, trees and light on the distant hill. Painting it seemed like the right thing to do. And thus began the interest I had in rocks and boulders for the rest of the trip.

The Shallows, Georgian Bay

The Shallows, Georgian Bay

30 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

I had a few goals on my trip to Georgian Bay: I wanted to find new subject matter, I wanted to explore new colours, I wanted to experiment with composition and I wanted to paint free/loose with the under-painting often left as part of the finished product. As a result of pushing myself in these ways, I feel like I came home with paintings unique to this experience. That makes me happy.

Red Sumacs, Georgian Bay

Red Sumacs, Georgian Bay

30 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

As I painted in the new temporary studio this afternoon I was reminded of my painting trip to Georgian Bay... it was chilly and I felt like making a campfire! Three of us are upstairs and for some reason  in this situation the heat does not seem to be rising! It is much warmer on the main level where three other artists are set up. If the winter temperatures drop even more (which they will) I must break out my long-johns and Hot Shots! With all of its quirks, I am so grateful that this space came available through a generous "patron" who heard about us losing our St. George Studio. Hopefully the few months that we have it (before it is knocked down in the spring) will buy us enough time to find a permanent home. With renos happening at my house I realize now that there is no way I could have stored my entire studio here.