Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

This is the last of the five paintings I recently took to Lifestyles By Darrell Ball Gallery. I am very thankful for the amazing August they had for me this summer. It is a partnership that continues to grow.

I love the distant little pine tree in this one. The colours were so fun to play with to create the feel of a glowing sunset. I tried to keep it loose, free and energetic. I hope you like it!

Cloud Cover Near Hague

Cloud Cover Near Hague

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

The white cloud in this scene was absolutely spectacular, made even more so by the contrast of the small dark clouds passing by. 

Wind Blown, Georgian Bay

Wind Blown, Georgian Bay

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery

Something a little different- suitable for this time of year. It's funny how some trees can lose their leaves so quickly and others hang on to them for dear life.

The East Cloud

The East Cloud

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

"The East Cloud" is another new painting delivered to Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery last week. When I think about the sky that day I am still astounded by the beauty and diversity I saw all around me the entire two hour drive home from the lake.

The Clearing

The Clearing

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

I just delivered a group of new paintings to Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery. It was a good summer- I continue to be thrilled with the effort Darrell and his staff put into displaying and selling my work. I am feeling grateful today.

Forest Life

Forest Life

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014
sold

I am heading to Solar Gardens right away for the art show. "Forest Life" is a newly completed painting that I will have with me. It looks like the weather will co-operate today and I am grateful for that since we will be set up under a large tent! Enjoy your day wherever it takes you!

Little Prairie

Little Prairie

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/little-prairie/257945 
sold

A simple little fall scene on the wild prairies. This one will be going to Art @ Solar Gardens with me on Saturday. I am excited to get my display boards out and filled up- it's been awhile.

I have had some interesting conversations with people over the last week in regards to my little paintings compared to my larger work. The points were just touched on, but the jist is that there is a disconnect between the small and large work. I am intrigued and have to do some further investigation as well as deep thinking. I will have to seek these people out to find out more. I do know that I tend to work in a looser style on my small boards and when I get to bigger canvases I slow down and spend more time. As well, my small boards are painted with oils while lately most of my larger work has been acrylic, so I definitely handle the mediums differently. 

My goal, as always, is to grow and learn and improve. I want to become a better painter, so constructive criticism is welcome.

As Night Falls

As Night Falls

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/as-night-falls/257729
sold 

A painting of a beautiful, transitional time of day. I love dusk- especially at the lake when it is calm, and quiet, but the sky is dynamic.

On Saturday, September 20 I will be at Solar Gardens with a selection of my small work and a few larger pieces to round things out. It has the potential to be a very busy show and sale. If you are planning to attend bring cash or a checkbook- there will be some really great vendors.

And here is a sampling of the 6x6" paintings I will have with me:

Cloud Glow

Meewasin Study #3

Tilt

Waskesiu River In August

The Islands, Sulphide Lake

It's always great to see familiar faces at these things so if you are looking for a way to spend a lovely fall day, come out and say "hi". It is only a short fifteen minute drive from the city. Here is a link with a map and directions (scroll down a bit to find it). I think a variety of pizza is on the menu for the day... if nothing else that should be worth the drive!

Orchids

Orchids
(work in progress) 

16 x 20"

acrylic on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014

Let me just get something off my chest... painting abstracts is hard! I mean HARD. Especially working straight out of your head. Not easy. What do you even paint? It literally could be anything! How do you even know what colour to use? You don't! There are no answers, just questions. You start making marks, but then they don't look good so you cover them up and make different marks, but then they don't look good so you cover them up and make different marks, but then they don't look good so you cover them up. You see my troubles. So then you get to the point where you say to yourself, "Okay, this is it, I'm going to put an awesome colour/mark here." But then you think it could wreck everything, so you don't. Then you say to yourself, "On the other hand I will never know unless I try, so here goes...." And then you do it and everything is wrecked, so you put a bunch of gesso over it and start the process again.

Basically the above painting is my most recent experiment. I don't know, I am at a stand-still. It's a quirky little deal and for some odd reason it makes me think of orchids. It makes my son think of a chicken lady wearing an outfit. Whatever. Funny thing is that it has pretty well turned out to be the colour palette of my new renos... turquoise/teal, orange/paprika, black and white. It needs more work- something, anything. Or maybe just another coat of gesso! My indecision is a problem. So I am putting it "out there"- ready or not. There may as well be more of us pondering the difficulty of abstract painting.

Opposite The Setting Sun

Opposite The Setting Sun

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/opposite-the-setting-sun/256247
sold

I'm painting these little 6x6's in preparation for the Art @ Solar Gardens show on Saturday, September 20. I will be set up in one of the 20 artist "booths" hawking my wares. My focus is the little paintings, but I will have a handful of larger work available because you just never know, someone may need a huge 36x60" painting that day!

I went to Solar Gardens for the artist's orientation on Sunday and it is going to be a great set-up. There will be a wide variety of artists with work for sale: fibre art, glass work, pottery, paintings, woodwork and more. It sounds like the venue has a strong following and it could be a very busy day. It certainly would make for a lovely trip to the country if it's nice out.

With the Georgian Bay show at St. Thomas More and the reception on Friday night, plus Art @ Solar Gardens, it is shaping up to be a busy month. Come out and support the arts!

Big Sky, Flat Prairie

Big Sky, Flat Prairie

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/big-sky-flat-prairie/255624 
sold

A two hour trip makes for many different skies. This was closer to home when the sun had gone down even more and the colour was more subdued.

Cloud Glow

Cloud Glow

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/cloud-glow/255324
sold 

The drive home from Waskesiu a week ago had some of the most spectacular Saskatchewan skies I have ever seen. Everywhere I looked I could see beautiful cloud formations, many with rain sweeping the land. The sun was setting so the sky in the east was getting the most dazzling light. And as if that wasn't enough a double rainbow appeared as we approached home. Never before have I wished I was a passenger like I did that day. My camera would have been clicking non-stop!

You Are Invited!

The show is under way and we are gearing up for a fun reception on Friday, September 12 from 7-9 p.m. Please come if you happen to be in Saskatoon, we would love to see you. Below are a few teaser photos of the gallery.

 

Last Beach Day, Waskesiu

Last Beach Day, Waskesiu

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/last-beach-day-waskesiu/254371

I took my twelve year old son and his buddy up to Waskesiu for Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. They had a great time and came and went as they pleased, well, at least with a bit of prodding from me. If they were left up to their own devices they probably would have stayed up in the dark loft with only a camp lantern on while they played their Nintendo DS's. In the end they got out and about and did quite a lot. Sunday was really windy, but sunny so we went to the beach and they tossed a ball around in the waves. I took lots of photos of the puffy clouds and did this painting when we got back to the cabin. All-in-all I got three paintings done over the weekend while the boys occupied themselves. I even brought up my new fire pot which crackled and snapped as I worked. Enjoyable.