Strange Land

Strange Land

36 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014
sold

This is the large sky that morphed from the little study "It Poured". It became a sky from a strange land.

The journey continues as I try to get my head in the game and use the info I am gathering from Atelier 2302. As much as I seem to understand the concepts when I am at school, I forget them all when I am at the studio and I just go back to painting my usual way. Perhaps my struggles as I perceive them are because I am still in the drawing program at the Atelier; maybe when I start the painting program it will all come together in a flash! Oooooorrrrr... perhaps you can't actually teach an old dog new tricks. I fear that may be the case! There is so much to think about: hue, value, chroma, edges, shapes, balance, proportion, harmony, pacing, patterns, contrast and keying to name a few. Ugh. It was easier when I was blissfully unaware!

We had an amazing inaugural Open Studio on Sunday. Thank you to all who came by to visit and buy original art. There is no way to have kept count of the numbers of people who stopped in- there were hundreds. I think it is safe to say that our new location was a hit and many people left very impressed. I am excited to plan another event for the new year!

Sweet Prairie

Sweet Prairie

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/sweet-prairie/292055 
sold

I wanted to paint one more little prairie scene to round out my display board for the Open Studio tomorrow and "Sweet Prairie" is the result.

The studio space is really coming together- both the common area and the individual rooms. There is a lot of anticipation for a busy day and we are all excited for this inaugural event. Please come if you are in Saskatoon- details are at the top of this blog.

Late Afternoon Grace

Late Afternoon Grace

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 just delivered to Lifestyles. Maybe one of them is the perfect gift for someone in your life.

A little study of a spectacular sky and the water reflecting it. Even dugouts can be a source of beauty.

Reflected Sky

Reflected Sky

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

Another example of how much I love the water in fields reflecting the blue of the sky.

Spring Rain

Spring Rain

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

Another new painting at Lifestyles... it doesn't show as well in the photo, but the green field has that wet, bright after-the-rain look to it.

Marshland

Marshland

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery

 This one was all about the soft colours in the water. I love the hues that can turn up at dusk.

Wet Field

Wet Field

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

I just made another delivery of five paintings to Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery and plan to produce a few more pieces in anticipation of a busy holiday season. Original art makes a great gift!

I've done a couple of versions of this painting in the past. I am intrigued by water in fields and how the shock of blue from the reflection of the sky can look so powerful. In this case I love how it looks against the wet, dark earth.

I am getting really excited for the Open Studio on Sunday, November 23- it should be a wonderful event, but wouldn't you know it- I've come down with a cold! I'm intent on babying myself so that I can recover quickly and get on with the preparations. Bridget and I have a lot to do to get our space ready and time is becoming of the essence!

Heavy Sky At Dusk

Heavy Sky At Dusk

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/heavy-sky-at-dusk/290681

Soft Day On The South Saskatchewan

Soft Day On The South Saskatchewan

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/soft-day-on-the-south-saskatchewan/290110
sold 

A gentle day on the river, the colours creating lovely, soft layers of Autumn.

You're Invited!

Please consider this your formal invitation to attend the open studio show and sale where I paint. We'd love it if you brought a friend or two! Mark your calendar- it's fourteen sleeps from today.

It Poured

It Poured

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/it-poured/288772

It's time to get ready for the open studio which is on November 23rd - not that far away. I'm in need of a few more 6 x 6" paintings to fill my display board, so when I was painting the other day, the subject was a little sky. Actually the reason for this small painting was two-fold: 1) to have another on hand for the open studio and 2) to use as a study for a larger painting I've been thinking about. The larger piece is now underway, but it has actually taken on a life of its own. It has strayed from the study, but that's okay- you gotta roll with the punches sometimes. 

I'm learning lots about planning the work, being a bit more thoughtful and academic in one's approach and applying things I never knew before, yet at the same time when it gets down to the actual job of painting, I find you still have to be prepared to react and make changes (sometimes big ones) if it just isn't working for you. The yin and yang of art making is on my mind a lot lately.

Jack Pine on Lynx Lake, La Ronge

Jack Pine on Lynx Lake, La Ronge

48 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014
sold

I still find myself inspired by my canoe trip experience from summer 2013. I've been thinking about this Jack Pine for months and finally decided to take a stab at painting it. We came across this rocky point on our last day and we felt it was the perfect place to stop for lunch. This tree really made me catch my breath, it was so beautiful. My canoeing partner, Erica, and I took loads of photos of it and the reference picture I chose to work from was hers, I think, so thank you Erica!

I recently saw Cliff Speer from CanoeSki Discovery Company and it sounds like he is planning to run a third annual "Canoeing and Painting in the Wild" trip for summer 2015. If it sounds like something you might enjoy, start thinking about it and check out the highlighted links for more information.

Update: The studio where I paint has decided on a date for our first annual "Open Studio". Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 23 from 12-5, it should be a great afternoon! See details at the top of this blog.