A Drive In The Country

A Drive In The Country

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

I've been getting a few paintings ready for the spring show at the Black Spruce Gallery... here is the first one.

Studio Event on Mother's Day!

Our studio is having a special event on Mother's Day! We will be open from 12:00-4:00 for tea and dainties. If you are looking for something to do with your mom, or anyone else for that matter, please come and enjoy a spot o' tea, a little conversation and some artwork. It should be an enjoyable afternoon on 20th Street! Also, please feel free to share this invitation with your friends and family.

NOTE: our entrance is the door between The Odd Couple restaurant and the Money Express.

April

April

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/april/369773 
sold

There is something so fresh about April... as long as the showers keep the dust down. In April, the snow is gone (usually) and we begin to see little buds of green and colour start to peek out from the muted shades after a long winter. In the grasslands, the old bleached blonde straw looks lovely against the fresh greens that start to pop... and if you are lucky you will see bright yellow "buffalo beans"!

More Figure Drawings

one hour drawing

graphite on newsprint

© Nicki Ault, 2015

forty minute drawing

graphite on newsprint

© Nicki Ault, 2015

We've had some excellent models in the Monday night drawing sessions. Here are a couple of my latest attempts from two different nights. The first drawing gave me a bit of trouble... I had the head too small and ended up enlarging it three times. I think it is still a bit off. Also, the arm on the left was going back in space and I had trouble conveying that gesture. However, this is the reason for going to these sessions- to practice solving these problems and challenges.

Canola

Canola

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/canola/368851
sold

Oh boy, this painting looks so much better in person. It almost glows. The effect is lost on my computer screen. It's another experimental expression of the prairies in a very simple way. 

Floating

Floating

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

Above is another exercise in simplicity. I think these three paintings look good together:

A Gentle Day

A Gentle Day

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015

sold

On Sunday I was going to head north on a road trip to take photos of the landscape, and I also needed to take some photos for a commission I have agreed to do, but it was so dusty and dirty I just wasn't inspired. Also, my ever-so-logical mom said I might regret going all that way to get a picture for the commission when the leaves are not yet on the trees. She is right, the foliage needs to be out- it will be better. Luckily I have time to wait for that, the painting isn't due until later in June.

With the day freed up, I decided to spend it at the studio. I hadn't been there in a week because the kids were home for the Easter break. It was very productive! I did this little painting with simplicity again on my mind. It looks really good with "The Green Field" which I showed you last time. I also got a great start on a 30"x30" canvas that is another attempt at a somewhat abstracted grasslands field. Bridget was there all day, too, and we decided painting is fun.

The Green Field

The Green Field

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/the-green-field/366582
sold

Sometimes I find the simpler, the better. I love how straight forward this is.

A New Day

A New Day

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

This is what Spring feels like to me, a new day, a new chapter, a new beginning. That is, until you wake up one Spring morning and find it is snowing. Which is what happened today. Ugh. Then it just feels like winter never left and Spring was just a dream.

Deer Trail In Spring and An Upcoming Show!

Deer Trail In Spring

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/deer-trail-in-spring/365771
sold

This was an experiment in trying to be a bit more abstract with the mark-making. I like portions of the painting but overall I am not sure. It is fun to play around with the cropping to see what you can find. A few details I like are:

Speaking of experimenting, a lot has been going on in the studio. I am not ready to show you any of my efforts yet, but I'll get there. I am trying new things, even if all that means is using different media. I've also been painting on paper which has an entirely different feel than canvas or board. Last Thursday Jackie joined Bridget and I at the studio and we worked the entire day. You may recall that the three of us went to Georgian Bay in the fall of 2013 and had an exhibition of that work in the fall of 2014. Well, we have another show planned! I am excited but nervous about it because my personal goal is to step out of my comfort zone and show some different work. The show will be at Hues Art Supply in Saskatoon and will run for the month of June. I think the girls are intent on helping me step outside of myself and hopefully find a way to express something new. They are both less inhibited than me so their influence is welcome.

Spring On The Prairies

Spring On The Prairies

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/spring-on-the-prairies/365167

The goal was to keep this one loose and full of life. A slightly more abstracted feel to this prairie scene which was painted the Saturday night Bridget and I worked at the studio. Sorry there is a bit of glare on the top right hand side of the photo.