Meet Spring

Meet Spring

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/meet-spring/395190
 sold 

"Meet Spring" was painted during Art Trek. Not only was the trek a great opportunity to chat with people who had come out to discover the artists' studios, but it was a chance to get a bit of work done. I painted this little piece and most of the last painting I showed you, "McPhee From Highway 264", during the Friday and Saturday event.

Quite frankly, after I painted it, it dawned on me that spring was almost over and it was time to think about painting the new season. In some ways I cannot believe it is now summer already. I hate to say it, but it means winter is that much closer. And it means my oldest is that much closer to graduating from Grade Eight. This coming school year feels monumental to me. Perhaps not as much as the Grade Twelve year will be, but still, he is growing up and I am not sure how to feel about it. When I started this blog almost six years ago he and his brother were little. They were so cute and so funny and sooo exhausting. I was frazzled and sleep deprived and looking for relief... and something to call mine; to define me as an individual, as a woman- something beyond a mother and a wife. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud to have these roles, but back then I felt swallowed up. I had lost a lot of who I was as a unique and creative person. I gave this blog to myself for a birthday present in August 2009 and it has motivated me to continue with my art practice over and over again. 

Now my son is taller than me and the archive to this blog is just as long! I don't see either stopping anytime soon. Thank you so much for tuning in! I hope my future paintings continue to keep you interested.

McPhee From Highway 264

McPhee From Highway 264

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/mcphee-from-highway-264/394746

Here is a slightly different view of McPhee Lake from the highway that passes by en route to my usual destination of Waskesiu. I love so much about the scene I found last month that I had to paint another version; the straw-like grasses, the dead, spiky trees, the cluster of forest to the left - one dead and "rusty" tree and another silver from moss overtaking it. A bit of a theme of death in this one and yet I don't find it depressing. It's the cycle of life in the forest, beautiful in all its forms.

Grit's Sunset, Waskesiu

Grit's Sunset, Waskesiu

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

(commission)

sold

In January of this year I was contacted by two acquaintances who happen to work together at the University of Saskatchewan and who both also happen to have a few pieces of my art. They wondered if I might be able to do a painting for a retirement gift. The subject? The view from the retiree's cabin in Waskesiu! It seemed right up my alley, so I said yes. It was presented at a banquet on Monday evening so I feel like it is safe to show it to you now.

The Ear

The Ear

14.5 x 12"

graphite on Stonehenge paper

© Nicki Ault, 2015

What?! I almost forgot to show you my ear! This mother took me a good six months to do from start to finish. Granted I only had class once a week for three hours, but still, that was a long haul!

I am proud to say I have discovered that I have a strong case of stick-to-it-iveness. I know I am loyal to people, but it turns out I am loyal to art programs too! The course at the atelier is not for everyone, but, happily, it works for me and I know my skills will grow and evolve while I continue my studies. Who knows where it will lead, but I am excited to find out. 

Next up... the painting program in the fall! Yippee!

Still

Our current show is well underway and I am very much looking forward to the reception on Saturday afternoon. Bridget, Jackie and I will be at Hues Art Supply from 2-4 and we would love to have a bit of company. Please come if you have some time- it will be exciting to share our new, still life work with you. Bring the family- it is fun to look at, and buy, art supplies too!

King's Island, View From South Bay

King's Island, View From South Bay

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/kings-island-view-from-south-bay/392440 
sold

I did this little 6x6 inch study while sitting on a picnic table at South Bay in Waskesiu. It has a great view, if not a bit distant, of King's Island- the only island on Waskesiu Lake. South Bay is a beautiful, rustic beach with trails and several fire pits for barbequing. We have never gone there as a family, but I think I will have to put it on the list for the summer. I think a little exploring and marshmallow roasting is just what we need when school is out.

Grass On The River, Waskesiu

Grass On The River, Waskesiu

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

When I was on my two day getaway last month I was really surprised to discover how much grass is growing in the shallow, rocky parts of the Waskesiu River. The river is different every time I see it- it is constantly changing and as a result it is always interesting to paint.

Happily, this painting sold at Art Trek!

Art Trek 2015

This is happening today! Please join the event and tell all your friends... let's make this the busiest trek ever! You can find me at the Studio On 20th which is location E on the map...

A. Artists’ Workshop - Grace Westminster Church, 505 10th Street E
B. Textile Arts Group - Grace Westminster Church, 505 10th Street E. (basement)

C. The Artists’ Loft - 617 Main Street
D. 330 Design Group - 330 Avenue G South (lower level)
E. The Studio On 20th - 236A 20th Street W.
F. MIX Artists’ Collective – 212 20th Street W. (The Green Ark)
G. BAM (Bridges Art Movement) – 229 20th Street W.
H. Studio 5 – Fifth floor, 331 1st Ave. N. (Charter House Building)
I. Lauriston Street Studios – 510 Lauriston Street

Prairie Intensity

Prairie Intensity

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

Here is the last of the five new paintings I recently delivered to Lifestyles. It is a scene I have painted once before in a 6x6" format. I personally love the intensity of the dark storm set against the bright canola field. I hope you do too.

McPhee Lake

McPhee Lake

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

I've never painted McPhee Lake, but this time on my way home from my weekend retreat in Waskesiu I stopped on the side of Highway 264 and took some photos. I really drank in the sights- it was very pretty, especially the foreground with the interesting dried grasses and dead, stick-like trees. I'll revisit this subject again, I'm sure.

King's Island, Waskesiu

King's Island, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery

A couple of weekends ago, when I went for a quick retreat to Waskesiu, I decided to head to South Bay to paint a full view of King's Island. It was just me, a large family of Canada geese, a gigantic black raven and a dead fish on the shore. So very serene and tranquil. I painted a little 6x6 that I still haven't posted yet, but it looks like this. I liked the 6x6 so much that I decided to use it as a study to paint this 8x8 version for the Lifestyles store.

King's Island is named for Prime Minister MacKenzie King who had a cabin on the mainland looking at this island. I don't believe that cabin is still there. I have painted this island only once before from shots taken on the boat, so they were partial island images. Below is one of them...

West End, King's Island

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2013

sold

King's Island is the only island on Waskesiu Lake, so it deserves some decent props for being a unique place to picnic and explore.

Grass Dance

Grass Dance

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

I thought I would paint a fresh, new prairie scene for the Lifestyles store. This one struck a chord with Darrell's staff. I hope it strikes a chord with his customers too!

Main Beach, Waskesiu

Main Beach, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

Last weekend I delivered five new paintings to Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery after they had a busy month of May for me. I love painting these panels and I look forward to finding new subjects and inspiration for them.

The title of this painting gives the location away, but hopefully even without the title anyone who knows Waskesiu would recognize this view. At the main beach, if you stand on the boardwalk by the public washrooms and look to the left, this is what you see- a small cluster of pine trees near the playground and the boat dock and breakwater jutting out into the lake. In the distance you can see Prospect Point (otherwise known as "Snob Hill") where the golf course is... as well as some of the largest cottages in the park. It is a pretty classic Waskesiu scene... so I decided to paint it. Maybe it will make the perfect keepsake for someone after a visit to our province, or maybe it will make a perfect Father's Day gift for someone who loves Waskesiu.

Hydrangea And Lemon

Hydrangea And Lemon

21.5 x 15.75"

acrylic, oil and oil pastel on watercolour paper

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

This is the last of the new still life work I have to show you. It is the fifth and final piece I have in the group show at Hues Art Supply- and it happens to be my favorite. I shelled out a pretty penny on all of the fresh flowers I got for the still lifes, but it was well worth it. The beautiful colours, shapes and smells inspired me; they helped take me to a new place. I love this painting. I hope it catches someone's eye and finds a new home, but if it doesn't I am starting to look at my walls to figure out where it could go.

Fresh Flowers

Fresh Flowers

19.5 x 13"

acrylic, oil, oil pastel on terraskin

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

This is the quirkiest experiment that came out of my painting sessions in preparation for the show at Hues Art Supply. I actually took my glasses off and just played. Things were blurry and I felt disoriented, but it was fun and a unique challenge.

Bridget and I hung the show yesterday morning with Paul (store owner) and it came together really well. Jackie had a stockpile of similar frames that we used and I think they helped to tie the work together and make the exhibition cohesive. It was a little hard to photograph because most pieces are under glass, but hopefully you get the idea.

White Bucket Bouquet

White Bucket Bouquet

20 x 16"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2015

Bridget Aitken, Jacqueline Faye Miller and myself have been working hard the last several months to pull together a unique show for Hues Art Supply. Our friend Paul Trottier owns and runs this new art supply store in Saskatoon and we are thrilled that he has made a commitment to support local artists by showcasing their work in his beautiful space. This morning Bridget and I are hanging the show and I feel really excited about the paintings the three of us have produced. We stretched and grew and laid it out there as best we could. I hope you may have some interest in checking it out. Please keep in mind that the artists' reception is on Saturday, June 20th from 2-4 p.m. and we would love to see you there.

Coming soon... photos of the artwork in the gallery space.