Gray Skies Over Fairy Island

Gray Skies Over Fairy Island

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2016
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/gray-skies-over-fairy-island/444288

As another summer approaches I find myself missing Emma Lake and the Kenderdine Campus. This little island was right across from the campus and this point could very well be the most painted location in Saskatchewan.

Fire In The Belly III

Fire In The Belly III

48 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2016
sold

The first painting of 2016!

Road Trip!

photo © Nicki Ault, 2016

Yesterday was road trip time! I made a quick journey to Prince Albert to deliver six paintings to the Mann Art Gallery: two paintings each for Kathy Bradshaw, Carol Wylie and myself. A lot of work was rolling in as I unloaded, and I got there at the beginning of day one! I can just imagine how much will accumulate by the end of day two. It will be an enormous job to jury the work and then curate it into the three gallery spaces. As always, my fingers are crossed that my work makes it into the largest and main gallery space. That will be an accomplishment, but regardless, I am pleased that I am taking the chance to show my work alongside some excellent Saskatchewan artists. I hope to make it to the gala on Friday, February 12 and if I do, I will have more photos to share.

Work In Progress

photo © Nicki Ault, 2016

This here is the start of something - the first painting of 2016! It has come a long way since this photo. It has become a moody, broody thing. It is almost done so there will be a reveal photo soon.

In the meantime, the first painting of 2016 has sold! The new owners actually chose it in December, but wanted it framed so the transaction wasn't complete until yesterday. It looked fabulous dressed in its exhibition frame- I wish I took a picture of it before it left the studio. I kind of felt a bit melancholy when it left because it was a painting I loved from my trip to Georgian Bay in 2013 and once I saw it with the frame, it sealed my love for it. But alas, I had promised it to a lovely couple so it was too late to claim it for myself. Luckily I know it will be displayed in a caring, art-loving home. Good-bye "Georgian On My Mind"... 

Georgian On My Mind, Georgian Bay

36 x 36"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

sold

Clear Blue Sky

Clear Blue Sky

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 seven newest paintings you can now find at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery. I love the simple statement it makes about our beautiful prairie landscape. A clear blue sky that goes on forever over a ripe yellow field. Iconic Saskatchewan.

Well friends, last night reality started to settle in. I took my son to a "pre-Collegiate night" to learn about the upcoming processes and decisions around high school registration. When I began this blog he, my oldest, was in Grade Two... and now here I am with a teenager and high school looming. I think I am feeling a bit shell-shocked. Where has the time gone? Everyone warned me that it would go fast, but you just don't realize it until it has happened. Granted we still have a ways to go before he is independent, but this milestone is making me so very aware of the others that are coming: his driver's licence, his first job, a girlfriend, then suddenly it will be Grade Twelve graduation. My head spins. It is all going too fast.

I love my boy...

The Lonely Pine

The Lonely Pine

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This is a place I like to go with my kids or by myself in Waskesiu; Point View just beyond the marina on the highway. It is a great rest stop, picnic spot, photo opportunity and plein air painting location. The beach is not particularly inviting, it is very rocky, but that being said, it makes for good stone skipping and frog catching.

Sunset Clouds Over The Marina, Waskesiu

Sunset Clouds Over The Marina, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold 

Another take on an image I used for a 6x6 back in September, this time slightly larger as an 8x8. I love the gradation of the colours in the sky.

Busy Prairie

Busy Prairie

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery 
sold 

I love how this one turned out. I loved capturing the busy fields on Bridget's newly purchased acreage. I can hardly wait to visit again when the snow melts. It will look different in spring. I can just imagine the greenery, the May flowers, the bees buzzing. It won't be long now- we are on the downward slope of winter. Come to think of it... I should visit in winter!

Driving By The Storm

Driving By The Storm

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

As you drive in the country the foreground rushes by fast, in a blur, but the distant landscape is more clear and focused. In this case the sky was also slightly blurry and hazy with rain clouds which left the middle ground a bit more sharp. 

The Blue Hour, Waskesiu

The Blue Hour, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

sold exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery

Hello! I have missed you! I have missed this blog! I have missed connecting via art!

The turn of the new year took me and my family to Mexico and a lovely family vacation. As a result I have been off the grid and only infrequently checking emails and doing a quick Facebook scroll. I actually prepared six blog drafts before leaving for the holiday, but once in Mexico all was in Spanish so when I tried to log into my account to make a post I did not understand the lengthy security checks Blogger was performing. As a result I had to completely allow myself to let go and take a step back from my art and online self. It was a blessing in disguise because I return utterly excited to start anew and tackle that big white 48x30 inch canvas on my easel at the studio. I am ready!

The above painting is one of the last I did in December and was delivered to Lifestyles just before I left on holiday. I will show you the other five in the coming days and then it will be on to whatever I produce in  the coming year. I hope you will stay tuned to find out.

Here, from my travels, is a relaxing scene of the blue hour in a different part of the world...

 photo © Nicki Ault, 2016

Winter Sunrise

Winter Sunrise

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery
sold 

HaPpY NeW YeAr!!!

It's a new year! What will it bring? What will happen? What will you do? What will I do? Canvases are waiting and I am excited to see what marks are made, not just by me, but by many of you who bravely follow your creative urges and allow us to see your thoughts, moods, ideas, and emotions in a visual way. Thank you for joining me on my journey and thank you to those who let me join theirs. I am not a huge partaker in New Year's festivities, but as the calendar turns I always feel like a new slate is presented and anything can happen. The year is right there in front of us. What will take place? Some of it will be really good, and- truth be told- some might be very bad.

What I know right now is that where my art is concerned I have a few desires and plans. I hope to continue the great relationship I have with Darrell Bell and his Lifestyles store. Yesterday I delivered seven new paintings to restock after a busy holiday season. I have booked a big show at the Faculty Club on campus at the University of Saskatchewan: approximately sixteen large works for four months in 2016. I will enter work in the Mann Art Gallery Winter Festival again and I will show with my colleagues at the studio when we have events in our "home" on 20th Street. A couple of other opportunities are knocking... we will see if they pan out.

Please do stop by occasionally, or even regularly, and see what is happening!