Thursday, March 30, 2017

Ablaze (Painting Makeover)

Ablaze
16 x 16"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

As I mentioned the other day when I posted the painting makeover of "Spring Fever", I have several pieces at the studio that I have come to severely dislike. They are paintings I don't feel good enough about to sell, but at the same time I feel there is something salvageable contained in them. Even if it is just a hint of their former selves.

"Ablaze" is my most recent painting makeover. It is quite the transformation from what it was before. In fact, it has two former versions...  this one which is under the above image where the intense reds and oranges show through in the sunset.


And this one which is under the red and orange "Ablaze".


A crazy evolution! This painting has been on a roller coaster, but I love where it ended up... and so did someone else because it is on hold! I posted it on Instagram and it was put on hold quite quickly. I am posting my painting makeovers on Instagram on Mondays (I'm calling it Makeover Monday), but my blog is not synced up to that yet. Next week I should be. Please check out my Instagram if you haven't yet. I am nicki.ault.studio or you can click on the link at the top right-hand side of this blog which will take you to my page. It is fun over there! I find I post more spontaneous studio things on that site. As always, thank you for checking in here, on Facebook and hopefully on "Insta".

You da best!!!


Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Setting Star - Silent Auction

Setting Star
12 x 12
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

This week I have donated these two paintings to a silent auction at my son's high school. They will be part of the Arts Night fundraiser he and his classmates are putting on in preparation for their big trip next month... to New York City! Yes, you heard me right. Long story, but in Grade Eight he applied and was accepted into a great Grade Nine program at a high school in our city. It has been a year of growth and discovery for him. His world has branched out and will open up even more to him after this trip. I am enormously proud of him. He is a caring, smart, funny, respectful, honest and loving person. I will be a wreck for the six days he is away, but honestly, I just know that when he sees more of what the world has to offer him he will be even more motivated than ever.

I just painted "Setting Star" specifically for this auction and "Riffle On The River, Waskesiu" was a painting I had on hand that I hope will resonate with the crowd. It is mounted in a white shadow box.

Riffle On The River, Waskesiu
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

Questions about the auction? Just ask. (It is on Thursday evening).

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Spring Fever (Painting Makeover)

Spring Fever
(after)
16 x 20"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available

These days I am reworking a stack of paintings at the studio. I have several pieces that I just don't love, in fact, despise is the word that comes to mind to describe how I feel about them. I am making a last ditch effort to rework each of these canvases; in other words they are getting makeovers. Those that are not elevated in my emotional connection to them from despise to love are headed for the chipper!

"Spring Fever" is the reincarnated version of a much more bland prairie scene (see below) called "Through The Grasslands". I feel like it has been given new life by fresh green colours of Spring. Those harsk, dark, awkward, red branchy shrubs are gone with only a hint of them remaining. The distant horizon is softer and the overall feel is no longer remorse. Now, to me, it looks like how the air smells in Spring!

I think I love it.

 Through The Grasslands
(before)
© Nicki Ault, 2015

Friday, March 24, 2017

Amidst It All

Amidst It All
48 x 30"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

I am so excited about this painting! SO excited. It is now the largest from the prairie series I began experimenting with last fall and it very well may be my favourite! There are layers and layers built up to create the depth of the branches and fluttering leaves. At times I would think it was done, then come back to the studio a day or two later and realize I needed to add more leaves or branches. The other day, after I added the light pale yellow leaves to the bottom right-hand corner, I finally felt like I could not do another thing that would make me love this painting more.

That is a good feeling.

Note: at the Open Studio in November I had a conversation with a new client (she bought two paintings that day) about my plan to create this large prairie painting based on the others I had done so far in the series. She was intrigued and I told her I would contact her when it was complete. After viewing an initial image I emailed her, it is on hold until she can see it in person on Monday. I will update this post after that as to whether it is available or sold.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Eventide At Auction This Sunday!

Eventide
20 x 24"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available at auction March 26

All of the important details can be found on the below poster for the auction this coming Sunday, March 26. This is a live auction and if you have never been to one you should come- they can be very exciting! The money raised will go to support the vital work of the Saskatoon Sexual Health Centre. To see some of the art besides my painting "Eventide" that will be up for bid, please click on this link to the auction's "Facebook Event".

Look who is catering the auction -----> Ayden Kitchen and Bar! Y-yum! And cocktails are sponsored by Lucky Bastard Distillers! Those two things right there are worth the price of admission! Please come and support both this local organization and the great roster of local artists!


P.S. As a side note, tomorrow I will be unveiling a new, big painting- the biggest yet of the prairie series I started last fall. Can't wait!

Monday, March 20, 2017

Sundown

Sundown
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available exclusively at Darrell Bell Gallery (main level)
sold

Abstract reflections. I love painting them. I am going to take this water series to new heights (I hope) in the near future. Or at least larger scale.

This is the last of the ten new paintings I recently delivered to Darrell Bell Gallery (main level) and if I am not mistaken about five of them are already sold! That makes me crazy happy! I just want to paint and paint and paint!!! Thank you!

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Glimmer

Glimmer
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available exclusively at Darrell Bell Gallery (main level)
sold
 
The glowing reflection of the sun was rather striking, almost neon... and hard to paint!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Hanging Heart Lake

Hanging Heart Lake
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

Memories of this spot abound. And now it is a place where my kids will have memories. It is a view of the point at the marina of the Hanging Heart Lakes (there are three Heart Lakes). Ducks everywhere! And a lovely hike from the parking lot of the marina through the forest to the tip of this point. There is an old, old home-made wooden bench on the hill behind the trees which overlooks the bay. The bench is rather spectacular in the sense that it has been reclaimed by nature; moss and carpenter ants have had their way with it.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Fleeting Light

Fleeting Light
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

I love the glowing yellow light that shines through the leaves of a backlit forest.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Afterglow

Afterglow
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available exclusively at Darrell Bell Gallery (main level)
sold

I love painting these waterscapes (I just made that word up).

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Sun-Kissed Clouds

Sun-Kissed Clouds
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available exclusively at Darrell Bell Gallery (main level)
sold


Similar composition to the big commish I finished and shipped to Portland last month. Happily this fella has already sold at Darrell Bell Gallery.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Lush

Lush
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available exclusively at Darrell Bell Gallery (main level)
sold

Dreaming of the lush greens of spring.

Monday, March 13, 2017

It's Over

It's Over
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

I love this sky. Love it.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Quiet Is The Day

Quiet Is The Day
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

Three of the ten paintings I delivered to Darrell Bell Gallery on Friday are inspired by the twinkling, sparkling, glistening watery reflections of the sunset in northern Saskatchewan. I am SO into this subject it isn't even funny. I have learned so much with each of these paintings that I have produced: four 6x6's, three 8x8's and one 20x24, that I feel like I have grown leaps and bounds. If only I could record the conversation I have in my head during the process of discovery. You might find it interesting... or you might be offended by the language! Ha!

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Canola Ripening Under A Sevres Blue Sky

Canola Ripening Under a Sevres Blue Sky
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available at Darrell Bell Gallery
sold

There is something so incredibly Saskatchewan about a canola field, a blue sky and low-swelling clouds. Swoon.

I just delivered ten new paintings to Darrell Bell Gallery on Friday. This is one of them. I am so grateful for their support of my work.

P.S. "Sevres Blue" is the name of a paint by Williamsburg Oils. Me Love.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Spring Cleaning SALE! Yes, I Said SALE!

Rocks, Georgian Bay
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2013
regular $900.00
SALE $450.00
sold

I am extremely excited to announce that our lease has been renewed and I will be painting at the Studio On 20th for the next 3 years! Woo hoooooooo!

On that note, space is ever an issue. Three years ago when we moved out of St. George Studio and into Studio On 20th I purged like crazy! I brought home all of my art books and my inspiration bulletin boards and I threw out awful, horrible, really bad pieces of art that were the worst ever of my efforts. I actually sliced canvases with blades of steel! I was quite ruthless and I needed to be because no longer would I have my own space, but I would be sharing with my good friend, Bridget Aitken. The hoarder tendency in me had to be squelched. 

Now I find myself in a situation where I have paintings on hand that I still really love, but they have already been in shows, both outside of the studio and in. They won't be put in any future exhibits of my work, but they have a special place in my heart and will never meet the ruthless blade of an exacto knife nor will they ever be painted over. (I do have a stack of canvases that I plan to re-work... AKA "paint over"). So what to do when I don't have a place to store them?

I have NEVER done this before. EVER. And I may never do this again! 

It's a huge sale!

Seven paintings only!

I need to make room for all of the paintings that have yet to be created. I am so pumped for what is to come, but I still love some of what was... so as a celebration of sorts I am offering a handful of paintings lovingly held in my "vault" for crazy... and I mean crazy... prices! I hope you connect with something. Please let me know via email if there is anything you want!  First come, first served!   nicki.ault@shaw.ca

The Birch
48" x 30"
acrylic on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold


Little Sumac On Georgian Bay
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2013
regular $900.00
SALE $450.00

Cattails
20" x 24"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2016
regular $595.00
SALE $298.00
sold

Fire In The Belly III
48" x 30"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2016
regular $1440.00
SALE $720.00
sold

 The Shallows, Georgian Bay
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2013
regular $900.00
SALE $ 450.00

 Patchwork Pasture
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2013
regular $555.00
SALE $278.00

Crazy prices on seven paintings... which one do you want? Let's talk!

P.S. And might I mention that if you live in the United States these prices are particularly sweeeeeet!