Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Rippling Reflection

Rippling Reflection
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Gentle, rippling waves that catch the colours of the sunset. My kind of peace and quiet.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Bottom Heavy Cloud

Bottom Heavy Cloud
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

A bottom heavy cloud, weighed down by rain.

Sometimes I feel a little bottom heavy, weighed down by chips and dip.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Cloud Stack

Cloud Stack
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This one is a bit of a cloud pile-up! A stack o' clouds if you will!

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Prairie Layers II

Prairie Layers II
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

As you look across the prairie landscape into the distance often your eye passes what seem like rows of different types of foliage and plant life; wild grasses in the ditch, cattails, thistles, dandelions, wheat, canola and flax if you are lucky.

Prairie layers.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Disappearing

Disappearing
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Calm water and the glow of the setting sun. You can almost hear it sizzle as it dips below the horizon.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Stubble

Stubble
10 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina

The bleached out stubble left on the field at the end of the season. Soft. Simple. Swoon.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Woods

The Woods
12 x 12"
oil on cradled panel
 © Nicki Ault, 2017
available at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina


This was created en plein air last month when I went for a two night painting retreat up north. Usually in September I take a weekend and help clean up my parents cabin for the winter and do a little painting, but this year the cabin was closed a bit early so I was unable to use it. A few years ago I had heard about a place that sounded great near Christopher and Emma Lakes - Flora Bora Forest Lodging - so I phoned and left a message to see if there was any availability. She called back later that afternoon to say that right after I left my message, someone else called and cancelled for the two nights I wanted! Done and done!

So what is this place, you ask? Yurts!!! In the forest! There are two of them and, although they are not far from each other or civilization itself, they felt very secluded. I loved my yurt and my fire pit area and my hammocks. The trail through the forest on the property was gorgeous; the light coming through the trees on the first morning was glorious, especially with the yellows, golds, oranges and reds of the fall leaves. The property is nestled on the edge of Tuddles Lake, so there is a dock and canoes to use.

Me and my yurt! 
Look at it glow like the little piece of heaven that it is!
© Nicki Ault, 2017

Each yurt can sleep four with a queen bed and a pull out couch, but personally I think that would be a bit tight for four adults. It would be so much fun to rent both yurts and go up with three other people to paint and explore. Maybe next year. I know for sure I will go again. And again. And again!

inside my yurt 
(behind the kitchenette wall is the washroom)
© Nicki Ault, 2017

nighttime at my yurt
© Nicki Ault, 2017

not a bad fire for a city girl!
© Nicki Ault, 2017

painting "The Woods" in the woods
© Nicki Ault, 2017

Flora Bora
© Nicki Ault, 2017

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

The Journey - The Big Commish is Done!

The Journey
40 x 60"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold
(commission)

This was a long road, so to speak. And in a good way.

Last December I was thrilled and honoured to be asked to create a painting based on a stunning photo by professional photographer, Les Chelle. My clients had originally hoped to enlarge his photograph (with his permission) on a large scale, but the resolution of the photo didn't work for the size they wanted. At that point they approached me with the idea of painting the scene. Since I use my own resource photos for my work, I wasn't sure I would feel connected enough to someone else's photo to tackle the project. Once I saw the image however, it felt like home. A grid road under a prairie sunset was familiar, yet a welcome challenge at a size I had never tackled before.

I fully respect the fact that a photographer owns the copyright to their images, as do all artists, so I would only take on the project if Les gave his consent, and happily for my clients, he did.

What you see in this painting is my interpretation of his image, coupled with ideas from the lovely duo who had a vision for a statement piece for their home.

And they are lovely, these two people. They are lovely. When I say I was honoured to be asked to do this for them, I do not say that lightly. I was indeed honoured.

I have known him, actually, since I was a child in elementary school. He was a grade ahead of me and a friend of my older sister. After all this time he and his lovely bride found me on Facebook and have been huge supporters and advocates of my work over the last several years. Their story is beautiful. 

They met around Valentine's, were engaged about two weeks later and married within six months. This is the second marriage for both of them, they each had small children when they met, and together they have a wonderful son. They have been together for seventeen years now and if ever there was a story to prove the existence of soul mates, it would be theirs.

This painting is more than just a country road to them. It symbolizes the road they are traveling together and the journey to which they have committed as partners in life. It is not perfect; it is slightly rugged and overgrown, it is beautiful and vast, it is intimate and quiet, and it is long and focused.

I am pleased to say they picked up the painting on Sunday and it has made its journey home to Alberta where I hope it brings them years upon years of joy and contemplation.

© Nicki Ault, 2017

I always listen to music when I paint. This large canvas took many hours, so I heard a lot of music and lyrics during my work time. I happened to play one song quite frequently because the words suited the story of the painting; a journey of a couple going through life together. Click the link in the below title to hear the song.



"I went traveling on a road
I noticed there were flowers by the way
I bent to pick some flowers from the road
You said it's best to leave those flowers where they lay
And then I saw the roses in your smile
And lilies danced as hand in hand the miles passed by

We went traveling on the road
I noticed there were stones along the way
I bent to move the boulders from the road
You said it's best to leave those pebbles where they lay
And then I saw the patience in your smile
And hand in hand we danced as the miles passed by

We were traveling on the road
I noticed there was gold along the way
I bent to pick the treasure off the road
You said its best to leave those pennies where they lay
And then I saw the riches in your smile
And rich as kings we danced as the miles passed by

Now I'm traveling on the road
And you're no longer here to lead the way
I bent under my grief down on the road
But it's best to leave those tears where they lay
And soon I found your image in my heart
And lilies dance as step by step the miles pass by

This marks the end of my journey with this painting. I hope it is all they want it to be. And I am filled with gratitude that they trusted me to create it for them.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Power Post of New 8x8"s at Darrell Bell Gallery

© Nicki Ault, 2017

I keep giggling because I can't get these paintings up on the blog fast enough. I honestly have about twenty-five blog post "drafts" in a queue; posts that show you the work I have been delivering to Darrell Bell Gallery and Assiniboia Gallery over the last month. In the past, I have committed one painting to each blog post and it was done in an orderly fashion. These days, however, I am finding it hard to find time to actually do the blog because all things kid-related are amping up as fall activities get underway. Also, I returned to my (very) part-time job after having the summer off and on the other days I get to the studio every single moment I can so I can paint. Oh, and once in awhile I get a load of groceries and handle other domestic chores! Writing on the blog keeps getting pushed down the to-do list.

Anyway, because normally it would take nine days to get nine new paintings on the blog and I don't have that kind of time, I am temporarily condensing the format to bring them all to you in a grid-type teaser! I do this because tomorrow is the opening reception of the new modern art show at Darrell Bell Gallery and Darrell has graciously reinstalled my grid of paintings in the back part of the street level gallery and actually made it even bigger than ever! I also got word late yesterday that four paintings sold and they need more to replenish the voids so the grid is full for the opening! Yikes and hooray!

So today, between soccer games and basketball games, I will be painting... muchos!

Friday, October 20, 2017

May I Introduce To You, Laura Payne!

Hex XX
© Laura Payne, 2016

Not only do I love making art, I love collecting it! And not only do I love collecting it, but I love taking a break from blathering on about myself, *yawn*, to tell you about other artists! I am absolutely ecstatic that this summer I took some of my personal savings (set aside specifically for art) and purchased this stunning creation by Laura Payne. The photo I took doesn't show it, but you can tell by the shadow that it is three dimensional.

Laura is just the loveliest person and I have had the pleasure of getting to know her since she began working at Darrell Bell Gallery. Every interaction with her is delightful and I always enjoy seeing her when I stop in. I knew her for a little while before I realized that she was also an artist. I remember one time Darrell made a joke about Laura's love for stripes and I thought that was kind of cool because a little known fact about me is that I totally love stripes, but then I saw some of her artwork and I realized he was referring to what she creates not necessarily fashion! I knew the minute I saw her work that someday I would find a way to buy a piece and I always thought it would be a striped piece, but when I saw the above creation, "Hex XX", I knew it was mine.

 
© Laura Payne

Laura has had an extremely exciting 2017. Her striking work of art, Enneadec II, was short-listed as one of fifteen finalists in the 19th Annual RBC Emerging Artist Painting Competition. This is a huge and coveted honour. There were 682 applications made to the competition this year! You can see Laura's submission as well as the other fourteen finalists at this link.


© Laura Payne

Laura earned her BFA at Western University (2010) and her MFA at Maryland Institute College of Art (2013). She currently lives in Saskatoon where she works at Darrell Bell Gallery and creates in her home studio.

© Laura Payne

If you happen to be in Saskatoon this weekend or over the next few weeks, stop in to see Laura's work at Darrell Bell Gallery where there is currently a show of modern art installed. You will find Laura's exceptional work at the front of the street level gallery and a spectacular exhibition of Eli Bornstein's work in the fourth floor gallery space (Canada Building, 21st Street). This is all coinciding with the exciting opening of the Remai Modern in Saskatoon this weekend!

© Laura Payne

Another super cool development is that Laura's work recently captured the attention of Danielle Krysa who is the well known art blogger of "The Jealous Curator" and author of the book "Your Inner Critic Is A Big Jerk" (which I own because I wanted to come to terms with my inner critic who is a real jackass). Check out this post about Laura on her blog!

© Laura Payne

There is something in my gut that says Laura is one to watch. Unfortunately my photos do not do her art justice, but hopefully they have you intrigued enough to click the links- especially to her website - where she has better images. In person, they are something to behold. This young woman is on her way! 

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Canola At The Crossroads

Canola At The Crossroads
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I think this one is still available at Darrell Bell Gallery, but to be honest, I don't know. I will get an updated inventory list soon so I can be on top of the situation. I actually found out last Saturday that Darrell decided to keep a grid of my work up for the new show that just started today. Initially he thought it might be a bit smaller than the one he created for "Painting The Landscape", but I found out on Thursday (two days ago!) that it will, in fact, be bigger! There will be a grid of twenty-five of my 8x8 paintings in the back space of the street level gallery. As a result I am delivering eight new pieces today to replenish the stocks! Thankfully there were still some pieces on hand from last month's show as well as pieces I delivered earlier this summer, but I will continue to paint more with the hopes that there will continue to be interest in the work.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Friday, October 13, 2017

Cloud Extravaganza Over Wheat

Cloud Extravaganza Over Wheat
10 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina

Well, this little baby sold before I could get it posted! I have produced a lot of work in the last couple of months and I am having trouble remembering what I have shown and what I haven't. I need to fine tune my system!

While I was working at the studio yesterday morning I received a text from the Assiniboia Gallery and as we were chatting, Jeremy suddenly said they just sold four paintings right then and there! I think I lost consciousness for a split second! I am beyond thrilled and terribly grateful.

In the one month that I have been with Assiniboia Gallery they have sold nine paintings! Here is my artist profile on their website...


A bit hard to see I realize, but there are nine red dots out of a possible eleven! Crazy!

Speaking of red dots, I am stunned by the response to my art at Darrell Bell Gallery's show "Painting The Landscape". Darrell and his team sold thirteen 8x8's and five large paintings for me!



 

 

There is a cool story attached to one of the large pieces that sold. On the evening of the reception, someone in attendance really connected with my work. She went home, looked me up online, found my blog, read that I also had work at Boffins, went directly over to look at the work and phoned the gallery that night to purchase "Sky Over Canola"!

Sky Over Canola
24 x 36"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery in Saskatoon

I am having so much fun right now! I want to paint all the time and I want to get better with each painting. I have worked hard - really hard - and it is so exciting to feel like things are coming together. There have been some serious lows along the way and right now I am experiencing some serious highs. I expect at some point the lows will come again and when they do I will persevere and work hard to come out the other side a better artist. I am humbled and overwhelmed by those who support me, who are excited about my art and who are helping make my dreams happen: my family, my friends, my art colleagues, collectors and my two favourite galleries!

Today, I paint!!!

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

September on Valley Road

September on Valley Road
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

I have missed doing 6x6's! While I was at the yurt a week ago I did two and I definitely have plans to do more. It's time to get gearing up for Open Studio next month. I have loads on my plate right now and I couldn't be happier about it because it's all painting related! I am itching to get all of these ideas and images out of my head and on canvas. If anyone knows how to add more hours to the day, please let me know!

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Milky Way

Milky Way
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery
  
The 8x8's were a hit at "Painting The Landscape"! The show is down now and I think there were only six or seven left of the original twenty. Darrell wants to keep a big grid up for the next show. They will be in a different location in the street level gallery and I will be painting more to replace the ones that sold. Fun!

Monday, October 9, 2017

Nightfall

Nightfall
10 x 10"
oil on cardled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
available at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina

Still lovin' these reflections. A Bunch. I've got plans for more. The biggest size so far on this series has been 24x36". I say I kick it up a notch! What do you think?

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Brisk Day At Kapasiwin

Brisk Day At Kapasiwin
10 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina

It is not hard to find a day with wind in Saskatchewan, and although often up north in lake-land the days begin very calm, by the afternoon the winds usually pick up. Sometimes so much so that there are whitecaps on a sunny day. Bright, happy, light sky on top; churning, loud, intense water below.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Exquisite Release of the Day

Exquisite Release of the Day
10 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina

The sky just moments before was unassuming, not boring but not spectacular. In the blink of an eye this glorious colour was unleashed. It was exquisite. And the day let go.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Choppy Waters

Choppy Waters
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

​This was so fun to paint. I liked experimenting with the brushstrokes to try to get the effect of rough, choppy water and I think the greenish tinge adds to the mood of the wind-blown day. this was the first 8x8 I completed for "Painting The Landscape".

There are two days left to view the show, so if you have time, please check it out. The gallery hours are 11-5 Wednesday to Saturday. Here is the invitation again. The reception date has obviously passed, but the other information remains the same with the show ending on October 7th.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Waskesiu Sunlight

Waskesiu Sunlight
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

For me, this river never gets old or boring to paint. I have all sorts of new photos to work from after my weekend up north at the yurt; photos with glorious fall colours and different viewpoints. Oh, it's going to be a good winter of painting! This Waskesiu River painting is in the group show "Painting The Landscape", details below.

There are three days left to view the show, so if you have time, please check it out. The gallery hours are 11-5 Wednesday to Saturday. Here is the invitation again. The reception date has obviously passed, but the other information remains the same with the show ending on October 7th.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Crescent


Crescent
8 x8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This painting sold soon after I delivered it to Darrell Bell Gallery for the show "Painting The Landscape". I really love it, and apparently Darrell did too, because he is the one who purchased it! Look for the soft little crescent moon near the treeline.

There are four days left to view the show, so if you have time, please check it out. The gallery hours are 11-5 Wednesday to Saturday. Here is the invitation again. The reception date has obviously passed, but the other information remains the same with the show ending on October 7th.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Canola Fading

Canola Fading
8 x 8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This summer I was acutely aware of farmland! In particular, I took mental note of the changes in the canola crops from the fresh, light yellow of the flowers first blooming, to the full-blown spectacle of the intense yellow fields in all their glory, to the pale and greenish colour as the petals started to fall off the mature plants. Quite frankly, I sometimes feel like I am a bit pale and greenish colour as I mature, but that's a post for another day. Anyhoo, this painting is an ode to canola in its final act; beautiful, subdued and dignified.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Jewel-Toned Sunset

Jewel-Toned Sunset
10 x 10"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina

In the first week of my art being represented by Assiniboia Gallery in Regina, they sold four paintings! I do believe this is a start of a very good thing! This watery sunset reflection is there, as is another one. Click this link to see my profile on their website. All prices include framing although you can purchase the painting without the frame.

On another note, I just spent the weekend at a yurt! I will write more about that spontaneous adventure soon. I had no wifi, so I was somewhat off the grid and couldn't blog about it, but I used a bit of data to post images in my Instagram and Facebook. Click on the links/icons to those pages on the right side of this blog.