Merry Holidays!

untitled (Wonderland)

24 x 18"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, ~2009

NFS

I painted this a long time ago - before I ever had a studio space of my own, but it isn't dated on the back, nor titled or signed, so I have to make an educated guess as to when I might have done it. It is also acrylic and on a thin canvas, neither of which I use any more. I brought it home with the intention of throwing it out, but my youngest son intervened and wants to hang it in his bedroom which is so sweet. I have decided to call it "Wonderland".

All the best to everyone who keeps tabs on my blog and artistic endeavors. I am constantly humbled, and slightly bewildered but extremely grateful, that anyone other than my parents might be interested. 

In 2019, may you find and pursue a passion you love.

With gratitude,

Nicki

A Moment of Grace

A Moment Of Grace

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

LOVE this one! Delivered last Friday to Assiniboia Gallery in Regina. 

Trying to capture the moment when the setting sun delivers such wonder that you, as a mere human, must stop everything to watch and you realize how lucky you are to be here on this earth as a witness to it all.

Turquoise Transition

Turquoise Transition

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

Playing with a soft turquoise and periwinkle colour palette and some thick-ish paint here and there on this one. 

The grid of my 8x8's at Darrell Bell Gallery has gift ideas galore for the special person on your list... and if my art isn't your cup o' tea, there are so many more pieces of art to choose from by some extremely talented artists. On Saturday they will be serving tasty treats to anyone who pops in, so if that doesn't motivate you to check it out, I don't know what will!

Winter Dreams

Winter Dreams

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

 

A little winter nocturne for you.

Wolf Willow and Wild Grasses

Wolf Willow and Wild Grasses

10 x 10"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Assiniboia Gallery

A prairie scene from Bridget's acreage this fall.

Navy Blue Marsh

Navy Blue Marsh

6x6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold

A snippet of Saskatchewan.

Sometimes on a bright but windy day, the dugouts and marshes take on a deep, dark blue colour.

Into The Twilight

Into The Twilight

30 x 24"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

A moody scene at dusk near the Ski Beach at Waskesiu; bright and intense sunlight burning through the silhouetted trees. 

The motivation for this painting came after I painted "Silver Twilight" in September as part of my daily painting project for the Assiniboia Gallery's booth at Art Now. I immediately knew I had to take it up in scale and Jeremy (the owner of Assiniboia Gallery) agreed. I love the vertical orientation and how this format lends itself to the height of the trees.

"Into The Twilight" was delivered (still wet) to the Assiniboia Gallery yesterday with four other smaller pieces.... hopefully just in time to make the perfect gift for someone!

Marks of a Farmer

Marks of a Farmer

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

This is a familiar sight if you live on the prairies: tracks in fields of wheat. Thank you to all of the farmers who make their marks on the land.

Turquoise Sunset

Turquoise Sunset

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

A new colour combo for a sunset reflection. 

This 8x8 and a grid of twenty-four others are at Darrell Bell Gallery ready to fill your gift-giving needs!

Neutral Storm

Neutral Storm

6x6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold

Swelling storm clouds over the prairie, but not yet dark and ominous.

Late Afternoon Backlighting

Late Afternoon Backlighting

6x6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold

I still love this colour palette and most recently used it on "Pewter and Platinum Glow" which pre-sold before Open Studio. I do believe these colours have not seen the last of me.

Forest Clearing

Forest Clearing

6x6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold

A new product was used on the underpainting of "Forest Clearing"- Transparent Earth Red Fast Matte by Gamblin. And by fast they mean  fast! It's an oil paint but the drying time has been kicked up and I swear it was almost dry in an hour. I really loved the colour of this earthy red so I left quite a bit of it glowing through in the distant forest. Really happy with this one turned out.

Under The Big Blue

Under The Big Blue

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

So Saskatchewan.

Wet Earth At Sunrise

Wet Earth at Sunrise

6x6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available

I had to make this one up. Other than the winter when the sun comes up at 9:00 a.m., let's just say I don't see the sun rise very often.

Misty

Misty

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Brushstrokes and thicker paint: things I am going to experiment with more in the coming year. Interesting energy in this sky because of those two things.

Distant Wheat and Wild Grasses

Distant Wheat and Wild Grasses

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

There are lots of gift options down at Darrell Bell Gallery right now and there are several 8x8's displayed that I haven't posted yet, so my goal is to show them in the next several days.

I enjoy the calm, simplicity of this prairie scene, it's perfect for someone who loves Saskatchewan.

Available at Small Paintings Show in Calgary

  

 all images © Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Webster Galleries in Calgary

A Bold Ending

20x20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Webster Galleries in Calgary

Here is the selection of work available at Webster Galleries in Calgary in the Small Paintings Show on now until December 15th. Possibly some gift ideas here!

Charlotte's Sky: A Personal Fav Still Available

Charlotte's Sky

36 x 48"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Assiniboia Gallery

Gosh I love this painting. I think it would make a fabulous Christmas present for someone!

New 6x6's for Open Studio!

A sampling of brand 

new 6x6's 

available at Open Studio

© Nicki Ault, 2018

I have been so busy with other things that paintings my 6x6's tends to get put on the back-burner. The last time I painted any would have been for the daily painting project I did for Art Now two months ago. It's always fun to have some on hand for Open Studio, so I have been taking a break from large work to ensure I have my display boards filled for Sunday's Open Studio. Above are nine new ones, but there are more, so please come and see them in person!

Big News! Calgary Listen Up!

Nightfall

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Webster Galleries in Calgary

There has been an exciting development in my little art world over the last three weeks. I have been approached by Webster Galleries in Calgary! As a result I envision a little road trip in my near future as I have lots to learn about the art scene in that great city. 

Webster Galleries has been around for thirty plus years and the original owner, John Webster, recently sold his well-established business and retired. The new owner, Paula Cook (she is bursting with enthusiasm), relocated the gallery and reopened in September. That is the Coles Notes version anyway. I am anxious to learn more and to see it all in person. I believe the next step for me is to stretch my wings beyond my province, I just need to make sure the timing is right. The last year and a half were so incredibly busy that a slower pace has a certain appeal, and being sick for two months really drove home the need for balance.

I have been candid with Paula about all of this and I certainly appreciate how understanding she has been. In the meantime she has invited me to be part of the Webster Galleries Small Paintings Show opening on November 30th! I am filled with joy that she is so excited about my art. Thankfully the rotating postal strike did not affect the box I shipped and the gallery is now in possession of nine of my paintings! If you are in Calgary or surrounding area I would love it if you would pop in and let me know what you think. There is an opening for the Small Paintings show on November 30th from 3:00-6:00 and the exhibition runs until December 15th.

Here are links to the paintings in the show and the biography they have on their website for me.

Please share this news if you have connections in Calgary. Many thanks!

The Only Road

The Only Road

8 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available

I did this at the landscape workshop I did in September with Doug Swinton. I pretty much love it. Doug told me to put a cooler blue at the horizon to push the distant area back... cool colours recede and warm colours come forward. I knew that yet loved seeing how his brain implemented this understanding and hearing him talk about it fired me up with some exciting revelations.

"The Only Road" will be available at our Open Studio on Sunday...

 

Hope to see you there!

Pewter and Platinum Glow

Pewter and Platinum Glow

30 x 40"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold

A few last minute tweaks on this one after a quick critique from Bridget, my studio mate, and it is done! 

This new sky will be at our Open Studio on Sunday and I would love for you to see it in person, so please come! Details below...

Severe Weather Warning (Again) and Makeover Monday!

Severe Weather Warning

(after)

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available 

This is the third and final redo on this painting. I first reworked it this spring when I decided the field was a bit too bright. I felt better about it, but ultimately, as I lived with this updated version, the sky didn't have the presence I felt it should have for a painting called "Severe Weather Warning". A couple of weeks ago, as I was puttering around trying to decide what to paint, I realized the horizon line on this one needed to drop down so the sky would feel more ominous. I also darkened the distant sky to add to the feeling of an impending storm and to create more depth to the piece. This is the final incarnation of "Severe Weather Warning". This is where the buck stops. It will not change again. 

Below you will find the first "makeover" and then the original painting:

Severe Weather Warning

(after first makeover)

Severe Weather Warning

(original)

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The Blues, Waskesiu and Open Studio!

 The Blues, Waskesiu

20 x 20"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

That sun is back there somewhere, ending the day behind heavy storm clouds.

On Sunday, November 25 the studio where I paint will be open from 11-5 for our big annual Open Studio Art  Show and Sale!. We only open twice a year, so now's your chance to meet the artists and see where we work. Please come and tell your friends!

Going Out Strong

Going Out Strong

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

One word.

Impact.

Prairie Clarity

Prairie Clarity

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

This one is calm, cool and, hopefully one day, collected. Ha!

Summer Storm At Northside

Summer Storm at Northside

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

July 18, 2018 - I have never seen anything like this storm!

The Power of Light

The Power of Light

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

In these troubled times, when our world seems increasingly dark and divided, I find myself gravitating to themes of light in my paintings; glowing, hopeful beacons that will show us the way to a brighter day.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. 

Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” 

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Swinton Sky

Swinton Sky

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I painted this at the Doug Swinton workshop in September. It was overall very blue and cool in its colouring and temperature. Doug came around to my easel when I thought it was almost finished and suggested I put some warmer colors at the horizon to add interest, which I did... and voila! Instantly interesting! I also popped a bit of warmth up into the clouds for cohesion.

I like the energy in this one.

Moon Light

Moon Light

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

Warm light fading, cool air settling in and the crescent moon witnessing it all.

Escape The Day

Escape The Day

30 x 24"

acrylic and oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I worked on the under-painting for this piece when I went out to my studio mate's acreage for one night in the summer. For the first time I used a tube of metallic copper acrylic paint and when I got back to working on it in September, I made every effort to keep the copper showing through as I painted the top layers in oil. It is a striking piece!

Rain-Soaked

Rain-Soaked

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Assiniboia Gallery

Earlier this year after a good rain when things started looking really fresh and green.

Dark Marsh

Dark Marsh

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I made this up from memories.

A Clear Winter's Night

A Clear Winter's Night

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Experimental night scene. It's hard to see on the screen, but the under-painting was a bright fuchsia, so some of the tiny stars actually glow pink. Also, snow.

Amber Sunset

Amber Sunset

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Playing with some of the concepts that struck a chord with me at Doug Swinton's workshop a month ago: thicker paint, warm and cool colours, expressive marks. Me likey.

Carefree

Carefree

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

Wide open Saskatchewan.

My Moonlit Reverie

My Moonlit Reverie

36 x 36"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

The reflection in this one glows, GLOWS I tell you! It's big and it feels modern! Check it out in the group show "Painting the Landscape" at Darrell Bell Gallery on until November 10th.

You know when you have a painting that has to be delivered the next day? You have been working madly on it for days and finally at ten o'clock on that last night before delivery you are exhausted and you think, "It's okay. It will do. It's done." You know when that happens, right? So you tidy your space, go wash your brushes and then you walk back into your studio, look at your painting and you think, "Eff that! Okay is not good enough!" Next thing you know you are picking up brushes again and take a massive risk by completely overhauling the sky from ice-cream-scoop-looking clouds to moody, ethereal, moonlit clouds. The painting goes from "okay" to awesome because now the sky makes sense with the mood of the painting. 

You know when that happens?

Yeah, me too because that's what happened with this painting.

Boreal Forest

Boreal Forest

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This was an experiment. The underpainting and initial sketch on the panel was done in an intense magenta. I love the pops of that colour coming through the various greens.

Star Bright

Star Bright

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I have had plenty of fun exploring night scenes and dusky scenes in the last year. It is a way for me to inject colour into the landscape and to use my imagination in my art since I can't take a good photo in the light at night to use as reference.

For this painting I was thinking of the rhyme "Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight..." and wanted to create an image of that first star appearing in the last few moments of a spectacular, but fading sunset.

Can you see the little star?

September Lines

September Lines

20 x 20"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

All Rights Reserved

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

The opening at the gallery last night was lots of fun despite a glitchy elevator situation. People came, people laughed, people enjoyed the art... and some pieces sold including this little landscape of mine. To be honest this is not an accurate photo, but it is the best I could get. The sky is actually more purple than blue and the wheat field really glows in the light. 

I was extraordinarily touched by a friend who, with tears in her eyes, purchased "September Lines" last night. She told me that this image was exactly a moment she remembered experiencing. The painting represented "the moment" she held in her memory and her reaction to it was intense and emotional. I did not ask her what it reminded her of because I honestly felt like it was so personal that a busy gallery was not the place to ask her to elaborate. Also, it was quite likely none of my business.

I am continually and profoundly motivated by reactions like these where someone connects to the light, energy, mood and emotion I try to portray through my art using landscape as a subject. It has become a real driving force. And I am grateful.

Sparkling Water, Waskesiu River

Sparkling Water, Waskesiu River

30 x 40"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Oh, this one makes me happy.

The water. The water turned out.

Come see it in person at the opening of "Painting The Landscape" TODAY from 5-8 pm at Darrell Bell Gallery. So excited!