Ominous Sky, Cheerful Field

Ominous Sky, Cheerful Field

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

J'adore.

Ending in a Whisper

Ending in a Whisper

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I posted the roughed-in sketch (below)  of this in November and it sold immediately. She was certain she would love the final version... and she did.

So cool.

Bales and Bales

Bales and Bales

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Hay bales! Man-made objects in my prairie scene!

Burning Sky at Dusk

Burning Sky at Dusk

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

It is not often I love it so much that it makes me want to cry, but here we are. It's a version of "Exquisite Release of the Day" which I painted for the Assiniboia Gallery and which also made me teary. I have plans to do a 20x20 and also perhaps try a larger rectangular version.

Morning on the Grids

Morning on the Grids

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I am so grateful that I was asked to paint the big road commish last year because it has spurred on my new outlook which is: I can paint anything!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I can paint anything well, I'm just saying that it wouldn't hurt me to branch out a little. I used to snub my nose at landscapes containing man-made elements; I wanted to paint my province au naturel. I see now that I might be missing out on some interesting subjects, so this year I am removing all self-inflicted restrictions and I intend to look at my surroundings in a new way. You never know, I may even paint a fence or a canoe!

Last Phase

Last Phase

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

I took liberties with this one. I basically made up the light moving across the land. The reference photo I took was dull and dark in that area, so I added some life. I hope it is believable.

Ombre Sky

Ombre Sky

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

In fashion, they call the look of a colour fading in shade from more intense to less intense, Ombre. You see it in clothing and hair styles among other things. In French, Ombre means shaded. Well, this is my Ombre night sky. I struggled with the little tree. On the one hand I really like it and on the other hand I find it irritating. Once I put the tiny shadow in there it felt less irritating, so I decided to keep it.

Prairie Cleanse

Prairie Cleanse

40 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Okay, it's official! The last painting I posted is actually not the third painting of 2018, but the first!

Ha!

As it turns out, when I got to the studio yesterday I realized the first two paintings were not done and that there were aspects of both that needed work. I made the necessary changes yesterday, this one received quite a drastic change to the land, and now I consider both of them finished. As a result, they are now paintings two and three of 2018 and "Late Afternoon September, Shady Lake" is officially the first painting of the year.

Meet "Prairie Cleanse", painting number two.

Late Afternoon September, Shady Lake

Late Afternoon September, Shady Lake

8 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Look! It's the third painting of 2018!!! 

I have been so excited to see all the posts on FB and Instagram of everyone's "first painting of 2018" that I wanted to jump on board.

"But what happened to the first two?" you might ask. Well, I have been unable to get a good photo of the first two because the light hasn't been right when I have been able to get to the studio (which is not much these days) and they are too large to fit in my lightbox, soooo...

It's the third painting of 2018!

Also, I am not totally thrilled with one of the larger pieces, so I will likely work on it more, in which case this actually becomes the second finished painting of 2018!

A New Day

A New Day

(after)

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available

A New Day

(before)

16 x 16"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

Happily, the "after" on this painting makeover seems way more bright, fresh and finished compared to the original. I am waaaay more on board with the middle-ground and much more happy with how the horizon and sky feel pushed back. The various greens and sunny yellows really give a sense of cheer and hope for a new day, so now the title makes more sense. As much as I loved the expressive nature of the "before", I think it seems much more resolved as a painting now, and I managed to keep some of the fun marks in the foreground anyway. Much better, me thinks.

Autumn Embankment, Waskesiu River

Autumn Embankment, Waskesiu River

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

More textures. This was exciting to paint. A very different take on the Waskesiu River for me and not the side of the bridge that I usually gravitate towards.

Large Work at Assiniboia Gallery

I have several large works available through Assiniboia Gallery in Regina, the above being a sampling of details from these paintings. They also have one of my favourites from 2017...

Distant Rain

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

available

For prices and to see the smaller 10 x 10's that are also available, please click here. (NOTE: the prices listed include framing, but the work is also available unframed.)

Happy surprise - when I clicked on the link I saw that two more paintings have sold!

Country Corner

Country Corner

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

The textures took some work, especially in the grasses, but it was worth it.

Points Past Murphy Bay

Points Past Murphy Bay

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I think my favourite part is the glowing sheen on the water. I have no idea how I did that.

Ode to the Prairies

Ode to the Prairies

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I have a big painting underway on my easel right now that is loosely based on the field area of this little 8x8. The sky is entirely different, however. It is moody and brewing whereas the sky in this little gem is fresh and light. I really love the skiff of pale water in the distance, but I am not sure it is reading as well on a larger scale. And the division of colours in the land is not working the same way on a 40x30. Also, that dark purply-blue colour didn't come out right on the big canvas.

Hmmm, maybe the painting on my easel is more "loosely based" than I thought! I guess I have a few things to think about when I go to the studio today!

Fall Opus

Fall Opus

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Fluttery leaves. I still love them.

Relief For the Dry Marsh

Relief For the Dry Marsh

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

The southern part of the province was very dry last summer, so when the rain finally came, all of the creatures and plant life breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The Ravine

The Ravine

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

When I think about it, I haven't painted many hills in my day. This was the landscape I discovered in behind Chamberlain on my way to the Saskatchewan Art Fair in Regina this past fall. I got sidetracked by a gravel road that went in the direction of this valley. It was quite lovely there. I'm not sure what the body of water would be called. It seemed too small to be considered a river, but too large to be a stream or a creek. Does anyone know? And would these rolling hills be considered coulees?

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I still love the process of experimenting with these night scenes. This is the largest I have done so far; I like the curve of the earth on this one.

First Star, Tuddles Lake

First Star, Tuddles Lake

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

The star is not easy to see in this painting, but it is there... can you find it?

This is one of my favourite times of day. I love dusk. Especially at the lake. I love the silhouettes that take shape against the twilight sky. I love when the twinkle of the stars appear. I love the calm that settles in after an active day. 

The two evenings I spent at the yurt were absolutely magical. Flora Bora Forest Lodging sat on the edge of Tuddles Lake and this is the scene I encountered when I returned after a drive on the old road to Waskesiu on the first day.

"Star light, Star bright, the first star I see tonight..."