Light of Lights

Light of Lights

20 x 20

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2019

I just realized how long it has been since I wrote a blog post. 

Open Studio was a huge success! It was such a busy day, but I wasn't feeling well so it took the fun out of it for me. The bug I felt coming on that day actually didn't fully develop. I thought I dodged it until the evening of Black Friday six days later. Wham! It took me down hard and then I didn't leave my bed or couch for about nine days straight. If anyone needs any advice on small claims court issues, I can probably help since, for some reason when I was conscious, I got hooked on the People's Court. Ha!

I finally got to the studio the other day and got back to work on two commissions that must get done ASAP. I also worked on some new 8x8's for Darrell Bell Gallery (which have now been delivered) and as they were drying I worked on this new beauty.

I have been thinking a lot about life's difficulties: illnesses, relationship troubles, job losses, strained economies, political turmoil, etc. It can be overwhelming. I worry for my kids and what awaits them in our suffering world. The best I can do is try to be kind and compassionate and try to paint images that I feel are beautiful, hopeful and bring light.

That is what this painting is about. I would love your thoughts. Do you see the hope in it?

“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. 

Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.” 

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Serene

Serene

20 x 20"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Assiniboia Gallery

This peaceful scene is now available at the Assiniboia Gallery in Regina. It is quiet and contemplative. A reminder of those gentle summers' evenings at the lake sitting on the beach and listening to the water lap at the shore.

As The Day Cools

As The Day Cools

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

I love painting these sunset reflections. I wanted to paint this one with softer, cooler colours than previous ones. There is still a bit of the heat of the day remaining, but the sun is almost gone and everything is cooling off.

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!

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.

Rain

Rain

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

In the show opening tomorrow at Darrell Bell Gallery...

Silver Lining

Silver Lining

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

Another experiment with my tube of Gamblin Chromatic Black. 

We have had some really stormy skies over the last week that make me think of this painting. The fields are green and growing fast. I plan to head out in the next day or two to get more resource photos. I also have a few images burned in my mind from the drive home from the lake this past weekend- canola fields are in bloom! Stay tuned!

Dark As Night

Dark As Night

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

This one was an experiment using black straight out of the tube, which I never do because apparently it is a well known and accepted faux pas to use straight-up black in paintings. Generally if I ever use anything in my work that resembles black it is likely a mixture of Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson or Magenta, and Burnt Umber. I read about a colour by Gamblin, however, called Chromatic Black which was supposed to be a neutral black. I was curious because usually blacks pull a certain way if you add white to them... like towards blue for example. I ordered a tube of Chromatic Black from Hues Art Supply and then set about playing. The result is "Dark As Night" and another painting which I will post soon. Interestingly enough a few weeks later Darrell Bell asked me to paint something for the Black and White show he was curating for his gallery (still on view). The black skies I had been experimenting with were a great jumping off point for this big one, "Graphite Sky" (below), I painted for his show.

Graphite Sky

36 x 36"

oil on canvas

 © Nicki Ault, 2018

All Rights Reserved

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

I really love the power and intensity of these paintings. I love how moody they are and I love how much emotion they convey with a very limited palette.

"Dark As Night" is part of my solo show "Mood" at Assiniboia Gallery, open now and running until June 30th.

Flax Up Front

Flax Up Front

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold at Assiniboia Gallery

Canola + flax + dramatic sky = Saskatchewan!

I SO love this one! For my solo show "Mood" at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina, June 7-30.

In exactly two weeks I will be driving down to Regina for the opening reception of  "Mood"! I really am so terribly excited. I will be at the gallery from 5-8 p.m., so if you are in or near Regina I would love it if you would come to help me celebrate this big milestone in my career. A year ago I hadn't even met Jeremy or any of the amazing people at the gallery, and now look!

Well, actually that isn't quite true. Two years ago in September of 2016 I attended the first ever Art Now Saskatchewan Art Fair at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. It was a wonderful exhibition of professional galleries (belonging to Sask Galleries) showcasing their artists in beautiful "booths". Of all of the booths, one gallery stood out to me, Assiniboia Gallery from Regina. They appeared so professional, yet accessible, they had a great range of artists and artwork and everything was framed! I remember very clearly chatting with the lovely woman who was working when I passed through- she was delightful and she had the cutest haircut! And now I know her! Jen is awesome and I am thrilled she represents my work alongside Jeremy (gallery owner) and Tammi (gallery manager).

Over the next two weeks a good portion of the twenty-four paintings I delivered will be framed by Moranda and Ben, so when I next see the paintings they will be all dressed up for the party! And I still have one more huge piece to deliver when it is done and dry, so I appreciate them accommodating its later arrival.

I would love it you would help me spread the word - I will have an invitation to share soon! Thank you!

A Complicated Land On A Still Day

A Complicated Land On A Still Day

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Assiniboia Gallery

For my solo show, "Mood", at Assiniboia Gallery!

Sometimes the mood created by a scene is light and bright; it makes you feel happy and alive. That's how I felt when I saw this scene last year... no wind, birds chirping, crickets singing and the sky was clear and blue save for some sweet little clouds at the horizon.

Ponder and Show Announcement

Ponder

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available

About a year ago, the artists I paint with at Studio On 20th decided to submit a proposal for a group show to The Gallery at the Frances Morrison Central Library. We got a yes!

We have worked over the last eight months to stretch ourselves out of our comfort zones to achieve what we set out to do. Regarding those efforts, here is an excerpt from the statement we will be posting at our show "reconfigured" which opens in two weeks:

The intent of this exhibition was to reconfigure our studio spaces and artistic practices

 through the exploration and interpretation of three traditional subject matters:  

 the figure, still life and landscape. Over several sessions, we sketched and painted 

specific views of these subjects using a range of media, which we were then 

free to interpret further through a larger work according to our own style and working process. 

 In the spirit of coming together through place, both physically and artistically, 

this exhibition explores the similarities, differences and influences 

within ten individual artists’ styles.

We all stepped out of our comfort zones to explore subjects which are not necessarily part of our individual practices or even of true interest to us. We set up a still life at the studio and we held two work sessions so we could tackle that subject at the same time, we planned a field trip to Jane's plot of land on the river near Pike Lake and worked en plein air, and we hired the same model to come to our studio for three sessions so we could work directly from her poses. 

 reconfigured 

There is something really quite exciting about working in a close setting with other artists. The energy of the group can fuel each individual in unexpected ways. I think that's why I miss the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus so. 

On a personal note, I created a little body of work from these sessions: studies, drawings and larger finished work. This portrait is based on a sketch I did during one of the model sessions. It won't be in the show because one of my other figurative pieces will, but I am happy with it considering I am not a painter of people. Below is the invitation with the details - please come to the reception on April 19 if you can!

Sky Drama

Sky Drama

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

This one was a bit of an uphill battle; it changed many times and I even considered changing it right down to the last moment, however, Bridget and I put it under the track lighting in the gallery space of the studio and right away, we both agreed it was done.

I gave it a coat of varnish to help the colours sing and delivered it with a handful of other paintings to Darrell Bell Gallery late yesterday afternoon.

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.

Distant Rain

Distant Rain

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

available

This one gave me a hard time. A real hard time. I may or may not have dropped the F-bomb on this one... and that is honestly a very rare thing for me when I paint. Actually, it's a very rare thing for me generally. I considered calling it Distant "Effing" Rain, but the G-rated title won out.

Note: All the subtle lovely bits were a bit hard to catch in a photo.

Flax Drama

Flax Drama

20 x20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Assiniboia Gallery, Regina

Moody attitude painting of the day number two.

Flax is hard to find out in the country and it is hard to paint once back in the city! There is something about its bluey-purple colour that is tricky to co-ordinate with a sky colour and also tricky because it can read a bit like water on the ground. Hopefully I avoided both of those situations here.

Canola Drama

Canola Drama

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Assiniboia Gallery, Regina

Oh my gosh! I am BUSY!!! But not complaining! I many ways it feels great! But I want to do a good job of everything so I have to remember to slow down, breathe... and write a lot of lists! 

Last Friday I delivered "Canola Drama" to my new place of representation, the Assiniboia Gallery in Regina, as well as another dramatic painting of the same size which I will post later today (I have to get caught up!). They both took on a bit of a moody attitude as soon as I developed the skies. Paintings can be cheeky like that!

Road To Nowhere

Road To Nowhere

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Galley

I took a road trip to Regina today with seven new paintings. It was a glorious day in the country with amazing shades of yellow everywhere: golds, ochres, blondes, creams. As I drove I was thinking about how Naples Yellow and Titanium Buff with a hint of Brilliant Pale Yellow would be just right for the bleached out stubble in the field. I'm geeky that way!

This painting will be in "Painting The Landscape" which opens at Darrell Bell Gallery in a week! I am so very excited! This piece is a study for my big commission which I will finish next week. My clients have been so patient and understanding with how long it is taking me to get the job done. I have had some incredible opportunities come knocking, the group landscape show at DBG is one of them, and so I have had to stop and start the commission a few times. Thankfully they are happy for me and they don't want me to rush through their painting. This makes me want to knock it out of the park for them even more!

Speaking of opportunities, tomorrow I will be making a huge announcement, so please check back!

A Bold Ending

A Bold Ending

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

available

Man, I love how this sky turned out! It's a good size too! Packs a punch in person!

I am SO enjoying painting this year. It just feels right. Not everything necessarily goes right, but it is truly a joyful experience. Things are clicking in my head and I love it. Lots to look forward to as well. Thanks so much for checking in- I really appreciate it!

Light Hearted

Light Hearted

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2016

available

This painting is derived entirely from the little 6x6 I did called "Hidden Juniper". Gosh it was fun to paint the bright colours popping off the neutral grays! The most bright, most chromatic orange in this painting was made by mixing three colours: Cadmium Orange by Daniel Smith, Minium Red by Rublev and a dash of Magenta by Winton (a student grade oil, but I love the colour- it mixes so well with so many others!).

detail

Tomorrow, Sunday, November 27 is the day! It is our third annual Open Studio Show and Sale where I paint. Please come... 236A 20th Street W from11-5. If the idea of original art doesn't entice you perhaps the thought of my home-made Skor bars will!

Festivities

Festivities

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

This whole new series feels like one big celebration. A celebration of changing seasons, a celebration of colour- both bold and muted, a celebration of inspiration, a celebration of opportunities, a celebration of joy found in the landscape, but mostly a celebration of every single day that I get to do what I love.
 

P.S. If you haven't seen it yet, check out my interview on the Daily Paintworks news blog. Another reason I feel like it's a celebration around here!