Martin & Paul Ultra Clear Linseed Oil

Martin & Paul Ultra Clear Linseed Oil

photo © Nicki Ault, 2017

You may recall that in September, Bridget and my studio space was being used for a video shoot. Well, here is the final product, a promotional video for a new linseed oil (you may recognize some my artwork in the background of some of the shots):

 video © Martin & Paul, 2017

This story is entirely Saskatchewan based and, I think, very exciting for many reasons. 

First off, one of the Pauls (there are two Martins and two Pauls involved with this new product), is my friend, Paul Trottier who is a fellow artist, as well as the owner of my favourite local shopping haunt, Hues Art Supply. I am thrilled that this opportunity came a-knockin' at his door. Second, this discovery opens a new avenue for Saskatchewan flax farmers. Third, the discovery connected to this product happened because of the curiosity and hard work of plant scientist, Martin Reaney at the University of Saskatchewan.

In a nutshell, after fundamental research into the chemistry of flax, Martin discovered an unexpected byproduct of flax that has led to a new patented technology of a flax-based artist quality oil. Martin & Paul Ultra Clear Linseed Oil does not cause yellowing over time which has historically been a problematic and insurmountable issue with other linseed oils. Additional features of this oil, which are welcome to artists, are its quick drying time and significantly reduced odour.

M & P press release
photo © Nicki Ault, 2017

M & P on shelf at Hues Art Supply
photo @ Nicki Ault, 2017

I have been using this linseed oil for at least six months when I received a sample. I am impressed by the buttery feel it gives my oils, I am happy about the quick drying time and I love the beautiful sheen it gives to my finished paintings. I am not being paid or compensated in any way to endorse this product, I just feel quite excited about it and wanted to share the news

Martin & Paul Ultra Clear Linseed Oil can be purchased at Hues Art Supply in Saskatoon as well as online at their website. Last I had heard they already had several orders from overseas! You can read more at these links:

University of Saskatchewan press release

The Western Producer

Martin & Paul - About

Comforting Perch

Comforting Perch

© Wes Schafer

I am extraordinarily grateful to have had a successful Open Studio last November 27. Success, in my mind, comes in several shapes and sizes: new people finding my art and connecting with it, returning clients curious to see what I have been doing lately, kind words of support offered to me from my colleagues, business cards being snapped up so people can watch for my art online, family and friends taking the time to come to yet another show, excited young artists reaching out and engaging with me, and my artwork being bought and finding a forever home. All of these things happened during that six hour stretch of time in November. It was fantastic. 

I made a deal with myself awhile ago that whenever I have good fortune and success shine upon me in the form of art sales, I will save and use a portion of that money to purchase a piece of fine art or craft for my small and humble art collection. After the Open Studio the opportunity came a-knockin' to do just that. I went to an artist reception at Hues Art Supply on December 3 for Wes Schafer who was my drawing instructor for a weekend workshop at the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus in 2011. Wes had never shown his work publicly before, so I know this day was a big deal for him. I have always admired his skill - he is mostly self taught and in constant pursuit of honing his drawing craft. There were several beautiful drawings of the female figure that I could have happily chosen, but my heart settled on this one and now my home is its forever home!

It is an absolute thrill to have a painting created by my hand be "chosen" by someone and to know that they want to invest their hard-earned money in my art and in me. It is an honour really. I am humbled every time it happens. It is equally an absolute thrill for me to find a piece of original art that I want to own and in return give another artist the thrill of a sale. Spread the love, I say! Sell a little art, buy a little art! It helps make the world go 'round.

View From The Canoe Revised

View From The Canoe (revised)

24 x 30"

acrylic and oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

With the Open Studio looming (it's coming up on Sunday) I have been sorting through older paintings to figure out what I have available to show and what should be removed from the studio quick-like before any possible chance of them being seen. I have quite a pile for removal. This painting, however, presented a challenge... toss or keep? The original was painted in acrylic in 2014 (see below) and I must have liked it at the time because I put it in a show At Hues Art Supply and it was also at the Black Spruce Gallery for awhile.

 View From The Canoe (original)

© Nicki Ault, 2014

Well, two years later I found that it really rubbed me the wrong way! The water was so dark and the colours seemed acidy. The purple underpainting also overpowered things. What was a girl to do? My answer was to paint over it in oils. 

I feel much more satisfied with it now and it will be hanging up somewhere on Sunday. Please come check it out anytime between 11 and 5 at 236A 20th Street W.

River Dance At Home

River Dance

© Nicki Ault, 2016

The other day I had the great honour of being invited to an acreage just outside of the city limits which belongs to a dear friend and passionate art collector. Not only was I invited to his beautiful home, but I was treated to a delicious, fresh, locally sourced lunch he prepared for me with great care and attention. I am not sure when the last time was that I felt so special. 

When I arrived I met his two gorgeous dogs, one loved getting a good scrub behind his ears, and then I immediately received a delicious glass of chilled white wine. Sigh. Lucky girl that I am, I was then taken on an extensive tour of his substantial art collection which extended to every nook and cranny of his house. It wasn't long before I came upon "River Dance" in his second floor guest bedroom; an abstract reflection he purchased from my show at Hues Art Supply in January 2014. It looked amazing in a gorgeous frame from Vanishing Point and I felt overwhelmed that it was in the company of work by other artists like David Alexander, Clint Hunker, Paul Trottier, Kathy Bradshaw, Kim Ennis, Degen Lindner, Greg Hargarten and many others. 

Sometimes life gives you days that just feel so right.

Bridget's View

Bridget's View

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2016

(commission)

Oh my, how much fun was this project?! It was actually a year in the making! Last September my art buddy, Monika Kinner-Whalen, and I were both part of the Solar Gardens Art Show and Sale in the country out near Pike Lake, Sask. It just so happened that my studio mate, Bridget Aitken, had recently bought a beautiful acreage in that area so Monika and I dropped by to take photos and enjoy in the scenery. That experience was fun and productive, so we decided to prolong the creative energy by agreeing to collaborate with each other. We selected a photo from that excursion (it was one of Monika's) which we would then each interpret in our own medium- mine being oil paint and hers being fibre!

Above is my effort... a painting which now belongs to Monika; we traded art on Friday. My wish is that she loves it and finds hope and friendship in this piece every time she looks at it. I am happy with the neutral, grayed-down backdrop with the brighter orange and red foliage in front. I so desperately wanted her to love it when she saw it. I do think she was pleased because as the day went on I kept getting Facebook messages with her "auditioning" it in different rooms of her house!

I am so thrilled with the piece she created for me. It is called "September Three Sixty" which is fitting because Bridget's acreage has a height-of-land where Monika and I stood and literally turned in a three-sixty while taking resource photographs.

September Three Sixty
5 x 5"

© Monika Kinner-Whalen

In her version she decided to edit out the branches in the foreground because they would have taken away from the delightful stitch-work that developed along the bottom of the piece. I agree and I love looking at her type of "mark-making".

photo © Nicki Ault, 2016

Please do yourself a favour and browse through Monika's blog and website. I also wrote a "spotlight" on her a few years ago which you can read here. As it turns out, in that bog post I mentioned how much I hoped to have a piece of her work someday! I actually now have not one, but two of her pieces because I bought a gorgeous, abstracted yarn work from her solo show at Hues Art Supply in June called "A View From Shelby's Garden". Yay me!

photo © Nicki Ault, 2016

Thank you Monika! It was fun and I will always cherish both of these unique pieces created by you!

Note: Here is a link to Monika's blog where she writes about our swap!

Floral Still Lifes At Lifestyles

summer display
Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery

So this is happening! Darrell Bell saw the group show I was in at Hues Art Supply with Bridget Aitken and Jackie Miller and he thought my floral paintings were fresh and summery so he asked if he could have them for his art and design boutique for the summer! One of the paintings sold at Hues, but the other three can be found at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery for the next little while. It is a beautiful store, full of colourful, vibrant, creative gift-ware. In the above image you can see the paintings displayed with gorgeous French pillows and throws.

Available at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery this summer:

Hydrangea and Lemon
sold

White Bucket Bouquet

Hydrangea Arrangement
sold

Still

Our current show is well underway and I am very much looking forward to the reception on Saturday afternoon. Bridget, Jackie and I will be at Hues Art Supply from 2-4 and we would love to have a bit of company. Please come if you have some time- it will be exciting to share our new, still life work with you. Bring the family- it is fun to look at, and buy, art supplies too!

Hydrangea And Lemon

Hydrangea And Lemon

21.5 x 15.75"

acrylic, oil and oil pastel on watercolour paper

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

This is the last of the new still life work I have to show you. It is the fifth and final piece I have in the group show at Hues Art Supply- and it happens to be my favorite. I shelled out a pretty penny on all of the fresh flowers I got for the still lifes, but it was well worth it. The beautiful colours, shapes and smells inspired me; they helped take me to a new place. I love this painting. I hope it catches someone's eye and finds a new home, but if it doesn't I am starting to look at my walls to figure out where it could go.

Fresh Flowers

Fresh Flowers

19.5 x 13"

acrylic, oil, oil pastel on terraskin

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

This is the quirkiest experiment that came out of my painting sessions in preparation for the show at Hues Art Supply. I actually took my glasses off and just played. Things were blurry and I felt disoriented, but it was fun and a unique challenge.

Bridget and I hung the show yesterday morning with Paul (store owner) and it came together really well. Jackie had a stockpile of similar frames that we used and I think they helped to tie the work together and make the exhibition cohesive. It was a little hard to photograph because most pieces are under glass, but hopefully you get the idea.

White Bucket Bouquet

White Bucket Bouquet

20 x 16"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2015

Bridget Aitken, Jacqueline Faye Miller and myself have been working hard the last several months to pull together a unique show for Hues Art Supply. Our friend Paul Trottier owns and runs this new art supply store in Saskatoon and we are thrilled that he has made a commitment to support local artists by showcasing their work in his beautiful space. This morning Bridget and I are hanging the show and I feel really excited about the paintings the three of us have produced. We stretched and grew and laid it out there as best we could. I hope you may have some interest in checking it out. Please keep in mind that the artists' reception is on Saturday, June 20th from 2-4 p.m. and we would love to see you there.

Coming soon... photos of the artwork in the gallery space.

Glass And Lemon

Glass And Lemon

21 x 28.5"

acrylic and oil on terraskin paper

© Nicki Ault, 2015

As I have mentioned, still lifes are not generally the thing that gets me fired up, but I am intrigued by glass. I like the way it warps what is behind or inside of it. I would like to experiment with this effect more in the future.

This painting goes up at Hues Art Supply tomorrow morning. I hope you will find some time in the month of June to check out the show.

Hydrangea Arrangement

Hydrangea Arrangement

19.5 x 13"

acrylic, oil and oil pastel on terraskin paper

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

I am getting really excited. The show for Hues Art Supply goes up on Monday. Here is the first painting I have to show you. This is the second exhibition of work I will be showing with my friends Bridget Aitken and Jackie Miller. In planning for the show the goal was that we try something new and push ourselves out of our comfort zones. We ended up focusing the theme on still lifes. Jackie and Bridget, as it turns out, are much more adaptable than me. I struggled with the change from my landscape routine. To be honest, I actually find still lifes to be a bit of a yawn-fest. Despite this, I rallied and decided to add flowers to the table of pottery, books, vases, fruit, onions and other inanimate objects that we set up as still life vignettes at the studio. As soon as that pop of colour was added to the mix I began to get inspired.

Besides the challenge of a new subject, I found other ways to push/torment myself. I painted almost exclusively on paper surfaces, I worked solely on rectangular formats when I am more accustomed to painting on squares, and I mixed up my media. Some of these experiments didn't make the cut, but others had some pleasing qualities.

Through the self-doubt and struggle that took place in preparing for this show, I realized yet again how much I have to learn about painting and creating. The way I see it, it is better to know this than to not know this. I feel empowered. I feel like I can't help but move forward in my art-making because I am open and ready to try. I am willing to take a chance. I am willing to see what might happen if I step into the unknown. But I also know myself and I have observed the way I fight change and worry desperately about failure. I am coming to realize that, for me, these things go hand-in-hand. I don't think the desire I have to improve, grow and develop can exist in a pure state. Where this desire exists, in the background will always be some element of stress and agony; the fear of not actually being able to improve, grow and develop. 

Walk In The Meadow

Walk In The Meadow

30 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2015

I have really been enjoying myself at the studio these days. I have been trying to paint new and different prairie landscapes (for me)- I feel energized in a way that I haven't felt for awhile. "Walk In The Meadow" is another attempt to be bold and interesting with my brushstrokes and mark-making, while at the same time thinking about some of the things I have learned at Atelier 2302. I am well aware that this painting is nowhere near what the masters would have produced, but for me it represents the fact that I am thinking about things that I never even understood pre-Atelier 2302. For that I am grateful. I have a long way to go, but I am willing to play the long game.

Aside from this experimenting, I am also stretching my wings for the group show I have at Hues Art Supply in June with Bridget Aitken and Jacqueline Faye Miller. We are all trying to paint out of our comfort zone and that has me vibrating a bit. I have painted some real duds for this show (they will be on the cutting room floor), but a few have worked out and that has me really excited. I think this is exactly what I needed to get me out of my slump and I thank my colleagues, Bridget and Jackie, for pushing me to a new place and I thank Paul Trottier at Hues Art Supply for giving me a reason to do so. I will show you the work that makes it to the exhibition once it is decided.

Deer Trail In Spring and An Upcoming Show!

Deer Trail In Spring

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/deer-trail-in-spring/365771
sold

This was an experiment in trying to be a bit more abstract with the mark-making. I like portions of the painting but overall I am not sure. It is fun to play around with the cropping to see what you can find. A few details I like are:

Speaking of experimenting, a lot has been going on in the studio. I am not ready to show you any of my efforts yet, but I'll get there. I am trying new things, even if all that means is using different media. I've also been painting on paper which has an entirely different feel than canvas or board. Last Thursday Jackie joined Bridget and I at the studio and we worked the entire day. You may recall that the three of us went to Georgian Bay in the fall of 2013 and had an exhibition of that work in the fall of 2014. Well, we have another show planned! I am excited but nervous about it because my personal goal is to step out of my comfort zone and show some different work. The show will be at Hues Art Supply in Saskatoon and will run for the month of June. I think the girls are intent on helping me step outside of myself and hopefully find a way to express something new. They are both less inhibited than me so their influence is welcome.

Not Flowers

Not Flowers

36 x 24"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

It's hard to believe that a year has passed since I began renovating. The bulk of the work went very smoothly and relatively quickly for how these things can go. I am really happy with the results, but I am still tying up loose ends like finding storage solutions, purging things I no longer need and finalizing little decorating details. Pre-renos my house was rather colourful with a blue kitchen, red powder room, green bathroom, cream/light yellow dining room and taupe family room. Post-renos I have neutralized all of the walls to a beautiful soft gray and now I want the colour to come from artwork and accessories. This is where today's painting comes in.

A couple of weeks ago I started this piece for my main floor powder room. My goal was to create an abstract that would have a bit of a feminine flair and work well with the awesome mirror I found online. I really wanted to use a variety of pinks, corals and oranges with some soft whites. It started out much more structural as you can see in the studio shot below...

... but as I worked on it my feelings about it changed. Initially I thought I would go with a more linear approach, but once I had a number of brushstrokes laid down I found some interesting marks, so I began to play with more organic shapes and patterns, rather than lines. The entire thing was impulsive and completely fun to paint. Between painting sessions I also had to hit Hues Art Supply for some better tubes of colour with which to do my mixing- Cadmium Red makes sucky, dull pinks!

The painting is really growing on me. It is propped against the wall in my bathroom and I am living with it for awhile to see if it is the right fit. I'm pretty sure I like it and so does my youngest son. My husband and oldest son are less enthused. What do you think?

my awesome mirror and artwork by my friends

Cam Forrester and Ken Van Rees

"Not Flowers" in its new home?

"Not Flowers" reflected in the mirror

Bloom

Bloom

20 x 16"

acrylic on wood panel

© Nicki Ault, 2014

Well, the playing and experimenting continues. Who knows what's happening really, but it's fun! And I am not feeling pressured that these boards turn out; they aren't expensive so why not use them to experiment? I went in search of options and the boards were suggested to me at Hues Art Supply, along with Terra Skin paper which I have waiting for me at the studio. I left this board raw- I only sanded the surface; no gesso, no nothin'. Because there was no sealant on the board, the paint soaked in initially until some layers built up. I don't mind the muted or dulled effect of the absorbed paint where the layers aren't as thick; it helps the colour pop in other areas. This is more noticeable in person. A friend told me (in a nice way- a friendly critique) that the last abstract painting I posted ("Sometimes I Despair") didn't have enough colour, so guess what? Ba- BAM! Here's some colour!

I really like this painting as a one inch thumbnail photo, however as the image size increases I become less and less sure! I'll show my experiments on the blog whether or not they are resounding successes, but I won't waste your time with the complete and utter failures. You've got better things to do.

Over The Prairies

Over The Prairies

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014
sold
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/over-the-prairies/230261

I can't remember the last time I painted a 6x6! Have I even done one this year? My dry spell is slowly waning and it feels good. I spent about six hours at the studio on Wednesday which has been a rare occurrence these days. I hope to change that over the next couple of months before the kids are out of school for the summer. I am also working on a large painting for the Georgian Bay show- it is a version of "Moody on Flat Rock Beach" which sold earlier this year. I am actually painting over the 36 x 48" canvas that I began at Hues Art Supply the day I was there painting before my artist reception. I was not happy with the composition I laid out that day. I turned it upside-down and decided to give it a new life. I hope to leave some of the marks from the previous underpainting showing through the rocky beach.

I cannot tell you how good it feels to be painting again... and to actually feel like painting. I am beginning to feel like my old self and it is a huge relief. I feel rusty, but motivated and anxious for serious inspiration to hit.   

The Islands, Sulphide Lake

The Islands, Sulphide Lake

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/the-islands-sulphide-lake/203747

I continue to be inspired by the painting and canoeing adventure I took last August with CanoeSki. I can't get it out of my system. I love looking at my photos and remembering the glorious landscape of untouched forest. I am still fascinated by the moss, trees and foliage bursting from what seemed at times like an impossible terrain. I had never experienced the Canadian Shield before and I think I might be hooked!

Saturday went really well at Hues Art Supply. I painted from about 10:30-1:00 and visited with people as they came by. It was a real treat, but I did have a bit of trouble remembering where I was going with the canvas I had started the weekend before. Right now I am at that precarious point where I am not sure if it is worth continuing on!

Thanks to all of you who stopped by on Saturday to say hello and check out my art as well as this great new store. You made the day a success! And thanks to those who even saw fit to purchase a painting. I am very grateful!

I'll Be At Hues Art Supply Today

 

I am on my way over to Hues Art Supply to spend some time working on the above painting and then to enjoy the artist reception from 2-4 p.m. I began this canvas last weekend so I hope I can get back into the swing of it and continue where I left off. At this point it is just the rudimentary under-painting and sketch of the composition. Any guesses as to what it is going to be? I am also bringing with me three new 6x6" paintings.

Here is the invitation again... if you are in the neighborhood please stop by and say "hi"!

View From The Canoe, Sulphide Lake

View From The Canoe, Sulphide Lake

24 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available for the month of February at Hues Art Supply

I was able to get to the studio last week, despite the cold weather, and I managed to get another painting done for the show at Hues Art Supply. I am also working on a few little 6x6's which I will bring with me on Saturday for the artist's reception.

NOTE: the colour looks right in this image until I upload it to the blog- then it does not seem accurate- that has never happened before.