Moss-Laden and Memories of a Moose at Evrgreen in Waskesiu

Moss-Laden and Memories of A Moose
36 x 24"
oil on canvas
© Nicki Ault, 2019
available at Evrgreen Coffee and Food in Waskesiu 

It's the July long weekend! The kids are done school and two months of (relatively) unstructured time is here! I am always SO ready for our days to be a bit more lazy, to not have to make sure there are groceries in the house for bagged lunches, which half the time don't get eaten at school anyway. My kids need time to recuperate. They are good students and work hard to earn good grades, they are active and committed to their sports. They set a pretty heavy pace for themselves during the school year and on top of that... they are growing which has GOT to be exhausting. Sleep and rest and free time are needed.

I, on the other hand, need to get more active and can hardly wait to get busy painting some of the spectacular photos I have taken recently!

Some of my recent paintings are available again at Evrgreen Coffee and Food this summer. I am thrilled to be back for another season and hope you will pop in for a delicious coffee and take a minute to view my art! Last year it was a real treat getting photos from people who took pictures of my art on the wall at Evrgreen, or in some cases, selfies with my art. Super cool! Let me know if you get there and what you think. Here are some of the paintings you will find there and more will be posted tomorrow...

View of the Points at Point View

10 x 10"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Evrgreen Coffee and Food, Waskesiu

Approach From Seven Mile

6x6"

oil on board

©Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Evrgreen Coffee and Food, Waskesiu

 

 The Days Retreat

10x10"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Evrgreen Coffee and Food, Waskesiu

 

The Winding River, Waskesiu

The Winding River, Waskesiu

30 x 24"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Assiniboia Gallery

This river gets me every time.

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!

Change of Season at the River, Waskesiu

Change of Season at the River, Waskesiu

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold

The river last fall was magical... I want to keep painting versions of it!

View of the Points at Point View, Waskesiu

View of the Points at Point View, Waskesiu

10 x 10"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Assiniboia Gallery

Point View - a perfect picnic spot just beyond the turn-off to the marina in Waskesiu. This is the view looking towards Birch Bay or Seven Mile Beach.

Delivered yesterday for my solo show "Mood" at Assiniboia Gallery in Regina, June 7-30.

Calm at the Breakwater

Calm at the Breakwater, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This one was done ages ago and never got posted. I am behind in getting my work "out there", but luckily it sold anyways! I shall keep picking away at my backlog, but also... NEW LARGE WORK and ANNOUNCEMENT coming very soon!!!

(Those are excited all-caps not angry all-caps)

Main Beach Solitude, Waskesiu

Main Beach Solitude, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

It's not often you can catch a completely quiet moment at the Main Beach in Waskesiu: no one in the water or on the bike path or making sand castles on the beach. The question is: did I find the beach in this state on this particular evening, or did I use some artistic license to edit these things out?

Sparkling River, Waskesiu

Sparkling River, Waskesiu

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

My son loves this painting. He is quite convinced it won't last long at the gallery. I love his supportive nature.

The Paintings In My Head!

Waskesiu Sunset

photo © Nicki Ault, 2017

I am at the lake with my kids. We drove up on Monday- it took longer than usual because I kept stopping to take photos of the canola fields along the way. The remainder of the day was spent unpacking and settling in, cleaning and organizing. Then yesterday was rainy, on and off all day, so each time I thought I would get outside to paint, I was foiled. And then there was a two hour glitch trying to get the Shaw Direct service to the TV. I, myself, could go without TV indefinitely, but string a few rainy days together with two teenagers in a small cabin and you will want entertainment. Any entertainment. Even Sponge Bob.

So, no paintings yet, but as I wrapped up the day, the rain stopped and the sun began to break through. As the clouds burned off, this gift arrived promising new, inspired paintings on my horizon.

P.S. I posted a video of a 180 degree view of this sunset on Instagram last night. Click the camera icon on the top right of this page to go over there to see it.

Where The Heart Is

Where The Heart Is

(commission)

20 x 24"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

I was contacted earlier this year by the family of a dear friend of mine. They asked if I would consider doing a painting for her 65th birthday, but they wanted her to be involved so the painting didn't actually have to be done for the big day (February). I was honoured to be asked and of course I said yes! I knew she would either choose a prairie scene or something to do with Waskesiu Lake, so I was confident I could tackle whatever she decided on. After much debating, a Waskesiu sunset was what she desired.

I have known this beautiful woman for twenty-five years. A lifetime ago in many ways. I knew her before I was married; she was my manager at a store where I worked, and with her support, that seasonal Christmas job actually evolved into a ten year career. We became fast friends and confidents, we traveled together to conferences across our beautiful country and we supported each other in our work, both the successes and struggles of our stores. We have seen each other through some really good times and, as life goes, some really hard times. And we have laughed! Boy, have we laughed!

Life has changed a lot for both of us since 1992 and we don't see each other as much as we used to, but our friendship is such that we always pick up where we left off and without missing a beat. She is passionate about her family; her beloved husband, her three children and her five grandchildren. She takes care of those around her with such a loving heart. I am proud to know her. I am honoured to have created this painting for her and I hope it gives her joy every single day for the rest of forever.

Happy birthday dear friend.

Last Beach Day, Waskesiu (Painting Makeover)

Last Beach Day, Waskesiu

(after)

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2017

available

Last Beach Day, Waskesiu

(before)

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2014

 

As I go through this process of reworking old paintings, I have had many "What the bleeeep were you thinking?" moments. And while some of these old pieces have intrigued me enough to revisit them, there is a pile of work that I have no plan to repaint, rework or remake- those pieces are headed for the chipper. I would like to think I am a human with generally good taste, but apparently my eyes can be blind to my own work at times. Just wait until you see the doozy I have for you next week!

This particular painting was done on a Cadmium Orange ground so that colour pops through, which I like, but in hindsight it tinged the original painting a bit too much. Basically the makeover has softened everything up, but still leaves some pops of orange coming through which adds a bit of energy. The composition remains a bit awkward with the trees at the edge of the beach and the angles of the water, but whatevs, this makeover only went so far.

Setting Star - Silent Auction

Setting Star

12 x 12

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

This week I have donated these two paintings to a silent auction at my son's high school. They will be part of the Arts Night fundraiser he and his classmates are putting on in preparation for their big trip next month... to New York City! Yes, you heard me right. Long story, but in Grade Eight he applied and was accepted into a great Grade Nine program at a high school in our city. It has been a year of growth and discovery for him. His world has branched out and will open up even more to him after this trip. I am enormously proud of him. He is a caring, smart, funny, respectful, honest and loving person. I will be a wreck for the six days he is away, but honestly, I just know that when he sees more of what the world has to offer him he will be even more motivated than ever.

I just painted "Setting Star" specifically for this auction and "Riffle On The River, Waskesiu" was a painting I had on hand that I hope will resonate with the crowd. It is mounted in a white shadow box.

Riffle On The River, Waskesiu
6 x 6"
oil on board
© Nicki Ault, 2017
sold

Questions about the auction? Just ask. (It is on Thursday evening).

Riffle On The River

Riffle On The River

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

It's a busy weekend... two kids, one with a soccer tournament and one with a basketball practice and game, plus a husband playing hockey. Yesterday, between everyone else's coming and going, I managed to squeak in a brief jaunt to the studio. I couldn't work on the big commish because it needed to dry from the six hour run I had at it on Friday, so I did this little painting. I am extra loving the marks making up the grasses on the left-hand side.

I heart the Waskesiu River. You would think I would get tired of painting it, but no.

Sky Fire II

Sky Fire II

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2017
(photo reference © Bob Racine)

available

Years ago my dad was really into photography and recently he has been going through many of his old photographs. The other day he popped by my house with an envelope of Waskesiu sunsets that he thought might interest me. I paint almost exclusively from my own reference photos, but I couldn't resist tackling one picture he gave me. It looked like the sky was on fire, but it was just the way the diffused clouds were catching the glowing sunlight. I only had a short time at the studio yesterday so the commission had to wait; I had just enough time to get the thought of this scene off my chest.

Island Edge, Heart Lakes

Island Edge, Heart Lakes

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2016

 sold

I've been reminiscing about the boat tour I took of the Heart Lakes in Waskesiu this past August. I have a real fascination with islands and the edge of this one intrigued me with the rickety pine trees marching their way down to the deep blue water.

P.S. If you haven't seen it yet, check out my interview on the Daily Paintworks news blog!

Island Reflection, Heart Lakes

Island Reflection, Heart Lakes

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

Another lovely view I enjoyed from the pontoon boat tour I took earlier this month. The reflections were clear and slightly distorted by the rippling of the water.

The Point, Heart Lakes Marina, Waskesiu

The Point, Heart Lakes Marina, Waskesiu

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

If you have ever been to the marina at the Heart Lakes you have seen this point of land. In fact a trail goes through the forest and ends at this very spot where a couple of old homemade, wooden, moss covered and weathered benches sit overlooking the lake. I was able to take a photo of them from the pontoon boat when I took the tour of the lakes.

 

benches at the point
© Nicki Ault, 2016

I am so thankful that my friend and neighbor at the lake loved this painting when she saw it right after it was painted. She told me that she has taken many many photos of this very place, but none of them made her as happy as this painting. So she bought it!

The Channel, Heart Lakes

The Channel, Heart Lakes

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

My pontoon boat tour of the Heart Lakes earlier this month was a real highlight of the summer. It was an absolutely gorgeous day on the water and I was able to get many great reference photos to use for my my art. This view is of the channel that will take us from the second Heart Lake back to the first where the marina is located. On the way back I was lucky enough to see a Great Blue Heron standing on the shore. At first glance and from a distance it looked like a big ol' dead tree stump, but then it moved. Now that was a big bird!

Dusk Above Main Beach, Waskesiu

Dusk Above Main Beach, Waskesiu

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

Well, this one presented some challenges! How do you paint the edge of water on the shore? How do you paint the wet, smooth sand that remains after the water recedes? How do you paint dry sand that is churned up by footprints? How do you balance this particular viewpoint in a composition? How do you capture the feel of dusk? How do you resist the urge to wipe the board clean when you feel like giving up?! These answers and more to be found on another day!

East End, King's Island, Waskesiu

East End, King's Island, Waskesiu

12 x12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2016

sold

I almost forgot to post the two recent paintings I delivered to The Black Spruce Gallery on the August long weekend (actually my parents kindly delivered them for me). I was asked by the gallery owner to create a couple of paintings along the lines of "Revisiting Lynx Lake", so this is the first one. I do love the challenge of creating a watery refection.