A Dream View

A Dream View

12" x 12"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold (commission)

.

This was an honour to paint. The sister of a dear, dear friend, who I have known and loved all the way back to elementary school and who was the MC at my wedding, contacted me about a Christmas gift for him. She wanted to give him and his partner a painting that featured the stunning view from their recently completed dream home. I haven't seen the house or view in person, so I was nervous about getting the elements right and making sure it was recognizable. Thankfully I have now received messages from them both and the painting was a hit 💖.

This is officially the first time I have attempted mountains and it was a fun challenge! I now look forward to visiting these long-time friends in Invermere someday and maybe bringing my paints along to explore this non-prairie landscape.

Dusk On A Northern Lake

Dusk On A Northern Lake

14 x 18"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold

(commission)

This. I am proud of this painting. And I am proud of the little 6x6 daily painting 

(below) which acted as its study. 

 Dusk in a Ravaged Land

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold

The reason I am proud is that the photo I used, which I took on my painting and canoe adventure in 2013, is in reality rather yawnsville. There is nothing overwhelmingly beautiful about it; basically it was an overcast and very green afternoon. I rarely show my reference photos, but decided that in this instance I would because it really helps illustrate the vision for this piece.

When I paint, my goal is to create a striking image of a Saskatchewan landscape; a painting with atmosphere, emotion, light and, often, drama. I am not a great photographer, far from it, so when I take my photos they are meant to be a jumping off point and a reminder to myself of the wonder I saw in that moment. It is then my job to articulate that feeling, mood and memory in paint or tweak things so that you see what I feel about the place.

The canoe trip in August 2013 got off to a rocky, and somewhat terrifying, start with an extremely intense storm hitting us on our last portage to base camp on the first day. After that, the weather cleared and the next few days were serene, solitary and breathtaking. These are the things I wanted this painting to express, so I consciously made the changes I needed to convey that message.You can read about the painting and canoe trip at these links:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

I am proud of this piece because my photo likely does not help you fully understand how I felt about this place, but hopefully the painting does.

My reference photo is below for you to compare. What do you think?

photo © Nicki Ault, 2013

Oh, and I have a third painting (24 x 24") in progress at the studio that is riffing off these two!

,

Wild Poppies

Wild Poppies

(commission)

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold

I was recently asked to do a little prairie scene with red poppies as a special birthday gift for someone who adores this flower. I am told she loved, loved, LOVED it! Of course that makes me very happy.

Let's Walk Together

Let's Walk Together

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2018

(commission)
sold

A little commission requested by my sister to give to her friend as a wedding gift. 

A path like this is meaningful to the couple, so of course I was touched to be able to paint it for them. May this little painting always remind them of the day they chose each other and may they walk through life with abundant love..

A Place of Love and Memories

A Place of Love and Memories

(commission)

16 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

sold

For a very long time I did not have a personal account with Facebook, I only had my art account. Eventually I caved and suddenly I was connecting with old friends from high school and even elementary school. It was pretty exciting. It was wonderful to see where people have gone and what they have done; to see lives in full swing. As time moved along, some have taken note of my art and become huge supporters by encouraging me, offering great feedback and comments, and in some cases, actually becoming collectors.

One long-lost friend from elementary school has been following my journey and now has nine pieces in her collection and has given five of my paintings as gifts. It is overwhelming to me. I am beyond emotional about it and filled with gratitude. When she contacted me at the end of 2017 to see if I might consider doing a commission, I really wanted to say yes, but was extremely nervous that I couldn't pull off something meaningful enough. You see, her parents had recently sold the beloved family cabin at Emma Lake; a place where the kids grew up and where so many of their memories were made. It had to have been a difficult decision and I am sure emotions ran high when each of them left the cabin for the last time. She wondered if I might be able to paint a scene of the view from the cabin and she wanted it to be a gift to her parents. Now if I had more confidence I would have said yes without any hesitation, but I am not, so I had to ponder and study her photos and ask lots of questions to sort out what she hoped for. Also, I really didn't want to disappoint her. 

I am sure I was a bit irritating.

In the end I did say yes, and I chose to work from my friend's favourite image of the ones she sent me. The composition for the painting was difficult because of the row of trees between the cabin and the lake. I decided to play up the sparkle of light on the water and the flutter of the backlit autumn leaves in the canopy. To me these things represent the joy of the place. I hope the overall feeling of the painting conjures up memories of children playing, adults laughing and quiet chats around the fire. If, when anyone in the family sees this painting, it starts a nostalgic round of "Remember when...", then I will have done my job.

A Place of Peace

A Place of Peace

10 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

(commission)

There have been two hundred posts in 2017 and now we are at the last before we ring in 2018. Here are just a handful of the amazing highlights of what was an incredible year:

1) After many conversations through emails and phone calls, this past summer I finally met in person the lovely couple from Portland, Oregon who commissioned me to paint a vast evening sky for them. Getting to know them and the reason behind why they wanted me to do this painting shifted my entire mindset on being a landscape painter. I am forever grateful that they shared their personal story with me. I actually believe through this experience a new friendship was born.

2) The true love of another beautiful couple came knocking on my door and asked me to do a huge painting for them... a challenge for sure- the largest canvas I have ever attempted (40x60) and a subject with which I was not that comfortable (a road). Their confidence in me helped to build my confidence in me, something that has not been my strong suit. Their kindness, patience, enthusiasm, generosity and, most of all, their love story made the experience one I will never forget.

3) The family of a dear, dear friend of twenty-five years asked me to create a painting for her to help celebrate a milestone birthday. The tears she shed when she received her painting touched me deeply.

4) A woman I had never met before came to the Open Studio in November and we had a lovely chat about art and her career before she retired from teaching. She was quite interested in one of my large paintings, but had never invested in art before, so she had to really think about it and wrote down the dimensions before she left. Later that afternoon she returned, which was overwhelming in itself because that meant she fought through the worst traffic day of the year to get to the studio for a second time! She had gone home to measure and take a photo of where she would hang the painting- she wanted my opinion. I honestly believed it was a perfect spot. She went on to tell me that she wanted to do something special with this money; apparently it was a small inheritance she had recently received. She said there was one other time she had received a bit of money and it disappeared into groceries and bills. She didn't want that to happen this time. By the end of her story I was in tears and felt honoured that she chose my art to as a remembrance of this person.

5) This fall I received an email from a well-known artist, which was a delight in itself, asking me if I would create a small painting of a scene in northern Saskatchewan. It was to be a gift for a very ill friend who could no longer travel to his beloved cabin in La Ronge. We met at my studio where this artist showed me some of his lake inspired photos and I showed him a few from my canoeing and painting trip (2013) to La Ronge. He was excited about my Jack Pine photo and my ideas for it as a painting, so that became the plan for the commission. This story brings me to today's image, "A Place of Peace", which is the painting I created with this loving friendship and a very ill man in mind. I hope this scene provides hope, beauty, memories and peace as he finds strength to fight his battle. I hope the day will come when he is able to return to the place he loves in northern Saskatchewan once again.

As you can see, the highlights of my year are not about numbers or sales or galleries or art shows or the yurt retreat or even my favourite paintings. Those things certainly made 2017 awesome, but the actual highlights, when I really think back on this year, come down to the connections I made with humans through my art. It comes down to my deeper understanding of how art touches people and how art can affect actual lives. 

The highlights of my year are the stories that I was invited to be a part of, through my art. 

Thank you!

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.

Two Commissions and June Sucks

two commissions underway

© Nicki Ault, 2017

I have two commissions on the go and I want them to be done by the end of June.

I am just going to take a moment to state the obvious. June is hellish. June is a panic. June is crunch time.

It is the time of the year when I always think, "Why don't I ever remember how intense June is?" I swear June is worse than December. By far. And I never remember.

The school year is winding down and there are field trips and assignments and concerts and assemblies and activities and projects and tests and no time to do it all and my husband always goes away to a conference in June and summer is coming and the kids will be home all the time and so I won't be able to get to the studio as much as I should and I have a thousand things to do but I am lucky because I will have my kids home all summer although they will suck up all my time but I love them and the time goes so fast but it goes so slow and they are teenagers so they will sleep in every day and I will feel like my time is being wasted because I could be painting but I won't be painting because I will be waiting for them to wake up and in the meantime I will be doing something stupid like the dishes and cleaning and flipping channels and getting stuck on CNN and worrying about Trump but eventually I might get to the studio for a sliver of the day but then I will have to leave because I will have to drive the kids to wherever they need to be but I love them so much that ultimately I don't mind doing it but I should have gotten more accomplished when school was in but I didn't because I always forget about June being hellish.

To be continued...

The Story of the Commission

Climb Inside The Sunset

36 x 48"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2017

sold

I realize I posted this painting not that long ago, but the story of this commission continues, so it requires another feature.

detail of Climb Inside The Sunset

© Nicki Ault, 2017

Late last November I came home to find a message on my answering machine from a man in Portland, Oregon who wanted to talk to me about a commission. I called him back and we had a wonderful conversation. He was actually originally from Saskatoon and, although we went to different high schools, we even graduated the same year! He had been "home" in the summer and saw my solo show at the University Club (formerly the Faculty Club) and wondered if I would consider doing a large painting for him and his wife. He told me they wanted silhouetted trees with a sunset behind, so I sent them some sample images of my work plus an image of "Grandeur", a cloudy sunset with no silhouetted trees, as an option. (see below)

Grandeur

36 x 36"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

sold

That did it- they wanted something like that only a bit bigger!

I was excited to take on the project because big skies always speak to me and I always wanted to do another, but never got around to it. 

Fast forward a few months and the painting is now done, approved and delivered. But the best part of the whole story is the email I received Friday morning from my client. It literally took my breath away. When I wrote him back I did so through tears. With his permission (and adjustments for privacy) here is what he wrote:

"Nicki:

I am overcome with gratitude! Your painting is more amazing in person than I imagined....Wow!

I took it to have it framed immediately and it is scheduled to be good to go right before [my wife's] birthday-great timing!

I will be sure to send you a picture once it adorns our home!

Many, many thanks!

I will be sure to let you know when we are next in Saskatoon so that we can meet in person.

So happy,

S. B.

PS: Some back story that I can't recall if I told you about. Last summer, my best friend from Saskatoon lost his mum in a tragic car accident. [His mum] was essentially my second mum. The service for this loss happened at the Faculty Club at the U of S and your art happened to be on exhibit that day. In a quiet moment together after most of the guests had left, my friend and I mused at how your works, particularly of the sky in Waskesiu where we spent countless summer and winter nights vacationing together, captured the essence of his mum. Graceful, beautiful, larger than life and always wide open to the world. Hence, me connecting with you.

My wife has a very strong connection to [her] as well. Among many moments, one stands out. [My wife] has commented on several occasions how [my second mum] made sure that [my wife], on our wedding day, thoughtfully pause throughout the day to take in all it would offer. What brilliant advice it was. Ironically, your painting will forever remind not just [my wife] but me as well of [my second mum] and the incredible sunset we saw on our wedding day 16 years ago in central Oregon."

Whew! Emotions were running high after reading that!

detail of Climb Inside The Sunset

© Nicki Ault, 2017

Commissions are hard, and I would not hesitate to say "no" to some, but this one felt right, as have the handful of others I have done. What I was not expecting from this situation was to receive that beautiful message and to have it absolutely, one hundred percent, fully stop me in my tracks and take stock of my purpose as an artist.

I did not see that coming.

You see, landscape painters, in these modern/contemporary days, are not necessarily viewed in the big art world itself as very relevant. It isn't often that landscapes are edgy or politically charged or "out there" or pushing boundaries or sexy or a million other things that get attention. I have actually heard that landscapes are at the bottom of the barrel in the hierarchy of what is interesting in art. Ouch. Whatever this attitude/stereotype is, it has messed with my mind many a-time. It has made me question whether I should continue down this path or whether I should switch gears and pursue another genre.

But I love landscapes. I LOVE Saskatchewan and I LOVE Canada. I love painting scenes that are so beautiful to me that I cannot express how I feel about them in words. 

detail of Climb Inside The Sunset

© Nicki Ault, 2017

Don't get me wrong, I still have a desire to explore and learn. I still have an itch to experiment with abstracts and to hone my figure drawing skills, BUT after receiving that email testimonial on Friday morning what has been wiped away is the thought that I must pursue these other interests because they might be more acceptable in the big ol' art world. If and when I charge down those paths it will be with a pure heart itching for self-discovery, not because someone "out there" thinks there is more honour in the pursuit of those things over landscapes.

I am humbled and invigorated to know that my artwork existed in a time and place where people suffering the tragic loss of a beautiful loved one were somehow comforted by my paintings and that viewing them helped in some way. Landscapes are capable of invoking deep memories and emotions.

I am proud.

And I will never, ever say I am "just a landscape painter" ever again.

 

detail of Climb Inside The Sunset

© Nicki Ault, 2017

It's Underway

commission underway!

© Nicki Ault, 2017

It was a great day at the studio today... I mapped out the basic feel of my commission and I am loving it in this initial, simple state. I don't usually post works in progress, but this one has got me thinking- the soft, neutral colours may inform another commission that is in the queue. This will change over the next several sessions and I won't show it now until it is done. I hope I can hold on to my idea for it- if I do, I think it will be my favourite big sky to date. Big drama coming up!

photo © Nicki Ault, 2017

P.S. I felt eyes on me all day... Bridget's cow was overseeing my progress.

Last Light By Ski Beach, Waskesiu

Last Light By Ski Beach, Waskesiu

20 x 20"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

sold

In my last post I told you about the commission I just finished and how I actually painted two paintings in order to give the client a choice. This is the second painting... a sunset by Ski Beach in Waskesiu that was both intense and calm at the same time. A very different feel from the painting he chose, but it still included all the elements he asked for: a sunset, the lake, light and Spruce. I'm so happy that he ended up with a painting that he loves. Someday this painting will find its way to a home where it will hopefully offer a reminder of wonderful lake memories to its owner.

End of Day, Main Beach, Waskesiu

End of Day, Main Beach, Waskesiu

20 x 20"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2015

(commission)

sold

Early this summer I had a lovely email from a fellow Waskesiu enthusiast asking if I would consider creating a painting to represent the feel of the national park at sunset and including Spruce, light, and the lake. Although it seemed right up my alley, commissions are tricky because you never know what the client might be imagining in their head. Never-the-less I agreed to give it a try. Lucky for me he happens to watch my Facebook page and I was able to get an idea of what he preferred based on his "likes" of the 6x6" paintings I posted this summer. That might have been a little cheaty of me, but it really helped me focus on an idea. Actually it helped me focus on two! There was another image that I thought could be the one for him, so I painted it too! I was happy to give him a choice and the above painting is the one he will be giving a home.

I have to say he was a delight to work with and he was totally understanding of my crazy life (two injured kids and a father who broke his hip- all in one month- I am glad September is over) and how it dictated the time I could spend at the studio to get his painting done. If all commissions went like this I would be thrilled to do more.

Grit's Sunset, Waskesiu

Grit's Sunset, Waskesiu

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

(commission)

sold

In January of this year I was contacted by two acquaintances who happen to work together at the University of Saskatchewan and who both also happen to have a few pieces of my art. They wondered if I might be able to do a painting for a retirement gift. The subject? The view from the retiree's cabin in Waskesiu! It seemed right up my alley, so I said yes. It was presented at a banquet on Monday evening so I feel like it is safe to show it to you now.

Coming Home

Coming Home

36 x 36"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

sold 

I'm feeling really happy - this painting went over well. I don't do commissions often, but when I have I find it a nerve-wracking experience. This week I delivered "Coming Home" to Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery where I met with the client, her mom and Darrell. I was very nervous because I wondered if it would measure up to what she envisioned in her mind's eye. Her reaction was quite immediate- and she loved it! Whew! She has recently graduated from medical school and this painting is a congratulatory gift from her mom. I am honoured that one of my paintings was chosen to celebrate this special accomplishment; I am grateful that she connected with my work so much that she wanted a large piece for her home. She is planning to move down east in the future, so I hope that when she looks at this prairie scene she feels like she is coming home. 

The Sunset

The Sunset

8 x 10"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

sold 

I was honoured when the principal from my kids' school approached me to create a painting for a friend based on a photo of a sunset the friend adores. After studying the photo I decided it was a job I could take on because it felt familiar, in fact, it brought to mind some of the paintings I have done in the past of silhouetted trees against colourful skies. I've said it before and I will say it again, it's not an easy subject. I am pleased with how it turned out- especially the treeline- it has me thinking about all kinds of possibilities now that I am on an experimental abstract kick.

The Sunset- detail

© Nicki Ault, 2014

The Sunset- detail

© Nicki Ault, 2014

Some of the details could make for interesting paintings on their own. 

Sunlight Through The Pines And Lifestyles Show

Sunlight Through the Pines

36 x 40"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2013

sold

I haven't done many commissions, but when this one came up I felt really good about it. I initially thought it was do-able, but when it was about 80% finished I didn't feel that way anymore! I had to take a break and re-group. It actually helped to take a photo and study it at home which is when I realized that the trees seemed too heavy and it was all-over too dark. It was scary to make significant tweaks, but once I realized it wasn't good enough and that I wouldn't feel right about delivering it, it was easier to make the changes it needed. With the alterations it came alive and the light really began to sparkle through the trees like I had hoped.

I delivered the painting on the weekend and it was extremely well received, in fact, the reaction was humbling. Art can do this amazing thing that when you make a personal connection to a piece, it can transport you to a time and place in your memory, tapping into emotions for which it is difficult to find words. I am so happy it is in a home where it will be enjoyed for years to come.

As well on the weekend, I spent Saturday at Lifestyles by Darrell Bell Gallery. It was so much fun and I really appreciated the friends and family who came down to say "hi". This connection with Darrell Bell has been a big deal in my journey and it means a lot that people are happy for me. Here are some photos of my show at the boutique and my "window display" where I spent some time painting:

The funniest part of the day happened when I was painting and a small group of tourists walked by. They stopped and began taking photos of each other in front of the window with me in it!

Hugh's Pond

Joy

Hugh's Pond
Pride

3- 7x7

acylic on canvas
all sold

Here are the three commissioned pieces all in one place. I do believe they should be hung horizontally, but they won't fit on the screen in that manner. The neighbor who asked me to paint these for her husband's birthday this summer has seen them on the blog, but not in person yet. The pond is his own creation and his pride and joy. She seems pleased so far and I hope in person she will like them even more. The colours certainly show better in real life. The greens of the water are not showing well on my monitor; the blue is taking over a bit. The painting of the water lily is a waaaaaaayyy better photograph than the previous one I posted- look here to see the difference. This is a much more accurate representation. I wanted to include a more pulled back view of the pond, so that hopefully it can be recognized by the family as the one Hugh created in their back yard. I was a bit concerned they wouldn't flow, but I think it is okay, and hopefully even a bit more interesting done this way. Please let me know what you think now that you can see them as a grouping. As always, I appreciate hearing from the interesting people that stop by my blog.

Two Down

Pride
acrylic on canvas

7x7"

(update: for a better quality image see this post)
sold

I made it to the studio a few days this week and was able to get the second painting done for the commission I am working on. Well, it's basically done... now that I see it on the screen I think I may have to glaze over the stems again to make them appear more submerged.

I forgot to mention in my last post that I finally put to use a tube of paint I bought ages ago, but never quite knew what to do with. It is called Iridescent Pearl and it's really quite beautiful. I ended up using a small amount on each fish- to give the scales an iridescent shimmer. On this painting I ended up putting the slightest touch on the tips of some of the petals, just to tie the two paintings together. I think generally it is a colour that should be used in moderation, but especially in this circumstance when it is a gift for a man. I'm not too sure how much razzmatazz he would appreciate on his paintings!

Which got me thinking: I wonder when the shift happens for boys? When do they stop enjoying sparkly things? I know my kids love anything shiny when they are doing crafts and my sister, who teaches Grade One, says year after year the boys in her classes can't get enough of anything glittery. It's really quite cute. Just this week Sammy brought home a workbook on the Wright Brothers and their inventions which he completed in his Grade Two class. On one page he was supposed to list what he felt were "Other Useful Inventions" and his short list made me smile:

- tradeing cards

- toylets

- glitter glue

One Down, Two To Go

Joy
7x7

acrylic on canvas
sold

Here is the first of three paintings I am working on that have been commissioned by a neighbor (sorry about the slight glare across the top of the canvas). Her husband is celebrating a big birthday this summer and she wanted me to paint his pride and joy... a pond in their back yard that he has designed and laboured over (actually I'm pretty sure his baby grand-daughter is his official pride and joy, but the pond is a close second!). After she approached me, I gave the project some thought and then suggested that instead of one large painting I could do three smaller paintings with each one focusing on a detail of the pond. She loved that idea and that quickly became the plan. I really hope it turns out the way I see it in my mind's eye because she is completely trusting me on this one.

I have to say, this little painting has been glazed within an inch of it's life! I wanted to build up the colour of the water to give it depth and richness- especially against the bright, bold  colours of the fish. In the photos she provided for me, the water looked black and I wanted to avoid such extreme darkness in the painting. I'm pretty happy with the result; I really like the composition and how the colours are working together. Once the other two pieces are finished I may have to do a bit of tweaking to make sure they will work as a group.

Next up... the water lily... it's beautiful, but the petals are going to mess with my mind!