Prairie Chaos

Prairie Chaos

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

available exclusively at Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery

It's been a bit hard to get into the studio over the last month, but I did find some time a week ago which was great because Lifestyles By Darrell Bell Gallery was in need of some more work. Over a few days time I was able to get six new paintings done and they were dry enough to deliver yesterday. Happily the new wall display they have created for my art is really attracting attention and because it is visible through the front window it is catching the eye of passers-by and they are coming in to the store to have a better look. Good for the store, good for me! Win-win!

Fires In Northern Saskatchewan

Smoke Haze Over Waskesiu

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2013

sold

This is a sad and difficult time for my beloved province. Our northern communities are making history, but in a way that is far from desirable. The largest ever mass evacuations have taken place. Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes- forced away from their communities and unimaginably asked to leave pets behind. Why? Because fire is ripping through the northern old growth forest and endangering everything in its path. It is a scary, sad and desperate time. The most recent update says that the fires may not actually be extinguished until the first snow flies. That is not nearly, remotely, ever-so-slightly soon enough. I am not sure there has ever been a time in my life that I wished money was no object. I want to do something for these families to make this extraordinarily difficult time in their lives easier. I am at a loss.

Smoke from these extensive fires has made its way to my hometown, Saskatoon, and remarkably, further south into the United States. Outdoor sports events have actually been cancelled when the air quality is so unacceptable. To put it into perspective we are five to six hours away from where the fires are actually burning.

If you recall, two years ago I went on a painting and canoe trip to the La Ronge area in northern Saskatchewan. Well, that is where the fires are burning. There and further north. I recently heard that there is now a "Lynx" fire... I can only assume that that means there is a fire at Lynx Lake which was the first lake we crossed, then Duck Lake and finally Sulphide Lake to get to our home base for the canoe trip. I am very worried about the fishing camp we stayed at and the wonderful man, Vern Studer, who owned and ran it. What will happen to his family-run business and all of the history in his home-made museum?

getting ready to "set sail" on Lynx Lake

Lori (assistant guide) and Vern Studer (owner of camp)

 Studer Homestead Museum

Sulphide Lake

  Rain, we need you... for days on end and with no lightening. Please come and bring your friends.

 The Jack Pine On Lynx Lake, La Ronge

48 x 30:

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2014

available

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

Above The Lake, Waskesiu

Above The Lake, Waskesiu

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
sold

I painted this on the beach when I went up to the lake at the end of May. The sky was, in actuality, blue and free of clouds. So basically what I am saying is I made this sky up!

Meet Spring

Meet Spring

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/meet-spring/395190
 sold 

"Meet Spring" was painted during Art Trek. Not only was the trek a great opportunity to chat with people who had come out to discover the artists' studios, but it was a chance to get a bit of work done. I painted this little piece and most of the last painting I showed you, "McPhee From Highway 264", during the Friday and Saturday event.

Quite frankly, after I painted it, it dawned on me that spring was almost over and it was time to think about painting the new season. In some ways I cannot believe it is now summer already. I hate to say it, but it means winter is that much closer. And it means my oldest is that much closer to graduating from Grade Eight. This coming school year feels monumental to me. Perhaps not as much as the Grade Twelve year will be, but still, he is growing up and I am not sure how to feel about it. When I started this blog almost six years ago he and his brother were little. They were so cute and so funny and sooo exhausting. I was frazzled and sleep deprived and looking for relief... and something to call mine; to define me as an individual, as a woman- something beyond a mother and a wife. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud to have these roles, but back then I felt swallowed up. I had lost a lot of who I was as a unique and creative person. I gave this blog to myself for a birthday present in August 2009 and it has motivated me to continue with my art practice over and over again. 

Now my son is taller than me and the archive to this blog is just as long! I don't see either stopping anytime soon. Thank you so much for tuning in! I hope my future paintings continue to keep you interested.

McPhee From Highway 264

McPhee From Highway 264

12 x 12"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/mcphee-from-highway-264/394746

Here is a slightly different view of McPhee Lake from the highway that passes by en route to my usual destination of Waskesiu. I love so much about the scene I found last month that I had to paint another version; the straw-like grasses, the dead, spiky trees, the cluster of forest to the left - one dead and "rusty" tree and another silver from moss overtaking it. A bit of a theme of death in this one and yet I don't find it depressing. It's the cycle of life in the forest, beautiful in all its forms.

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.

The Ear

The Ear

14.5 x 12"

graphite on Stonehenge paper

© Nicki Ault, 2015

What?! I almost forgot to show you my ear! This mother took me a good six months to do from start to finish. Granted I only had class once a week for three hours, but still, that was a long haul!

I am proud to say I have discovered that I have a strong case of stick-to-it-iveness. I know I am loyal to people, but it turns out I am loyal to art programs too! The course at the atelier is not for everyone, but, happily, it works for me and I know my skills will grow and evolve while I continue my studies. Who knows where it will lead, but I am excited to find out. 

Next up... the painting program in the fall! Yippee!

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!

King's Island, View From South Bay

King's Island, View From South Bay

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2015
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nicki-ault/kings-island-view-from-south-bay/392440 
sold

I did this little 6x6 inch study while sitting on a picnic table at South Bay in Waskesiu. It has a great view, if not a bit distant, of King's Island- the only island on Waskesiu Lake. South Bay is a beautiful, rustic beach with trails and several fire pits for barbequing. We have never gone there as a family, but I think I will have to put it on the list for the summer. I think a little exploring and marshmallow roasting is just what we need when school is out.