Tag Archives: Canada

Miniature, Miniature Painting, Nature

The tinier the bird, the bigger the challenge!

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Newest mini: “Bird on a Fence” (2.25 x 3.5 inches), acrylic on paperboard. I love painting wood and texture and this old barn was a lot of fun. The tiny bird on the fencepost was less fun and a bit more tricky!

When painting a bird this small (just a few millimeters), the goal is really to capture the essence and presence with just a few brush strokes as the extremely small area does not allow for much reworking, without distorting the image. Painting these little details can be trying sometimes but they always present a good challenge.

This little painting is available at Excellent Frameworks in Duncan BC.

Bird on a Fence (a tiny 2.25 x 3.5 inches)

Event, Miniature Painting

West Coast Rhapsody for Auction!

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This year I am delighted to donate the miniature painting “West Coast Rhapsody” (2.5 x 6 inches), to the annual MERS online auction (Marine Education & Research Society), in support of the tremendous work that they do. A big thank you to Jackie Hildering for sharing her beautiful photo with me as reference material for this painting!

If you would like to purchase this framed miniature painting, please follow this link to the MERS website to learn more about the online auction held Friday, April 22nd at 5pm until Sunday, May 1st at 7pm, PDT.

This is female Humpback Whale “Jigger” (BCX1188). Reference photo by Jackie Hildering aka @TheMarineDetective in her work as a researcher for @mersociety.

“West Coast Rhapsody” (2.5 x 6 inches), miniature painting.

Below is a series of progressive images of the painting from start to finish. “West Coast Rhapsody” (2.5 x 6 inches), acrylic on paper board:

Miniature, Miniature Painting

A glorious day on the coast!

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For me, a day on the west coast of Vancouver Island is usually a grand adventure out on the trails, through the trees and across the beaches. And yes, more often than not, a rainy one too. But when the sun is shining, it is absolutely glorious!

Here is a miniature painting I did of a day spent on the beautiful west coast titled: “Summer Shore” (measuring a tiny 1.75 x 4.25 inches in size), painted with acrylic on art board.

Summer Shore (1.75 x 4.25 inches)
“Summer Shore” (measures a tiny 1.75 x 4.25 inches) Acrylic on board.

Landscape, Miniature, Miniature Painting

“At Rest” new mini painting

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Here’s a new miniature painting titled: “At Rest”, measuring 1.75 x 4.25 inches in size.

At Rest (1.75 x 4.25 inches) with coin
“At Rest” (1.75 x 4.25 inches), acrylic on art board, coin to show scale.

This little acrylic painting features a scene of Vancouver Island and Newcastle Island, also known as Saysutshun, a wonderful place to boat to, hike over and just spend a day exploring.

At Rest (1.75 x 4.25 inches)
“At Rest” (1.75 x 4.25 inches), acrylic on art board.

 

 

Event, Gallery, Miniature Painting

Peninsula Gallery Rebirth opening!

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I’m very pleased to share that Peninsula Gallery in Sidney BC is opening their new show today! I have six miniature paintings in the show, along with many beautiful works created by several gallery artists. Here are the details below, and you are most welcome to visit the gallery or view the show online

Or view the gallery here

Dear Friends,
As promised, our gallery’s door is officially reopening today
Saturday June 6 at 10am!
You can visit our gallery just as before, we allow maximum 8 people to be in the gallery at any given time, you can also watch a short video of a walk through of the gallery or browse through all new arrivals on our website on Event page.
We wish you continued safety and health!
Or/And
Or/And
Visit Our Gallery!
Our Gallery’s Hours Will Stay The Same:
Tue – Sat: 10-5
Other Days and Times: By appointment or By chance
Miniature, Miniature Painting, Victoria

New mini: Spring Meadow

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Spring time in pretty Beacon Hill park on Vancouver Island, where lovely camas blooms in the grass and blue skies shine overhead. Lovely spot for a ramble on a sunny day!

“Spring Meadow” (1.75 x 4.25 inches), acrylic on art board, second image with coin to show scale.

“Spring Meadow” (1.75 x 4.25 inches), acrylic on art board.
“Spring Meadow” (1.75 x 4.25 inches), acrylic on art board, with coin for scale.

 

Landscape, Miniature Painting

Painting tiny worlds with big views.

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Some of my tiniest miniature paintings, these eight little pieces were done for a show a few years ago and, when I can go out treasure hunting again, I hope to find more of these little antique frames. Each tiny painting measures approximately 2 x 1.5 inches in size, all are painted with acrylic on hardboard.

Painting the landscape in such a small format offers a good challenge technically as well as visually. My hope is that each painting presents itself as a tiny portal to another place offering a glimpse, if you will, of something lovely.

Landscape, Miniature Painting

A day at the river

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These two miniature paintings are from the Englishman River area near Parksville BC, a terrific spot for a cool break on a hot day, or a hike in the woods. I’ve been working through a series of paintings featuring this lovely area, and “Englishman River” is a very similar sister painting to one I did in January.

I’d have to say that painting river rocks with moving water, or still water, in fact – any kind of water – is my favourite subject to paint. I’m looking forward to the beautiful parks in my area opening again so I can revisit these wonderful landscapes, both in the moment, and later in the studio.

Englishman River (5.25 x 1.5 inches) with coin for scale. Acrylic on art board.
Englishman River (5.25 x 1.5 inches). Acrylic on art board.

 

Englishman River Falls (5.25 x 1.5 inches), with coin for scale. Acrylic on artboard.
Englishman River Falls (5.25 x 1.5 inches). Acrylic on art board.

Event, Gallery, Miniature Painting

Taking joy in the landscape

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In this extremely challenging time, I’m deeply grateful more than ever to lose myself in a beautiful landscape, if only with my paintbrush for the time being. Over the last twenty years I have taken thousands of photos, always hoping for a few gems, to use as reference for my miniature paintings. And with the creation of each painting, I can again visit the place where I was first inspired to pause and enjoy the beauty of the landscape. 

I hope that sharing these paintings will offer some little bit of joy to others as well, even if just a brief respite from the difficulties we are facing.

Forest Meadow (3 x 2 inches), acrylic on art board, with coin for scale.
Forest Meadow (3 x 2 inches), acrylic on art board.
Peaceful Shore (2 x 3 inches), acrylic on art board.
These two miniature paintings are a part of the 28th annual show: The Art of the Miniature XXVIII, presented by the Snow Goose Gallery in Bethlehem, PA. The show features an incredible selection of miniature artwork, and can be viewed on-line.

Miniature Painting

Time for a little sunshine

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Spring is “springing” here on Vancouver Island, and the sun is shining through the window, a simple pleasure for which I am deeply grateful. And though I’m staying home these days, my imagination is free to wander and take my paint brush with it.

Last summer, I took a walk along the Englishman River Estuary, near Parksville BC, and found this obliging bench to sit on, and just relax, and enjoy the view!

“A Good Place to Sit” (2.25 x 3.5 inches), acrylic on art board. This miniature painting features the lovely Englishman River Estuary near Parksville, BC.

A Good Place to Sit (2.25 x 3.5 inches)
A Good Place to Sit (2.25 x 3.5 inches), acrylic on art board.

A Good Place to Sit (2.25 x 3.5 inches) with coin
A Good Place to Sit (2.25 x 3.5 inches), acrylic on art board, with coin to show scale.