Alberta – heatherdawnfineart

Fall Paintings

calf Patio Relax trees

Again another season gone…all too soon. Switching gears seems to take extra time in my world.

This fall I was very blessed to be able to take part in the Bragg Creek Plein Air Festival.

You can look up Bragg Creek online, it is a sweet place to be. The people are lovely and the art community is alive and well.

This weekend (October 6,7,8, 2017) is the opening show for the art that came from the cold, rainy, slushy, invigorating, paint out last weekend.

Here is the link: http://www.artcountrycanada.com/bragg-creek-plein-air-art-festival.htm

Happy Autumn to all of you!

Oh my it has been a long time since I posted on here…it kind of feels like being away from home…have I bitten off more than I can chew? I don’t think so, I think it is just a matter of getting into a flow and I am certain that will happen soon.
Today I want to share a little of what has been happening with me. I have had a few commission paintings and a few photography sessions…well in between that I have been plein air painting and working on some of my own pieces; oh I have a long list of art shows that I am going to create and that is so exciting for me!

I also have been doing ALOT of courses on mentoring, health and painting.
Still my most all time favorite pass-time is being with my family & friends.

Today I decided to start a SmugMug website https://heatherdawnfineartphotos.smugmug.com/ for photography… and I recently I started a FASO website for paintings http://heatherdawnfineart.com …and the third website has yet to have work added…it is my Daily Paintwork website (I will tell you more about that as I get it up and running) I hope that this will simplify things for me in the end because it is like organizing….right? 🙂

There is much more to come and I have been working hard, so I want to say thank you so much for being patient and staying with me through all of my figuring out things.

All the best to all of you as you continue on your journey.

I will check in soon for updates.

Drive-By

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Wallpaper Paintings

Portrait Painting

As long as I can remember I have absolutely loved different types of papers, textures, cards and books. When I was younger I would spend as much time as I was able to inside the store looking at and touching all of the greeting cards. While I was attending Art College one of my favorite places to be was in the college’s art supply/bookstore selecting out art supplies. They had sample books with paper samples in it; that was just something that I liked doing. Another favorite place for me is the hardware stores, I know funny…but the smell of wood just catches me in a nostalgic way and I could linger strolling through a hardware store forever. They also have samples of paint and wallpaper…oh my wallpaper is so rich. I don’t really like wallpapered walls, but wallpaper itself is fun to experiment and play with; when I say play I mean to collage with it or paint on it. I have a few rolls of different types of wallpaper that I have been collecting over the years and finally decided today that I would like to paint on pieces to see what effects I can get. Of course one of my favorite subjects to paint is the human face. I plan on painting many quick sketches on pieces of this beautiful textured wallpaper and then after it is dry my plan is to mount select ones onto these walnut framed panels that I have. I have a feeling this project might take some time but I think it is well worth it. The photo of the painting below is my first “Wallpaper Lady” which I did today.
I painted it in oils and my colors are Titanium White, Raw Umber, and a touch of Phthaloe Blue in some areas. The subject is from an old black and white (sepia colored) photograph by Julia Margaret Cameron from the 1800’s

Vintage Wall Flower

Commissioned

Portrait Painting

I’ve heard many artists say that they “don’t like commissions” but for me, it has become a huge welcome. A commission is not just money in the bank, it is an awesome opportunity to connect with people, it is also a chance to be challenged to create something that someone else wants. I love the interaction with people and am blessed to have requests for commission paintings.
I took photographs of the stages from this commissioned portrait because, for me, that is such an exciting part of what I do. I absolutely love seeing the painting emerge from the canvas. I also am posting a photo of my limited palette.

I’m looking forward to helping you own your commissioned portrait of a milestone in your life or as a celebration of the ones you love.

Enjoy 🙂 thanks for always being here!

Lara

palette

stage 1

stage 2

stage 3

stage 4

stage 5

stage 6

stage 7

A Pseudo-Graffiti Painting and a Video

Impressionist Painter.

Do you all remember the post I made about painting a large profile photo of a client? Well I finally took the time to make a video about BOTH the painting and the photo session. This gives you an idea of what I was talking about. Enjoy….BTW I LOVE your feedback. Thanks for taking time out to visit. Please click the link below to see the video. Hugs to all.

https://youtu.be/gPI_InfpVOs

Letting Go with Joy, Love & Peace.

Impressionist Painter.

It is said that an artist is their own worse critic…well I certainly have been. I know it is a good thing to take pride in my work and always push the boundaries in order to achieve the level of painting that I want to achieve; not comparing myself but to be better than I was yesterday. So with that in mind I have realized that while I am painting and pushing my boundaries, I am developing; but in the process I am also advancing which can be somewhat crippling at times because I then am dissatisfied with a painting not long after it is finished. I have an idea, an image in my head that I want to attain…therefore I often don’t appreciate the beauty of a piece that I just painted.

I have been going through my studio getting organized for new clients and new work. In the process I came across some older paintings that I did on watercolor paper. I have a new appreciation for them; absence makes the heart grow fonder. 🙂

It reminds me of when I go to my sister, Charlene`s, home. She has collected many pieces of my work: a handmade, lidded ceramic box with intricate carving and a soft moss green, sugary glaze, little leaf print dishes with tiny coiled feet, an ornately carved tile piece, and (among other works) paintings which I made so many years ago. When I see them I can`t help but gaze a little longer at them and wonder why did I not appreciate these before? I am thankful that she has kept them safe. It is like old friends that someone has taken care of for my return visit.

These flower paintings do have a charm of their own and I can see that they can be loved and appreciated by someone as much as I have come to love them. If my work brings joy to one person it will have been worth it.

I can imagine them all being framed and hung as a group on one large wall or even in some small, precious, sitting nook to be enjoyed while relaxing for the day. I can imagine that they will be quietly speaking peace to the home where they will live.

Well today I have decided that in order for this “river” to flow I will let these paintings fly away to rest in whichever home they are meant for.

I am letting go with love, joy and peace …sending these out to their new families. My hope is that once they have been framed and placed in their perfect nest, that the owner would take a photograph of themselves with the painting (or just the painting if you wish) and allow me to have a digital copy for my portfolio. It would be such a good memory for me.

Each one, no matter the size, is CAD $60.00 each (plus shipping).

Thank you for your kindness in liking and sharing this post around the world.
Hugs to all.
I am including larger, individual images with the size and description underneath each one….keep scrolling. 🙂

flowers

group

large flower watercolour
giant poppies

Ink and Watercolor on YUPO – 26 inches x 16.5 inches.

big pink poppy

Big Pink Poppy – Watercolor on Paper. 16 x 20 inches.

iris

Irises – Watercolor of paper. 11 x 15 inches.

Flowers

Red Poppies – Watercolor of paper. 11 x 15 inches

pink poppies

Pink Poppies Watercolor on Canson Painting Board 16 x 20 inches.
red poppy

Poppy – Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15 inches.

red_100826

Red Poppy- Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15

red and orange poppies

Orange and Red Poppies – Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15 inches
tulips

Tulips – Watercolor on Canson Paint Board. 16 x 20 inches

red poppies blowing

Poppies in the Breeze. – Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15 inches

still life

Blue Vase. Acrylic on Windsor Newton 140 Lb paper. 22 x 30 inches.

wht fl

Love, Joy Peace- Watercolor on Windsor Newton 140 Lb- 7 x 10 inches.

Red Blouse

Impressionist Painter.

My latest portrait is titled Red Blouse. What I so love about this painting is that the red from the blouse has reflected onto my model (Cheryl) not only under her chin, but also the lower lip, the nose and eyes. This was so appealing to me and I am very happy with the results.

20160224_204153cropped final

I am including two progress images.

Until next time, thank you for stopping by, please feel free to share this post.

latter stage

mi-stage

Helping Children Escape…or is it Discovering Life?

Impressionist Painter.

I love children. I have my children who are all grown up now, and my grandchildren plus a new baby granddaughter on the way and I am happy about that. When the last of my 5 children were younger I decided that I needed to home school them for various reasons. The sheer joy I got from seeing them learn something new was phenomenal; the satisfaction that I felt was bursting inside of me.
I taught art classes in schools, at art centers and in my own studio for several years, that was another time period where I was filled with that deep sense of accomplishment when these students soared in their creativity and at that time I felt that my life was so meaningful…(yes there are times that I lose sight of that).

When I saw this article that a friend of mine shared, I felt confirmed that what I chose to do in teaching my own children academics and art at home as well as art for other children, had possibly been quite an important commitment that I made for over 19 years. I often imagine (especially when I needed a boost) that the children I taught would grow up and remember the good things that they learned from me and that they would have fond memories or felt inspired by something that I may have brought their way…well perhaps that is the case and maybe I will find out one day, if I am meant to.

Here are some images of some art students.
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Here is the article.
View at Medium.com

Enjoy and have fun creating, happy painting.

Paintings in Photography – Inspired by Gustav Klimt.

Impressionist Painter.

Here are the results of my paintings that were inspired by Gustav Klimt. This is an awesome and very involved project. I feel as though there is a whole world that lies underneath this inspiration and my finished product cannot keep up with all of my ideas. Once I get a refined flow happening, I’m sure that even though it will still be very involved, I will be able to reach the finish line much quicker (hoping so anyway.)

In the last months I have been fine tuning my portrait studio with some painting and organizing, meeting with clients and models, learning new work flow techniques, tending to my dad who has been quite ill and just regular everyday life. Speaking of a busy life did I mention I am going to be a grandma (gramma) again? I’m so excited about that cute little bundle of joy arriving.

About this painting / portrait. In stage one I painted the two canvases as you may have seen in my other post, if not here is the link https://agentbluewhale.wordpress.com/2015/08/26/blue-and-blue-two/

I then had set up a photo session with my daughter Cheryl, I had Carolina one of my make-up artists come in and my friend/assistant Kathy come in to help with this shoot. It was so much fun!

Here are two of the photos that I was satisfied with and I intend to paint both of them…yes that is the intention. I create paintings to incorporate into my photography and then use them as my subjects for paintings. This is an elaborate way to get to the finished piece, but to me it is more satisfying knowing the process. I understand that all of this could have been accomplished in a program such as Photoshop, and I love Photoshop for many reasons, but I had to paint the props / backgrounds myself that is just who I am.

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Andrea

Impressionist Painter.

Have you ever been in a sleep and had such a vivid dream that you see it so clearly…and in color? I have them all the time, sometimes I may even take the time to write them down; I find it helps to bring them back to life when I read about them months or years down the road.

I had another such dream last night and I am so excited to paint that one…but for now let me tell you about this one.
As you all know I am working on my two passions, painting and photography. I had a lovely lady that was scheduled to come in for a portrait session. About 12 days before the session I saw, in my dream, that I needed to paint her profile photo on a giant canvas and shoot her portrait in front of it. The idea was that I wanted it to be like a painted wall, well it isn’t as big as a wall, maybe next time I can do that.
I have to say I am so happy with this one and her portraits turned out great, I have some post work to do and after she views them, then I will post some on here.
For now, I get to share the painting.

Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by and for all of your patient support and love.