Convection Killer

An overcast deck of stratocumulus in the morning can really ruin a perfectly good (but inaccurate) forecast for afternoon convection. Such stratocumulus is typical in the warm and humid air mass. The same moisture that creates the huge instabilities conducive to severe convection, also promotes low deck stratocumulus. As I was signing my name, the sun started to peak between the stratocumulus as it continued its transformation into cumulus due to the ongoing daytime heating.

Boots

This is the marble point at Singleton Lake. I was up to my thighs in water with the setting sun on my back. Sun fish swam around my legs. It was only an 8x10 canvas and I was a bit cramped for the composition - but I had fun! The boots left on the shore are mine. Thus the cryptic title for this sketch.

"Northern Light: The Enduring Mystery of Tom Thomson and the Woman Who Loved Him"

My Friend Roy MacGregor is just finishing the final edits on his study of Tom Thomson. "Northern Light: The Enduring Mystery of Tom Thomson and the Woman Who Loved Him". Random House will publish it in September. Roy and I agree that there is not as much mystery as one might think. When one removes the silly, implausible, invented fabrications, the simpler truth remains. I was very pleased to help out where I could. CSI (Creative Scene Investigation) is a powerful tool. It is a really great read and my only wish is that the really long version could go into print... There are some facts that will finally set the record straight and certainly surprise a lot of TT enthusiasts! Good for you Roy...



This is the cover... It shows Tom circa 1915-1916 working on a trout spoon. Tom always thought that he was a better fisherman than an artist.

Grey Owl - Day 7

I will likely tinker on Grey Owl for another few days but it will be difficult to see the brush strokes - and maybe even the differences.

Grey Owl - Day 3

There are a lot of feathers on a grey owl and no two seem to be the same... I hope that you like it!

Great Grey

My Friend Dave Hotchkiss took this remarkable image of a great grey owl about to strike a baited mouse on the top of the fence post. Dave wanted me to tackle this subject matter to see how I would do. I actually counted feathers while trying to keep the art painterly and loose. It is indeed another challenge. Let's see how it turns out! The hauntingly intense eye is the most important part of this subject.

Portraits are Challenging

Every portrait is a challenge and this had two - but I like a challenge. More importantly, I want to please and that is my only goal for portrait work. I have had several last days working on this portrait pretty much non-stop for a month. I work to recover what I had. at an earlier stage. At this point the slightest change in colour, shape or tone has a huge impact.. One must know when to stop... I had better walk away from it soon...

Family Portrait - First Sketch

This is the first attempt at the commission. I was having a very good day and the likenesses just popped unto the canvas... Let's hope that I continue to have good days on this work.

Autumn Patchwork

This is the view of the shore of Round Lake in the fall of the year from a canoe - the only way to view a lake. I was attracted to the patchy nature of the tree crowns creating a tapestry of colour. In addition, I just wanted to have some fun.