Art Advent Calendar 2024: Days 21 - 24

 

 

 Day 21: Following the Path, 5.8" x 8.3", watercolour

On a sunny Wednesday in early November, Janis, Bob and I spontaneously decided during our Zoom meeting to paint at Mer Bleue after lunch. Even though the tamaracks had lost their beautiful golden needles, we enjoyed the sunshine on the bog. It was so warm that we painted without jackets.

I painted the boardwalk and quickly realized there was still a lot of colour in the shrubs on both sides of the path. Sometimes, you only need to take the time to observe your surroundings.

 

Watch my video from the outing here.

 

 

Day 22: Last Colours of Fall, watercolour pencils, 7.5" x 5.25"

 

This image is one of my daily drawings. It shows a view from our bedroom window towards the street. 

At the beginning of the year, I challenged myself to draw something daily into my sketchbook. I wanted to capture things I appreciated or saw daily. However, I was sometimes too ambitious in my drawing project to finish in a day.

At the end of the year, I realized it was too ambitious a goal to make a drawing of the day aside from other creative projects. In the future, I will count all paintings and drawings, not only those in my sketchbook. However, I drew many different subjects, which was a great practice - and I had lots of fun capturing something from my daily activities. Plus, I still drew more than I would have without the intention.

Check out my monthly 2024 blogs for more details on my trials and triumphs.

Day 23: Dramatic Sunset, watercolour, 8.3" x 11.7"

This painting is another one from our Painting Buddies Zoom meetings. I saw the bright red sky during a walk with our dog, Shadow, but couldn't get a good shot because of the trees and houses in our neighbourhood. However, my friend, Janis Fulton, got a clear view and shot the amazing photo we used as a reference.


I love the bright late fall and winter evening skies. When we were children, my mother always told my sister and me that the sky was red before Christmas because the angels were baking cookies. Did you hear similar stories during your childhood?

 

 

Day 24:  Shadow, wool, 8.75" x 11.75", wool

Even though I love our dog Shadow and have sketched him several times, this is my first needle-felted portrait of him. I started this painting in early 2021. It shows our dog Shadow, who was just a little puppy then. Part of my reluctance to finish the painting was the background I chose for the painting. Instead of the uninteresting background of our kitchen counter, I added a van Gogh sky in the background but was unsure about it.

 

Early this year, I added hearts to the swirls in the background. Swirls and hearts symbolize the love and excitement Shadow brought to our lives again after we lost our beloved Alex and in a world of physical isolation. I like it and have started adjusting the little guy's body, noticing mistakes in his posture that I had missed. Creating an image of a mostly black dog is challenging because you can hardly see the eyes, snout and shadows. Creating another artwork of him should get easier because he gets more and more white hairs. I can hardly wait to paint him at the prime of his life with acrylic paints.

 

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Holidays! 

 

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the year. I usually create my art without an audience, and it brings me joy to share my world through paintings with you. May my art inspire and uplift you.

 

Wishing you a joyful and creative journey in 2025!
Embrace the opportunities to grow and enrich your life.

I will publish my next blog on January 31, 2025. 

 

Art Advent Calendar 2024: Days 14 - 20

 

Can you believe that tomorrow is the winter solstice? From then on, the days are already getting longer again. I feel the evenings are so long at the moment. I found this week of grey days depressing. Luckily, I have my art to transport me in any season I want. Hopefully, my art cheers you up as well. Here is the third part of my Art Advent Calendar 2024. I try to post the images according to the calendar months. Days 14 to 20 contain summer and fall images. Therefore, you will see more landscapes because my Painting Buddies and I spent more time painting en plein air in September, October and November.




Day 14: Otto, the Happy Otter, 9" x 11.75", wool, custom-matted for a 12" x 16" frame, CAN $450 + shipping

My husband, our dog, and I observed the otter and its family during a canoe ride at the cottage. I love how the canoe glides through the water, allowing us to watch animals we would never see otherwise.

 

When I created the needle-felted painting, I thought at first the animal in the photo was a beaver. After I filled the background and added the animal, it looked like a small bear. When I studied the photo again to see how to change the animal, I realized the cute animal was an otter.
 

 

Day 15: Black-eyed Susans, watercolour and watercolour pencils,
8.3" x 5.8"

My friends and I hadn't gone plein air painting throughout the summer because it was either too hot or rainy. Therefore, I set myself up in our yard to paint my husband's Black-eyed Susans. I worked on the image on two consecutive afternoons.

Day 16: Wildflowers, 9" x 11.75", wool, custom-matted for a 12" x 16" frame, CAN $450 + shipping

I started this painting inspired by my trip to Germany in June. Between the vineyards of Mainz-Laubenheim was a field of beautiful wildflowers and grains. I love the colour combination of the salmon red and the purple-magenta flowers. I just finished the piece this evening. All the details in the flowers and leaves took much longer than I had anticipated.

Day 17 September: Zinnia Bouquet, watercolour, 11.7" x 8.3"

 

During the Arteast studio tour in September, Janis and I demonstrated painting a colourful bouquet of zinnias from Janis' garden. The single chrysanthemum is from a plant I bought to bring some brightness to the dreary time the weather provided for our event. While I always admire Janis' decisive strokes, I am a slow painter because I love the meditative process of adding layers to my paintings. I always find it fascinating how differently we approach our artworks.


I painted most of this piece during the studio tour but still had to complete some of the flowers and create a more pleasing transition between the green tablecloth and the background when I could paint without disruptions.

 

Day 18: Little Creek, Humanics Institute Sculpture Park, watercolour,
10" x 7"

This lovely fall scene is from a September outing to the Humanics Institute Sculpture Park with my friends Janis and Bob.


I finally finished the lush landscape this week. It was challenging to add all the green land without losing the creek among all the foliage. If you have never been to this little gem in Cumberland, I can highly recommend this relaxing and educational path through the woods. You will find many sculptures promoting understanding of the world religions and the circle of life.

Day 19: Catching the Last Fall Colours, 5.8" x 8.3", watercolour

My painting friends and I love Petrie Island because it offers plenty of inspiration at any season. The changing weather provides different views of the same spot. When Bob and I went to Petrie Island on October 31, we witnessed how the wind blew the leaves from the trees we were painting until the trees were almost bare.


Check out my video from the location here.

Day 20: Brilliant November Afternoon, 5.8" x 8.3", watercolour

 

On October 31, the weather was so beautiful that my friend Bob and I went painting at Petrie Island again. In the morning, clouds and cold wind blew the leaves around. However, in the afternoon, we sat in the warm sunlight with temperatures in the mid-twenties, painting the blue waters and brilliant red dogwood shrubs. I am usually a slow painter, building up my paintings layer by layer, but within 45 minutes, I created a lovely sketch.


Check out my video here.

Are you still looking for a gift idea for yourself or others? You can also make an appointment with me or visit my website. I offer gift certificates for paintings and workshops. Art will enrich your life, whether on your walls or by nurturing your creative skills.



Have a wonderful third weekend of Advent! I will publish one additional blog on Tuesday, December 24, the last blog for 2024. I will continue with monthly blogs on the last Friday of the month for 2025.

Art Advent Calendar 2024: Days 7 - 13

 

 

Here is the second part of my Art Advent Calendar 2024. Going through my images, I realized how many floral paintings I created - especially during spring. The awakening of nature always inspires me. Each year, I eagerly await the signs of the first flowers after the long Canadian winters.

Day 7: Rocky Shore, watercolour, 5.8" x 8.3"

This plein air sketch is from my April trip to the cottage at the Ottawa River. First, I wanted to add more detail but decided against it to keep the impression I captured fighting against the fierce wind that blew my watercolours several times onto the sand.

 

 

Day 8: Pink Hibiscus, wool, 5" x 5", framed 10" x 10", CAN $200 + shipping

 

Fortunately, we have a winter garden where many of our plants bloom even during the colder seasons. Our hibiscus plant inspired me to create a vibrant portrait of one of its bright blossoms that, unfortunately, only lasts for a day in nature. I used a variety of reference photos for this bloom.

 

Day 9: Blushing Pink, watercolour, 8.3" x 5.8"

This painting is from the outing to Major's Hill Park in Ottawa in early May, where the tulips were in full bloom.

Janis and I painted before the official start of the Tulip Festival. To make it easier, even though we have other favourite mediums, we both brought watercolour paints because of their easy portability.

Some visitors to the park approached Janis and me to admire our paintings. They gave us lots of compliments and kindly asked before they took photos of us painting. It was lovely to chat and get immediate feedback on what we create.

 

 

Day 10: Belle of the Ball, wool, 8.5" x 12", custom-matted to fit a 12" x 16" frame, CAN $450 + shipping

 

I saw the image of this spectacular tulip when I went through my photo albums and knew I had to felt it. The bloom reminds me of an upside-down ball dress. I had abandoned the artwork after my return from Germany because the season and my focus had changed.

While reviewing my unfinished projects for pieces I could still complete until the end of the year, I realized that this artwork was almost finished.  It still took me two days of felting to finalize it, but I am happy with the result. 

 

Art Advent Calendar Day 11: Strawberries, 7" x 10", watercolour and watercolour pencils

Even though objects for still lifes are readily available, I don't paint many. However, my mom had left this bowl with strawberries on the table. It caught my eye, and I took a picture I shared with my Painting Buddies. A year later, we finally picked it for our Zoom painting sessions. I continued my work after our one-hour meeting.

Does the image make you long for fresh strawberries? When I look at the painting, I remember eating my mom's strawberry tarts whipping cream in my parents' garden. Isn't it amazing how images capture so much more than what you see on the surface? I love all the memories my art captures.

 

Art Advent Calendar Day 12: Mutti's Pink Hibiscus, watercolour, 5.8" x 8.3"

 
This image is the only watercolour painting I created during my visit to Germany in June. My parents have a garden full of flowering plants, a place of endless inspiration. I made a lot of sketches in my travel journal but mainly focused on nurturing human connections during my stay. While I still have regular contact with friends and family through emails and weekly video calls, they are no substitute for in-person meetings with actual hugs.

My mom would have made a great florist. She loves to create flower arrangements. With her green thumb, she cares for many hibiscus plants - some of them are still from my childhood, others she grew herself. She loved the painting, and I gladly gave it to her.

Day 13: Summer Bouquet, watercolour, watercolour pencils, 11.7" x 8.3"

 

I always bring some unfinished paintings to the cottage to finish them while I have some quiet time. However, this summer I forgot my paints at home. Luckily, I brought watercolour paper and watercolour pencils so I could start with the still life of the summer bouquet my husband picked for me.

I added the background after my return home.

Check out the videos of the creation of Summer Bouquet:

https://youtube.com/shorts/0HXntQgohi8

https://youtu.be/mszqiAFHODM

https://youtube.com/shorts/unDsoEQLyQQ

 

To purchase any artwork listed with a price, please email me. You are welcome to visit my studio to see the pieces in person. I typically don't sell my watercolour paintings, but talk to me if there's a piece you love.

Art Advent Calendar 2024: Day 1 - 6

 

It is time for my annual Art Advent Calendar. For the next three Fridays, I will publish my blog featuring some of my 2024 artworks. There will be one additional blog on Tuesday, December 24, the last blog for 2024. As I concentrated on my daily drawings this year, I didn't create as many needle-felted paintings. I also hardly touched my acrylic paints - something I want to change again next year.

I will continue with monthly blogs on the last Friday of the month for 2025.

Day 1: Amaryllis, watercolour and watercolour pencils, 8.3" x 5.8"

This image is from one of the Painting Buddies Zoom sessions. I took the photo during my visit to Germany when my mother bought the flower for a friend on New Year's Eve.

 

Day 2: Scamp, 16" x 20", acrylic, SOLD

 

While I finished the painting of the beloved Scamp before Christmas last year, I didn't want to share the image before his family agreed to the finished painting. I used several of his owners' photos as references and struggled with Scamp's behind, which was covered by a toy in the pose they chose. Unfortunately, they didn't have a similar picture of him without a toy. Therefore, I studied many dog photos until I was happy with his shape.

It took many more steps between the fourth and the final image until I was satisfied, with many adjustments you would probably hardly notice.
When I presented the finished painting to his family, they loved the portrait so much that they ordered two additional prints.

If you are interested in a custom painting of your beloved pet, please email me for more information.

Day 3: Happy Elephant, wool, 8 3/5" x 11 3/4", custom-matted to fit a 12" x 16" frame, CAN $450 + shipping 

My first needle-felted painting of the year was the image of this adorable elephant. As I used several reference photos to create the landscape for my animal, I experimented with colours and added mountains in the back and grasses in the foreground. Many people believe that elephants bring good luck, loyalty and love. And who doesn't need that?

 

Day 4: Lady in Red, acrylic, 8" x 8", CAN 230 + shipping

I created this powerful image for the Petite Art Show. Let this Lady in Red paint your home with love and enchantment. Each scarlet petal ignites the senses with a fiery allure. By capturing the essence of romance and vitality, this enchanting bloom beckons admirers to embrace its beauty and indulge in the timeless charm of this garden jewel.

Day 5: Pink Tulip Bouquet in a Blue Vase, 14" x 11", acrylic, CAN 375 + shipping

By March, I am tired of snow and often bring some fresh flowers home to brighten my mood. The Pink Tulip Bouquet in a Blue Vase symbolizes springtime bliss. Each tulip, a testament to nature's artistry, dances gracefully within the confines of the sleek blue vase. The rich colour and timeless elegance of the pink tulips invite you to pause and enjoy the beauty of the moment.

Day 6 March: The End of Winter, watercolour, 8.3" x 5.8"

The last winter was milder than usual, with only a few frigid days. We hoped spring would arrive early when Janis and I painted on location during our March trip to the Whitewater region. I finished the painting later after I spent another morning at the same spot painting the peaceful scene with acrylic paints.

To bring a piece of permanent joy to your home, please email me for purchase information. All artworks with a prize are for sale. I also offer gift certificates.