DONE AND DUSTED

I finally completed my submission for "Spirit of the Okanagan" Skyway kiosk in the departure lounge of Kelowna airport. As my regular readers will know, only ten First Nations artists and ten non First Nations artists are accepted each year. I'm proud I was chosen last year, but every year more artists apply and competition for those few spots is fierce, so this year the pressure was palpable.

I struggled far more than usual over this submission and each painting has morphed its way through several versions. In the process I learned a huge amount about composition and impact. The biggest challenge was eliminating the eyes and faces that appear in the clouds; it's human instinct to find things in clouds as a protective skill developed when we were hunter gatherers. It was important to see any animal lurking behind the bushes when hunting, but in a painting they can be annoying or even scary to buyers, so they have to go.

Although I can only submit six paintings, I created eight for the final selection. The two I removed are excellent paintings, but I think the six I selected work better as a group. The jury meets in mid February and those selected will be informed in March. The great thing is that I now have eight very nice paintings that will be very useful for exhibition if I don make it into the airport this year.

1. Wildflower Mountain

2. Kalamalka Bay

3. The Camels

4. Moonlight Over Kalamalka

5. Lake Country

6. Peaceful Lake

ALL 30 PAINTINGS - PHEW!

I'm still learning how to post videos, so I hope you can view this short recap with your browser.

Lake Reflections
Kalamalka Bay
Lake Country
Peaceful Lake
Moonlight Over Kalamalka
Mum

Black Knight

Lake Light
Rolling Vinyards
Wine on the Vine
Monashee Aurora
Iceberg
Northwest Passage
Icy Inlet
Sparkling Water
Green Current
Birches
Tut

Ephemera
Oblivion
Nonnatus
Sunlight
Moonlight
Concord I and II
Clementine
Grass
Purple Snow
Cerise Chevron
Torocco
Plum Duff

Posted as # 6

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - THIRTY - PLUM DUFF

PLUM DUFF
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my 30th and last entry into the 30 in 30 challenge.

Posted as # 2

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY NINE - TAROCCO

TAROCCO
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle. Some drawings may be available in Limited Edition larger sizes.

Tarocco is a type of blood orange in Sicily. Have you ever eaten a blood orange? It seems to be a largely Italian delight. The orange flesh is flecked with red and the juice is rich and delicious. If you
have the opportunity, visit your local Mediterranean store and buy some. Yum!

As with others in the
series there is a hidden signature in this drawing, which is part of the proof of authenticity. This drawing serves as my 29th entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 4













8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as #

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY EIGHT - PURPLE SNOW

PURPLE SNOW
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 7

The fourth week of the challenge

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY SEVEN - CERISE CHEVRON

IPAD DRAWING
8" x 8" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle
$150 Deep Wrap Canvas Giclee 9" x 9" Mirror Edge

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame, the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 8" Birch Cradle or the super snazzie Giclee.

I created the base pattern for this drawing before the holidays as a wrapping paper design, but I liked others more, so this was set aside. Today I decided to play with an app called POTO that I found while surfing the net. I chose this base pattern and went with the flow. Although not intentional, I always enjoy seeing little faces or creatures appear in these patterns.

 

I like POTO a lot better than Pic Monkey, which I've been using for a few years on Leslie Saetas recommendation. POTO is fast and fun, plus once you get used to it, there are more options to play with. Check it out with Google.

This drawing serves as my 27th entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 4

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY SIX - CLEMANTINE

CLEMENTINE
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle
$150 Deep Wrap 9"x 9" Mirror Edge Giclee

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame, the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle or a gorgeous Canvas Giclee.

Clementine is a type of mandarin orange, but most of us associate the name with a song. We've all heard the chorus, but do you know the lyrics? Click here.

Oh ma darling, Oh ma Darling,
Oh ma Darling Clementine.
You are lost and gone forever,
Oh ma Darlin Clementine

This drawing serves as my 26th entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 3

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY FIVE - CONCORD

CONCORD I & II
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

The Concord grape is a vintage variety of small purple grape used to make wine in the early years of settlement. I've created two of these because after a few days contemplation I felt it needed more
work. It gives you an opportunity to see part of the layering process. Which do you like best?

This drawing serves as my 25th entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 4

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY FOUR - GRASS

GRASS
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle. Some drawings may be available in Limited Edition larger sizes.

When I created this drawing i made an effort to stick to a limited palette in the green section of the color circle. I have a good friend and patron that loves green and I had her clearly in mind when I was  drawing. As with others in the series there is a hidden signature which is part of the proof of authenticity.

This drawing serves as my 24th entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 3

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY THREE - MOONLIGHT

MOONLIGHT
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 Unmounted
$69 Mounted on Birch Cradle
$150 Deep Mirror Wrap 9" x 9" Giclée

I struggle to stick to black and white. I want to add a ribbon in a bright color like turquoise or cerise, however, I know this would work with more color schemes. If I wasn't working in series I would at least add a bold black or white stripe. Circle or spot.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

For my patrons that love neutrals. This drawing serves as my 23rd entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 4

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY TWO - SUNLIGHT

SUNLIGHT
IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This type of random drawing is much harder than it looks. Human tendency is to create balance and random needs to be slightly off balance to be interesting. Too unbalanced and it is uncomfortable to live with. The structure is also highly deceptive with hidden techniques and signatures that cannot be duplicated.

This drawing serves as my 22nd entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 3

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY ONE - NONNATUS

NONNATUS

IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

Choose to purchase a limited edition print, ready to frame, or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle. Some drawings may be available in larger Limited Edition prints.

For fellow fans of the series "Call the Midwife" you may be interested to discover the origin of the name of the Midwife's house below. This painting named itself while in process. The final red ribbon represents the pain and occasional complications of of childbirth.

From Wikipedia

"Raymund Nonnatus, O. de M. (1204 – 31 August 1240) (Catalan: Sant Ramon Nonat, Spanish: San Ramón Nonato, French: Saint Raymond Nonnat, Maltese: San Rajmondo Nonnato). A saint from Catalonia in Spain. His nickname (Latin: Nonnatus, "not born") refers to his birth by Caesarean section, his mother having died while giving birth to him. Raymund is the patron saint of childbirth, midwives, children, pregnant women, and priests defending the confidentiality of confession."

This drawing serves as my 21st entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss
any.

Posted as # 6

The third week of paintings

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWENTY - OBLIVION

OBLIVION

iPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print (Possibly this one could go larger)
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

I felt like I was channeling Jackson Pollock with this one. I wanted to stop but something kept pushing me on. This iPad drawing was desperate to be born, but only on its own terms.

This drawing serves as my 20th entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 3

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - NINETEEN - EPHEMERA

EPHEMERA
in progress

I've been working on a series of blog posts for February and it involves cataloging and testing ALL my paint. I decided not to mess up my sta-wet palette and use the lid as a mixing tray. When I had finished, I thought it makes a great abstract painting. Sadly, it will disappear when I clean the lid. Hence the title, EPHEMERA.

I had the wild idea of trying to transfer it to a paper by warming the back , transferring to a silicon sheet and then flipping onto the paper. I predict a disaster, but maybe I'll try. Otherwise I will recreate a version on a larger canvas. Yup, I like it THAT much! What do you think?

It's not such a strange idea because one of our local well followed artists cut up her painting apron, mounted the pieces on stretchers and sold them in a recent show. They flew off the walls! Perhaps I should just mount this on a birch board and buy another Sta-wet palette.


This serves as my entry # 19 into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 2

30 in 30 - EIGHTEEN - LAKE COUNTRY II

LAKE COUNTRY (revised)

8" x 10" Birch Cradle

Reserved for Skyway

I think I've tweaked this painting enough to be classed as new. As you can see, I've added definition in the clouds, more color in the lake, darker trees, snow on the peak and although I liked it before, I love it now. The overall impression before was cold, but now it feels sunny even though there is more snow. Adding lots of light permanent blue and eliminating some of the light Cadmium yellow did the trick.

This painting serves as my eighteenth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 7

30 in 30 - SEVENTEEN - MOONLIGHT OVER KALAMALKA

MOONLIGHT OVER KALAMALKA
8" x 10" Birch Cradle
Reserved for Skyway

As you can see I had a terrible time photographing this painting:The actual color is somewhere in between, closer to #1 without the purple shine at the top and with more detail. I tried different backgrounds, real daylight, muted light and natural light with my fancy painting lamp and even with lots of tweaking I couldn't attain the beautiful blues in the actual work. I'm going to try a scan next, but if I can't get the color right I can't submit the painting which is a shame.

This painting serves as my seventeenth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 4

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - SIXTEEN - KALAMALKA BAY

Stand on a shelf or hang on the wall

KALAMALKA BAY
8" x 6" Birch Cradle
Reserved for Skyway

For this Skyway submission I am painting a few smaller sized works. This is 8" x 6" but it is Deep profile so it can stand on its edge (as shown in the unfinished view above). It is also wired to hang as required by the call. This premium collection uses top quality exhibition cradles and heavy body professional paints.

Similar to my miniature ACEO painting KALAMALKA COVE currently showing at Ritchcraft Gallery, Lower Mission, Kelowna.

This painting serves as my entry sixteen into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 4

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - FIFTEEN - LAKE REFLECTIONS

LAKE REFLECTIONS
8" x 10" Birch Cradle
Reserved for Skyway

The last few weeks I've been working on a submission for SWAC Skyway YLW. They require local content and only 20 artists are selected from the thousands working in the Okanagan/Thompson region, 10 First Nations and 10 non-First Nations. SWAC is an equal opportunity Arts Council, so ideally 50% of the accepted artists will be First Nations. As I'm of European decent, I am vying for one of only 10 spots in this round. Nerve wracking to say the least!

The art can be almost anything except digital painting, so I'm back to acrylics for this submission. Each of my submitted paintings has taken about a week to paint, which is completely ridiculous considering I am only asking $125 for this 8" x 10". When you spend that long fretting over a painting it is very difficult to let them go. I particularly love this one, where I was concentrating on getting the reflections perfect.

This painting serves as my entry fifteen into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 4

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - FOURTEEN - MONASHEE NORTHERN LIGHT

MONASHEE NORTHERN LIGHTS

8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmounted
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

Today you get a choice. I'm curious which you like best. Feel free to leave a comment. I thought the first needed a bit more work and I produced two more versions.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

MONASHEE NORTHERN LIGHTS I

MONASHEE NORTHERN LIGHTS II

MONASHEE NORTHERN LIGHTS III

This drawing serves as my fourteenth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

Posted as # 2

My second week of paintings

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - THIRTEEN - PEACEFUL LAKE

PEACEFUL LAKE
10" x 10" Deep Wrap Canvas
By Sea Dean

This acrylic painting serves as my thirteenth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any.

This painting is all about the clouds. I wanted to create an assymetrical composition with very simple land forms. We've had a lot of these puffy clouds above our lakes this year, although at the moment the hillsides are covered in our famous powdery snow. I'm preparing for my spring shows at the moment and no one wants to buy snowy paintings during our glorious spring weather.

Posted as #11

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TWELVE - TUT

TUT IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmountd
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

Russian Birch Mounts

I've always loved anything to do with Ancient Egypt. I think the first non-fiction book I purchased was on King Tutankhamen. One of the most memorable exhibitions I ever visited was in London, England, when I was about 18 showing artifacts from his tomb including this beautiful funerary mask.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my eighth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as #

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - ELEVEN - BIRCH

BIRCH IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmountd
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

Russian Birch Mounts

I like the simplicity of this drawing. I try hard to stick to black and white, but a bit of Color always seems to sneak in. This very clean modern look would suit a sleek new home.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my eleventh entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

R

Posted as # 2

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - TEN - GREEN CURRENT

GREEN CURRENT IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmountd
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

My first iPad drawing exhibit is currently showing as a slideshow at Kelowna Art Gallery. The slideshow is called OCEANS, and includes seascapes, fish and underwater views. This drawing is part of my seascape series inspired by ocean currents.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle as below.

This drawing serves as my eighth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as #

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - NINE - WINE ON THE VINE

WINE ON THE VINE IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmountd
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

When I paint our local vineyards I like to try and show a glimpse of one of our lakes, but truth is that many vineyards don't have a lake view. Around here though, mountains are almost always present in the view.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle as below.

This drawing serves as my ninth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my
blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 5

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - EIGHT - NORTHWEST PASSAGE

NORTHWEST PASSAGE IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmountd
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle
My first iPad drawing exhibit is currently showing as a slideshow at Kelowna Art Gallery. The slideshow is called OCEANS, and includes seascapes, fish and underwater views. This drawing is part of my seascape series inspired by a TV program on The Northwest Passage in Canada's arctic.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my eighth entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

Posted as # 6

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - SEVEN - ICEBERG

ICEBERG IPAD DRAWING
8" x 10" Limited Edition Print
$39 unmountd
$69 mounted on Birch Cradle

Russian Birch Cradle Mounts

My first iPad drawing exhibit is currently showing as a slideshow at Kelowna Art Gallery. The slideshow is called OCEANS, and includes seascapes, fish and underwater views. This drawing is part of my seascape series inspired by a TV program on The Inside Passage.

You can choose whether to purchase the limited edition print ready to frame or the premium edition which is mounted on an 8" x 10" Birch Cradle.

This drawing serves as my seventh entry into the 30 in 30 challenge. Follow my blog so you don't miss any of my entries.

My first week of 30 in 30

Posted as # 9