Sheep in Pasture

I’m pleased to say that there are still people out there who are buying paintings. This ACEO has been quite popular on Artfinder, so I’m pleased it has finally sold. The next challenge is to get it to the customer through our mail system, over an only partially open border and into the buyers mail box. Things like that seemed simple a couple of months ago, but now, not so much.

I don’t leave my condo these days and never go into shops, so I have to get creative. I had scheduled a grocery pick up on Thursday, so I can combine it with that, then I just need to find a post office that is still open and one without a lineup. Things have completely changed since I last went outside my little enclave, so it will be an adventure.

In the meantime here is the sweet little scene to say farewell before it heads out on its adventure.

COLLAGE of 30 Day Challenge

IMAGE GUESSING COMPETITION WINNERS BELOW...

Four people managed to find the way to my blog or FB Messaging and send me some guesses for the photo below. Of course if you made it to the blog the answer was in the title, but kudos for putting in the effort. Out of four people three made two guesses, so I have seven answers to choose between. There were two correct guesses and five very creative.

Laurelle Cidoncha and Christine Brooks guessed correctly, that it was the dregs of my morning coffee, so you get joint first prize.
Sheila Delgado with Marshmellow Moonglow and
Corinne Bekker with Tolkeins Moria Mountain, both get a prize for most creative.

So you all win! PM me your addresses and your gifts will be on their way.

Day 10 of 30 - WHITE MORNING

WHITE MORNING by Sea Dean 10” x 10” 

Available at Artfinder http://www.artfinder.com/sea-dean

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - JOHN ARTHUR FRASER - MINI MASTER

I’m not sure, but with taking most of the year off in 2019, I don’t think I wrote a single blog on Art History. There are many famous artists to tackle and I’m getting back in the groove. So today the birthday boy is the energetic John Arthur Fraser. He was in born in London, England, 9 January, 1838 Little is known of his early years in London and he was largely known as an artist in Canada and the USA. If I could sum him up in two words it would be Ambitious and Restless.

Fraser was a resident of Montreal by 1860, tinting portrait photographs and managing a photography art department. Fraser’s surviving work from that period displays an unusual degree of sensitivity and skill. The earliest pieces are small head-and-shoulders studies using translucent colours that suggest just enough paint to give the portraits the appearance of delicate miniatures.

By 1864 he had moved on to full-length figurative images set in landscapes painted directly onto the photosensitive paper. He also exhibited landscapes in oil with strong, clear colour and simple mountains and lake compositions.

He became a charter member of the Society of Canadian Artists in 1867 and in 1868 he was elected member of the American Society of Painters in Water Colors, in New York. He then settled in Toronto and on 25 June 1872 Fraser was elected vice-president of the new Ontario Society of Artists. The first exhibition of the OSA opened 14 April 1873 with Fraser showing works “of vivid colour and striking clarity” created using the new coal-tar colours. The naturalism of Fraser’s canvases was praised, as was his skilful handling of paint.

In 1876 he became art superintendent of the Centennial Photographic Company which supplied the Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition. The extensive art collection encouraged Fraser to submit his largest collection ever to the 1878 annual exhibition and he finally began to exhibit with the American Water Color Society.

In 1880 Fraser’s return to Toronto’s artistic circles assured both his selection as a charter member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and his involvement in the massive publishing project launched that year, Picturesque Canada. Fraser sketched along the entire length of the new CPR line through the Rockies. These mountain pictures are considered Fraser’s most characteristic work, highly naturalistic and relating more to photography than traditional landscape painting.

He later moved to Boston, but maintained connections with Canada and the officers of the CPR. He visited Britain in 1888 and a Scottish water-colour was accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition in London that year. He continued to show in Canada and Boston, and in 1891 his water-colours were accepted in the Paris Salon, but his life was centred on the New York Salmagundi Sketch Club and local societies.

Fraser was a restless and ambitious man, perfectly suited to the growth and expansion of Canada. Painting rarely dominated his interests and was often abandoned entirely for other business pursuits, but it is as a painter he will be remembered. Fraser was engrossed by photography and caught up by the sense of nationhood fostered by the rise of the railways across Canada: It is this which gives his painting such memorable force. The largest public collection of his work is in the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa).

DOTTY LANDSCAPE - Day 10 - 30 in 30 Challenge

I fell in love with the clouds in this image, again as I was driving. So many good shots whisked by before I could find a place to pull over. Sometimes you just have to grab it while you can.....

When I had saturated the color and played a bit more with contrast it needed something more, so I kept on going. I love dots in fabric and Australian indigenous art, so that was a no brainer. A whole picture of dots is too hard on the eyes, so I did some outlining and then went in with a transparent highlighter tool. I’m very happy with how this turned out. It feels a bit like a country quilt.

This one will probably make its way into my Artfinder gallery for sale.

Original digital image before enhancement

Lake Rondo

Lake Rondo 12” Round Canvas Panel - $125 USD

This was going to be an abstract, but adding the tree brought it back into the realm of landscape. The foreground and the tree have a lot of thick paint texture which serves to bring it forward to the feet of the viewer. The painting comes with a cord on the back to hang it. It is painted on 12” round canvas board and can be mounted or framed if you wish.

Fertile Valley

I’m still enthralled by the greyed turquoise technique I’ve discovered. There are many gorgeous views in our area to use for my new art card series. This is further north where well irrigated farm land creates some lovely pastoral scenes.

I originally had a heavier sky, but I think I like the top image better.

Serenity

This iPad drawing is one of a series of new art cards I’m working on. The colours give this view a peaceful effect, all in the same section of the colour wheel.

Two Trees

Two Trees
An iPad drawing by Sea Dean, available as an art card and a variety of small prints.

This was created while visiting friends at Christmas. It is so much simpler to work through ideas on an iPad and prevents problems trying to get paints through security at the airport.

Amazing Miniatures

I know everyone is waiting for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to purchase their larger gifts, but I wanted to give you a heads up that I have a sale on small gifts over on Artfinder. The sale covers many of my tiny ACEO miniatures, which often come mounted in a mat ready to pop into a standard frame.

PRE BLACK FRIDAY AMAZING MINIATURES SALE.

Article on the origins of ACEO

How Green is my Valley

I tried really hard to leave white space in this and make the clouds really light. I want to add a few birds or possibly other animals, but take them from images when I’m back in the studio. Once they’re in place I may add more to the water in the foreground. There is definitely something missing.

Forest Road

I’m still in travel mode, working with my Koi 24 watercolor set. For my birthday I treated myself to a set of water brushes with three flat sizes and three round sizes and I carry them filled so there is no need to take water.

The previous garden and beach watercolors were painted on a different pad, but I’ve switched to a Strathmore block of 140lb (300g/m2) 4” x 6” pre-printed Watercolor Postcards. I suppose these could be mailed without packaging, but I would be worried they would get rips or franking marks.

I am slowly working up a series for my solo exhibition next year, focusing on forests. I’m hoping to include more wood based wall sculptures and wood cradle mounts. I still have many birch slices to do something creative with as well.

Evening Glow

Another cloud study that I added a familiar landscape to. I rather like the texture in the lower half which was created by adding layer over layer of watercolor paint to wet paper.

Plein Air Plan Unfolding

Sometimes it feels that progress on my goals is so slow, but I do inch forward. One of my goals is to do more Plein Air painting, especially in the spring and fall when it isn’t so hot and if this year is an example, less smokey.

So inching forward on that plan, I moved to a condo with easy access to the new “Rail Trail” which is a 33km fairly flat, paved trail through some of our most beautiful landscape. Now I have purchased a second hand hybrid bike, plus a back rack and had it checked out by more experienced bikies who have given the nod of approval. Next I need to find a big front basket and some panniers to fill with paint, brushes, sketch books, lunch, coffee, water, etc. so I can head off down the trail.

I suppose I’ll have to come up with a name for my new mode of transport. any suggestions?

I’m a bit late in organizing my participation in he current 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, but I do plan to experiment with various forms of texture. Leslie Saeta, the hostess, encourages participants to paint a few ahead to get started, so I’m posting some of the textural work from my current exhibition. I will be working on new creations in the coming days.

To all my fellow participants, bon voyage!
Follow all the courageous artists here.

On Exhibition - The Path Less Traveled

The Path Less Traveled by Sea Dean 30” x 48” Deep Canvas $1,295

This is a brand new painting made possible because of my new, larger home studio. I didn’t plan a color scheme, I started painting the light in the trees using Titanium White wih a hint of Naples Yellow. Then I chose rich dark Van Dyck brown as the darkest tone and the rest followed naturally.

I wanted to convey the feeling of walking through the woods and seeing all those partly overgrown side paths. Who or what made them? Perhaps a deer and her fawn taking the best route to water, or seeking a cool place to rest. Or a fly fisher heading for a secret spot.

In the studio I concentrated on eliminating distracting spots, but now in this small image I clearly see a buddah face: Do you see it? Normally I would paint it out, but here I find it most appropriate.

I don’t think he place it hangs in the exhibition does the painting justice because it blends with the barn board walls. When I go back I will try a couple of other spots. In the meantime I played with different framing ideas and a black edge certainly makes it pop. The online framing app. I used is quite user friendly ... https://www.levelframes.com/blog/choosing-the-right-frame-color-for-art

Sea Dean Annual Solo - Different Strokes
18 August - 15 September 2018

Lake Country Coffee House
10356 Bottom Wood Lake Road (Next to Lake Country Art Gallery)
Lake Country BC Canada

7am - 4pm Daily (8am Sundays)
Sea will be on site during Art Walk  8 and 9 September

I’ve ben going at break neck speed to get ready for this exhibition. Almost every piece is new, and this year I have many large works including Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Digital and 3D pieces. I will be available all weekend during Art Walk, so that you can ask about the inspiration for your favorite pieces. And if the weather co-operates I may even be giving some demos. Drop in and meet the artist.

On a Scale of 0 - 10 ...

I’m hoping this smoke clears up before the Art Walk weekend. I’ve lived in this valley for over 40 years and I’ve never seen anything like this. We’ve had the odd wild fire and last year was bad for smoke, but this doubles the worst of that. I’m finding it hard to breathe even indoors with 3 ionizers and sealed windows. I took this photo of the weird orange haze and sun last night when I left the gallery. People are saying it’s the Apocalypse.

There are mountains but you have to take my word for it. Below is another image from a lake Country resident. First Gallery 97 on the other side of the lake and noe Lake Country Art Gallery ... It’s a tough tourist season.

On Exhibition - Birch Lake

Every painting in this exhibition, which I’ve entitled “Different Strokes”, is either brand new or massively tweaked. When I finished hanging the exhibition today, I was exhausted and the cafe was closing, so I didnt manage to get photos, however, This is a tweaked painting from one of my favorite displays which includes five birch slice paintings, a couple of ipad drawings and a couple of small mountain paintings.

The original version of this painting looked a bit empty, so I added an island and stand of trees. I’m quite happy with the result. The birch slices are $39 which is a bargain considering the amount of work in sourcing, sealing and painting. Only available at the exhibition, or can be reserved for shipping after 15 September when the exhibition closes. The holidays are coming and this would make a wonderful gift.


Sea Dean Annual Solo - Different Strokes
18 August - 15 September 2018

Lake Country Coffee House
10356 Bottom Wood Lake Road (Next to Lake Country Art Gallery)
Lake Country BC Canada

7am - 4pm Daily (8am Sundays)
Sea will be on site during Art Walk  8 and 9 September

I’ve ben going at break neck speed to get ready for this exhibition. Almost every piece is new, and this year I have many large works including Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Digital and 3D pieces. I will be available all weekend during Art Walk, so that you can ask about the inspiration for your favorite pieces. And if the weather co-operates I may even be giving some demos. Drop in and meet the artist.

Jewel Tree

I needed to step back for a while to decide whether to do more to this iPad drawing. I liked it just the way it is, but thought it may be a bit sparse once mounted. However, I think the tree has enough variation and uniqueness to carry the white space. We really do have a lot of very tall narrow trees around here, especially higher up in the hills. I felt the same way about my most popolar iPad drawing, BIRCHES when I had completed it. 

Surprisingly it was the lines of current on the lake which took the most amount of time: I drew the lines and changed the color of the pencil many times before I was happy with the result. The more I look at this the more I realise that any addition would ruin it. Possibly when I add paint I will only darken the body of the lake slightly.

I can’t wait to see this printed, mounted and embellished.

Stolen Beauty on exhibit at Lake Country Art Gallery

This mixed media piece is in answer to the submission call ... A RESTLESS EARTH.

The title refers to the disastrous summer in 2017 where heavy snow pack and slow drainage lead to large scale flooding around our lakes. When the flooding started to subside, forest fires took hold in the north, easy abd west and our summer was spent peering thriugh thick smoke that drifted into our valley. Although our minor outbreaks were controlled quickly, the drifting smoke went on for weeks.

Last summer was a prime example of how we have to treat our planet as a whole. Planet Earth is a living, breathing entity that we need to nurture, not pillage. A careless camper leaving a smoldering camp fire can ravage the ecoonony of a whole province or state. What we do as individuals does matter. We can make our world a beautiful place or destroy it for everyone.

STOLEN BEAUTY
40” x 16”
Mixed Media
$425

This piece is quietly beautiful, like our smoke filled landscape. Pieces of transluscent lucite and bright silver sheets glow depending on the lighting. All is covered in a fine veil representing the smoke. Of course impossible to image, but trust me it is a special piece.

On exhibition but can be reserved by contacting me.

Ocean Sunset - Bob Ross in Acrylic S10 E10 - #30in30 - 27

This painting was challenging from start to finish and I spent far too long on it. I wanted to use more traditional canvas and 11” x 14” was the first that came to hand. This isn’t a size I use much, but I rather enjoyed the larger format.

My studio lights are “Reveal” which give a slightly warmer look to the painting and the sky doesnt look as pretty in this image. However, I will tweak the streaky clouds tomorrow. The rest is done.

Bob Ross Video - Ocean Sunset - Season 10 Episode 10

Posted on 30 in 30 Blog as #4