Drawing

Walkabout Gem

Another page from that old sketchbook.

I love the simplicity of composition here and the quick graphite squiggles for clouds, waves and dunes. I’ve never been a big prep artist, preferring to launch straight into painting, but it does get me into trouble. A few preparatory sketches can save a lot of time and heartache.

This would make a lovely painting dont you think?

Islands

Islands by Sea Dean

Walkabout gem

I can’t remember where I created this, but its an oil pastel plein air work. The image could be better, but it gives you an idea of the simplicity of the work. 

I’ve been striving for a long time to get this effect with acrylics. For some reason acrylics don’t suit the sparse compositions I love; they cry out for more contrast, or texture, or something ...... Oil pastels have more texture and less definition, so they seem suited to this style. Why I haven't used them more is a mystery.

Oil pastels and Thirroul

Thirroul by Sea Dean

Oil Pastel
Approx 5” x 7” on paper

Walkabout Gem

This is a rare oil pastel work which I created at a very happy time in my life. A view of my favorite beach in a place called Thirroul, NSW Australia. Thirroul was a quiet place back then, but now the developers have moved in and Sydney folk have purchased swank condos for weekend breaks. The artists and hippies have moved on and cheap chippies have been replaced by expensive coffee shops and boutiques.

I’ve had these oil pstels since I was in art school. They always intimidated me, but looking at this painting I don’t know why. Oil pastels are less messy and more robust than soft pastels. The colors are almost as vibrant. I think I will use them more now; Perhaps I will even take some online lessons.

Spread your Wings - Artist Residency

Do you feel boxed in by your life? One of the solutions is an art residency. There are all kinds of residencies some give a grant for supplies, some give you helpers, some give you a place to stay, or wages, many offer an opportunity for public demos or teaching, but all of them give you the opportunity to expand your horizons and grow as an artist. If you Google "art or artist residency/residencies" all kinds of opportunities will be revealed.

This is one place you can bookmark to find residencies and work in the art world -
Artslant Board

Each residency has a different application process, so the first step is to get your ducks in a row. Just like applying for a job you need an excellent set of introduction papers. The more time you spend compiling this file, the more likely you will be accepted. Just like an employer, the residency committee want to see they will get value for money, so anything you can do to prove you work hard and produce results will benefit.

CV/Resume
Artist statement
Representations of your very best work
A list of platforms where you sell your art
Contact information
A blog
Images of you working and a promotional head shot
A couple of personal references
A couple of art references from teachers or galleries
A couple of references from happy patrons
Proof of correct travel documents

There are hundreds of short and long term opportunities around the world. Artists of all ages and income levels can find an appropriate residency with a bit of dedicated research.

Good Luck and stay in touch. If you do apply for and/or receive a residency, I will publish your experience on my blog.

Coldstream, Okanagan

In my role as one of the chosen artists at Kelowna airport Skyway, I also see myself as an ambassador for the region. The original call was for local content and although I've lived in the area for forty years, I have to admit that I've not visited many of the local beauty spots which visitors flock to see. As such, I will be taking a few longer inspiration trips this spring and summer throughout the Thompson/Okanagan region. Kelowna airport is expanding and turning into a major international/regional airport, so the catchment area is about two hours north and south from where I live.

I recently took a drive to Vernon, B.C. Which is about an hour north of Kelowna. Some of the prettiest sights lay along this route, including my absolute favourite view, Coldstream looking towards the camel mountains. This view comes after driving above the beautiful blue Kalamalka lake on the new Pelmwash bypass, which climbs so far above the lake it feels like flying. Down a side road there are views of the Turtle Head peninsula, which I will be painting some time soon and what a beautiful day to snap inspiration photos.

Although there was a bitingly cold wind, coming off those still snowy mountains, I encountered a mosquito on my balcony yesterday and a stink bug today, so now I'm certain spring has arrived; so certain I booked my summer tire change over for next week.

BREEZY PALM - DAY 30

BREEZY PALM
by Sea Dean
Digital Painting

This was inspired by the Daily Paintworks "Look Up" challenge of the week. It is also # 30 of the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. 

Yes, I've been struggling to post work to my blog lately and I gave up on trying to post to Leslie Saetas blog, but I actually created 32 paintings for the challenge, some digital, some watercolor and some acrylic. Tomorrow I will publish all 32 in collage form and I will catch up with the missing paintings in October.

Thanks for putting up with the teething problems during the changeover to new technology. By the way, I think you can see this but it seems murky to me, the original is much more impressive.

BIKING AROUND BRITAIN SLIDE TOUR - Sunset at Mepal

SUNSET AT MEPAL
by Sea Dean
8" x 10" Commission
NFS

My good cyber friend Bob Jones has scored again by sending me a wonderful travelog of his cycling trip around the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales in 2011.

https://bobjones.smugmug.com/Round-Britain-cycling-2011/

Bob is no young man and this trip was his retirement celebration, so I have to really hand it to him for his determination. He cycled through wind, rain, freezing cold, heat, and bike repairs, (and the occasional stop at a pub) but he made it home. I've never met Bob, but I get the feeling we'd get along because we both have a crazy streak.

The painting above is from an image Bob took on another more local trip near his home in England. I sent it to him as a thank you for helping me with images for my still unfinished book on my home village. Must get back to that!

If you have a favorite image you would like me to paint, I love taking requests. My prices are surprisingly low. My landscapes are gaining recognition and are even on display at the local airport Skyway shop, which is notoriously difficult to achieve. My commissioned pet portraits are also very popular.

My small works can be seen and purchased at Daily Paintworks

Thank you for visiting my blog.

IRELAND THE BEAUTIFUL - NORTHERN IRELAND SLIDE TOUR - DRAMATIC COAST and ROCKY SHORE

DRAMATIC COAST ACEO
By Sea Dean

SOLD

This is a slide tour of Northern Ireland that my friend Bob Jones created from his trip last July. I'm so fortunate that Bob allows me to paint from his wonderful images. These days I rarely follow an image exactly because I like to add my own colors and tweak the composition, but Bob's work does inspire me.

Above and below are sold ACEO that remind me of the dramatic coast of Northern Ireland. If you love one or both of them, I would enjoy painting something similar in a larger work, so just contact me through this blog.

ROCKY SHORE ACEO
By Sea Dean
SOLD

ST PATRICKS DAY with THE CHIEFTAINS and MICHAEL FLATLEY - THE GREEN COUNTRY ACEO

THE GREEN COUNTRY ACEO by Sea Dean

Currently on exhibition so contact me to check availability.


I have a passion for Ireland and all things Irish and I always look forward to St. Patrick's Day. Actually I was convinced I had Irish blood for quite some time, but extensive genealogy work proved me wrong. My British ancestors lived within a few miles of where I was born for hundreds of years, with a minor connection to France in the 13th Century.

But today I'm going to pretend I'm Irish. Here is the beautiful rich sound of THE CHIEFTAINS playing O'Sullivan's March. Take a while to enjoy the video of the Emerald Isle.



And this is an album long compilation of THE CHIEFTAINS music, sadly with no video but you can listen as you work.



Then there is the inimitable Michael Flatley who burst onto the Eurovision stage 21 years ago and Irish dancing has never been the same since. Remember this?



The closing performance of Riverdance. I just love that look on transcendence on Michael Flatley's face at the final applause.



And my favourite ... Lord of the Dance. I just love that look on transcendence on Michael Flatley's face at the final applause.

APATARAO

APATARAO
by Sea Dean after Paul Gaugin
Acrylic
16" x 20" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

"Don't copy nature too literally. Art is an abstraction. Derive it from nature as you dream in nature's presence, and think more about the act of creation than the outcome."                   PAUL GAUGIN

About ten years ago I had the good fortune to visit French Polynesia and of course included visiingt the Gaugin Museum which was expensive and difficult to get to. I'm glad I did. As for the rest of the islands, they still feel remote and wild. The Polynesian people are delightful and beautiful and I can see what drew Gaugin there.

Recently I received a request for a tropical landscape by Gaugin. I'm always happy to receive a commission for a master work. Sometimes I can suggest a painting and other times the patron is very specific. In this case the painting was to reflect the owner's tropical garden. We thought it would be easy to find a luscious landscape, but we were wrong. Most of Gaugins Tahiti paintings are filled with scantily clad Polynesians and so are the later Marquesas and Martinique works. We viewed over 500 works debating whether to leave out figures and animals, but this early landscape seemed the best choice.
In 1891 Paul Gaugin moved to Tahiti and in 1893 he completed this view of the center of Papeete.
As Gaugin was a newcomer, he was having difficulty finding life models, hence a landscape without people.

Gaugin worked with unique paint which had most of the oil removed and a touch of turpentine added to create a gritty glaze. This meant he could use many layers and it would dry fast. However, this paint and the available surfaces, deteriorated more rapidly than most. So unless a Gaugin painting has been extensively restored, it is often faded and flaky, which makes it difficult to determine it's state when new.

I had much cause to dislike Gaugin as I tried to determine the brush strokes, technique and amount of aging that had affected the original. However, one of the things I love most about studying a master is analyzing the technique and almost communicating with them. If you study a painting for several hours, you see how the artist used color theory and composition, how they applied the paint and worked through various challenges as they progressed.

I've worked with Gaugin before, but this was him soon after he stepped off the boat, struggling with climate, supplies, studio conditions and the birthing process of his new technique.I discovered that he began with painting rough outlines in a dark colour, possibly deep crimson or burnt sienna. He then filled in the sections, constantly returning to areas to adjust the tone or color. He didn't thoroughly cover the previous color, but added thin washes with rapid vertical brush strokes. It seems like he was working feverishly, dancing from one spot to another, using a brush load in several areas, then creating a different unique color and using that throughout the painting, until the many layers of slightly transparent paint captured light and created unusual hues. Gaugin must be one of the most difficult artist to forge for this very reason.

I'm not interested in forging, which is illegal and much more complex than just studying a public domain art work. Forging involves recreating the exact same paint, finding canvas or substrate of the same age, falsifying signatures etc. I am doing what I learned in Art School, which is trying to get close to a master artist through hands on study. When that magic moments occurs it ls blissful to draw back the curtain to another world .... the history of a famous painting.

MONCHO MEXICAN BANDIT

MONCHO
by Sea Dean
16" x 12" Wrap Canvas
Acrylic
NFS

My nephew was one of those kids that always brought home strays. Actually he still does, but he's a busy 24 year old now. One day when he was still a small boy he brought home a stray he found in a garbage bin. After a bit of persuading, Moncho became part of the family. He was one of those great dogs that loved everyone and was always willing to join in.

Moncho, therefore, was my nephew's childhood dog. The kids played with him like a living doll and he never complained. When they dressed up, Moncho had to be dressed too and he was a good sport. This painting is from a photo of Moncho on one of those occasions.
 
Eventually Moncho aged and succumbed to illness. He left the family at a ripe old age and his presence on the patio is still missed.

I love painting large portraits of pets, from the owner's photos, so contact me to reserve a spot for your favorite pal.

SNOWY PASS

SNOWY PASS
6" x 8" Canvas Panel
Acrylic



Continuing with my winter theme, "Snowy Pass" is painted on canvas panel using archival pigment, medium, UV protection. Presented with certificate of authenticity and ready to frame.

I don't travel as much these days, but this used to be a familiar view as I plied my way through the Rocky and Coastal Mountain passes. I don't mind driving in snow as long as I have good snow tires and a reliable car. It's actually quite peaceful because most of the crazies stay at home and it is just the truckers and good drivers that attempt the journey.

This particular pass, the Coquihalla, has improved greatly in recent years, but when it first opened the snow clearing was spotty and there were no exit roads, rest stops or road signs, so you just had to keep going no matter what. I remember one time crawling along at about 10km an hour for hours with the car bottoming out all the way, snow and ice underneath and heavy, mesmerizing snow flakes hitting the windshield. With poor visibility, if you stopped or got stuck an 18 wheeler would come along and knock you into the snow bank so that wasn't an option. That was what we call a "white knuckle" drive.

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - WINSTON CHURCHILL THE ARTIST

The Tower of Katoubia Mosque by Winston Churchill - a gift to President Rooseveldt

30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965

Winston Churchill was much more than a famous statesman, he loved travel, especially with his extended family, and he loved to paint. His chosen medium was oil and some of his work is quite spectacular. His favourite locations were Morocco and the South of France as can be seen from the two paintings I have chosen.

It's very interesting to see the difference in the treatment of light between these two paintings. The south of France and Morocco are across the Mediterranean from each other, but the atmospheric conditions are so different that they shatter similar sunlight in different ways. The desert conditions create crisper and more colourful shadows, while the dramatic tree shadows in the second painting, although darker, are more grey. The clouds also give an idea of the weather with the French clouds being softer and the Moroccan ones sparse and outlined against the bluer sky.

Click here for a wonderful article on Winston Churchills love of painting.

A Distant View of a Town in the South of France by Winston Churchill

ANCIENT HILL - Sea Dean

My painting of a vineyard near where I live, shows similar colour to those chosen by Winston Churchill for the south of France. Our climate however, is probably closer to that of Morocco and unless the land is irrigated our hills are covered in dry grassland and conifer trees as seen on the distant hill. Luckily we have plenty of water in our large local lakes, so irrigation is relatively simple.

This painting is on exhibit at the Lake Country Art Gallery Under 100 Exhibition. However, if you love it, contact me; I will check availability with the gallery and send it to you for $100 plus shipping. The public gallery needs all the support they can get, so I honour their commission if sold before the end of the show.

THE POWER OF SERIES

FRENCH BLUE by Sea Dean

Presented in a soft white 8" x 10" mat with backing board and archival bag.

Recently I read a blog by Dream Tolle Perry entitled "Who are you working for?" It is accompanied by a provocative poem, which sent me into thought. Click here to read it. Dreama's poem got me thinking about why I started to paint and why I'm still fascinated by the experience. I'd be interested in your views on this and more later ...

I originally clicked on Dreama's blog to see a peer approach something I have also painted (above). Life moves so fast and although this is a recent painting, I was a different person when I painted this jug, so I"m able to see it with fresh eyes. I ask myself, "What inspired me to paint this jug? What was I trying to convey?" "What does the piece actually say?" Then "What is not evident that would inspire, motivate and excite a desire to own this painting?

Initially I wanted to create a peaceful food related still life. French country evokes a relaxed and happy feeling in me and I love the sense of history in the rust. I think I achieved  my goal, but how could I create more energy in another version? I would open the lid which would add angles to the composition and create curiosity about what it may contain. In another version I may intensify the blue of the jug and lighten and cool the tone of the creamy wall behind. In another version I may fill the jug with lavendar or blossom. That is the very reason an artist works in series, exploring different colours and lighting conditions, testing ideas and getting to know the subject matter.

Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh are two famous artists that loved to paint in series, continuing to develop their understanding of the subject matter. When you paint in series it not only gives an opportunity to learn, but offers the buyer many options. Some people love flowers, others love a certain colour or colour combination and others are attracted by an unusual viewpoint. Therefore painting in series gives both the artist and the art lover an opportunity to be inspired.

I think it unlikely that I will alter this painting, but I may very well paint more in the series and perhaps I will add a little of Dreama's blue to the mix.

FAMOUS ARTISTS BIRTHDAY - PIERRE BONNARD

CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW

PIERRE BONNARD
Born 13 October 1867 at Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

He initially studied law, but in 1888 enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Academie with Julian with Maurice Denis, Paul Serusier, Paul Ranson and Edouard Vuillard. A member of the Nabis and influenced by Gaugin and later Monet.

1912 lived in Vernon near Giverny, France
1925 lived in Le Cannet near Cannes, France
23 January 1947 Died in Le Cannet, France

THE WINDOW by Pierre Bonnard 1925

When I think of the name Bonnard I instantly think of his nudes. However, his body of work seems cover a cross section of subjects from figure to landscape, to still life and beyond. He also played with colour. The painting above seems largely influenced by the colours of Monet, but his palettes are many and varied. Click through to the slide show to see how varied his work could be.

Overall, I would say Bonnard was an artist that liked to experiment, being excited by all the new ideas that surrounded him. His use of colour was largely impressionistic, as was his brushwork, but there is something beyond that. He tests perspective and form, showing flashes of Matisse and Gaugin in his figures. The painting above would be a very nice take on a landscape, but then he has added a rather primitive figure looking over the balcony which makes one question if this is a work by a great painter, or by a novice. Closer examination of the composition shows it's mastery.

ITALIAN HOLIDAY
by Sea Dean
8" x 6"



Thinking of my work this painting comes to mind, with the simply painted tourist making her way through streets heavy on perspective.

I love revisiting my paintings from a few seasons ago. Sometimes I have dismissed them because they are not in my regular genre, but that doesn't mean they are inferior.

In this painting I enjoy the warm colours which remind me of times I've played tourist in strange cities off the beaten track. I like the story this painting tells, shutters closed against the strong afternoon sun and the flower boxes eking out a tiny bit of territory in the big city And what is around that corner in the background, a busy shopping district, a fabulous cathedral, or a city park? Where is the traveler heading? Is she lost or taking a short cut? Is it you or a friend? You have the power to write that story.

Thanks to Leslie Saeta for providing the original photo for the painting.

HOW TO STOP LOSING THINGS - SUNSET OVER THE SEA

Have you ever been to Disneyland and couldn't find your car at the end of the day??? I have.
Did you spend an hour looking for your keys the other day, only to find they were where you first looked but not as thoroughly as you should because you panicked?

Tile is a small metal homing device which you attach to important things, like your keys, glasses, ipad, car, wallet or favourite paintbrush. The set has four tags so you can put them on all your goodies - DETAILS

Track R is similar DETAILS

It strikes me this would be good to pin to your toddler or wandering friend when you go shopping. The downside I see, is that you need your phone to locate the tag, so what if you can't find your phone, which is the item I would be most likely to lose if I had one. :(

SUNSET OVER THE SEA

SUNSET OVER THE SEA by Sea Dean

No need to worry about losing keys when you're on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean. This is a sunset on the verge of evening with the brightest stars shining through the clouds.

SUNSET OVER THE SEA
by Sea Dean
10" x " 10' Canvas Wrap
No frame required

This painting will be available on Daily Paintworks for one more week and will then move to Artfinder.

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

THINKING OF TRAVEL? - Summer Solstice by Sea Dean

SUMMER SOLSTICE by Sea Dean - 12" x 6" Gallery Wrap

Can be purchased on Artfinder

This was an interesting painting to work on because it didn't come together until very close to the end. There is a great deal of variation in the brushwork, from staccato Monet like dashes in the water to dry brushing and palette knife in the sky. That bank of greenish cloud drifting across in front of the sunset was the WOW in this painting.

You may have noticed that I am not creating as many paintings lately because I've stepped back from finishing one each day. However, I think I'm producing some of my best work. All the studying is starting to pay off and I have so many ideas for new series, but I'm forcing myself to go back over works which have troubled me in the past and use new techniques and understanding to make them pop.

I am finally creating paintings which it is very hard to sell. I wish I could keep them all.

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

TRAVEL TO THE TOP 25 DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD

PARIS IN MAGENTA

PARIS IN MAGENTA
by Sea Dean
7" x 5" on Canvas Panel

View my online Gallery of originals here DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

There is nothing as romantic as the Eiffel Tower; even if you've never been to Paris, the image brings forth memories of love scenes in movies and dreams of walking by the Seine. This painting liberally flaunts the colours of love with a little bit of bling here and there.

Paris in Magenta is also available as a limited edition ACEO on my website here.

RANDY - HIKING IN THE OKANAGAN - PLEIN AIR AIDS FOR SALE

RANDY THE RACCOON ACEO by Sea Dean

RANDY THE RACOON ACEO
by Sea Dean
2.5" x 3.5" on Canvas Card

View my online Gallery of originals here DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

I found this video clip and thought you'd enjoy seeing some views near where I live.

YOUTUBE VIDEO

https://youtu.be/zXOuZL1G43c

I'm going to head out and discover a few of these.

I currently have two brand new Alpenstock hiking sticks for sale. These are an amazing aid for the beginner to advanced hiker. Good for adventurous plein air types too. Here http://classifieds.castanet.net/details/brand_new_20_-_110_alpenstock_type_hiking_pole/2308683/ is the link for more information.

For the even more adventurous I also have an inflatable canoe/kayak still in plastic and never used here http://classifieds.castanet.net/details/brand_new_inflatable_canoe_with_paddle/2320251/

UP UP IN THE SKY - HIMALAYAS

Most fine mornings I'm sitting having my early morning coffee when I hear the unmistakeable sound of a burner. I rush out onto the balcony (I should be out there anyway) and this is the sight that greets me.

I love anything to do with flight (except going through crummy US security grrr!) and there is nothing quite like watching hot air balloons majestically float by. Some mornings there are several, because I think they set off from the large park behind our building. It must be a wonderful experience floating above Black Mountain and Okanagan Lake.

I've dated a pilot and gone on exciting flights, but never a hot air balloonist ... something I may have to investigate.

This balloon reminded me of one of my abstract ACEO inspired by the Himalayas. It can be purchased here.