Category Archives: Sketches, etc

My morning starts with latte art, a cappuccino made by barista Arturo at café La Ola in Guayabitos located on the main street near the Mini Super “Popin”. The café is closed Thursday.

Arturo, barista, Coffee and steamed Milk, 2016

Later in the morning more Mexican art. I open my email and receive a letter from my favourite and best source of art news. This girl does not disappoint and here is the proof –  Washed up:Trashed Landscape by Mexican artist Alejandro Duran.

February 2nd is a festive holiday, Dia de la Candelaria and I decided to sketch in the plaza next to The Church of Perpetual Help.

The Church of Perpetual Help, Guayabitos, watercolour, 2016

Shrimp on a Stix, watercolour, Guayabitos, 2016

Most locals and tourist celebrated on the weekend with a three day holiday. This meant lots of vendors on the beach. The food vendors are my favourite to sketch as they are stationary with their beach kitchen. I am grateful to these workers as they do not mind me staring and sometimes measuring them up. They come over and laugh as they try to find their family in my sketch.

We are now into the heart of a Quebec winter, lots of snow and cold winds. This weather does not stop the committed. Here is a photograph of British artist, Edward Seago ( 1910-1957) at Camp “W” Anderson Island, Antarctic – January 1957

My first introduction to Seago started with a conversation with artist friend Jean Guthrie. A few years back, she walked past a landscape painting of Seago in a Toronto store window. Jean went in and bought it. Thanks for the introduction as I have been a fan of his work ever since.

Edward Seago, View of Hungerford Bridge across the Thames, oil

If you are interested visit Jim Serrett post on Seago with paintings and short biography  at Pochade Box Paintings.

I continue to sketch but from the comfort of my car.

The bridge in winter, watercolour

Last Saturday, we visited the paintings of artist Claude Monet (1840-1926),  A Bridge To Modernity, at the National Gallery in Ottawa. There are twelve paintings (1871- 1878) in this exhibition completed at Argenteuil where Monet lived in the village – close to Paris and on the Seine River. It was here he used the scenery and the bridges to further explore his composition and impressionist approach. Prior to his return to France, Monet lived in Holland and England to avoid the Franco-Prussian war (1870-1871). The devastation of war was here when Monet and Family arrived. One of his first paintings was Argenteuil, the Bridge Under Repair. To be informed about this period of Monet’s life go to the National Gallery website where Katherine Stauble writes about  Monet’s Impressive Bridges at Argenteuil.

The Gallery has made the exhibition interactive. You can pose in front of a vintage postcard, activate the computer camera and e-mail the results. There are different props and enough room for a family photo.  Secondly, a separate room supplies four iPads with the app Art Set. Summer scenes of Ottawa bridges are cast on the wall for you to interpret. Again, you can email your results or see it with many others on the side wall. The beauty of Ottawa bridges is well worth a visit to this room. There are benches at the back to sit and view these rotating videos.

This month I sketch my local bridges.

Looking towards the bridge, Rigaud, watercolour, 2015

Train bridge, Rigaud, watercolour, 2015

Under the bridge, Rigaud, watercolour, 2015

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My Dad, of Irish blood, would say “If a circle forms ’round the moon, ’twill rain or snow soon”. Until this week we have enjoyed warm sunny weather (12-18) but now rain and occasional snow flakes have arrived. Intuitively, my friend Chi Mai sent me this photo by Michel, of art students outdoors sketching in China; dressed for the weather and focused.

Photo by Michel Goossens, Plein Air China, 2015

For myself, plein air makes me paint in the moment. I lose track of time. I become responsive to the elements and answer back. There is a strong cool wind, the sun is low but gives warmth. I sit on the bank of the Soulanges Canal looking east. Time to sketch quickly. The sun will set soon. By the end of the month one hour of daylight will disappear.

Coteau Landing, Soulanges Canal Aquaduct, watercolour, 2015

One week later I return to the canal and paint towards the west. The canal water is dense and opaque with little reflections. The trees along the shoreline have lost their leaves and the brilliant colours have passed.

Coteau Landing, Soulanges Canal, watercolour, 2015

Coteau Landing, Abandoned Canal, watercolour, 2015

There is still time to paint and enjoy the last flowers of the season.

Gift of Summer, watercolour, 2015

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Stewart Hall, Point Claire, Qc  presents the 2016 Collection of Art Rental from October 31 to November 2015. The vernissage is Sunday November 1 at 2pm. You can rent or buy a piece of Art.

Linda is in the show. This piece was selected by the jury.

Tidal Flats, St. Joseph de la Rive, 50cmx50cm, oil, 2015