Autumn proving very inspirational

Who doesn't enjoy the colour of autumn.  And this year, without any early frosts, the colour has be hanging on longer than normal it seems.

This painting was done in my studio after a trip up into the hills above Winfield on the Beaver Lake Road.  With shorter days, we do get more dramatic light and that is what drew me to this scene.

Gentle Caress
17" x 11" - $225 framed

It is done with straight pastel on Pastelmat - a new surface that I very much like to work on.

The next painting is one I did on location in the mountains near where the High Rim Trail crosses Beaver Lake Road.  This stand of Aspen are together and yet each tree seems alone.

Solitary Hollow
13" x 9" - $175 framed

This painting was also done with just pastels.  I am finding the temperature outside is too low to allow a watercolour underpainting to dry in a reasonable amount of time.  It was also painted on the Pastelmat surface.

If you are interested in either painting, please contact me at kitbell@shaw.ca to arrange to view the actual piece.

I just finished a commissioned painting

I just finished this painting for a lady who purchased 2 of my paintings at Art Walk.  The 3 paintings together make a very nice group.

Rugged Tranquillity
12"x8" - SOLD

I really enjoyed doing this painting.  I started with a watercolour underpainting which helps get that soft, dreamy look.  Then I refined and resolved the painting with pastels, increasing the depth, colour and texture.

The scene itself comes from Cormorant Lake, Manitoba, where so many of my other pieces have started out.  I enjoy the texture in the rocks and the reflections.

Demonstration Painting from Art Walk Finished

For those of you who stopped by my booth at Art Walk and saw a painting I was working on, here is the finished painting.

I came to Art Walk with a blank piece of paper and left with a nearly completed painting. Over the course of two very busy days, there was still enough time to work on the painting.  I very much enjoyed talking to people who stopped by and asked questions.  Many have never seen a pastel being painted.  It was also fun to talk to people who work with pastel about the tools of our trade.





Swan Lake Colour
13"x19" - $225 framed

Art Walk 2010 - A Very Successful Show

Last weekend was the Art Walk 2010 show in Winfield.  It was a very busy 2 days with many people stopping by my booth. Thank you for all the nice comments!  Out of 9 works I exhibited, 5 sold during the show.

There is a limit to how many works you can display at Art Walk so I thought I would post some additional paintings that I have available.  Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing any of them.

I am also going to start posting paintings as I finish them, so check back periodically.  If you would like an email letting you know when I have posted something, just let me know.

The prices include standard framing with a single mat.  If you would like to frame the painting yourself, I will reduce the price by the cost of the standard frame.  Sizes listed are of the artwork unframed.

Spring at Mission Creek
11" x 14" - SOLD

Don't Forget Me
22" x 15' - $250

Reeds and Reflections
11" x 14" - $175

Winter Light
14" x 11" - $175

Christmas at Shannon Lake
11"x 17" - $200

If you are interested in any of these works, or one that you saw at Art Walk, please let me know and we can arrange to meet so you can see the painting in person before making a decision.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Plein Aire Painting in Manitoba

This summer, I was lucky enough to visit the beautiful lakes of Northern Manitoba. The weather was variable and a couple of days were too windy to get out in the boat. Here are some of the paintings I did on location.  Most involved a watercolour underpainting with a pastel resolution. Enjoy!

Sketch of Wylie's Point
7.5" x 14.5"

Rugged Sky
8.5" x 10.5"

Points Beyond
9 x 13

Up Frog Creek
7.5 x 14.5

Two Gulls
7.5 x 14.5

What's Around the Corner?
8 x 10

Most of these paintings will be exhibited at Art Walk 2010.  Hope to see you there!

The Painting Process

People frequently ask about my technique and the use of watercolours with pastels. The paper that I prefer is Rives BFK printmaking paper. It is fully archival and has a smooth surface that allows me to paint freely without imposing a texture. Because it comes in white and working in pastel on a white surface can be difficult, I like to start with a watercolour underpainting.

Once I have let the underpainting dry, I start to work with the pastels. In some areas, I will let the watercolour stand alone, in other areas, I enhance or even replace the watercolour with the pastel. I work with the painting until I reach a point where many areas are resolved and it is time to pause. I call this the 80/20 point. About 80% of a painting is completed in about 20% of the total time. The remaining 20% - the fine tuning and resolution - takes about 80% of the time.

During this final stage of the painting, I place it where I will see it in passing frequently during the day. Everytime I see it, it will show me something. Some things are good, some things will need modifying. I evaluate the painting - does it represent the feeling I had when I stood there? Over a few days, I will determine what the painting needs to complete it.

Lair of the Northern Pike
19x13 pastel and watercolour

Unusual spots in the Okanagan

Here in the Okanagan, we expect to see mountains and lakes, wineries and beaches, pine trees and sage brush but occasionally we find a spot which is unexpected. If you take a walk up Mission Creek on Phase 2 of the Greenway, you will go up through a canyon with very interesting rock formations and a variety of vegetation.

This spring, I took the opportunity to paint this canyon. The colours were the fresh greens of spring contrasting the ochres and siennas of the rock faces.

I always enjoy seeking out the unusual corners of our valley. If you know of an unusual place, please let me know by adding a comment to this post.

Accepted to Art Walk 2009!

I am very pleased to annouce that I have been accepted to exhibit in Lake Country's 16th annual Art Walk. This event will be held in Winfield on September 12 and 13, 2009.

This will be the first chance I have had to exhibit my pastels and mixed media work. I will also be exhibiting some of my plein aire (done on location) paintings.