View From Here 2

View From Here

8" x 10"

Views like this make life worthwhile!..I really like the composition in this piece where the eye moves from the bench through the flowers down the path past the fence to the beach..makes me want to go for a walk right now!

Waiheke Walks

Waiheke Walks, 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas

Another of Waiheke Islands dreamy views..  I really love those purple and white flowers in the forground..so pretty!  I am currently working on a series of seascapes from new zealand.  all 8" x 10" I think for the moment.  Deciding on a format to work with seems an important first decision.  I am working only small these days as my space is confined and I have a shoulder problem.  There is always though something good to come out of an apparent problem.

coralbarclay : MY new Book! Paintings of Hornby Island, from my ...

coralbarclay : MY new Book! Paintings of Hornby Island, from my ...: Paintings of H... from my summer studio By ...

MY new Book! Paintings of Hornby Island, from my summer studio

Paintings of H...

from my summer studio

By Coral Barclay

Book Preview

New Zealand Blue

New Zealand Blue

8" x 10"

I think New Zealand must be the prettiest country in the world or at least one of them.  So paintable!  I spent 4 and half months in the north part of the north island last winter and i hope to go again.  I painted a few last year but only now really getting into it!  Funny how things take there time to "gel".  

Poppies by the Sea

Poppies by the Sea

8" x 10"

acrylic on canvas

I do love flowers on the shore as it contrasts so well against the blue.  Very appealing.

Golden Bluffs

Golden Bluffs 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas

This painting is from the summer.  Definitly a lag time between finishing painting and posting them on this blog!..Golden summer ...its fading now and i am in the Kootenays and taking photos of the beautiful mountains and should be painting them but again the "lag" time.  

Layers of Sky and paintings on a bench

Layers of Sky, 4" x 6", acrylic on canvas

I painted this in the summer at my little outdoor garden studio.  I like working on a compressed format it helps somehow to create a dynamic tension...even in such a small painting.

Below is a photo of some of the small paintings lined up on a bench.

Camping close to Hedley, BC

Camping close to Hedley

This was my first campsite on the road to the Kootenays, very pretty by the river with only two other campers.  One of which a delightful woman travelling on her own, we shared a meal, campfire and stories while listening to coyotes yipping across the river.

A photo of my rig...ha ha..I can believe I own a motorhome.  Its been great so far, I have been living in it since last May..I wish it wasnt so ugly on the outside, maybe I should paint in camoflage but the comfort inside and ease of driving makes up for it.

More Garden Studio

Here are a few more photos from my Garden Studio this past summer near Sandpiper Beach, Hornby Island.  It was delight hanging out in the garden talking to people as they came through, when it was quiet I painted.

Camping in Salmo

September is mostly over and i realize i havent really blogged about my current wanderings.  I am in Salmo in the Kootenays camped out at my daughters place by the Salmo River..this photo is from the the front yard. A lovely rock to sit and contemplate the river.    I am really enjoying getting to know this part of the world.  

Feeling very Canadian these days I saw a moose and her calf along the road the other morning.

Garden Studio

A picture from my studio this summer..just the business cards..  but I loved the juxtipose with the .daisy.

Little House paintings on a bench.  They just fit! I was looking for somewhere to display them as they are painted on flat panels so display can be a challenge..the bench was a perfect..i considered gluing them and making a permanent art bench.

Bicycle on the Porch

Bicycle on the Porch

6" x 6"

oil on panel

I have trouble photographing this little painting..i do like it on its little red easel.  ..Its a great way to display little paintings if you dont want to frame them.

Little House with a Red Roof

Little House with a Red Roof

6" x 6" oil on panel

Another of the little house series ..this one from a photo I took in Portland..great neighbourhoods with lovely lush gardens and interesting architecture.  I loved this little cottage with the grey fence and red door.

I am getting caught up from not posting all summer.  A sort of wind up of the summer events I suppose..such a beautiful one..endless sunshine.  I am in the Kootenays at the moment visiting my daughter ...definitly a change of season..crispy sunshine by day and cool at night.  hmmm

Camp Chair on a Little Easel

Camp Chair on a Little Easel

6" x 6"

A painting from the Little House series.  I took a lot of photos of the lovely old victoria houses in downtown Auckland when i was there last winter.  From those photos came this little series of paintings.  They looked so cute on their little easels.  ..oops! am i being to matchy with the turquoise easel??!

Island Light

Island Light, 30" x 30", acrylic on canvas, SOLD

Really loved the delicate greens and whites of these cowslips with this painting and its subtle tones of greens and greys.  This painting sold to some relatives from Calgary Alberta!..It was really great to see them as it had been many many years.

Garden Studio

I am starting up my blog again!  The summer is too busy for blogging I find and so now that fall has arrived with more time for sitting in front of the computer its back to blogging!..  I had a wonderfully sweet little studio this summer in my very generous friends Lynn's wild garden..i hung paintings on the split cedar fence and on easels scattered about the garden.  Open very mellow hours mon - wed..i hope to do it again next summer as i found placing paintings amongst the plants and flowers really a joy..somehow finding the right painting for the flower.  

Summer

Summer

4" x 6"

oil on panel

I thought also to title this painting "Companions"..there is something about two chairs togeather looking out to sea.  I apologize for the photos..it seems there is a lot of glare.  I find the best time for taking photos is between 10 and 3.  This I took too early this morning!..

Below is the beach where I am camping not related to this painting.  Though I should perhaps paint it.  I am painting inside my camper to see the best set-up..Its pretty cramped but its okay for small stuff, just where to let them dry is always the challenge.

Seaside 2

Seaside 2 SOLD

6" x 6"

oil on panel

I painted this one loose and fast..sometimes i get too tight in my painting.  I did this from a photo as its a bit too rainy to paint outside. Also I am trying to see how it actually works to paint in such a my mini motorhome.  I think its okay for small work..though oil is a bit dodgy since i seem to get it everywhere!  

Seaside

Seaside, SOLD

6" x 6" oil on panel

I am currently in Comox camping in my mini motorhome at a lovely little old-fashioned provincial campsite.  I am going to see how it works out to travel around with my paints.  ! 

Path to the Beach

Path to the Beach, SOLD

6" x 4"

oil on canvas

Love this composition with an invitation to the blue sea.  One of my favorites!..There were a two figures in the photograph which i almost painted in but edited out as it seemed cluttered on such a small canvas but i may attempt in a larger format to keep challenging myself.

Beach Grasses

Beach Grasses

6" x 6"

oil on panel

I do love beach grasses, though quite a challenge to paint..painting "mass" as well as individual grasses..I realize i have been a bit neglectful of my blog lately and quite behind!..oh well life gets in the way sometimes

Red Roof

Red Roof

6" x 6 "

oil on panel

I took the photo for this one day while walking around my old neighbourhood in Portland.  Someone had painted the fence turquoise!  My favorite combo, red and turquoise.!  So I had to paint it.

Sidewalk Garden

Sidewalk Garden, SOLD

18" x 18"

oil on canvas

I painted this a few years ago as part of series and show titled Neighbourhood.  

Flowers within a Flower

Flowers within a Flower

6" x 6"

oil on panel

Check it out on auction!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/219904

Garden within a Flower

Garden Within A Flower

"6 x 6"

oil on panel

Check out this painting on auction!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/219905

Sunflowers and Norma's Vase

Sunflowers and Norma's Vase, SOLD

6" x 6"

oil on panel

Check out this painting on auction.!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/219903

Two of Each and auction

Two of Each

 6 " x 6", oil on panel

Click below to view on auction!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/219903

Lupins

Lupins

6" x 6", oil on panel

I love this pond with the pretty garden surrounding it.  I was on a trip from Nelson BC to Olympia when I stopped at a roadside place for lunch and they had a lovely little pond to sit and eat by.  I love it when people spend the time to beautify their surroundings..plus it was so unexpected.

Red Chair Yellow Table

SOLD

I did this for the challenge!..Love this old red chair i have been dragging around with me for years and the cheery yellow table.

Deep Blue Sea

Deep Blue Sea, 6" x 6", oil on panel

I am taking a break from the little house paintings, they are quite challenging!..In need of a bit of serenity, so painting a seascape is helpful.

Bicycle on the Porch

Bicycle on the Porch, 6" x 6", oil on panel

The actual door was black,...i really got into making nice darks with violet and turquoise and bit of dark umber..yum yum..(I must rephoto this, somehow the whites look very pink.  

Two Jetson Chairs

Two Jetson Chairs

6" x 6", oil on panel

These two chairs made me smile.  They reminded me of retro space age from the 60's.  That cartoon called the Jetsons.  The photo isnt great I apologize.  Needs a redo! 

Little Yellow House with Red Camp Chair

 Little Yellow House with Red Camp Chair

6" x 6", oil on panel

This is number 3 of my house series.  This painting was much easier than the last two, though i always hesitate to say that painting gets easier..just when you think you have something figured out..wham!!..some other challenge.  I do like porches, especially with chairs, tables and kitty cats.

Little Yellow House with Red Door

Little Yellow House with Red Door, SOLD

6" x 6", oil on panel

AAAAAHHH..back to painting in oil, its been quite a while, forgot how stinky it is!..Anyway this is number two of my house series.  i
I do love a red door..but painting picket fences is a challenge.  I didnt want to get too fussy, as I am trying to keep my brushstrokes loose..its easy to get lost in the victorian scrolly details.  

Blue Door

Blue Door 6" x 6" acrylic on panel

 I spent a few months in New Zealand this past winter.  While bedazzled by the beautiful light and pretty landscape everywhere,  I was also smitten with some of the houses and architecture.  One day i wandered around a Auckland neighbourhood taking photos of the victorian homes.  The strong New Zealand light and shapes of the houses caught my interest and i think a new series is about to happen!..

Seaside

Seaside, 4" x 6", acrylic on canvas, SOLD

I painted this wee painting quickly holding it in one hand.  Trying to loosen up the brushstrokes!  I think painting quickly and loosely helps describe the feeling of wind and fresh beach.

Helliwell mini

Helliwell Mini, 4" x 6", acrylic on canvas, SOLD

I love this view, cant wait to get out there on the bluffs this summer.  

Summer Bouquet 1

Summer Bouquet 1, 4" x 6", acrylic on canvas, SOLD

Another cheery litle flower painting.  I loved this vase!..I really enjoyed the play between the flower pattern on the vase and the real flowers.

North Island

North Island, 12" x 12" oil on canvas, SOLD

I have always like this cheery little painting, a bit of a fantasy the flowers and turquoise sea.  I went to bed last nite with a miserable cold but feel fine today and ready to paint!.

Soft Spring

Soft Spring, 12" x 12", acrylic on canvas, SOLD

This painting is similar to Sliver of Light a few postings back in that the focal point is the large middle ground devoted to the sea.  A bit of an unusual composition.