Category Archives: Uncategorized

The sun is getting higher in the sky and although there is still a chill in the air, spring is definitely on its way. The day was glorious. It was a joy to stop and take deep breaths and savour the fresh air. Larose forest was a perfect, peaceful place for a walk. The brilliantContinue reading “Larose Copper”

Beautiful day out at Mer Bleue. Waded down an embankment thru the snow. Followed some snowshoe tracks, good when they held but up to the knee when I went thru. Brilliant sun reflected by the snow made for great contrast and shadow patterns. Spring is in the air, so the chickadees say so.  Came awayContinue reading “Birches Winter”

Coming soon, a few pieces will be on display at the following venues. If you are in the neighbourhood, drop in for a closer look. Foyer Gallery: “Currents”, March 14 – April 2 Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean arteast: “Spring Flair”, March 10 – May 5 Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, 1490 Youville Drive, Orléans

The maple woods are busy this time of year, ready for the rising sap. Warm days and cold nights wake up the sugar maples after their winter rest. The brilliant sunny days and milder temps are glorious. Nothing better than tromping thru the corn snow to taste some of that sweet nectar on pancakes orContinue reading “Spring Harvest”

Now part of a Zen temple complex in Kyoto, the Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, has had a long and turbulent history, with current restoration completed in 1615. The beautiful gardens are particularly peaceful with a blanket of snow. Thank you to Yurara Sarara for permission to use of his video “Kyoto Snow 2023” as a reference.Continue reading “Silver Pavilion – Ginkaku-ji”

Added to my Winter Portfolio. Have driven by this spot on St. Joseph Blvd in Orleans, many times. Taylor Creek cuts its way thru the upper layers of limestone rock from the paleozoic era and plunges 20 meters to the foot of the escarpment on its way to the Ottawa river. Hard to imagine thatContinue reading “Princess Louise Falls Winter”

For 2023, I will be focusing on showing my work at the Foyer Gallery. This is a group run gallery located in the Nepean Sportsplex (Gate 1), 1701 Woodroffe Ave. This coming week we will hang our Big and Small show, which will run from January 31 to February 19. My painting “On the way”Continue reading “Updates”

The outlines painted by the snow are striking. Just love the Gatineau Park scenery. For a look, please check out by Winter page. #acrylic, #landscapepainting, #landscape, #trees, #winter, #falls, #dunlop, #gatineaupark

Off a main trail at Mer Bleue, this path could have been at some time, a trail used by deer to get to the grassy fields below. Another one of my more abstract exercises, hoping to develop a looser style. For a closer look, please check out my Fall page. #acrylicpainting, #landscapepainting, #landscape, #trees, #merebleue 

A beautiful waterfall in the mountains (some close to 3,000 feet) near Itatori, Seki, Gifu, Japan. The steep, twisting and slippery trail leads to this hidden spot. A small shrine nearby sheltered by a large cedar, is a place of homage to the wild spiritual quality of this place. Thanks to Norm Makamura (@tokyo_one) forContinue reading “Gifu Waterfall”

Quiet spot near a beaver pond in Gatineau Park. Gone are the summer crowds and there is a brief peaceful respite before the winter activities start. The graphic quality of these striking trees made this simple scene all the more compelling.  Used a more abstract approach to convey the feel of the scene, avoiding tooContinue reading “Birches Abstract”

Walking among these magnificent Japanese cedar, a pilgrim makes his way to the Takio shrine one of many Shinto forest shrines in Nikko, Japan. Passing under the Torri (gate), the pilgrim makes his way thru the sacred grove that is believed to shelter and protect this forest shrine. A central tenet of Shinto is reverenceContinue reading “On the way”

Got out for a breath of fresh air (quite fresh). Have been watching this barn slowly being reclaimed by nature. Had to try to capture its sunset. I was privileged to have hundreds of Canada geese do a flyby. They wanted to land in the fields beyond. I’m sorry but I think my standing thereContinue reading “Going”

Today’s addition to Featured Pieces The brilliant colours and warm temps are well and truly behind us for another year. Still catching up on a number of pieces I had in mind to celebrate that season. This composition is inspired by a walk in a local green space. There still is natural beauty in ourContinue reading “Fall Stream”

Would you like something for that special gift for someone, or treat yourself to something for your home?  Come see the Joy of Art exhibit at the Foyer Gallery, Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue.  The show will be on Nov 29 thru Jan 8. Entry thru Gate 1. Gallery hours are: Tue & Wed: 10Continue reading “Joy of Art Exhibition”

Gatineau Park does not disappoint. Another peaceful day. The summer crowd gone, the beach was deserted except for the occasional visitor. Everyone kept a respectful quiet. Then unannounced a beautiful loon flew in and watched the watchers … perhaps I’m being presumptuous, he was probably occupied with what was below the surface. Check it outContinue reading “Meech Lake Fall”

With upgrading construction work now complete, the Foyer Gallery will be open for their latest show, CHILL FRISSON, November 1-27 at the Nepean Sportsplex (Gate 1). I will be showing 2 pieces, viz. Mer Bleue Blog – Last of winter, Fall on Chemin Cafferty If you are in the neighbourhood, do drop in to takeContinue reading “CHILL FRISSON”

Just a quick note to let you know about the updates I’ve made to the website. The Feature Pieces page will now show only the last couple of pieces as I complete them. (Realized, with 50 pieces and counting, “featured” was not exactly accurate.) The Portfolio page groups the pieces into collections: Spring, Summer, Fall,Continue reading “Website Updated”

Thoughts of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem of the same name. Glorious setting day, the darkness soon to follow. The “lights of the village” are not far away, but this still seems like a wild beautiful place where the geese settle down for the night. Hope you enjoy. Check it out on the Featured Pieces page.Continue reading “Day is done”

Had a wonderful time painting this iconic scene from Provence, France, in a zoom class by Danielle Beaulieu. Danielle creates a relaxed, encouraging atmosphere. Gives easy to follow instructions and is very informative. Easy enjoyable learning. Recommend it. Check out her site http://daniellebeaulieuwatercolours.com . Watercolour, 12×16 on Fabriano 140lb Cold Press paper #abbedesenanque, #provence, #lavendar,Continue reading “Abbaye de Sénanque”

If you are in the neighbourhood, come see my piece “Spring among the birches” and a lot of beautiful art from the Arteast members, on display Sep 15-Oct 18. Better still, join us at the vernissage on Tuesday, October 18, 6-8 pm. It would be great to see you there.

Memories of they way things might have been in the days before TV, internet and video games. Long summer days when child’s play depended on imagination, when time was marked by meal times and the sun and when days stretched out for endless play. I imagine this little guy waiting for the neighbour’s son toContinue reading “Bygone Summer Days”

On the verge of summer Promenade Arteast’s Member’s Exhibit (Ground floor, opposite the Trinity Gallery) August 10 thru October 18 Larnod Foyer Gallery Exhibit Trinity Gallery August 10 thru September 14 Spring among the birches Arteast Mosaic 2022 Exhibit Trinity Gallery September 14 thru October 18

The luminous canopy of this lane in late summer is particularly beautiful and the cool, quiet has a spiritual quality. It’s a bittersweet time of year with summer on the ebb, like the last drop of wine in the glass, you have to savour before it is gone. See my rendition on the Featured PiecesContinue reading “Green Cathedral”

Beautiful young maple in a sunny spot, sheltered by other trees. I love everything about landscapes, sometimes the vistas and, as in this case, the details. Have to stop and stare and appreciate.  It’s dangerous living near humans. It’s unlikely these young stems will ever reach their full potential in a hundred years. Am sureContinue reading “Saplings”

Looking forward to showing my piece, “Larnod”, as part of this exhibit with the Foyer Gallery.Come see all the work on offer and meet the artists at the Reception: Friday, August 19, 6-8pm The GIVEAWAY of the paintings based on your summer photos, including my “Sangria“, will take place at the reception. #ottawa #ottawaart #ottawaartgallery #ottawaartscene#thingstodo613 #ottawaevents #ottcity #613 #613events #artshow#vernissage #giveaway #artinperson #inperson

A beautiful walk of a summer’s afternoon on Petrie Island. Can never get over the beauty of these striking day Lillies. Just pure joy. A reminder to live in the present. They only last a day. Inspired a play with the colour complements: orange and blue, and red and green. A riot of colour. Fun!Continue reading “Lillies by the lagoon”

Acrylic, 30×40 on gallery wrap canvas Another beautiful day in June, down by the river. Lots of windfalls about. New homes, shade and shelter for the river population. Decomposing starts. Not in a hurry, the fallen trees will return to the soil in about a hundred years but will be a source of food energyContinue reading “Down by the Rideau”

Warm in the sun, not quite the hot of summer but still nicer to be under the shade of the now mostly leafed trees. I heard her before I saw her, a beautiful pileated woodpecker. A flash of red among the young green ground cover. A surprise on the ground like that. I stood aContinue reading “On the verge of summer”

From as early as the fourteenth century BCE, purple was only for the rich and powerful. (Read all about it and more in “The World According to Color” by Dr. James Fox – excellent book! Recommend it.) Nowadays we take it for granted, as we often do for many other colours. Like many painters, itsContinue reading “Royal Purple”

A long awaited harbinger of spring, the cherry blossoms finally bloom in late May. We are lucky to have a tree in our backyard. It has gone through some rough times but is still hanging on and again put out a magnificent display this year. An unexpected hot spell forced the buds open almost allContinue reading “Blossoms”

Check out my latest spring offering on the Featured Pieces page. Memory of a gorgeous walk in the woods at Mer Bleue. Passion in life is often driven by contrast. A beautiful spring day versus the cold just days before is glorious because of the contrast. Add more days like this and it is soonContinue reading “Spring among the birches”

Looking forward to showing my Piece “Lac Mulhivill” from Gatineau Park at the upcoming Arteast Exhibition. There will be a Vernissage on June 7, 6-8pm, so if you are in the area, please drop in and have a look at all the beautiful pieces from the group. #landscape, #landscapepainting, #gatineupark, #acrylicpainting

Fresh off the easel and drying, another from my Gatineau Park fall series. Memories of October in Gatineau Park. Winter can be beautiful, but its nice to dream inside in the warm. Can still smell nature’s composting the leaves of summer. See it on Featured Pieces

Latest in Featured Pieces… another from Gatineau Park Based on a reference taken in October, a gorgeous fall day in Gatineau Park. The quiet and calm of this spot was captivating. Near a trail, it nevertheless felt untouched by people. In fact, probably few would have paused … these woods remind me of Robert Frosts’Continue reading “Quiet”

Based on a couple of photos in Gatineau Park, near Lac Carman this October, this is a study in colours (warm vs cool, complementaries, and values). The inspiration is Tom Thomson’s sketch on panel: “Red Leaves” (1914) and his painting: “The Pool” (1915-16). Both are part of the National Gallery’s collection and are worth aContinue reading “Fall Lake”

I invite you to have a look at my latest in Featured Pieces. I admit, I have a thing for tress and this one was special. I visited and photographed this tree in the fall with the plan to paint it. It was fun to paint and kept thinking how in our busy lives (yesContinue reading “As long as I live, I will give you air to breath”

There was a light dusting of snow overnight. The sun was beautiful and the air-conditioning excellent. Great morning for an amble with camera in hand. Beautiful birches. And then into the wild wood.

Was a chill afternoon on Petrie Island. The lagoon has a thin coating of ice. It is the season of shapes and light, but not as much colour. November has the freshest breath, not to cold and still with the fall scents. Sunset comes early now.

Season of Burnt Sienna, Ochre, Greys and Browns. Fall is going, going and soon gone. The tamarack and heathers and other bog plants like an old painting of the masters, are still beautiful.

120 years young this beautiful Bebb’s oak, which is a natural hybrid of white oak and bur oak, will have many more centuries despite suffering significant damage in a violent storm in 2017. Over 5 feet across at it’s base with a span of nearly 19 feet, it is majestic. It is a member ofContinue reading “Ardeth’s Tree, Dominion Arboretum”

I’ve been really remiss in not posting. It has been a hectic time. Here’s a few pics of the fall colours, some of which will make it into upcoming paintings. Hope you were able to get out and enjoy the last of the warm weather.

Afternoon walk on Petrie Island. Felt like fall, hot in the sun, cool in the shade and with the wind. Crickets chirping. The light is more angular now.

End of July and we are on the down side of summer. Monarchs are busy fueling up for the coming long flight. Sunflowers are in brilliant bloom. Crops are well along and first (?) hay already rolled.

Minutes from home, out in the fields. The greens dominate, but there’s lots of other colour if you looks close.

Weather was very changeable this afternoon, dark and threatening, then light rain and then hot sun.

A little chilly as the clouds blew in but didn’t mar the gems on show.

Spring runoff is over. The park has the mid-summer look already. Another thing we missed because of the lock down.

While it’s not official on the calendar, nature is on her own clock. Hot afternoon, but great to get out again finally.

Gorgeous colour. The Irises won’t last long.

English weather today. Rain was welcome today ( … not enough for the farmers unfortunately). Refreshing. (Picture news: 36×24 piece in the works, called Trillium Woods, featuring these beautiful flowers in a woodland setting. References taken off the bike path near Greens Creek.)

Stay at home order lifted finally. After the dry month we’ve had, the water is low. Wonder what the area looked like before Colonel By had the lock station built.

Have been remiss posting pics, mainly due to the stay at home order. Got a few of the sour cherry blooming in the back yard. Waited in anticipation and soon after begun, it was over. All the more beautiful as it is brief. Ventured as far as the bike path near Green’s creek and wasContinue reading “A few spring flowers”

Brilliant day again. Chill wind kept the flowers moving but couldn’t help feeling warm and spring optimistic. The trillium haven’t come out yet, but probably next in line. (iPhone 11pro, Affinity Photo for post processing 

Spring is slowly breaking thru last year’s leaves. With the blanket of snow gone, things are drying out quickly and looks more like fall. Looking forward to things greening up.

Beautiful afternoon in Larose Forest. The ground is drying with only patches of ice and water. No flowers or bugs yet. 

Winter’s grip behind us, looking more like spring everyday. Waves of warm temperatures. Sap is rising. Time for that sweet gold. Featured Pieces

Brilliant spring day today. The run off is in full strength. Everything is waking up. Glimpsed a mink crossing the road. Wish I was fast enough to capture a pic. Was completely unexpected. Nice surprise. So many sights, hard to drink it all in.

Made a quick trip to Larose Forest this afternoon. Never been there before. Will go again when the spring flowers arrive. Another glorious day ….21C!! Snow’s almost gone.

A beautiful couple of hours at Petrie this morning. The air was pure spring, refreshing but warm. The sun was brilliant and spring was definitely in the air. The soundscape was just the gentle rustling of the ice moving downstream as it touched the edge of the still frozen bits along the shore. And thenContinue reading “Break up continues on the Ottawa”

January 2nd of a new year. Beautiful sun, not too cold. Fresh snow fall made everything magical like this fallen tree on the shore. Natures’ sculpture. Featured Pieces

Still hanging on to fall. This is another view of Lac Fortune in Gatineau. Tried for a late fall bronze look. Featured Pieces

Successive cold fronts, dustings of snow and bouts of freezing rain, it’s clear winter is here to stay for the next many months. Still a little in denial, it’s nice to look back at the fall days of quiet, temperate weather and beautiful colour. This one was on a walk along the escarpment, a momentContinue reading “Fall Pastels”

The cold days are more frequent than the warm now. But when the wind abates, there’s still warmth from the sun this early in the season. The snow will melt again before the holidays. Everything is quiet now. Revisited a plein air spot for a couple of pics with the snow on the ground andContinue reading “First snow on the farm”

Between times, I like to go for a walk with camera or iPhone in hand to take reference photos for my paintings and but most often to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and the beauty in the mundane. Sometimes almost wabi sabi.

It was one of those beautiful, bittersweet days – sun, brilliant blue sky with cotton ball clouds scudding by. Warm when the sun was out but chilled when a cloud cast a shadow tracing over the landscape. It was a day to wake up and appreciate the brief remaining days before winter moves in. NatureContinue reading “Petrie Gold”

I love the countryside around Cumberland, Ontario. This summer, I stopped on Willhaven Drive to take a few reference photos of these beautiful cows. Almost the entire herd, came over to the fence. These 2 girls were particularly delightful. Clearly besties they nudged close to each other. One is scratching an itch on the barbedContinue reading “Sisters, Braedale Holsteins”

Not finished with summer yet, but this piece is the first of the fall season. Again a favourite from Gatineau Park. The colours at this time of the year are awesome. Takes restraint not to over do it. Mybad. I like to paint pieces that will stand out even in lower light conditions.  Going toContinue reading “Gatineau Lake Fall”

Painting outside is one of the joys of summer. In the past, it was perhaps the only way to get the real feel of a scene. Other than that, the choice was to paint from memory and sketches. Nowadays, painting on location has morphed into plein air, which has come to mean painting small formatContinue reading “Painting on location – Plein Air”

A little summer inside, but they don’t last long. Really beautiful flowers, heavy with summer sun.

It has been a really hot July this year making plein air painting all the more challenging. Sunflowers have certainly epitomized the broiling summer. Nevertheless, getting out into the fields with bees and butterflies tending to the flowers was really fine. Carrying portable shade made the morning fun. Packed it in at lunch when theContinue reading “In the hot summer sun”

It has been a scorcher July this year. This was a fun piece to do, plein air, under an umbrella under the crab apple tree. Amazing how much UV energy the tree absorbs. With that and the sum bock coating in the umbrella, it was quite bearable. An iced fruit pop didn’t hurt either. HaveContinue reading “Summer Lillies”

Seems like it’s been a little slow in coming but its perhaps, maybe definitely here (no snow in the forecast for the coming week). Have to celebrate it! This was based on a photo from last May when we were allowed out. As it went on, the piece took over control and a stream happenedContinue reading “Spring Runoff”

A little belated, with apologies. I would like to recognize Greg Krycinski for his image that I used as reference for my interpretation. Thank You. https://pixabay.com/photos/bluebell-forest-england-spring-1562995/ The man walking with his dog was my addition. Memories of walks with my dogs both passed on now.

Finally found time to organize my site. Always painting wins out to doing this kind of stuff, but eventually things were getting out of hand and I had to find the time to do some spring cleaning. Hope you find this format easier to navigate.