Won at Belleville Plein Air Festival!

I spent the weekend painting at Belleville Plein Air Festival. It was a great event, had an opportunity to  meet many great artists and enjoy a fine weekend filled with outdoor painting, good food and fun family times with my wife and our little baby girl. The painting below won a 3rd place and was sold on spot. Unfortunately in the rush to hand in the framed painting I did not have a chance to photograph the finished piece properly, hence the glare on left side... Live and learn. I am looking forward to coming back to Belleville next year again.

"Respite"        Pastel on Canson paper         11x14in

Green Purple/Pink Blue

Took a nice stroll down the Queen St. East, Beaches area, with my wife and my little baby girl Ava. I had my portable pastel kit handy when I noticed this interesting view. What captured my attention was not so much the shapes or composition but the colour combination of green purple/pink and blue. I can say that having a baby around really keeps me on my toes as there is not a second to waste when painting.  I felt like I was running a hundred meter sprint in order to finish it before the little one started to fuss.

"Green Purple/Pink Blue"         8x8in      Pastel

Cloud Teacher

Toronto, to me feels sleepy and baren in winter. But come spring and it bursts with life and movement. That is what I saw at Christ Pits Park the other day. There was a sheep dog, jumping high and catching frisbees. Young girl strumming her ukulele, and two guys playing guitar and singing french songs. Kids running and playing around. Looking up at the passing clouds I saw the same burst of life and happiness mirrored in the sky. So that is what I wanted to paint.

"Spring in Christ Pits Park"                                   3x8in  Pastel 

Malayan Pavilion

I have been painting sporadicly or next to nothing in the past month or so. It feels good to take a brake, but the painting itch is coming back.

Couple of weeks ago I took my students to Toronto Zoo for a day of drawing. It was -8 outside with a biting chilly wind. It was totally the oposite inside the climatized pavilions; warm and humid. The day was spent looking at students' work, offering suggestions and encouragement. I barely had any time for my own drawing. After all the students left I took an opportunity and painted for an hour at the Malayan Pavilion.

"Malayan Pavilion"       8x8in       Pastel On Canson

Happy 2013

Thank you for following my work and the support you have given me this year. I am wishing that you have a truly inspiring and meaningful year ahead.

  Commission       8x10       Pastel on Canson 

Tavvauvutit :Inuit Goodbye

Working on a children's book project that I am very excited about. There are paper boats involved, and I love paper boats :) Here is one of the illustrations from the story.

"Tavvauvutit :Inuit Goodbye"     7x14in    Pastel on Canson 

Old house

Painted in Photoshop

Big fish little kid

Painted in Photoshop and a bit in Painter.