Day 3 Kira Residency

Today was my third day at KIRA (Kingsbrae International Residency for the Arts). It was another glorious summer day.

Yesterday I started an 11x14in canvas of the lower pond with a cream coloured rhododendron in full bloom and patches of lupins blooming. I was smitten by the dappled shade and the backlit birch trees.
The canvas texture was pretty rough, so I struggled to achive a soft, faery-like feel. I gave up yesterday due to red ants, struggles with the canvas texture and the light changing. I didn't want to give up so easily! This morning first thing I trecked down to the pond again- yesterday's canvas in tow and gave it another try. I was amazed how much smoother it went today. I moved the easel, so there were hardly any ants, I stood up to so to easier move back and forth from the canvas and I arrived earlier then I did in my first session, so I had extra time to observe values, shade and light.

Here is where the it stands with the lower pond painting. Not quite done, but the overall done. I might simplify a few shapes, tweak some edges and adjust a few value bits (tomorrow, haha).

Dappled Light by the Pond, 11x14in, oil on canvas

As my daily flower portrait I had something different in mind, but couldn't resist to pitch my easel when I saw these dandelion seed heads (is this even the right word for them?).

Anyhow, here it is.

6x6in, oil plein air, dandelion seed heads

Behind the scenes:
I was so frustrated with this rough textured canvas that I decided to prime my other canvasses with oil ground in the hopes of yielding a smooth(er) surface.
This afternoon I prepped these panels with Gamblin oil ground. I put on a first layer, now I'll let them dry and put on a second layer tomorrow. They will have to cure a full week after that! Glad I read the instruction label so to plan for the curing time! Yey me (it's the little things;)
Also, I toned the large canvas a bright red.

preparing canvasses outside my studio

All in all, that was my day. Productive- behind the scenes mostly... but pleased to be chopping away on preparatory chores.

Until tomorrow again! Thanks for stopping by!

Simone

Corona Residency at KIRA

 Today marks my second day of my Corona Residency at KIRA St. Andrews (KIRA= Kingsbrae International Residencies for the Arts).
Usually international artists are juried to stay at the KIRA main house and create in their own little private studio. Due to Covid19 and the restrictions to travel and life, KIRA management has invited
local artists of various disciplines to make their home in one of the five studios.
I got invited and feel so honoured to paint alongside some amazing local heavyweight professional artists such as Geoff Slater, Alanna Baird (Tin Fish), Ann Manuel and Stephanie Robb.

Well, as per usual, I am flying at the seat of my pants (is this a right expression???). Monday morning I rushed home started packing my stuff from my 'home closet studio' only AFTER the official welcome at KIRA.

But, Mathias' school year is finished as of last Friday (happy mom, happy kid), so I am NOW calling myself a full time artist/creator for the next month! YEY!
The kids will happily fend for themselves for the month- eating KD for lunch and likely cookies for breakfast and watching TV all day long (Markus hopefully chases them outside to play in the yard, maybe he has them help him work around the house a bit). They loved the news about mom going to KIRA for a month, coming home to prepare dinner and do the dishes, haha!
Man, my little ones are growing up so fast! I am proud of them and hope Markus and 'da gang' will have a bit of fun while I'm painting.
The good thing about taking time away as a mom is that every time I spend a bit of time away, my 'stocks' are going up, aka: I am appreciated more than when I left. This could be a test 'how life would be if mom would work full time'. We shall see, I'll keep you posted on the feedback;-)

My art studio wall day #2 at KIRA

Anyhow, back to my paintings... as said, today is day #2 for me and you can see my efforts pinned to the wall. I decided to portrait one flower each day and slowly fill my wall with little vignettes of what comes and goes into bloom during my time here.

First day painting was of the last few orange/red poppies I could find,

Painting the last poppies at Kingsbrae Gardens.

Red Poppy, Plein Air, oil, 6x6in on hardboard, available

today was a buttercup-type flower (which I didn't write down its name). The gardener told me they are on their way out and I better paint those soon.

Yellow Buttercup, 6x6 oil on hardboard, available

The afternoon I spend by the lower pond below the wind mill. The pond has a natural look with wildflowers growing around it and in between mature woodland trees. It has a bit of the feel of Monet's pond.
There are beautiful lupins blooming right now, so I decided to park my easel by the pond under a mature oak tree (and on top of a large red ants nest). I didn't finish the painting as the sun moved and the colours of the landscape changed (and the ants drove me crazy). So, will go back tomorrow. Here's a pic of my hangout by the pond: