Abstract/Impressionistic Painting, Impression of Day Lilies I, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Impression of Day Lilies I
20x30 oil on canvas

These last three postings of abstract paintings were posted a bit backwards... and by that I mean that this one was the first one in the series, and the other two abstracts were created after this painting.  Sometimes it is fun to mix things up a bit, in order to make life a little more interesting.

I am about to begin work on some more abstracts... they will be a bit larger than my usual small daily paintings, plus the format of the gallery profile canvas will be different.  Small paintings are fun, but as I have mentioned in a few previous blogs it is time to change my focus a bit by creating a few unique pieces (mixed in with the smaller sized canvas), but for now a change is in the air.  After I catch up on some 'Design Class' homework this weekend,  there will be a flurry of activity in my studio next week, so stay tuned.  

My foray into abstraction isn't new, as you can see from these past few posts.  Art has the capacity to get us thinking in new directions... let's see where this adventure goes.

SOLD
20x30, acrylic on canvas

Abstract Painting, Abstraction Inspired by Day Lilies, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Abstraction Inspired by Day Lilies
10x30 acrylic on canvas

Thick texture and rich color...

If you click on the image above it should enlarge, giving you a close-up view of the impasto passages in this abstract painting.   Painting, for me, (whether realistic or abstract) is a visual expression of a 'feeling' I receive from my subject matter.  When I choose to paint a subject there must be a certain 'feeling' in my body before I proceed with the art.  My inspiration is a reaction to the color, light, darkness, texture, shape, meaning, etc of whatever has caught my eye.

When something 'catches my eye', what I really mean is that it has created an 'experience' in my body as well as my mind that (for me) signifies that it would make an interesting painting.  We all experience our world in different ways... and we all have our own unique response to the stimuli that surrounds us each day.  If we all stopped now and then to analyze what we are feeling about a particular thing... for example a flower, we may be surprised to realize that it is sometimes difficult to articulate.  Is it the color, texture, fragrance, or shape that really catches our attention and stimulates our senses, or is it all of these things and more?

SOLD
10x30, acrylic on canvas
  

Abstract Painting, Impression of Day Lilies II, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Impression of Day Lilies II
 10x30 acrylic on canvas

I painted this piece almost two years ago.  The texture, color and mark making made me take a good close look at it again, reinforcing my desire to continue doing some abstracts.  A profusion of earthy colored day lilies took over my backyard garden a few summers ago, and I remember sitting at the patio table soaking up the rich colors before me, wondering what they might look like abstracted...

SOLD
10x30, acrylic on canvas

Paper Weaving, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Paper Weaving, 81/2 x 5 inches

You may be wondering why I have not been posting as much lately.  The Design Course I am taking at the University involves a TON of homework, and I have been spending at least 2 to 3 days on it each week, so that does not leave much time to paint for my blog, plus I am getting some work together for some upcoming shows.
My art direction has been shifting too... I can feel a change happening, so you may see some different art work being posted on my blog, which will make it more interesting for all of us... 
So stay tuned!

This paper weaving is composed of Yellow Values (yellow mixed with various degrees of black), plus sections from some printed material.

NFS

Painting of Canadian Flag, Red and White with Blue, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Red and White with Blue, 16x16
 (oil on gallery profile canvas)

You may remember my 'small' daily painting flag series that I started last summer... now I am adding larger versions, with various perspectives.

While painting this larger square format of our Canadian Flag, I noticed a tremendous amount of positive energy radiating from the image.  Happy, optimistic, with a sunny disposition, our flag feels like the type of friend you always want to be around!
  
This one is a square format, gallery profile canvas with the edges painted black so no need to frame it.
A larger patriotic statement for your home or office...

Landscape painting of Badlands Alberta, Orange Rocks, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Orange Rocks, 10x10 oil on canvas

The badlands in southern Alberta have a beauty all their own.  This is 'dinosaur country', and even though the terrane looked quite different millions of years ago when Albertosaurus and his buddies roamed this part of the earth, it 'feels' like you could see a dinosaur lumber by at any moment.

The reference photo for this painting was taken later in the day as the sun was setting, the late afternoon light revealed the golden orange tones in the rock, and in the 'baby' (beginning to form) hoodoos in the background.  The clay underfoot took on a grayed-violet tone, while the silver sage-brush clung to pockets of soil in this desolate landscape.

* (This painting is basically a 'complementary' painting.  The orange/ yellows are complements to the blue/violets on the color wheel).

Framed Paintings, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair



 One of my Collectors chose to have the four paintings she purchased from me framed.  I took these photos of them hanging in the various locations in her home and thought it might be fun to post them  on my blog.  There are numerous framing options to choose from if you wish to frame any of my paintings, and it is always nice to see what choices people make.
This Collector picked up another acquisition from me last week, so it will be interesting to see what type of frame she selects for that painting... of course I'll post a photo of that one too, once she lets me know when it is ready for 'viewing'.

It's a strange (and wonderful) feeling for me to see
my work hanging in someone's home.  A surreal experience to say the least!

Thank you E.P., and thanks to everyone who has purchased a painting from me to date, and if you ever get a chance to photograph it (or them) hanging on your walls, framed or unframed, I 'd love to see a photo or two.

*You will find my email address on the right hand side of my blog.


(Looks can be deceiving in photographs, so I want to point out that the top blue Iris is 16x20 inches, and the Pink Stargazer Lily at the bottom is 20x16 inches plus the frame dimensions.