Snippet Texture, by Kim Blair

(close-up section of a larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

Texture can be a visual treat besides a tactile pleasure.  We can appreciate the look of the undulations of the paint rippling across the canvas or paper, but if we are given permission to delicately touch the surface in order to enjoy the folds and marks in the thick paint we satisfy a very basic need... the pleasure of touch.

  

I often day dream about running my hand across a Van Gogh painting... the mere thought sends shivers down my spine.

Snippet Geography, by Kim Blair

(close-up section of a larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

A few blue lines meandering across a small snippet photographed from a much larger painting plays with our sense of perspective... aerial topography or ?

A Universe in a Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up snippet of larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

Even though I, as the artist, know what the subject/inspiration was for the painting that this snippet came from I can't help thinking that this tiny little section suggests something much larger.

Snippet with Blue Lines, by Kim Blair

(close-up snippet of larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

A small snippet of a larger work can have a life of its own... it may suggest an image of something entirely different from the painting as a whole.  This snippet evokes a feeling of spring for me... what does it evoke for you?

Snippets of gray, by Kim Blair

(close-up snippet of larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

Making marks on thick textured watercolour paper is a sensual experience.  The paint skips and dances across the embossed surface of the absorbent paper leaving a trail of colour... blue, black, brown and white mingling together to create more than 50 shades of gray.

Snippets can be miniature works of art, by Kim Blair

(close-up snippet of larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

While composing these close-up sectional shots of my larger mixed media paintings I discovered numerous miniature abstracted works... some could stand alone as tiny paintings, while others offer only a glimpse into a much more complicated composition.

Snippet Philosophy, by Kim Blair

(close-up section of larger mixed media)

Have you ever tried wearing your hair a different way... changed the colour, style... tried on a wig?  I bet you received mixed reactions from friends and family... some loved your new direction and some questioned it.  But in the end it is only yourself that you need to please.

It's the same with art...

Another snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section from larger work on paper)

Creating this new body of work has been exhilarating... my painting style has changed in many ways.

Some aspects of the work are familiar, but my creative boundaries have started to dissolve and I am very excited about the new direction my work is taking.

Sometimes we need to take risks...

Snippets of things to come, by Kim Blair

(close-up section from larger work on paper)

I have been creating a new body of work for my upcoming show at the Faculty of Extension.

No date for the show at this time, but it should be sometime this year... and since I do not want to post any photos of the new work that will be in the show I thought it might be fun to post a snippet now and then of one of the pieces... mixed media on 300 lb. watercolour paper. 

More to come...

The Holidays are just around the corner, by Kim Blair

 Calla Pink

10x10 oil on canvas

Dusty Pink

10x10 oil on canvas

I had a few paintings on display in Toronto and they are now back safe 'n sound in my studio. 

Book Cover Art, by Kim Blair

Lion Rampant I

Do you remember this painting I created a few years ago of the 'Lion Rampant', the unofficial national flag of Scotland?  Well, now you can see it as an Amazon/Kindle book cover if you click here, approximately number six down the list of books written by H. A. Culley.

Mr. H. A. Culley, a prolific authour from Great Britain emailed me a few months ago requesting to use it on the cover of his latest book, "The Winter King": Robert the Bruce (Robert the Bruce Trilogy 2).  I am looking forward to reading it over the winter.

Sketching in Italy, by Kim Blair

Italian Pepper

6x8 Pen and Ink, Watercolour Sketch 

I had good intensions to fill my sketch book while we vacationed in Italy for the month of October... but our days were filled with sightseeing, enjoying the local culture and eating gelato.  Most evenings we cooked dinner while sipping a glass of wine, discussing our daily adventures... then fell into bed!

The only time I had to sketch was in the evenings, which is why the few sketches I was able to squeak in revolved around food.  But, since fruit and vegetables are my favourite things to paint it turned out to be a lovely way to relax.

*One tip I'd like to pass along is not to have your tea cup next to your watercolour water container... A couple of times I found myself absentmindedly rinsing my brush in the wrong cup!

Ciao for now.