Oil Painting of a Poppy, Fringed Beauty, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Fringed Beauty

10x10 oil on canvas

I was getting ready my art exhibit at the University Hospital that will be happening this coming December 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 and had a difficult time selecting the work for the show.  Luckily a friend came over and gave me a hand... it is always good to bounce ideas off someone else and have them assist you in the selection process.
Of course there were many paintings that I wanted to set aside for the show, but once you decide on a 'color' theme it is impossible to include certain pieces... no matter how much you like them. So I thought it was time to give this little peach poppy another showing on my blog.  Yes, there are many other paintings that did not work with the theme of the coming show, but such is life.

The selection process reminded me of choosing a dress to wear to a party.  You know you can't wear every dress you like in your closet, even though you wish you could... but, there will be other parties!

SOLD

10x10 oil on canvas

Oil Painting of Sunflower, Highland Sun, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Highland Sun

16x20

We have a large, well used community garden beside our community hall here in the Highlands, within the city of  Edmonton.  The local residents are offered the opportunity to rent a small plot of land on which too grow some veggies or flowers.  For a nominal fee you can grow some extra potatoes, cultivate a 'cutting' flower bed or just experiment with some new veggies, while sharing some gardening and community spirit with other like minded people in the Highlands.  Although I have not taken advantage of this opportunity I do make a point of wandering over there now and then to drool over the tomatoes... and snap a few photos.

There are some spectacular sunflowers growing along one of the fences, and it turned out that the young woman who was watering her veggies was the green thumb who planted these healthy giants.   I snapped a few quick pics of this sunny yellow beauty with the curly petals and luscious green leaves... but forgot to ask the gardener's name so that I could give her credit in my blog.

Thanks to 'Ms. Green Thumb' for planting the tall, healthy sunflowers along the fence by the driveway.  I am sure I am not the only one who walked by to admire them... although I might be the only one who painted one of them.

*(click on the image to see the thick, rich passages of oil paint)

sold

16x20 oil on canvas

Oil Painting of Green Onions, Green with Red, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Green with Red

Green onions are so much fun to paint!  Aromatic white bulbs topped with fuzzy root ends attached to slender green stalks bundled together with blue elastic bands... placed on a piece of red cloth.  Rather pretty, in a 'veggie' sort of way. 

Have you ever wondered why the elastic bands are always blue?

SOLD

10x10 oil  on canvas

Stargazer Lily: Golden Star, By Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Golden Star

20x16 oil on canvas

This painting needs to be seen again.  I posted it a little while ago, but whenever I walk past my gallery room in my home-studio it keeps calling out to me... asking for attention.  It looks so beautiful displayed on the easel... all pink and curvy... like a gorgeous satin dress swirled about a model's sleek shoulders, offering the illusion that a strap might fall at any moment and reveal a bit more.

For some reason it makes me think of the John Singer Sargent's painting called 'Madame X'.  Not that I think my painting style is like Mr. Sargent, rather, the curves of this pink lily brought to mind the curves of the woman in the black dress.  

Floral, Sunflower Painting, 'Sun Totems', by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Sun Totems

18x24

This Sunflower painting sold the other day and now has a home in Lethbridge, which is in southern Alberta, near the border with the USA.  The collector who purchased this piece said that he is drawn to my use of vibrant colors... which goes to show that if you paint what you love it will come through the painting, and that energy will resinate with right person. 

Have a look at my 'Gallery Page' for all available paintings. 

SOLD

18x24 oil on canvas

Floral Painting of Poppies, Orange Ice, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Orange Ice

11x14 oil on canvas

These orange poppies are growing underneath the bird bath in our backyard garden.  I painted them larger than life... in reality these blooms are small... but when you have artistic license at your disposal size doesn't matter!

Our birdbath is a very popular spot this summer... a community pool of sorts for the local birds.  We think the chickadees are living 'condo' style in a fir tree in our neighbor's yard, and perhaps the 'pool' and 'buffet' (our bird feeder) next door was the selling feature.

The living room sofa is ring side seating for watching the fun through our garden door!  Sometimes there are one or two robins splashing around with a small chickadee joining in the fun.  Other times there is a line up on the apple tree above, as each bird takes a turn.  Often, we have to go out and refill the bath in the middle of the chaos so that the next birds have some water to splash around in as the previous ones have made quite a mess sloshing about!  It's fun to watch them fly up into the apple tree afterwards, to dry off and preen themselves.  Most of them rub their wet beaks on the branches, either to dry them off, or sharpen them, or both!

One day this spring I even found a bluejay having a bath in a large pail of water we had set out to catch water from a down spout!  He needed the deeper pool in order to submerge his whole body, and didn't seem to mind as I walked by.

Who needs video games when nature can be so entertaining.?

SOLD

11x14, oil on canvas

Floral Painting of Anthurium, Anthurium Red I, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Anthurium Red I

11x14 oil on canvas

When I was a floral designer a number of years ago, we would order a shipment of 'exotics' from Hawaii.   The box arrived looking very small for the amount of product that was packed inside.  But the growers new just how to wrap and pack their exotic blooms so that they arrived in perfect condition.

  

Anthurium originated in South America and are members of the Arum family and are cousins to jack-in-the pulpit, calla lilies and  split-leafed philodendron plants.  They were introduced to Hawaii in 1889 by Samuel M. Damon and flourished in the year round warmth and high humidity.  Anthurium enjoy being misted  with water when you have them as cut flowers or as a plant in your home, especially if you live in a dry climate... hello Alberta!

The part of the plant we think of as the flower (like the poinsettia) is really brilliantly colored heart shaped thick, waxy bracts; while the true flower is the whitish, green/yellow spathe in the center of each bract.  Of course its name comes from the Latin word, 'anthos', meaming flower and 'oura', meaning tail.

These sleek exotic blooms make an artful statement in a modern office or home... whether in a vase, planted in a pot, or dare I say... on a wall.

$200.00, 11x14 oil on gallery profile canvas

Still Life Painting, Leek Soup, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Leek Soup

14x11

Guess what we are having for dinner tonight?

I propped these beauties up so that they were leaning on an orange/yellow tea towel that I draped over my tea pot (I know, I know... do I own anything other than orange tea towels?)

Leeks are related to the onion family, but have a sweeter, more sophisticated  flavor than their close relatives.  Looking like a scallion on steroids, leeks have blueish green leaves which grow in an overlapping fan shape, adding to their decorative appearance.  Cultivated since the time of the Ancient Egyptian, leeks were highly prized by the Romans who considered the leek a superior veggie, and the Emperor Nero believed that eating leeks would improve his singing voice.  

I'll let you know if I can sing any better after dinner tonight...

sold

14x11

Computer Enhanced Oil Painting, White Magic Special, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

'White Magic Special'

I was playing around with my Mac, trying out some of the special effects to create a 'new' version of a popular painting.  The original of this painting is black and white oil paint, using this technique it resembles a pen and ink painting with some fuschia enhancements. 

'White Magic with Orange'

Of course I had to try out the pop art setting... need I mention I was attracted to the orange?   Greeting Cards come to mind... or prints, or ? 

I would love to hear your ideas.

Floral Painting of Iris, Vincent Blue, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Vincent Blue

16x20 oil on canvas

I was having lunch with Vincent Van Gogh today.   His spirit filled my kitchen via a book by Gerhard Gruitrooy, called 'Van Gogh an appreciation of his art'.  His incredible work jumped off the pages... the close up detail of the paint application and brush strokes took my breath away... they were so full of energy that I felt my heart beat a little faster while viewing them.  After dining with such an energetic companion I came up stairs to my studio, picked up my brush and let it dance across my canvas.

This 'high key' (lighter tone) painting of blue Iris has an impressionistic feel.   I heard Vincent prompting me to be immediate and sure of each stroke as I applied the paint, telling me to enjoy the process and have fun.  

I listened.

*(Click on the image to have a close-up view)

SOLD

16x20 oil on canvas

Floral Painting of a Stargazer Lily, Golden Star, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Golden Star

20x16 oil on canvas

I have been reading a book on Van Gogh which has excerpts of Vincent's letters to his brother Theo, telling him about his adventures/thoughts on changing the color of some of the elements in his paintings.   I was inspired to try something different in the background in this painting of a stargazer lily, and chose golden yellow, after having a look at Vincent's painting called 'Street in Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer.'  The effect with this lily reminds me of gold leaf...  the energy of the brush work makes me smile.

  

I had fun painting this one, can you tell?

$360.00, 20x16 oil on canvas, (needs some drying time... hot off the easel)

  

Floral Painting of a Poppy, Bedazzle, by Canadian Artist Kim Blair

Bedazzle

16x20 oil on canvas

The garden centres have many varieties of poppy plants for sale in almost any color you can imagine.  I love to go there early in the morning to snap a few reference photos.

Strong sunlight filtered through this deep orange/red poppy's silky petals.  The morning light showed all the beautiful folds, wrinkles and lines on her delicate face.  Character lines... beauty marks.

SOLD
16x20 oil on canvas