Winter Sky I, by Kim Blair


Winter Sky I
(14"x11" oil on canvas)


A prairie winter can feel a bit bleak... but if an artist enlists the gift of imagination a winter sky can  be transformed from a frigid landscape into a magical vista.

This piece was created using thick oil paint and a palette knife.  Click on the image to have a close up look at the texture.

Winter Sky I
14"x11" oil on canvas (*needs some drying time)

Prairie Sky I, by Kim Blair


Prairie Sky I
(14"x11" oil on canvas)


Golden yellow canola fields, big blue skies with voluminous white clouds... the stuff of prairie dreams on a cold winter day.

Thick creamy oil paint applied with a palette knife says it all.

*(click on the image to have a closer look)

Prairie Sky I
14"x11" oil on canvas

Sold

Collector Photos, by Kim Blair



(Grouping of my paintings hanging in Collectors' home)



I wanted to share these photos a collector sent me showing how they have displayed four of my paintings on two walls in their living room. The vibrant, joyful colour of the walls accentuates the rich hues in the paintings!

Thank you Laura, for sending me these cheerful snaps shots... they add a lovely splash of colour to a snowy white November here in Alberta.


*(I need to apologize for a posting glitch. This past Saturday you probably received a post from a 'year ago' announcing a billboard I had on 97 Street... not sure what happened but this post was not meant to be reposted this year... that was a December 2016 post!) 

Limoncello, by Kim Blair


Limoncello
(8"x10" oil on canvas)

When we were in Sorrento, Italy a few years ago we toured a local lemon grove that produced Limoncello,  a special Italian liqueur produced mainly in southern Italy, around the Gulf of Naples and the Amalfi coast. This lemon liqueur is traditionally served chilled after the evening meal to aid with digestion and is gaining popularity outside of Italy.  Often used in cocktails, it imparts a sweet lemon flavour to a mixed drink without the harsh bitterness of straight-up lemon juice.

With the holiday season fast approaching you may want to consider adding a bottle of limoncello to your apres dinner offerings... or perhaps a painting instead!
:0)

Enjoy!

8"x10" oil on canvas


Fiesta Orange by Kim Blair


Fiesta Orange
8"x10" oil on canvas

As previously mentioned, Canadian artist Mary Pratt's paintings of objects on tin foil have inspired me over the years.  Fiesta Orange is another painting in my series of fruit photographed on tin foil, then painted in oil paint on canvas.  Of course I take some artistic license when reproducing the reflections from the shiny crinkled surface... 'cause that is what being an artist is all about!

Many people still use the older term 'tin foil' even though tin foil was first replaced by aluminum foil in about 1910 when the first aluminum foil rolling plant opened in Switzerland.  My research revealed that the reason one side of the foil is shinier than the other side is because the rollers are oiled... so the side of the foil that touches the rollers comes out shinier!  Who knew?  Supposedly it makes no difference which side of the foil you use when cooking or freezing food, but I only use the shiny side for my still life set-ups.

*Click on the image to see the thick textured passages of paint... making the orange sections feel three dimensional.

8"x10" oil on canvas




Hollyhock Light by Kim Blair


Hollyhock Light
(12x12 oil on canvas)

Hollyhocks can grow up to 12 feet tall, and on my back alley walks in our neighbourhood I discovered numerous plants that height!  Most seem to be around 5 to 6 feet tall, but the giants are out there...
Raspberry red blooms with a bit of sunlight falling on them, offer some dramatic photo opportunities.  The silky tissue paper thinness of the petals shows off the delicate nature of the blooms, quite a contrast to the strong fuzzy stalks that support them.

I love the name 'Hollyhock', and noticed in my research that the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designed a house that was given the name HollyHock House.  Built in 1921 in Los Angeles for Philanthropist Aline Barnsdall, it has an interesting design (and history).  The exterior, (for me) is reminiscent of ancient Mayan temples and homes.  I guess Frank had to get his inspiration from somewhere.
Hollyhocks were Aline's favourite flower, and Frank (we're all on first name basis) abstracted the hollyhock to create motifs and designs utilized on the exterior, and throughout the house.  It is interesting to see how far he took the abstraction, which again looks rather Mayan to me.   I would love to see this house in person.

Have any of you been there?

12x12 oil on canvas



Framed by Kim Blair

(Three citrus paintings framed and hung in collector's home)

Lime Twist
Blood Oranges
Yellow Boats for Vincent

I thought you might enjoy seeing how this collector framed and hung the three citrus paintings she purchased from me.  Although my paintings on stretched canvas are painted on the edges, which allows them to be hung without framing, I suggested this collector have the three pieces framed in order to give them more visual weight on the wall she choose to hang them on.

* If you click on the individual photos you will be able to see the intricate detail of the frames and how they work perfectly with each piece.


Apricot Sky, by Kim Blair


Apricot Sky
(14"x11" oil on canvas)

It's that luscious time of year when the sun creates a warm golden light that accentuates the rich fall colours.  There is an urban farm not far from our home here in the city.  I watched their sunflowers grow all summer long... and one day when I was driving by there was a young woman working in the garden, so I stopped and asked if I could come in and take some photos of the  sunflowers.

Apricot Sky was inspired by one of these photos... a thick stalky stem supporting a voluptuous chocolate brown seed head surrounded by a fringe of yellow, set against an apricot sky.

*(Click on the image to view the thick texture of the petals.)


Apricot Sky

14"x11" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)

Paper Lilies, by Kim Blair


Paper Lilies
(10"x10" oil on canvas)


Garlic belongs to the lily family... Allium. When we think of lilies we usually do not think of garlic, but the two are related, with garlic being the aromatic cousin of the shapely lily. Both are equally welcome at most parties... although, if you are a vampire, you would probably hang out with the floral bouquet and stay clear of the dip!

Speaking of vampires... my research revealed that because garlic was used to ward off blood sucking mosquitos it was only natural that it would be considered the veggie of choice to ward off blood sucking vampires. Makes total sense.

So in honour of garlic (and vampires of course)... here is my attempt at some Vampire Haiku.

A trickle of red
drips down her delicate neck.
She forgot garlic!


Paper Lilies, 10"x10" oil on canvas


Green Goddess, by Kim Blair


Green Goddess
(10"x10" oil on canvas)

Nothing says retro like Green Goddess salad dressing... unless you toss in a new ingredient. Avocado adds a rich creaminess which allows you to forgo the mayo, sour cream... even the yogourt! Here's the link to the recipe on 'Real Food with Dana', that I am going to try. 

This painting of an avocado on a red plate is guaranteed 'dairy-free' and will add zing to your kitchen wall!


Green Goddess
10"x10" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)

Mona Lisa, by Kim Blair


Mona Lisa
(10"x10" oil on canvas)

I know you're looking at this painting of an avocado and thinking... Huh?  I don't get it, but stay with me on this one.  While staring at this painting... trying to name it... Mona Lisa popped into my head.  I thought the name really suited it, but was unable to come up with a rational reason.

Then I decided to google Mona Lisa and avocado.  I discovered an artist who drew the Mona Lisa on a white plate using mashed avocado flesh ... I'm not kidding!    Click here to have a look for yourself.

(Leonardo is probably rolling over in his grave as I write this post.)


Mona Lisa
10"x10" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)

nfs






Blood Oranges, by Kim Blair



Blood Oranges
(10"x10" oil on canvas)



 (Grouping of the three citrus paintings)




Blood Oranges is the third still life painting of citrus fruit on canvas.  Each still life set-up was  arranged on tin foil to create colourful shimmering reflections.

Thanks again to Canadian artist Mary Pratt and her 'Red Currant Jelly' jar painting for inspiring this series of citrus fruit arranged on tin foil for the reference photo... but painted on canvas.

These three paintings, each created on 10"x10" canvas, look good individually, but as a grouping of three hung either in a row horizontally (as I have them arranged on my easel in the above photo), or vertically, would look stunning in a kitchen, dinning room, or hall way.

(See the previous 2 postings for the lime and lemon paintings.)


Blood Oranges, 10"x10" oil on canvas

sold

Yellow Boats for Vincent, by Kim Blair


Yellow Boats for Vincent
(10"x10" oil on canvas)

Yellow Boats for Vincent, is an oil painting of lemon wedges arranged as a still life set-up on tin foil.  The foil reflects the variety of rich yellow tones found in the skin and flesh of these wedges and the abstract reflections create dynamic energy in the painting.

I did not realize, until after painting this piece, that Van Gogh had inspired me once again! Take a look at his painting, 'Fishing Boats on the Beach at Saintes-Maries'... I think you will agree with me that Vincent's influence crept into this little lemon wedge painting.

10"x10" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)

sold

Lime Twist, by Kim Blair


Lime Twist
(10"x10" oil on canvas)

Lime Twist is a new painting inspired from a photo I took a few years ago.  The lime wedges were arranged on tin foil and photographed to catch the ripple reflections on the reflective surface... a sea of shimmering lights and darks.

The work of Canadian artist Mary Pratt inspired me to work with tin foil.  Her painting, 'Red Currant Jelly' from 1972 was the impetus for my fruit and veggie still life work displayed on tin foil.

10"x10" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)

sold

Mandala Yellow, by Kim Blair


Mandala Yellow
(12"x12" oil on canvas)

Once the palette knife gets into my hand all bets are off as to how thick the paint application will be!

Rich buttery oil paint spread into soft layers of yellow sunshine creating a swirling disk of sunflower petals... a mandala of sorts.

Mandala, a Sanskrit word meaning 'disk'.

(*Click on the image to get a close up view of the luscious texture)


12"x12" oil on canvas (needs some drying time) 

New Perspective, by Kim Blair


New Perspective
11x14 oil on canvas

Your first impression of a glossy thick skinned red pepper is that he/she is pretty sure of themselves and their place in the vegetable kingdom.  Its bright red exterior usually takes center stage when mixed  with other veggies on a party tray... often the life of the party this colorful extrovert can be mild mannered or a bit hot.

The interior of a pepper is beautiful too, and while taking a closer look you notice that it has a soft vulnerable side as well.   Pliable reddish orange flesh surrounds a soft creamy white focal point accented with a multitude of little white lentil shaped seeds... the heart of a pepper reminds us that what we see on the outside is often no indication of what lies within.

Sometimes a new perspective is needed...

Like a book... you shouldn't judge a pepper by its cover.

11x14 oil on canvas

Masquerade, by Kim Blair


Masquerade
(11x14, oil on canvas)


Masquerade was painted a few years ago... it was to be part of my graduate exhibition, but I changed my direction for that show... which meant that any paintings on canvas I had started to create would be for sale another time... and then I forgot about them.

While cleaning my studio last week I discovered a couple pepper paintings that I have not posted for sale.

The yellow pepper in Masquerade definitely has attitude! The arabesque lines of this fleshy yellow pepper along with the soft swirls of the red velvet in the background give it the feel of opulence and over the top decadence... like a costume for a masquerade ball.  The two halves look like they are having a jovial time at the party!


The undercoat is a midnight blue opalescence paint, which you can see peeking through here and there adding a bit more drama.

(Click on the image to have a closer look.)

11x14 oil on canvas

Heirloom, by Kim Blair


Heirloom
(12"x9" oil on canvas)

While researching heirloom iris I came upon information regarding the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

I thought I had landed on a site for a sci-fi movie, but instead realized it was a real place located deep inside a mountain on a remote island between Norway and the North Pole.   It is a unique storage facility housing the world's largest collection of crop diversity... for the future... just in case we need to reboot agriculture.

If you are at all interested in gardening this site is well worth taking a look at!  It feels so futuristic and yet it is a real facility. 

Good thing someone is planning ahead!



12"x9" oil on canvas
nfs

Happy Canada Day! by Kim Blair


The beginning sketch...


Half way through the painting... 

Yellow and burgundy bearded iris are staple flowers in many older gardens here in Edmonton, and probably throughout most of Canada.  An heirloom variety it found it's way to Canada with the hardy pioneers who settled this vast country.  Thankfully this flower species as well as the rugged people who transported it to Canada survived the harsh conditions in the New World.

Canada's 150th birthday is definitely the time to celebrate our heritage and all the things we think of as being Canadian... like yellow and burgundy iris and of course... butter tarts!

Happy 150 Canada!

(*The finished painting will be posted next week.)

Cloud White, by Kim Blair


Cloud White
12x9 oil on canvas

While painting this white poppy I kept glancing out my studio window admiring the voluptuous white clouds floating by.  Each cloud looked more ethereal than the next and I began to notice that the poppy I was painting had very similar qualities to the fluffy fullness of the clouds drifting past.


9"x12" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)

sold



Pink Solstice, by Kim Blair


Pink Solstice
9x12 oil on canvas

Here is the completed poppy painting from the teaser blog post over the weekend.  It was a delight to paint... just in time for summer!

9x12 oil on canvas

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Painting in Progress, by Kim Blair

Poppy sketch in oil... ready to start painting


Poppy painting half way to completion


I thought it might be fun to show you my set up for painting flowers... with a second shot of the painting half way to the finish line!  I photographed this hot pink poppy in a neighbourhood garden here in the Highlands.

This fabulous specimen, along with its 'siblings' (multiple heads on this plant) was growing along the side of a home next to an alley.  As you walked up the street (or alley) you were met with a riot of hot pink blossoms dancing in the breeze.  It was love at first sight!
;)

On Monday or Tuesday of next week I will be posting the finished painting... for sale. 

Salted Caramel, by Kim Blair


Salted Caramel
(12"x9" oil on canvas)

Yes, this painting is based on a real Iris, hard to believe I know.

The inspiration for this painting is a luscious, beautifully shaped specimen with rust coloured 'falls' (the lower petals) and caramel-pink 'standards' (the petals standing up) growing in a local garden here in Edmonton.

The rare colour of this particular flower stopped me in my tracks... I knew I had to paint it!

This Iris reminded me of some delicious salted caramels I tasted recently and rather than lick my brush like Van Gogh... I decided to look up a recipe for salted caramels to satisfy my sweet tooth.



12"x9" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)


Origami, by Kim Blair


Origami
(12"x9" oil on canvas)

The word Origami comes from two Japanese words, oru (to fold) and kami (paper) and began as an art form practiced by monks for religious ceremonies and by the elite who could afford paper.

Today origami is a popular creative pastime practiced by young and old with a new 'green' movement utilizing old newspapers and junk mail inserts. Even paper currency can be folded into unique gifts following diagrams created with your currency's specific dimensions!

The numerous twists and folds of this variety of bearded iris could be nature's own form of origami...

12"x9"oil on canvas (needs some drying time)

Dinner in Florence, by Kim Blair


Dinner in Florence...
(watercolour sketch on paper)

Hi Everyone:

The previous blog post you received with a bunch of 'unrelated painting photos and content' all strung together did not make any sense and was not meant as a post... it was sent out by accident.

I was cleaning up a few things on my blog and website getting ready to revamp them later this month and I must have accidentally hit the publish button.
:0(
Sorry about that!

This little watercolour sketch is from our trip to Italy a few years ago... and thought I would share it with you again as an apology for the 'glitch' email.

New flower, fruit and veggie paintings will appear in your inbox from now on instead of glitches!

Thank you for your understanding.

:0)

Kim


Van Gogh Vivid, by Kim Blair


Van Gogh Vivid
(12x9 oil on canvas)

I always get inspiration when I have lunch with Van Gogh! After snapping a few photos of some lovely purple iris in my neighbourhood I sat down for lunch with one of my Van Gogh books and Vincent's charm started to speak to me...

In the book, 'The Secret Lives of Artists' by Elizabeth Lunday I read that the development in the nineteenth century of approximately twenty new brighter and more stable pigments allowed Van Gogh to express his new love of colour.

Thank you Vincent for your pioneering spirit with colour...you paved the way for the rest of us!

12"x9" oil on canvas *(needs a few weeks to dry before shipping)

SOLD

Billboard Art, by Kim Blair


Billboard Art
 At first I thought how strange it was to see my art beside an A&W sign... surreal in many respects.

But if you let your imagination work a bit I think you might see a double cheese, double bacon burger image appear in my painting... roundish buns with gooey cheese, maybe an onion ring or two?

No?

Well, one thing is for sure... the A&W sign says, 'Limited Time' and that is true because my painting will only be up for another two weeks, and then it is time for another lucky artist to have that spot.

(Hopefully I can get some photos of it with the sun shining...sunny Alberta has not been very sunny so far this winter!)



Billboard on a Busy Street... by Kim Blair


Here I am with my billboard image
(the image is a detail from a larger abstract painting called 'Prana')
a #YEGCanvas event


A BIG thank you to:

 The Edmonton Arts Council and Pattison signs!



I mentioned in a previous blog posting (Nov 1) that I was one of the artists selected to have a painting displayed on a billboard in the #YEGCanvas urban billboard and transit poster exhibition for 2016/2017.   Click here for the map to locate each billboard/poster for this round of artists (my billboard is #2 on the map.)

Locating my billboard was a fun game of hide and seek even though it was a bit of a cold overcast day here in Edmonton when I ventured up to 97 Street and 135 Avenue to find the billboard image of my painting.  Luckily my husband drove so I could swivel my head around (not quite like Linda Blair in the 'Exorcist'... but close) looking at the front and back of each sign until I found mine in the 'Fountain Tire' parking lot, southbound on 97 Street.  What a thrill!

Numerous photos and one short video later we were on our way back home... but the day felt warmer and a whole lot sunnier... at least for me!