"DYNASTY ICON"

"Dynasty Icon", oil on linen, 26x22

 

 

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been working on a body of work for the past year, surrounding horses.  My latest,  titled, "Dynasty Icon",  is not real, as you can see, but an icon from the "Tang Dynasty" (China, 618 - 907). 

 

If you've been following my work you'll know that I have come full-circle, returning to a familiar subject which enables me to explore paint while painting something that I love.

 

Happily, my studio has come alive with the stable of canvases lining the room in their various stages of completion.  My little piece of heaven.

 

Thanks for following!   



UPCOMING WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT ...

 

WORKSHOP

PAINTING THE STILL-LIFE, from  LIFE

 

Saturday, April 6, 2013 10-4pm

Sunday, April 7, 2013 11-4pm

Location: Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction

*Beginners &Acrylic Painters welcome

 

 

"Crabapples", oil on panel, 6x6 inches

"Windmill Blue", oil on panel, 6x8 inches

 

 

There are still spots left in my upcoming"Painting the Still-Life, from Life" weekend workshop at Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction, April 6 & 7th, 2013.  See their website for details here.

 

In this challenging and fun workshop we'll explore designing and painting the still-life.

 

You'll paint a low-key still-life on the first day and on the second, a high-key still life, while exploring different palette possibilities and the fundamentals of painting.

 

While the painting demonstrations and instruction will be done in oil, acrylic painters are welcome.  Beginners (some experience) also welcome!

 

Come out and join me!  Please email me with any questions, I'd love to hear from you  ... bobbi@bobbidunlop.com

"Fleeting Gallop"

"Fleeting Gallop", oil on linen, 24x28 

As part of my new equine series, I have been exploring the abstract concepts of painting, while remaining sensitive to the majestic qualities of this magnificent animal.

The Horse is the perfect sentient creature on which to lavish painterly attention while exploring many of the God-created things on this earth that I love.  It's a tribute to my horseman father and a rekindling of a childhood affinity.

When I sculpt this great and beautiful animal in paint, my paintbrush captures only one expression of its myriad of attitudes.

* * *

Good news for all of you who are taking on new challenges this year!  The great people at Swinton's tell me that there are still spots open in my weekend oil painting workshop,  "Painting the Portrait, from Life and from a Photo".

Feb. 2 & 3, 2013, Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction - to register

Hope you'll join me for this fun-filled (ok, and challenging)  workshop! Beginners (with a little experience) are welcome, too!

Fermenting the New You!

(Probiotic) Lacto-Fermented Veggies

My family and friends know that I am passionate about  good health through healthy eating.  I'd like to share with you one of the best ideas I've come across -  Lacto-Fermented Veggies - which has now become an important part of my family's everyday diet.

If you're bent on restoring or improving your health in 2013, (well, who isn't), you'll find these fermented veggies an inexpensive and healthy addition to boost your nutrition and immune system.. And they're delicious, too.  I'm hooked.

I came across this idea of fermented vegetables, the ancient way of preserving vegetables for the winter,  several months ago and did a little research into the benefits for the purposes of adding a probiotic to my diet.  Many of you are already familiar with probiotics - the essential element to a healthy 'gut' and to our overall health. 

I've provided a link to a wonderful website that I discovered which has a short video on 'how-to' make the Lacto-Fermented Veggies (without whey) and also outlines the multiple benefits to your health that comes in eating them. (see link below)

My own list of health improvements, in a few short months,  include a renewal in energy, I awaken feeling refreshed, a clear head, my skin ailments have disappeared or are disappearing.  Sometimes symptoms are improving that are not even on the radar.  Such as a friend who is preparing and eating the veggies in particular for a skin ailment and found that her hair loss had diminished. I realized mine had, too! People report improvements in food cravings, headaches, and other more serious symptoms which are considered to stem from an unhealthy gut.

 

 My husband and I spent yesterday morning preparing this beautiful bounty of vegetables, including sauerkraut, which will be ready for us to eat in a week.  It is a wonderful feeling to see these beautiful jars lined up on my counter!  It is so easy!  And, so delicious.

Here is the link to The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen where you'll find a very cool video by a very smart guy  on 'How To Make Lacto Fermented Vegetables without Whey (Plus Video).  

From my kitchen ... to yours :)   Now, back to the studio ....

"Percheron Pals" - oil on linen panel, 10x8

"Percheron Pals", oil on linen panel, 10x8

 

"Colour Commentary", watercolour, 1995

 

 

It was many years ago that I painted these two characters in watercolour.  The title of the painting was "Colour Commentary",  (appx. 30x22 inches).  I've included a photo of that watercolour (above) along with my recent oil painting of the same pair, "Percheron Pals", oil on linen, 10x8.

 

I painted the original watercolour in 1995 during a time that I was showing my work in the Calgary Stampede Art Salon. 

 

In the past year my work came full circle, in a sense, while creating a body of work that is very reflective of my rural roots. It's been a wonderful reconnection; first with my affinity to my prairie roots but more importantly, a continued connection to my father, a true horseman whose gentle presence guides me as I retrace my journey.

 

While I've been painting almost exclusively from life in recent years, the old box containing my reference photos has been gathering dust in a studio cupboard.  Seeing them again is like seeing old friends; a reminder of a very pleasant time in my life.

 

I clearly recall the day I took this photo and remember these two old mates like it was yesterday.  I spent the day with artist Adeline Halvorson at a working horse pull event.  Adeline is, undisputedly, one of the finest equine artists working today. When I see these big beautiful horses, I am pretty much reminded of the day we spent in rural Alberta.  

 

As you can see, I was more of a "colourist" when painting in watercolour.  As an oil painter, I consider myself to be a "tonalist", but I am still strongly inspired by these same stately creatures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



"Lindsay"

"Lindsay", oil on linen panel, 16x12

 

My painting of sweet "Lindsay" which took 3 hours or so.  My good friend, artist Ingrid Christensen , suggested I do one of these quick studies every day for 10 days!  She claims to be "mean", but really she's full of good advice.  Plus it is fun and excellent practice.   I definitely plan to put this into my weekly schedule.  I hope to take this painting a bit further, too.

 

"Caitlin - Demo", 16x12, oil on linen on panel

 

In preparation for my upcoming 2-hour-demo at Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction this Friday evening, I thought I'd better put in some practice time. 

 

Here is my sketch of "Caitlin", done from a photo. 

 

Caitlin is one of my daughter's sweetest and dearest friends and is as lovely on the inside as she is to look at.  A few years ago she modelled for me in my studio on a weekly basis. 

 

Not being an alla prima painter, and never too speedy (hey, what's the rush?), my aim in doing this painting was to get the paint on and get it on quickly. 

 

My second goal was to quit after 2 hours, my allotted time. 

 

Since I work directly, without a drawing, I have to confess it was hard to quit after 2 hours and very little fine-tuning. But I did manage to stop after 3. Well, ok. Maybe 3 1/2.

 

Normally I would take this painting to further completion, get more paint on and, of course, fine-tune the drawing as I do so - but I will enjoy it just the way it is.  

 

This study of Caitlin serves as a really nice reminder of  mornings in my studio, shared with a lovely young woman.

 

I hope to see you all out at the demo!