After Xenia Hausner, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas panel

I just took a 3 day fauvist workshop with Terry Furchgott at the Gage Art Academy in Seattle. It was very good and I stretched myself a bit, which is always fun, however, one of the things I enjoyed the most was being introduced to the work of a contemporary Austrian artist, Xenia Hausner. I found it stunning. I borrowed a photo copy of a Hausner painting for the evening and did this 16" x 20" copy' (I wish!) in my little motel room. I always tell my students that they can learn an amazing amount by copying master works…and that applies for contemporary artists, too. Thank you Terry, and thank you Ms. Hausner!

The Calming

A small landscape, capturing a peaceful spot in the local botanical gardens. I've been working on a number of small pieces in the past weeks, in preparation for the East Side Culture Crawl held in Vancouver in November. I like to have small works so pretty well anyone can afford some original art.

Faces and Places - Paul Minhas, Heritage Grill

I belong to the New West Artists and this portrait is part of the Faces and Places show recently opened at the beautiful Anvil Centre in New Westminster. I chose Paul as my subject because he owns the Heritage Grill in New Westminster, which not only has live music each and every night, but it has hosted the Heritage Uke Club for the past few years which gives us uke players, and wanna-be uke players, a place to play every Monday and Thursday night, 6-8. Gordon Smith leads the group. Thanks to both Paul and Gord. I have also lead many a Paint Nite group at the Heritage Grill. It's a community gem. The portrait is 16 x 20, oil on canvas, and it has been gifted to Paul once the show is completed.