Sunday, December 18, 2011

My Best Friend Jade

I got Jade 7 years ago from another dog walker, who's client had brought her to Toronto from Mexico. She was 5 months old at the time. She was a street dog (puppy!) and already had battle scars from I would imagine was a rough environment - as you can see, part of her left ear is missing, although most people don't notice it., Despite this, she has a gentle nature (unless you are a squirrel!), and asks for cuddles from everyone she meets. She is a leaner.
I got her from April the dogwalker who had been fostering her. The woman who brought her back was unable to keep her, and April was charged with finding her a new home. She knew that I was "dogless"at the time having lost my previous dog Jessie about a year before. April told me she was special, and she certainly is. We are both lucky.
This is also a challenge from Daily Paintworks.

6x6" Oil on gessoboard
Not for Sale

Silver Coffee Pot

This is an exercise in reflection, which I did for the Daily Paintworks Challenge. I love doing these challenges, and since I haven't painted as often as I would have liked this year, a good challenge is in order! This challenge was posted in July, so I am going to work my way through them, they all have merit.

It is a great artist's community, thank you Carol and David Marine.

8x8" oil on Raymar cotton panel

$125 + shipping

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Antique Mug

This is my contribution to a Daily Paintworks Challenge entitled Paint Your Mug. I actually don't drink out of this mug because it is from the late 1700's and it would cause me too much stress, but I have it in a cabinet and can see it any time I want.

I did this from a photo that I took using natural window light. I am going to do another version of it using a studio light and painting from "life", something I became more interested in when I took part in a Peggi Kroll Roberts workshop. (She is an amazing teacher!!)

6x6" Oil on gessoboard
NFS

Martini

This is a commissioned (Thank you!) portrait of a beautiful spaniel named Martini.

8x10 Oil on canvas panel
Private collection

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Ready to Go

Really, it doesn't look like it is going to rush off any time soon! It was a placid, still morning, a great time to walk my dog Jade, and contemplate a nice little rowboat before having morning coffee.

5x7"
Oil on gessoboard
$75 & shipping


Sold

Sailing

All summer I got to spend time at the dog park that backs onto Lake Ontario, where I walk dogs. I couldn't resist visually drinking in the lake and taking some photos. This is from one I took on my iphone! Love that thing!

There are several yacht and sailing clubs in the area, and they sail past the dog park all the time.

The colors of the lake change with the weather, and the blues seemed infinite.

5x7" Oil on Gessoboard
Sold

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Rural Ohio Barn

I recently drove to the town of Athens, Ohio to attend a fantastic Peggi Kroll Roberts workshop. I have such a love for the farming countryside, and it was a good thing that the road had very little traffic one early morning, as I screeched to sudden halts to photograph barns, and fields. Not a safe way to drive!!

Rural Ohio Barn
8x8" Oil on cradled birch panel
$135 & shipping

Best Day of Summer

It was a spectacular summer. I walk dogs every day at an off leash park by Lake Ontario. There were a lot of lovely days when there was no rush to pile the dogs in the car and go home - we, dogs and people,  were all happy to stay a little while longer and soak up the bliss of it all.

8x10" Oil on Cradled birch panel
$155 & shipping

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Queen West Art Crawl

I will be participating at the Queen West Art Crawl in Trinity Bellwoods Park on Queen St. W., Toronto this weekend Sept. 17&18.
I am in booth # E56.

Hope to see all my art friends there. Weather report is good!

Cheers,
Catherine


 http://www.queenwestartcrawl.com/outdoor

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Dufferin Continues

This intersection in a busy Toronto thorough fair no longer exists; it was once a scenic, but time consuming jog in the road, which needed a sign to explain the direction to go. The whole construction job involved a lot of time, and I'm sure money, and it is now as straight as an arrow, and this sign is no longer necessary.

6x12" oil on cradled birch panel
Sold

Those Eyes

This is Picasso, I dog I see regularly when I am doing my dog walking gig. He is just gorgeous, and he has the most remarkable eyes. They are very dramatically outlined, but they have such a soft look. He was rescued from the streets in Costa Rica (I think!) and has a wonderful life with his Toronto family.

5x7" Oil on Ampersand Gessoboard
$75

SOLD

Honey Harbour

It's been such a long time since I posted, I barely remember how to do it! I have been on a forced hiatus, but I am pleased to finally have more time to paint. I meant this to be a much more productive summer, but you never know what is around the corner.
I did manage a visit to a friends cottage and had a relaxing time. Georgian Bay has been a favorite since my parents had a cottage there when I was a kid.
Honey Harbour is a lovely spot on the Bay, and you can't beat the Georgian Bay sunsets.

6x6" Oil on cradled birch panel
Sold

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Harley

This is my dog walker friend Carolyn's best dog. He is an older boy, larger than your average black lab, and the sweetest natured dog, never does anything wrong, is always happy and has a warm greeting for everybody. I just love this guy.

6x6" Oil on gessoboard
$75 &shipping

Monday, August 1, 2011

Poppies

This is my contribution for one of the Daily Paintworks Challenges. It had quite a few criteria including using only 3 colors plus white:Ultra Blue, Cad Yellow Med (or Lt), Cad Rd Lt, which I did, limiting  painting time to one hour, I cheated on this, I think I took about an hour and a half, and use only three brush sizes (large, med and small), which I did. Also, the challenge calls for painting outside. Nope, didn't do that. Any gardener would know that poppies are a spring flower, so yes, this is from a photo. Also, the flowers around my neighbourhood are pretty sad and crispy looking. I went out with my camera to find some, but no success. At this point, I am just not a plein aire painter, and yes, it was too hot!!
  I like the colors and the balance of light and dark values. I regard this as a useful exercise.

6x6"
Oil on gessoboard
NFS

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Lawn Bowlers

This is a painting I did for the annual Square Foot show at the AWOL Gallery in Toronto, which takes place August 5-21. Dashed down to the gallery today and made the deadline. Whew! I guess I am not the only last minute Nellie - the rules specify the painting must be dry!! All entries in the show are 12 x 12". Apparently it is very popular and I think there are about 500 paintings on display. I will be going to the opening on the 6th!

I really like the long shadows of the early summer evening, and the motion of the two bowlers. Quite a change from dogs!

12x12"
Oil on canvas
$225

Sunday, July 10, 2011

At the Park

I have seen this dog on several occasions at the park where I walk my dog and others, and I don't think I have seen her without the ball in her mouth. She was really game for posing for my camera too!
I am getting to be happy with my dog paintings - not fussing so much anymore (that's because I am always in a rush and have no patience!)

6x6"
Oil on cradled panel

$75

Friday, July 8, 2011

Old City Hall

This is a view Toronto's Old City Hall framed by the modern buildings of the financial district.
The Old City Hall was built in 1899, and is currently used as a provincial court house. In the 1960's a new city hall was built, and there were plans to demolish the old building, but good sense prevailed, and it was preserved.

8x10" Oil on gessoboard
$110

Friday, July 1, 2011

Maple Leaf Over Lake Ontario

Happy Canada Day!


6x6" 
Oil on gessoboard
Sold

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Simba

Simba is a handsome orange and white cat who belongs to a client of mine. He seemed to love posing!

5x7"
Oil on gessoboard
$75

Flower Arrangement

I went to a Horse Expo last weekend, and this display was at the entrance to one of the show rings. I couldn't resist it! Made me want to move to the country!

5x10" oil on canvas
$125

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Post Riverdale Art Walk

Here is a photo of my booth at the Riverdale Art Walk which took place June 4th & 5th.
I purposely included plenty of blue sky, because the first morning for about 3 hours there was a monumental storm taking place, with the most dramatic (and frightening!) thunder and lightening which was quite close I think given the noise level. I literally stood under the center of my tent, surrounded by unopened boxes of paintings,  waiting for the rain to stop before I completed my arranging of paintings. There were drips here and there and I had to keep pushing out the pooled water at the corners of the tent roof to prevent it from collapsing. The sun came out in the afternoon, but the weather remained changeable on the Saturday, but Sunday was brilliantly sunny, and this photo was taken that day.

There are always improvements to be made, so at the next show I will have a new sign for my booth. Talk about the shoe makers (shoeless) kid, I was a professional sign maker, so I have no excuses!! I have some ideas though, so it will make it's debut at my next art show, the Queen West Art Crawl, which takes place September17th and 18th,

Despite the weather, it was a good show, and plenty of art fans came out. I had some good sales, and a lot of great feedback, and I made some very good contacts.  This was my second year at this show, and I had a couple of people who made a point of seeing my new work! How wonderful, I have some collectors!! It is also great to see the creativity of so many wonderful artists. There were 116 artists displaying their work.
Very worth while, and a lot of fun!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Eggplant and Tomatos

This is my entry for the vegetable challenge in the Daily Paintworks challenge, and I will be bringing it to the art show this weekend, so it is doing double duty. So no, I haven't been goofing off! I quite like this one, fabric is a bit tricky. It is bigger than I normally paint, which is also a bit of an adjustment . You have to stand back further to see it.

10x 20" Oil on canvas
$385

Monday, May 30, 2011

Laughing Gull

I am not sure what kind of gull this is, but I am told there are many kinds. This one I photographed on the beach in Hilton Head when I was at the wonderful Karin Jurick workshop last November. Just got around to painting it last week, and I will display it at my upcoming juried show, the Riverdale Art Walk in Toronto.

8x8" Oil on cradled birch panel
$110

Sunflowers

I have been working to get ready for the Riverdale Art Walk which takes place this coming weekend, June 4th & 5th, and this is one of the paintings I will have on display. It is hot off the easel!

8x 10" Oil on canvas
$145

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Good Mood

Boy it has been quite a while! I have been busy with a number of other non painting but necessary things. Some painting though, I am getting ready for my first outdoor art show of the year, the Riverdale Art Walk which takes place June 4th & 5th. Am I ready?? Yikes, no!!

I did this self portrait for the Daily Paintworks challenge. Really tough!! I wiped out my first version, and finally finished it.
I think the vegetable challenge will be easier!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

My Best Side


This is my entry for the Daily Paintworks Chicken challenge. I love painting animals, and farm animals are among my favorites. I took a photo of this chicken on a farm out west. This critter seemed to be posing and showing me her best side. Really fun to paint!
 

 6x6" Oil on gessoboard
$75 + s&h

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.
 
catgillespie@gmail.com

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Farm in August


While I was painting this, I so wanted to be there. The hot sun, the chirping birds are still in my mind, and it seems like heaven to me.

5x7" Oil on gessoboard
$70 + shipping


Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.


catgillespie@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Countryside Late Afternoon

This is my entry for the Daily Paintworks challenge for last week. This is in Germany (thanks, Carol Marine!), but it looks like places I have seen in America and Canada.
This was fun to paint. I decided on giving it the late afternoon glow that I am so fond of. My inclination, too, when I am working from a photograph is to be too married to the photo image, and not take license with it. Here I tried to get away from that.

8x8" Oil on cradled birch panel
$110 plus shipping

catgillespie@gmail.com

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Girl with Violin

This is a study of a young woman at a Farmer's Market.

5x7" Oil on gessoboard
$65

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

catgillespie@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Riverdale Art Walk


I am so pleased that I have been accepted again into the Riverdale Art Walk

June 4 & 5 • 2011


The 13th Annual Riverdale Art Walk is a two day, juried fine art exhibition open to all. We showcase established and emerging artists in retail spaces, artists’ studios and in Jimmie Simpson Park. We select artists through an anonymous juried process that does not discriminate on any basis. The Riverdale Art Walk is the first outdoor show of the season and we continue to have the lowest participation fees in the outdoor arts festival circuit. 
Saturday and Sunday
11am-6pm

This year I will buy my own tent!

Big Sky from a Small Back Yard

This is the miraculous view on occasion when I am letting my dog out first thing on some summer mornings.  I have painted this and a few other different morning images before, but I can't seem to get enough of them! I should live on the prairies where there is nothing but sky!

8x10" Oil on gessoboard
$125 + $15 shipping


Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

catgillespie@gmail.com

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Still Morning



A group of sailboats on a still summer morning.

 6x8" Oil on Raymar cotton panel

This painting is my contribution to the Daily Paintworks challenge to raise money for disaster relief in Japan. The starting bid is $50. 


Tuesday, March 15, 2011

White Tureen

This is for #7 of the Daily Paintworks Challenges. The idea was to paint a white object on a multicolored background using only primary and secondary colors, no black and no earth colors.
I chose this antique white tureen.

8x10 " Oil on gessoboard

catgillespie@gmail.com

Friday, March 11, 2011

Lincoln

This is #6 of the Daily Paint Works Challenges. I am trying to incorporate everything that I have gleaned from this and others of these challenges, as well as the Peggi Kroll Roberts DVD's that I bought. Whew! It is like learning how to ride a horse: sit up straight, keep your heels down, knees on the saddle, don't flap your arms, don't lean forward. You get one thing right, and everything else is forgotten! To get everything into blissful harmony is my goal!

These challenges are invaluable, and I am so grateful for them.

6x8" Oil on Raymar cotton panel
$85

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.


catgillespie@gmail.com

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Brass Teapot

Challenge #4 from Daily Paintworks Challenge, and this one was hard and really took a lot of concentration, in that we were to mix new colors for each brush stroke. I cheated a bit, but I pretty much followed it, and used larger brushes, and I feel like I really accomplished something - to be quite a lot less fussy. It is so easy to over paint, and not know when to stop.
Also, I haven't done very many still lifes, and I have been meaning to paint this teapot for a long time!
I like this. I think it has vitality.  This is such a valuable lesson, and it will become part of the way I paint. Thank you Carol Marine!


 6x6" Oil on gessoboard
$75 + s&h
Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Sunny Side of the Street

This is a little Scottish Terrier trotting along smartly with his owner on a beautiful Charleston S.C. autumn day.

I'm so pleased that my last little dog sold on Ebay, so much so that I am listing this one as well! It will be available for bidding at 8pm est. tonight.

6x6" Oil on gessoboard
Click Here to bid

Please contact me if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

catgillespie@gmail.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

Zippo


This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge is the classic Zippo lighter. The challenge was to use only burnt sienna, ultramarine blue and white. It really can create the illusion of more colors, even using only 2 plus white. A really nice stretching exercise for artists!

 6x6" Oil on gessoboard
$70 + s&h
Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Waiting Game


This little West Highland White terrier demonstrates her patience as she waits for her owner at a farmers market.

 6x6" Oil on cradled panel
Sold

Please contact me if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Embracing Winter


I gave up on being in denial about winter, so I went to a local skating rink or rather a skating trail that follows a path through woods. It was really beautiful. This young woman looked like she was born to it.
My pal Kathy Cousart introduced me to the art and teaching of Peggi Kroll Roberts, whose DVD's I have been watching. She believes that all artists can speak with their own voice if they learn and practice the fundamentals, starting with drawing skills. I was influenced by her mantra to mass in the large shapes, pay attention to the direction of the light, put the darks in first and then the rest of the values, and simplify. The fun and the joy of this art adventure is the learning and discovering of what your voice is.
 5x7" Oil on gessoboard
$70 + s&h

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Valentine Rose

This is my contribution to the weekly Daily Paintworks Challenge. This is a great exercise not only in the painting itself, but painting subjects you would not normally tackle. I don't paint that many flowers, but this was fun.


5x7" Oil on gessoboard

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Daily Painters Challenge

This is a challenge which consisted of 8 - 10 minute paintings of some object (I chose an orange.) This is a very useful way for an artist to get to the basic shapes and tonal values of a subject.
You can see more of these challenges at  Daily Paintworks.        

Oil on 2 6x6" gessoboards
nfs
Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Hay Bales


Summer in King Township, horse country north of Toronto.
 5x7" Oil on gessoboard
nfs
Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.



Sunday, February 6, 2011

Flower Lady

Another of my denial of winter paintings. This lady sells flowers at a popular Toronto farmers market.

 6x6" Oil on gessoboard
$75

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Old Car in Florida

This is the first of a new painting challenge at Daily Paintworks. I was really missing Karin Jurick's challenge, so this is great, I love having a bit of a prodding. Have to come up with a better title next time!


 5x7" Oil on gessoboard
$75 + s&h 
Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Sunflower

This is the winter of my discontent - so I decided to ignore it and paint something happy. Love this flower from my friend Barb's garden. It lives on in the seeds that are in the frozen ground just waiting for the warm soil to arrive.


6x6" Oil on gessoboard
SOLD

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

So Inviting

I loved this doorway in Charleston, S.C. The terra cotta flower pots, the wrought iron, the stucco and the red door was so pleasant and inviting. I could have moved right in!


 8x10" Oil on gessoboard
Sold


Monday, January 24, 2011

Treed!

Kerry Blue Terrier Griffin is sure she will be able to entice the squirrel out of the tree!

 8x10" Oil on gessoboard
Sold

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Moody Beach

I am trying to do more figures, and children present more of a challenge since their proportions are so different than adults. This is from a photo taken by my father of me as a child at Moody Beach in Maine. The photo is black and white, so I had to imagine the colors.

 8x10" Oil on gessoboard
Not for Sale

Please contact me you would like to commission a pet portrait.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Jade in High Park

This is my dog Jade in Toronto's largest park, High Park. I edited out the fences that prevent her from chasing squirrels! 
We are having a serious winter this year! 
5x7" Oil on cradled panel
Not for sale

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting, or if you would like to commission a pet portrait.