Well, I hit another milestone today. This morning, I painted number 1900, so I guess I’ll hit 2000 in a few months.
This was not the painting I was going to do today, but, as I looked through my photos, this one called to me. It’s from the beach at the campground at Dezadeash Lake, Yukon. Yes, it’s a bit moody, but I have a tooth bothering me this morning and it seemed appropriate.
It’s also a smaller painting than originally planned for the day. Again, thank my stupid tooth.
Full moon, Dezadeash Lake. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches. Painting of the day #1900.
I don’t know if other artists go through the existential angst I get trying to select paintings for an exhibit. To be honest, pricing them is worse, but, that’s another issue altogether.
I rounded up my frames today and counted what I had it what sizes. Then, I grabbed a plastic container of paintings and locked myself in the camper to start culling. I ended up with two piles, no and maybe.
So far, I have, on the second cull, to drop 14 of the 11×14 inch pile and only 3 to cut from the smaller paintings. My mounting tape is supposed to arrive on Saturday, so I still don’t have to panic completely. Also, I won’t frame until closer to the exhibit because I may still do something I want better between now and then.
Why am I rushing for an exhibit that isn’t opening until July? My June calendar is insane. I have several workshops on the docket, as well as a residency, and will be out of town for a celebration of life ceremony. And, quite frankly, I need to go fishing sooner than later for my mental health’s sake. Pesco, ergo sum.
I do have an exhibit title, and two possible choices for the poster. It’s called Against the Sky. PS. Let me know if you have a preference for the poster choice since I hate picking these.
I love having a chance to experiment with painting, I’ll also admit that the line from Monty Python “I’m sorry, but I have to sell you all for scientific experimentation” does run through my mind when I do.
I have painted waves before, but wanted to try another technique. I’m not sure if I like this method better than my previous one.
I was Artist in the Window at Yukon Artists @ work gallery today, so it was a good time to play.
I had decided that I have done more paintings of a dead calm Dezadeash Lake than times I’ve seen a dead calm Dezadeash Lake. This one is probably a bit more of an honest view of the lake much of the time.
Dezadeash Lake. Watercolour and gouache on paper, 11×14 inches.
I wanted to experiment a bit on mounting. I bought a package of 3 8 inch wooden panels for mounting and thought I may do something with them on a theme for my upcoming exhibit in July.
After more than a month of trying to think of what exactly to do for them, I finally settled on a series of northern lights paintings. I did three over three days and have two mounted. I’m not as happy with the third, since I think it’s a little dark. It’s currently being mounted, so I’ll see it with new eyes tomorrow.
Lights 1. Watercolour on paper, mounted on wooden panel, 8 inch diameter. Painting of the day 1860.
Lights 2. Watercolour on paper, mounted on wooden panel, 8 inch diameter. Painting of the day 1861.
Lights 3. Watercolour on paper, mounted on wooden panel, 8.5×8.5 inches. Painting of the day 1862.
It’s a few days late, but I made a bit of a milestone anniversary the other day. I am now on year 6 of the painting a day challenge. Year 5 saw me do 383 paintings. Yes, that’s more than one a day, although there wasn’t a day where I didn’t paint in that year. Actually, the last day without a painting was December 25, 2023.
Anyway, here is the first painting of Year 6, done on March 21st. I don’t think it’s quite finished. Note that the sunken tree may look a little like the kraken emerging from Lake Laberge.
Reflections on a cold morning. Watercolour on paper, 11×14 inches. Painting of the day 1848.
I have to pack up my gear to spend 4 days as Artist in the Window at Yukon Artists @ Work gallery starting Tuesday. Before that, I had to figure out what I’m painting this week. I also had an errand to run today, so I wanted something special.
This is Mount Haldane, near Mayo, Yukon, Canada. It’s one of my favourite mountains (if I can have a favourite stove burner, I’m entitled to have favourite mountains). Depending on where you view it from, every face has its own rugged character, and I am a sucker for textured in mountains. This a view from a spring evening.
Mount Haldane. Watercolour on paper, 11×14 inches. Painting of the day 1843.
This morning, it was overcast with light snow. Suffice to say, it was a bit depressing this close to the spring equinox, when camping season and fishing start to become major topics of concern.
I decided that it wasn’t the best morning to do a winter scene.
I rooted through my photos for some near-solstice sunsets, since I took quite a few such photos last year. This is one from early June, when it was still light at 11:35 pm.
(Near) Midnight Sun. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches. Painting of the Day 1842.
I have been thinking about how loose my painting style is and haven’t been overjoyed with that particular consideration. So today, I strived to be a bit more loose in a painting. This was handy since I was having some trouble deciding what to do for the painting of the day, and needed something reasonably quick since I have an appointment later.
I settled on this spring view of Kluane Range mountains near Destruction Bay. I think I’ve achieved my aim, working on loose painting and colour harmony, although I did have some sky issues and it ended up a bit muddier than I wanted. Conveniently, I’m doing an online course with Andy Evanson on painting skies so my sky issues may go away.
Twilight in the Kluane Ranges. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches. Painting of the day 1832.
I am working on paintings for an upcoming exhibit in July, and while I have picked some to go in it, a lot of these are winter paintings. I do need a bit of a variety for the show, so I have been trying to do a few more summery scenes.
This is from one of my favourite hiking trails in town. Miles Canyon has a wide range of scenery to choose from. This is a view from the middle of the bridge across the Yukon River, looking north.
View from the bridge, Miles Canyon. Watercolour on paper, 11×14 inches. Painting of the day #1827.
Doug Rutherford 