Author: Doug Rutherford

In the almost five years of trying to do a painting a day, I have never managed to get time to paint on Christmas Day. Usually, I’m getting busy for Christmas stuff, and since I paint on the kitchen table, I usually have to make room for more common kitchen table usage.

But, work requirements led to us improvising and eating Christmas dinner at my daughter and son-in-law’s on Christmas Eve. So, I painted Christmas morning while my wife slept, and during the painting, it occurred to me that the last day I didn’t do a painting was last Christmas Day.

Here’s my Christmas Day painting. and a few others done recently.

Atlin Lake. Watercolour on paper, 11×14 in.

Here’s a few more recent paintings.

Winter Field. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 in.

Winter aspens. Watercolour on paper, 11×14 in.

At the return of the light. Watercolour paper, 8×10 in.
Done for the first morning after solstice.

A recent painting has given me an important lesson on people’s perspectives on art. Lots of times, I’ve posted a painting photo and had people tell me, “It’s your best one ever.” Usually, this happens half an hour after I’ve shredded it and put it in the recycling bin.

I posted this one that I did the other day, and it is by far, gained the most likes on social media of any painting I’ve ever done.

Day’s end, McIntyre Creek. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 in.

I like this one. And, other people like it. For example, as of now, it has 441 likes on BlueSky.

However, a photo of Furball, one of our cats, from the day before has 700…

We’ve been knee deep (literally) in snow for about a month now, and I’ve be leaning into painting winter scenes. I’ve always loved winter, with wonderful light, the contrast of snow, and snow-covered mountains. So, here are a few winter scenes.

Morning poplars. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches.

Moon over Mount Cairnes. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches.

Evening walk. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches.

Night forest. Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches.

Dezadeash Lake, Yukon, is a wonderful spot. Be prepared to take a lot of photos on the way from town. I did this one of a fall morning for a challenge for one of the Facebook painting groups I belong to, aptly named the Mauvember challenge. This one is currently on its way to a new home in Newfoundland.

Dezadeash Lake.
Watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches.

I think Mt. Cairnes (60°52′06″N 138°16′37″W) is one of my favourite mountains. It has character, and to be honest, I’ve pulled a few greyling dinners out of Jarvis Creek while looking at it. Painting of the day #1710.

Full moon over Mt. Cairnes, watercolour on paper, 8×10 in.

I was sick last week and still lacking a bit of stamina. To make matters more fun, I curated and installed a new group exhibit at Yukon Artists @ Work gallery this week, along with its opening, so I have largely been doing watercolour sketches for the past while. Some will become paintings, and some…

However, today, I did feel like doing a full painting. This is probably headed to YAAW in the next few weeks.

Night. Watercolour on paper, 11×14 inches.

I’ve been dying of a cold for the last three days, and was just going to do a small painting today. However, when I picked the image I was going to do, I had a change of heart and did it as an 11×14 painting on Fabriano paper.

Morning on the marge of Lake Laberge, watercolour on paper, 11×14 inches., painting of the day number 1695.

After two solo exhibits and five group shows this year, I’ll admit to being tired. So, for the painting of the day lately, I’ve been playing a bit. So for today, I decided to do one of my Facebook painting groups’ challenge. I’m getting into the Halloween spirit with this one. Here’s a flock of ravens flying home to their roost for the night.

Flight of the ravens, watercolour on paper, 8×10 inches.