Watercolor on Masa on Canvas
About the Technique
Masa Paper on Canvas - This technique follows preparing and painting Masa Paper but instead of framing I attached the finished image to a blank framed canvas. The Masa paper needs to be cut to wrap around the canvas, using glue diluted with a small amount of water which covers the canvas, placed down on carefully laid out image. No creases allowed! This idea, which was a personal idea and choice, works well. It reduces the framing cost, is lighter and much easier to pack/handle and can therefore appeal. I use front-load plain black (or white) frames. The images are sprayed several times with Krylon Clear Satin spray to protect them, instead of using glass.
Fuchsia Peony
How does a small bud manage to open into such a large wonderful bloom with dozens of fragrant petals? A miracle!
Waiting For A Hug
In May 2009 I enjoyed a tour of Comox gardens at Rhododendron time, but in one garden I found a large tulip just about ready to drop it’s petals. I was intrigued by the shape and got down really low to catch it on my digital camer.
Rythm In Pink
As a lover of plant and flowers I was delighted when my hibiscus presented me with this view of its splendour! As I sketched the swirling petals in this large size swinging my arm with the flow, the perfect title came to to me.
Low Tide, Kye Bay
Just to the east of Comox airport is a cliff road leading to a radio station called Wireless Road. The view is spectacular at any time, and especially at low tide, when the shallow sand banks appear, carved into flowing shapes, and seem to stretch for miles.
Grand River Tributary
The Grand River in Ontario starts as a trickle, near Dundalk, gathers momentum and size before gushing out into Lake Erie at Port Maitland. Along the way there are acres and acres of farmland, bridges, towns, habitats for eagles and like the scene, patches of marshland.
Bird’s Eye View
Another treasure from Marina Park in Comox! I leaned over the blossom to catch a different view and like what I found. The stiff inner petals were surrounded by floppy brown-burgundy velvet “falls” , what an irresistible combination.
Hold The Pose!
My neighbour had these deep red peonies and I reached over her fence to “snap” this for my gallery of flower portraits. I liked the way the sun fell on the petals and caused shadows on the leaves - a pleasing contrast. The plant looked a bit stiff, hence the title.
Cox Bay, Tofino
The map of Tofino and Ucluelet states “scenic misty beach, ideal for long walks on soft sand. Access via short stairs from parking lot.” Well, maybe we went a different route, but it took 25 minutes to reach the short stairs which actually had 173 steps! The beach was lovely and worth the effort.
Grange Village
On a brief visit to the English Lake District, I was thrilled with the fells which seem to wrap and weave around eachother. The views and colors changing with the amount of sun or shade. A walk through the village of Grange near Keswick brings you to this wonderful scene.
Elaine’s Gift
I share a love of plants and gardens with many of my students and we exchange them too. Elaine brought this enchanting iris to me and I enjoy it every spring. How many shades of pink, lilac, mauve, purple and gold can you find?
Estuary Afternoon
All scenes change according to weather and light, especially where water is in the equation. This view is from the Air Park Trail, with East Courtenay, BC in the distance. The estuary is an important feature of the local area and ecologically precious.
Walk Along With Me
In creating this scene on traditional watercolour paper in 2011, it quickly went home with happy purchasers, so I decided to use my Gabriola Island photo, to repeat the image on masa paper, which lends itself well to foliage and natural subjects.
Burgundy Falls
Found in a garden on Quadra Island, BC, I found the delicate mauve and strong burgundy colours to be an attractive contrast for a painting.
Pas De Deux
Anyone who is familiar with my art already knows that I love flowers; this pair of peonies, vying for their space in the spotlight, certainly caught my attention; I found them in the world famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.
Shades Of Peach
I just love the light on this rhododendron, it changes the petals from almost white through several peaches to a deep rich orange.
Big Beach
This bay is easily accessible from the Wild Pacific Trail, close to the southern end of Ucluelet, BC. My short visit to the area was rainy and misty most of the time but included a few walks on beaches. I was attracted by the reflections here and decided to make the feature of a painting on Masa paper.
Gold Standards
The strong vertical petals of an iris are called standards. so I couldn’t resist naming this image that way.
Trail Side
There is a well beaten trail through parts of Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island near the Cameron River and a mass of rain-forest growth. Fallen trees are left where they fall, with portions cut out for trail access and the rest left to feed new growth. They call them “ nursery trees” and are abundant everywhere you look.
Borrowdale
John Constable, the English artist (1776-1837) visited the Lake District just once, in 18056, and said he preferred the Suffolk countryside of his birth. Also born in Suffolk, I missed huis visit by 197 years! The beautiful rolling landscape has barely changed, as you can see in his rendering of Borrowdale.
Rising Mist
Working from the distance I created pale tree trunks, suggesting silver birches. As they dried, I added more trees, moving into mid-ground and heavier trunks cut off by colorful land. In between mist rising from icy water produced an early morning glow and the promise of later sunshine.