Blue is the colour

I'm back from my ten day vacation. We covered a lot of miles driving from Calgary, Alberta to Kelowna, British Columbia and saw the most spectacular scenery as we drove through the Rockies. I don't think I've ever been up that high. Living in a city that is 483 feet above sea level makes me a sea level gal. Huffing uphill in Banff (5198 feet above sea level) was a chore.

Yes, there's still ice and snow high in the mountains. I've decided it isn't possible to recreate that green blue colour that is the result of high mountain run off. I saw it so many times in rivers and lakes. My husband went with a friend to Lake Louise while I slaved away at meetings in Banff. It was spectacular he tells me. Looking at his photograph I'd have to agree.

Seeing mountains and sky up close has awakened my senses to the many colour of blue that exist in the environment. Some are subtle leaning toward gray while others are vivid like the sky below. I have difficulty mixing such blues and now they seem to be ingrained in my mind. Some experimentation is in order. One of the things I've decided to do over the summer months is start a colour journal where I will record methodical colour experiments. I already have a haphazard colour journal to keep track of mixes I've used, but there is nothing methodical about it.


Do you have favourite formulas for blue or tips to share to make a blue an easy study? I'd also be interested in any recommendations for excellent books about studying colour.

In praise of purple

I love purple in all its guises and uses.

From pillows

to plates

to purple flowers;

I embrace all with open arms.

I am in good company. Purple was the favourite colour of Cleopatra. Purple is supposed to be the colour of good judgment. I like to think this applies to me.

It is a good colour to use in meditation and having it around you is supposed to give you peace of mind. It is one of the colours I chose for my summer house.

A purple room can boost a person's creativity, but be careful because too much purple can cause moodiness. Lighter purples are more romantic and delicate while deeper purples suggest riches.

Then there is is connection to magic, mystery and royalty.

Did you know that Thursday's colour is purple?

I've used purple in my artwork from the beginning.

One of my first art sales. In 2003 I was working in oil pastel.

An early work (2002) created in a pastel class.

Expoloring colographs

The oil pastel painting in my ensuite bathroom.

Two monotypes created using fresh leaves and plants.

A wedding gift for my friend Thelma in 2002.

Guess who else likes purple?

Sasha, a budding artist and aspiring princess at 3!

Some people are really into purple. Check out Purple Worm blog. Are there any other purple lovers out there in blogland?

Silver thaw

I seem to have an attraction to metallic paints this year. At the recent encaustic workshop where we used R and F encaustic, I was drawn to the these encaustic colours:

Pearl Encaustic, R & F Paints

Silver Encaustic, R & F Paints

German Silver Encaustic, R and F Paints

My favourite was pearl. It really did have the look of crushed pearls. It is great used alone but you can also use it with other encaustic colours to make iridescent colours.

I would like to say that I had a well thought out idea for the work below, but the truth is I just wanted to use these three colours. As I gathered my materials and began to work an idea formed. The colours made me think of silver thaw, a weather condition that we are all to familiar with in spring in Newfoundland and away I went.

Silver Thaw (8 x 10) metal mesh, paper, encaustic on board

Why pink?

Why do little girls love pink? At three my granddaughter has specific colour preferences and pink is at the top of the list. I am so amazed by this. I've looked back through her history to see if there were specific instances I could connect this choice to, but such subtleties can't be traced. Perhaps it is all the pink that society foists on little girls and we perpetuate the choice without even thinking. I can't say I am that concerned that she loves pink; I have never gotten tied up in stereotyping debates. I think it's because I made my way in life and everything about my upbringing was stereotypical!

In honour of her love of pink I've purchased pink sparkling shoes to go with her princess outfit I'm making for Halloween. I couldn't resist. The cat is out of the bag. Nana loves pink too!
I also created this piece of artwork at the encaustic workshop which will be a Christmas gift for her. She already has four artworks in her collection.

A Fair Balance ( 8 x8 in.) encaustic, paper on board

At the encaustic workshop t here were so many beautiful colours to try out. The hot palette allowed me to create monotypes with the encaustic. This was a natural approach for me with my background in traditional monotype. I drew a design with the encaustic blocks on the hot palette. Of course it melts and blends beautifully and you can never quite predict what the result will be. Then I laid a piece of gossamer silk paper on top and created a monotype. After drying, I attached it to a board that I had previously fixed with watercolour paper. The layers of clear encaustic that completed the piece gave it a muted, watery look. It was very satisfying.