A Memory....

It was a great trip to Okanagan in September. And the place where Bob and I stayed is called  Summerland. It was literary SUMMER-LAND, I mean SO HOT.

The temperature hit over 38 degree every day and strong straight sunshine plus there was hardly no cloud.

But I could see beautiful Okanagan lake reflecting the sun on the surface of the water.
The reflection was so white and shiny. I was so impressed. So I decided to paint the scene but didn't turned out what  I expected. I need to practice to paint the scene at least a couple more times. Well, Practice makes Perfect,eh?

Purple grapes

Finally finished another painting  of grapes. Started with green grapes and now purple grapes for red wine. Yes, my favorite!!

A sad story.....

I'm one of the member of "group ITOHAN". We formed this artists group in 1968 and held art show once a year for 25 years. Then there were several reasons we couldn't have any shows at art gallery for 18 years.

In 2009, when we became 60 years old, we happily started showing our arts at the gallery again but every two years. I could participate to show mine in 2009 and 2011 but not this year, 2013. Some of my paintings are there at the gallery with other members but I couldn't make myself back to Japan.

The exhibition is from November 17th to 23rd, 2013. Yes, it's on now. I feel so sad for not be able to participate. Because I was in Japan almost 4 months so far this year to take care of my mother. I felt too tired and getting sick myself. So I had to give up going back so soon again.

I feel very SAD not being there with my friends but they called me from the gallery last two days. I felt so happy and I was at the art gallery with them. Thank you so much,my friends!!

Vineyard

After struggling what to paint and how to paint on 24"X18" canvas, I finally finished one of the vineyard paintings from my holiday in Summerland this summer. Well, it turned out my "ordinary style" painting though.

My last painting is quite realistic green grapes on 11"X14" canvas. Then I wanted to paint more grapes on the vine on this 24"X18" canvas. But how I tried to figure out looking nicer even I painted upside down, didn't look good either.

So I was almost going to throw out this canvas. Actually I've taken 7 canvases to the garbage bin so far in last 8 years.  But second thought, I'd better not waste any more canvases. As I've already wasted too much paints on it.

Once I decided to paint something, the image will never disappear from the canvas. So even I cover it using totally different paint on, still the old image shows up on the canvas. I know it just in my mind but it happens.

So I had a hard time fighting against old image and thinking and painting new scene on this canvas. Moreover, the surface of the canvas is all bumpy and shows lots of lines from the last paints. I like smooth surface much better. Anyway, I think I tried as much as I could!

Experiment

After my husband and I had first holidays"in Canada", I've just finished one painting of grapes.

I was going to paint kind of large painting of vineyard where I really enjoyed not only the scenery but WINE. But I have no idea how to paint grapes and vine.

So I started 11"X14" canvas for experiment. I think I'm done now. But grapes don't look SOFT enough. Ummm.......... I may need more experiment.

Little change

I keep thinking something isn't right of my newest painting "Miniature Rose". So I changed a little. 

Roses

I can't remember when was the last time I painted roses. I used to paint roses quite often and I still love red roses the best among all flowers in the world!

I've decided to paint red roses, then there was no reason but I started vivid Chinese red for the first layer on canvas. And roses were ended up PINK. Well, I like pink roses too, anyway.