Leslie Redhead Watercolors

Flores de la ventana #3

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Pour #3

After pour #2 dried, I then masked more on my painting.

I work from a black and white photograph when I do my masking.

It is easier to see the values that way.

With pouring, I end up with 5-6 different values.

The first mask was the whites that I wanted to save.

The next mask was the next lightest value.

The third mask is a mid scale value.

The fourth mask will be a dark value (but not quite black)

At that point I can choose to mask again and pour my blacks or pull up the masking fluid paint the darkest darks.

For pour #3, after I have masked my mid values as well as the red flowers (I want to save them as is).

I mixed up my paint with more concentrated pigment.

I wet the painting again and I used an eye dropper to drop the color in where I want it and move the board around to let the color flow. Then I let it dry.

The above photo is the result of this pour after it has dried.

Flores de la ventana #2

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Pour #2

For the second pour, I have now masked out the next lightest value.

Then I poured yellow and red around my focal point (the window box) , yellow and blue where the trees are in the back , blue in sky, and some blue and red up in the corner.

The last thing I did was paint in some darker red pigment where the flowers are.

This is the result of pour #2 after it has dried.

Flores de la ventana #1

2012-01-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Drawing for Caja de la ventana

Today I am teaching a workshop in West Vancouver, BC on pouring watercolors.

Pouring watercolors is my most popular workshop, so I decided to photograph the process.

The above photograph is the initial drawing.

It is another painting of Spain.

Since pouring is based on understanding values, I find that the white buildings of Spain are wonderful for showing values.

I start off by stretching my paper and then I transfer my drawing onto my paper.

Next I mask the areas that I want to save, which at this point will be the white part of the building.

Then I pours my colors.

The colors I am using are Winsor Yellow, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, and Winsor Blue.

This is what it looks like after it is poured.

Pour #1

Connecting Online 2012

2012-01-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

I will be presenting at the Connecting Online Conference 2012 on February 3 at 4:00pm EST (that is 1:00 pm Vancouver time).

The title of my presentation is Bringing Art to the World.

I will be talking about some ways that educators can incorporate technology into their classroom as well as my experiences using technology to teach.

More information about the conference can be found by clicking here.

To join my session, please click here.

Works On Paper Exhibit

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Golden Gem

watercolor

21x28"

My painting, Golden Gem, has been accepted into the Works On Paper Show through the Federation of Canadian Artists.
Yeah! It is always exciting to be accepted by your peers into a show. The FCA is an amazing group of artists and I am honoured to be showing with them.

The show will run from January 24- February 5, 2012

at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island

located in Vancouver, BC.

Please be sure to stop by for a look if you are in the area.

Golden Gem is also available as a print through Fine Art America.
To purchase, please click here.

Crashing

2012-01-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

Crashing

watercolor

13x20"

Every once in awhile I like to break away from what I normally do and try something new. I feel like moving and school has given me an opportunity to break away from my normal routine and challenge myself.

One of these challenges is to work more in the abstract.

Crashing is just that.

Since it is something different than what I usually do, I am not sure how I feel about it. All I know is that I enjoyed the process and I can't sleep because I am thinking about the next one.

I will now be teaching a course on abstract watercolours in Victoria at the Monterey Centre on April 21-22.

More information on how to register can be found by clicking here.

Silent Slumber

2012-01-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

Silent Slumber

watercolor on clayboard

24x36"

sold

Most of my classes ended at the beginning of December so I had the whole month to spend painting in my studio. It was a much needed break because I was anxious to work on the above painting.

We live in a beautiful part of Vancouver, right next to the Pacific Spirit Park. This park is a rainforest with all sorts of trails to explore. I will often take the dog and my camera and spend a morning exploring. At first I felt overwhelmed by the trees and the rain. Especially since I moved from the edge of Vancouver Island where the sun is more present and the tall trees were further inland. But I have come to love these trees and have found peace and solace among them. The grey and the rain don't seem to bother me as much anymore when I can see the beauty that comes from it.

New Year, New Classes

2012-01-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

Red Poppies

14x20"

sold

It is time to dust off that New Year's resolution where you tell yourself that you will paint more.

Taking a class can help you stick to that resolution.

Starting next week, I will be offering several classes in the Vancouver area.

Among these is my Fun with Watercolors class at the Kerrisdale Community Centre where I will be teaching how to paint poppies.

More information on that class can be found by clicking here.

Other classes, including a few in the North Vancouver area, can be found by clicking here.

Please contact me at leslieredheadart@gmail.com if you have any questions.

I will also be teaching several workshops in Victoria during the March break.

These include:

The Urban Landscape in Watercolor

Living Still Lifes in Watercolor

Dynamic Florals in Watercolor

More information on these courses can be found by clicking here.

For those of you that are not in the Vancouver area, I have some exciting news.

Starting in February, I will be teaching online courses. Yeah! More information will be available soon.

I hope to see many of you in the coming year and would love to help you with your painting goals.

Happy New Year!

Watercolor Tips Blog

2011-12-31T16:08:00.000-08:00

Starting on January 1, 2012

I will be offering daily (or almost daily) tips and techniques for conquering watercolor on my new blog:

Watercolor Weapons

Join me on this journey at http://watercolorweapons.blogspot.com/

Snow Prince

2011-12-28T07:14:00.000-08:00

Snow Prince

8x10"

sold

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

Snow Princess

8x10`

sold

Wishing everyone the best this Christmas season and into the New Year.

God Bless.

Of Atlas' Woes

2011-12-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

Of Atlas' Woes

egg tempera on panel

9x12"

I completed this painting awhile ago but wasn't sure if I was ready to post it. I tried to put it up on Facebook and the only respones I got were from close friends. Then another friend called me that had seen it, was worried, and asked if I was okay. Yes, I am fine. It did make me realize that most people want pretty pictures and this one can be a little disturbing.

Let me explain though. It is a self portrait. I did it over the summer as part of my studio project for my Masters. Part of my doing the program was to do something for me. I wanted an excuse to paint how I felt about things instead of what I usually paint. Something a little more conceptual. I also wanted to see if I could paint a portrait in egg tempera.

Of Atlas' Woes is my biggest accomplishment of this past summer.

To explain it briefly: What looks like a scar on my shoulder is actually a map of the world. I chose to make it look like a scar because when a crisis happens in your life and you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, it does change (or scar) you.

I have gone through several crises the past few years and it was affecting my health. My neck and shoulders hurt constantly and it was explained to me by a massage therapist that the pain was a manifestation of how I felt. I did feel like the weight of the world was on my shoulders and I felt that there wasn't anyone in my life that could help lift that burden. Wow! She told it like it is.

So, this was my attempt at letting my loved ones know how I felt and hopefully relieving some of the pain.

Holiday Cards on WizIQ

2011-12-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

Cabin in the Snow

Holiday Card (5x7")

Tomorrow (Thursday) will be my first online course through WizIQ. I will be teaching how to do the above scene in watercolor.

The course is at 2pm EST or 11am PST (for all you west coasties).

To join in the session, please click here.

It is a free course but you do have to sign up through WizIQ.

Since it is my first time teaching through this platform, please be kind. I might get lost every now and again trying to figure out what to do. It would actually be a great help to me to have a few people that I know there cheering me on and laughing with me over my mistakes. I do hope that you will join me!

Winter Birch Trees

2011-11-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

Winter Birch Trees

watercolor, 7x10"

$100 USD

Today was the last day for my Watercolor Landscape class at the Kerrisdale Centre. For our last painting, I had them do a scene similar to the above image. It was a simple painting of birch trees in winter.

I really enjoyed everyone in the class. They were a mix of all levels but were very supportive of each other. I look forward to seeing many of them again in the New Year.

I will be teaching at the Kerrisdale Centre again in January.

The course is Fun With Watercolours. It is some basic (and eventually not so basic) exercises in negative painting.

More information can be found by clicking here.

I will also be teaching a similar course to children (11+years). More information on that course can be found by clicking here.

To purchase this painting, please visit my Etsy shop.

Remember, there is a 20% Off Sale until Dec. 5

Please use coupon code CHRISTMAS2011 to receive the discount.

Eventide

2011-11-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Eventide

10x13"

$450 USD

Prints also available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

Eventide was an enjoyable painting to paint because it is from a photograph during my favorite time of year- the summer solstice. I painted it over a cold rainy couple of days and tried to recreate what summer feels like. I also wanted to capture the colors of the sunset over the water and the reflections of the boats.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Prints are available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

Happy World Watercolor Day!

2011-11-23T14:06:00.000-08:00

Yellowstone Park
7x10"

Today is World Watercolor Day! I am not sure the origin of World Watercolor Day but I am very happy it is in existence. I feel so blessed to be an artist doing what I love. And what I love is watercolor!
I spent my morning painting one of my favorite places - Yellowstone National Park. The above scene always takes my breath away and I could never tire of painting it.
How did you spend the day celebrating this fantastic medium?

Tofino Driftwood

2011-11-22T15:32:00.000-08:00

Tofino Driftwood

7x10"

sold

Tofino Driftwood is a painting done with my landscape class. Living on the west coast of Canada, the driftwood is a common scene and is part of many of my paintings.

Holiday Sale on Etsy

2011-11-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

Jingle Bell in Blue

oil, 5x7"

$140 USD

I am having a 20% off holiday sale on Etsy between now and December 5, 2011.

Most of my paintings on Etsy are my small originals that I painted as demonstrations and studies for larger pieces. Shipping is also free to Canada and the U.S.

PayPal and most major credit cards are accepted.

If you would like to purchase a painting and do not live in Canada or the U.S., please email me or convo with me on Etsy (by hitting contact on the page) to discuss shipping.

Or if you see a painting of mine that you would like but it is not on Etsy, just let me know by email that you are interested.

Here is the most important part though!

Be sure to use coupon code CHRISTMAS2011 at the checkout in order to get your 20% off.

To get to my shop, please click here.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/leslieredhead

Have fun shopping!!

Rocky Coast

2011-11-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

Rocky Coast

7.5 x 10"

Rocky Coast is a painting of Frank's Island near Tofino, BC. Another one of my favorite spots.

I did this painting for my landscape and west coast course. I feel like it is the perfect west coast scene.

Demo for North Shore Artists' Guild

2011-11-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

Spanish Courtyard

Poured watercolor

14x20"

Original available through my Etsy shop by clicking here.

Prints are available at Fine Art America by clicking here.

Last night I did a demonstration for the North Shore Artists' Guild in West Vancouver. It was the largest group I have ever demonstrated for. I even had to wear a microphone headset thing and I was on the big screen. Or rather, my painting was.

They seemed to be a great group of interested artists with a lot of support. Glad to see that.

It was requested that I show how to do a pour. Always fun.

Since each layer takes so long to do and dry and I only had an hour to do it in, I had 3 paintings prepared. The above painting I prepared for the last pour then I had the big reveal. Unfortuantely I didn't have time to finish it off with some minor adjustments last night so I did so this morning. I punch up a bit of color and clean up some lines.

I will be doing a pouring workshop through the NSAG on January 28-29, 2012.

For more information, please contact the NSAG at https://artistquarter.com/nsag/courses/index

Upcoming Interview with WizIQ on Monday, Nov. 7

2011-11-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

On Monday, November 7 I am being interviewed on WizIQ by Dr. Nellie Deutsch.

WizIQ is an online learning platform. The site is designed to provide online virtual classroom instruction.

Dr. Nellie Deutsch holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in educational leadership specializing in curriculum & instruction and is an E-Learning Professional Development Specialist.

The interview is Monday at 3:00pm EST. To join in, please click here.

It is an exciting prospect to be interviewed by WizIQ. This company is an online education system that is making learning accessible to anyone.

I took a tour of the virtual classroom this past week and was impressed. I have been reading about how this is the way that education is going.

I have set up a profile and am preparing to test drive a few courses. This courses will be free at first until I figure out how it all works. That means that not only will you be able to watch me demostrate (like the youtube videos of mine) but we can interact about the demo and about your own pieces. Pretty cool, eh?

I am a little nervous about the interview. So if you get a chance, please join in and give me some support! It will be comforting to see some familiar names as part of the group.

More information can be found at

http://www.wiziq.com/online-class/655377-conversation-with-leslie-redhead-artist-and-teacher

http://www.wiziq.com/

Summer Sunrise

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Sunrise

7x10"

This past summer a kind friend loaned me the use of her home and studio while I was attending UVic.

The home was located near Oak Bay Marina in Victoria overlooking the ocean and with a view of Mt. Baker. The sunrises there were so fantastic that I got up between 5:30-6 every morning just to take a photo of them. I probably have about 30 unique sunrises.

Summer Sunrise was another demo for my landscape class. It is the first of many of my sunrises.

Rebecca Spit

2011-10-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Spit

watercolor, 7x10"

This is another painting I did for my landscape class. The image is from my travels to Quadra Island when I taught a workshop there.

This painting was done last week and I am behind in my posts but life continues to be crazy. Do you want to know how crazy?

Okay, here goes. After traveling to workshops throught Sept and Oct, I came down with the most depressing of flus. I say depressing because I didn't realize what I had. I was just exhausted and couldn't seem to stay awake. I felt like I was slogging through everything just trying to keep my eyes open! I thought that there was something seriously wrong with me and about put a call into the doctor after a week of feeling this way. But then I woke up one day with a runny nose and a bit more energy. For the next week I had a cold and the exhaustion seemed to be going away. Funny how that happened.

Now I am trying to play catch up for the past 2 weeks of not being completely myself.

I have a 15 page paper due for my Masters thesis (had to ask for an extension), classes to prepare for, a painting that absolutely needs to be finished, a huge demo next week, and two 2 day workshops that are back to back starting on the 12th. Plus it is Halloween. Pumpkins need to be carved (late, I know!) and trick or treating. Then my son tells me that he has to bring chips and fruit to the party today. Thankfully I found a bag of Tostitos and a few apples I tossed into his backpack. Didn't even slice the apples. Good thing he didn't care to wear the costume to school this year.

Wild Oak

2011-10-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

Wild Oak

14x21"

Wild Oak is a painting I did with my Wednesday class at the Kerrisdale Centre. Another fun splatter technique.

To purchase, please contact me.

Artswest Demo

2011-10-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

Flamenco

11x14"

Last night was my demonstration for the Artswest group out in Surrey, BC. I decided to try something new for one of my demos. That was painting a flamenco dancer wet-in-wet. Plus the photo was not the best to work from. I am usually asked to demo a portrait or pouring. But I wanted to challenge myself even more. And what a better time to do that than in front of a large group of accomplished artists. Ha!

All in all, I felt like it went well.

Thank you to Artswest for the opportunity to demonstrate!

Portrait Painting with Mary Whyte

2011-10-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

Rain

11x14"

The first two days of my workshop with Mary Whyte was spent doing still lifes. Then we moved on to the really exciting part- portraits and figures!! I haven't painted from a model for many years so it was nice to get back to it. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. The first painting I produced didn't make the cut. The second one will hopefully be shown later. I want to make it a finished piece.

Rain is from my final day of the workshop. The model was dressed in a rain slicker and an umbrella. Since we had only a few hours to complete the painting, I felt like I had nothing to lose and jumped right in. After five full days of painting, I now feel more comfortable using the cat's tongue painting and painting from a model.

Mary was extremely generous with her talent and her time. I definitely feel like my experience will move my work to the next level. And I can't wait to discover what that will be!

Now I must go paint.

Mary Whyte Workshop

2011-10-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

Autumn Harvest

9.5x9.5"

I just returned from an amazing week learning from The Watercolor Goddess, Mary Whyte. It was five intensive days of painting from life and trying to absorb many gems of watercolor wisdom. This opportunity came about because of my dear friend Sam who arranged for a group of us to go to Whidbey Island for the week.

Mary requested a few things from the group from the beginning. They were that we each produce a really bad painting and that we push ourselves to try something new. I not only produced a bad painting, but was able to produce a few. Those made into the circular file never to be seen again.

As for the second request, I felt like I tried several new things. First of which was to use a cat's tongue brush. The second was to paint a portrait from life in watercolor. I have painted portraits from life in oil and acrylic but not watercolor. I have also painted plein air in watercolor but not a portrait. Odd for me since I love watercolor so much!

The first couple of days were spent doing still lifes. The above painting is my attempt at painting produce from the local market.

Below is a photo of Mary with me and the rest of the gang.

Iris Garden

2011-09-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

Iris Garden

14x20"

sold

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

I can't believe I forgot to post this painting!! It sold to a very good home recently and when I went to look for it here on my blog, I realized that I didn't post it. Silly, busy me.

The painting is from a workshop I taught this past spring from my Iris Period. (Hey- Picasso had a Blue Period - I can have an Iris Period) It was during my Iris Period that I painted many paintings of Irises.

This lovely painting of irises in a garden, titled Iris Garden is now available as prints on paper or canvas and as cards on Fine Art America.

Fine Art America

2011-09-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Driftwood Gathering

Now available as a print!

My work can now be purchased as prints on Fine Art America.

Fine Art America will print my images on canvases or paper then ship them to you.

Cards may also be purchased.

Be sure to check back often though!

I will continue to upload more images of my paintings in the future.

For more information, please visit

http://leslie-redhead.fineartamerica.com/

Garden Delights

2011-09-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

Garden Delights

11x14"

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

Garden Delights is one of the paintings that was accepted into the Food for Thought exhibit and will be on display through next week.

I have been wanting to paint crystal for some time. Then I discovered a beautiful rose bush in the garden of my new home and it gave me the excuse to paint this crystal vase.

The crystal has opened a Pandora's Box of sorts. Now I have friends handing me their crystal and asking if their piece has a place in my next painting! So many ideas and not enough time. . .

It is a good thing I am teaching a workshop on crystal at the end of October.

The workshop is October 22-23 at the Ocean Wilderness Inn near Sooke, BC (west coast of Vancouver Island). It is $140 for the workshop only. Lunches and lodging are additional. Commuters are welcome.

For more information, please visit the Ocean Wilderness Inn

at http://www.oceanwildernessinn.com/

Food For Thought Exhibit

2011-09-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

Food For Thought Exhibit

Sept. 21- Oct. 9. 2011

Coast Collective Gallery

Colwood, BC

Starting tomorrow, three of my paintings will be on display as part of the Food For Thought exhibit at the Coast Collective Gallery. I was pleased to see that my Bowl of Cherries painting not only made it into the exhibit but on the poster as well. Woohoo!

The Coast Collective is open Wed-Sun, 12-5pm.

More information can be found on their website.

Hopefully some of you can make it out there to see my paintings and works from many talented Victoria artists.

September Wrens

2011-09-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

September Wrens

15x22"

$275

To purchase, please contact me.

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

This past week I taught a workshop at the fabulous April Point Resort &Spa on Quadra Island, BC. The weather was the best it has been all year! My mother was visiting from Idaho so we went to the island a day early to explore the sites. We took a walk on Rebecca Spit and visited the museum at Cape Mudge.

The workshop was Fun with Watercolours which is one of my favorites to teach. It is all about playing with the paint. I start out with pouring, blowing, and moving the paint around the paper with my fingers. Then I show how to do some negative painting. Everytime I do the workshop, I try to have a different theme. This time it was birds and autumn leaves. I have done seastars, crabs, a heron, and flowers in the past.

After we have fun pouring the paint, I then show the class how to find the leaves and bring them out through negative painting.

It was nice to see some returning students and to meet some new ones.

Rebecca Spit

Quadra Island, BC

Pocatello Workshop

2011-09-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Stagecoach Tours

Virginia City, Montana

Poured Watercolor

Three weeks ago I turned in my final papers and projects for the summer at UVic. Then I hopped the ferry for Vancouver, was home for 24 hrs, and then hopped the plane for Salt Lake City. There I met my brother and his family (who flew in from Virginia) and we drove up to Yellowstone together to meet my children and the rest of the family for a reunion. Spent 5 fabulous days there (without the internet!!!) before I headed off to Pocatello, Idaho to teach a pouring watercolor workshop. After two days of teaching, I met up with my kids and mother to spend a week relaxing (and shopping) with more family. Now I am back in Vancouver and trying to get kids settled into school.

So, I am way behind in my blogs!

The above painting I did as the demo for my Pocatello workshop. It is an image from Virginia City, Montana which is an old mining town that is now a tourist destination. It is here that I met Rikki on the train. Rikki is from Pocatello and we got to talking and discovered our mutual love of watercolor. We ended up becoming Facebook friends and she has been watching my work for the past 3 years. When Rikki discovered that I had family in Idaho and was going to visit this summer, she contacted the Pocatello Art Center and requested a workshop. So, thank you Rikki! I met some fabulous people and made some new friends, including one of my blog followers, Jeanne from Allgoodart. That was exciting! I was also very impressed with the beautiful city of Pocatello.

The Visual Interview

2011-09-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

Tom & The Two Bernices

Photo transfer collage by Cindy Ackland

As part of my Visual Interview project for my course at UVic, I was to interpret a piece done by my studio partner, Cindy Ackland. In my previous post I mentioned that Cindy is a photographer and enjoys making photographic collages. She was working with photographs of her family as she created these collages. The above piece is of her grandparents. When Cindy gave it to me, she mentioned that she was interested in her grandmother's identity. Cindy felt that Bernice had to be 2 different people as she raised her family because Tom was in the military and was often gone. Bernice was one person while Tom was gone and a completely different one when Tom was home.

When Cindy gave me this piece I immediately loved the texture and wanted to recreate it. I didn't ask Cindy for much information about her grandparents because I wanted to see if I could develop my own relationship with them through painting.

Tom & the Two Bernices

Watercolor by Leslie Redhead

11x17"

I did choose to recreate the photo in watercolor as my interpretation. I started painting the grey of the photo by using French Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna because they create a wonderful grainy texture like the original transfer. As I continued to paint, I felt like I needed to add color to their faces because they started to come to life for me. Then something really interesting happened. I felt impressed to give Bernice different color lipstick. Then the Bernice in the center refused to open her eyes for me. I asked her why? Was it shame? Embarrassment? What? Finally I realized that she was being coy because her husband was present.

When I discussed this with Cindy, she confirmed what I had discovered. Bernice loved lipstick and was always wearing different colors. Cindy also told me that coy is exactly how Bernice was with Tom.

It was a fascinating discovery and now I want to paint some of my own ancestors and family members just to see if I have the same experience!

Totems

2011-09-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

Totems

Poured Watercolor

(painting done by me)

11x14"

The final project for my summer at UVic was what was a called "The Visual Interview". It was a collaborative piece with another artist in the group. We were to give a piece of our work to this artist and they could do with it what they wanted. Either work on it themselves or create another piece as an interpretation of the piece. Through this process, we were to learn about that person and gain some insight into who they are. Then we formulate 5 questions to be asked in front of everyone else.

My partner was Cindy Ackland. She is a photographer and enjoys making photographic collages.

At first we interpreted the interview as a fully collaborative project. Cindy has a degree in philosophy and is full of fantastic ideas. We worked well together because she had these great ideas that I was able to create.

The first idea was to do a painting of the totems outside the First Nations House. Since UVic is known for its indiginous studies and we wanted something to remind of us our time on campus, we chose these totems as the perfect subject.

Cindy took photographs, I chose one and then I did a pour of the photograph.

Then Cindy took the original painting, had it copied and transferred it into many forms. One of which was onto glass. (I don't seem to have a photo of that one).

Another interpretation was to transfer it onto wood. This was my favorite. The wood showed through on parts of totems. It was so exciting to see. It also opened up so many other possibilities for me. Yeah!!

Totems

Watercolor print transferred on wood

by Cindy Ackland and Leslie Redhead

18x24"

Cherries

2011-08-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Cherries

Egg Tempera

6x6"

sold

My studio class at the university this past summer was about play and experimentation. It was self directed and it was to get us thinking about what makes us creative so we can inspire creativity in others.

One of my goals was to do something I have been wanting to try for years- egg tempera. I have always loved the look of it and how luminous and rich it can be. For those of you that do not know what egg tempera is, it is the mixing of pigment with egg yolk. It is older than oil painting.

Cherries is one of the studies that I did in the egg tempera. I experimented with a couple of different surfaces while I figured out the tempering of the paint. This is on watercolor paper.

Family Portrait

2011-08-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Commissioned Family Portrait

22x30'

I just finished an amazing and intense 7 weeks working on my Masters of Art Education at the University of Victoria. Whew! What a wonderful journey. It has been fantastic. I met some amazing artists and educators and made some new friends.

During that time I continued to work on a commission of the family above. It is complete and has gone to its new home.

I am heading to Idaho on Sunday to visit family and to teach a workshop on pouring watercolor. I can't wait to see my children (who are visiting cousins) and to bring what I learned into my teaching practice.

My hope is to tell you more about this and to show you what I have produced. I wanted to do that while I was in school but time ran short each and every day. I even pulled a few all nighters to get the papers done!

But that is another story for another time. . .

Tender Innocence

2011-07-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Tender Innocence

14x20"

Tender Innocence I started awhile ago but was finally able to complete it this past week. I moved into a new place that I will be housesitting until I have finished my courses. It is perfect with only the basics and right on the ocean. It has inspired me to paint and I think that is why I was able to complete this painting.

Moss Street Paint In 2011

2011-07-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

Moss St Paint In

Saturday was the Moss Street Paint In here in Victoria. The day started off with downpours of rain and colder than usual. I ended up only bringing my smaller pieces since they fit into plastic containers and stayed dry in the back of the truck. By the start of the event at 11:00, the rain had stopped (yeah!). The sun finally appeared as the event was ending but it was good to see so many people come out during the day.

Thank you to all of you that were able to make it.

Work, work, work

2011-07-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Harry

Commissioned Portrait

14x20"

The above piece is a commission I finished just before I started school. It was done for Harry's 80th birthday.

I originally thought I would have a separate blog for what I accomplish in school over the next 6 weeks but it has become too much to think about. My head is already hurting from all the reading and thinking I have to do! I am usually too busy making art (and helping kids) to analyze why I am making art. Not to mention the writing!

I did start a painting last Friday. It is the weight of the world on my shoulders. Hopefully it will start to manifest itself more as I paint.

However, over the weekend I did not get to work on it. Instead I worked on another commission and did writing homework. I am currently staying with my mother in law so she was able to document the work.

Me painting away

Homework!

Red Canoe

2011-07-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

Red Canoe

14x20"

Two weeks ago I taught a workshop at April Point Resort and Spa on Quadra Island. It was the last one before my summer studies started at UVic. I planned on posting it sooner but in my haste to return home my children in Vancouver, I left it at my friend's house in Victoria and undocumented by my camera. Now that I am back in Victoria, I was able to retrieve it and photograph it for all of you to see.

School started yesterday and I am already overwhelmed by the experience. I am considering blogging about it all on a different site. My only drawback is the time. Will I have the time or will I be soooo into painting that I will lose the concept of time? However, I do have to be in classes at certain times so it can't pass me by too much. It is all still to be determined and I will keep you posted.

Beach's Edge

2011-07-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

Beach's Edge

11x14"

I really enjoy painting foggy scenes. This is another painting of Tofino, BC. Tofino is along the west coast of Vancouver Island. It has a long sandy beach and great waves for surfing.

This painting is of a special place for me because this is where my husband proposed to me. It was actually on the other side of those rocks and in the fog! Perhaps that is why I enjoyed painting it so much.

Mill Bay, BC

2011-06-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mill Bay, BC

7x10"

This is a quick painting I did for the Arbutus Ridge Art Club. The goal of this painting was to show how to approach a plein air painting. Start small and keep it simple!

Flamenco Dancer

2011-06-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

Flamenco Dancer

11x14"

$500 USD

A couple of weeks ago I actually took time off from preparing lessons and kids to paint this flamenco dancer. Her photo has been sitting on my desk for some time and I have been wanting to paint the swish of her dress. She is one of the dancers from the show I saw in Cordoba, Spain last year. I was excited to find out that we will be returning to see another show in Cordoba when I return to teach.

I will be taking another painting group to Spain in October, 2012. If interested, please visit

Flavour of Spain for more information.

To purchase this beautiful painting, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Pink Poppy

2011-06-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Pink Poppy

11x14"

sold

My garden in Victoria was always a surprise. Every spring there was something new that popped out. Last summer when I arrived home from Spain, I discovered my garden covered in pink poppies. There must of been hundreds of them. They ranged in size from very tiny to huge blossoms. It was a great way to be welcomed back to reality.

This painting was done as a demonstration for the Arbutus Ridge Art Club in Cobble Hill, BC. It was a wonderful group of people and I really enjoyed painting for all of them.

To purchase this painting, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Discovery Passage Tour

2011-06-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Discovery Passage Tour

7x10"

$160 USD

Discovery Passage is the water way between Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast on the mainland of Canada. It is dotted with islands, wildlife, and cruise ships on their way to Alaska. I teach a workshop in the area every spring at April Point Resort on Quadra Island.

I try to teach the workshop as close to the summer solstice as possible. I love that the sun doesn't set til close to midnight and rises before 5 am.

This time I watched the sun go down and witnessed a green sky. It wasn't the aurora borealis but a green sky like in those paintings of the north. When I first saw some of those paintings I thought it was just an artistic interpretation but was told otherwise. Apparently the further north you go, the more colorful the sky becomes. It was beautiful. It is such a calm and serene place to be. Perfect for an artistic getaway.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Beacon Hill Park

2011-06-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

Beacon Hill Park

(Victoria, BC)

11x14"

$300 USD

Last week I taught a workshop at the Monterey Centre in Victoria, BC. I taught there weekly before my big move and was happy to be back to see all my former students and friends. I was surprised and pleased to see some new people, including two other Leslie's. Such an awesome name for awesome people.

I was also delightfully surprised with a lemon meringue pie by another awesome student and friend, Cathy. It was to go with the conversation on my Facebook page about the title for Golden Gem. Thank you Cathy for the wonderful pie. My family (including me) devoured it in minutes. Yummy.

I also had a student come all the way from Australia to take my class. (At least that is what I like to think even if she was there to support her mother-in-law)

Beacon Hill Park is the piece that I demonstrated and taught. Beacon Hill is a beautiful park located in the middle of the city and overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca into Washington state.

To purchase this painting, please contact me.

Lavender Dreams

2011-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lavender Dreams

11x14"

$400 USD

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

In one of my previous posts I mentioned that I was teaching a floral workshop just before the Iris Convention. I was hoping to complete another iris painting. Lavender Dreams is the painting that I demonstrated and nearly finished for the convention. It may not have been completely done for the exhibit but I was able to complete it during the week. It was actually a draw to customers to be working on a painting.

To purchase, please contact me.

Making It!

2011-06-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

Making It! Case Studies of Successful Canadian Artists

by Chris Tyrell

Last September I was contacted by Chris Tyrell, the author of Artist Survival Skills. He was writing a new book about successful Canadian Artists and he wanted to interview me. Me!! How awesome is that?

Not only did Chris want to interview me but he wrote a whole chapter on me. So I am Chapter 3 in the book.

The reason why he wanted to interview me was that he was impressed with my blog. Who would have thought that my weekly and biweekly journaling of my painitngs would get me into a book? It is very humbling. I was so nervous when he interviewed me but Chris made me feel at ease and we had much to discuss. As he mentions in the book, we were friends by the end of our conversation.

Chris explains in his book why he chose my blog as an example. I would tell you but you will have to buy the book to find out.

My impression about Making It! was that it was going to be out towards the end of the summer. To my surprise, it came out last week. I went out with some good friends to celebrate. Hope Chris is celebrating as well.

It is available through Opus Framing and Art Supplies.

For more information or to purchase, please click here.

Iris Convention

2011-06-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

My set up for the Iris Convention

(I am the one in blue)

I am having a great time at the Iris Convention. Many of my students and friends have come by to see the show. Thanks for all the support to these wonderful people! The above photo is of me with a great student and supporter, Cathy. I have even met a wonderful woman named Mary that has been following my blog. She came in from Sooke to see the show and to meet me. How awesome is that!

I have enjoyed meeting people all over that share a passion for the Iris. I think I am hooked on this beautiful flower. In fact, I am taking home some seeds to start my own iris garden at my new home.

Tiger Iris

2011-05-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

Tiger Iris

6x8"

The American Iris Convention starts next week. I am frantically getting ready and barely holding it together. Today I pack up the truck and leave for Victoria. The sun shines more over there so I am looking forward to it.

It will be a very full 10 days for me though. I start off the week teaching a 2 day floral workshop at the Ocean Wilderness Inn in Sooke, BC. (Yes, I am hoping to squeeze in another iris.)

Then I set up Monday morning for the show because it opens that afternoon. From Monday through Friday I will be sitting at my booth happily painting more irises! (If I am not too tired to paint)

Then I end the whole week with another workshop at the Monterey Centre in Oak Bay.

In between all of that, I hope to return to my favorite restaurant (Santiagos), have a run along my favorite beach, visit my favorite students and friends, and run my son around visiting his friends. Sometime among all that I am to meet with the university to discuss my Masters program.

Which brings me to more good news. I have been accepted into the Masters of Art Education program at the University of Victoria. Very exciting.

Golden Gem

2011-05-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

Golden Gem

22x30"

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

My WIP of the yellow iris is finally finished. Yeah! I was told that this iris is a type of gem iris so the name is Golden Gem.

I had some wonderful comments from so many talented artists- artists whose work I am awe of. I really enjoy looking at their work and getting some feedback on my own. Especially since I am feeling a bit more isolated now that I have moved. I can't call up my arteest friends to come over and critique my work. (Miss you guys!!) It is great to be a part of an international community through technology though.

Now I can frame it and get it ready for the Iris Convention which starts next Monday.

I hope to get a couple of more small paintings done before then.

WIP- Yellow Iris

2011-05-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Work in Progress- Yellow Iris

22x30"

I don't usually like to show my work in progress (unless it is a pour) but I have been working on this iris for the past few weeks. I don't know what I was thinking by doing a yellow iris this big but I must say that I love the composition.

Sometimes when I am in a middle of a painting and I feel stuck, I will photograph it. By seeing it smaller and on the computer screen, I get a fresh perspective. Then I figure out what to do next and where to go from there. I know I need to go darker with my shadows in some areas but how to do it is always the question with yellow. Is the shadow more red or more blue? Do I want it more orange or more green? The good news is that an area I was having a problem with doesn't look as bad as I thought.

The other problem is a name. Any suggestions?

Garry Oak of Anderson Hill

2011-05-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

Garry Oak of Anderson Hill

11x14"

Now that I am settled into our new home, I have started teaching classes at the Kerrisdale Community Centre. It is just a small group of beginners but they are great. I teach them watercolor and they teach me about what is going on in the area.

The course is on landscapes. The first couple of weeks I showed them a few simple exercises in watercolor before I had them do the above scene. The painting is of Anderson Hill Park in Victoria. I wish I had scenes of Vancouver but being winter, it has been hard to get decent photos. I must admit that I don't like the cold and am no longer a fan of the rain.

I will be teaching at the centre again in the fall.

Royal Gold

2011-05-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

Royal Gold

6x8"

I have been working like crazy trying to get several things finished this week. I accepted an illustration job a couple of months ago and now I am regretting it terribly. Just not enough time in my life. This work can be seen on my illustration blog.

I also had the fantastic opportunity to learn from the master of all watercolor, Joseph Zbukvic. It was a wonderful four days of painting on Granville Island.

Finally, this past weekend I taught a workshop to a fabulous group in North Vancouver. I am currently completing the painting and hope to have it done soon.

Blake

2011-04-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Blake

22x28"

This is a portrait I did last month for my portrait workshop. It is of my son, Blake and our dog, Twilight.

I wanted to capture a feel for some of his favorite things. The background is a splatter painting he did for his birthday party with some friends. He loves Mario Bros. anything and is an avid reader. And of course Twilight is his best friend.

Blake is also an artist. Here is another sample of his recent work.

Blue Beauty

2011-04-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

Blue Beauty

6x8"

I am recovering from my week of minor crises. It seems like someone in the family had one everyday this week and I got very little done. Thank you for all the encouraging comments from so many friends and peers.

Yesterday I was able to spend the day painting this little piece for the convention. It feels good to get something completed.

Today will be another day in the studio. Yeah!

Purple Pinstripes

2011-04-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Purple Pinstripes

13x18"

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

Here is another iris painting from my series for the American Iris Society Convention in Victoria. I enjoyed the blues and purples. In fact, I didn't want to paint anything else this week and I was even dreaming in these colors.

The only problem is that I can only find time to paint for a couple of hours each day. I have yet to figure out how some moms work full time! I have enough projects and commissions to be a full time artist but between kids, house, and dog, it doesn't ever happen. I wish I had the energy to stay up late or get up early to complete these projects but it just isn't there. Instead I get up early to take my kids to classes or stay up late helping them with homework. I love being a mom and I became an artist so I could be home for them. Instead I am feeling overwhelmed. I guess every mother feels that way at times.

The school project I did stay up late with my 10 year old son last night was a presentation on Watercolor Artists of British Columbia. He was so sweet to choose me as the artist. I helped him choose a few others as well. (Carol Evans and Harold Allanson). I then had him paint his own watercolors.

These are his purple irises:

Purple Irises

by Blake Redhead

Spanish Restaurante

2011-04-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Spanish Restaurante

9x12"

Poured watercolor

$250 USD

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop

The past two weeks I have been back in Victoria teaching several workshops. The first workshop was Pouring Luminous Watercolors. It was nice to see some familiar faces in the class.

The above painting was one that I demonstrated. It is a scene from the village of Zuheros in Andalucia.

Zuheros is a beautiful white village set on a hill with a castle built into the rock. I started my class off with this one because I feel like the white village lends itself well to seeing values. Knowing how to interpret values is vital to the pouring process.

Poppies by Request

2011-03-18T04:52:00.000-07:00

Poppies by Request

11x14"

sold

Poppies have always been one of my favorite flowers to paint. Especially the red oriental poppies. I am happy to know that others like them as well. I am asked quite often to paint these beautiful flowers by students and clients.

The above painting is another one of my crazy, fun pours. Only this pour is done once. First, I draw out some poppies then I save them by using masking fluid. The masking fluid allows me to not worry about splashing the paint onto those beautiful poppies that I will paint in later.

The color is then tipped onto the paper and I blow the paint around and spray the paper with water to get it flowing. When the paint has dried, the masking fluid is removed and the poppies are painted in (there are 2 done that way in this painting). Then I "find" more flowers, leaves, and pods and create them with negative painting (including the one red poppy on the upper left)

This is a process I like to teach my students for several reasons. It shows how you have to let water move and mix the paint (it is water color after all). The negative painting is great with watercolor because you have to learn to leave your white/light colors and paint in your darks. It is essential if you want to succeed with watercolor. And last, it is sooo much fun!

I am teaching this type of course at two places this spring.

Watercolour For Beginners

North Vancouver Community Arts Council

Maplewood House

April 30-May 1

and

Fun with Watercolours

Painter's Lodge

Campbell River, BC

May 7-9

For more information, please click on the above links or contact me.

Butter and Sugar Iris

2011-03-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

Butter and Sugar

14x20"

This is the latest in my iris series. Yellow is a very difficult color to work with in watercolor. How do you make it vibrant enough without it becoming heavy? Plus it can get tainted by another color very easily.

I am pleased with the result however.

Purple Iris

2011-02-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

Purple Iris

7x10"

sold

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

This is a little something I did over the weekend - another iris painting to show at the American Iris Convention.

On the home front, my daughter will finally start school tomorrow! It has been a challenge getting her into the school system here in Vancouver. She will only be going part time and will be home schooled part time as well. This is because she came from a sememster based school to a year round school. The home schooling is to get her caught up in the important courses. She is very self motivated and will probably have it all completed by the end of March!

I am preparing for my workshops in Victoria next month. I will be teaching a pouring watercolor course on March 22-23 and portraits on March 26-27. Please contact the Coast Collective Art Centre to sign up.

Artalee.com

2011-02-19T08:03:00.000-08:00

Unity

poured watercolor

Fellow watercolor artist and friend, Christiane Kingsley, was kind enough to feature my work on artalee.com.

It made my day to discover that she did that for me! Especially since it has been a hard week missing all the friends I made through teaching classes. I loved seeing my wonderful students at class every week! I hope that I will see them again when I return to do some workshops in March. I will also be substituting for one of the Thursday afternoon classesat that time. Yeah!

To view more of Christiane's work, please visit her blog.

To view the article on artalee, please click here.

Center of the Universe

2011-02-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

Center of the Universe

11x14"

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

This week has been full of things to finish. Finish getting the kids in school, finish setting up my studio, and finally finish the iris painting! It has been great to work on Center of the Universe since I have more time to work on detailed pieces.

I was asked a few months ago if I would be interested in showing at the American Iris Convention being held at the Empress Hotel in Victoria. Of course I said yes!

Irises are a personal favorite of mine because they remind me of my grandmother. She always had irises in her garden. My grandmother lived with my parents shortly before she passed away. The spring following her passing, my parent's garden bloomed full of irises. There must have been hundreds. My grandmother probably knew she would not live much longer. She had planted all those irises, unbeknownest to anyone, to remind us that she will always be with us even after she was gone.

Thank you Grandma for such a beautiful memory.

My Grandmother

pencil, 16x20"

Wild Seas

2011-02-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

Wild Seas

7x10"

sold

We moved this past weekend into our new home in Vancouver. It was a crazy couple of weeks as I tried to finish commissions, teach classes, say goodbyes, and get the house packed and ready to move. Now we are here and I am excited to put my studio back together. At least I have more time on this side to do that. Since I no longer feel as rushed, I can get back to blogging and to being inspired by other's work.

The above painting was the last one I did for my Thursday class on the Wet Coast. It is a scene from the Oak Bay Marina parking lot looking south. I took the photo while trying to stand in the wind and the rain. The sea was magnificent with all the crashing of waves. I was pleased that I captured the color of the ocean on that particular morning. It really was such a beautiful color.

Girls Portrait

2011-01-27T19:13:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Girls

watercolor, 20x28"

I finally finished the portrait of the three girls. Now I can concentrate on packing and moving on Saturday.

Chesterman Beach

2011-01-21T22:21:00.000-08:00

Chesterman Beach

Tofino, BC

7x10"

sold

A classic west coast scene that I demonstrated for my Wet Coast class. It is the fog on Chesterman Beach in Tofino from my trip up there this past summer.

The Wet Coast

2011-01-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

Discovery Passage

7x10"

This week I started teaching The Wet Coast in Watercolour at the Monterey Centre. It is a full class with 18 people and several on the waitlist. I was surprised and pleased to have so many in the class. It is nice to see several of my students in the class before I say goodbye. I will be teaching until the end of January but I think my replacement, Sam Boehner, has already won the class over.

To start the course, I showed a typical west coast scene with the islands fading into the distance. The goal was to teach ariel or atmospheric perspective.

The image is of Discovery Passage off the coast of Quadra Island. I was able to enjoy a boating trip while I was teaching at April Point Resort and Spa last spring. It is one of my favorite places to teach and will be returning again this June.

Portrait of 3 girls

2011-01-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

Commissioned Portrait

22x30"

I haven't been able to produce anything new since the week before Christmas. Between the holidays and packing, it has been hard to get any painting done. However, we have found a new place in Vancouver and we are now even more excited to move! We will be living in the Point Grey/ Kerrisdale area of Vancouver which is just a fantastic part of the city. It is a huge thing off the list of a bizillion things to do.

Another thing to get done is this portrait of 3 little girls. I did the oldest child in my portrait class and thought I would have time over the holidays to get the rest done. HA! That was before I discovered that my life will be changing in a big way. So I am now trying to work on the painting a little bit each day. It is a welcome break from packing and cleaning.
As you can see, each of the girls are in various stages of progression. The image is taken from a couple of different photographs. Hopefully I will be able to post it again soon with it more complete.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas Cardinal

sold

Today I feel very blessed to be able to spend our last Christmas in Victoria as a family. My children are my greatest joy. May each one of you be able to spend time with the ones you love.

Wishing everyone the best.

Merry Christmas!

Spanish Holiday

2010-12-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

Spanish Holiday

Poured Watercolor

14x20"

sold

Last month I was scheduled to do a demonstration for the Nanaimo Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. This demonstration was to be on how I do my poured watercolors. I spent a few weeks preparing the process of which includes 5 pours in all. Since most of the pouring process involves waiting for things to dry, I decided to speed it up by doing 5 different versions of the same painting. Each painting, however, has something a little bit unique about them.

Unfortunately, on the day of the demo we had a snow storm. I decided it would not work for me to drive the 1.5 hours over the mountain pass to Nanaimo for the demo. So, now that classes have ended I decided to finish a couple of them. The first one sold to a friend as soon as it was done and now I need to finish the rest.

Here is another (smaller) version without the couple:

Another Spanish Holiday

Poured watercolor

11x14"

To purchase, please contact me.

2010-12-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Spanish Stairs

Original poured watercolor by Leslie Redhead

$800 USD

Holiday/Moving Sale!

$680 USD

Featured in the Art of Day Holiday Art Show and Sale.

Painting image is 14x20". It is matted and framed with UV Plexiglas.

Framed size is 22x28". Painting is also available unframed.

This beautiful painting will be package with care and shipped via UPS.

Item will be shipped within 2-3 days of purchase.

To purchase, please click here.

Holiday/Moving Sale

2010-12-10T18:51:00.000-08:00

The Great Salt Lake/Farmington Bay

7x10"

$100USD (reduced to $80 with coupon)

To celebrate my move to Vancouver (and to clear out some paintings so I don't have to pack them) I am having a Holiday/Moving sale from now until January 15, 2011.

Everything in my Etsy shop is now 20% off. Please use coupon code MOVINGSALE2011 at checkout to get this fabulous offer. There is also free shipping to Canada and the U.S. on several of the original paintings. Payment on Etsy is through PayPal which accepts most major credit cards.

Other items not found in my shop are also on sale. These original paintings and prints are reduced 10-20%.

If you live in the Victoria area, you are welcome to visit my studio and select a painting or two before this offer expires. Please contact me before you do so though! I might be in a sea of boxes if you don't.

If you are not able to visit my studio, please contact me via email about any of the paintings you may be interested in purchasing.

But hurry! You don't want to miss out on this great offer to own a Leslie Redhead original

Plus I will be packing everything up after January 15.

Moving to Vancouver, BC

2010-12-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

My heart is sad and my head is spinning. Yet I am excited all at the same time! My husband accepted a position at a company in Vancouver, BC. That means that we are moving from Victoria and the island soon.

Moving here 4 1/2 years ago from Boston was the hardest thing I had ever done. The first 2 years were a nightmare not because of the place but because of several things that happened in my personal life. There were too many big changes at once. Then I started to paint and teach again. My position at the Monterey Centre was literally an answer to my prayers. I am still amazed by how it happened. Since then, I have come to love this place and the people. I have met so many amazing people and feel blessed by my associations. It will be difficult to leave.

However, we are happy that my husband has found steady work and has been offered a great position with an architectural firm. Yeah! It will be hard for me to start over and to build all new clientele in Vancouver. It will also be hard for our children to move from their friends and such a great neighborhood. I know that it will work out in time and it is for the best. I am excited by the prospect of new opportunities.

In the meantime, I will continue to teach at the Monterey Centre in January and I will be back on the island to conduct workshops.

Holiday Cards

2010-11-30T13:34:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday I taught a fun class on Painting Holiday Cards in Watercolor. This idea came about because some friends of mine make their own cards every year. In fact, they start them early in the year and spend countless hours on these little gems. I have been fortunate enough to be a recipient of these annual cards and cherish each and everyone. They are now one of the things I most look forward to at Christmas and are reserved a spot on the mantle.

These friends have since inspired me to make my own cards. I really don't have the time to make as many cards as I would like, so I have chosen to only paint 10-20 cards/year. Then I got this great idea to teach how to paint holiday cards because who doesn't love a handmade gift?

My goal was to show some techniques for simple winter landscapes that my students can then use on their own cards. Once they have these techniques mastered, they can then paint their own cards with different compositions and colors.

The above painting is just one example of what I taught.

Willows Elementary School

2010-11-27T15:05:00.000-08:00

Willows Elementary School

Poured Watercolor

14x20"

This year is the 100th year celebration for the local elementary school- Willows Elementary. To commemorate this event, it was requested that I do a painting of the school. This painting will be donated to be hung in the front entrance. It will also be made into notebooks and other items that will be used to raise money for the school.

Christmas Jingle Bell

2010-11-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas Jingle Bell

oil on canvas

5x7"

This past weekend was my big studio tour and it certainly felt like it was a prelude to the holiday season. Most of the island was covered in snow. It did snow in Oak Bay but fortunately it didn't stay. Lucky for me, the show was still on. Although some art connoisseurs may have been detered by the weather, many friends and art lovers made it out to my home. So, thank you to those of you that were able to make it.

Now it is time to prepare for Christmas and the holiday shopping season. Several of my paintings are available through my Etsy shop, Artistically Connected, and Madrona Gallery.

Since I had enjoyed painting my other jingle bell in oil so much that I had to do another one. This one has a green ribbon instead of blue. The first Jingle Bell is part of the Small Treasures III show at the Coast Collective Gallery that opens this Thursday. The weather should be much warmer by then so hopefully you will make it out that way to see some of my work.

For more information about the Small Treasures III show, please visit the Coast Collective Gallery.

Oak Bay Studio Tour this weekend

2010-11-19T07:23:00.000-08:00

Olive Trees and Poppies

11x14"

sold

The Oak Bay Fall Studio Tour is this weekend. Twenty local artists will be opening their homes and studios to the public. It is a wonderful event to start the holiday shopping.

My painting of Olive Trees and Poppies is featured in the brochure (I'm #1 on the brochure) and it will be on sale along with many other paintings. Prices range from $100 - $2000 for originals. Notebooks and cards will also be on sale.

The show runs both Saturday and Sunday, 12-4:30pm. My studio will be open at 12 on Saturday. However, I will not be there until 2pm. Other people will be there to greet you if you are not able to come after 2.

Hope to see you there!!

More information can be found at Oak Bay Recreation.

A brochure can be downloaded here.

Notebooks with images of my paintings will be on sale at the studio tour.

Prices are $8.50 for the small (6x9") notebooks and $12 for the large (8.5x11") notebooks.

Field of Blue Camas

2010-11-16T16:05:00.000-08:00

Field of Blue Camas

11x14"

sold

Field of Blue Camas is a painting that I demonstrated for my Fun and Free watercolor class. It is a view of the Garry Oak trees and the beautiful camas that grows in Anderson Hill Park.

Atmospheric colors of yellow, red, and blue are washed across the paper. Then the sky and sky holes are masked out so that paint can be splashed and splattered without worrying about it getting into the sky. Once the tree has been painted, the mask is brought up and the tree limbs are added.

This week has been another busy week. My studio tour is this coming weekend. I am frantically getting ready for it as well as continuing to teach. I also overbooked my weekend (not my fault-honest!!!) and I will also be demonstrating my pouring technique Saturday morning before the studio tour opens. Talk about crazy!! Fortunately I have some very good friends and a wonderful daughter that are willing to help me out.

Remembrance Day

2010-11-11T07:34:00.000-08:00

Red Poppies

14x20"

sold

In honor of Remembrance Day, I am posting my recent painting of red poppies. This watercolor is another painting that I did by masking out three of the poppies then pouring, blowing and spraying paint in the background. After the paint dried, I painted the three poppies. Then I "found" more poppies, leaves and buds in the background through negative painting.

Stormy Sky

2010-11-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

Stormy Sky

7x10"

Yesterday was the last of my skies class. To finish off, I taught the class how to do the above painting. We did 7 skies in the 8 weeks. Some were a real challenge but it was great to see what everyone accomplished. I really enjoyed painting and teaching different skies but I especially enjoyed my students. I must admit that it was one of the best groups that I have taught and I will miss them.

This week has been another crazy week. I have my studio tour in 2 weeks and I agreed to do a couple of pouring demonstrations as I continue to teach several more classes. O yes. And the sleepover birthday party for my 10 year old son. A house full of 10 year old boys should be fun. Not sure what I was thinking? I always think I can do more than I actually can. I've decided that I can get it all done if I just cut out the sleep. It would also help if the weather and the car cooperated. Might as well throw the kids into that mix. Maybe I could bribe the 10 year old boys to clean?

Hopefully the stars, the universe and everything else will align in such a way that I can get it all done.

Emma's Hollyhocks

2010-11-01T05:39:00.000-07:00

Emma's Hollyhocks

12x22"

sold

Emma's Hollyhocks is another painting I did with my beginning class. The inspiration for this painting came from the beautiful red blossoms growing in my neighbor's (Emma's) yard.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Fox

9x18"

This is a watercolor I did many years ago when I took an illustration course at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. He has always been one of my favorites. Even though he is a fox (and not a werewolf), I still felt like he is appropriate to wish everyone a Happy Halloween with.

October Sunset

2010-10-29T13:59:00.000-07:00

October Sunset

7x10"

sold

Yesterday was another sky class. October Sunset is the painting that I demonstrated. I thought the black and orange was appropriate for this time of year.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Tofino Fog

2010-10-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

Tofino Fog

7x10"

$100 USD

I started another painting with my skies class this past week. Something simple since the last one (Sky Over Rathtrevor) was so detailed. This is one of the beaches of Tofino covered in fog. A normal occurance for the area. I love walking the beaches in the fog though. It is so quiet and I feel like I am the only one there. Great time for thinking.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

International Artist Day

2010-10-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Jingle Bell
by Leslie Redhead
oil on canvas, 5x7"

Today is International Artist Day. In celebration of this day each artist on Daily Painter's International has been asked to write about an artist that has influenced them.

There are so many wonderful artists that have influenced me that it was hard to choose. I had plans to highlight Andrew Wyeth or John Singer Sargent when I realized that the piece I was working on was directly influenced by local artist, Catherine Moffat.

Last Thursday night I had the opportunity to watch Catherine demonstrate a portrait in oil. It has been some time since I have painted in oil but that night I came home and wanted to paint in oil. So I found a small canvas and a photo kicking around the house and started to paint.

Jingle Bell is the result.

Catherine Moffat is a Victoria artist known for her beautiful portraits and still lifes in oil and watercolor. I am amazed that she is able to do both so wonderfully. To me, watercolor comes naturally and I have always struggled with oil. I think light to dark (watercolor) instead of dark to light (oil). When I had the chance to jury a show with Catherine, I asked her about the transition to oil from watercolor. Her response was that she still struggles with oil (HA!) and she had to stop the watercolor completely as she taught herself to paint in oil. That made me feel so much better! And now that I have the bug for oil again, I may be completing some more soon.

Languid Ladies of the Afternoon

watercolor

by Catherine Moffat

Amanda

oil

by Catherine Moffat

Sky over Rathtrevor

2010-10-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Sky over Rathtrevor

7x10.5

sold

My son's friend came over yesterday and asked an interesting question. He asked that if I can control space, matter, or time, which one would I choose? The answer is definitely time! It has been an overwhelming week with classes, kids, house, and the many unfinished projects. If I could control time, I think I would stop it to first have a nap, then read a book, take a bath, and complete all those unfinished paintings that are piling up. It is always easier to paint when you feel refreshed instead of feeling like your eyes are drooping down to your socks.

The kids do have the day off from school today. I thought I would sleep in and wake up slowly. I slept in an extra 30 minutes. Woohoo! Guess my body is use to the early hours so that idea didn't work. At least I got to wander around in my pjs for a couple of hours. Then I insisted the kids take the dog for a walk which was a nice break for me.

Now it is back to playing catch up. I do hope I can work on the oil I started last night sometime this weekend.

The above painting is from my skies class that I am teaching. It was so detailed that it took me a couple of weeks to complete. The image is the beautiful sky over Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, BC. It was a July evening and the wind started to blow. Since the clouds were moving so fast, the sky was constantly changing. Photos galore! So you may not have seen the last of this sky.

Sidney Fine Art Show

2010-10-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

Bridge to Ronda, Spain

Poured watercolor

21x28"

Sold

Prints available through Fine Art America by clicking here.

Tonight is the opening for the Sidney Fine Art Show in Sidney, BC. I entered one piece this year and was pleased to discover that it was accepted!

Bridge to Ronda is a poured watercolor of the beautiful and historic Roman bridge that connects the older part of Ronda, Spain with the newer section. It spans the El Tajo Gorge. Along the cliffs of the Gorge are these wonderfully old homes that look like they are barely hanging on.

The Sidney Fine Art Show opens tonight and runs throughout the weekend.

It is open 9am -9pm both Friday and Saturday. 9am-5pm on Sunday.

For more information please click here.

Hollyhocks

2010-10-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hollyhocks

11x14"

$120 USD

This past week I taught class on negative painting. It is a fun class for those new to watercolor as well as those that are trying to grasp the negative painting concept.

The Hollyhocks I did as an example of what we will accomplish.

To begin, I use only my 3 primary colors mixed into liquid form. Then I poured my yellow and red, blew the paint and sprayed it with a spray bottle to move the paint around. Next I poured yellow and blue and repeated the above process, only below the red and yellow. After the paint is dried, I "find" my hollyhocks and my leaves by painting the negative shapes around them.

That is how the painting emerges.

For more information about my classes, be sure to click on the link to the right that says calendar.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

The Rain in Spain

2010-10-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Rain in Spain

7x10"

$150 USD

On my trip to Andalucia, Spain this past June, I discovered that the rain in Spain does not stay mainly on the plain (hahaha - couldn't help myself with that one). The group went there prepared for hot sun and what we got was a few days of showers and cooler weather. However, we also got to see some amazing clouds and it did cool off the weather enough to enjoy ourselves when we were out and about in the different villages.

I knew I was teaching a class this fall on skies, so while those amazing clouds raced overhead, I took tons of photos. This is the painting I demonstrated to my class yesterday from one such photo.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

The painting is matted in a white matte to fit an 11x14" frame.

Shipping is free to Canada and the US.

Rocks on the Beach Scene

2010-10-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Rocks on the Beach at Sooke, BC

7x10"

$125 USD

This is the other painting I demonstrated at my workshop in Sooke. The painting is of the beach just down from the Ocean Wilderness Inn where Muir Creek mets the ocean. There are some beautiful rocks and the beach is always so quiet. On this particular morning, my daughter and I met two happy dogs and their owner. We were just glad that it was dogs and not bear since bear do happen to wander this beach.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Painting is matted in a white matte to fit an 11x14" frame.

Shipping is free to Canada and the U.S.

West Coast Beach Scene

2010-10-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

West Coast Beach

7x10.5"

$150 USD

I had a fabulous day in Sooke teaching some budding artists how to do a landscape in watercolor. Sooke is on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island. It is a beautiful spot that looks across the Strait to the Olympic Mountains.

For the workshop, I chose to do the typical west coast scene of evergreen trees, rocks and beach - all enshrouded in fog. The inspiration for the above painting was Tofino, BC. I have rarely seen Tofino without the fog and/or the rain. However, it is a wonderful place to visit. You have the rainforest on one side of this long sandy beach and the ocean on the other. The fog gives it a mystical and magical feeling. During the summer it is nice to walk the beach anytime of the day. During the winter, the storms provide exciting entertainment. Many visit the area just for the storms that come over the ocean.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

The painting is matted in a white matte to fit an 11x14" frame.

Shipping is free to Canada and the U.S.

Rocky Shore of Point No Point

2010-09-27T05:52:00.000-07:00

Rocky Shore of Point No Point

watercolor, 11x14"

sold

This is the second painting that I demonstrated at Painter's Lodge. It is from the West Coast of the island and one of my favorite spots to paint - Point No Point. In fact, I have painted this scene before as a plein air painting.

Many of the participants were beginning watercolorists. The goal of my work was to keep it simple enough for the newbies to follow yet interesting enough for those familiar with the medium to try something new.

Sunrise with clouds

2010-09-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

Sunrise over Strait of Juan de Fuca

7x10.5"

sold

My next painting for my sky class is a sunrise with clouds. I painted it from a photo I took while on a walk around Oak Bay Marina on Vancouver Island.

I started the painting by first wetting the paper then dropping Aureolin and Permanent Rose onto the wet paper.

After this initial wash of color, I let the paper dry. Then I wet it again and painted more of the Aureolin and Permanent Rose onto the paper.

This intensifies the color and it starts to create a nice glow. I left instructions with my class to complete these two steps as their homework. Next week I will be showing how to put in the darks.

Sunrise at Cattle Point

2010-09-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

Sunrise at Cattle Point

7x10.5"

sold

Last week I started teaching my Creating Dynamic Skies in Watercolor class at the Monterey Centre. This painting is the first one that I showed how to do. It is a simple sunrise without any clouds.

The painting is taken from a photo from my many wanderings around the island. It is the view from Cattle Point in Oak Bay across the water to the mainland. It was so quiet and peaceful that summer morning. No one around except the birds and the seals.

Painter's Lodge Workshop

2010-09-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Island Farm

watercolor

14x20"

$400 USD

I have been away teaching a workshop at Painter's Lodge in Campbell River, BC for the past few days. I am asked to teach there every spring and fall and enjoy it each time. The weather was sunny, warm, and beautiful. The Lodge is right on the water and we watched the fishermen leave each morning and come in again each afternoon with their catch. We even saw orcas (killer whales) this time and watched them play for awhile. It is only the second time that I have seen them but I imagine that it never gets old.

The above painting is the painting that I demonstrated. There were 21 people in the class and each one did an amazing job. It is exciting to watch someone new to watercolor discover how wonderful it is.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Shipping is free to Canada and the U.S.

Siblings

2010-09-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

Commissioned Watercolor

14x20"

I am finally posting a commissioned piece that I finished last week. The family that asked me to do this wanted something from their memorable trip to the Caribbean. I think it is a wonderful way to recall their holiday. It is nice to see siblings that love each other and hopefully they will remember this time as they age.

To commission a painting of your loved ones, please contact me.

Maybelle the Cow

2010-09-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Maybelle

poured watercolor

11x14"

$250 USD

This painting is my favorite out of the cow paintings that I poured (one more yet to come!) She is the cow that lives next door to my friend, Cathy. Cathy lives on a lavender farm on the Saanich Peninsula surrounded by beautiful vistas of the island and the water. I am lucky to have so many wonderful friends with inspiring places to paint!

Now I just need to paint the lavender in bloom.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.

Art Gallery House Tour

2010-09-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

View of the living room and the spot that I painted in.

View from the other side

View of the kitchen area and some of my paintings.

This past weekend was the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria House Tour. There were 7 homes on the tour. In each home, an artist had been invited by the Art Gallery to display their work and to paint in the home.

This year the tour was held on the Saanich Penisula. It was a very wet day but it was still a sold out event.

I had never been in this area of the island so had the idea to try to get there earlier than told. I decided to follow the signs for the art tour and ended up at this gorgeous home. The house captain invited me inside and showed me a bit of the house. I was thinking "Yes! This is my home!!" Then the owner came out. She looked me up and down and said, "She's not our artist!"

Oh. I had the wrong house. Mine was 2 doors down. Thought that was kinda rude of her until I saw "her artist". Young, handsome, and male! I would have been disappointed if I saw me instead of him also.

The house I painted in was a 1960s bungalow that had been newly renovated. The owners had only been in the home for a month and they were very friendly. They invited me in and let me have quite a large space to paint in and to display.

The views were fantastic, overlooking the water and onto the other islands. The floor is leather. The kitchen has blue star granite countertops and basketweave glass tile. The master bedroom had a bathtub right in front of the full length windows and the tub was transparent!! Not for me, thank you. The ferry goes right by so I would not want to put on that type of show.

I wanted to paint the beautiful view but it was all grey and rainy. Plus I might get carried away and actually paint. Some of the volunteers freaked out when I tried to get water. I was not to leave any water drops in the sink or get any water on the floor. So I painted a portrait very carefully. And talked alot. That being said, I didn't get anything done.

Apparently I had the best spot as the artist. I was told that the other artists were tucked away or in the carports. Lucky me. And like I said, the homeowners were wonderful.

The best part of the whole day is the phone call I received this morning. I sold 2 paintings to one of the patrons. Woohoo!

Milking Cows

2010-09-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Milking Cows

Poured Watercolor

11x14"

$250 USD

Another painting from my fabulous weekend at the Saanich Fair. I did a few paintings of cows that are poured watercolors. I really prefer doing buildings as pours but decided to try something new. It is fun to see how it turns out.

To purchase, please visit my Etsy shop or contact me.