Sunrise Over Mt. Baker

Sunrise Over Mt. Baker - 24x30", acrylic SOLD

Here is the finished Mt. Baker commission. It's a gift for his wife's birthday, coming up in a few weeks. I can't wait to hear what her reaction is! He loves it, and I hope she will too...

I know I haven't been overly productive in the painting department over the past 6 weeks. I've gone from being a full-time painter to taking on a part-time job. I had the perfect routine that worked great: getting up early, walking my dog, having breakfast, checking emails and updating my website and blog, then out to the backyard studio for the day to paint. I miss that! But I suppose even the best routine has to change if a bit of money needs to come in. People just haven't been buying art over the past few months. The job that I took on is great, medical sales (my old career), and I do enjoy it. However, it's taking over my days that are supposed to be my painting days. 2 days a week is turning into 3 to 4 days. It's a salary job, so set amount of pay no matter how long you spend doing it. Yikes! On my painting days I end up doing at least 3 hours of email and phone calls and I can't get enough done in the studio ... Sigh. I hope it settles into a better routine soon.

And of course people will start buying art soon. Right?

Right!

Moo the Cat

Moo - 16x16", acrylic

What a great name for a black and white cat - Moo! I had a blast painting her. Just love the expression on her face as she's resting on her paw. This was one of my donations to the SPCA fundraisers that I've done over the past little while. Her owner won a custom pet portrait at the silent auction, and this is the result. I think he's really happy with it!

Baker in the Morning

Baker in the Morning - 6x8", acrylic

Here in the Victoria and Vancouver area, we get spectacular views of Mt. Baker down in Washington State. It's such a gorgeous mountain! I am currently working on a commission of Mt Baker and this was one of my studies to see how the colours worked. I rather like this version, but the larger one will be a much different colour combination. This one has a black underpainting, the commission itself has a red underpainting which will give it a total different feel. I'll post that one when it's done.

Best in Show - SPCA Fundraiser

It's all about your dog! Tomorrow is the "Best in Show" in Victoria. The Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa is welcoming all dog lovers and their dogs to participate! All proceeds go the SPCA. There will be different contest categories such as smallest dog, biggest dog, craziest hair, best trick, and others. There will be food and exhibits to enjoy! That's where I come in - I will be displaying my dog portraits! I wish I could bring Lucy as well, but she would be waaaay too distracted and wouldn't want to just hang out at my table. She's want to participate!

Here's one of my sample dog portraits: Lola, a gorgeous little Boston Terrier! Her owner is Sam Chalmers, who runs a fantastic restaurant in town: Bistro 28. You MUST go there...

Two & a Half Furniture Makers + Guest Artists

Come out to see a great show! It's called Two & a Half Furnituremakers + Guest Artists (of which I am one). The furniture is absolutely STUNNING! And so is the art (not that I'm biased or anything) ... The show is on Apr 15 - 25.

It's at the Coast Collective, in Victoria ... One huge gorgeous gallery space, plus 4 rooms of art and gifts all handcrafted by local artists. All in a gorgeous heritage stone mansion. Definitely worth a trip!

Tofino Storm

Tofino Storm - 9x12", acrylic

Tofino is my absolute favourite place! It's wild, can be stormy, and is beautiful in a very rugged westcoast sort of way. It's on the west coast of Vancouver Island, about a 4.5 hr drive from where I live here in Sooke. We go there about 3-5 times a year, usually on long weekends, almost always camping (rain or shine) and we surf every day. Love it, love it, love it! Our first trip for this year will be the May long weekend - which falls on the third weekend of that month - Victoria Day here in Canada. (Note of interest: this weekend is also called the May Two-Four - a case of beer is often referred to as a "two-four" and many of these are consumed over the holiday ... )

If you are intersted in this painting, please send me an email at info@lisariehl.com

Two Crows

Two Crows - 8x16", acrylic

I took this photo ages ago, always meaning to paint it. Finally did! I decided to do the graphic version, no blending. It seems to suit the scene. Two crows just hanging out in the late afternoon sun. I will probably change the name, this one is too boring...

If you are intersted in this painting, please send me an email at info@lisariehl.com

Morning Light

Morning Light - 20x24", acrylic

Set back from the beach we often go surfing at is a great swath of old-growth forest (some of the little around here that is left). Sometimes the best time to go surfing is first thing in the morning, before it gets too busy. Weekends are crazy but mid-week is often really nice as there usually aren't that many people out there, yet. This particular morning was beautiful, with the sun out and no wind. This tree is huge - maybe 3-4 people around could touch hands - and the base is surrounded by salal. It's so peaceful, set back just from the water...

If you are intersted in this painting, please send me an email at info@lisariehl.com

Federation of Canadian Artists - Spring Show

I have just returned from the FCA (Victoria Chapter) Spring Art Show opening reception. I was very much honoured to have received an Honourable Mention for my painting "The Nose Knows" that had been accepted in this juried show (see the painting below - it's one I painted just last month and you would have seen here already) ... The show runs from April 5-14th, at the CAC gallery location right in downtown Victoria. See the above poster for the address. (It's in the courtyard behind the Royal Bank at the corner of Fort and Douglas).

The Nose Knows - 24x24", acrylic

Chloe

Chloe - 16x20", acrylic SOLD

I just finished Chloe's portrait yesterday. This will be surprise gift from a client of mine, who is giving this to her mother (Chloe's owner) for her birthday later this month. What a gorgeous breed this is! She's a Papillon - french for butterfly. Look at those fabulous butterfly ears!

I'm going away for the Easter long weekend, so I won't get a chance to paint for a few days. We are heading to Galiano Island to share a house with some friends. I've never been to this island - it's one of the gulf islands in between Victoria and Vancouver. Looking forward to it!