Sooke Fine Art Show

"Nothing Else Matters", acrylic  24x48"

This is the last weekend for the Sooke fine Art Show (July 28-Aug 6).  Now in it's 26th year, it's a juried art show that showcases art from Vancouver Island and BC's Coastal islands (including Haida Gwaii!).  It's a 10-day long show, so lots of opportunity for art enthusiasts to see some amazing and unique art.

I've had two pieces accepted into the show this year!  I submitted both acrylic and encaustic paintings, not knowing if having two radically different styles would impact the jurors decisions or not (do they look at consistency of style?).  But I was happy to have one of each accepted!

"Nothing Else Matters" is acrylic on canvas, 24x48".  It's based on a photo I took in Tofino, my absolute favourite place.  Last summer we were lucky enough to spend time in a gorgeous beach house for a week, and each morning I got of up early to walk my dog Lucy along the beach.  This is the sunrise over south Chesterman Beach, looking into Rosie Bay.  Familiar to any of you?

"Triple Murder", encaustic  10x30"

"Triple Murder" is the encaustic triptych, 10x30", that also made it into the show.  I am excited that this one is already sold!

Moss Street Paint-In

Yesterday was the Moss Street Paint-In (now known as the TD Art Gallery Paint-In) - it celebrated it's 25th year!  Over 150 invited professional and emerging artists from Victoria and the surrounding areas were there, demonstrating their work on the street.  Moss Street was closed to traffic between Fort Street and Dallas Road to allow up to 35,000 people to see their favourite artists at work and have a chance to meet them.

I am so excited to be one of the lucky artists invited this year!  It gave me a chance to showcase my new encaustic work, and to meet some of the wonderful people who support artists by buying their work.  A huge thank you to all who stopped by my display.  It's so nice to hear from people that they love the work you do - that's the best encouragement an artist can hear!!!

I just painted the blue "Lisa Riehl" sign on Thursday, talk about last minute!

Painting in progress  

People were intrigued by the encaustic paintings I had brought with me.  Many had not heard of encaustics and asked lots of questions.  They have such a different look to them - luminous and textured.  I was happy to talk about my techniques, including the painting I was working on.  So many people stopped to ask questions that I stopped working on it - the acrylic paint on the palette was drying out while I was chatting with people.

I am thrilled to say that I sold quite a few of my encaustics - so exciting and rewarding!  I have a lot of work ahead of me to prepare for my next few art market weekends in August - I need some more work to show...

Experiments in Encaustic Painting

8x10"   encaustic on board

Ever since February when I started working in encaustics, I have been totally addicted to it!  I've barely done any acrylic painting at all (with a few exceptions, I'll post about those soon).  It's been so much fun to experiment and find out how to work in this medium. 

To begin with I tried painting a few landscapes in my traditional style of painting, but that was quite painful and I wasn't really happy with the result.  Well, it ended up not too bad, but I was not able to achieve the look I was after ...

my first landscape attempt ... 6x6"

Then I started concentrating on the mixed-media/collage approach.  I love this type of art, and after not doing it for so long it was really liberating.  And I've always loved crows and birds, so naturally this started to come out in my work.  I mainly used transparent and white wax, with image transfers and come limited colour, and mostly I worked with the surface being pretty smooth ...

3x4"

6x6"

And then I discovered the birch trees!  I started experimenting with texture and applying layers of different coloured wax, and cutting back into them when the wax was hardened a bit.  This was so much fun!  I did different coloured backgrounds -  blue, red and yellow, super fun!  

6x6"

6x8"

I have so many ideas that I want to put into action - just not enough time!  I'm working a full-time job and really only have time to paint on the weekends.  But I know I have to be patient, it will all come.  And I have a feeling that one day soon I'll figure out how to do the style of landscape paintings that I'm known for, only with wax ...

Encaustic Art

I have been absent for quite a while, I know!  My only excuse is that life just kind of happened, all in a good way.  I am working at a full-time job (not art related) which I love but is keeping me quite busy.  My only painting time is on the weekends, and that is competing with everything else as well - gardening, surfing, camping, any trips away.  And I have been regularly posting about my art on my Facebook page - The Art of Lisa Riehl, so I just let this slide.  But it's time to try this again ...

Just to add to all this "busyness", I've started working in a brand new medium - WAX!  It's called encaustic painting.  I took a workshop on it about 5 years ago, bought supplies, but then everything just sat there.  I was working on too many other things at the time and I decided to just concentrate on acrylic painting.  But recently I've been seeing a lot more encaustic art out there, and I just love the look of it.  I'm so drawn to wax art, it has this amazing translucent quality to it and is super versatile.  So I took a one day refresher with a friend who does encaustics, and presto!  Now I'm addicted ...

"Untitled",    8x8",  encaustic on board

Encaustic painting is basically painting with melted beeswax that has been mixed with a small amount of tree sap resin (called damar) to give it a bit more strength.  It's an ancient art form that's been around for thousands of years (ancient Greeks and Egyptians used it).  See here for more detailed info.  The wax can be tinted with oil paints or dry pigment, or used in it's original translucent state.  And it's amazing for collage, you can add almost anything to the wax (paper, photos, shells, metal, etc...).  So it's super versatile.  I have soooooo many ideas!!!!  (and so little time :-)

I'm still experimenting with it.  I love crows and birds, so I've been playing quite a bit with photographic images that I transfer onto the wax.  And I'm also experimenting with texture - so much fun!  One thing I haven't quite figured out is how to do something similar to my typical landscape style of painting.  But the experimenting part is super fun.

I entered one of my favourites into a big juried art show here on Vancouver Island:  the Sooke Fine Art Show  (July 28-Aug 6).  And it got accepted!  I'm dropping it off tomorrow. Here it is ...

"Triple Murder",  10x30",  encaustic on board (triptych)



My art in Women's Surf Style Magazine

Once again, it's been a while. It's been a few busy last few months! Summer is supposed to be slower in terms of my work, but it certainly hasn't proven to be. But I am happy to say I am starting TWO WHOLE WEEKS of vacation as of right now!!!! We have some family visiting, then we are all going to Tofino for a full week! We've rented a house right on Chesterman Beach. Can't wait - my favourite place.

I am so excited to be one of the feature artists in the new summer/fall issue of Women's Surf Style Magazine - WSSM! It's a great magazine featuring all women, but not just pro surfers. It's about real life women who surf and has some fantastic features in there - including Artists! I am one the artists they are featuring in this issue. My article is on page 109 - see scan of it here. Also, another Canadian surf artist features in this issue is Daina Deblette Scarola from Nova Scotia. I love her art! Check out her facebook page here...

Emma, Buddy & Whiskey

Emma, 16x16", acrylic - commission (SOLD)

I know I haven't posted actual paintings in a while, but these were keeping me busy, along with my full time job. I had a blast painting these three, all for the same client. I am delivering them next week, can't wait for her to see them in person. That's almost the best part of doing pet portrait commissions :-).

Buddy, 16x16", acrylic - commission (SOLD)

Whiskey, 16x16", acrylic - comission (SOLD)

Recent Photos

I love my little studio! It's such an amazing space to be able to work in, especially in the spring with all the flowers, new green and bird activity. I have been working on some commissions over the past month, but nothing that is ready to post here. So here are a few photos that I've taken recently ...

A little hummingbird resting outside our living room window. (probably watching over "his" feeder! They're quite territorial little suckers.)

Went for a walk with my dog here yesterday. Saw a few deer before she did, so I was able to leash her before she took off after them...

Been busy gardening over the past month or so. Reorganized a few garden beds. This is the best time of year, when the rhodo and clematis are in full bloom!

Time to paint a lighthouse I think.

Daily Surf Art, & Tofino

I am part of a cool website called "Daily Surf Art". It was initially started by two surfer artists as a way to promote each others work, but has evolved into a collective of artists dedicated to surf art. One rule - each artist must also surf! When I was invited to participate I was thrilled ... I love being part of this group. It's amazing to see the different syle of each artist and their own unique interpretation of surfing. It makes me inspired to create more surf art!

I do have to admit that over the past few months I have been so busy with a new full-time job (which really is awesome) that my art has taken a back seat. However, I just spent a glorious long weekend camping and surfing in my favourite place - Tofino. I feel like I am rejeuvenated and ready to commit more time to painting! Really, this means better discipline in the evenings - more time in the studio, less in front of the computer and TV.

Here are a few photos from Tofino:

Me on my new little board, at the north end of Long Beach

North end of Long Beach, some wicked off shore wind for a bit


It got windy enough for Pete to windsurf one afternoon (not good for surfing though)

Dog Art Wine Label Contest ...

Help me win a dog art wine label contest!

But only if you think this painting would look good on a great bottle of red wine ...

Nostrildamus, 30x30", acrylic (entry #70)

There are over 100 entries, some absolutely great ones too! Once you click on the link below and decide who to vote for (? #70), at the very bottom or the top fo the page click on the "Click Here" to vote. Only one vote per computer. Voting goes until Saturday May 21 (midnight).
Click here to see the entries.

The winery that is putting on this contest is Mutt Lynch Winery, based in California just north of San Francisco. They are both wine AND dog lovers, people after my own heart! For more information about this winery, check out their site here.

***

NOTE: Thank you for all your votes, but I didn't make it by popular vote to the top 10. There were some great ones that made it, click here and scroll down to May 25 to see the winner!

The Gang of Four

Just finished these four gorgeous little guys, all done for the same owners. They loved the colour red, so I used the same red for the background colour. Each painting is 12x12", acrylic on canvas. Max, Chagall, Toulouse and Mya. My favourite is the cat in the bag - Toulouse!

We Three Bees

We Three Bees - 24x24", acrylic ...

Been seeing lots of bees lately, especially since my boyfriend is a beekeeper. I now have lots of opportunities to take some close up photos of them while he's working at the hives. He's fully garbed out in his bee suit, while I'm just hanging out beside him in my regular clothes getting my camera super close up. Haven't been stung yet! Bees are nice. I rather like them...

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me at info@lisariehl.com

Little Red Run

Little Red Run - 30x30", acrylic ...

We had some great sunny weather on our ski vacation in Whistler at the end of Feb. "Little Red Run" is the name of this ski run on Whistler Mountain. I was just enthralled with the fantastic shadow patters of the trees. It was a great trip with some great friends. But I have never skiied in conditions as cold as this: -21C, absolutely FREEZING when you are going fast. Frostbite on the nose for sure. Thank goodness for those little hand warmers that you keep in your gloves, otherwise I would have had to learn an alternate way to paint, sans fingers ...

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me at info@lisariehl.com

SPCA fundraiser

Victoria SPCA "Just Desserts" Gala

For the third year in a row I am involved with the Victoria SPCA fundraiser "Just Desserts" Gala. I can't wait! It's taking place on Saturday April 30th, in downtown Victoria, at a very cool location: 'A' News Studio. The studios will be transformed into a lounge type atomosphere with fabulous live music. Al the sampling tables will be specially set up for mixing, mingling, tasting and enjoying! The evening will feature a silent auction, fantastic raffle, decadent desserts and savoury treats.

How will I be involved? A customized pet portrait, by moi, is one of the raffle prizes. I'm also donating an already completed dog painting to the silent auction. And I will also be decorating the venue with a few of my pet portraits, just to add the the theme of the night.

For more information on the gala and on purchasing raffle tickets,

please visit "Just Desserts Gala" website.

Evening Peak

Evening Peak - 14x18", acrylic ...

One thing you might not know about me is that I love to surf! I can't even begin to explain the amazing inter-connectedness I feel when I am out on the water, catching (or at least trying) and riding a wave. It's the hardest sport I have ever tried, and yet the most rewarding. I feel as if my soul is soaring when I am out there. I've been surfing now for over 10 years, and sometimes I still feel like an absolute beginner. The power of the ocean is humbling, but I love being out there...

I've been wanting to do more surf-related paintings. But at the same time I don't have a lot of reference photos to work from. I do take photos with my waterproof camera when I'm out there, but most of them are not really compositionally great to work with. For this painting, I took a non-surf scene that I see all the time - from Whiffen Spit here in Sooke, looking south towards the Olympic Mountains in Washington State - and added in a wave that only appears occasionally (when there is a big enough period wave from just the right angle to make it all the way in here). I have surfed here just once, last year, and it was the longest ride I've ever had on a wave...

Dalton

Dalton - 16x20", acrylic ... SOLD ...

I love horses! I've always been a horse freak, they are all I used to draw as a kid. I still remember that eureka moment when I learned how to properly draw their hind legs!

This is done for a family friend, whose horse Dalton is very special to her. This is her in the painting, the closest I will get to painting a person. I still haven't met Dalton, but I hope to soon!

Maggie

Maggie - 16x16", acrylic, SOLD ...

My latest dog portrait - Maggie! Set for delivery tomorrow ... I love seeing their faces when they finally see the painting live!

If you would like to see more of my pet portraits, please visit here.

Signature member of the FCA!

Hidden View - 16x20", acrylic ...

I just found out today that I have been successful in applying for my AFCA status with the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA)! I am so thrilled!

There are three levels that can be achieved within the FCA: Active, Associate and Senior member - you are juried into each level. I've been an active member for a few years now, which has allowed me to enter into various juried shows. Once you have been accepted into a minimum number of qualifying shows, you are eligible to apply for AFCA or SFCA. Since I had enough shows under my belt and I felt my work had improved over the years to a consistent quality, I thought I'd try to up the ante this year. I needed to submit 10 images, 3 of which had to be provided as originals. My only dilemma was if I should include a few of my pet portraits in the images/originals I submitted - and in the end I decided to include one dog, and one cat, and one crow painting, along with 7 landscapes.

I am honoured to be recognized by my peers (other SFCA's were the jury) and to have been awarded AFCA. Thank you! The successful applicants are now part of the next FCA show called "Success". The three paintings we all provided for the jurying process will be shown here. The painting above is one that you will see there. And, now I can put AFCA after my name :-)

"Success" will be showing from March 8-27th,

at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island, Vancouver.

Release

Release - 10x10", acrylic

It's been a while since I've posted ... I started a full time (non-art related) job in early Feb, and it's been keeping me busy. I absolutely LOVE it (including the regular paycheck) but at the same time I'm a bit bummed that I don't have as much time to devote to my art. I just haven't yet gotten into the habit of spending time in the evenings painting. So far it's been just weekends. I need to stop sitting in front of the TV in the evenings and start going out to the studio ... More paintings will be coming, I promise!

This is from a photo I took with my little waterproof camera. I was sitting on my surfboard watching my boyfriend riding a wave in Tofino, BC.

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me at info@lisariehl.com

Nostrildamus

Nostrildamus - 30x30", acrylic

Are you tired of seeing my dog yet? Here she is in all her nosey glory. I took this photo with a fish-eye setting on my camera ... My Mom is the one who came up with this title. Brilliant, isn't it? Thanks Mom!

To see more of my pet portraits, please visit my pet portrait website...

Arbutus

Arbutus II - 30x30", acrylic ... SOLD

Arbutus trees are awesome! I have done a painting similar to this one a while ago. I always loved the composition and abstractness of the first one, so I used the same reference photo. But this time I added more colour to it and increase the size.

Nootka

Nootka - 18x24", acrylic ... SOLD

I met Nootka when I dropped off this portrait just a few days ago - what a gorgeous dog she is! She is the most amazing red colour, not sure what the breed is (she's was a rescue puppy). She was super friendly and playful - I was sad to leave. Her owners provided me with the most amazing photo to use as the reference for this painting.

If you are looking for tips on how to photograph your pet,

see my pet portrait website...

Australian RSPCA needs your help

The Queensland RSPCA needs help! Many of their shelters were flooded and completely destroyed in the recent devastating floods. The animals were safely evacuated, but many buildings, equipment and supplies were destroyed. This means they don't have even enough food for their dogs and cats, and other animals they have in their care.

They need your help! The RSPCA is exempt from disaster relief funds offered to charities that assist human needs. This means they are entirely reliant on the generosity of your donations.

For more information, please visit http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/

Davie

Davie - 16x16", acrylic ... SOLD

This is a fun commission that I completed in December, but couldn't post until now (it was a gift for mid-Jan). Aren't retrievers gorgeous dogs? I love them!

Doing the Twist

Doing the Twist - 6x6", acrylic ...

Here's another little guy that I did while on holidays.

My favourite kind of tree - Arbutus.

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me at info@lisariehl.com

Late Season Flight

Late Season Flight - 8x10", acrylic ...

Well, I'm back! We had a fantastic holiday season in Ontario. So good in fact that I have probably gained 10 lbs and have to get back into shape (every house we went to visit had cheese appetizers, and unfortunately I can't resist cheese!). Since we got back on Friday I've started my recovery - surfed on Saturday and went for a bike ride yesterday.

I was kept pretty busy and only had time to work on two small paintings. Here is one for today, I'll post the other one soon. This one is a scene from a photo I took while ice skating on a frozen marsh right at the edge of Lake Ontario. I haven't skated in years but it all came back pretty quickly. Just had to watch out for the bumpy bits...

If you are interested in this painting, please contact me at info@lisariehl.com

Marley

Marley - 16x16", acrylic ... SOLD ...

Here's a gorgeous old boy - Marley. Getting a little bit grey around the muzzle and scruff. Still going strong though!

Tomorrow we are off to Ajax, Ontario for the next three weeks to visit my boyfriend's family and friends. I have packed some painting supplies to bring with me, in the hopes that I will have some downtime. Our first week there is pretty booked up with lots of visits and fun stuff! Hopefully there will be loads of snow for us to play in, we are bringing our snowshoes and cross country skiis. If (when!) I do get a chance to paint, I'll post it for you to see.