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The blood is beginning to bubble, my palms are getting itchy, my nose is longing for the smell of oil paint. I am feeling anxious, anticipating that first contact be it with pencil or paint. Now to begin...

What I use for that initial contact on canvas depends on the complexity of the piece. Although this piece is relatively simple, it is done on three separate panels. I will use my pencil and make a sketch to make sure the horizon lines etc are the same on all three panels

I want this painting to breathe the feeling I had when I was on that ferry that evening. A feeling of contented nostalgia.That everything is right with the world, but sorry to be going home. The colours, I hope will reflect the majestic glory of summer sunset over the coastal mountains.

This time will be an under painting first... I am choosing cadmium red acrylic paint for the sky and water. The mountains which divide the two are painted paynes grey with an outline of the coastal mountains drawn in with paint as well.. I usually tend to separate the "theme" areas by using different colours in the under painting so that I can visually check the composition before i start the oils. It also helps when I "overpaint" the sky ~ I can still see the outline of the mountains.

I think the sky should have a definite horizontal flow. As you know I love doing skies and that is where I enjoy a little abstract work in a painting. The water for the most part will flow in the same direction which will enhance the meandering wake of the ferry. You will see that later.

These panels are painted on 12" x 36" wrap around canvas' so the front scene must be continued on the sides, top and bottom to get the correct effect when the triptych is hanging.

My husband James just made me a new 42" horizontal bar for my easel so that I can work on these bigger pieces and triptych's more easily. He made it wide enough for the wrap around canvas' that I prefer to work on.

I am going to do a series of articles on this paintings progress ~ stay tuned next week for the next installment.

“Ucluelet In December“… is finished ~ She is part of the “Black Rock Series” and the biggest one so far at 40″ x 30″. Oil on canvas wrap and ready to go once she dries. She will be exhibited at the Comox Airport in the Departure Lounge until mid November. And is for sale of course, thru the airport gift shop ~ just ask for Diane Weir. You can also order prints on my “shop for prints” page here onsite and they can be ordered at 40″ x 30″ and proportionately smaller at very reasonable prices.

I had a lot of fun with this piece. Painting big is definitely liberating and allows me the luxury of using less detail without compromising (in my mind) the look …and I was able to stretch far enough in my wheel chair to finish off the sky without it looking to forced. That was my primary concern with this painting ~ reaching and having the work look awkward. I also stuck with the same pallet as the rest of the series which includes large amounts of Alizarine Crimson, Dioxazine Purple and Naples Deep Hue, so that I have a definite flow from one painting to the other.

Once again as I painted I retreated into my canvas, recalling the beauty of that rugged west coastline. My Husband James and I having a wonderful time there and enjoying watching and counting the waves before we saw a huge wave crash over the rocks infront of our room (an old fisherman told me every 7th wave was supposed to a big one.) We watched the eagles and the cold wind bending the trees; all from our cozy spots by the fireplace in our room.

What fond memories to have while enduring my imprisonment in our downstairs suite recovering from surgery and a broken leg.

Soon I will be out to my beloved studio once again, but for now I have my memories of our special times together to keep me painting for years to come right here where I am. :-)