'Water Lover' oil on canvas 24 x 30

Saturday, December 31, 2011

'Winter Gale'


*Happy New Year Everyone!*

I painted this piece from the protection of the
cab of my truck yesterday, using my homemade
lap box that I put together with this in mind.
 It was blowin' 35 kmh gusting to 50
and the wind surfers were in their glory!
Rain squalls, then sunshine with rainbows then
back again all within minutes so paint fast
boyo! It was cold in the truck and the gust
buffeting my rolling studio made a steady hand
an illusion at best.
If this truck is rockin' don't... =:-/
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 6 x 8.
Your thoughts & comments are valued.
Jeffrey
V V V

The view from my studio window this morning.
More weather on the way...

Thursday, December 29, 2011

'First Snow'


The delight of late afternoon sunlight on
the first snowfall of the season.
It is truly a wonderful world
and oh so very precious.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 24 x 36.
Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

'Chesterman Sunrise'


Oil on canvas 30 x 48
~~~~~~~~~~~
Well it looks like Victoria, like many other areas, will have
a 'green' Christmas this year (not unusual for my neck
of the woods). So I thought I would post a real West Coast
scene for this years Christmas post.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks everyone for all your support and encouragement
throughout this year. It would really have
been tough without it.
Wishing you all love, peace & joy.
It's all we really need...
Jeffrey

Sunday, December 11, 2011

'Highrock Rhythms'

'Highrock Rhythms' oil on canvas 30 x 40

This painting was inspired by an earlier plein air piece
that was sold a couple of years ago. I enlarged the
format and changed the season among other things.
I have included an image of the original below
for comparison. Naturally the huge size deferential
may be hard to imagine in this posting.
(9 x 12 up to a 30 x 40) 

'August Sky - Highrock' oil on wood panel 9 x 12

Not sure if the transition worked but I think
I'm happy with it so far...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your thoughts & comments would be valued!
Jeffrey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would like to draw your attention to an new
artist on my artist link list.
Caroline Simmill from the wilds of the
Scottish moorlands. Amazing atmospheric landscapes.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

'Golden November'


About two years ago I painted a plein air piece that
I used as reference to paint this one.
I have always been enthralled with the drama of
a sunlight landscape against a dark sky.
Perhaps a series is in the offing...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 12 x 16.
Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

'October Surprise'


Though they can be challenging to deal with sometimes,
those surprise snowfalls that happen in October or
early November can be such a visual treat.
I find it a very stimulating subject to
paint because generally so much
of the work is purely imagination
based on natures reality.
A good test for your
'seeing' senses.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 5 x 7.
Your thoughts & comments are valued.
Jeffrey

Friday, November 11, 2011

'Clearing Skies-Incinerator Rock'


Another one from my west coast plein air
adventure, this one at Long Beach and the amazing
geological marvel Incinerator Rock.
It stands like a bulwark against the never ending
surf that rolls and crashes onto this spectacular
edge of Canada. They break against this rock behemoth
with incredible displays of natures force.
One feels much in awe and small in the
presence of such grandeur.
I'm not convinced that a mere 9 x 12 panel
has done it justice...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 9 x 12.
Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

'October Sunrise-Cox Bay'


This is one of the paintings from a recent painting
adventure to Tofino on Vancouver Islands west coast,
and the wild open Pacific. It is incredibly exhilarating
to stand on strip of tidal beach that separates one bay
from another and watch and listen to the big surf
rolling and crashing in front and behind you and keeping
a close eye on the tide as it rises around you.
By the time I finished it was only 20 feet away
from me and my easel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 12 x 16.
Your thoughts & comments always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Saturday, October 29, 2011

'Spring Morning'


This is a painting from last April that was done on
a cool and breezy morning at the
entrance to Esquimalt Lagoon.
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Oil on wood panel 9 x 12.
Thoughts & comments always appreciated.



Friday, October 7, 2011

'On The Way To Ganges'


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

This painting was developed from a small 6 x 8 painting
done plein air several years ago on a trip to Salt Spring Island.
There are those who say "go big or go home",
I'm still on the road to Ganges...
=:-/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 36 x 48.
Your thoughts & comments would be valued!
Jeffrey

Saturday, October 1, 2011

'September Sooke River'


In a few weeks time 
this quiet spot will be transformed
into a raging, tumbling river when the big
male rains begin in earnest.
It will tax the stamina of the salmon running 
upstream to their spawning beds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'September Sooke River'
oil on wood panel
 6 x 8.
Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.
Jeffrey 

Sunday, September 25, 2011

'View from Hurricane Ridge'


Washington State's Olympic Peninsula and
the Olympic Mountains make up the back drop
of the southern view across the strait from
my studio. They are incredibly beautiful and I have
seen and painted them in all kinds of weather and
light conditions from many locations
 on the water, hill tops and beaches of
southern Vancouver Island.
However until recently had never seen them
up close. Artist Linny D. Vine and I made the
trip in late August this summer and arrived at the
top of Hurricane Ridge on one of the hottest days
of the year. Spectacular really doesn't cover what
awaited us. The mountain wildflowers were at
there fullness in incredibly diverse colours and sizes.
However the scent of pine and wild mountain sage that
drifted in the hot air still lingers in my soul.
Our time seem to pass so very quickly. More trips
are planned for the near future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 
14 x 11.
Your thoughts & comments always welcomed.
Jeffrey

Thursday, September 22, 2011

'Where Spirits Dance'


There are places we walk that alert our senses to the
 beings that first left foot prints there long before us.
 Perhaps a feeling that a presence, at times,
 can be felt when we walk in foot steps
from the long ago time...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 30 x 40.
Your thoughts & comments are always valued.
Jeffrey

Monday, September 19, 2011

'Salt Spring Harvest'


One of the paintings from my recent trip to Salt Spring
Island, this heritage farm is on a quiet and secluded
back-road on the island. Painting this in September/
summer like conditions was a real treat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 11 x 14.
Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

'Lime Bay To McLoughlin Point'


This was painted several weeks ago now,
 on a chilly early morning but when the winds
were plein air friendly =;-)
From this harbour side 'Songhees Walkway' the entrance
to Victoria's harbour (just to the left) can be seen and
to the right the mouth of West Bay which holds
so many memories for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 9 x 12.
Your thoughts & comments are always valued!
Jeffrey

Monday, September 5, 2011

'Morning Tide'


Early morning, a flood tide, a beach on southern
Vancouver Island. You can feel the life pulse of the
sea and all the life within her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 36 x 48.
Your thoughts & comments always welcomed.
Jeffrey

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

'Summer Visitors'


From my studio window I can see these daisy's in my neighbours
front yard every summer. Though I have said time and
time again, "I have to get out and paint those daisy's!", it
just never happened, until this summer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 8 x 10.
Your thoughts & comments always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Sunday, August 14, 2011

'Summer Evening Light'


The light, late on an August evening has a softer tone than
July and one that brings with it a sense of fullness.
Large swaths of marsh grass swaying and shimmering
 like waves on the sea but with a warmth you can feel.
The scent of the peat bog rises on the breeze
where swallows drift and dart.
Soon twilght will envelope us and the spirits will dance...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 6 x 8.
Thoughts & comments always greatly appreciated.
Jeffrey



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

'Summer Afternoon - Saanichton Bay'



Low tide on a hot and lazy summer afternoon.
Several Kingfishers were working the shallows as I painted
this piece, hovering and diving. As well many other birds
were busy along the edge of the mudflats, some
grand Blue Herons among them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 11 x 14.
Your thoughts & comments are always valued.
Jeffrey

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

'Sparkling Water - Oak Bay'


Summer wind, breaking light, sparkling water,
add some oil paint, stir lightly in the open air,
quickly now before its gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel
 12 x 16.
Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Sunday, July 24, 2011

'Late In September'


For those of you who follow my work from timt to time
will know that I have a particular affection for
September here on the south Island and the wonderful
light at that time of year. This painting is yet another
in my on going series of our September light.
As well it is my first painting completed in my new studio at
the prestigious Ross Place Retirement Residence where I
have recently taken on the position of 'Artist in Residence'
here in Victoria. The position provides a large studio
with attached gallery 'STUDIO65' I will be helping to develope
and co-ordinate an art program there for both residents and
the public at large, focusing on senior artists.
I hope you will come by for a visit. The gallery is
open Tues. & Thurs. from 1pm - 4pm or by
appointment you can email me at jjboronart@shaw.ca
or call the front desk at 250.381.8666.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 30 x 36.
Your thoughts & comments always welcomed.
Jeffrey

Friday, July 15, 2011

'South Island Summer'


Well things have been quite hectic for the past
several weeks (in a good way) lots of art related
news to share with you.
One of those news items is tomorrows
*24th Annual Moss Street Paint-In*
Once again the largest art festival in western Canada
begins Saturday July 16th 11 am - 4:30pm
on Moss Street between Fort & Dallas.
You will find me set up and painting at 101 Moss
between May & Faithful on the lower end of Moss.
Hope you can drop by and say hello, will share a laugh!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The plein air piece above was done last Tuesday morning
after the cloud cover, grudgingly, broke up
and allowed the sun to warm me up!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 8 x 10.
Your thoughts & comments always appreciated!
Jeffrey

Saturday, July 9, 2011

'Evening Hayfields'


Another evening in the hay fields, this one depicting
the first days work with more yet to go.
The light started fading fast cutting my time short with this
 piece so more work was done back at the studio.
(Note to self: Start late, paint fast!)
=:-/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 11 x 14.
Your thoughts & comments always valued!
Jeffrey

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

'A Morning In April'


This painting was developed from reference photos
taken while plein air painting in one our local
natural park areas here in Victoria.
This brief time in spring always
passes so quickly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 
16 x 20.
Thoughts & comments always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Monday, June 27, 2011

'Summer Eve Hayfields'


On the eve of the summer solstice I spent a lovely,
evening painting sweet smelling fresh mown hay fields.
I imagine there is, for most artists, a particular subject
that connects with you in a special way. Hay fields 
have a special place in my heart and I look forward to
painting them with great anticipation every June.
There is of course a great amount of bird activity around
the fields and the scents that fill the evening air is
like a ride in a time machine as I close my eyes
and fill my lungs. The sweet nostalgia of years past.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 6 x 8.
Your thoughts & comments would be appreciated.
Jeffrey



Sunday, June 19, 2011

'Summer Pasture'


I had originally gone out in hopes of painting some
fields being hayed but it still hadn't started in my area
yet. However this little horse pasture had caught my eye
on previous trips and with the Hawthorn in
bloom and the drifts of Buttercups it seemed like a
wonderful opportunity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 9 x 12.
Your thoughts & comments are always valued!
Jeffrey


Wednesday, June 8, 2011

'Thetis Light'


Late afternoon on a quiet forested lakeshore in
late spring can provide some really sparkling
light for painting en plein air.
Loosely defined details with high contrast allowed me
to get past the overwhelming amount of 'stuff'
in this soft and gentle scene.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 9 x 12.
Your thoughts & comments are always welcomed.
Jeffrey

Sunday, June 5, 2011

'South Island Spectacular'

Those of you who follow this blog from time to
time may remember that back in March I had
a wonderful plein air experience with a sky filled
all day with tremendous cloud formations.
This piece was developed
from photo's taken on that excursion as well
the painting done then and one done a
couple days later in a different location.
I may try and do several more... =:-/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 40 x 30.
Your thoughts & comments are always valued!
Jeffrey

Monday, May 30, 2011

'Camas Meadow'


This piece was done about three weeks ago now and
once again I'm glad I have been able to get out to
paint these wonderful blooms as much as I have this year.
Due to the cooler than normal temperatures we've
been having this spring they are still hanging in there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 12 x 16.
Your thoughts & comments are valued.
Jeffrey

Thursday, May 26, 2011

'Camas Tapestry'


Early morning shadows, bright sun, warm temperatures,
brilliant carpets of wild Camas Lily's and dozens of
swooping swallows hunting insects to feed their
broods made last Friday's paint out so very special.
For me the return of the swallows and the Camas Lily
 bloom time is the highlight of spring here
on Southern Vancouver Island.
Now where did I put the time delay device...
=:-/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 9 x12.
Thoughts & comments always welcome!
Jeffrey




Saturday, May 21, 2011

'Storm Warning'


Hopefully this painting and its title is not some sort of "sign".
 The art life can be an amazing journey of
discovery and adventure, often into unknown territory
both physically and mentally. We can discover things
about the world around us and our selves that shock us
and sometimes bring much pain and anguish. At the same
time these discoveries, both large and small,
can be full of joy and wonder,
bringing us ever closer to the level of vision
and insight that seems often to be that which we
are seeking as artists. But the art life can be a tough
business...if you have been at it for a while you will have
heard someone who's been riding this horse for a long time
tell you...but on you sail further and further from shore.
It can be a lonely life and one that vulnerability has no
boundaries. You will learn things you really didn't want
to know and things that will lift your spirits and set you
free (if only for a brief moment) to soar with the swallows.
Like a west coast seiner heading into a morning gale
we go on, cause that's what we do. 
Wishing you fair winds and following seas!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 36 x 48.
Your thoughts & comments are valued.
Jeffrey 

Sunday, May 15, 2011

'Camas Trail'


Finally, the Camas season has arrived! I painted
this piece on lovely spring day last week. We are about
three weeks behind last years blooming but happy
nonetheless. It is truly a magical experience to spend time
painting alone among these native flowers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 
11 x 14.
Thoughts & comments always appreciated.
Jeffrey
 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

'South Coast Light'

This painting was developed from a plein air piece I
painted last March. I must say that the grand scale
in this painting was very inspiring and I set my
imagination dial to "Playtime" and let it happen!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on canvas 30 x 40.
Thoughts & comments always appreciated!
Jeffrey

Friday, May 6, 2011

"April Morning at Witty's"


On Saturday of the Easter long weekend 
I spent a beautiful sunny day at Witty's Lagoon
 not far from Victoria.
It is one of the south Island treasures. 
On this day the tide was a minus one, 
that produced sand bars in the bay
that ran out at least 1/4 mile interlaced 
with shallow rivulets (ankle to knee deep) 
that needed to be crossed to
make it out some of those far off spots as
many fun seekers did.
We painted close to shore in a dry
 sandy bottomed cove.
This is one of the two I painted that day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 11 x 14.
Your thoughts & comments always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Monday, April 25, 2011

'Spring Weather - Royal Roads'

This spot is not far from my studio 
and it is one I have been meaning to paint 
for quite some time. It is a
rather exposed location which is fine 
except when a sudden 180 wind shift puts you 
right in the teeth of a spring gale -
like right now!! 
Fortunately, I was just putting some
finishing strokes on when I was forced 
to try and get everything on the ground
 before it blew away.
 I did manage to get that done except for my tripod 
which, of course, blew over and fell 
catching my grounded palette and putting
my brushes and several other pieces of equipment 
firmly into the gobs of paint...
=:-p
Ah the joy and excitement 
of painting en plein air!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel
9 x 12.
Thoughts & comments always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

'East Sooke Sparkle'

Painted on the beach at East Sooke Park a
couple of weeks ago on a beautiful sparkling
afternoon. We wait all winter for these special afternoons.
About 15 miles from Victoria by water, it is here
that the real West Coast environment begins.
It really has a much different look and feel than Victoria's
shoreline and the southern Gulf Islands.
Near the point in the middle distance petroglyphs can
be seen. They were created in the 'long ago time' by one
of the first human being artists whose
descendants still live the area.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 12 x 16.
Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.
Jeffrey

Saturday, April 16, 2011

'Rising Tide - Gonzales Bay'

Gonzales has been a favourite beach
area almost since the beginning here
in Victoria. It is a sheltered shallow
bay with with high, steep foreshore
and wide expansive beach. The water gets
warm enough for water play in the summer.
Even in the cool months on warm days
the younger folk can be seen boogie
 boarding along the waters edge.
I plan to do a series of pieces in the
coming weeks featuring this Victoria jewel.
This was the second of the day following
the cloudscape in my previous post,
(and a nice warm lunch)!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oil on wood panel 6 x 8.
Your thoughts & comments always appreciated.
Jeffrey