'Rising Wind - Holland Point'

Though I may seem to whine a bit about bad weather

the neat thing about cloudy wet weather is getting set

up as the winds rise and the clearing begins.

I was lucky enough to get out one afternoon a

couple of weeks ago for just that sort of event.

The clouds and sparkle on the water seems so much

brighter and lively. Little things that make plein air

so very interesting and challenging.

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Oil on wood panel 6 x 8.

Your thoughts & comments always welcomed.

Jeffrey

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'Spring Sky - Little Trial Island'

I painted with a buddy of mine on the shore of McNeill

Bay last weekend. To say that the sky on that

beautiful warm day was spectacular would be an

understatement in the extreme.

I have included a series of photos that I hope will give

you some idea of the incredible aerial extravaganza we

witnessed as we painted. I must say that I sensed at the

outset that I would need to get my sky roughed-in quickly

and then develop it further as things were going to

change and man did they. I often had the feeling that I just may

have started my painting to soon...

=:-/

The double humped island to the right of the painting middle

is known locally as Little Trial Island because of its

remarkable profile similarity to its much bigger brother

Trial Island, that is home to the historic light station.

The main Trial Island is now an ecological reserve that

harbours several plant species that are no longer found

in other areas around the south Island.

These photos are set up from when I first started

till when we were finishing up...I did hold

back on many more!

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Oil on wood panel 12 x 16.

Your thoughts & comments always appreciated.

Jeffrey

'Juan de Fuca Light'

I was fortunate to be set up ready to go when the light

broke through the dispersing clouds. Transferring the

blinding brilliance of that fast changing light as the patterns

moved across the water I found to

be quite a challenge. However in this instance the

surface of the sea was dark with shimmering light that

allowed for an interesting contrast.

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Oil on wood panel 9 x 12.

Your thoughts & comments are valued.

Jeffrey

'March Afternoon - Holland Point'

Another plein air from Victoria's waterfront. This time

I faced west toward Albert Head while standing

above the beach at Holland Point. That is the

green marker at Brotchie Ledge in the middle left.

Our weather is very unpredictable these days and it is a real

gamble as to what conditions you will get from one hour

to the next. We got lucky close to noon on

Friday for this excursion.

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Oil on wood panel 11 x 14.

Your thoughts & comments are very much appreciated.

Jeffrey

'Evening Sky - McNeill Bay'

The waters surrounding these islands and islets have

been the scene of many marine disasters in our

maritime history here on the south Island.

Rough ground that can go from several feet to a hundred

in short order. As well tides that can reach 6-7 knots

make for tricky navigation in the best of conditions, add

in 30 or 40 knots of wind, darkness and

mariners beware.

Fortunately standing as I was on firm ground in late

afternoon sun, painting this piece was not fraught

with such concerns.
=;-))

Wishing you all 'fair winds and following seas'.

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Oil on wood panel 12 x 16.

Your thoughts & comments are always appreciated.

Jeffrey

'Eventide in the Islands'

 
Several years ago I spent a couple of days at the north end

of Thetis Island and it is from some of the photos I took

that this piece was developed.

It was late May and there were spring tides running.

The below zero tides during the day provided amazing

reference photos that I have probably developed into

at least a dozen different paintings.

When we were there it was so quiet that it was almost

eerie. The extreme low tides exposed those unusual

rock formations that the Gulf Islands are known for.

(hmmm perhaps a double-entendre...)

As the evening settled upon us 
you could sense the spirits

that continue to walk these shores.

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'Eventide in the Islands'
oil on wood panel 
18 x 24.
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Your thoughts & comments always appreciated.

Jeffrey

'Morning Winds - Enterprise Channel'

BC's south coast was battered by another gale from early

morning and through much of today. Some areas registering

wind gusts to 100kmh. Though the winds were not

anywhere near that speed where I painted this morning,

it was too windy to set up outside so I hunkered down,

once again, in the shelter of my vehicle...

Incredibly beautiful skies and sparkling water in a very

fast changing panorama, so make a decision and

paint fast boyo!

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Oil on wood panel 6 x 8.

Your thoughts & comments always appreciated.

Jeffrey