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Friday 29 December 2017

Thank you

Blog 53
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. This last blog of the year will be very short, as I am spending the time between Christmas and New Year's Day with my family.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your support. Being an artist is not always easy. I feel lucky to be able to paint and to share my passion with you. However, what you usually hear about are the successes. There is also frustration when a project does not turn out, when I come back from a show without sales, or when I am working on the rather boring administrative side of my business. These are the moments when your support is even more important. Thank you for coming to my exhibitions, reading and commenting on my blogs, newsletters, and social media posts. I will do my best to keep you entertained throughout 2018.
Following are the last two days of the 2017 advent calendar:

Day 23:
“Mountain Road” was also painted during the painting trip to Kamouraska. We painted on a monadnock above St-André on a day, when it was too windy to paint close to the river. We needed a sheltered spot to set up our equipment. At the end, our whole group had the same idea and we spent the day painting together.

Day 24:
“Sweet Candy” is a 12” x 12” acrylic painting of our beautiful Golden Retriever who died totally unexpected almost three years ago.
We adopted her in early January 2006 just after Christmas. When we met her for the first time at the Humane Society, she was still named Coco, but considering all the sweets we had during the Christmas holidays, we renamed her Candy. The name was very fitting. She was such a sweet and happy girl. The portrait shows her hoping for a treat.
I hope you enjoyed my review of some of my 2017 artworks.
I am wishing you a happy and successful year 2018. May you make time for yourself and let art brighten up your days.
If you would like to create a visual reminder of your vision for a great 2018, I would like to invite you to my workshop on January 7, 2018 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm at 1270 Kinsella Drive, Cumberland, ON, K4C 1A9. The vision board will help you to focus your energy on your goals in the upcoming months. The fee for this workshop is $15. You can either pay by cash, by cheque or by e-transfer. For more information please send me an email to kpeters@domingoinformatics.ca. I will provide all the materials, but please feel free to bring some travel catalogues or your own magazines or pictures.

Friday 22 December 2017

Advent Calendar Day 16 - 22

Blog 52

Christmas is almost here. I hope you are ready for the festivities and can enjoy a quiet day tomorrow. 
Today, I am publishing the images of my advent calendar days 16 to 22. As my blog is only published every Friday, I was debating what to do about the last two days of my advent calendar.  If you would like to see these two images before Christmas, please go to my Facebook page CXX, where they will be published on December 23 and 24 at 7:30am. I will also include them next Friday in my last post of the year 2017.



Day 16:


I created this 12” x 24” acrylic sunflower painting of one of the two sunflowers that we had in our garden. This is the first painting of a triptych that I have in mind. It shows the flower past its prime but still standing strong.



Day 17:



The 12” x 48” acrylic painting “Turtle Family” shows my love for water turtles. I have had turtles for years and find watching them entertaining. Unfortunately, they are a lot messier than the turtle family in my painting.
The photos show you the progress of my work. I had the long canvas for many years. Some years ago, I wanted to paint a tropical fish scene. I even prepared the gallery canvas with some areas of glass beads for the fish painting, but then I lost interest and put the canvas aside. When I picked up the canvas this spring to work with the glass beads again, I felt more like painting turtles. I quickly realized that I had to be careful not to push down the brush and painting knife too strongly, because some of the beads got loose and fell of the canvas. However, I was able to create a nice texture due to the beads.
Later in the painting process, when I had finished my painting, I spread another layer of glass bead gel on top of most areas of the artwork to create the bubble effect.


Day 18:


“Fall at Petrie Island” is a felted version of the painting with the same name which I sold a couple of years ago. The felted piece looks like an abstract version of the original painting. It was difficult to create the foliage and reflections they way I envisioned them.







  

Day 19:

The 8” x 10” acrylic painting “View towards Île aux Corneilles at Low Tide” was painted from a picnic table at the Avenue Le Blanc in Kamouraska during this year's painting trip. It was my most productive painting day of the year, as I worked on five paintings. So far, I finished four of them.


Day 20:


This year, I was very attracted to sunflowers. This painting is called “Stages of Life”, an 11” x 14” acrylic painting that I started during our Kamouraska trip sitting in the school’s flower and vegetable garden in St-Denis.


Day 21:

The 10” x 12“ felted artwork “Cardinal” was a gift for my mother who loves birds. It was my first attempt at felting a bird. Even though I love watching birds, especially during winter when they come to our feeders, it has been decades since I painted a bird. The painting of chickadees hanging on a feeder also ended up at my parents house. I do not even have a picture it.


Day 22:

“Nature's Mirror” is a 12” x 16” acrylic painting of a beautiful quiet fall scene that I started as a demo piece in the landscape painting course I taught at Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex. I took the reference photo at a spot close to our cottage in the Whitewater region.
When I start a painting as a demo, I like to show the participants how I start my painting process and how to continue from there. During a class, it is not my focus to paint my painting, but to help the students to create their best work.
To finish my painting, I need the quietness of my studio to concentrate on my work.



I wish you all a Merry Christmas! I hope some of you will receive an art related gift, whether it is an artwork, art materials, or a certificate for a workshop or course. Art brightens our lives every day and not just in the Christmas season.


Friday 15 December 2017

Advent Calendar - Day 9 - 15

Blog 51

This week is already the second week of  my count-down to Christmas. In this blog, I show you the entries for day 9 - 15.

Day 9:









The 8” x 10” oil painting “The Old Hut at Pointe-aux-Orignaux” from this year's painting trip to the Kamouraska region is my second painting of the subject. The first painting called "The Green Shed" from the 2009 trip hangs in the Rockland Museum. Unfortunately, I do not have a good picture of the first painting.


Day 10: 


“Jessie Blue” is a 16” x 20” acrylic painting of the beautiful ragdoll cat with the same name. It was a commissioned work. I enjoyed painting her very much, but the best part was seeing the joy of her owner when she saw the painting.

For more information about the painting and the process of creations, I encourage you to go to read the following blog: https://kerstinpeterspaintingblog.blogspot.ca/…/Jessie%20Bl….


 Day 11:


The 10" x 20" oil painting “Kamouraska Sunset” is my first plein air painting of a sunset. It was amazing how fast the scene changed. Capturing the essence was a challenge, but the fact that our whole group was painting together was so much fun.

If you missed my travelogue of this year's trip to Kamouraska, please go to  https://kerstinpeterspaintingblog.blogspot.ca/2017/09/painting-trip-to-kamouraska-2017-part-1.html for the first part.


Day 12:



“Canada 150th Tulip” is an 11.5” x 8.5” felted version of the artwork I created as a demo painting for my painting parties. I love the tulip that was grown for Canada`s 150th anniversary. The one in my artwork has the advantage that it will never wither.








Day 13: 


The last painting I finished so far this year is the painting of this summer's paint-out at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. The 10” x 8” acrylic painting “The Essence of Summer” was not an easy painting. I was struggling with the gazebo for a while, wishing I had just painted the flowers. The top of the painting has undergone some major changes. At one point I had attempted to put the ceiling in, but was very unhappy with the result on my canvas.


 Day 14:


The 10” x 20” oil painting “View from Notre-Dame-du-Portage” was my second painting of the same panorama. The first painting was the 12” x 24” oil painting ”St. Lawrence Panorama” that I created in 2010.


Day 15:


"Luscious Greens” is a 12” x 9” acrylic painting of part of the Humanics Institute Sculpture park that I started on site. However, after about two hours, the mosquito repellent lost its effectiveness and we decided to call it a day. I finished the painting looking into the woods of our property. Due to the amount of rain we had everything is so luscious and green.


If you are enjoying my blog, please forward it to family and friends. Thank you for helping me to increase my audience.  

Friday 8 December 2017

Advent Calendar: Days 1 - 8

Blog 50

As I had already announced last week, the blogs of the weeks until Christmas will contain an advent calendar of some of my 2017 artworks.

This blog contains the images of the first eight days. If you do not wish to wait for the weekly count-down to Christmas, you can go to my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KerstinPetersPaintings/, where a new image is revealed every morning at 7:30am.  As not everyone sees the images automatically on their timeline due to the Facebook algorithms, I decided to bundle them weekly in my blog.


Day 1:
This is a 9" x 6 1/2" felted version of my acrylic painting "Winter Glow". The original acrylic painting is 36" x 24". It was fun to create the dramatic winter landscape in a smaller scale in wool. It was not easy to create the soft transitions.










Day 2:
"I'm Watching You" is the first cat portrait I created this week. I started the 8" x 10" oil painted when my student wanted to paint a cat. She had picked a picture that I used as a reference to start my painting. Once I had the initial sketch on my canvas board, I changed the cats appearance to make it my own original work. Therefore, this cat painting is not a portrait of a specific cat.



Day 3:
The third artwork of this year's advent calendar is the 11” x 14” oil painting “At the Narrows Bridge”, which shows the view from the covered bridge over the Fitch Bay Narrows towards the hills. I painted it dressed in thick winter clothes, including battery heated socks, during the spring Plein Air Ensemble trip to Orford, Quebec.



Day 4:
The 20” x 10” acrylic painting “Pink Tulips” was started en plein air. I was disappointed that I did not manage to go to the Tulip Festival this year and decided to paint right in my own backyard.

Here is a link to a video of my painting experience: https://youtu.be/onu3BQl2p3M.










Day 5:
This felted artwork was done for the Navan Fine Art Exhibition & Sale shoe project. The 10” x 12“ piece was inspired by the boots that my daughter wore as a young child. I loved them so much I kept them for her.

I picked this artwork for December 5, as German kids will put their boots in front of the door at night, so that St. Nikolaus will bring them some goodies overnight.



Day 6:
The 10” x 8” acrylic painting “Miko Sitting in the Sunshine” is the second painting of our cat. I started it during our summer vacation when I had a lot of time to paint, because the weather was not really nice enough for being at the beach. This painting was for my daughter who always misses her lovely companion when we go away for a couple of days.

I thought it was finished, but when I actually saw Miko again after our vacation, I made some further adjustments. Later, I even took the painting out of its frame again, when the lines of his front leg bothered me.



Day 7:
This artwork is an oil painting created with water soluble oil paints. I have to admit that I really like to work with this type of oil paints. You get the advantage of the oil colours with the convenience of an easy clean up using water.

“Unspoiled” is a 9” x 12” painting inspired by a photo taken of a lake in the Kamouraska region. I started the painting as a demo piece for my student who wanted to paint a landscape with a water. She picked this image from a variety of photos I presented to her.



Day 8:
 " Hansi", is a felted squirrel that I created after the squirrel in my acrylic painting "The Cheeky Squirrel".

Since I was a young child I have loved watching squirrels. The German word is "Eichhörnchen", which was much too difficult to pronounce for a toddler. So I named them all "Hansi".
 

I hope you enjoyed this first part of my advent calendar and will return next week. If you enjoy my blog, please share it. Thank you for helping me to increase my audience.

Friday 1 December 2017

Enjoy What You Are Doing

Winter Glow: You can see the acrylic painting and the felted artwork during my Open House.

Blog 49


It is already December: a very busy month for most of us. Many of us are attending more social events in December than at any other time of the year. Then, there is the preparation of the house for the festivities, the baking, the cooking, and last but not least the buying of gifts.

With all this busyness, it is important to ask yourself whether you are really enjoying what you are doing or whether you are only striving to prepare the perfect holidays for the people around you.

Last weekend, I went to Baz’Art, a local winter arts market, to volunteer at the Arteast booth. Arteast is a visual arts organization in the East Ottawa area that is very active not only for their members but also in community projects. I have been a member for almost 20 years. Even though this is a busy time of the year, I have helped out at their table during this event for a couple of years. We are allowed to bring greeting cards and one painting for sale, but participating is not about selling our art. It is just a pleasant opportunity to spend time with fellow members, while giving demonstrations and talking to the visitors. It is such an energy booster.

I feel the same way about my yearly Open House. It is my chance to invite my customers to my house to show my latest paintings to them. I get a chance to talk to them about my art and hear their reactions. I don’t feel rushed, because I did not have to rush to set up my artwork. Plus, I also enjoy to see my new art decorating the walls of our house. When I made the list of 2017 artworks, I was surprised that I have created about 40 artworks this year despite my lack of creative time. My painting trip to Kamouraska definitely helped to raise the number of paintings. However, it is not about the number of artworks that I created but about the memories I associate with them, how looking at them makes me and others feel.

For many years, I wanted to make everything perfect for the holidays, especially for our kids. Over the years, I have learned that it is more important to cut down on some things to enjoy the time together. It is also important to take some time for yourself. Art is a wonderful way to get lost in a different world, whether you create it yourself, visit an exhibition or a show, or immerse yourself in a book.

If you enjoy looking at art and live in the Ottawa area, I would like to invite you to drop in for my Open House at 1270 Kinsella Drive, Cumberland, ON, K4C 1A9, from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, December 2, 2017. You will be able to see my new paintings in the setting of my own home. If you are not available this Saturday, you are always welcome to make an appointment with me in order to see certain paintings in person.

There will be lots going on this Saturday in Cumberland Village: The Cumberland Farmers' Market has its Christmas Market, the Lions Club hosts the annual Breakfast with Santa, the new gallery Da Artisti on Old Montreal Road will be open, and from 3pm  to 8 pm the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum will also be open with its Village of Lights.

Thank you for reading my blog.




Friday 24 November 2017

How to Overcome Your Own Resistance

"The Essence of Summer", acrylic, 10" x 8"
Blog 48



Last week, I wrote how important it is to make time for art. I wrote about how frustrated I got when my life changed and I had less time to be creative. Now, I have scheduled regular time to paint and felt. Every Wednesday (and if possible also on Friday) evening, I go to my studio to paint for two hours. I also take time to be creative on Sundays, when I usually spent the afternoon felting while meeting friends. Every second Wednesday, when I enjoy a day off, I also spend time in my studio or painting with friends.

If you have a busy schedule and do not schedule time for your hobbies, you will always find a reason why something else needs to be done first. Chores are never ending. It is up to you to define your priorities. You might say, that creating something when you are not in the mood is impossible. Years ago, I would have agreed with you. Now, if I am absolutely not in the mood to work on a certain painting, I start something new, pick up a pencil and draw, or grab my felting equipment. Once I get started I usually forget all about my resistance. I completely lose track of time and just go with it. That’s why my Wednesday night painting sessions usually last longer than the two hours.

“Indian Summer at Petrie Island”, acrylic, 12” x 9”
To give you an example of how painting changes my mood, I will tell you about my painting day at Petrie Island last year in early November. My friends Janis, Hélène, and I had decided to make the most of the fantastic late fall weather and agreed to meet at Petrie Island for some plein air painting. I had lots going on at the time and so I only went out to take some photos and be with my friends. However, when I saw my friends painting, I did not just want to sit around. Once I started painting, I was happy to be out in nature and got absorbed in my surroundings and the process of putting the image on my canvas. The result is “Indian Summer at Petrie Island”, a 12” x 9” acrylic painting that I created with painting knives on a black canvas. It was an interesting experience. I usually use oil paints for painting outdoors, but as I was not in a mood to paint when I went out, I had just taken a few tubes of acrylic paint in case I would change my mind. I am glad I did. It was a lovely day, and I actually forgot about everything else going on in my life.

I encourage you to give it a try. It might be hard to start this in a month like December when parties and family gatherings, holiday shopping and preparations take a lot of our time, but on the other hand why wait? There will always be times when it is hard to stick to your plan. Maybe, creating handmade Christmas gifts can be the first step. Or you might consider just doodling for five or ten minutes every day. The goal is not to create a masterpiece but to let your creativity flow to reduce some stress and have fun.

If you want to wait until the new year, I will start January again with my own creativity challenge. During the month of January, I will keep practicing my drawing, felting, and painting skills by creating art every day. I will not focus on creating finished artworks. Some might be just sketches, some might even be failures, but all of them will be a learning experience. I will publish my creations every week and journal about my challenges, surprises, successes and frustrations. Hopefully, this will inspire you also to bring more creativity to your life.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at kpeters@domingoinformatics.ca, if you need help to develop a skill. If I cannot help you, I will make sure to find a fellow artist who can.

Friday 17 November 2017

Making Time for Art

Nature's Mirror, acrylic, 12" x 16"

Blog 47

Since I started my part-time job as a German instructor in January, I have struggled to find time to paint, especially because I still teach in the evenings. With more than two hours of driving each day, I found it hard to find a new rhythm. With less time at my disposal for creative projects, my plan was to put aside three hours on Saturdays and Sundays. However, chores and visitors interfered with my plan. I got frustrated about my lack of creativity and missed the balance in my life. All I did was work. I knew I had to find a solution.

The first step was to accept that any artist has periods of more or less productive times for different reasons. Sometimes lack of recognition, low sales, a creative block, health or relationship problems can be the root of such creative breaks. Other times, it is due to a shift in priorities or a new focus on a different medium. Sometimes, it even helps to take a break to get a fresh start.

I did not intend to take a break and felt something was missing in my life. However, soon I also realized that it was not only painting that I was missing. Painting in my studio and the administrative part of my business are usually very secluded activities. My lesser availability had also resulted in me neglecting to spend time with the people that are important to me. During the Kamouraska painting trip, I realized that I needed both art and my connection to my family and friends.

I love my work, both my art business as well as my instruction of students, but I did not want to regret at some point that I missed out on doing what was important to me in favour of working. I started to make changes. I always thought that I would be too tired to paint after work but what I found out is, that I feel totally re-energized once I am in my studio. This gives me more options to paint. I also started meeting friends on Sunday afternoons, but instead of just having coffee and tea, we bring some craft or art project to work on while we are chatting.

I am quite happy that I also have every second Wednesday off at the moment, which gives me an extra day to paint and spend with my painting buddies. This gives me more flexibility, especially if I know I will have a busy weekend ahead.

At the end, it is not different from making time to exercise. You have to put it into your schedule and stick to it, but be flexible enough to realize that sometimes life gets into the way. Instead of giving up, it is important to get back into a routine and make time for the things and people that are important to you.

Winter Glow, Painting Parties, acrylic, 20" x 16"
 
If you feel, you could need some extra bonding time with loved ones, painting parties are a fun way to get together with family and friends to create lasting memories. If you are interested in learning more about painting parties and how to host an event for your family and friends (both adults and children), please go to my website at www.KerstinPeters.ca or contact me directly by phone (613) 316-1543 or by email to kpeters@domingoinformatics.ca. My focus is small parties (up to 12 people) to help you create memories and have fun with your family and friends.

Friday 10 November 2017

Remembrance Day Poppies

Blog 46


Tomorrow is Remembrance Day in Canada. It is a day to remember the sacrifices of the Canadian soldiers who have served and are still serving during times of war and conflict to help establish and guarantee peace.

To commemorate those who died in war, the red-flowered corn poppy is used, which became popular due to the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" by the Canadian surgeon and soldier John McCrae. Did you know that poppies are a symbol of sleep and peace? This connection comes from the possibility to extract opium from some varieties of the flower. In Western civilizations, red poppies often symbolize death in Western civilizations. The color of the poppy changes its meaning. White poppies are considered a symbol of peacefulness, while purple, pink, and blue poppies symbolize imagination, luxury and success. In Eastern civilizations, a red poppy is a symbol for love and success.


This summer, I created red poppies with a group of ladies. We created these flowers by dry felting wool rovings with the help of specialty needles that have very sharp, barbed blades. These needles are repeatedly stabbed into the wool fibers, so that they get tangled and compacted creating three-dimensional felt sculptures.

This repetitive movement is not only very relaxing, it also help you to get rid of frustrations and anger. If you have never tried felting, and are looking for an activity that is fun and offers limitless ways to express yourself, I hope the photos inspire you to learn this old craft. A word of caution: it is highly addictive; just ask my former students.

When I look at the poppy on my coat, I am reminded of the sacrifices the soldiers and military families have made throughout history and to this current date, so that we can live in peace. They are still making a difference not only in the many areas affected by war, but also help in cases of disasters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Canadian soldiers and their families.

Friday 3 November 2017

Fall into Landscape Painting

Slide Rapids Marsh, oil, 10" x 8"

Blog 45

November is here and with the wonderful fall weather we had, it seems that it arrived out of nowhere. For the last couple of weeks, I wrote about my painting trip to Kamouraska. The time of our trip in early September is the beginning of the most beautiful season to paint outside.

The changing colours create a breathtaking landscape. However, many artists prefer to paint outside either before or after the peak of the fall colours. During the peak time, the intensity of the colours is overwhelming. The colours are so strong, that it is hard to concentrate on a focal point. Everywhere you look, the trees are competing with each other for the spot with the most amazing colour. It is like being in a candy store, where you cannot decide on what to choose, because there is just too much of everything.

Painting in the fall has some further advantages. The temperatures are usually quite pleasant and you have to endure less bugs. I am also very energetic and motivated in the fall, because I know that a long winter is before me and I want to make the most of the limited time available.

Ottawa River, Rockland, oil, 11" x 14"
While I have done most of my fall paintings in September and October, there is still some hope for nice sunny November days that feel like a special gift. I remember a mild November day a couple of years ago when my friends and I were just overjoyed with the extra painting opportunity.

While I know of a couple of painters who go outside in almost any kind of weather on a regular basis, I limit my plein air painting time these days to temperatures above -10 degrees Celsius. There was a time, when I felt I had to go outside during a painting trip no matter the weather, but these days I resort to working from reference photos, finishing paintings in progress, or setting up a still life. After all, there is still the next spring to go back outside. In the meantime, I find lots of art projects to work on inside during the cold winter days.

Winter Glow - Painting Party
Talking of spending time inside, painting parties are an exciting and different activity for get-togethers with family and friends. You will be creative, have fun, and create lasting memories. If you are interested in learning more about painting parties and how to host an event for your family and friends (both adults and children), please go to my website at www.KerstinPeters.ca or contact me directly by phone (613) 316-1543 or by email to kpeters@domingoinformatics.ca. My focus is small parties (up to 12 people). Due to my teaching schedule, I am available primarily from Friday to Sunday.

Friday 27 October 2017

Painting Trip to Kamouraska 2017 - Part 6

Blog 44

This is the last part of my travelogue about the fantastic trip we had to the Kamouraska region this year. I am so happy to have had this opportunity again. What could be better than sitting in nature painting on a sunny day? 


Friday, September 15, 2017


"Stages if Life", acrylic, 11" x 14

After we took our group picture and Janis left for Ottawa, Hélène and I went to the Chemin de la Madone in St-André, where we painted the flowers from the flower and vegetable garden of the school Les Pèlerins. Sharon and Bill joined us to paint the wonderful sunflowers. Sharon also painted a beautiful red canna. Every school should have a garden like this. The students were impressed with our work. It was so great to see their interest and to answer all the questions they had.

"The Tide is Going out", acrylic, 11” x 14”

In the afternoon, we all went to the Chemin de la Grève East in St-Denis, where we painted the St. Lawrence River with the tide going out. Close to the river, we could definitely feel that temperatures had gone down. I was happy to have my winter coat and scarf. Unfortunately, the spot that we had picked to get shelter from the wind turned out to be close to a sewer; at least that’s how it smelled after the wind died down. Moreover, the mosquitoes were more than happy to get company, not very much to our liking. However, the scenery was breathtaking. The water was an amazing green of old glass bottles.

As Janis had taken my oil paints, so that I can take Hélène home with me, I painted with OPEN Acrylics. I had brought a small travel set and was quite impressed with the performance. When I first bought them, I was not too happy with them as the coverage is not the same as with the regular acrylic paints. However, since this summer, I have taken my set with me on a couple of occasions and have taken this fact into consideration, sometimes adding some regular paints and OPEN medium. You need more layers than with the regular acrylic paints but my paints stayed workable for hours even in the sun and with wind.

This evening, for dinner we had the second set of leftovers. The chili with fresh baguette from the bakery followed by their wonderful shortbread cookies with nuts and ice cream were just perfect after a full day of painting.

Now, our equipment is already in the car. We are looking back on a fantastic week. The weather could hardly have been better. We did not spent a single day indoors. It was sunny and warmer than ever. We enjoyed each other’s company and the good food we shared. Cooking together a frittata was lots of fun.

Tomorrow morning, we only have to pack our personal belongings and clean out everything from the kitchen before we can get on the road. We will certainly stop at the bakery one more time. Then we have to say goodbye for another year, but we will be back next September.

Friday 20 October 2017

Painting Trip to Kamouraska 2017 - Part 5



Misty morning at St-André


Blog 43


This is already the fifth part of my travelogue. It was my last day of painting with Janis before she had to return to Ottawa.


Thursday, September 14, 2017

Today was another fantastic day. Although it was warmer yesterday if you only look at the temperatures, it felt warmer today, because there was hardly any wind. Janis and I went to the old quay at St-André that the other three had found yesterday. At first I created an 8” x 10” oil painting of the l'Îlet, a little island slightly west of the old quay.

Then I painted the view towards the Parc de l'Ancien-Quai with the Monadnocks in the background. At that time the wind completely died down, which would have been great, if the mosquitoes had not appeared at the same time making it almost impossible to concentrate on painting - despite the use of mosquito repellent.

Janis and I decided on a lunch at the house. We sat in the Muskoka chairs in the garden and eat our lunch while looking at the St. Lawrence River. It was so relaxing that it was hard to get back on the road again.


As we still wanted to paint, we went to Rivière-Ouelle but were not really inspired by the scenery. Therefore, we turned back to Saint-Denis-De La Bouteillerie and drove from there down the Pointe-aux-Orignaux, where we painted the fishing hut, that we had already painted a couple of years ago. It was already 5pm, when we finally made our way back to the house. Nevertheless, we were the first ones back, but the others followed soon after.

Usually, each of us is responsible to cook one evening but as we were short of two participants, so we had planned to go out for dinner. However, as we still had so many leftovers, all five of us worked together in the kitchen to create an amazing frittata followed by a nice variety of ice cream flavours.

Due to Janis’ early departure tomorrow morning, we had our show and tell already tonight. Each of us had a lovely variety of works to show. It is always so much fun to look at each other’s works, and to figure out where they went to create the paintings. We have come here 9 years, and we still manage to find new and interesting spots to paint.



Next week, I will tell you about the last day in the Kamouraska. The time just flew by. If you enjoy my blog, please sign up for the automatic delivery of my blogs to your email inbox. This way, you will not miss a topic. Please feel free to share the content with family and friends who might enjoy the blog.


Friday 13 October 2017

Painting Trip to Kamouraska 2017 - Part 4

at the nature resort at the end of Route Beaulieu

Blog 42

This fourth part of my travelogue starts with the second half of our trip. We continued to experience outstanding weather. Please continue to read my entry.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

This morning, we awoke to sunshine but heavy wind. Janis and I were traveling alone today. We went east towards St-André to the Parc de l'Ancien-Quai but it was too windy to paint outside and also too misty to make out the surrounding islands. We continued to Route Beaulieu, where we painted years ago. The area is now a gated nature resort that is accessible to the public. There are a couple of paths through the resort that are lovely for a walk but too difficult in order to drag and set up our equipment.


View from Notre-Dame-du-Portage,  oil, 10” x 20”
A little bit disappointed, we continued our drive to Notre-Dame-du-Portage, where we went to the park overlooking the St. Lawrence River. I created two paintings, a 10” x 20” and an 11” x 14” painting.

Stone Creatures, oil, 11” x 14”
On the way back, we stopped at the Monadnock at the Route de la Grève in Kamouraska and finished with a stop at the local store “Le jardin du bedeau” to get some gifts for our family.

At night, Bill served a wonderful home-made chili with bread and pastries from the bakery, not to mention very generous portions of ice cream.

After a couple of nights of knitting, I went back to working on my felted water lily. I have added more pedals that I have assembled but I am still not finished. This week is definitely giving me lots of possibilities to unleash my creativity.

Thank you for reading my blog. Hopefully, you enjoy taking the ride with me. I still have two more sequels for the next two weeks. 

My painting sale is still ongoing. To find out more about it, please go to my website www.KerstinPeters.ca or to my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KerstinPetersPaintings/.

There is still time to join me at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex for the four week mini-session "Acrylic Landscape Painting".  It starts on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 6pm. For more information and to register please go to http://join.ottawa.ca/fac/26/fall/all/act/110/. You can also register in person at any City of Ottawa recreation facility.