Table of Contents

• May 2025 Goings on

  • Plein Air painting fail

• Exhibitions

• Major Works

• Growing in 2025

May 2025 Goings on

May began with feverish preparations for the Spring Market at the Highbury. I figured out how to accept electronic payments did up an artists bio for the table and generally selected paintings to bring with me. I brought range of goods from unframed watercolours, to framed ones and 10 8×8 or 8×10 acrylics and a pair of 6×6 ones on Masonite panels. Expecting that I would have some time on my hands, I brought my plain air painting setup and painted a sunset scene on site. I had lots of lovely conversations and met a number of residents who were artists or had been. It was lovely to talk to them. All of the people I talked to liked my art, but as most had moved into the Highbury after leaving their home or condo, none had space on their walls for new art. I received a number of enquires about my work including a question about possibly teaching a class. Maybe something will come of that. I wound up selling two paintings, including the one I had spent the afternoon painting one to a visitor and one to a staff member. Overall a wonderful experience for my first market, which I would repeat.

Following the market gardening was in full swing as was a visit to Kingston to help my daughter and a friend move to Halifax for the summer. Very quick turn around arrive on Tuesday. Load two apartments on Tuesday and Wednesday and Drive to Halifax Thursday and Friday

I continued to sketch all month although not every day. The Pleain Air Artists HRM (PAAHRM) group is now active until October, so I try to go out with them and the Halifax Urban Sketchers when I am able.

Plein Air painting fail

On 31 May I went out to the PAAHRM paint out at the Portobello Inclined Plane. I managed to keep my acrylics wet enough to paint but got the values wrong. During the debrief and critique, i got both positive and negative comments. People liked the scene and were happy with the moving water, but as it was pointed out the darkest part of the painting is the water. I went home and darkened the water…. Now I have to lighten the shore… More work to do on this one before it is ready to release! Thanks to the gentle commentary by the PAAHRM group painters, I will get better. Also very useful to remember that acrylic paint always dries darker than it goes on.

I joined the #Ipaintedthat challenge in May. Here is my first effort.

After getting home from Kingston the rest of month was fully preparing beds and getting transplants in except for the two PAAHRM paintouts at Portobello and Banook.

Exhibitions

My exhibition schedule is shaping up for the summer. It concentrates around the Pelion air festivals that I am attending.

• Sunday June 22nd Parsboro International Plein Air Festival 2-4 pm

• 11-13 July Paint Peggy’s Cove Yurt

• 17 - 23 Aug Scott Manor Palettes and Pigments (art show and sale)

• 13-14 Sep 14 Bells Gallery 5523B Young STM, Halifax Saturday 10 - 5pm Sunday 12 - 4pm Part of the proceeds go to support Brigadoon Village 

Major Works

I continued to paint “Peggy’s Light” although at a reduced pace this month.

Growing in 2025

I continue to work to grow as an artist. I sketch as often as I can, joining the Halifax Urban Sketchers most Sundays, and I have been to half of the plain air group outings in May and June is off to as good start. I am continuing with classes and workshops.

I will be completing two large projects - Finishing Peggy’s Light and starting my painting my Garage Door probably in June - Want to know more about that project? Come back then!

I am growing my Brand. I continue to publish my newsletter. I am still working on participating in local art shows and sales - follow me to know where I’ll be and I aim to get my art in local display spaces like the Cole Harbour Public Library, and other places.

I have decided to attend the:

• Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival (Jun) (quick draw only)

• Paint Peggy’s Cove (Jul), accepted

• Scott Manor Palettes and Pigments (Aug) (Applying in May.). Accepted

• Paint the Hydrostone (Sep) Registered

See you in June!