one for the kids...

Don't you just feel for the little girl whose favourite companion is left hanging out to dry?

Hanging Out to Dry
Oil on Canvas, 14 x 24"
Copyright 2012 Lisa Smouter
Original Painting For Sale: $450  |  Prints For Sale: $85 each

Poor little bear...

I'm actually a bit nervous to let this painting go, because it has given me many a headache! An artist rarely knows when a painting is finished, but with this one I'm saying I'm finished! In the end it was kind of fun, as Annie's own sense of humour inspired me to add fun things like animals in the clouds and an airplane with a banner ("baby on board!" was Arie's suggestion since I was expecting Josie at the time). Having a two-year-old in the house has made me lighten up a bit. Maybe some of you can relate? :)

Good Old-Fashioned Portraiture

Annie, 2 years old.
Conte and pencil on Stonehenge, approx. 6 x 6"
Copyright 2012 Lisa Smouter

Recently I have lost the motivation to draw from photographs. 

Yup. And I'm positive that my sister-in-law (read Kara Lodder Photography) is to blame. 

Her photos are so gorgeous, artwork in their own right. The proliferation of fantastic photos of my children has temporarily discouraged me from putting all the effort into sketching from photos. 

Unless the photo is not particularly beautiful, even when PhotoShopped.

Slideshow from Art Camp 2011

Hello all!   Please enjoy this slideshow of images from the studio this summer! I know I've missed a number of you.... (some things were inadvertently erased from my ipod :( ) I would love to share everyone's work, so if you would like to include yours just let me know! 

The music on this video is by Brooke Fraser, a musician I love. Check out her stuff on itunes.

Comments and compliments for and by students are welcome!

Cheers,

Lisa

Plein Air!

It has been forever since I've done a plein air painting--someone was just asking me about it too, and I hoped I'd get a chance to do one or two while up north for Thanksgiving weekend.

I have a rickety outdoor easel--(a Costco special, anyone?)--that now needs my hubby's trusty Leatherman to set up properly. But no amount of mechanical frustration could surpass the beauty of this place and the excitement of capturing it in the moment.

The weather this past weekend was incredible, and this gorgeous landscape was literally in my lap that whole time. My husband might testify that I was a somewhat neglectful mother while working on this. Annie spent far too much time "napping"...or chit-chatting to herself the tent trailer behind me... Hopefully she thinks the painting was worth it! :)

"By the Boat Launch" Sandy Beach Resort on Balsam Lake, Ontario.
Oil on board, approx. 12 x 14"  For Sale $275 tax incl.
Copyright 2011 Lisa Smouter