Mountain Goats Heading to the Snow in Aug

Alexandra's Mountain Goat Photo

Eileen's Sketch on Location


As the weather cools my thoughts are on the many lovely hikes I had this summer. A special day started with sketching the goats that had wandered into the camp. My friend Alexandra caught this fabulous photo of the nannies and kids heading up to a snow patch to lay comfortably away from the heat, I guess. The silhouette of the white animals against the blue sky really gets me!

Workshop - Participant Pieces

Sylvia's Dye Painted Textile

A wonderful way to be creative, is to share a 'Painting with Dyes' workshop with others. Members from the Creston Art Club, the Riondel Art Club and the Creston Fibre Artisians met in Oct for two days of learning the techniques of direct dye painting, presented by Eileen Gidman.

Check out the workshop page for additional photos.

BC Ministry of Energy, Painting by Eileen Gidman

 

'Everyday Clothesline'
Watercolour painting by Eileen Gidman

Eileen Gidman's 'Everyday Clothesline' was presented by Fortis, BC to Cory Waters, the Manager of the Energy Efficiency Branch, of the BC Ministry for Energy, Mines and Natural Gas for an ongoing partnership in energy conservation programs. Click here for photo of presentation This presentation took place at Okanagan PowerSense Forum & Awards 2012 and will also be represented in Castlegar on Oct 24, 2012.

 

 'Everyday Clothesline'

Energy conservation is dear to artist Eileen Gidman. Through a series of paintings featuring clotheslines, she highlights the concept of energy conservation.

The painting 'Everyday Clothesline' tells a story that evokes nostalgia for another time. The older style shingled home emphasizes the mood, and the clothesline reel and electric meter are prominently featured to signify the need for protection of our resources.

It is, however, the workman's hanging clothes that first caused Eileen to photograph the scene. She feels this scene speaks of everyones' ability, even after a hard day of work, to hang their clothes to dry.
Not only are clotheslines economic and green, they're just so artful!

Contact egidman@kootenay.com for a print or cards.

Paint Out: Painting Started

Paint Out: Painting Started

Painting on location on a rainy fall day with a dozen or more other artists, life doesn't get much better than that. Well maybe it didn't need to be quite so chilly. 

This watercolour needs some final touchs in the studio, but one artist had a great suggestion of just turning our paintings to the wall for a few days. Then when you go back you are looking with fresh eyes. I know for sure something will have to be done with the four evenly sized and evenly spaced trees on the left. Sentinels protecting the rest of the painting isn't quite the look I was going for.

LOOKING FOR A NAME:

As this seems to be the format I seem keen to use this year, several related watercolour sketches on one panel, I have decided to call this format a series and I am now looking for a name. If you have any ideas, send them my way. 

Sunflower Textile Art

Hand (dye) Painted Textile with Free motion Sketch Stitching
4 1/2 X 6 1/2"
Placed on a card with envelope $9.95
plus $2. shipping and handling in Canada and USA

 So sad the sunflowers are over for the season. This may be one of the last art pieces of sunflowers until next summer.

This piece was dyed twice as after washing the first time, the piece seemed too light. Although redyeing can seem a pain, it really creates greater depth in pieces. Also, note the use of an analogous colour scheme. The yellow, green and blue with the blue being more a green-blue creates harmony within the piece.

If you are looking for an inspiring book on colour, Nita Leland's book 'Confident Color' (www.nitaleland.com) does not dissappoint!

Moose at Sunset

Dye Painted Textile: 'Moose at Sunset'
6 1/2 X 41/2" card size
Card and envelope $9.95
 plus $2. shipping Canada and USA

Lori at the Creston Fibre Artisians meeting suggested this was a moose in a sunset. Love that thought. Thanks Lori. Occasionally we see a moose in my rural neighbourhood. This Textile Art piece was inspired by just such a sighting this summer.

The piece is hand (dye) painted on 100% cotton material and free-motion sketch stitched with black polyester thread. 

Fortis BC watercolour painting

Power Sense Manager, Carol Suhan at Fortis BC (right) receives watercolour painting 'Everyday Clothesline' from artist, Eileen Gidman (left). Check back later next week to find out who this painting is being presented to.

Energy conservation is dear to artist Eileen Gidman. Through a series of paintings featuring clotheslines, she highlights the concept of energy conservation.

The painting 'Everyday Clothesline' tells a story that evokes nostalgia for

another time. The older style shingled home emphasizes the mood, and the clothesline reel and electric meter are prominently featured to signify the need for protection of our resources.

It is, however, the workman's hanging clothes that first caused Eileen to photograph the scene. She feels this scene speaks of every one's ability, even after a hard day of work, to hang their clothes to dry.

Not only are clotheslines economic and green, they're just so artful!
www.eileengidman.com