Helene Adamson Art

Abundance 10x8 acrylics on canvas

2021-03-07T14:49:00.000-05:00

This, and several more of my still life pieces are now for sale at Martin's Gallery in Bracebridge. After several closures and Covid lockouts, they are now open with limited capacity.

End of Day SOLD

2021-02-04T13:49:00.001-05:00

12x12 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

This was one of my paintings that had been at Martin's Gallery in Bracebridge, and it found a home just before Christmas. I was especially pleased because some nice new folks have recently purchased the gallery (which is also a wonderful framing and art supply shop) and this was their first artwork sale!

I was recently reminded by a lovely fellow artist that I've rather neglected my blog. I admit that's true, although I have tried to keep up with my artist friends and followers through Facebook and Instagram. Both of these platforms have their pros and cons, and if I'm honest I prefer my blog even though it has perhaps been overshadowed by the other two.

Anyway, to those of you who still enjoy this more leisurely dialog, thank you for connecting with me here. I hope you are all staying safe and well during this dreadful time -- and to my artist pals: "happy brushstrokes!"

New Book

2020-04-22T16:02:00.001-04:00

HEY FOLKS
Turns out that guy I married has written a novel. Yep, who knew what he was doing all these past months on the computer in his office with the door closed. I had my suspicions of course. But no, he was writing!
It’s called Blues of Autumn by Richard Adamson, a murder/mystery set in the Adirondacks. It’s available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca in both paperback and e-book, and today the publisher is offering the kindle version free.
So, if you’ve taken inventory of your toilet paper, watched Netflix till your eyelids drooped, and done every 1000-word jigsaw puzzle twice, here’s a new diversion.

Still Life in Cobra Oils

2019-12-08T13:15:00.001-05:00

Still Life in Cobra Oils 8x8

It has been a while since my last post. Some health hiccups have gotten in the way and slowed me down somewhat. Although I have been painting, I've not been at my easel as regularly as I'd have liked. Happily, my larger gallery paintings have been doing well, but my smaller "daily" paintings have been few and far between.

This 8x8 still life on gessoboard is one of the first I have painted with Royal Talens Cobra brand water-miscible oils. These rich buttery oils are a great alternative for painters who, like me, want to avoid solvents. In the past, I had tried other w-m paints and found their consistency imperfect. Often rather dry and stiff, they required medium to increase the flow. The Cobra paints, however, very closely resemble conventional oils right from the tube. I still love my acrylics, but it's so nice to have a slower-drying option.

The subject is one I have painted several times, in both oil and acrylic paint. All previous incarnations have been sold, however, and I wanted one for myself -- this is the result.

In the Moment

2019-05-21T20:16:00.000-04:00


In the Moment 10x8 acrylic on canvas

Another new summer painting now at Martins Gallery in Bracebridge.

Reaching

2019-05-18T15:42:00.000-04:00

Reaching 30 x 24 acrylic on canvas

Just delivered. New for summer at Martins Gallery in Bracebridge.

Autumn Glory

2019-01-29T14:25:00.001-05:00

Autumn Glory 28x22 acrylic on canvas

Just delivered to Martins Gallery in Bracebridge today. This handsome boy is 28x22 acrylic on stretched canvas. As always, it's all about the light, isn't it?

Book Club

2019-01-01T14:26:00.001-05:00


Book Club 9x12 oil on gessoboard

This is a painting intended for a new little family member's bedroom. The recipient is just a baby now, but this is how I imagaine her earliest "captive audience" as she discovers the wonderful world of books.

Racing the Sun

2018-12-17T14:56:00.000-05:00


Racing the Sun 12x12 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Another winter-themed painting for Martins Gallery -- Racing the Sun is 12x12 acrylic on deep gallery wrapped canvas. .

Fresh Powder. SOLD

2018-12-11T20:20:00.000-05:00

Fresh Powder 12x12 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

New for winter at Martins Gallery in Bracebridge. It's getting a bit chilly for my women on the beach paintings, although a few are still at the gallery.

Gracie SOLD

2018-10-13T15:22:00.000-04:00

Gracie 10x8 oil on canvas NFS

Gracie is a darling little Havanese who belongs to a friend and fellow dog-devotee. Isn't she just the most appealing model?

Young Whitetail SOLD

2018-10-07T15:19:00.000-04:00

Young Whitetail 10x8 oil on canvas SOLD

This painting was my donation to the Aspen Wildlife Sanctuary's first online auction. This wonderful facility is world-renowned as a place where injured or orphaned wild animals are rescued and rehabilitated. With the exception of a few "permanent residents" -- those who unfortunately can never again survive in the wild -- human interaction is kept to a minimum. Over the years, most of the Sanctuary's animals have been successfully returned to their natural habitat. The Aspen Wildlife Sanctuary relies solely on donations, and its volunteer staff often includes young people from around the world. It's a worthwhile cause, run by people with a true compassion. You can check out their website at: http://www.aspenvalley.ca/

Cool Seat

2018-07-20T15:13:00.000-04:00


10x8 wm oil on gallery wrapped stretched canvas

Fresh off the easel...now at Martins Gallery in Bracebridge. A similar smaller (6x6) painting based on the same reference photo sold last winter at a charity art sale. It was enjoyable to revisit the subject and have a bit more space.

Warm Shoulders SOLD

2018-07-04T15:53:00.002-04:00

Warm Shoulders 8x8 w-m oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

Enjoying the sunshine while keeping cool at water's edge...sublime!

Can't Wait SOLD

2018-07-04T15:53:00.001-04:00

Can't Wait 16x12 w-m oil on canvas

When the lake calls on a hot summer's day, who can wait?

Bliss

2018-06-08T15:03:00.002-04:00


Bliss 16x20 oil on canvas

Bliss is my attempt to capture that feeling of complete abandon when water lifts and supports us so completely and so effortlessly.

After several months of being away from my easel, I'm pleased to be back painting some new pieces. Hopefully, some of my blogging buddies are still checking in on me now and again.

Bliss, along with other new paintings will be on display this summer at Martins Framing and Gallery in Bracebridge.

Taking Off SOLD

2017-05-31T21:31:00.000-04:00

Taking Off 30 x 24 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

This is another of my paintings now at Martins Gallery for the summer. At 30 x 24, it's larger than average for me, but I wanted the impact those dimensions would bring. I was especially delighted when the gallery owners placed it in the window. Here in the tourist region of Muskoka, this time of year means kids at camp and families at lakeside cottages. "Taking Off" is meant to evoke the joy of summer at the lake, whether cottage or camp.

Here are some progress photos:

The Explorers. SOLD

2017-05-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

The Explorers 14x18 acrylic on stretched canvas

Hello, blog buddies! Even though I'm taking a hiatus from Daily Paintworks, I have been painting. Martins Framing and Gallery in nearby Bracebridge (Ontario) have shown my work in the past and are representing me again this summer.

"The Explorers" celebrates the curiosity that enlivens a childhood summer. Who can resist exploring the shallows of a woodland glade? Below are some progress photos. Thanks for keeping an eye on what I'm up to!

Jumping Off...for awhile

2017-04-24T20:38:00.000-04:00

I'm going to be taking a little hiatus from Daily Paintworks. The artists who have become blogging buddies, and those lovely folks who follow me, have probably noticed I've been posting less frequently over the past couple of months. Seems I've been inclined towards larger paintings, and towards exploring new subject directions. Anyhow, call it an artistic stretch.

I'll still be blogging, and will continue to follow my chums on DPW. This break is just a temporary "jumping off."

Hot Stuff

2017-04-04T21:59:00.002-04:00

Hot Stuff 6x6 acrylic on canvas

A quick 6x6 acrylic demo that sold. Bright red peppers and a cheerful green plate.

Ginger Jar

2017-02-14T20:35:00.002-05:00

Ginger Jar 16x12 oil on stretched canvas

This painting reminded me of a reference made by an artist whose blog I follow. Her name is Kate Stone, her paintings are wonderful, and her blog is: Painting Stuff To Look Like Stuff

Kate cites the 80/20 rule, which alludes to the fact that often it's only 20 percent of your painting that makes you drink 80 percent of that bottle of wine. This was one such painting for me. Even though most of it came together swimmingly, it took me AGES to correctly capture the color and texture of the plums. More than once, I almost tossed the whole shebang. For the sake of the 80 percent that was working, however, I soldiered on.

Here are some steps in my struggles along the way:

Sketch in oil

Beginning underpainting

Working on dynamics of all fruit

Color of grapes and plums is too similar

Plums now too blue, green grapes too vibrant

Green grapes developing, plums still too blue

Ginger Jar finished 16x12 oil on stretched canvas

Oranges

2017-01-10T13:22:00.002-05:00

Oranges 6 x 6 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

This is my second little painting sold at the "Small Art, Big Cause" charity show. I love the color combination, and those great shadows. I have a similar daily painting featuring pink grapefruit sections, but I suspected that orange sections might work even better.

Teacup and Grapes

2017-01-09T13:12:00.000-05:00

Teacup and Grapes 6 x 6 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

Each year a gallery with which I'm associated holds a show called "Small Art, Big Cause" that benefits the Muskoka Children's Foundation. Local artists donate 6x6 pieces, and I usually contribute two little canvases. It's a wildly popular and lively event, with artwork literally snapped up as quickly as sales can be processed. Adding to the excitement, there's often a draw when a painting attracts multiple buyers. This year, we were delighted to hear that we raised $4000!

Here's a photo of our collective effort...

Pinocchio

2017-01-02T15:38:00.000-05:00

Pinocchio 14 x 11 acrylic on gessoboard NFS

This 14x11 acrylic was enormous fun to paint. I made it for our brand-new (well fairly new) 9-month-old grand-nephew's first Christmas. I tried to paint a three-dimensional puppet rather than a cartoon, and used photos of figurines as well as the Disney illustrations. Here are some steps in the process.

Fruit and Brass

2016-12-21T14:20:00.000-05:00

Fruit and Brass 16 x 20 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

This 16 x 20 acrylic painting is larger than many of my still life pieces, but I did enjoy having a bit more elbow room. There is a bit of glare on the lower left of this final photo. The shots of the painting in progress show this section to greater advantage. It's also evident as the painting progresses whether I was working in daylight or evening/artificial light.