Forest Raven
Ravens are often seen flapping overhead (they have very noisy wings!) or perched at the very top of a tall tree. Once in a while, they will hang out more at eye level and I can enjoy the view closer up. They are surprisingly large birds with an entertaining variety of vocalizations.
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Flow
This one started out as a painting of grass-like seaweed glittering in the sun and ended up looking like something from outer space. I love how this one moved into abstraction and became other. Believe it or not, the colours took their cue from reality. Sure is hard to photograph though!
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Between
This scene is between land and shore and between day and evening – hence the title. I really enjoyed painting the arbutus trees with the late sunlight glinting on the red bark and I love the otter tucked into its habitat but noticeable – isn’t he cute hopping over the rocks? I want to celebrate the creatures that live in this beautiful landscape going about their business and trying (mostly) to stay out of ours.
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Contemplation
Some paintings feel like work and others just flow and this was a flowing one. An early spring forest floor in the Western rain forest is especially characteristic including standing water with ferns and salal branches leaning over. I love how the light on the water almost looks like Chinese calligraphy. This is one of my favourites from this series so far since it really shares that sense of place with the viewer.
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Cedar Reflections
The forests here are largely cedar and fir. Locally, the winter was fairly wet and so it was good especially to see the cedars – that are more sensitive to lack of water – getting a good soaking. Here they are reflected in some standing water in the woods.
Again, this painting started with a layer of ink mark making with oil paint on top.
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Cormorant Rock
There’s a place where we sometimes kayak where the cormorants nest way up high on the cliffs. Of course we keep our distance during nesting season but this imagined scene shows one perching seemingly precariously as they do. That’s a hint of Vancouver Island in the background.
I had a lot of fun being very free with colours and textures with this one.
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Reflected Winter Cloud
I do love the patterns made in the standing water in winter. Tangles of yellow grass poke through while trees and clouds are reflected on the surface.
As has been my process lately, I started with a layer of ink and then added transparent oil paint followed by opaque highlights to create the shapes and mood of the piece.
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Shore Raven – Take 2
This is a reworking of a painting that I did last year. Sometimes simpler is better! I painted out a lot of the details behind the raven and a lot of the raven’s details too. I like the clarity of it now and how the raven glows. If you want to compare it with the original, type Shore Raven in the search bar. 🙂
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Connected
My largest tidal pool painting so far! I really enjoyed delving into this one. Hoping that I captured that feeling of gazing into a pool – the longer you look, the more you see. So many shapes and colours…
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer
Winter Wood Wetscape
This kind of subject just has so much that’s fascinating for me – reflections, shadows and transparency – along with all the bits and pieces from a forest floor.
I’m still having a lot of fun exploring this mixed media of ink and oil paint!
(C) 2024 Hilary Farmer