Hide And Seek

I have been excited to start hiding some symbols and figures into my

current work. This week I am finally at a place where I can start to add

some textured mediums that will give my rocks a sandy and chunky appearance.

People will be able to feel the raised rocks in my foreground.

Below is a cropped portion of my photo reference from the Bugaboos.

You will notice that there is a "K" already formed within the

ice and snow of this mountain. As I mentioned before, I intend to hide an 

image of Conrad Kain in this painting and this naturally occurring "K" gave

me the perfect opportunity and place to add the "C" for Conrad's initials.

Photo Reference of Snowpatch Spire

Adding the Initials of Conrad Kain

Camouflaging the initials so they are less conspicuous.

The Bugaboos

This autumn I hiked to the Conrad Kain hut in the Bugaboo Provincial Park.

It was a fantastic day with great company. The larch had turned to a golden hue 

and the spires looked magnificent, as always. I photographed the Snowpatch spire 

from the Conrad Kain hut and felt that I needed to paint it.

 Sometimes intuition is the deciding factor on 

subject matter for my art work.

(Conrad Kain was an Austrian mountaineer who came to Canada in 1909 

to work as the Alpine Club of Canada's first official mountain guide.)

 *I have since learned that as a young boy, my Grandfather, Gil Cartwright, 

would chop firewood for Conrad Kain at his home in Wilmer, B.C.

*Conrad Kain's final resting place is in Kimberley, B.C.

And so began my fascination with Conrad Kain.

Since I began this painting, I found myself having dinner with a woman who has

 climbed each of the peaks in the Bugaboos EXCEPT for Snowpatch. 

She explained that she had only made it halfway up the peak before inclement 

weather forced her to propel back to the bottom. 

Coincidence?

I have decided to paint the image of Conrad Kain into some of the rocks in 

my painting. I have also found a formation that appears naturally in the snow 

on the spire and looks like a capital 'K'.

 So, I have also decided to hide Conrad Kain's initials in my work as well.

Leslie ascending the stone steps at the Bugaboos.

I so enjoy using my airbrush for clouds and to create mist around mountain peaks.

Stay tuned for further progress. I am curious to see how easy or hard

 it will be for people to find the hidden elements in my finished piece.

Proudly announcing the launch 

of my art website.

Head on over to LeslieCartwrightArt.com

and check out my latest paintings. 

I would love to know what you think of my site.

Cheers!

Art Journaling with

Headwaters Art Society

Paint Nights Are Back!

We will be art journaling twice a month starting in 

November in the Headwaters Art Room.

Join us for an open house to discuss the process of art journaling, 

enjoy a beverage and see samples and supplies.

Mixed media, collage, paints, pencils and much more......

Much, much more than just an old diary entry!

Registration and information

Thursday, November 7th, 2019

7:00pm to 9:00pm

Headwaters Art Room, 8866 Grainger Road

Costs are minimal, members are always subsidized for supplies

 and instructor fees. Find out more about our membership and events.

Contact Leslie Cartwright @

(250) 349 - 5305

cartwrightleslie@gmail.com

Terry Isaac

1958 - 2019

 Terry in his Gallery, Naramata Benches            Me and Terry at a workshop in 2018, Canal Flats

Most people who know me and watch my blog will know that I have been incredibly influenced by the talent, genius and heart of Terry Isaac. I was so very sad to learn of his passing on July 16th. Terry was a gifted artist and teacher who was very generous with his knowledge and his time. I am honoured to have known him, to have learnt from him and to have called him my friend.

Terry has been chosen as the 2019 Ducks Unlimited Artist of the year.

You can check out his work and his story @terryisaacart.com

Pottery and Paintings

by

Elizabeth Stuart

 Pynelogs Arts and Cultural Center

in Invermere, B.C.

June 18th, 2019 - July 13th, 2019

Opening Night 

Thursday, June 19th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Coastal Scene

Summer Garden

Columbia Connections

16" x 20" Acrylic on Canvas

In the autumn of 2018 I was commissioned by the RDEK to create a piece of art that would be presented to Ute Juras for her years of service as a member of their board. I was delighted that she had requested one of my paintings. Mount Sabine (locally known as 'Old Baldy') is in the background with the wetlands of the Columbia and the canal in the foreground. In days past, the canal was intended to connect bodies of water in order for boats to pass. In her role as a member of the RDEK and longtime member of council in Canal Flats, Ute Juras made connections with many people and organizations and so I thought this title of Columbia Connections to be very fitting.

CHEERS!

The Colour and the Shape

Weekend Workshop

featuring

Sam Millard

COMMISSION  MISSION

For the past several months my blog has been silent and outdated, 

partly because of forgetfulness, partly because of my son's busy hockey 

schedule, and partly because I just haven't had anything new to show.

Reason being, I have been filling private commissions. Seven of them to

 be exact. This large commission below was one of the first of said 

commissions. The quote from Emerson that appears over this sunrise is

something of great importance to the owner of this original. I have never 

before painted so many words. It was a cool project that taught me much.

It has also inspired me to do more of this kind of art when I have time to 

pursue my own ideas again.

Best wishes and happy creating in 2019!

Cheers!

Please contact me to register and for more information about this creative new workshop that Headwaters Arts is offering this November 3rd and 4th, 2018. Full weekend workshop with meals and some supplies included for only $150.00 per person. Only eight seats available.

250 349 5305 or cartwrightleslie@gmail.com

Painting The Drama of Wildlife

 Terry Isaac signs my copy of his book titled, "Painting The Drama of Wildlife".

Terry Isaac instructed a two day workshop at the Headwaters Art Room

in Discovery Center, Canal Flats, B.C. Seven lucky artists participated in

the workshop on April 7th and 8th, 2018, and much fun was had by all.

Terry offered gentle critiques and lessons on composition.

We were very privileged to learn from such a gifted artist and teacher.

Thank you Terry!

Headwaters Art Society

is proud to present

a weekend workshop with

Internationally Acclaimed Wildlife Artist

Terry Isaac

click here to see Terry's art

April 7th & 8th, 2018

Discovery Center, 8866 Grainger Road

Canal Flats, B.C.

Cost is $250.00

Includes;

-wine and cheese reception on

Friday, April 6th, 2018 from 7:00 - 9:00pm

at the Headwaters Art Room in 

Discovery Center

- lunches and snacks/refreshments for

Saturday and Sunday during workshop.

- instruction and demonstrations 

by Terry Isaac from 

9:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday and Sunday.

For more information and to register please contact

Leslie Cartwright @ cartwrightleslie@gmail.com

or phone (250) 349 5305

ROCKIN'  IT  WITH  MANDALAS!

      This past couple weeks I have been playing with rocks. I see so many of them on Pinterest and Etsy that I thought I would try making a few. I'd like to say that it was relaxing, however, I just about dug out my son's geometry set to make sure that my dots were symmetrical and in the right proportions.
      All in all I did enjoy it and I give kudos to those who create these mandalas as they are time consuming and take a lot of concentration, which is something I seem to be lacking these days. Inevitably my mind wanders off to song lyrics about rocks and before you know it, .....

"I am a rock, I am an island", "On the cover of the rolling stone", cause

"It's still rock 'n' roll to me!"

Cheers! Have a great week!

I'm Owl About Owls!

12" x 12" Acrylic on Canvas

This little saw whet owl really caught my eye while I 

was browsing through photos of beautiul creatures to 

add to my boards on Pinterest the other week.

I used the photo for reference. 

It was a fun and relatively quick painting to do.

Now to think of a catchy title!

CHEERS!

The Art Of Sleeping

Lately I have not been sleeping well. By that I mean that I wake at 3:00am and

toss and turn for the remainder of the night until I roll out of bed at 6:30am.  

I am not a good sleeper. 

I am beggining to think that there is an art to having a restful sleep, and that I do not 

posess any inherent talents for this art. During one of these episodes of insomnia that I 

experience, I thought I would doodle with my new pencil crayons. The lilac coloured rose 

below is the product of my early morning doodles yesterday. While it was nice to pass the 

time creating art, I am hoping that this phase of nocturnal drawing will pass.

Please scroll down to check out the info 

for a great workshop coming up!

CHEERS!

 

Come along for the adventure!

     Today I am happy to announce that my friend, and founding member of the Headwater's Art Society, Paula Cravens, will be presenting an acrylic, abstract workshop in April, 2017.  I am very excited to share the information with you. Paula will be sharing tips and techniques on composition, colour, gelli prints, stamps, and focal points. She will give demonstrations and a power point presentation. There will be ample time for painting and experimenting with watercolour papers and canvas. The weekend will kick off with a wine and cheese reception on Friday night, April 28th. The public is welcome to join us for the celebration and to peruse Paula's creations. For registration please contact me, Leslie, by email, cartwrightleslie@gmail.com or phone (250) 349 5305. Payment of $180.00 is due upon registration. Cheers!

Adventure's in Acrylic Abstract

with

Paula Cravens

April 29th - 30th, 2017

Fairmont Hot Springs Lodge

9:00am to 4:00pm

Twelve hours of istruction, all materials, lunch, coffee/tea, and snacks included for $180.00

Love Can Set You Free

Below is a sketch of my son Darcy. The photo I referenced

was taken in June of 2010, during a school field trip to 

Fort Steele Heritage town. Darcy and his special education

assistant had climbed to the top of this old wooden tower. 

Darcy was looking out over the grounds from the one, small 

opening in the wire. I have always liked this photo because I

thought it represented limits and barriers that my son is looking

through and beyond.

You see, Darcy has autism and is, for the most part, non-verbal. 

He is a very kind and gentle boy who, through no fault of his own, 

experiences many struggles in his life. I wanted to relay a message

in this picture, that even though society may not treat him as an

equal and may be slow to accept his differences, love can be the 

catalyst that opens dialogue, changes perspectives, opens doors, 

and........sometimes, windows.

Cheers!

Christmas Baking

My children helped me to bake cupcakes and cookies this year.

We decorated them as reindeer and melting snowmen.

While I played chauffeur, my youngest son, wearing his Santa hat, 

delivered plates of goodies to the doors of our friends and family.

We really enjoyed surprising everyone with these home-made

gifts and are already growing our delivery list for next year.

From our house to yours,

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!

Cheers!

Thank you to everyone for their support during

my show at Cranbrook Photo last week.

The Vaults Gallery is filled with some great art so,

go check it out.

800 Cranbrook St. South

Cranbrook B.C.

PETUNIA

Today I completed a sketch of me and my dear friend, Violet.

I have lovingly nicknamed her Petunia.

I sketched this from a photo of us taken on my 40th birthday this year.

Violet surprised me by driving from her home in Carstairs, Alberta

 to my home in Canal Flats, B.C., to spend the weekend with me.

Leslie         and          Violet

Cranbrook Photo Artist Catalogue

& Christmas Show

On Wednesday, November 30th, between 3:00pm and 7:00pm 

I will be one of seven artists featured in Cranbrook Photo's 

first ever art catalogue. 

There will be wine and cheese to celebrate during the meet and greet with 

my fellow artists. Please join us at Cranbrook Photo, 800 Cranbrook Street,

Cranbrook, B.C.

Here is a link to the formal invite on Cranbrook Photo's

Facebook page.

Cranbrook Photo Christmas Show

Cheers!