
“Dogs on Balcony” – acrylic on 24×36″ stretched canvas. 2010
This was a commission for someone with two dogs of very different type and size. I used bright colours to go with the interior in their home — their balcony is not bright like this. The positioning of the dogs along the directional lines of the balcony railings leads the eyes along between the two dogs to contrast their sizes.
My last dog painting commission is here if you are curious.
I do these every so often as needed. I work from photograph, though I do like to “meet” the pets if possible so I get an idea what they are like before I paint, and what colours to choose for the work. (But again, I can work with colours requested if you can show me the colours of a room via photographs.)

“Buskers by Halifax Harbor” – acrylic on 70x90cm canvas, painted in two hours. 2010.
This is the second painting I did on site during the Halifax International Busker Festival this summer, and like the last it’s a composite of two acts — Strictly Dumb Prancing followed by Wild Marmalade. All of the acts I painted were from Australia – except Strictly Dumb Prancing, who were from the UK. All of the acts I saw were entertaining.
The colours in this one are really bright and I’m personally pleased with the intensity of that red in contrast to the blue of the ocean.
by
Sharon in
coconut grove,
color,
colour,
light,
live painting,
low light,
nova scotia,
painting in the dark,
people mingling,
sharon hodgson,
woman,
women,
women who rock

Then on June 5th, I went to Coconut Grove to paint Women Who Rock.I have never painted a rock’n'roll show before. Wasn’t sure what to expect with this show but I had a fantastic time.
My painting auctioned off for $125, with 80% of that going towards Adsum House. It turned out to be a very fun event. Everyone was very friendly and there were lots of sexy women there. I ran into a couple familiar faces, including Draikana. I painted at her 2nd book launch a year ago, and plan to paint her 3rd book launch in October.
And I have to say that the lead singer of Aquestrya is amazing performer [and hot to boot, but I'm sure she knows this]! I was impressed by the range of female talents we have here in town – from a fire eater, a troupe of belly dancers, an art muse, various jewelry vendors, body painters, and the female-fronted rock bands that rocked the house.
I had a moment where I was washing my paint brushes in the washroom when I ran into another person washing her paint brushes. I commented that I don’t usually run into someone else silly enough to bring paints and brushes to the bar… turns out she’s a body painter.
True story… maybe you had to be there.
I have more things to paint soon – I’ll keep you posted!
by
Sharon in
abstract art,
atlantic,
bird,
canada,
color,
colour,
motion,
movement,
movement studies,
nova scotia,
pigeon

“Dynamism of a Pigeon I” – 16×19.5″. Acrylic on stretched canvas. 2010. Privately owned.
This is the a study of the movements of a pigeon eating and walking around using bright, bold colours. (I use variations of bright colours to help differentiate shape forms when guiding the eye through a set of movements.)
Pigeons are never this colourful in real life. But most things aren’t, are they? Not unless you look at them just right.
by
Sharon in
atlantic,
atlantica,
boat painting,
canada,
color,
colour,
halifax,
harbour,
maritimes,
nova scotia,
painting of tugboats,
rainbow tugboats,
sharon hodgson,
tugboats

“Tugboats III” – acrylic on top of lightly woodburned cedar board, 16×20″. 2010
I haven’t shared this one yet! I love tugboats. Here’s one I did a couple years back. This is a view of tugboats in the Halifax harbor. I started by woodburning onto a 16×20 cedar board, then painted over it using acrylics. I used some metallic paints for highlights.
The Joel Plaskett Emergency
no comments“The Joel Plaskett Emergency” – acrylic on 30×36″ canvas in 1.5 hr on stage next to Joel Plaskett while they performed their set at the Sunseekers Ball Music and Art Festival in Chance Harbor, NB.
The last band I live painted at Sunseekers this year Joel Plaskett, a Halifamous Atlantic Canadian staple. It was an honour to paint someone who has entertained audiences in Halifax and beyond with so many concerts over the years. Here is a sample for those of you unfamiliar:
There was an abundance of guitars on stage which were switched off frequently. The audience was so excited they pounded on the stage.
…
The other paintings I did at this festival are here and here.
This festival runs for five full days next Summer — longer than it ran this year!
My many thanks to the promoters for mixing art and music in a festival format, and inviting me to be a part of it. Well worth the trip to New Brunswick!
http://www.sunseekerfestival.ca