Rundle Moon-Canadian Rockies

 It was fun painting Rundle Moon. I did not follow any rules, just added shapes and colors as I felt them come off the brush. My goal was to create vibrant, bright colors followed by deep shades of cool color.

On the last full moon I went for a walk in the woods around our house. I stood in the glow of the moons rays, scanning the surrounding mountains to capture the feeling/sensation of the Winter's night.

I am not sure of the subject of my next painting, but I look forward to the discovery of it.
Robert Krysak

Rundle Moon
Watercolor
18" x 24"
$375

Rundle Moon-Canadian Rockies

It's been a laid back weekend for us the past couple of days. My son only had one hockey game which was local. The temp is around 5c, so the XC skiing is a bit slick. We have all been going at a hectic pace this past week, and it's as if we had an unspoken pact to lay low. This afternoon I decided to spend some time with Rundle Moon.

This next phase with Rundle Moon has been interesting. I wanted to capture a tiny bit of the glow of the early rays of the morning sun, so I did a faint outline of Cadmium Yellow on the right slopes of the peaks. I also wanted to capture the cold, dark shadows of the north face on the left, without blending in too much to the night sky.

As you drop into the valley it gets dark and cold. I used the color of the night sky, in various brush strokes, trying to leave the brightness of the moonlit snow. I also left the upper slopes in white to capture the moon's bright glow.

With soft strokes of blue you can see the man in the moon, gazing down on the Rockies in all their glory.

I hope you had a great week of personal discovery.
Enjoy the journey.

Robert Krysak

Castle Stars-Canadian Rockies

It is said the unaimed arrow never misses. What that means is if you don't plan everything to the nth degree, you discover new things because you are more flexible for change. I mentioned earlier in a blog how I was doing two paintings at the same time so I didn't have to wait for the paint to dry. I crossed a bridge where I got so involved with Castle Stars, I had to keep painting it until it was finished.

At one point I had no plan....I just started splashing color down and enjoying the results. I put Antwerp blue on the ramparts and Yellow Ochre and Burnt Umber on the cliffs. The lower slopes are different intensities of Sepia and the trees popped off the brush in various shades of Turquoise green.

I am enjoying creating bright, vibrant paintings that represent the mountains and nature around me.
Robert Krysak

Castles Stars
Watercolor and Ink
18" x 24"
$400

Castle Stars-Rundle Moon-Canadian Rockies

It has been interesting working on these paintings. As I bounce from one to the other there definitely are different feelings and emotions. They are the same in some ways and yet different. In each case the end result will be individual and unique.

A friend of ours from Nova Scotia left this earth a week ago. As I was painting the sky with the myriad of stars I was thinking of him on his new journey thru the solar system. Rest well Stevoreno....you will not be forgotten.

Painting the night shades of the sky is always a surprise. Because the paint floats across the canvas I am never really sure what the outcome will be. As I have no expectations I am never disappointed. I realize I need to practice this more in my day to day life and be more forgiving and understanding.
Robert Krysak

Castle Stars-Rundle Moon-Canadian Rockies

I've realized as I travel this journey of life that I am a bit impatient. When you are painting watercolor on canvas covered with gesso it takes longer for the paint to dry. So you wait...and you wait.....and you wait. I decided on this painting journey to work on two paintings. This way I can keep the flow going and have continuous brush strokes.

Castle Stars is a painting of Castle Mountain, which is down the road west of Banff. Depending on which angle you view Castle, it has many personalities. It can be an impenetrable wall of rock ramparts stretching across the horizon or a narrow, towering layer cake of rock, ice and snow. As there are no large peaks near it, Castle captures the light of day. From the early rays of dawn to the last blast of alpenglow at day's end, it is a beautiful mountain.

Rundle Moon is a painting of Mt. Rundle. Rundle can be seen from the back deck and the front of my house. It towers above Banff, and no matter what part of the valley you are in it captures your eye. From its vertical North face to swooping back slopes, Rundle is a beautiful mountain. I have painted her many times. In many ways painting her is like connecting with an old friend that you think of but do not always communicate with.

I look forward to the creative journey with these two peaks.
Robert Krysak

Assiniboine Birthday Ski-Canadian Rockies

It's my Birthday today, and I always try and ski on my Birthday. My friend Tony joined me and we cruised around in the alpine. Mt. Assiniboine was off in the distance, and was ever changing, with the winds and temperatures bouncing around all day.

More than New Years, a Birthday is a time of reflection for me. Am I doing what I want in the world, am I making a difference, what is next on the horizon? One thing I do think of is I miss doing more things with friends. Life always seems to be busy for all of us. I also realize more and more I do not enjoy time spent in the city. Too busy, too much commercialism etc.

I also find I do not have time for mediocrity. I have an espresso machine, and no matter what coffee I buy and grind I'm just not getting the right taste. Friends of ours have a Nespresso machine, and every time I have a coffee there I love it! So last week I bought a Nespresso machine….I am in coffee heaven! 

On our flight back from Europe this past summer I watched a show on David Suzuki. He says at his age he does not give a “*uck” what people think any more about what he says or thinks. Makes me chuckle. I think I am getting the same way, though I do not have as much social status as David does.

I spent a while looking at Assiniboine, and with that time and reflection have an idea for a painting.

I hope you enjoy your Birthday, and get to spend time with family and friends doing what you like to do.

Robert Krysak

January 16, 2017

Three Sisters 2017-Canadian Rockies

Happy New Year!

2017 is upon us and the future is full of excitement, discovery and fulfillment.
I wanted my first painting of 2017 to be be bright and full of energy and colour.

Three Sisters 2017 is the story of a journey. The Threes Sisters tower above Canmore, Alberta, down the road from where I live. I see them a few times a week in many different guises. Sometimes with a veil of cloud, others with the the early morning sun gracing their upper ramparts. I have passed beneath them on a clear night with the full moon exposing every feature, exposing all.

The painting begins in the sky with the bright colours of Yellow Cadmium and New Gamboge. Flowing thru shades of Orange and Alizarin Crimson, the rainbow ends with Cobalt Blue and Antwerp Blue. The Night Sky is a mix of Ultramarine Blue and Sepia, capturing the inky darkness of night.  Bright stars and the Big Dipper dance across the sky.

Mountains are made of rock, earth and vegetation. The Winter mantle can be a cold one though, so I placed layers of New Gamboge for the new light of day. Following this is a progression from Cobalt Blue to Antwerp Blue and ending in Sepia.

In the valley, the trees, in Phtalo Turquoise and Phtalo Green act as sentinels......welcoming all yet protecting the peaks that are off in the distance.

It was an enjoyable journey creating Three Sisters 2017.
I hope you have many enjoyable journeys this next year.

Robert Krysak

Three Sisters 2017
Watercolour and Ink
36" x 12"
$450