Inc. Squared 2014
My 12”x12” mixed media drawing on a wood panel was part of Hamilton Artist’s Inc. annual fundraising show, Squared
Please Do Not Drive…12″x12″ Mixed Media
Category Archives: Pen and Ink
Summer on the road
Stone Table and Benches, Gould Farm Carbon Pencil on Paper 18″ x 24″
We travelled a lot this spring and summer, in North America and later in Britain. Here are some of the highlights of our trip as recorded in my sketchbooks. In June, I visited Gould Farm, in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts where my friend Rose is a volunteer. She wrote and edited a wonderful cookbook to celebrate the farm’s 100th anniversary as a healing and rehabilitation centre – and to raise money for this marvelous organization.
Barry planned three workshops for the summer: Toronto was first, in July.
Doctor’s House Pioneer Village 12″ x 16″ Watercolour
Gate, University College U of T 8.5 ” x 11″ Pen and Ink
Next, we travelled to Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, in the Bay of Fundy.
Light keepers House Swallowtail Light, Grand Manan 8.5″ x 11″ Pen and Ink
Seal Cove Sheds and Spools 18″ x 24 “Charcoal with Watercolour
Early in August, we moved on to the Cotswold District in England.
Broadway Village, Cotswolds England 9″ x 12″ Pen, Ink and White Charcoal on Toned Paper
Stanway House, Cotswolds England 9″ x 12″ Pen, Ink and White Charcoal on Toned Paper
When the workshops were over, we visited Cornwall for 10 days.
Porthgwarra Village View 8.5″ x 11″ Pen and Ink
Mevagissey Harbour, Cornwall 8.5″ x 11″ Pen and Ink
Low Tide, Mevagissey Cornwall 8.5″ x 11″ Pen and Ink
More from Ireland
I’m still under the spell of the January light and landscape in Ireland’s Cork and Waterford Counties. Here are a few more of my drawings, some in pen and ink, and several in pen, ink and white charcoal on toned paper.
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- Rock House Ardmore, Waterford 8.5″ x 11″
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- Conna 8.5″ x 11″ SOLD
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- Hill Shandon 8.5″ x 11″
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- Shandon. 8.5″ x 11″
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- View St Finbarre’s. 8.5″ x 11″
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- Rock Face 8.5″ x 11″
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- Ballymacart 10″ x 12″ SOLD
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- Wet Day Cork. 8.5″ x 11″ SOLD
Ireland in January
Goat Island Ardmore, by Aleda O’Connor 8 1/2″ x 11″ Pen and Ink
It would be hard not to be inspired by the light and landscape in the south of Ireland at any time of the year.
Gate, Lismore Castle, by Aleda O’Connor 3″ x 4″ Pen and Ink
My Irish friends and family thought I was a bit odd choosing to visit in January and urged me to come when the weather was “better,” but I haven’t regretted my timing for a moment.
Middle Glanmire Road, Cork by Aleda O’Connor 8 1/2 ” x 11″ Pen and Ink
While I was admiring the palm trees, primroses, daffodils and gorse in bloom, my family was confronting blizzards at home in Ontario.
Blackwater River Near Villierstown County Waterford, by Aleda O’Connor 8 1/2″ x 11″
Above the Pier, Ardmore, by Aleda O’Connor
3″ x 4″ Pen and Ink
This trip was a bit of a sentimental journey to say hello to family, friends and visit a landscape I hadn’t seen for a while, so I especially appreciated finding some of my old haunts in Waterford and Cork Counties empty of tourists.
Without leaves on the trees and hedges, it was much easier to see the landscape.
My sketchbook was a great companion, especially for someone travelling alone.
It’s been a good move…
Some of you know that Barry Coombs and I moved to Hamilton – 45 minutes west of Toronto – in May. Six months later I can report that we are thrilled by our decision, by our new home that has enough space for both of us to have studios, a guest room, plenty of storage space and a big garden in a lovely neighbourhood, close to the lake and farmers market. What more could anyone want? Barry had many connections here, having taught at the Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA) for some 20 years, and I have been most warmly welcomed by absolutely everyone I have met, from Barry’s former DVSA colleagues and students, to our new neighbours and the folks at the Burlington Art Centre (BAC) where I recently gave a presentation about my oil pastels to the Burlington Fine Art Association. We have become regulars at the James Street North Art Crawl, and last month I attended some of the screenings of the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s World Film Festival. (Heck – all three venues were less than 10 minutes away.)
Bicycle, 3″ x 4″
Pen, Ink and White Charcoal on Toned Paper
To top off this perfect beginning, my little drawing Bicycle was chosen for the Viewers Choice Award at the opening of the Second Annual Miniature Show at Hamilton’s 337 Sketch Gallery. I’m very proud to be part of this show that contains some exquisite works of art – none of which are larger than 3” x 4” or cost more than $200. (I have my eye on a few beauties.) The show runs until October 29 at 337 Ottawa Street, Hamilton.
Opening Night at Core Realty
I’d like to thank everyone who came to the opening night of my exhibition at Core Realty and to thank Core for its generous hospitality and support. The turnout was excellent and I had a wonderful time!
The show is open for viewing seven days a week from 11 am to 4 pm and continues until February 16.
Solo Show January 19 to February 16
I’m really pleased to be showing a collection of my Oil Pastels and Pen & Ink drawings, at Core Realty, 747 Queen Street East in Toronto, from January 19 to February 16. Please drop by for the opening on Thursday January 19, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. And keep your fingers crossed for good weather!
Canadian and Korean Artists’ Exhibition
I’ve been invited to show my drawing Dark Harbour Dories in an exhibition for the Korean Consulate and Dosan Gallery in Toronto. It runs September 19 to 23.
Dark Harbour Camps: two versions
As a subject, I’ve always been drawn to the landscape and boats at gritty Dark Harbour, on the west side of Grand Manan island, where the dulse pickers keep their dories. Many also keep camps on the shore and rocky sea wall. While we were there for a two-week vacation following the workshop at the beginning of August, I worked in pen and ink as usual, and in watercolour too, after overcoming my inhibitions in Barry’s class last year.
Dark Harbour Dulse Camp
Dory and Camp
Maritime Sketches
We spent most of July and August along the St. Lawrence River and on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. I worked in my sketchbooks with pen and ink, also on toned paper with pen, ink and white charcoal. Here are a few samples:
St. Joseph de la Rive, Charlevoix
Hillside Farm Buildings, Charlevoix
Marathon Hotel, Grand Manan.
Harbour, Seal Cove, Grand Manan
Seal Cove Low Tide
Smoke Sheds, Seal Cove
Aleda O'Connor 