Some paintings seem to just flow off my paintbrush.  That does not mean they are easy to make, it is just that the process of making them is an uninterrupted transference of what I see onto the paper, with no false steps or “oops, should’na done that” moments.   At its best painting is a series of decisions about what marks to put where to get the effect we painters want on our surface.     This painting is one where the decisions seemed to line up one after another in a manageable sequence.  I was worn out when I was done, but I was pleased with the result.   &n ..read more

I have joined the Faculty of PleinAir Live, which is coming up in early March.    I will be presenting a session on colour during the Essential Techniques Day, March 5th, 2024.  I will show how I mix colour, explain why I like a limited palette and I will demonstrate how I use warm and cool colours to make effective paintings.    You can read learn more about the event here.  If registering, use this Discount Code to receive 10% off your registration:  BALSER    Please note, my session will be during the Essential Techniques Day, which is a separat ..read more

I will be offering a series of 6 monthly watercolour lessons through the Artists Network.  You can find registration and all the details HERE.    In each session I will provide a reference image and will demonstrate how I approach that subject.     Here are some of the scenes I will be demonstrating:    Boats in Harbour- an exercise in simplifying a complex scene, painting sparkly water and more.   Getting to Know Your Greens- I will show how to approach mixing convincing greens and how to use them effectively in the landscape.    To see all ..read more

I am delighted to share news that I currently have a painting hanging at Buckingham Palace.  In the spring, one of my paintings was included in a gift of Canadian watercolours sent to His Majesty, King Charles III in celebration of his coronation.  I have just learned that the seven paintings gifted to His Majesty are currently hanging in the Redgrave Room of the Queen’s Gallery in London.  This is a space for lectures and other special events, so while the paintings are not ‘on exhibition’ as part of the normal visit to the Gallery, they are being seen by all those who attend ..read more

I was recently interviewed on the AART Podcast.  I've been enjoying the podcast since I was introduced to it.  Host and veteran award-winning podcaster Chris Stafford talks to women artists from across mediums and around the world.  This isn't a typical artist's podcast -if there is such a thing.  Rather than talking about the technical stuff, or how we paint or what we paint, etc. Chris crafts her interviews in such a way that you get to know the women who are making art and how they got to where they are.   I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed spe ..read more

I painted my way up and down the Saint John River over about 10 days this summer.  I painted almost every day, some days more than others.  I got a lot of practice in painting greens and capturing the hazy atmosphere of early morning light in the humid river environment.    I’ll share a selection of the paintings and sketches I particularly like.   I painted this first one on land, but a lot of these were painted from the cockpit or deck of our boat.     Oak Point Light, 10x14”, plein air watercolour. Click here to read more about the painting and to see a ..read more

I was recently surprised to receive an email from Kari Stober, Manager of the PleinAir Salon:    “Hello, Poppy~ Congratulations! Your painting “Adjusting the Lines” has been selected as the Third Place Overall winner of the May PleinAir Salon Art Competition. ”   I had somehow missed the note that my painting had made it through to the finalist stage, so this came as a complete surprise.  How lovely!     Adjusting the Lines, oil, 12x16”   Please click the link above if you would like to see the painting in larger ..read more

I am really pleased to tell you that I have been asked to be an ambassador for Micheal Harding's new line of watercolour paints. I've known Michael and Karyn Harding since I participated in the inaugural Bermuda Plein Air competition in 2015. I already was a big fan of their oil paints and so I was very excited when I learned that there were watercolours in development.   Colours of Sand Beach, 20x16”, painted with MH watercolours   I'm enjoying getting to know the paints. The colours are gorgeous. They rewet very smoothly, even after I have left them in the palette for too long. B ..read more

I am in Charleston for the OPA National Convention and the opening of the 32nd National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils.  I have a painting in the show:    Adjusting the Lines, 12x16”, oil, sold   You can see all the paintings in the exhibition on the OPA website, here: https://www.oilpaintersofamerica.com/show-gallery/?show=42986   The Awards Ceremony is tonight and will be live streamed here: https://www.facebook.com/oilpaintersofamerica?mc_cid=a2f03d1c7d&mc_eid=5ec69542a3   Update:  My painting was awarded the Seascape Award of Excell ..read more

I've released a series of instructional watercolour videos on painting the ocean in watercolour.    I have been painting the ocean since I took up painting again in 2000.  A lot of that has been done at the seashore, painting directly from life.  As a once collector observed, looking at several of my paintings in a show, I've "spent a lot of time looking at the ocean".  Learning to paint well is a matter both learning to handle the materials your craft and of learning to observe your subject. I have studied the ocean enough to be able not only to see what it is doing ..read more