Mark Reeder Fine Art • Journal / Blog • Contemporary Realism Artist in Canada • Oil Painter

Good studio practice ~ advice for the developing artist, Part 1

I wanted to take a few moments to write a series of thorough but brief posts sharing some principles, attitudes and habits that can be useful for the developing artist. Some of what I will say in this series will not be new to all of you, of course, but may be helpful for some […]

The Country Life

Sunflowers, 18 x 20, oil on linen, 2013 copyright © Mark Reeder This arrangement of sunflowers in an old milk jug on an old table I found is a relatively normal occurance around here. Taking a break from working in the garden, I usually like to put something like this together to bring a little beauty […]

Friends of Algonquin Park Fundraising Raffle 2012

This year I have donated a painting to The Friends of Algonquin Park Fundraising Raffle 2012. The Friends of Algonquin Park is a non-profit, registered charity, dedicated to furthering the educational and interpretive programs in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario’s oldest and most famous provincial park.

Drawings from the turn of the century

My how time flies. Seeing the title Drawings from the turn of the century makes me think of a time long ago. It feels like many decades rather than the small blip of time of a mere 12 years.

2012 Art Exhibit: Water is now open at the Algonquin Art Centre

If you will be in or around Algonquin Park this summer stop in and see this year’s exhibition. One of my paintings, The Unnamed Island has received a lot of attention. I feel seeing it here on this blog does not do it justice, being 5 feet wide it needs to be seen in person […]

An afternoon in the country

Every once in a while I tear myself away from the studio and go out for a walk without my plein air easel. I actually go out for a walk just for the sake of the fresh air, the exercise, to hear the wind blow though the trees and feel the sun on my face.

The Oxtongue river in winter

I feel pretty lucky living in ‘cottage country’. I have the privilege of a different perspective living here, something that I notice even more in the off season.

Studio in the woods

This painting is of the front door of my studio and gallery Spring Lake Studios. I painted most of this outside and finished it up indoors. I have painted this building a few times but this is the first one that I feel accomplished what I was looking to capture. I love plein air painting […]

What’s new in the studio.

“Sexy Rexy” is a type of rose. Not too many roses do that well this far north but this species, now in it’s second year in my garden, seems to be growing very nicely. I think part of the reason why I love gardening so much is that opportunity to use freshly cut flowers as […]

New Drawing

My love for art is rooted in my love for drawing. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting at a table drawing something, anything. There was never any pressure for me in ‘getting it right’. I just felt at home in the process. Of course I did also feel a sense of accomplishment when […]

Build your own plein air easel.

This is a project that I have been looking forward to completing for some time now. I am very happy to have this finished and look forward to getting out and putting it to use. The outside dimensions are 12 x 16 inches and it was built with 1/4 inch plywood with 3/4 inch ripped […]

Recent portrait: The girl without the pearl earring

I finished this painting a while ago and today I made the time to photograph it. The sitter is my wife, who has modeled for me for numerous paintings. The title “The girl without the pearl earring” came from a conversation my wife and I were having while I was part way through the painting. […]

Solo show in Huntsville, Ontario

Earlier this year I was invited to be the first featured artist in a series of exhibitions at The Framing Place & Gallery in Huntsville, Ontario. I stop in there often to see their great selection of frames. They are affiliated with the Algonquin Art Centre which is another great place to see some amazing […]

New cityscape, fresh off the easel.

When I lived in Toronto I didn’t really drive all that much. When I had to go somewhere I would usually travel the city by subway, which is always interesting. I also walked a lot. I loved walking through the city, and I would usually take short cuts through alley ways and side streets. I […]

Rapids on the Oxtongue river.

This is another riverscape from a series that I have been working on. There is quite a long stretch of this river not far from my home and I always enjoy taking the opportunity to go for a walk down by the water. Landscapes are still new for me but I am becoming more inspired […]