I have SO MANY photos in my 'to paint' pile.  Every time I see something that looks interesting I take a photo and put it away.  When I start a new picture, I like to have a variety of subjects available, because I never know what will catch my fancy that particular day.
I'm trying to expand my collection of local architecture to include Galt, Preston, Guelph, Kitchener, Puslinch areas.  I try to think of what would be of interest to people......what buildings or places give identity to the community.....what buildings are gone now, but would be nice to remember in a painting.

However, I've been working on several commissions these last few months, so I don't get to pick!  I enjoy being able to do the commission work, because every time it challenges me to paint something that I would not have picked myself.  And that is good!  I recently completed this commission piece which was a gift for a couple getting married today at Ellis Chapel.  They already have my painting of the outside of Ellis Chapel so the gift giver asked for a painting of the interior!  I have never painted the inside of a building before.....but....why not.  You just paint what you see in the photograph.  I'm quite happy with this piece and look forward to maybe picking some other interiors to paint!

July 1st.....to me that seems like we're REALLY into summer (although some people think it begins on May 24th weekend).  Kids are out of school, the towns and cities seem to empty of people, many people head to cottages or vacation places and take a break. 
Every year, the enthusiasm and excitement about Canada Day seems to build.  As I put together my display this past Friday for the Hespeler Market, I decided to highlight all my Canada paintings.  Of course, almost all of my paintings are Canadian...but I have many that are of specific places that people are familiar with.

I mostly paint from my own photographs (occasionally from other people's photographs with permission) so my paintings tell my story and of where I've been.  As I pulled out the paintings from across Canada I realized that I am lucky to have been able to visit a lot of Canada from coast to coast.  I've painted the mesmerizing  mountains and oceans of British Columbia, the majestic mountains & wide-open prairies of Alberta, the beautiful cottage country and Great Lakes of Ontario to the amazing red  shores of Prince Edward Island.

It is indeed a beautiful country.