Written by My name is Louise Primeau and I live in beautiful wintry Ottawa, Canada, with my husband and two guard dogs, or at least that’s what they think they are: Sophie my little neurotic Maltese, and Chico, just as his name suggests, a very laid back Havanese. They occasionally show up on my blog, especially when they have been naughty, or in my art, just because they are so cute.
Besides my little puppies, there is plenty of inspiration all around me. I live only a few minutes from the nature trails along the Ottawa River where we frequently bike during the summer, and snowshoe during the winter.
If you see someone bending over none too gracefully to collect pinecones, leaves, wildflowers, and anything else along the path, you are probably seeing me busy at one of my favourite activities. I keep my head down not to find loose change as most other people would, but to search for those wind tossed treasures that can be painted in my journal. Or, you might also see me taking lots of photographs especially once my pockets are full!
For all my journal entries, I use Sakura’s Koi Water Colors Pocket Field Sketch Box. I love the rich colours in this little set. Occasionally, I might also use coloured pencils or Caran D’Ache Neocolor II along with my watercolours.
I have used different journals but I especially like the Pentalic Aqua Journal with 300gsm paper. I have also used the Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal, a very versatile vellum journal that I keep for both watercolour and acrylics. Lately, I have been using a Canson Watercolor Cold Press paper pad to paint larger items for my blog such as my teacups.
These past months, I have been teaching myself to paint watercolour portraits. I think I am finally finding a way to bring more natural skin tones to my portraits. I keep the good, the bad, and the downright ugly art, so that I can observe any improvement as time moves along.
Vintage items are especially prized all the more if there is a story as a backdrop to the item. I add to my own collection with boards on Pinterest that are inspiration for my journal sketches or portraits. The Victory Rolls and Roaring Twenties women shown here were inspired from photographs saved on my various boards.
Teacups are another passion of mine. Mom had her own collection and I can still see her and her friends having tea in the afternoon from her very delicate, flowery teacups.
I am falling behind already in my year-long online class called “Let’s Face It”. I hope that portrait art will be the destination of my art journey because this brings me most pleasure. But who knows? There are so many possibilities, so many techniques to explore. How can I just try one or two? That has been my dilemma!
If you visit my blog, (a work in progress as well), or see my work on Instagram, you will notice an eclectic mix and see that I do not yet have a style that I can call my own.
For now, I am loving the freedom I have to paint and draw on a daily basis. It is what I have always wanted to do and never found the time in my busy schedule as a teacher. I am enjoying the road I am travelling no matter where it might lead me.
Louise Primeau
louiseprimeau.com
Instagram
Pinterest
Very pretty blog Louise. Thank you for sharing it Charlie.
Thanks Susan!! 💕😃Glad you liked this!
Such a terrific range of lovely art! That pinecones are especially awesome, but I really love the Singer, too. 🙂
Isn’t the Singer great?! That was my fave! Thanks Teresa! 😃
Lovely artwork Louise. I like your variety of subjects. Thank you Charlie.
Thanks Sharon!! 💕😃 So happy you liked this!
Looks good. Thanks Charlie!
Thanks so much Louise!! It’s such a pleasure to feature you!! ❤️😃
Beautiful work, Louise! Love the Singer, and your portrait work as well; a particular interest of mine as well. Cheers and keep rolling!
Thanks Laura!! So happy you liked this!! 😃💜
Loved that Singer machine , and the pinecones , and the teacups Louise 🙂
Thanks Charlie 🙂 and by the way your new “Doodlewasher Directory” is amazing 😀
Turtle Hugs
So glad you liked Louise’s work!! Yay! And yeah…just quietly launched the Directory… hadn’t had a chance to announce it. Glad ya found it! You can actually view whole galleries right from the map which I thought was cool. Thank you Google! Hehe
It is very cool indeed 🙂
Lovely, whimsical work – those teacups are gorgeous! Thank you Charlie and Louise!
Thanks so much Anna! Glad you liked Louise’s feature!! 😃
The sewing machine is definitely my favorite! (K)
Yep…mine too! So cool!! Thanks Kerfe!! 😃
Louise, I’ve been enjoying your work on Instagram! So wonderful to get to know you more, and learn about your art passions. Thanks, Louise and Charlie, for sharing!
I’m so happy you like this Marion!! Thank you for commenting!! 😃
Thank you for sharing your work with us, Marion. I love your portraits and teacups!