What Have I Been Up To?

August 2023

Just an update on what has kept me busy these past few months, both inside my studio and out. Between launching a print option, a YouTube Channel, an Artist’s Residency, travel, taking online workshops, painting just about every week en plein air and working on some new pieces, my life has been almost full.   I write “almost’ because there is always time for my family, including three beloved grandchildren. No, I won’t pull out the photo album but suffice to say, I am content.   Let me tell you in more details below about the art in my life.

YouTube: Art Adventures with Dale and Helen

For quite a few years, Helen Shideler and I have painted en plein air and posting Facebook Live videos. After all this time, we had enough content for our own YouTube. channel: Art Adventures with Dale and Helen But we went through a learning process.

1. YouTube video format should be 16:9 landscape mode. For a long time, we recorded in portrait mode. So we adjusted that going forward.  

2. Sound. I have a huskier voice while Helen sounds clear. And often wind would interfere. And I was terrible at remembering to not speak away from the camera. Solution: We invested in microphones. They were not expensive and so far we are really pleased with the results.  

3. Video Editing Software. I was using Davinci Resolve. Huge program with lots of bells and whistles but also with a longer learning curve. We also lost the audio on some of our Live downloads. I have tried Openshot and Clipchamp with more success and Helen uses IMOVIE.  

4. Background content. We wanted to provide viewers with context so we began to record where we were painting and some of the decisions we made in creating the pieces.  

5. Temperature. We painted all winter…in Canada…in the snow. Some times we referred to ourselves as Artists in Parkas. It works! Do you know how hard it is to pick up a dropped paintbrush when bundled in so many layers? And thanks to one viewer who shared a hint: use a car window scraper mitt. Just remove the scraper and insert the end of the paintbrush in.   We are still learning but we are not striving for smooth, catchy videos. Viewers get us totally unscripted with all the bloopers included. And it has been fun getting reactions. We are not quite the Red, Green show of plein air but we just love sharing our time outdoors.

Painting on Ice

Brrrr. The Challenges of Painting en Plein Air

Artist’s Residency

One highlight of the year was an Artist’s residency at Stone Church in Saint John, NB. Helen Shideler and I painted on site having the freedom to chose our subjects. It was an amazing experience and we were grateful for the opportunity.   I was excited to have this painting chosen and purchased as a wedding gift for our Bishop and his wife. It was a real honour. The thrill was also that they understood exactly why I included people as a vital element in the scene. Full disclosure – I used a photo for my source.