Mel Malton

An ink and pencil thing.

Bittersweet vine on the arbour. The curve of it defeated me. But the colours are happy.

That “If I had several million dollars” question? I’d rent the empty Zellers store in the local mall and turn it into a lending Library. Invite people to drop their unwanted books off, and with a well-paid staff of experts and interested trainees, start shelving them. Dewey system. Free to all.

So, this massive data centre being built in Cape Breton…was it kind of a secret before the announcement today? Seems sketchy.

Welp. Back on the Diocesan payroll. Priest-in-charge. There will be administration to be done. Prayers would be welcome and warmly appreciated by this retired grumpy haddock.

Yesterday’s thing. A preliminary sketch. Want to try this using gouache, next. Then maybe wood. And mud. No medium left behind.

Today’s plein air, out by Harmony, on the South Mountain.

Lucy is keeping my lap warm this morning.

Too soon? Just a doodle.

Today’s backyard plein air. Man. You take a few days off and you just lose it, right?

Wow. Lots of sad things coming on the UK feed. Off to bed in Canada, but sending kind hugs to UK friends who seem particularly melancholy tonight. Flowers and bees to you. 🌻🐝

Home again. Here’s today’s backyard sketch. Pencil followed by watercolour, then ink and a bit of coloured pencil.

Yesterday’s thing. An allotment in Waterloo. Watercolour and ink on paper.

Yesterday’s thing. Watercolour onsite, then ink and coloured pencils later.

This morning’s plein air.

At St. Jacob’s market in Waterloo this morning. Busy and colourful and great buckets of challenge.

Bucketing down rain this morning, so a hastily-constructed still life thing.

Plein air du jour.

John Deere toys were a great success. Gained great-aunt points yesterday.

Yesterday’s sketch of a construction site. Because everything is interesting, yes?

Day one of sketching in Waterloo.

Another day or two and we might pick one or two of these.

I drew a tree today.

So plein air from this morning. I hauled out paint, pencils and ink and shamelessly mixed my media.

A little gouache sketch in my little sketchbook of one of my favorite spots on the White Clay Creek. ​

Today’s sketch. This is the nice decorative door our friend Earl gave us for the greenhouse.

Rose drawing, made yesterday to honour the birth date of my dearly departed Mum, who would have been 91.

This lovely poppy in the garden this morning.

Today’s plein air sketches. Benjamin bridge vineyards. It was warm.

Happy Lammas day to all who celebrate. 🌾

Plein air du jour. New Ross farm building, NS.

© Tony Allain. 'Sunlight and Shadows.' Pastel on sanded paper, 2024. 9 × 12 inches.

In a strange moment of inattention, I just tried to turn the page on my phone. As if it were a paperback. That kind of turning the page.

Two plein air paintings from this morning. It’s a gorgeous day in the Annapolis Valley.

Current mood

Here’s today’s plein air. The right hand tree is a bit of a mistake, but it was a terrific view.

Today’s plein air. The mouth of Hall’s harbour.

Is anyone else noticing a marked increase in unpleasant reactions to everyday bug bites (swelling, itching and infection) since the COVID vaccine? Just asking.

This rose smells divine.

A good day to have a barbecue, some patriotic cake and a firework or two. To celebrate the War of 1812.