blue painting

An Invitation to Bring Feel Good Summertime Memories Into Your Home

I’m pleased to announce that my painting Hydrangea Blues has been awarded first prize in the Kefi Art Gallery “Summertime Memories” online juried fine art exhibit in a virtual gallery . I am honoured that a detail of the painting is is used on the invitation below. To read more about this summer artwork, please scroll down.

To see the complete painting , and enjoy a walk through a virtual gallery, please click Kefi Art Gallery (opens in a new window)

Invitation to Kefi Art Gallery Summertime Memories . This is a detail of Hydrangea Blues. Please scroll down to view the complete painting.

Invitation to Kefi Art Gallery Summertime Memories . This is a detail of Hydrangea Blues. Please scroll down to view the complete painting.

Hydrangea Blues is a 60" wide by 20" high oil painting on canvas.

My oil paintings of summer offer escape into days at the cottage or by the lake. They are about the promise of contented, quiet, and mindful moments alone, often before the day begins, or when it is done. They are about solitude without loneliness.  They are meant to invoke memories and emotions - good ones - but  will probably stir up longing for carefree days and warmer weather, too. 

My scenic figurative artworks are mostly inspired by the Canadian locales I vacation at and am fond of, usually in Ontario. Hydrangea Blues, could be easily be in Ontario, and is meant to be universal in mood, but in truth, it is inspired by the beautiful blue hydrangeas that surrounded the century old cottage I stayed at in Chappaquiddick, Mass., USA.  

In Hydrangea Blues, a young woman, a girl really,  sits in the shade of the cottage. She is lost in thought, her feet resting on the cool flagstone path.  She is probably relieved to not only be out of the heat, but to be away from parents and siblings. Whether she misses her friends or her phone, we don’t know. Her thoughts are hidden, as she almost is, amongst the gentle blue hydrangeas. 

This painting is one of the most ambitious artworks I have created. A lot of intricate work went into making sure the overlapping leaves and flowers took the eye up and around the figure, across the canvas, then down to zig zag along the path and up the legs and arms to the subject’s face.  The brush strokes in her hair point to a branch in the bush, and so our trip around the canvas begins again. 

Like most of the world, I love the colour blue, and enjoy using it in my art. It is a popular colour because we equate it to nature , especially sky and water.  

It actually makes one feel good to look at a blue painting, and this one is no different. All those beautiful blue flowers, set amongst the fresh green of the leaves, were a joy to paint as well as to look upon. 

This  painting is created in a slightly more graphic style than what I usually use. There is a lot of an outline to the shapes and the colours are more selective. But I feel this works as  there is a brightness and youthfulness in this, that suits both the young model and the subject matter. 

Hydrangea Blues. ©Christine Montague 20” x 60” x 1.5” oil painting on canvas.

Hydrangea Blues. ©Christine Montague 20” x 60” x 1.5” oil painting on canvas.

Why's This Polar Bear Cub Blue? Blue Bear is Dec. 7 Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar Special Offer

Meet Blue Bear

"Blue Bear"" Joins in the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar Special Offer!

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Have you ever heard of Thomas Gainsborough's portrait painting "Blue Boy?" At one time reproductions of this famous portrait of a young man sumptuously dressed in blue, adorned many a home! 
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This little polar bear cub represented in shades of blue, doesn't need silk clothes to illustrate the wealth he represents. Not all wealth is financial. The wonder of nature and a planet in balance will provide us with more that we ever need, don't you agree? 
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Gold paint symbolize the royalty and intelligence of polar bears, but it also represents the bright sun. This little bear is all in blue, reminding us that he likes ice! But that also he is a handsome (well, cute) blue boy!
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Acrylic painting of a polar bear cub on 4" x 4" x 1.5" wood panel. Background and sides painted in metallic gold acrylic paint. Background is textured.Varnished. Certificate of Authenticity.
Please note: painting does not have text on it.
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$130 CAD ($100 USD) includes tracked, insured shipping Valid until Dec. 31, 2020 (Reg. $150 USD)
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Hope Moving Forward. Dec 5th Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar Special Offer

Meet Hope Moving Forward , Dec. 5th Special Offer (valid until Dec. 31st, 2020)

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Dec. 5th Day 5 of the Polar Bear Art Advent



In Hope Moving Forward, a beautiful polar bear looks to the right, i.e. to the future. The northern lights reflect off its fur. The use of the colour blue represents the polar bear’s beauty, and intelligence, as well as its royalty as top arctic predator. Metallic gold paint highlights represent the richness of nature and light (northern lights) and the hope found in both. (please note the painting does not have the date on it)
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4” x 4” x 1.5” acrylic on wood panel. The sides are painted gold. It can stand on a table or shelf. Signed. Unique work completion number. Certificate of Authenticity.

Until December 31st. $130 CAD includes tracked, insured shipping. ($100 USD) (Reg. $150 USD)

Please contact me.
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Hope Moving Forward ©Christine Montague

Hope Moving Forward ©Christine Montague

A Very Blue Prince ( A Polar Bear Tale)

A Very Blue  Prince ( A Polar Bear Tale)

Meet The Blue Prince, a  30" x 40" polar bear oil painting.  Why have I titled this painting, The Blue Prince? ...this mighty polar bear painting is created in dramatic shades of blue,.. is a portrait of arctic royalty,  and polar bears, highly intelligent, and the largest and mightiest arctic predator, are often referred to as the Lords of the North.  

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