Brushstrokes by Cathy Lund

Just a little info here. Every time I finish a painting, I give my brushes a good thorough cleaning. A tip I learned from my professional art teacher a couple years ago, was to clean your brushes by soaking them in Lestoil. There are only a couple places out here that I can buy it, one of them being Canadian Tire. It works like a charm. When your brushes turn hard, and you think that they are unusable, soak them for a day or so in Lestoil, and you will be amazed that you have revived them. I had a number of brushes that I thought were useless, and now they’re soft and pliable. Hopefully this info is useful to some of my artist friends who have not heard this info before.
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Edit… as mentioned, I did some tweaking, and have replaced the original picture with the updated version. Now I’m happy…
And here is the finished product Colliery Dam Falls, oil on canvas. 22x28x5/8
 On one of my hikes with my gal pals in the spring, we came across this falls and it begged to be painted. It just took me a long time to get at it.
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Slowly but surely this local waterfall painting is coming together. Can hardly wait to see how it turns out. I am hoping to capture the peacefulness of the setting on Vancouver Island.

So excited to introduce 6 new cards to my already pretty extensive selection. This will make a total of 24 to choose from! OR how about one of each? Holding the price at $4 each or 6/$20 for now, however, my next order will cost more. Good thing I placed a good size order. I will be pretty well stocked on all scenes. To get the discounted price, please order in lots of 6, your choice of scenes, mix and match.
I should have these in my hot little hands this week sometime.

A HUGE welcome to my new followers. In the past week I went from 393 to 407. Thank you to everyone who follows, comments, and just enjoys looking and supporting me and my artistic endeavours.
Also, it was heartwarming to sell a large number of cards this week. Because of that I had to place another order and while I was at it, I also added a few new images and will have six new cards to choose from in a week or so. Watch for that! Again, THANK YOU! 

I had a request for cards, so thought I should update what is available.
5x7 blank note cards with envelopes are $4 each or 6/$20. Some have very limited quantities at this time, so if you see something you would like, please order right away to avoid disappointment.
I have indicated quantities under each picture.

SUCH EXCITING NEWS!!
I have reached 393 followers! Thank you for your continued support. I could not have done it without each of you.
🙏🤗🎉
Welcome to all my new followers. I hope you always find something on this page that touches you somehow. ❤️

It is always such an honour and makes me so happy when someone chooses to purchase my paintings. I always try to put my heart into my paintings and hope that it will be felt in some way by the viewers. I am so happy to know that these two paintings will be going to their new home and Simcoe, Ontario. Thank you Nancy for supporting my work. It is greatly appreciated. 🥰

I know I posted this previously, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere on my page so I’m posting it again. This 11 x 14x1/2” oil on canvas was painted, with permission, from a reference photo that my friend Naomi Granke took from Quadra Island. I call it Quadra Island Sunset. Such a beautiful coloured sky.

A couple of years ago Gary and I went over to the mainland to the sunshine Coast. While on the ferry from Saltery Bay to Earl's Cove, there was the most beautiful view. I immediately took a reference photo, and painted it when we got home. However, there’s always something about it that I wasn’t happy with. So I took it off the wall, and reworked parts of it to incorporate some of my more recent experience. The only thing that was missing from the original was the eagle. Of course, a West coast scene does not seem complete without that eagle now. I am happier with the picture now. First photo is original photograph I took from the ferry. Second is my finished painting, which is 2‘ x 3‘. Hope you enjoy it.

Great news! Both my submissions to the juried show Feathers and Fur have been accepted into the Ladysmith Art Gallery for the month of April. This make my heart happy. :)
Both will be available for sale at the Gallery.

A weekend project is now drying on my easel. This one is 12 x 12 x 2, oil on canvas and keeping with the Western Canada vibe. Sometimes a small painting like this fits into a corner or a small wall and just finishes off the space. If you’re interested in this, please contact me.

As I usually do, I scrutinized this for a long time and decided it needed an eagle to give it a fully authentic West Coast vibe. I am now going to call it done, leave it alone, and allow it to dry again before I spray it. As with most of my paintings, it is available for sale if anyone should be interested.
24x32 oil on deep gallery canvas.

Changed up my living room artwork from fall birch trees to winter foggy/misty evergreens. I think I may need to get some new throw cushions. Oh darn. On a sunny and dry day, I will put the varnish on this one. However, I want to make sure it’s good and dry before I do that. 

And here it is…. 24x32” oil on deep gallery canvas. Trying to capture the mist in the mountains is a bit of a challenge, but this is my rendition. I haven’t named it yet. Thank you for all the kind comments leading up to this. I hope I captured it. As usual, I will probably be reworking certain areas in the next couple days or so. Hope you enjoy it.

And the paint has started flying…..just a little preview to show you what I have in mind. Send your good vibes my way as I really want this to turn out. But it definitely is a challenge. 🙂

It’s been awhile since paint hit a canvas here. BUT! I am hoping to remedy that this week. I have had a thought in my head for a while now, but just need to gain the knowledge on doing it properly. I’m researching it now, and excited to start this new line of painting. It will involve a lot of blending with a big brush, so wish me lots of luck. And stay tuned folks! Be ready for a West Coast vibe. :) this one has me excited. 👏

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas, and a huge thank you to everyone who has been a big support to me this year, whether purchasing or supporting with your kind words of encouragement. Each and every one of you makes my artistic journey worthwhile and enjoyable. May you have good health and happiness in 2024

Finally dry and sprayed with a light varnish, this little beauty is heading to her new forever home within the next couple days. This is the fourth Angel of this design that I have painted and sold. She has been very popular! This one was a commission, and is going to be gifted to the recipient’s best friend. I am so honoured to be a part of this show of love. Thank you for trusting me and also supporting me in my Artist journey..

The last of my commissions is done. This is my fourth angel painting. They seem to be quite popular, and always fun to create. Thanks for keeping me active at my easel friends!!
This is titled Angel IV, unless the owner has a suggestion. 🙂 ❤️

Happy BLACK FRIDAY everyone! Surprise special here!!
Today and tomorrow only, I am offering FREE SHIPPING OR 10% OFF any painting that is in my inventory.

Scroll through my photos and if it is still available and for sale I will gladly send you the info on it. Hurry!!! we never know which ones are going to sell quickly. :)

On my last painting, I did a preview painting but in landscape orientation to make it different than the commissioned piece. When it was finished, hubby suggested it should be our 2023 Christmas card. With a quick addition to the moon, and a verse for the inside, it made quick work of the onerous task of card designing this year. Happy to have received the printed cards today. I called it West Coast Christmas.

Please take time to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Commissioned oil on 16x20on deep gallery canvas. Not named yet. I can imagine seeing this beautiful full moon on the water in person. Another one of God’s beautiful creations.

I will miss these puppies who have been hanging around drying for the past couple weeks or so. They are being shipped to Eastern USA where they will find their new owner soon.

I am happy to say I still have one free shipping spot available for October 31. If you are within Canada, and wish to inquire about a painting let me know. First come first serve for free shipping. Just a sampling of what I have available..