Capturing a Fleeting Moment ------- Weiming Zhao's Daily Plein Air Painting Gallery

Moment before sunset

2012-01-18T21:15:00.000-06:00

Under the warm street light

2012-01-17T21:14:00.000-06:00

On a sunny afternoon

2012-01-16T21:13:00.000-06:00

Fengping at her laptop

2012-01-15T21:11:00.000-06:00

Cold and snowy -another window view

2012-01-15T21:09:00.000-06:00

A moonless night

2012-01-14T21:08:00.000-06:00

Another view from our bedroom window

2012-01-14T21:07:00.000-06:00

A window view on a snowy morning

2012-01-14T20:57:00.000-06:00

Cloudy and snowy outside. Listening to music on CBC Radio 2 while painting this view from our living room window.

A sunny backyard late in the afternoon

2012-01-13T21:05:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch looking into our backyard late in the afternoon.

A glimpse of last glow

2012-01-12T20:28:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the window view again when the sunset sky was quickly taken over by overcast of clouds.

a glimpse of a full moon morning sky

2012-01-12T12:57:00.000-06:00

How ethereally beautiful to see a glimpse of the full moon morning sky while sitting at the table for breakfast. Grabbed my pochade box and did this quick oil sketch looking out of the window.

A winter storm on its way

2012-01-11T19:47:00.000-06:00

Suffered from a migraine attack , and stayed in bed until 3 p.m in the afternoon. When I pulled up the curtain it was dark , windy , cold and snowy outside. The honeymoon of warm weather was obviously over!

A window view in the evening

2012-01-10T19:43:00.000-06:00

Came home late and after supper it was too late to step out to paint. Did this quick oil sketch before Ping drove the car away for her church function.

Full moon in the sky

2012-01-09T21:00:00.000-06:00

Never seems to have seen the moon so bright and shining as it was tonight hanging aloft on the wintry sky. A quick oil sketch with the help of a flash light.

In the receding sun

2012-01-09T18:00:00.000-06:00

Tried to capture the fleeting moment when the trees were lit by the last receding sunlight of the day around 5 p.m.

The moon light vs the street light

2012-01-08T21:30:00.000-06:00

What a view when I looked out of the bedroom window seeing the dramatic contrast of a full moon with its silvery light and the street light with its warm radiation on this January winter night.

In a snowy mood

2012-01-08T17:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch before supper of the lone poplar tree standing behind the hedges without snow even at this time of the year.

A bright window view at noon

2012-01-07T14:00:00.000-06:00

Painted this window view at noon on this beautifully warm and sunny day today.

Brewing with snow

2012-01-06T17:30:00.000-06:00

It was snowy today. A glimpse out of the window into our backyard showed that the snow was on its way.

Strolling under the rising moon

2012-01-05T19:20:00.000-06:00

It was so warm that I could still stand outside painting even in the evening when the moon was shining brightly in the evening sky.

In the last light

2012-01-05T17:30:00.000-06:00

Came back from Rivers after seeing Sarah off at the station. The sun was setting when the top of the trees over the hedges was bathed in the warm wash of the last light.

thawing on a unusually warm winter day

2012-01-05T14:00:00.000-06:00

It was so warm today that the snow start to melt away on our driveway. A quick oil sketch to mark the unusual sight. Had to take Sarah to Rivers to board on the train to Edmonton in the afternoon. Not in a mood to spend more time to complete this sketch.

Sunset sky from the backyard

2012-01-04T18:30:00.000-06:00

The weather is simply too nice to pass. Standing in our backyard, I set up my easel again to paint the view which I face on a daily basis. Over the past decade fewer and fewer trees left standing there now due to age and the elements. I remember when we first moved here in 1998 there were so many more trees standing there behind the line of hedges making it almost impossible to get a glimpse of the houses there. Sarah is going back to school tomorrow, and I always feel a bit emptiness in my heart when she leaves. This Christmas is so special with her coming home with her friend , and with my sister and her family joining us after 8 years of their moving away from Brandon. Now one by one they are gone again , leaving us with unforgettable memory, and a sense of loneliness which will only dissipate with our daily busy self-engagement. The sun is setting again drenching everything in view with a warm wash of light and colour.

Looking over the hedges

2012-01-04T13:30:00.001-06:00

Painted this view from our patio looking into Maureen's backyard early in the afternoon

A sunny backyard in the morning

2012-01-04T13:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch from our backyard early in the morning of our patio backlit by the morning sunshine.

a view from our back alley on Balmoral Bay

2012-01-03T17:30:00.000-06:00

It was so mesmerizing to paint at this quiet corner behind our hedges

Our house on Balmoral Bay

2012-01-03T15:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of our house on Balmoral Bay viewed from across the street

A sunny view across the street in the morning

2012-01-03T13:30:00.000-06:00

It was never so warm in January as far as I remember. Painting on such a warm winter morning is such a delightful experience. The view is such so enticingly beautiful.

another window view

2012-01-03T12:00:00.000-06:00

a quick oil sketch of the window view around noon.

The moment when the sun started to rise

2012-01-03T08:30:00.000-06:00

Tried to capture the moment when the sun started to rise breaking the silence of the dawn.

2012-01-02T23:04:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the the window view when the full sunshine was shifting onto the junipers on our front yard late in the afternoon.

A glimpse into the backyard early in the morning

2012-01-02T12:30:00.000-06:00

The window view shows a totally different mood when viewed at this time of the day. I do not get many opportunities to paint this view at this time of the day.

The moment when the street light came on

2012-01-01T22:53:00.000-06:00

I set up my easel in our bedroom to wait for the moment when the street light came on to paint this view from our bedroom window.

Balmoral Bay on a sunny winter afternoon

2012-01-01T20:30:00.000-06:00

It was sunny but very windy when I started to paint this view. As a matter of fact, it was so windy that my palette was blown off my easel and fell to the ground !

A window view on the first morning of the year

2012-01-01T10:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the window view from our bedroom on the first morning of the new year 2012.

Sunshine on the last day of the year

2011-12-31T18:18:00.000-06:00

Can not believe it is the last day of the year 2011, As I stepped outside painting this view from our front yard , memory from the past all flashed by.

2011-12-30T22:00:00.000-06:00

It was turning cloudy again in the afternoon. As I stepped out , the sun started to break out of the clouds again. A quick oil sketch from our front yard/

Sunny morning after an overnight snow fall

2011-12-30T14:00:00.000-06:00

A window view of a bright sunny morning when our car was blanked with fresh overnight snow.

A window view of the morning light

2011-12-29T18:26:00.000-06:00

A lady passed by with her dog walking into the crispy morning light. There across the street the swirling smoke from Ken's chimney across the street conjured up image of early morning life in winter. A quick oil sketch of what I saw this morning.

A glimpse into a bright sunny morning from our doorway

2011-12-28T18:08:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch in the morning.

My brilliant little nephew sitting at his laptop

2011-12-23T18:05:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of my little brilliant nephew Andrew who came all the way from Indiana with his parents to revisit us in Brandon after 8 years! You should watch him when he plays Rubik's cube with one hand! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL1yMPg_muI On top of that he was also very good at playing piano , and swimming as well. He was only three when he stayed with us after moving over to Canada from China with his parents. He does not remember his early years in Brandon but this visit did bring back to him some fond memory.

At dawn before sunrise

2011-12-22T17:52:00.000-06:00

With Sarah coming home for Christmas bringing with her her room mate , and with my sister and her family joining us for Christmas, we are having a most memorable Christmas this year. You must have been wondering why I have not updated my blog for so long , the excitement of family reunion kept me away from my daily painting routine. Still I managed to paint every now and then throughout the holiday season. Here is one I painted on the morning from my living room before our quests woke up for the morning.

In the street light

2011-12-20T18:30:00.000-06:00

In the street light

2011-12-19T21:30:00.000-06:00

2011-12-19T17:29:00.000-06:00

snowy and foggy afternoon

2011-12-18T17:26:00.000-06:00

In the bright light at noon

2011-12-17T17:24:00.000-06:00

Facing the receding light

2011-12-16T17:23:00.000-06:00

My busy wife

2011-12-15T17:20:00.000-06:00

Another quick oil sketch of Ping checking out her recipe on internet and cooking book simultaneously.

My busy wife

2011-12-14T17:16:00.000-06:00

Another quick oil sketch of Ping busy cooking over the stove.

My busy wife

2011-12-13T18:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of Ping making dim sum food over the stove in the evening.

In the warm street light on a warm winter night

2011-12-12T21:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch from our bedroom window at night.

My busy wife

2011-12-12T18:30:00.000-06:00

A quick but unfinished sketch of Ping making Wonton dishes at the kitchen table.

My busy wife

2011-12-11T18:30:00.000-06:00

A quick sketch of Ping busy doing some sewing work on my winter coat in the evening.

In the path of morning sunshine

2011-12-11T15:14:00.001-06:00

As soon as I got out of my bed, I went straight to my box easel and did this quick oil sketch before breakfast.

A window view late in the afternoon

2011-12-10T18:00:00.000-06:00

A third oil sketch for today looking into the sky at the moment when the sun was setting with a burst of glorious colour and light.

A window view at noon

2011-12-10T15:09:00.000-06:00

One more oil sketch from our living room window at noon.

From our front yard on warm Saturday morning

2011-12-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch from our front yard while listening to CBC radio 2 this morning

Full moon rising

2011-12-09T22:30:00.000-06:00

A glimpse into the night sky where the full moon was glistening in the wintry sky. It is handy to always have my easel set up ready facing the window. A quick oil sketch for tonight.

In the last glow

2011-12-09T17:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the wooded spot behind our hedges in the last glow of late afternoon sunlight.

A full moon winter night

2011-12-08T19:00:00.000-06:00

Came home later from a shopping errand but the excitement at the sight of full moon rising in the sky was irresistible. I set up my easel at the window and painted away.

In the path of receding sunlight

2011-12-07T18:00:00.000-06:00

Another quick oil sketch late in the afternoon looking out of our window into the receding sunlight.

A glimpse into rising sunlight at dawn

2011-12-07T12:43:00.001-06:00

Another quick oil sketch from our window early in the morning.

A glimpse into the encroaching night through the window

2011-12-06T22:30:00.000-06:00

The warm lights through the windows across the street pieced through the thick armor of the night. A quick oil sketch late at night.

A view of Maureen's garage against the last glow of the sun

2011-12-06T17:30:00.000-06:00

It was windy but not too cold which allowed me to paint this quick oil sketch from our patio looking into Maureen's backyard over the hedges. The sun was low over the horizon glowing vibrantly.

A glimpse into the receding sunlight through the window

2011-12-05T18:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the view through the window again when the receding light is quickly giving way to the shadow of the night at this time of the day.

Against the late afternoon sunlight

2011-12-04T20:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of our house standing against the late afternoon sunlight.

Winter light

2011-12-03T15:30:00.000-06:00

The sun finally broke out of the clouds at noon. Braving the cold element outdoor, I did this quick oil sketch from our front yard.

In the last light

2011-12-02T21:30:00.000-06:00

Dan, our neighbor, was walking by with his little dog while the last light of late afternoon sun was shining on the junipers and hedges. A quick oil sketch from our living room window.

A stroll into sunset on Balmoral Bay

2011-12-02T19:00:00.000-06:00

a quick oil sketch on Balmoral Bay late in the afternoon.

In the last glow

2011-12-01T22:00:00.000-06:00

another quick oil sketch from our window when the sky was tinged with evening blush before the darkness took over.

A view into our backyard

2011-12-01T21:50:00.000-06:00

a quick oil sketch of the view over the hedges late in the afternoon.

Sign of the season

2011-11-30T21:47:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the window view late in the evening

In the street light

2011-11-29T21:43:00.000-06:00

Again came home late from school due to painting the stage set for school production. Opened the door and with the help of a flashlight, I did this quick oil sketch of the view in front in the warm street light.

a gleam of light before the darkness

2011-11-28T21:41:00.000-06:00

Came home late from school , and painted this quick oil sketch before the view was enveloped into total darkness of night.

Moment before sunset

2011-11-27T22:30:00.000-06:00

It was a beautiful sight late in the afternoon when the sun was low in the sky lighting up everything in its path. A quick oil sketch from our driveway.

A winter view on Elmsdale of Brandon

2011-11-27T15:00:00.000-06:00

Painted this beautiful neighbbourhood of Elmsdale of Brandon around noon. It was so rare to have such a warm November day.

On a beautiful sunny Sunday morning

2011-11-27T12:00:00.000-06:00

What a beautiful morning! I opened the door, and painted this bright sunny view from our doorway.

Sunshine again!

2011-11-26T17:30:00.000-06:00

After lunch the sun came back , and I took my pochade box outside and did this quick oil sketch from our driveway while Fengping was shoveling the snow.

Cloudy and snowy morning

2011-11-26T13:30:00.000-06:00

A window view on a quiet Saturday morning

Snowing again

2011-11-25T19:25:00.000-06:00

Came home from school late in the evening. Had spent quite a few hours painting stage set fro Crocus Pains High School's annual major production. This year their stage production will be Grease. I am asked to paint a bedroom scene. I walked home in the darkness with snow flakes started to fall gently from the night sky. A quick oil sketch at the door. .

Warming up again

2011-11-24T19:23:00.000-06:00

Snow started to melt away when the temperature started to rise up. A quick oil sketch of our driveway wet with melting snow.

In the last glow

2011-11-23T19:18:00.000-06:00

A last glow before the view was engulfed into darkness of the night. A quick oil sketch from the window.

Facing the light light across the street

2011-11-22T19:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the view across the street in the warm wash of late afternoon sunlight.

In the fading winter light

2011-11-21T16:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch from our backyard. Very cold with biting wind!

a glimpse out of the window in the evening

2011-11-20T23:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch before the light faded away in the evening.

A view of our house across the street

2011-11-20T15:20:00.001-06:00

It is so cold outside and yet so beautiful when the sun is shining so brightly in the crispy clear blue sky. I took my French easel across the street and painted this view around noon.

a glimpse out of the window in the morning

2011-11-20T12:48:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch on Sunday morning

Looking into sunset moment from our window

2011-11-19T19:30:00.000-06:00

It was late in the afternoon when the warm sunlight washed over the snow covered hedges in our backyard. This time of the year again when the winter light was so appealing.

On a cold but sunny winter morning

2011-11-19T15:14:00.000-06:00

What could be more exciting to see finally the sunlit sky on this beautiful winter morning when I pulled up the curtain of our bedroom window after a night of sound sleep.

Snowing outdoor viewed from our window

2011-11-18T15:11:00.000-06:00

A window view of snowy morning from our living room window on a quiet Friday morning.

A snowy night when the street light was on

2011-11-17T22:30:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch from our window at night.

Looking over the hedges

2011-11-16T17:30:00.000-06:00

a quick oil sketch of the grove of trees in the late afternoon sunshine.

Light and shadow of a winter afternoon

2011-11-15T04:30:00.000-06:00

A winter view on Balmoral Bay. Painted this view across the street facing the dazzling sunlight.

Winter moon

2011-11-14T21:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of the full moon night when the clouds dissipated revealing a full moon in the wintry sky.

On a dark snowy night

2011-11-13T20:00:00.000-06:00

A quick oil sketch of a view from our door into the dark and snowy night when the street light injected a sense of warmness into the cold winter night.

A dark and gloomy Saturday afternoon

2011-11-12T17:04:00.000-06:00

The air was pregnant with snow. A quick sketch through the window looking into our backyard.

Kirkcaldy Heights School of Brandon

2011-11-11T14:57:00.000-06:00

Painted a view of Kirkcalday Heights School around 11 o'clock on the Th Day of the Th month of this year 2011. Added the figures afterwards to add to the feel of school in session. It was a bit windy and bit cloudy but when the sun broke out of the clouds it certainly looked beautiful with a thin layer of fresh snow on the grounds.

A gleam of sunlight

2011-11-10T18:55:00.000-06:00

Cloudy all day long until late in the afternoon when the sun broke out of the clouds briefly.

A full moon evening

2011-11-09T17:58:00.000-06:00

It is so beautiful, the full moon in the sky just moment after the sunset.