Salty Prairie Dog Art

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Salty Prairie Dog Art

The art of professional artist Bobbi Pike. YYT-YYC

04/24/2026

Art ‘in progress’ post

As soon as I saw the deep vibrant yellow of the canola field I know I would just have to paint them.

I had seen them depicted in art before but somehow imagined they couldn’t look so pretty in real life and instead the artist had ‘enhanced’ the field.

As I start to paint them myself, the colours almost seem too bright and vibrant for real life. And for an artist who’s known for her bright and vibrant artwork, them are big words. I think I’ve finally found my match in colour…who knew that I would find it on the prairies?

This (picture 1) is what I call the colouring book stage, where I’ve colour blocked the base colours. There is an underpainting underneath and if you look closely you will see a line of mountains separating the sky from the field... they will be brought back out after the sky is complete. You will also see my reference picture at the bottom of the painting.

This is the very first step of the process. There are layers and layers to go. I’ll start to build depth by using a little atmospheric haze. It’s a pretty cool little painters trick to create distance. You mix in a little ‘colour of the air’, usually a sky blue and that helps to match what the eye sees far away. (See picture 2 for a great example of atmospheric haze in real life)

Picture 3/4 is the day we took our reference picture and the day I fell in love with the fields of yellow.

Loving the title suggestions that are coming my way. Keep em coming, please!

What are your thoughts so far? Can you see where this painting is going?

04/20/2026

Excited to be back in ‘The Stubio’ throwing some paint around!

It’s alway a little scary starting a new piece. It’s even more scary sharing the progress or art journey with the public.

For some unknown reason, I’ve always had a fear that I’ll forget how to do, what I do. Especially when some time has elapsed between paintings.

In my early days, my paintings came fast and furious, almost as if they had built up over the years (before I knew that I could paint) and they came ‘out of me’ in a bold flurry of colour.

These days, I’m more laid back, my painting style is more relaxed. More time passes between the time when I finish a painting and when I start a new one.

In some ways, even when I’m not mid painting, my mind is always at the easel. It’s a constant internal conversation; What am I going to paint next. What colours should I use? Should I use paper or canvas?

If you lived with me, you’d see me ducking into the Stubio, and just looking around at my tools/toys: paints, brushes, paper, palettes. Sometimes moving them around, perhaps to give them a nudge to see which ones speak to me — to see if they know the secret as to what’s about to emerge next.

There is a constant sense of what if I can’t make it work? What if it’s ugly? What if ‘they’ don’t like it.

But then I realize, when I pick up that paintbrush, or pencil, or piece of clay, it’s not really about you, dear reader/art fan…

Instead it’s sense of self expression. Of getting something out that’s stuck inside of me. Maybe it’s sharing the world as I see it, or a memory, or maybe it’s a re-creation of a long forgotten late night dream.

There is always a huge sigh that comes when o start. As if I’m finally on my happy perch where I can let it allll out. Hubby ( and son) compares it to a big truck letting out the air brakes to relieve pressure…

Purging. Transformative. Poignant. Cathartic

In any case, and whatever it means on a higher level…

I pick up my brush, and begin.

Comments, questions and moral support always welcome. What say you?

04/06/2026

The shingle is out!

My door sign is in place … and I’m officially in L😍VE! Isn’t it the cutest thing you ever saw!?!

No, it’s not a 🤭typo, it’s pure personality and sass. It’s always been ‘The Stubio’ for us, and will always be…it’s a 💞 🐾 family thing.

What do you think?

04/04/2026

ICYMI, I’ve officially back in my perch and painting again!

When we decided to relocate our west, the first thing to be packed away was the contents of my artist studio. Hubby Geoff asked me to consider myself ‘semi-retired’ as we transitioned, so I could focus on the move.

Smart 😏thinking on hubby’s part, because he knew my studio and it’s treasure trove of colours would be an ever-present distraction as we tried to pack our belongings.

When the paints came out I knew I wanted to paint something that showed both acceptance and love for my new Alberta home. Thorn to be Wild was born.

In this, my newest painting, The Three Sisters mountains stand proudly in the background of beautiful pink wild roses as viewed from the Bow River in Canmore, Alberta.

‘Thorn to be Wild’ is a play on words from ‘Born to be Wild’, the popular song from the 1960’s by Steppenwolf. The Three Sisters and The Bow River were indeed born to be wild, and when you add in the prickly pink wild roses…well, you can see how the title fits.

You can find the original and reproductions of Thorn to be Wild on the website. Click the link below and have a look around:

https://saltyprairiedogart.com

What do you think? Do you like Thorn to be Wild?

03/26/2026

Welcome everybody!

Yes, it’s me and yes, I can still be found at Bobbi Pike Art. I really felt a rebrand was needed to reflect this new, Western era of my life.

So hit that follow button and join the fun!

For this that don’t know me…

Bobbi Pike is a professional artist who hails from Newfoundland, Canada, and currently resides in Calgary, Alberta. Bobbi’s style is characterized by bold colours, dynamic compositions, and a mix of playfulness and serenity! Her art often features landscapes, seascapes, and whimsical scenes, showcasing her love for nature and life’s simple joys.

Address

Seton
Calgary, AB
T3M3G3

Website

http://www.saltyprairiedogart.com/

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