Love, Friends and a Springy Flingy

Mini blocks -oil on wood - 2.5 x 3.5 inch

Mini block paintings were on my agenda yesterday; I got going on some rural scenes. I LOVE painting these tiny pastoral mini's, I get such a peaceful feeling while immersed in their creation.  They're  fun to have on hand at my art shows, even quite popular.  I think it's the price point, but cant argue with economics:)

Went for coffee with some art pals yesterday. One of them, Roz Bechtel, has an exhibition on at Windmills restaurant, so really wanted to see it. Impressed.  Roz paints the sea and everything about it; she's a maritime girl, in her blood.  She and her husband have a home in  PEI, she'll be near the coast she loves this summer.  I'm hoping to get a chance to join her there at some point, I'd love to paint again in PEI for a few days.  Maybe combine it with a visit to see my daughter & grandaughter ... I'm gonna ask the universe to arrange it!  2 of Roz's small paintings are in my porch gallery this summer, next to my beach hut's watercolours... a little bit of the seaside for the porch.

ROOTY TOOT TOOTY!!! SPRING ART SHOW on May 23 & 24th weekend!!! This is a fairly new one; in it's 2nd year, with a really gorgeous setting.  
It's at an old mill just off highway 15 at Lower Brewers Locks.  The mill belongs to Randal and Darlene Doner, both local artists.  Randal's famous metal work garden sculpture is featured throughout the lawns and property, where folks can wander and enjoy the gardens by the river. Would be great to see you there!  10-4 Sat & Sun.

Part of the process

Getting myself somewhat organized is a bit of a balancing act for me. I dont know about you, but if I let things get too cluttered in my studio i just cant seem to focus at all.  A happy medium between tidy and untidy seems to work best. 
This morning, after receiving a reject letter for an art show I applied for; instead of throwing it out in frustration, i decided to create some files.(yes real files in a drawer...not on the computer!)
I figure after a few years I will likely aquire a collection...my optimistic self thinks that instead of being a negative thing this could actually benefit me positively.  In the same way that I get a certain satisfaction out of crossing things off of a 'to do list', I figure that in time I will look back at this file and see it as a testament to the things I attempted and perservered with,not the rejection that it represents today.

In the meantime I cant wait to paint some more beach-houses...that's the little blocks up there on the shelf waiting. I usually use a 'quick-dry white' plus a tint colour for the painting ground, but I didn't have any 'quick-dry white' ...so i used regular 'titanium white' instead. not a good idea.  The thick ground(applied with a palette knife) is taking just FOREVER to dry...another lesson learned! 
I'm off to Halifax this Monday for a few 'girly' nights with my middle daughter Rachel. woohoo! excited.

art shows

The Fine Tuners played at the SCA Halifax exhibition opening reception, I really enjoyed their lively music. I must confess nearly every time i hear fiddle music it makes me want to do a little clog, jig, or reel. ( in private of course, because i really dont know the steps!)  Nova Scotia is in my blood, I was born there. I think that leprachaun is in the blood of the fiddler from The Fine Tuners.  They were nice lads, and chatted to us after they played.

I will be starting off the new year showing some of my works at the Mill Street Gallery and Cafe in Sydenham. I'm looking forward to hanging the pieces Dec 29.  The show will run for a few months, I think until end of February.   I will be one of 3 artists showing work there for a few months.  The others are Frankie LeMonde-Meunier(fibre art) and Vera Donefer(abstract works).  The Mill Street Gallery Cafe is showing original works on a regular rotating basis.  I for one love to see original works on the walls of cafes and restaurants when I'm enjoying a meal.  Hooray!... for the Mill Street Gallery Cafe.

Saturday gallery hopping

There's a fabulous  show of collages by Rebecca Cowan on at the Verb gallery in downtown Kingston right now. The Verb gallery is in the Wayfarer book store on Princess Street, at the very back of the store.  It is a delightfully bright small gallery space, perfect for a solo show of small works.  I saw it today.  I was so moved by one of the pieces in particular; a folding art book called the Chroma-do Chronicles, which couragously recounts the artists harrowing experience of brain tumour. I think the show runs until the end of October. If you can go you will be glad you did. Rebecca's work has always fascinated me, with her great eye for quirky yet sincere imagery. 
Between 2-4pm this afternoon, the Academy Gallery in Bath re-opened it's doors, with a group show opening reception. Artist and owner Janice Teare (in the black dress) showed her own body of new abstract works alongside the works of 4 other abstract artists.   The Academy gallery is really a lovely space for a show.  It used to be a school; as a matter of fact there was a gentleman at the opening today who had attended the school in his youth.  He could remember most of the teachers classrooms and even the hall area where he said he got the strap!  maybe he was only kidding...but maybe not.  Even i remember school-days when the strap was commonplace for mis-behaving children.  My own brother got it once for throwing snowballs.