Solo Show at James Brett Coiffure

show card for my exhibition at James Brett Coiffure

Tomorrow I hang my solo show at James Brett Coiffure.  There is 22 paintings in the exhibition in all.  A fair number of them are new works that have not been on display anywhere before(except my studio), so it's kind of like an unveiling in a way for many of them.  August snuck up on me; when I woke up this morning it popped into my head that tomorrow is the 29th.  A significant date for me in every way, because that is Jane's birthday...but also this year it is the date that was arranged for me to hang my show at the salon.  
I'm delighted to have 2 whole months to display the paintings here.  It is a beautiful large salon with lots of natural light.  I cant think of a better way for folks to enjoy the artwork, as they get pampered with a new 'do' or spa treatment.  Thank you James Brett Coiffure!  The show runs Aug 29 - Nov 7, 2016.  Pop in and enjoy a little bit of luxury while viewing my artwork.

clan of artists

Autumn in Vermont - 6 x 8" - $95

I'm guessing it's about 10 years or so since I started art blogging. I originally began on a Wordpress platform, but switched to Blogger after some hiccups I couldn't seem to solve. I am actually fairly tech challenged, but I enjoy connecting with artists around the world and seeing what they're doing.  Feels a bit like a sisterhood; well that's unfair, because there are plenty of brothers too! Let's just say it feels like a clan.  A tribe.  I get excited when someone new leaves me a comment, and I usually hop on over and link to their blog to check out what they're doing too.  

Pasture in Autumn - 6 x 8" - $95

RLAA is an organization I'm part of.  I don't get to meetings frequently, but when I do it's nice to connect with members of the clan. Yesterday we shared in group discussions in an 'art cafe' type format; discussions ranged from our art making processes, art education, art marketing experiences, and individual art philosophies. All fun and enriching. 

Next weekend, I'll be with yet another clan of artisans, to participate in the Thousand Islands Art Fair (Holly & Ivy TIarts Fair) held in Gananoque at the Arthur Child Museum.  Nov 21 / 22 - 10am -5pm.  Fourteen artists participating all under one roof will be a fun time, I'm sure.  Hope to see you there.

 

Tuesday in December

Summer Pub Nights - The Ports - SOLD

I met the nicest couple at our artist open house, Dec 7th. I learned we had similar shared experiences, in that we lived in Victoria, Australia as did they for a time. It was so lovely having a chat with them about it.  They had come in search of my painting 'Summer Pub Nights- The Ports', which I didn't have at the show with me, but I directed them to KGSGallery where that painting was currently residing.  Yesterday I found out from Kate, the gallery manager, that the painting had sold when she was away sick.  I'm hoping that it was sold to that nice couple because it's satisfying when you learn who your painting will live with, and you really like them.

Christmas preps are in full swing, got the tree up and decorated on Sunday, doing some baking too!

I had some time yesterday in the studio working on a project I began in August but put on the back burner. It's not nearly there yet; too early to post, but I'm feeling positive about it again which is something. Meanwhile...

Good Morning Halifax poster 24 x 18" -$40

I created a poster for the east coast tourist market from my painting 'Good Morning Halifax'.  Currently  I'm approaching a popular gift shop in Halifax in which to sell the poster. (The original painting was sold to a kindred spirit for her home in Stanhope, PEI.  I'm so delighted that this painting will live in the east coast!) Fingers crossed the poster will get picked up by the gift shop.  I was born in Nova Scotia, I consider myself a NS artist, although I am currently living in Ontario.  Dave is in the process of making me an awesome rolled posters display stand, which I'll bring along with me on our trip at the end of the month.   Yes...cant wait!  We're driving out to Nova Scotia in the truck; so looking forward to some family time again, with a large dose of grandaughter on the side.




 

Pub Door and a pastoral...

Pub Door - oil on canvas - 30 x 30"

I've been working my way through different stages of several paintings this weekend so feeling happy about keeping ahead of the eightball(so to speak).  After a wonderful few days hiking and visiting friends in Vermont, on Sunday Dave and I made the most of our quiet weekend. I enjoyed a wonderful painting day listening to some gorgeously inspiring opera music, with the sun streaming in the south window of my studio. Dave went for a motorbike ride, so he was having fun and so was I. 
I was going to take my Pub Door painting to KGSGallery along with 2 other paintings on Saturday for their December exhibition but it wasn't quite dry and I'm glad I didn't rush it.  I had a chance to resolve it a little more, and now it reads to my satisfaction.
My arm is still quite tender, but I'm taking it gently and trying not to squeeze with force on the brushes when I'm rinsing them...that motion is just the worst for aggravating my tennis elbow.

Greener Pastures - 9 x 12 - SOLD

During my classes I illustrate various concepts about painting design through demos, so I start many small paintings for this purpose and then leave them lying around on the shelf unfinished.  Yesterday I thought why not develop some a little further and see where they go.  Here's a pastoral acrylic in progress...(I still want to strengthen the shadow under the white cow).  This lesson focused on 'shapes within the painting'.  I painted the cows upside down to illustrate the brain's ability to read shape more accurately when looking at it as an abstract element and not what it actually is(in this case, a cow).  
I jump started the season yesterday and made my Christmas cakes. I have to do them quite far in advance because they need lots of time to steep in brandy wrapped in cheesecloth (about 4 weeks), then I package them up and include them in my family's Christmas parcels.  Smelling them cooking brought me right back to my mums kitchen in December! xo


 

Start of a New Day

Start of a New Day - oil on gessobord panel - 12 x 16"

I'm so excited to be heading to Halifax on Sunday to see my darling little grand daughter. I'm trying to work on finishing up a few pieces before I go, as I know I wont be oil painting while I'm there.  Perhaps there will be an opportunity for a little watercolour sketching, but I'm not sure...there is much cuddling and rocking to be done, and that will definately take precedence!
I resolved this painting yesterday afternoon.  It is more of a dreamscape than an urbanscape, but that's the mood I was in while working on it.  It took 2 glazes, first a raw sienna one which gave it a bit of an 'old world' feel, but was a little sombre for the mood I wanted.  So after that one dried I tried a glaze of Permanent Rose.  That gave it a definate mood of viewing the scene through 'rose coloured glasses'.  That was okay with me; I love the mood at the beginning of the day when it seems there is so much promise and all the time in the world, it cant help but be uplifting.  After the glazes dried I painted into it again using fairly muted warm tones.  When Dave came home from work he came up to the studio and looked over my shoulder as I was working on it..."I love that" he said.  He doesn't give a lot of feedback about my work, so it always means a lot coming from him.  

Quick post before classes

Autumn in the Islands 1 and 2 - oil on wood

Good morning! Cup of tea by my side, thought I'd while away the time before my class starts this morning with a little blog update. Yesterday I got cracking and did the prep needed for today, (it's all about atmospheric perspective today)so it feels relaxing to not be rushing around this morning. 
Weren't we just blessed with fantastic weather for our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend!?  We spent nearly the whole time out of doors, and gosh it was lovely! I was lucky this year, only did some veggies and bought the bird, but Jeff cooked the turkey in his outdoor deep fryer this year...it was delish! and quite the event too. 

Winter Cabins 1 and 2 - oil on wood

I didn't get much time to work on my Halifax harbour painting, though I did get a little...but not ready just yet to post it...so thought I'd show you some more mini blocks which I've been doing to prepare stock for November shows.

Winter in the Islands - oil on wood - 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

My dad's partner Diana passed away, and the funeral is this weekend.  Sad that he will not have her in his life anymore for company, but she is in a better place.  She was not well for the last number of months.

Vermont vacation, painting trip

 Setting out for Vermont last Saturday morning it was with more than a little trepidation.  The 'storm of the century', or the 'frankenstorm' as it was dubbed in the media was coming, and it preoccupied our thoughts. I was heading to Stowe with 2 friends for a week and was planing on  painting...preferably outside in the hills of Vermont, en plein air. I have to admit, I'm a fair-weather painter, not a dedicated plein air one.  But we were lucky.  The first two days we were there was definately the calm before the storm; we had sunshine and nice warm temps.  But on Monday night the gusting winds began and the rest of the week was  pretty unsettled, although thankfully we had no power outages or storm damage. The hurricane skirted Vermont. We were all very grateful!  I  painted, although more inside than out, on account of the wind, and we enjoyed our trip.  The "hills were alive"!  We stayed at a chalet with spectacular views, on the property of the Trapp Family Lodge.  Wonderful! I would definately recommend this spot for anyone who loves nature and an active lifestyle.

During the week, we found time for a little sightseeing, browsing and sampling Stowe's highlights.  We went in a fantastic artisan crafts and design gallery there which Sherry and I especially enjoyed. 

County Wine Tour # 2 , oil painting

 County Wine Tour # 2

oil on canvas

24" x 24"

Here's the second painting inspired by our Prince Edward County wine tour in September. It was fun just letting go of the original design and going with what felt good. I had to go get a bottle of wine and bring it up to the studio and pour a glass of it so I would have a model for the forground.  Ya you guessed it, i started drinking it while I was painting...sort of added to the mood.  ha ha. 

Sail One and Sail Two

I've been working out some ideas for a larger painting -  a commission for a client.  I'm really excited about doing it because in this case there isn't any stipulations, except the subject itself, which is the client's lakeview.  I've been encouraged by the client tohave complete freedom and "have fun with it".  She's open to lots of colour and to a playful mood, so I've been doing a few small scale sketches, prepping some ideas...the results below.  I shall call them Sail One and Sail Two.  

Each is 6x8 inch and is oil on panel.

Off to Toronto tomorrow... art visits extrodinaire.  

WELCOME ! County vineyards, oil paintings, Rome

Welcome!  That's for anybody coming here for the first time.  If you've visited my blog before you might notice that it has a bit of a new look.  That's because I've switched blog platforms.  Various reasons; but ultimately I'm hoping that I'll have a bit more functionality with this blog. 
Above on the left is the progress on the painting I've been working on today.  It's slower going than the previous one of the same theme. At the moment i need to let it dry,  I want to lighten the value of the shadow, but cant yet; maybe tomorrow. Patience, right?

...that's what this artist  (left) had in spades.  We came across her studio while we were meandering on back streets in Rome.  She specialized in restoring statues, mosaics, paintings and other antiquities.  I was fascinated.
 The Piazza Navona(below right), is full of artists, sort of like Paris's Montmatre. I love the fountains in Navona square...all green / blue and sparkling water gushing from massive white marble statuary.  The fountain of the 4 rivers is my favourite.

Rome is beauty, beauty everywhere you look. Even the mediterranean pine trees which dot the landscape seem to be planned by nature as perfect forms to compliment its architechture.