Peony Pair

Peony Pair - oil on wood - 5x5 inch each

I was simply gobsmacked at the flower markets in France.  Peonies piled high on top of one another, their tight rounded heads waiting for a tiny bit of warmth and sunlight to unfold.  I was amazed at how many.  Do they really sell this many cut flowers ?? 

Peonies at the market in St. Germaine en Lays

The answer is yes. The French buy flowers for everything; a staple on the market shopping list.  They are needed for love, for decor, for gracing tables of kitchens, dining rooms, parlours and courtyards.  They say 'Welcome!', 'I love you!', 'I'm sorry' and 'Just because'.  Peonies are so classic, so timeless.

I have some in my garden in various shades of pink, white & yellow. During the month of May, they grow about 1 inch a day, until June is festooned with their gorgeousness. If I bring them inside, they always need a dowsing in the sink to get the ants off of them.

Gallery Change Ups

On the Patio - 30x30
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A mention that my own Gallery at the Porch Door is opening TODAY for the season.  I'll be open Wed-Fri afternoons 1-5PM from May thru August, and by appointment anytime.  Today there is cupcakes and ice tea for gallery visitors! yum.

Other galleries I am with are blowing off the past winter and getting ready for spring and summer by changing up exhibits and displays, so I've been scurrying around delivering new works to them this week.  Kingston galleries seem to prefer my Kingston themed works(surprise, surprise); and I've been lucky to have a fairly steady trickle of sales with them. I do need to get down to Prince Edward County and do a change up with Side Street Gallery, but will perhaps schedule that in the next couple of weeks.
Kingston Frameworks will be showing 2 of my oils and 4 watercolours for their Art After Dark exhibit on Friday May 22.  Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery will have 5 new pieces.  Koru has prints, cards and my hand painted textiles.
  

hand stretched linen

I've been working on these tulips and freesia's on a linen canvas that I stretched and gesso'd myself.  The tooth is much coarser than the ones I buy, so I thought it might be a bit of a challenge to work on, sucking the paint in and all, but actually it surprised me.  It was springy and resilient.  It is a non standard size (18 1/2 x 18 1/2")...hubby built the stretcher frame. 
I am normally a pretty lazy artist; I cant be bothered to stretch my own canvas's on a regular basis.  It takes quite a bit of wrist strength, which I am sorely lacking.  I suppose it's a cheaper alternative, but the time involved has to be considered too.  And I'd rather be painting.
These tulips and freesias were fresh last week when I began, but this evening when I went back to it, they were really starting to wane.
Here's Holly and I on Friday night...celebrating our weekend.

 

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.

piggery gallery

oil on canvas - 18 x 24"

I am happy to be meeting Jaana of the Piggery Gallery on Thursday afternoon, and will be taking her a few pieces of my art to hang there.  It is a country gallery north of Newburgh. I will take some pictures when I am there and probably post an update about it.

Meanwhile today I will be giving a private lesson from 9am-4pm, so have a full day.  I really enjoy this person who I will be teaching, so I am feeling like it is going to be a fun day.  A big  bunch of orange tulips and white freesia's is awaiting in the studio, hopefully we can work some magic with it on canvas.

Worked in another non-representational process again on Saturday, and this is the result.  I'm quite enjoying the freedom.

moments

Primroses - oil on panel - 6x8"
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I'm doing a sun dance this weekend.  OMG, we had SNOW this morning, ugh. SO over it!

So, I had a moment on the way to yoga on Thursday morning. Driving along, thinking about living in the moment...what it really means; suddenly a shift in my perspective occurred, it felt profound.  I know we all get these moments from time to time. It's good they occur randomly and infrequently because it makes it more special.  I like when that happens. What it felt like was that the big picture was no longer down the road and in the future, but  all around me, right here, right now. I was hyper aware of it.  Quite wondrous really.

I resolved this week to be mindful of as many moments as possible, notice and  acknowledge them. It's actually quite a challenge.

studio work

30 x 36" oil on canvas
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And now for a change.  A little non representation today.  The studio got an overhall last night, I sorted through all the stuff in my vertical storage(i had crammed a whole lot of non art stuff in there too)  Sorting into piles of keep and dont keep.  A lot of old work, let's face it there is a ton of stuff we artists build up that has served it's purpose as a learning experience in life, and serves no further purpse now.  Hopefully wind speeds will settle down today, and we can have a bonfire to get ride of the 'no further uses' pile.  Yesterday it was super windy, so hopefully today will be better.

I'm NOT complaining...we are so fortunate to have sunshine this weekend and temps that are a little more seasonal!  The garden is calling me.  Today I will get at my roses and uncover them from their winter hibernation nest of leaves.  Yesterday a daffodil bloomed in my garden, that is something to celebrate...the first one!  yay!

pyjamas in the studio

I've been fighting the dreaded "What will I paint?" since I finished my 30x30 canvas last week. In the studio in my pyjamas, I scrolled through my resource material. 
With no more excuses left in my head; hell, it doesn't matter...I just want to paint! 
heh... that last sentence sounds like it could be a Bob Dylan refrain. 

So, with gentle studio music(harp) on the cd player, timid strokes began..yikes, feelin' rusty.  Keep going.  Warming up, stretching the strokes, hmmm the flow is happening.  hey, feelin' better.  
When I got to number 3 I'm feelin' like my old self again, skipping along, and getting into the vibe of it.   It might have been the Ashley MacIsaac fiddle that my cd player had switched to, or maybe the jig I was doin' at the same time?!?  Anyhow I'm havin fun, and yay, I am painting again.


So this is what I was listening to.  It's an oldie, but it's one of my fav's.

building ideas from photo reference

THROUGH THE PARK
oil on canvas - 30x30 " - $800
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This painting developed in a rather tonalist manner. I wanted an atmosphere of tranquility even though there is activity(with the rider).  The light falling through the canopy of trees is the main idea...dappled light falling on form. The form just happens to be a lawn, trees, a figure riding, and some houses on the street. Looking at it now, I realize I've made the light a little too cool in the forground, I'll likely tweak that tomorrow.

I took my resource photo(below) last fall, in City park near old Sydenham ward...an old stones neighbourhood in downtown Kingston. There's always lots of students passing through on their way to and from the university. It's a busy place. I added architecture to create a sense of the place.  I enjoy taking liberty with photo resources.  That's the whole fun of it all!  Changing shapes and forms to suit my sensibility.

my photo reference

Abstract design and colour relationships are at the heart of what I'm doing, and that keeps me interested while I'm painting. Detail is skimpy for a reason. I want a sense of anonymity with the figure. (perhaps it is someone you might know, or maybe not)  Atmosphere is key.

I resolved the painting this morning, which was a good feeling...it had been in the studio and gone through various stages of completion over a couple of weeks! Sometimes it just DOES take more time. Good thing I enjoy the process.  Afterwards in the afternoon I went for tea and to check out my friend Bonnie Brook's new work! (wonderful!) what a great afternoon of art pals and art chat!

the dreaded artist statement is your friend

 

work in progress-  oil - 30 x 30"

I think most artists agonize over writing artist statements for body's of work or for entries to shows or exhibitions. I know I do. It's not easy translating art into words, but it's kind of essential that we learn to do this.  Did you know that an artist statement is actually your friend?   Yes!  It's on your side...in your corner...tooting your horn...giving explanations of your work to those that take an interest when you're not around to do it!  

Personally I hate confusing 'art speak', and always appreciate reading an artists statement that is written in simple language so anyone can understand. That can sometimes be hard for us artists! We get excited about and  caught up in our own technical interests and ideas about how we make our art, so much so that we forget the simple(but 'ultimately sophisticated') edit.  I know I have written tons of statements over the years to go with my art. Tons of boring yadda yadda yadda waxing poetic about my art philosophy etc.  Who really cares? no one that's who! ha ha.  I'm learning as I go on. 

As my art changes so do my statements.  Here's my most recent attempt. We'll see how long it lasts. heh. heh.

"Recent themes in my work acknowledge personal freedoms and joys found in the activity of everyday life.  The freedom of cycling along, the joy of quiet solitude, the delight of a holiday. With these ideas in mind, I merge the pictorial with the emotional. I love the meditative process of working in oils."

I had to laugh when I viewed this satirical youtube by visual artist Charlotte Young.  Hope you get a laugh or two.

Waterlily and art supplies

Waterlily - oil on panel - 9 x 12
$195 - click here to purchase

This study began life in acrylics, but yesterday I started working into it again with oils and brought it to this conclusion. I've added it to my 'Wetland' collection on my website. 

Kingston artists are wondering what is going on with the once fabulous Wallack's art supply store in downtown Kingston.  I know I am not the only one in the past year who has made special trips to town to buy art supplies only to find they haven't got any of the things I needed(basic things!).  Frustrating. I came home and turned to online shopping(Curry's) to order what I needed.

This never used to a problem.  Wallack's was always well stocked, and if they didn't have it, they got it for you in a couple of days and called you when it came in.  Not any more.  The shelves are bare and the staff tells us they are 'having difficulty with supplies'. no kidding.  I feel they are not being honest with their customers. something is going down.

Today the Wallack's website announced the official 'explanation' for closing 3 of their stores in Ottawa.  To me it seems a pretty delusional message.  Despite the stated plan to continue operating their Kingston store, I think they have already lost the Kingston artists market.

Personally, I'd be happy to see a Curry's art store in Kingston.  Who know's, maybe their head office will consider it.  I'm sure Kingston artists and art students would support it.

The heart of an artist never gets old

Yesterday while visiting artist Kim Rempel's blog I discovered this marvelous clip which simply melted my heart, and so I just had to share it with all of you who might be reading my blog today.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

"Get Old" Hy Snell, 94 from Variable on Vimeo.

Mossy Shore

Mossy Shore - 9 x 12 -oil on panel -$195
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My cold/flu has improved a bit, so I wandered into the studio this morning, first time in about a week. Spent a while working on a larger painting that is still at a midway point.  I'm indecisive about my colour strategy for it, so I need to back off a bit, give myself more time to work it out.  

Turning my attention to something else, I spied this small panel on the shelf. Said shelf runs above the window in my studio.  It's where I put paintings(small ones)to dry or when they need to 'percolate' a bit.  This one had been percolating a number of weeks; so time for a resolution. I had thought about adding a canoe but decided against it. The real subject is the light falling on the mossy shore; I thought the canoe would compete with it too much.

facebook and art

Daisy's - oil on panel - 6 x 8"
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There is a new facebook page called ASK (Arts Scene Kingston) and yesterday I posted a query about my 5 missing paintings from the rental gallery.  I was most happy to receive an almost instant reply from Ben Darrah who has been hired to do the job of closing down the accounts left outstanding after the actual rental gallery closed last summer. Good news indeed.  Ben is a good guy, and as an artist understands the artists position... it's good to know he's working on it.

I have 2 facebook accounts.  One is personal stuff (for family etc)and the other is an artist page. I thought it was a good idea at first, but now I feel like it's a little redundant.  I'm still learning how to manouvre  it. For example when I'm signed in on the personal page, if I post on the artist page it disappears! I guess i'm supposed to sign in on the artist page to do that. duh. and you have to encourage and invite people to 'like' to your page for it's visibility to grow. duh. stupid. lame. but so right now.  ha ha ha.  the things we artists do in the name of promotion.

I came down with a cold Thursday, so I'm not feeling like painting. This small daisy painting was a Monday effort. During the evenings watching telly, I've been knitting birthday socks for Holly, which will be at least a month late for her birthday as I only have 1 done. 

Last night I started smocking a little bishops dress for Miss Ella my grandaughter.  So I'm not idle, just not painting.  My eyes aren't what they used to be so dont look too closely at the stitches, they are wonky, but I know Ella wont care. Rachel had a brown gingham dress when she was little, and I loved her in it, so that's why I chose this colour again. ...memory lane:)

Winter Light with Tulips

Winter Light with Tulips - oil on canvas - 30x30"

This painting has been waiting around in the studio for resolution for a couple of weeks. This morning we had a talk. It was quite therapeutic! I said some things... it said some things.  We had it out! Originally I had thought I would harmonize the area of the leaves by glazing into it, then adding more lights, but no.  That no longer seemed the way to go about it.  I opted for a more tentative approach.

I mixed up lots of different tints.  I applied them with palette knife and brush adjusting warm and cool tones according to where I thought the light pattern was falling.  Since these tulips have long since done duty, and were no longer around to refer to; I had to imagine where that light was falling, so it was a bit of a give and take.  I also changed slightly the shapes and tones of the flowers and adjusted the tones within the shadows.

It's funny, just last week in my workshops we observed a little experiment I had set up showing how  shadows change according to what kind of light (warm or cool) is on the subject.  I am just realizing this painting is a good example of the idea:  cool light casts warm shadows. 

Koru gallery on Brock street

Some of my hand-painted textile cushions are available now at KORU art annex and gallery on Brock Street in downtown Kingston.  They're pretty lively! ha ha.  My  art print reproductions and art cards are also available at this sweet little gallery! 

Christine(one of the owners) took some piccys and sent them along to me last night, so thought I'd share with you.  

Guess what I finally took my Christmas lights down yesterday (the ones on the outside of the house).  Had a look around the yard, and the snow is beginning to melt ...nearly time to get some primroses and pansies.  o yes i like to push the season

lesson learned

The Gardener - watercolour

Yesterday I needed to give a watercolour demo for the workshop group, and the night before I was deliberating about what would be most useful to them.  I could choose a subject that I was fairly confidant with, that I had done several times before, or I could choose a subject I hadn't tried before and wasn't sure I could do, but that made me feel passionate.  If I don't feel at least a little passionate, I find it hard to summon up any kind of energy for painting. 
So, you guessed it I chose the second option. 

Inspiration from one of my fav shows, "Monty Don's Around the World in 80 Gardens"  was my subject... a BBC produced series featuring gardener Monty Don, leading the viewer on an exploration tour of spectacular gardens worldwide. 

Splashing on singing colour with the first wash, I could almost could hear the birds singing...things were going swimmingly!  As I continued (in my own mind, though I didn't let on) things progressed downhill from there.  The lesson I learned yesterday is that it's okay when you're students see you fall...it shows them that it happens to everybody.   As Joann (one of the participants) put it yesterday: "Nobody dies". ha ha ha.

the demo before I cropped it
-too much chaos competes with focal point

Focus on Colour - oils

Morning Espresso in the Sun 9 x 12"

Today I gave a workshop in my studio about colour for oil painting; it went well.  There is just so much darn info about colour to get a handle on, that there are volumes and volumes written about it. It can be pretty confusing for people learning to paint. Today we tried to break it down a bit.  Thoughts on choosing colour palettes, the colour of shadows, colour matching, mixing and application techniques.  I did this demo of an Italian village street scene.  I was inspired by the colours in the cast shadows, so thought it was a good example for the demo.  We were tired by the end of the day, but got a thorough workout!

dreaming of fun in the sun

It's funny how being hunkered down in my studio during wintery weather leads me to dreaming of fun in the sun. Last week I gave the watercolours a workout creating little miniature's on the theme of beach huts. (I love 'dem little cutie-pies!) It was a fun change up from big florals and bike path paintings and helped get me dreaming of holidays and carefree days during the process.  

It's a diversion switching mediums. Oil painting has allowed me a 'painterly freedom' that I was missing when I used to paint exclusively in watercolours. That freedom stayed with me while painting these.

workshop prep

artist desk job

Yesterday was a good day for hunkering down and working on the prep for my upcoming workshops next week. Basically I know the things I want to cover, but I like to give each class a 'handout'  with key points we'll discuss.  So that's what I was working on. The oils class is on Tues, the acrylics group on Wed, and the watercolour bunch on Thurs. The focus is on colour, and although the principles are the same the process with each medium is quite different.  I took me a while ' breaking it down' into the simplest language I could. Most of the day actually. I dont know how folks with desk jobs do it.  it's tiring! 

paintings waiting to be loaded for
Gallery on Gore, Perth, ON.

Today thank goodness we have a break in the weather and the temp has come up to 0' making the roads okay to travel on, which is a good thing as I'm heading to the gallery in Perth this morning to take them new paintings.  They've had a slow winter(no surprise) so I'm hoping things will get moving for them with spring around the corner.  My friend Sarah is going to join me for the drive, so we'll share a coffee, scone and art chat at the lovely bakery in Perth, near the gallery afterwards.