Celebrate Everyday

Yesterday was Kelly's birthday, if you've been following my blog for awhile you'll know that Kelly is my good friend who is always there when I need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. We laugh a lot, like to eat potato chips and have been known to have a couple of beers on a hot Sunday afternoon.

So I put together a gift bag with all of her favourite things and invited her over and yes, we ate potato chips, had a beer and laughed. I told her that her husband had invited me to have dinner with them which was, of course, just a rouse as he had invited a bunch of friends over to celebrate. As we were sitting around in the backyard having something to eat and in the midst of all the laughter and smiles on everyone's face, I took a moment to take in all of these wonderful friends we have made over the years. Each and every one of them has played an important part in my life. Without them and the experiences I've had them with them I probably wouldn't be the person I am today.

So, Happy Birthday Kelly.........celebrate everyday .........one more great year of living surrounded by friends, laughter and potato chips.

Back Home

Back home from Toronto and back at work. We have company coming for the weekend so I am trying to squeeze a bit of time in at the studio before they arrive in between trying to prepare lunch and clean the house. The girls said they cleaned yesterday while I was at the car dealership having the oil changed on the car, but to look around the house.............you wouldn't know it.

This piece has just been completed and will head off to the framers on Monday. It was inspired by a photo I took when I was in Toronto in July The trees and foliage are all threadpainted but the rest is acrylic paint.

See you on Monday

Can't Get Better Than Today

Tossed and turned all night long last night. John and I watched Matrix Revolutions and I think all that action overstimulated my brain. Good movie though.......quite thought provoking.

It didn't help that I couldn't seem to get work out of my head. I dreamt of being in New York and walking all over the city looking for a gallery to represent my work. I had no shoes on my feet and carried my artwork over my head.

I'm sure a therapist would have something interesting to say about that.

I arrived at the Silverbridge Gallery around 10:30, anxious to show Michelle my new work. I was sure to let her know that this was the new direction I was taking .........just wanted to make sure it would be a good fit with the gallery. I took both "Fields of Yellow" and "The View From Here" and she absolutely loved both of them. I asked to use the bathroom before I left and when I came out she had already sold "Fields of Yellow" to a buyer who had been in the gallery when I arrived. Believe me when I tell you......for an artist it doesn't get any better than that. I took it as more than a coincidence.......I took it as a sign that I am on the path I have been working toward for the past nine years. It was a great drive home with me singing loudly to the radio (shades of Jerry Maguire), I too, cannot hold a tune.

Finished off the above piece "Colours of Summer" when I got home and have almost completed a piece depicting the streets of Toronto in which I have used both acrylic paint and thread.........still haven't come up with a name for it yet. I will post it when it is done. I am off to Toronto for a couple days but will return on Friday.

Be well everyone.

The View From Here

Hmmm.....I really love Sundays.

John has taken off to the archery range for the day, both of the girls are headed to friends and I have a full day stretched out in front of me. I will probably work which may sound strange to some but working makes me happy. I experience great joy when I'm in my studio "figuring things out". I call it my place of meditation as I find when I am "creating" nothing else comes into my head. I am just in that moment. May sound corny but it is absolutely true. Today I'm working on a small piece, it will probably end up being 8"x10" once it is matted and framed. It is a wildflower garden with lots of daisies. I'm also working on a piece that was inspired by my trip to Toronto a few weeks ago. I will post both when they are completed and you can let me know what you think.

Last night we attended a small party for my friends Andy and Laurie who are due to get married in August. Lots of fun, lots of laughs and lots of food. I only ate a bit of the salads as I was still feeling full from the late lunch we had.........a veggie burger (trying to be good) but then blew it with the fries that arrived on my plate. I did not ask for them but figured since they were there I would eat just a few...... well, a few led to all. That plate couldn't have been any cleaner had I licked it. My pants are not feeling any looser these days. Anyway, both Andy and Laurie are coming to see me today to pick out a piece of my art which will be my wedding gift to them.

I am currently reading a great book "Eat, Pray, Love: One woman's search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia" by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is touted as her spiritual memoir. I am not that far into it as of yet but I am already loving it. If you get a chance check out the "Thoughts on Writing" section on her website. I love this quote

"I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling. I became a writer the way other people become monks or nuns. I made a vow to writing, very young. I became Bride-of-Writing. I was writing’s most devotional handmaiden. I built my entire life around writing. I didn’t know how else to do this. I didn’t know anyone who had ever become a writer. I had no, as they say, connections. I had no clues. I just began"

I think that is so beautifully said.

Hope your having a good weekend too

Threadpainting

Today is shaping up to be a great day. My girlfriend Kelly is coming over for lunch and later this afternoon John and I are going to take our oldest daughter canoeing up the Green River. She and John will do some fly fishing while I sketch and take photos. My youngest is due to return from camp tomorrow afternoon. It will be so good to have her home.

This piece that I have posted "Fields of Yellow" just came back from the framers yesterday and they did a fantastic job. I photographed it before it was framed as it is impossible once the glass goes on due to the glare. I chose a wide white matt with a very simple mahogany frame. I am quite pleased. I am headed up the the Silverbridge Gallery next Thursday to drop off the new work.

This piece and "The View From Here", which I will post next, are experiments in threadpainting. "Fields of Yellow" is only about 5"x7" without the frame but it took me days of work to complete it due to how labor intensive it was. The entire artwork is covered in thread and nothing else. Time consuming? Yes, but totally worthwhile. I love being able to present a more realistic piece which is the direction I see my art headed in. This week I have also been working on a piece that will involve acrylic paint and thread. It was inspired by a photo I took the last time I was in Toronto........when it is finished I will post it and you can let me know what you think

As a side note.......from the bottom of my heart I would like to thank everyone who emailed me personally with words of support for the loss of our cat Jamoca. It reminds me of how much love and compassion there really is in the world. It was much appreciated.

Jamoca

Today is a very sad day for our family. Our cat of 20 years, Jamoca, is going to be put down this afternoon. We have struggled with this decision for the past few months as we have watched her health fail and have decided this is for the best. Although we realize it is necessary it doesn't make it any easier for any of us. We brought her home only two months after we first got married. At night she would sleep on my stomach for the first few weeks we had her. She felt comforted by my breath and I, by her presence. We named her Jamoca because our favourite ice cream at Baskin and Robbins was Jamoca Almond Fudge. She has been with us through countless moves to different locations, through the birth of both of my daughters, through the adoption of our dog Miner. It feels like the end of an era and I guess it is.

John and I spent all of our time with her last night. Talking to her, petting her and just staying close. Tonight when we are together as a family we will sit and recall all the past memories we have shared with her and in the end, remember how much she was loved.

Lots To Do.......Not Much Motivation

I had the best of intentions today but you know what they say about them. I have found a of couple galleries I am interested in approaching regarding representation but can't seem to get it together to do what needs to be done to make it happen. Bio, artist statement, jpegs of work etc. etc. I think I'm going to blame this lack of motivation on the summer. This warm weather just doesn't make me feel like staying inside. Summer is so very short here in Canada that it seems necessary to take advantage of every day.

Lisa Freeman came by yesterday to pick up her piece. She is having it framed so I am quite anxious to see it up on her wall. I don't frame any of my artwork because I feel it is a personal decision on the buyer's part whether they like the look of a textile framed or just as it is. Many people purchase textile art because they love the tactile appearance of it and prefer not to put glass in front of it. Like a said.........totally a personal choice.

I am trying to work on some new pieces for the Images Studio Tour in October. Although that may seem quite some time away, it sneaks up on me every year. I am hoping to have a few smaller pieces available rather than just large works.

Hope everyone has a relaxed weekend

Another Trip to Toronto and The End of "Three Matters"

Decided on Friday to head down to the Toronto Outdoor Art Show at Nathan Philips Square. They claim to receive 100,000 visitors during the three day event. Judging by how busy it was on Friday morning at 10:00am, I believe them. It was so much fun to just walk around and soak up all that creativity. I loved Jennifer Amenta's work. I was especially crazy about the entire painting being in black and white and only a couple of the figures being in colour. It really drew your eye in before you were able to absorb the rest of the artwork. Another two artists whose work I admired were Karen Visser and Sandra Tarantino. I loved their paintings depicting people in everyday situations. There is something about merely observing people going about their daily lives that totally intrigues me.

When Sunday rolled around I didn't feel like heading out to the gallery to pickup my work as it was a steller day. Hot and sunny.........good day to sit outside and read a good book. I have to say, I really enjoyed getting to know Ila Kellerman and Mary Profitt. Great artists and terrific people.

So today will be filled with calling the buyers and arranging for pick up of the art they purchased, cleaning up my studio again (yuck), taking the cats outside for a brushing (they really need it), trying to finish some new work and of course, laundry.

Hope your weekend was relaxing.

Fabulous Toronto

We decided a few months back to take the girls to Toronto for the weekend as a graduation gift. Although we only live an hour away it is always fun to head down for some shopping, take in a few museums, eat at some wonderful restaurants (I love that part...no cooking or clean up).

Toronto is a fabulous city. If you have never been you should. I have heard it is quite similar to New York which I have never been to but would love to visit. Anyone in New York have an suggestions on where to stay????

On Sunday morning we were walking by the First Canadian Place on King Street and this artwork caught my eye. I knew it was a textile from outside so I couldn't wait to see it close up. It is one of four pieces that have to be at least 15 feet long and 10 feet wide. Absolutely breathtaking. It is "Moon Quartet" by Tamara Jaworska. I just stood there totally mesmerized. Beautiful. I can only imagine the amount of work that went into those four gorgeous weavings.

Back in the studio today with lots of work piled up. I am working on a few new pieces which use only paint and thread. Will post one or two when they are done.