This & That

Haven't been posting all that often lately as there just hasn't been much to say. I've been off and on steady in the studio working on some larger pieces for the show I'll be doing at Ridge West Gallery sometime this year. I'm also in the middle of working on a few small 6"x6" paintings in acrylic. One is of my nephew and if I don't completely screw it up I'll probably give it to his parents as a gift.

I've also been crosscountry skiing with my friend Joan during the week. She's writing her thesis so is home most days around lunchtime when we head out. Nice to have someone else to ski with.

My friend Steve the abstract artist and brilliant singer/songwriter was over last week and we had a blast. He is such a fun guy, knows so much about art and is simply "good people". He is really spontaneous when it comes to painting and I admire that trait. I, on the other hand seem to be too tight and controlled. He was desperately trying to get me to throw some paint on the canvas when he was there but I was hesitant. I emailed him later that day to thank him for his time and he emailed back...."have you started yet?" Nothing like a good friend to keep you on your game.

John and I took a walk in the park yesterday. Although it was cold the sun was out and I desperately needed to get out of the studio for awhile. Sundays just happen to be my favourite day to work and listen to CBC but then again I listen to CBC everyday while I'm in the studio. Another post for another time which I shall entitle "Me And Jian Gomeshi"...... don't ask.

I'm digressing again!

I'll sign off with this picture I snapped in the park yesterday of a little dog named Stella wearing a pink coat and fur collar. Just had to take the photo because how many times do you see a French Bulldog wearing a get up like that.

Long Time Coming

Well there's not much I can say that hasn't already been said about the historic moment that took place yesterday. I watched on and off (thank god for Tevo) from around 10 in the morning until 11 last night..........yeah, I'm televisioned out but just couldn't miss out on witnessing an event that I never thought I'd see in my lifetime. The girls watched part of it with me last night and couldn't get over how much his dancing style resembled their Dads.

I've been a big Obama supporter since I first heard him give the keynote address at the DNC in 2004. Believe it or not I have watched all of the Democratic National Conventions since Jimmy Carter. I think somewhere on this blog I've mentioned what an American political junkie I am. So I'm not going to blab on and on rehashing what has already been said but here's my two cents worth "Barack Obama has inspired and restored a sense of hope and promise for not only Americans but for the world. He embodies everything it takes to be a leader who leads by example...........someone who walks the walk not just talks the talk. Enough said!

So as you can see my computer is up and running. John worked some sort of magic with it and voila here I am. Ok, maybe not magic since he had to stop in at Future Shop and buy a new router as ours was fried but at least, unlike me, he knew what to do.

Lately I've been quite pleased with myself as I've been keeping up with my promise to sketch something small every morning. I'm working on my compositional skills and in just a short amount of time have noticed a considerable different. Practice does make perfect or something like that.

Speaking of creativity, tomorrow my friend Steve is coming over and we are going to throw some paint around in an abstract sort of way. Yes, that does makes me nervous. Steve is a painter (loves abstracts) as well as a talented musician. We got to talking at a party in the village just recently and I mentioned to him that I had this huge canvas which I think is about 60"x24" in my studio. I also told him how it had been sitting there for what seems like years due to the fact it totally intimates me. I work on such a small scale that I've never attempted anything that big and white. So Steve kindly volunteered to come over tomorrow and we'll take a crack at it together and we see what we come up with. Maybe I'll post it................

My computer is not working. Will be back soon.

Tired of The Cold

October

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

When I woke up this morning it was -32 celcius...... for my American readers that is -26.5 fahrenheit. Enough of winter already.

Finished the above piece yesterday and since I haven't posted any new art lately, I thought I should so you would at least know I have been in the studio and working.

Tracy, Ellen and I have been having this discussion on bad music on our ipods so I thought I should at least weigh in with one of mine.............. what can I say, I was a teenager during the disco years. Embarassingly enough there is more where that came from.

Upcoming Events

I'm afraid there's not a whole lot to talk about today.



I took an amazing walk through the woods behind my house yesterday in the early morning which just happens to be my favourite time to walk. Didn't see a soul and it was so very peaceful. Although it was cold I didn't care because the sun was shining and that just about does it for me everytime. I think I'm going to take the above photo and begin a new piece based on it. I love the way the shadows have fallen upon the snow and the green that is highlighted on the trees due to the sun. Winter does have it's beauty!

Over at Blank Canvas, Stacey Peterson has an interesting post on making a living as an artist. Is it possible? Stacey is a fabulous painter and I check in on her blog regularly. Check it out and you'll see what I mean.

Today I was going through the short list of what I've got coming up this year.

1. I am presenting a lecture based on my work in Toronto in April

2. I will be participating in a two person show with the Ridge West Gallery (date to be announced)

3. I'll once again be a part of the Images Studio Tour in October.

I'm still interested in new representation but may need to do a bit more research in that area.

A Little Bit of Good News

Is it just me or does it seem like everything you read or hear lately is bad news? Everytime I turn on the radio, which by the way I've stopped doing first thing in the a.m. as I find it quite depressing, they are reporting on how awful everything is in the world. I came across this online the other day and by the time I finished reading a few of the short entries I just felt better in general.

What you focus on expands.

So with that said, I leave you with two things. The first coming from Al who owns the local gas station in town whose response to "how are you?" is always "Anyday I wake up above ground it a good one". In that vein, turn up the volume on your computer and listen to the amazing Nina Simone singing over the Season 4 promo for Six Feet Under. If you've never watched the show do yourself a favour and rent it. It is the most brilliant piece of television you'll ever see.

Long Time Gone

So I sit here this a.m. writing my first post of 2009 and fighting a crappy cold. My youngest daugher got it first and lovingly passed it along to her parents. John seems better and I feel and look like I'm about 110.........believe me, Benjamin Button's got nothing on me this morning. My nose looks like I've been on a bender for about a month.

Back to my post

So the holidays whirled by in their usual fashion which for us meant spending time with family and friends and simply being together. For Christmas John gave me an upgrade on my computer which I know doesn't sound all that romantic but if you saw how slowly my computer moves you'd understand. Shows how long we've been married when something like that makes me extremely happy. So we took it into Future Shop so they could work their magic and while John was dealing with all the details, I fell in love with a MAC. That big beautiful screen was not only hypnotic but I swear it was calling to me......"buy me, your life will be better with MAC". Without any effort whatsovever my fingers glided over the keyboard. I loved the clean lines of the monitor and the colour radiating from the screen was so, so vibrant. John woke me up from my MAC heaven when he came up alongside me and pointed at the price. Sigh!

Before we left the store I went around to all the computer that were hooked up to the internet and typed in my website. I have to admit it was quite cool to see myself smiling back from all those monitors but John pointed out to me it was kind of creepy too! But I remind myself exposure is exposure if only at Future Shop.

New Year's Day we took the tree and all the decorations down. I never fail to find this task depressing which is why John usually takes over and gets it done. If it were up to me the dam thing would still be standing until all the balls fell off due to lack of branches.

Being the New Year and all I guess I should come up with some sort of resolutions or goals although quite frankly I sure don't feel like it today but here goes,

1. The whole exercise more and stop eating chocolate thing is a no brainer. After all the Hersheys Kisses I pounded back this season I'm surprised I don't resemble that chubby kid in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Or maybe I do and no one is telling me.

Note to self: if you don't buy the chocolate it won't be in the house.

2. I want to seriously focus on being the best artist I can possibly be this year. That doesn't mean comparing myself to anyone else but to work harder and with more discipline (discipline being the key word here) to uncover and refine my own individual talent. Everything from a small pencil sketch to painting on canvas or panel will work together to open me up to what's possible within my work.

3. This is on my list every year and may sound corny but to be the "the best person" I can. A better friend, a better listener and to be more generous with my time when it comes to others. I do consider myself to be a good person but I know as with all things there is always room for improvement.

So there goes. If this all sounds like a bunch of rambling it probably is. Today may have not been the best day to post but I've gotten a lot of emails from people wondering if I was ok and I wanted them to know I'm still here. Off I go to blow my nose............see ya soon.