The Best Laid Plans and All That Stuff

So this was supposed to be the weekend of nose to grindstone and all that but as usual my plans went in different directions so today I'm rushing to get things done. What else is new? I must be the biggest procrastinater ever! Instead of staying put in the studio yesterday I went to visit my friend Kelly whom I hadn't seen in three weeks. We had a great visit late in the afternoon and I thought well, I'll just work most of the night right? Wrong..................... I ended up watching "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which was really funny and I ate some potato chips, ok more than some potato chips. There goes the "good eating" plan I was trying to stick to.

Anyway, I shouldn't even be posting but I've gotten some work done this a.m. and after I hit Publish Post I'll be headed back to the studio. Hope wherever you are the weather is better than here........snow flurries and wind!

Another Guest

Letting Go

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

5"x4"

Double Matted 8"x10"

I'm just waiting for Ellen to drop by to go over the new work for the show and thought I'd take this lull to post.

Believe it or not we have another exchange student from France arriving tonight. Actually my friend Kelly and her family had agreed to host this young woman for two weeks but somehow the lines of communication got crossed when they realized they wouldn't be home from their trip down south until Saturday and............. she arrives today. So we've agreed to host her until Saturday. The girls are quite excited as they both take French at school and think is will be an opportune time to practice although the French spoken in France is much different from the French spoken in Quebec. But what do I know? The extent of my French is Bonjour(hello) and Auvoir(goodbye) which in turn means I'll greet her when she arrives and not talk to her again until she's leaving.

Spring is in The Air

Safe Passage

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

6"x3-1/2"

Double Matted 8"x10"

So I've spent some real quality time in the studio over the last couple of days so there's no whining from me today. Thursday I'll head up to the Silverbridge Gallery to drop off some new work and then in the afternoon Ellen from Ridge West is coming by to pick up my artwork for the show. I've really hit my creative groove which is turn making me a very happy camper.

I went out for a walk yesterday and the signs of spring are everywhere. Snow is finally melting, the road is dry and clear and my roof is breathing a sigh of relief after what has been a grueling winter. We've also had a visitor the last few days who seems to have found love with my cat Simba. We initially thought it was a female in heat as she would cry outside our bedroom window at 3 a.m. requesting Simba's presence. We, needless to say did not find this amusing in the least. At one point John went outside with the broom and starting banging on the deck to scare it away while Simba cowered behind the curtains in the house. We found out yesterday that she is a he. I opened the back door and he, in a very bold manner I might add, tried to get in.

Simba may be slightly flattered by all the attention but at the same time he is deathly afraid of his own shadow. I think this cat whom Sierah has named Sheila, which we may now need to change to Sam in light of his maleness, intimates Simba.

He seems totally uninterested in being friends and tries his best to escape from Sam's unnerving stare. Ahh, destined to become a one sided relationship afterall.

Senses

If your anywhere in the area, please stop by as I'd love to meet you. April 3rd is right around the corner.

Finally............

Me & The Girls on the Beach

I was so hoping to post last night but it was my friend Joan's b'day so we headed next door for a celebatory glass of red wine. By the time I arrived home my pillow, not my computer was calling my name. I fared no better this morning as I was helping John out in the office as his assistant is off for March break. Finally...........here I am!

A brief (ok, maybe not so brief) recap of the vacation...........

The flight out of Toronto ended up being a nightmare! We arrived at the airport at 4 a.m., yes, 4 a.m. for our 6 a.m. flight. We were sitting on the plane ready to take off when the pilot informs us there has been an "incident". By now I have already taken my Gravol and am feeling rather "buzzed". I never fly without Gravol and a plastic bag.........you figure it out! After sitting the tarmac for another 45 minutes we find out the guy (I don't know what you call him. maybe confused) who backs the plane away from the ramp has instead backed the plane into the ramp. The plane now has a hole in it the size of Miami. At this point you could feel dissention on the part of the passengers. Some were half mumbling in a concerned sort of way that perhaps they were going to go find some sheet metal and duct tape. At that point I wished I'd had more Gravol. Now we all had to continue sitting on the plane for another hour until the insurance people arrived and the police. Finally back at the lounge area we found out the only plane they could find was one leaving at 3:30 that afternoon. I am now qualified to give tours of Terminal 3 at Pearson Int'l as I know it like the back of my hand.

Back to the vacation part which ended up being what a good vacation should be.........relaxing. Feeling the sun on my face everyday made winter back home seem like a distant memory. Although I must say as much as I love the sun it does not love me back. I am sure I'm the only person who heads south and comes back as white as when I left. My SPF 50 is never far away. Yes, pale and pasty would be correct.

Two of my favourite people whom I talked to everyday, Erica and Giselle. They also served my favourite drink which was a Miami Vice (part pina colada, part strawberry daquiri and a touch of rum) and no, I didn't want to know how many colories it contained.

On Tuesday we visited Basseterre which was the closest town. They had a bus tour but I really don't like that sort of experience. We just grabbed a cab and headed out. This is the center of town which they call the big green clock. Everything seems to originate from here.

I really wanted to take as many photos as I could as well as take in the local culture.

Here's a picture for Tracy Helgeson........this guy was darting in and out of traffic for what seemed like hours.

When we walked by one of the local schools all of the kids in the yard came running toward us in their blue uniforms.

They were so excited to see us but more than anything they wanted to sing for us. So we stood there mesmerized by what was a perfect moment in time. All these beautiful 8 year olds with smiles as wide as can be singing just for us. I looked at the girls and without saying a word I knew they felt the power of that moment. I think above all else it was my most favourite part of the entire trip.

On Thursday morning John and the girls decided to go on a Rainforest Hike which apparently involved a lot of twists and turns up the side of a mountain. The queen of motion sickness gratefully declined. I got myself a coffee and spent a few hours in the lobby sketching and people watching. It was surprising how many strangers approached me and either watched me draw, asked me about my art or just commented in general. I ended up having a fabulous time and had the opportunity to speak with people from all over the world. It's amazing what life presents to you when you least expect it. Those moments always end up being the most precious.

Now back at home I'm getting anxious to get back into the studio but it looks like I'll be burning the midnight oil all this week. I'm helping John in the office so the only chance I'll get to work will be in the evening. I still have at least 5-10 more small pieces to finish before the show opens at Ridge West on April 3rd. I just got the invites today which I'll post tomorrow.

Hope you, my fabulous readers, are well and looking forward to Spring.

My Feet Are Back on Canadian Soil

Had a wonderful vacation but with mounds of laundry ahead of me, I'll be back later tonight for my first post.

I'm Outta Here

See you in a week!

The Visitor

A Streak of Orange

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

SOLD

I watched a gem of a movie last night, one that had been on my "want to see" list for the last few months. The Visitor is a beautiful, moving and gentle story that will definitely touch your heart. It's no wonder Richard Jenkins was nominated for best actor at this year's Academy Awards.

I absolutely love movies especially movies that somehow have a message of redemption, hope or a moment so profound that it changes people for the better or allows them to see the possibilities in their own lives. The Visitor is such a movie.

Still Cold.................

The Red Paddle

Work in Progress............

We are still in the deep freeze here in the Village as I know most of Ontario is. Come on, it's March already. Winter has just about worn out it's welcome with me. A friend of mine sent me a photo of her son this morning who just bought his first car. They live in Victoria, B.C. and he was wearing a t-shirt........now that's downright cruel.

I'm leaving next week on vacation so I'm doing my best to spend some good quality time in the studio. Honestly, I can't wait to feel some warm temperatures. Occasionally I hear from my friend Jean Levert Hood who lives in Texas. I think she gets quite the kick out of my sob stories about how damn cold it is here. Every so often she'll let me know how lovely and warm it is there in Texas .......... I think next year I need to head to Texas and take some oil painting lessons from her...........never mind Richard.

So to brighten up my sunny but cold day I do love checking out galleries on the web. Just love looking at artwork. Here's a few favourites....

The Petroff Gallery one of my absolute favourites. The most gorgeous work the city has to offer.

Distill Gallery Lots of funky art and also a great area to hang out if your ever in Toronto

Lafreniere Pai Gallery in the lovely city of Ottawa