Not A Whole Lot To Say

Dimming of The Day

Work in Progress

8"x8"

I had all intentions of blogging yesterday but a bunch of last minutes came up and by 9pm last night I just wasn't in the mood. I guess not having a lot ot say kind of put a damper on it as well. I'm just spending most of my time painting away in the studio and trying to adjust to having the girls home for the summer. Tomorrow is Canada Day and the village I live in never fails to put on a great show. Everything from a parade, BBQ, musical entertainment and a Strawberry Social. You just got to love small town living.

Here's the Weekend

Have a great weekend all! Will be back on Tuesday with small art for sale on my "sales blog" as well as a recap on what is going on in my life/art.......if your interested tune in then. Enjoy the sunshine wherever you are.

Lisa Call

More new work in progress............

Just a quick note to check out Lisa Call's (who falls into the most disciplined artist I know cateogory) blog today. A great post on how people who buy her smaller works display them.

Fabulous post as always........I do not know where she finds the time but I totally admire her.

Summer Has Arrived

Work in progress..............

It seems as if summer has finally arrived here in the Village. I've been hanging laundry outside for the past few days and does it feel good. There's nothing like the smell of clothes that have been hung out to dry in the sunshine. So other than laundry I've still been spending a fair bit of time in the studio. I now have a list (yes, I know I've said this before) of galleries I'm interested in approaching for representation so come tomorrow I'm on it. Nothing may come of it but you just never know.

On the workout front I've been consistent with my strength training.......much thanks to both Kelly who I consider my own personal fitness guru and Jim Karas who I don't know personally but follow his blog religiously. If Kelly had a blog I'd follow her as well...hint...hint. I've been using resistance bands and practicing power yoga in which I'm using my own body as a weight. Both have been terrific for developing strength and I love that!

So I'm off to drive, I mean chauffeur the girls into town and then more laundry awaits and hopefully more studio time. Hope your having a good one.............

Finding Purpose

Today was the girl's last day of exams so they are obviously all pumped up about the fact that school is over until September...........me?.....I'll let you know at the end of the summer. Now I do love having them around because they are good company and pretty cool kids but along with that comes all the driving which I feel quite mixed about. My oldest is supposed to be getting her license this summer but that too, is a double edged sword. I mean I know it's time and she is becoming more independent but now rather than driving her around I'll be sitting at home worrying that she's safe. There is no one more responsible than her and I know she'll be a great driver but I'm not deriving much comfort from that these days. Oh, the trials and tribulations of parenting. I suppose it never ends which is what my mother constantly tells me so I'll have to face the fact that I'll be spending a large majority of time breathing deeply, keeping my fingers crossed and realizing that some things are not under my control.

I need to be more like this guy that I met in the park last week.

He told me he sits on the same bench everyday and feeds the chipmunks. As I was standing there talking to him I was amazed at how many of them were gathered around him. He had names for them also, which some may find strange but I totally get. Jolly, is the chipmunk he's feeding in in the photo and I didn't ask why he named him as such. He said that coming to the park everyday and doing what he did gave him "purpose". That really resonated with me and I thought about it for hours afterward because isn't that what we are all looking for..........something that gives our lives purpose and meaning no matter how big or small............purpose........yeah, I love that!

Work for Images and the Joy of A Maple Latte

Reflection

6"x6"

Acrylic on Canvas, Copper Thread

Yesterday's yoga class has me wishing I was taking another one today. After class I felt so refreshed and ready to get back home and start painting which I did........but not until I stopped at the Blue Bottle for a Maple Latte which was probably one of the most amazing things I have ever tasted. Thankfully I don't live in Barrie or I know I'd be shelling out $4.00 a day drinking one. I asked the woman who prepared it for me how it was made and she kindly told me it was two shots of expresso, steamed milk and a shot of maple syrup. Can't get much more Canadian than that.

The above piece is the first I've finished for the upcoming Images Studio Tour. I think I'll do at least ten or so as they are a great price point at $100.00, come framed and most people who've seen them have picked one up. I've taken copper thread and inlaid or collaged it into the ground cover. The jpeg came out much darker than the actual piece is and doesn't quite pick up the shimmer like seeing it in real life would. Work is good and I'm happy with the way it's progressing. I'm almost finished my first 16"x20" which scared the hell out of me at first but I'm slowly getting used to working bigger. The small works are still fun but I do feel the need to branch out and experience what it is to work on a larger format.

Wherever you are in the world today ........... have a good one!

Flexibility

Tomorrow I'm off first thing in the a.m. to take a yoga class at the Y with my friend Diane. She is a member and has a free pass, one of which I used last week to take a Pilates class with her. The next morning when I got out of bed I felt as if I'd had a C-section in the night. My abs are still sore. When they say "work the core" they're not kidding. Speaking of yoga......

little known fact about me is that I'm a certified yoga instructor. Yes, I keep up a practice every day at home but it sure is a treat to take a class. Flexibility becomes even more important as you get older in both body and mind and believe me, I'm older so I know.

I've got three paintings to varnish before Friday. The Silverbridge Gallery wants to take some bigger pieces so I'm headed up to cottage country then. Truth be told I really hate varnishing. I just feel as if I'm going to totally screw it up and ruin my work. I generally use the brush on kind but am seriously thinking of the spray. Anyone out there with any advice?

New Work

Higher Ground

12"x16"

Dancing With Myself

For the past few weeks I've been surprised to find myself in the studio during the evening hours. Most of my work has generally taken place during the day with morning being my favourite time but I have to admit, I'm really liking the night. Not that it changes the work but it most definitely changes the vibe. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's something about the darkness that fuels me creatively but also mellows me out. I just recently saw Mara Korkola's work on Bravo's show "The Artist's Life". I am in amazement of her night time paintings of Toronto. So many of them remind me of driving down the Gardiner Expressway into the heart of the city. That is how I feel when I paint at night.

With all that being said......paintbrush in hand and ipod on.....I work and dance.

The girls find the dancing part disturbing. My oldest pointed out just last night that anyone walking down the street could look through my window and "see me". Oh no! Will they be scarred for life having seen me dance? Now I quite understand that fact that I won't be auditioning for "So You Think You Can Dance" anytime soon but come on......I'm not like Elaine in that Seinfeld episode.

Think I'll download some more music for tonight and invite the girls in to dance with me. At some point they'll realize the old saying "if you can't beat 'em ........might has well join 'em".

Simple Things Make Up A Great Day

Just Beyond

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

16"x16"

Yesterday did not go altogether according to plan..............

John and I both needed to renew our passports and since he is headed to Colorado for a fly fishing trip in July we figured we should visit the passport office in Toronto in person. My passport photo is probably the worst photo I have ever had taken.....yuck.......I look like I just returned home from the asylum.... and no, I can guarantee you it will never be posted here.

So other than I fright I gave the passport clerk when I pulled out my photo, all went smoothly. $165.00 poorer.

John had an appointment so I dropped into Chapters........books and a chai latte... deliriously happy.

Lunch ended up being a fantastic little Indian restaurant just north of the city. We were planning on eating at the King Eddie but it was getting late and we decided not to drive downtown. So as were sitting there, across from each other, the only promise we made was to not talk about the kids. This was our time to discuss our stuff. We talked about how well things were going lately with my work , his work, a bit about politics but mostly about us.........

Note to self: Need more romantic lunchs with the man.

We we arrived home there was an email from Michelle at the Silverbridge Gallery letting me know she had sold two of my paintings today. Good news!

So here I sit ......... happy in this moment.

Getting Things Wrapped Up

Wide Open Spaces

6"x6"

Headed to Toronto tomorrow so I'm doing my best to get things wrapped up in the studio. Looking forward to taking lots of photos on University Avenue as I hear the trees are stunningly gorgeous right now. Back on Friday.............

So What's With Your Messy Kitchen?

Crimson

8"x10"

I'm sure you are all wondering why in the world I'm photographing my work in my kitchen. And if I am.........why is it so messy in there? The simple answer is the lighting. No where in the house is the lighting as good as in my kitchen, on the countertop right after breakfast. When I download my photos I don't have to touch them up at all other than of course some cropping. It makes my life so much easier than running around the house trying to find the right light. I have tried taking the photos outside on an overcast day but nothing beats this. So the dishes that are hanging around are generally from breakfast......maybe next time I'll tidy before snapping my pix but knowing me I probably won't.

I've had a few emails regarding when I'm going to put the small 6"x6" paintings up for sale on the blog and all I can say is when I have some time. I'm currently working on paintings for both Ridge West and Carriage House so when that's done I will focus on some smaller works. Thanks for your interest.

Have a great day all!

Back Tomorrow

Will be back tomorrow with a full blog post. Trying to get paintings ready for both Carriage House Gallery's group show as well as Ridge West.