The last few days I've been fighting off the cold that my youngest daughter had last week.  I've got a sore throat and earache with only the threat of congestion.  I've been drinking lots of tea, eating well (chicken soup), popping vitamins and resting.  This is not the week I had planned on having seeing that Images is right around the corner but "the best laid plans.... and all that stuff".   


Was listening to Robert Plant this morning been interviewed on Q with Jian Ghomeshi while I did up the dishes this morning.  Interesting guy but I'm not too crazy about the new album which is entitled "Band of Joy" but that's just me.  Rolling Stone gave it a favourable review so what do I know.  


Going to try and wrap a few things up in the studio now and then maybe a small nap although I did sleep 10 hours last night I'm still kind of tired..........

Breathe Into It

12"x36"

Acrylic on Canvas

Received an email from Megan at The Village Gallery saying my new work had just been updated onto their site ... 

Take a look at The Village Gallery

Spent two days visiting with my oldest daughter at university.  She will turn 18 at the end of this month and we wanted to head up and have a b'day dinner with her ... 18 is definitely one to celebrate but in my opinion all birthdays should be celebrated just because your here and your breathing.... enough said!.  Anyway, she is doing fabulously and really happy .. has met lots of new friends and is enjoying her classes even though she says there is way too much homework.

This week is my last week to get work finished up for the Images Tour so I'll have my nose to the grindstone on a full time basis.   Really tired today but I'm headed into the studio to try and once again get organized and clean it up in there ... yes, there is a pattern here.

More to say this week so stay tuned.............

So I read this a.m. that The Doobie Brothers are releasing a new album at the end of this month.  Tom Johnston on vocals/guitar .. he was always my favourite (sorry Michael McDonald) Patrick Simmons vocal/guitar.  One the THE all time best bands ever. .. hands down.  I saw them years ago and did they put on a show.  Judging by this performance from a few years ago at The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts .. they still got it!

The last few days have been busy ones for me and yes, I'm glad to finally be back home.  I spent a few days visiting with my family and my Nana whom I had previously mentioned was now in a nursing home and got a chance to hold the newest addition to our family my great-nephew Max ...... adorable!

Tuesday morning I met with Megan at The Village Gallery as I was dropping off new work.  We had a brief chat but I was on a tight timeline to get back up here for the Images Studio Tour kick off.  It was a great afternoon and the sun graced us with it's presence which was a far cry from earlier in the day when the sky opened up with a lightening storm that I heard was quite the spectacle.

Big thanks to Jan Wheeler for opening up her place for the kick off.  Here's some pics of the afternoon....

The food was fantastic but it was the chocolates that held my attention

This guy stopped by

Jan made up wonderful artist statements to accompany the work that was displayed

The Yearning Fields

Thread, Wool, Silk & Paint

16"x16"

Matted & Framed

So I'm off for a few days to visit my family most especially my Nana who has been put into an old age facility at the age of 94.   I heard she was off bowling a few days ago and was the best of the bunch so I'll be interested to hear that story from her.  Tuesday morning I'm headed into The Village Gallery to meet with both Alison and Megan and to bring in some new pieces.

Tuesday afternoon I'm back out here at Jan Wheeler's home for the Images Tour Media Kick Off which should be fun.... lots of media types as well as great food and other artists ... fabulous way to spend an afternoon.

Cheers..........

Lost & Found

Mixed Media on Canvas

20"x20"

So anyone who knows me knows what a sucker I am for movies that show the strength of the human spirit.  I mean come one, who doesn't love to watch a film that not only inspires you but just makes you feel damn good.

This one looks like one to put on the list and having both Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in it doesn't hurt either...........

The Fighter

Wide Open Space

Paint, Wool, Silk & Thread

Matted & Framed

16"x11"

O.k. finally some new work to report.... about time I'd say. 

 I've been hard at it this week and finished two pieces today which went directly to my framers so they'll be ready for the Images Tour at Thanksgiving.  Nothing like a solid deadline to give you some perspective.

I'm really pleased with both of the works although  one of the pieces I almost tossed twice as I just didn't feel it was headed in the direction I had initially hoped it would.  Glad I kept at it as it may be one of my favourites after all is said and done.  I'll post it later this week.

This piece was completed in my usual way which is cotton laid on top of canvas,  painted, threaded (the trees in the distance) and then overlaid with wool & silk which is then sewn down.  

Sierah Lake Superior 2010

Last week at this time we were helping pack my oldest daughter up to head to the next adventure in her life....university.  Everyone's spirits were high and John and I sort of got lost in her excitement as this was a big moment.  Can't say enough great things about the university as everyone on campus was happy, energetic, friendly and amazingly helpful.  We started moving things in and then took a break to head downtown for lunch.  Came back finished setting up her room and everything was going so well until the "dreaded goodbyes" ... damn those goodbyes they get you everytime.  I promised myself I wouldn't cry because  

1.  I didn't want to make her cry or feel upset on such an exciting day
2. My mascara would run everywhere and my eyes would remain puffy for hours which would be a sure sign to others I couldn't hold it together at least until I got to the car
3. I wanted to show everyone who told me that I would cry that I wouldn't

Well you know the rest....... the tears started for her and I at just about the same time.....holding it back just wasn't possible.

On the way home in the car the three of us were silent.  In many ways it felt almost deafeningly quiet.  I think we were all busy dealing with her leaving in our own ways.  For me it was memories of a beautiful little girl who used to sit on her bed in the dark and read books aloud long after the lights went out just because she loved to read.  A sweet gentle child who has in no time at all grown into an independent, beautiful young woman with her life waiting with open arms...........

Can't wait to see this new film by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) starring James Franco....
127 hours....

Breathe Into It

Acrylic on Canvas

12"x36"

Available at The Silverbridge Gallery

Just reading one of my fav blogs by one of my fav painters Heather Horton who has been involved for quite some time on the book "Photographs & Writings of Christopher McCandless".  

Chris McCandless's journey was chronicled in the book "Into The Wild".   by Jon Kraukauer.  It sounds so exciting and being such a big fan of the book as well as the movie I can't wait to get my hands on it once it's published.