Building A Mystery

Mixed Media on Canvas

Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

Today I'm heading up to The Craighurst Gallery to pick up a few pieces of my work.  Hartley had asked if I would mind leaving them there after Images was over just until the 27th at which time a new show will hang.  Since I'll be heading up to the Silverbridge Gallery this week though I need to scoop a few pieces to add to what they have of mine which isn't a whole hell of a lot.

The Village Gallery has a show starting up on October 22nd but unfortunately I'm not going to get a chance to get down there with some new stuff until the 27th which was really bad planning on my part.

Oh, and my friend Rita Vindedzis sent me the following clip she found of my work on Cityline TV just in case you hadn't seen it or may be interested in seeing it or just have nothing to do for the next  few moments and are looking to waste some time ....... you pick....

http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/53234790001.000000/mixed-media-artwork/

Movie Thursday

On The Art Front:  Busy working away for Images as well the Thunder Beach First Annual Art Exhibition which opens Sunday July 18th 1-5.  For more info check out Carol Currie's blog.
It looks to be a wonderful show although I unfortunately won't be in attendance.  Carol has so graciously offered to take some of my work up there as I'll be in San Francisco.  I am also meeting with The Matilda Swanson Gallery in June so if things go as planned I'll have representation in Blue Mountain.  Next week I'm headed up to The Silverbridge Gallery with new work and to meet the new owners.  So lots going on!

On The Movie Front:  Saw a preview of this new documentary called Joan River: A Piece of Work and now I feel like seeing it.  Not that I am or ever have been a Joan Rivers fan but I just love documentaries and hey, you gotta admire someone whose 76 years old and still doin it ..........

Cheers,

To Seek & To Find

Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

6"x6"

Happy Monday! 

Today I've decided I'm spending all day in the studio regardless of whatever else gets in the way.

I haven't had a chance to work since last week and I'm starting to suffer painting withdrawl.  Busy weekend between my oldest daughter's prom, an art workshop I attended on Saturday and working in the office on Sunday.  Thankfully this week looks like a pretty smooth one.

There have also been a bunch of emails bouncing back and forth between myself and The Matilda Swanson Gallery in Blue Mountain.  We've been trying to set up a time to visit the gallery but so far my schedule has gotten in the way.  I'm really hoping to head up there within the next few weeks with some new work.  There are also new owners at The Silverbridge Gallery in Muskoka.  I've yet to meet Jake and Jodi Good but hope to within the next few weeks.

Here's a clip of an interesting new movie directed by J.J. Abrams of Star Trek fame and produced by Steven Speilberg coming out this summer called Super 8.........



I've got a 20"x20" and a 24"x24" sitting in my studio just waiting so ...............

Slow Week

new work in progress

This week has not been my most productive....productive being the operative word.  I've kind of just fooled around in the studio and not really gotten anything accomplished.  A bit of this and a bit of that but not a whole hell of alot to show for my efforts.  The above piece is coming along nicely so I'll work on the ground cover today and fingers crossed, have it to my framers my next week.

Heard from Michelle at the Silverbridge Gallery yesterday as they sold another piece for me...not a biggy but sold all the same.  I've really got to make a trip up there with some new work but I've been avoiding it because the weather has been so nasty.

A friend surprised me this week with a gem of a book called "The Tao of Pooh.  I have always been a huge Winnie The Pooh fan.  Even when I was little I had all the books and would read them religiously.  There was just something about that centered and balanced little bear that resonated with me.  Now as I'm reading the book,  I finally get what that "something" is!

Today I've Got Nothing.............

I questioned myself as to whether I would actually blog today seeing as I don't really have anything to say but since I've been doing my best to post at least twice a week I thought I would at least throw in a photo.


There was wet snow here this a.m. but I've heard a milder turnaround by the weekend. I am headed up to the Silverbridge Gallery tomorrow morning to drop off some new work which I pretty damn pleased with. They have been a great gallery when it comes to sales and I really like Michelle a lot.

Something exciting is in the process which I've been dying to talk about but I can't just yet and seeing as it isn't a done deal I'm keeping quiet until I find out for sure. If it does come together though I'll announce it here first................

Well, my green tea and studio await so.............

I'm Back.......Kind Of.........

Arrived home last night after a wonderfully inspiring trip which I'll talk about a bit later this week as well as post photos. The vacation was about the wettest and coolest I can remember. We had one full day of sun on the Friday but that was about it. Today rather than catch up on all I needed to do, I worked in the office. John was shorthanded so I'll be there tomorrow, Friday and most of next week. Yes, it sucks seeing that I have so much to do right now but today after gathering up the mail I came across a nice big fat cheque from the Silverbridge Gallery as they have "thankfully" been selling my work while I've been away. That makes me even more determined to get into the studio and start working again. Perhaps I'll head in tonight and burn the midnight oil................then again I do have to catch up on all the taped episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance" that I've missed.

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?

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.

The Bounty of Spring

Undecided....in progress

Acrylic on Canvas

6"x6"

I can't believe it's Monday already as it seems like the weekend has whipped by in a blur. For Mother's Day, the girls (I know it was John) surprised me with an IPOD docking station with speakers for my studio. As much as I love my CBC and my sweetie Jian, sometimes it's nice to listen to music cause you know you can't dance to CBC...... at least I can't.

The girls were pretty much out of commision on Sunday as my oldest had a large project due today and my youngest came down with a really bad cold. As John was working around the yard I decided to bike on over to my friend Kellys. We had a beer, laughed a lot and just caught up on the news in the village.

Dinner consisted of a fantastic Butter Chicken dish with basmatic rice and fresh asparagus John picked from our garden. You gotta love the coming of spring............

Note: The above piece will be a part of the Spring Show opening at the Silverbridge Gallery on Friday May 15th.

The Evolution of Art

Quiet Conversation
6"x6"
Acrylic on Canvas

Over the past few years, in between my mixed media artwork, I've been experimenting with acrylic on canvas which has recently come to the attention of both the Silverbridge Gallery in Muskoka as well as The Ridge West Gallery.

As of next week both galleries will be representing my paintings as well as my current work. I have two other galleries who are interested in the new paintings but I won't jinx it my mentioning them until something has been confirmed.

Although this is an unexpected turn of events for me and a departure from my mixed media work it is exciting all the same. This will not in any way take me away from my first love of working in paint and thread but enhance it, providing me many more ways in which to continue along this creativity journey that I've always had such passion for. Much thanks to all my fellow artists who have supported and encouraged me......... most especially Carol Currie artist/owner of The Carriage House Gallery in Midland. A true artist in every sense of the word.

Sometimes you just never know where life will take you............................

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.

Give Away Cause I'm Just Feelin So Damn Grateful Today

So after what was a low point yesterday I am now back in the studio. I was at the Silverbridge Gallery this a.m. to drop off some new work. They love my art, are very supportive and actually move quite a bit of it. Michelle the owner was telling me things are quite slow right now due to the economy and the only works that are moving are pieces priced under $150.00. Let's hope that changes soon.

Thanks to all who commented and emailed regarding my "little" meltdown yesterday. All of your kind words were so very appreciated. In that regard and just cause I'm feeling downright grateful today..........I'm going to have a little give away. That's right........something for free. Tomorrow I'm going to post a piece that will be up for grabs. All you have to do is leave a comment and if your name is drawn (my daughter will do the drawing, I'll do the drumroll) you win! I pay for shipping and handling too. You can't ask for more than that. Thanks for the inspiration Ellen.

Check in tomorrow with all the extra details.

Fields of Red

Fields of Red

Work in Paint & Thread

Sold

Off to the Silverbridge Gallery to drop off some work. Will post this afternoon.

Work, Work and More Work

This morning I took a break from work to take my teenage daughters shopping for some back to school clothes. Yikes!!

I might as well have stayed at home and pulled my hair out one strand at a time. The didn't like anything I thought was "cute' and they rolled their eyes everytime I mentioned the word cute. Oh well, at least they chose clothes I approved of and we got some fairly good deals so all in all it was a success.

I was happy to get back home and return to the studio. I picked up five of my new pieces yesterday from the framer and they look fantastic. I even received a cheque today from one of my representing galleries along with a note letting me know the wonderful response they've been getting from my new work. Thanks Michelle.

The piece I've posted is "Reds". It is quite a small piece but with the framing it comes out to about 6"x8". Surprising how such a tiny piece can take so much time. This is done entirely in thread.

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.

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.