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................

Wasted Day But There's Always Tomorrow

Quiet Conversation

Acrylic on Canvas

6"x6"

Today was one of those days in which everything I attempted "sucked". I had what I thought was an amazing idea for a couple of new pieces but ended up tossing both of them. For some reason it just wouldn't come together no matter what I tried. By late afternoon I began feeling unbelievably frustrated since I had spent the better part of the day thinking I was really on to something just to have it all fall apart. Guess I just need to chalk it up to ............. I don't know...what do artists call those days? I so want to say wasted but I'm trying to remain positive.

Saw the movie "Across The Universe" last night. I enjoyed it and thought it was very poetic and definitely a feast for the eyes and ears...... but you do have to enjoy musicals and of the course The Beatles but I don't know anyone who doesn't love Beatles tunes. John was in the city for the night so the girls and I rented it. I think they liked it but my youngest said it was a bit "too out there". Julie Taymore directed who also did "Frida" ..... the life of the famous artist Frida Kahlo. Now that is a great movie...rent it if you haven't seen it. Salma Hayek is fabulous!

My friend Steve Caston came over this morning to discuss plans for a new website for moi. The one I have currently is still operational but I need the ability to be able to change my own artwork whenever I want as well as the other text on the site. Besides the homepage for the current site isn't really reflecting the work I am producing now. When that website was put together my work was all about art quilts as well as hand dying my own fabric....neither of which I am doing now. I have a pretty strong idea about what I want.........simple, contemporary and clean lines. Will see what Steve comes up with.

Rainy Days

This is a photo of some beautiful grasses that are growing in my backyard. I don't quite know the name of them but I love their delicate appearance and fluidity. When the wind blows it almost looks as if they are dancing.

This past few weeks we have been experiencing rain almost everyday. Today we are in for mild temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfalls............can you say "global warming". All in all quite scary.

Talked to Kelly yesterday and she asked if I had been back in the studio to which I responded "I've been meaning to". Well last night I actually did clean up a bit and start work on a new piece.......something abstract. It is a touch bigger than the size I have been working on lately but lots of curved lines and circles. I love the symbolism of circles.........wholeness, unity, the feminine spirit or force. Quite beautiful I think. I'm planning on using a lot of colour on this piece. Perhaps golds, deep yellows, aquas and purples. I have a large array of metallic and rayon threads which should add some gorgeous shimmer to the work. I'm excited by the possibilities.

I spent much of yesterday working on an application for the Ontario Arts Council (lots of details) I was just ready to put fifteen of my images onto a CD when I realized by oldest daughter had used all my CDs but put back five empty cases. Just before I decided to pull my hair out I text messaged her. "Trying to work.....no CDs left.........She responded "that sucks". Reminder to self "keep anything pertaining to my work in the studio".

Kelly is headed over tomorrow night for dinner as John is away this weekend. I've been scouring recipes sites looking for vegetarian meals.......not easy. Some of those dishes just sound hideous........"meatless meatloaf". That just conjours up a bad visual for me. Think I'll go with a light salad, vegetarian lasagna, a baguette and perhaps a chocolate swirl cheesecake for dessert. I'll make the lasagna but buy the cheesecake as that sounds like a fair compromise.

A shout out to my friend Steve Caston who makes his big debut tonight at the Stephen Leacock Museum. I would wish him luck but he won't need it.

Hope to post new work on Monday

Have a great weekend wherever you are in the world