The Village Gallery

The Times They Are A Changin'

This Too Shall Pass
36"x 12"
Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

I received an email yesterday from Connie who asked me if I was still working in textiles as she hadn't seen me post any work in a long time.  That got me to thinking that perhaps I'd forgotten/neglected to touch on this subject or that maybe I already did but am too lazy to go back and check ... maybe the latter.

Anyway, to make a long story short... for the forseeable future the sewing machine has been retired and I'll tell you why.

Blind Faith

24"x24"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

A little over a year ago I began feeling the need to work on a much larger scale but couldn't wrap my head around how I could possibly manage that in machine embroidery.  I started to get the itch to experiment and to try something new.  One week while my machine was in being serviced I was cleaning out another one of the dreaded closets in our house that seems to house all the junk we've collected over the years, and low and behold I came across a couple of canvases.  I started simply playing and wow could I ever feel the hook.  Moving the paint around the canvas just felt so freeing after the years spent being committed to each stitch my machine put down.  I produced two small pieces that I somewhat liked and could see a small glimmer of hope to where this might lead.  I continued to stay within a realm I was comfortable with which was 8"x8" or 10"x10"... I was pretty scared of going too big too fast, thinking that maybe I would get discouraged and give up.  

 Here I Breathe

40"x20"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

A few months later I had a couple friends over who wanted me to give them a tour of my studio.  Seeing that it is a tiny space it was a pretty short tour but they saw the few paintings I had finished and asked if they were for sale ..... it kind of took off from there.

I approached both of my representing galleries at the time, The Village Gallery and The Silverbridge and they were very receptive to taking my paintings.  In September I will head up the Blue Mountain way to The Matilda Swanson Gallery who have asked that I bring larger paintings since that is what most of their clients purchase.  Last week I was speaking with The Tangerine-Gecko Gallery in Markham and they are interested in taking a few paintings as well.  So it looks like I will have a fairly busy fall.

The Summer I First Believed

24"x24"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I've never really entertained any ideas of being a painter as I was pretty happy in my little niche but it just goes to show you just never know where life will take you.  Through unforseen circumstances, a desire to produce larger pieces and a whole hell of a lot of hard work .... this is where I find myself.

I will always love texile work and am so very proud of the quality of the work I've accomplished over the years but for now I am happy here in my tiny little studio, paintbrush in hand......

Strength of Character

11"x14"

Acrylic on Canvas

                

A Day in the City

Tuesday I headed down to Toronto as I was long overdue to deliver new work to The Village Gallery.....always a pleasant experience as I've mentioned previously how much I like both Megan and Alison.  You simply can't ask for a better representing gallery as they are both so supportive and kind.  My sister came with me and afterward we headed out to this fabulous raw food restaurant  called Raw Aura.  Last year when the gallery had it's opening of Bloom they had Raw Aura cater it and the food was amazing.

Laurie and I ordered the "big salad" which consisted of romaine lettuce, kale, red onion, chickpeas, mixed seeds and avacado.......big time yummy!

I've really come to love Port Credit with all the small shops and galleries.  Lots of condos going up....I guess if I was dreaming big time I'd keep my home here and buy one of these as well........

Although "retirement living" isn't on my immediate radar, these condos look gorgeous.  Then if the dream continued I'd be eating here every night.....

When I got home yesterday the heat was almost unbearable....lots of humidity and crazy storm clouds overhead.  Our power cut out at 2:30pm and then the wind gusts and rain began........really fierce

  Our power was finally restored around 9:30 a.m. and which makes me a happy girl.  Today I'm back in the studio as I've got to finish up work for The Matilda Swanson Gallery.....

It's All A Bit of a Blur To Me Now

photo courtesy of Ruth Fletcher

Yesterday was a bit of a blur:

Dropped Holly off at school at 7:45 a.m.

 I had a physio appointment at 8 am. (chronic neck stuff and a bit of TMJ  ... that's what you get for standing over a sewing machine for 12 years)

Headed out to drop off work at The Woodside Gallery  for the show on Saturday.  I thought the gallery was open at 10:00 a.m. (silly me, they don't open until 10:30) but when no one had arrived by 10:20  I had to run.

Met my good friend Diane at  Starbucks ... love the Tazo Chais.  Always a guaranteed good time

Off to Currys Art Supply for some varnish, on my way home heard from Robin at the gallery,  felt like a big idiot

Back to the gallery and ended up meeting up with Janet Donaghey who is the other artist in the show on Saturday

Finally home but spent hours finishing up paintings for a drop off at The Village Gallery on Tuesday

Crashed early but not before John told me he would  come with me to the opening on Saturday .... 

YAY!!!

Rooted

30"x10"

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Just Stuff

Mother's Day Weekend was simply wonderful.

I was in the city celebrating two special events....my Mom's 74th birthday 

as well as my niece's performance in her high school play. 

Both were fabulous!

Roses were presented at the end of the performance as is the proper etiquette for all superstars

and then we headed out for some food,  a few drinks and simply enjoyed to the fullest time spent together.

Back at home the rhubarb and asparagus are both up

and yes it finally feels like spring is here.

Got a call from Megan at

They sold four of my paintings yesterday... big smile

But Oh The View

Yesterday I was down in the city dropping off new work at The Village Gallery.

 I love Megan, she is the Art Consultant at the Gallery and has such an amazingly positive vibe about her.  Just one of those rare people that make you feel good just by being around them.  Anyway whenever I'm there we always have a good chat while poor John runs up and down the stairs bringing the new work in.  Their spring show Bloom will be up and running come April....oh just the thought of April and spring can bring a smile to my face.

After our visit to the Gallery we left to meet up with my Mom and by sister for a quick bite here and then on to see my new favourite guy Max

It was a very quick in and out to the city with a warm chai latte thrown in there to keep me happy





This morning I woke up to a cold and bitter morning and could hear the house creaking but when I looked out the window,  all was forgiven because  ........ Oh the view of the sun coming up behind the trees was spectacular........

Ahhhh summer.... I'm missing it already which is probably why blogging has fallen by the wayside.  The weather here in my little corner of the world has been so fabulous that being cooped up inside hasn't been on my list of "to dos".  I hear the rain is coming in tonight so back to work I go.

This morning Breakfast Television on CityTV  had a small segment featuring Alison Goodwin of The Village Gallery talking about buying and choosing art.  A piece of my work was there along with some of the other artists they represent.... but don't blink or you may have missed mine.  Hint..  bottom left hand corner of your screen.

I've been organizing our little "art" show here in the village which ramps up on Saturday November 27 and run until Sunday November 28th.  We have a wide range of mediums covered with 12 artists in total and through word of mouth generally have a good turn out.  More on that next week.

Off to enjoy the sun.....

For some unknown reason Blogger is not allowing me to post photos this morning so let's just pretend I've put up another wonderful pic........

A week with lots of up and downs

-  John was in Toronto yesterday and was kind enough to drop by The Village Gallery with five new pieces as they've sold everything I've given them to date which is wonderful news.  The pics should be up on the site by the weekend according to Megan

-  the studio is in chaos at the moment as I'm am moving things around.  The space I'm in now in  is really just a spare bedroom and will go back to being a spare bedroom as well as my sewing space.  It just makes more sense since I'll be taking over the downstairs office for painting and  the north light is incredible almost all day long.

-  so the sad news:  my grandmother has now been moved into palliative care.  During her recent bout with pneumonia it was discovered that she now is faced with cancer in one of her lungs.  They are keeping her as comfortable as possible with pain medication and although I'm a realist and the logical part of my brain understands she is 94 and has lived a full life .... the emotional part of that same brain is still finding it difficult.

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/

Good news!

All three paintings that I had at The Village Gallery sold yesterday.  The above "Breathe Into It" was one of them.

Good News!

Ancient Voices

16"x16"

Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

SOLD

Yesterday I heard from Megan at The Village Gallery with (yay) good news.....they sold two of my mixed media on canvas pieces.  Yep,  I'm a pretty happy camper.  

Just found this trailer for a documentary I'd love to see as I've always been totally fascinated by the people who attempt to climb Mount Everest.  Bet you never knew that about me but it's true.  Not that I have any desire whatsoever to give it a try but reading about it .. now that's another story.  Years ago I read Jon Krakauer's book "Into Thin Air" which is still one of my all time favourites.  If you ever want to read a true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the baby for you..

So here's the trailer for "Wildest Dreams"

Fading Rituals

Mixed Media on Canvas

6"x6"

SOLD

This week as far as work goes (the art kind) ...will be a write off. 

 My inlaws arrive on Monday for my daughter's graduation and then leave on Wednesday for Toronto.  Wednesday I start cleaning the house and grocery shop for the second shift as my family arrives on Thursday.  They depart on Sunday just in time for my inlaws to show up for dinner on Sunday night.  Come Monday all goes back to it's usual comforting pulse of silence....o.k. maybe not silence as I forgot the girls are off school for summer break........you'll find me working in the garage.

Things have been slow lately and I'm simply trying to finish up two pieces to deliver to Carol Currie for the Thunder Beach Show on July 17th.  Other than that I've been kind of wandering around doing my best to reorganize and purge my house of "stuff" that seems to have collected in drawers I never find the need to open.  I know there's junk in there so that's why I never open them.    The rain here seems to be relentless and day in and day out it seems rather gloomy.... not good weather when it comes to being inspired..sunshine is my drug when it comes to creativity.

At the moment I'm  reading "Committed" by Elizabeth Gilbert and am really enjoying it.  If you read "Eat, Pray, Love" and think this book will be anything like that..."it's not".  I read many of the reviews on Amazon and thought the people that didn't like it were looking for a sister book to EPL.  This book stands on it's own merit and as far as I'm concerned she's a really good writer.  It's frank and honest and 

gives you a sobering look at marriage as a whole.

Anyway, I'm off.. ..time for a bit of meditation as my practice has been lagging lately

Enjoying The Outdoors

A Moment in Solitude

Work in Thread, Wool, Silk and Paint

Available at  The Village Gallery

Framed

I'm moving my work supplies outside today as it is simply gorgeous...too gorgeous to be inside but I still need to work so out I go.  It will be an interesting change of pace to step outside the box of my studio and I do mean box... it feels as if I'm rapidly outgrowing the space in which I work as I can barely turn around without bumping into something.   I'll take my ipod (can't be without), my cup of Earl Grey (used to be coffee but it makes me too nuts) and the current piece I'm working on and just enjoy being in the fresh air.  

It feels as if I've hit a brick wall lately when it comes to work which according to my friend Ellen is completely natural.... she said "ebb and flow, these things are cyclical.  It'll be back"  So perhaps what I need right about now is  a little push and some sunshine on my face to feel that old mojo ... I'll let you know.

Fabulous Opening of Bloom at The Village Gallery

Big, big thanks go out to Alison and Megan for such a lovely opening at The Village Gallery on Saturday. The attention to detail was so impressive....everything from the fresh cut flowers to the extraordinary treats provided by Raw Aura.  

Last week I had sent down jpegs of my three newest pieces which are mixed media on canvas in the hopes that they would agree to take them,  as the new work is a departure from what I have been doing in the past and happily enough,  they loved them and yes, will be carrying them in the gallery.  They will be photographed and hung this week.  

Ran into an old friend from high school and a few of her friends that she had brought along and we all went out to lunch with my sister and brother in law.  We decided on Raw Aura just because the treats at the gallery were so amazing .... we weren't disappointed.  Highly recommended.  Here's three of the desserts we ordered and split....

Chocolate Avacado Cake...my fave

Strawberry Cheesecake without the cheese

Some Banana Chocolate Thing...good

Unfortunately my other brother in law and sister in law arrived about 15 minutes after I left the gallery so I didn't get a chance to hang out with them which is too bad as I always enjoy their company.  I heard from Gregor that Megan gave both of their kids a freezi ... now that's a great gallery...prepared for anything.

Check out The Village Gallery for more photos and yes, I am in one of them.   I'm the one wearing the red jacket holding a water botttle

Bloom Village Gallery

I'll be there around 1pm

Hope to see you there

Feel Good Friday on a Thursday

Lost & Found

Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

20"x20"

Since tomorrow is going to be a busy one for me I thought I would post my "Feel Good Friday" today and perhaps call it .........  I'm honestly at a loss for "feel good terms" as it's far too early in the morning for the brain to be on full power.

If your around this Saturday and are looking for something to do why don't you come on out to the Village Gallery in Port Credit and take in the Bloom Show.  It runs from 10 am to 5pm.  I'm going to be there eating some goodies and checking things out.  

The movie I've chosen today is called "Paper Man" with Jeff Daniels and Ryan Reynolds.

The Village Gallery Spring Show

If your around the area on April 24th,  please drop by the gallery to take in beautiful art and eat some amazing organic snacks by Raw Aura....  at The Village Gallery...

On a side note:  to all your Lost fans out there...loved the whole parallel universe thing last night between Locke/Desmond.

Exciting New Representation

The Village Gallery has been on my "gallery radar" for quite some time now.  Whenever I'm searching out potential new representation I'm always looking for what would be a good fit for not only me but for the gallery as well.  The Village Gallery appealed to me in a big way as I like the caliber of artists they represent and I love how progressive Alison Goodwin the owner is when it comes to getting her artist's work seen.  Everything from Art Blooms to The Interior Design Show in Toronto to  their Pop Up Gallery......  to me that is a gallery that's working for the artist and I want to be a part of that.

I had submitted to them back in early November and once I had firmed up the Cityline gig I sent Alison an email letting her know I'd be on the show.  Ironically enough so were they.  They were going to be there representing one of their artists,  Alison Hodson.  That's where I met Megan Cornwall who is the Art Consultant for the gallery.  We got along famously and I looked forward to meeting with Alison at some point down the road.  Well that road ended on Saturday when I walked into the gallery with six of my pieces (yes, I had an appointment)  and met not only Alison but Jackie, Mallory and Bonnie who were all in the middle of a morning meeting.  Everything for me clicked right away as they were so kind and so generous in their praise of my work.  There is nothing better than having a gallery as excited about what you do as you are.  I hope they didn't think I was a freak though because I was talking a lot and perhaps even rambling at one point but I'm a pretty social girl and when I get pumped up about something there's no stopping me.


The craziest thing happened when Mallory who is interning with the gallery and who is also taking Art & Art History at the University of Toronto, asked where I lived.  Just so happens in some "the world is a small place" type of way that her parents live right down the street from me.  She happens to know pretty much all the people I know but then again I do live in a village of only 300 people so that might not be too hard.


Anyway, Alison kept four of my pieces for the gallery,  my work will be shown in their monthly newsletter in March and at their opening of Art Blooms on April 24th.


So all and all it was a very successful day.