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

                

Fun At Blue & New Gallery Representation

The last few years we've been doing a mini getaway with the girls to Blue Mountain.  I, who am not a downhill skier, love blue Mountain as not only do they have a great Starbucks for my favourite chai latte but there are also a variety of shops and galleries in the area for those of us who are terrified of careening down a snow packed hill at 60 km/hr.

I spent quite some time here

And even though I didn't buy anything I loved walking around the quaint village and checking out all the shops.

The girls had a blast skiing....

On Saturday I took off for a visit with The Matilda Swanson Gallery.  I had meant to meet with them months ago but life got in the way and this seemed the opportune time being in Blue Mountain and all.  So I took in a few of my mixed media on cotton pieces and headed up the road to meet with Sue.  She loved the work but was concerned about the size.  The gallery mostly sells large works as that's what works best for them and that's what they move.   So for the time being they are going to keep the work I gave them but would like me to head back in April with larger works on canvas.  Nice gallery, nice people.

So this is a bare bones start of new piece....not a whole lot to show at the moment but it will eventually take shape when I figure out what I'm doing with it.  I always start with a basic sketch and work from there but it's almost guaranteed to never end up resembling  the original sketch which somehow appeals to me in a big way .... like a happy surprise.

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