Bits of This and That

Lost and Found

Mixed Media on Canvas

Lately I've been monitoring how "springlike" the weather has been by a morning check on my lonely reindeer's head.  Sadly, we've neglected to put him away even though Christmas has been over for close to three months now but that's a story for another day.  For weeks on end the poor little guy wasn't visible at all...but today when I took a peek,  low and behold he's made an appearance.  Never mind that we are forecasted to receive 15cm of snow tonight...I'm living in the moment people so please stay with me.  It is above 0 and the sun is shining so I'm smiling......until tomorrow that is.

The last few days I've been working at clearing out our ensuite as we've finally decided after fifteen years of living here, to give it a reno.

I reminded John that I was not a movie star and did not require those 1970 "hollywood lights". I'll keep you posted on the progress as they start tomorrow.


On the book front I've just started reading this....

Can't really tell you what it's like yet as I'm not that far into it but I'll let you know whether it's a thumbs up or thumbs down.


Oh and I've found a new fav blog which I follow religiously.....The Art of Doing Stuff...so laugh out loud funny that I check in everyday...love that Karen Bertelson.   I heard she lives in Toronto,  I wonder if she likes chai lattes?????

"Bloom" At The Village Gallery

Revive. Renew. Rejuvenate.

BLOOM

At The Village Gallery

Saturday, April 9th

10am - 5pm

Stay tuned for coming announcements...

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.

Family Day

Wide Open Spaces

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

Yesterday was Family Day here in the freezing province of Ontario which means a "holiday".  We spent it just hanging out...... I wore my favourite socks of all time in honour of the day...

As the boyfriend is still here,  we took him for a tour around the village which took all of about 10 minutes door to door, which was absolutely fine with me cause it was bitter cold.  I told Holly that when the wind blew it felt as if I was being stabbed repeatedly with a hundred extra sharp icicles.  She laughed and then quickly realized it was me that was making her laugh and returned to her normal eye rolling technique instead.

All in all a great "family day"....and ain't young love grand....

Ancient Muse

Ancient Muse

Mixed Media on Canvas

24"x24"

New Website Brewing

Moment in Solitude

Paint, Wool, Silk & Thread on Cotton

Being a bit slow on the uptake, I only just realized last week that I could create my own website through a program called iWeb on my mac.  I spent the better part of a day reading through the manual and nervously biting my fingernails as a "techie" I am not.  The freedom of creating my own site was so exciting though as I could not only change text, pics and anything else my little heart desired but I had full control of the entire site .... I even learnt what a hyperlink was.

So the last little while I've been playing around and voila ... a site is born.  It is still "a work in progress" and not yet completed but here's a sneak peek so far........

                                               Melody Madden Mixed Media Art

Happy Wednesday ...

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.  

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.

Not sure how much studio time I'm going to get today as "household" tasks are once again getting in the way.  Washing windows,  laundry, washing the floors..... yuck...necessary but still yuck!  Think I may bake some cranberry muffins as well just to treat myself.

Speaking of food, last night I made the most incredible potato salad in the history of potato salads.  I've never been a big fan of the dish mostly because of all that mayo which is far too creamy for my likes.  But yesterday I came across this recipe which had won a "potato salad" contest... who knew there were contests for potato salad but none the less it was "amazing".  Holly even took the tiny bit of leftovers to school for lunch today.  If your interested........send me an email and I'll send you the recipe.  I also made a tomato/avacado/feta salad with maple balsamic dressing which was yummy too.  Have no idea what got into me  but it sure tasted like summer.....

On the art front which is what this blog is supposed to be about not movies and food but I do so enjoy digressing....

Check out Carol Currie's blog for an update on the Thunder Beach Show on July 18th.   Great line up of artists such as Rod Prouse and John Hartman and of course Carol herself who has done an incredible job of pulling this all together.

Dreams of A Landscape

6"x6"

Mixed Media on Canvas

I've heard it's supposed to rain today and yes, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  It has been swelteringly (is that a word?)  hot for the past week or so and the garden is in dire need of the wet stuff.  Not that I know much about gardening but John did plant tomatoes and some other plants whose names seem to escape me at the moment.   I made fantastic cranberry scones on the weekend and even though it was messy process what with all the dough sticking to everything, it was well worth it as they were super delicious.  

So now that you know my life has been boring as of late.... only talk of the weather, plants and scones....guess I'll sign off and hope to have something more interesting to report next time.

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,

Lost

Emergence

Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

6"x6"

Sunday night was all about Lost for me....nothing else mattered, well, except for that entire bag of potato chips I inhaled along with that nice cold beer.  Regardless, it was non stop Lost for four hours.  After it was all said and done I went and read some of the blogs as well as discussions on the website and wow, it seemed as if you really liked it or you hated it.  I happen to be in the liked it camp.  I think most people were looking for a nice tidy ending that explained what the hell had been going on for those last six years but not me.......I so enjoyed having it left to individual interpretation.  Great show, great ending, great journey and I'll miss it.

On the art front not a whole lot to report.  Today I'm prepping canvases and starting a new 18"x36".  

Gorgeous morning!  In studio listening to Led Zeppelin as it never fails to kick start my day.

New movie coming out that I'd love to see called Nowhere Boy about the early years of John Lennon.

It's A Start.........

I began working on this piece yesterday morning and am still at it..... I'll take it down from the easel and put it back up again at least 25 times before I'm satisfied that it's done.    It's a 20"x20" which seems to be a size I'm gravitating toward lately as I'm loving the square format.   When I was at Curry's last week I also picked up a 24"x24" which will be next.  I'm feeling just a touch under the gun this week as I need to ramp things up to have enough new work to spread around but I think I'll be o.k.  The brochure for
The Images Studio Tour is almost wrapped up and it looks beautiful.  Derek Wicks did a bang up job.

This morning while I was in the studio working on this piece, which has yet to be named, I was listening to Rush on my ipod....Tom Sawyer was the song.  Just as I was about to sit down and write this post I came across a new documentary that pays tribute to the iconic Canadian band......Rush  Beyond The Lighted Stage.  For any die hard Rush fan it's a going to be a MUST...

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

Collected Truths

8"x10" 

Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Busy week....lots to say come next week.  Have a great weekend....

Clouds

Seeing as the weather has been so amazingly beautiful lately,  I've taken advantage of that and have been out either walking or riding my bike.  Sometimes I actually have to push myself  as I get so wrapped up in the studio or with other household "stuff" that just seems to need to be done.....one of the big disadvantages of working at home.  This week I've made it a point to just get out with my camera and enjoy the sun on my face and wind in my very short hair...just got it cut.

Clouds have always been one of my most favourite things in nature alongside of trees.  I'm endlessly fascinated by their shapes, formations and colours and simply how they make me feel when I look at them. A lot of people have flying dreams but I have cloud dreams....laying on clouds looking down, sleeping on clouds on just sitting on them being softly and silently blown around.  Clouds make me feel something so it would only seem natural I would want to incorporate that into my work which if you've been following my blog lately, you can see I have.

In Progress

In Progress

In Progress

My next step is to get to work on another 20"x20" that has been sitting around the studio as well as a 18"x36". These examples are small and will be shown at Images this year.  

So once again I've been rather neglectful of my poor old blog but you can't hold that against me as I just haven't had all that much to say.  I've been in the studio working, the bathroom reno is still ongoing, the weather has been so gorgeous that in some ways it's rather hard to stay inside.  There are weeds that definitely need pulling in my yard but I've been pretending they are not there as gardening is unfortunately not my "thing".   So that's pretty well it in a nutshell and now you know why I haven't been blogging as of late.

Oh, but one thing I will leave you with is a great quote I came across by Albert Einstein which just may well be my new mantra...."Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving".

Blog Notes

Silver Lining

Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

6"x6"

Yesterday and today I've been quietly hiding out in the studio as our main bathroom is undergoing a major reno that is long overdue.  We finally bit the bullet and went for it as the poor thing was simply falling apart.  Doesn't help in the least that the girls feel the need to not pull the curtain totally across when their showering....water all over the floor...rot...but today's not the day I've chosen to rag about the girls.... that could be a very long post  in itself and better left for another day.

Being holed up in the studio has in many ways been a blessing as I've really gotten a lot of new work either in progress or completed.  I'm currently working on a  36"x12" that is coming together nicely and which I'm really loving but you never know...the minute the paintbrush hits the canvas next that could all change.  

I received an email from the Matilda Swanson Gallery yesterday in Blue Mountain as they are interested in representing my work.  For the past few months I've been looking for a gallery in the Collingwood area and perhaps they'll fit the bill.  Were just in talks right now so we'll see what happens..........

I have this long range plan that I've devised in my calculating little mind in which I am represented by a gallery in Muskoka (Silverbridge...check), a gallery in Missisauga (Village Gallery...check), a gallery in Blue Mountain (Matilda Swanson...maybe...remains to be seen), a gallery in Toronto (would love to get into Art Interiors as it's one of my faves) and and of course a gallery in Vancouver (no leads on that to date).  So I feel part of having it come to fruition is putting it out there and I guess I just did that didn't I?  

Bloom Village Gallery

I'll be there around 1pm

Hope to see you there