Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Monday, September 29, 2008

End Of The Tour and Dinner With Friends


Well the tour is over and I have to say I was rather disappointed. In two days I sold two small pieces which isn't much. Perhaps I set my expectations too high, maybe it was the weather (it rained all day Saturday and was cool and cloudy on Sunday), maybe it's the economy, etc. etc. I received wonderful feedback which is always appreciated but I only really made enough to cover my cost to get into the show and a bit extra. There were many people walking around but just not enough that were buying.


It was great to see David though and to look at not only his new home in Creemore but his amazing new work. If you click onto his site be sure to check out Enigma. I think it is his masterpiece. Peter Taylor also guested with us and his paintings are just beautiful. He has a solo show coming up at The Level Gallery in Collingwood in October.


A few friends made the drive up to check out the show and we all headed out to dinner afterwards. I did have a Creemore Beer as I think it's a sin to visit Creemore and not so so, or so I told myself. Thanks to Anna, Joe, Victoria and Les for being there.
P.S......Thanks to Nancy from Orangeville who came by to say "hi". She is a reader of this blog so I appreciate her coming out with her "little guys".

Friday, September 26, 2008

Purple Hills Studio Tour

Rough Waters
Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

Tomorrow the Purple Hills Studio Tour begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp. If your anywhere near please come by and say hello.


Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Off To Creemore


The Wait
Work in Paint, Thread, Silk & Wool


The above example is how I sell all of my small pieces. They head to the framers and are double matted and ready for an 8"x10" frame. I prefer double matting than single as is gives a much more dimensional feel to the work which you can't really see here. I've been doing amazingly well with these small pieces as they are such a reasonable price...anywhere from $75.00 to $150.00. Pretty fair considering they are not prints but original art. Great for anyone who finds the larger pieces out of their price range as well as people who have just started collecting or just about anyone. Wish I could find a way to photo my work in which you would get a better feeling for the texture of it and the shimmer of the silks as they are interwoven with the wools. Oh well, I guess your just going to have to take my word for it unless you decide to head out to Creemore this weekend for the tour. Would love to see you!
Got to run........I'm off to Creemore to set up!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

News From The Sick Bed

Common Ground
Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

So it seems all my mantra saying, positive attitude making and down right cheerfulness has done nothing to ward off this crappy cold virus I seem to have inhereited from my kids. Woke up this morning with a pile of things to be done and a sore throat or more accurately, a throat which feels as if someone is stabbing me with a thousand sewing needles. My in laws came back yesterday from Toronto to spend the night before they headed home today and they are both sick. I guess it would have been a miracle if I had come out of this unscathed. My youngest is home today from school so I'm trying to take care of her while I alternative between guzzling a bottle of ecchinchea tincture and drinking some Immune Boosting Tea that my mother in law got at The Herbal Clinic and Dispensary in Toronto. Great place to visit if you live in the area as it feels like something right out of Harry Potter.

The piece I'm posting today I know I've posted before. I changed the name from Copper Road to Common Ground which I feel suits it best. It looks simply gorgeous in person.......unfortunately a jpeg just can't do it justice which is common with all artists posting work via the web.
Hope your all healthy and happy.........see ya

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Direction Unknown

Direction Unknown
Work in Paint, Thread, Silk & Wool

It seems I've been working in the studio almost non stop when I've not been fulfilling my other role as nursemaid. Both of my girls are sick with a doozy of a cold and John is away for the day.....flyfishing. I continue to repeat my mantra of the day which is "I am strong and healthy" you know the whole mind over matter thing. I can't wrap my head around the idea of getting sick right now when I still have so much to do. I haven't even begun to go through my inventory list, make up my placecards, put together some new business cards no to mention I have two more pieces due at the framers on Tuesday. My inlaws are due to arrive tomorrow for the night but I can't complain there. If anything they are unbelievably helpful. They were here on Thursday night on their way to Toronto and my mother in law was making soup while my father in law was washing the windows. You gotta love a family like that!
Happy first day of Fall to All.
Over and out..........

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Undercurrent in Red

Undercurrent in Red
Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

Still working away in the studio but I always seem to find time to read my three favourite blogs. Of course I do read many more but these are the three I check in with on a daily basis.

Ellen's birding adventure is hilarious and Andrea's clip of Ken Robinson speaking on Creativity and Education is an extremely worthwhile watch. Read Tracy Helgeson's post on ending her limbo........thanks Doug!

Check out Ellen's here and Andrea's here and Tracy's here


Monday, September 15, 2008

Harvest Sky
Work In Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk
Double Matted & Framed

Sunday, September 14, 2008

An Interesting New Resident and A Trip to The Farmer's Market


I noticed the other day when I was taking out the compost that this guy seems to have taken up residence near my backdoor. Now I'm not someone who dislikes or is fearful of spiders, for some reason they just don't seem to incite the "yuck" factor in me..........for me it's always been about snakes. All that slithering just creeps me out. Not sure what variety of spider this is but if anyone knows I'd be interested to find out. He is absolutely fascinating to watch!


I was at the Farmer's Market on Saturday and always find it to be quite the treat. Nothing tastes quite like local produce. All those vendors setting up their tents at 6:00 a.m. rain or shine. You've got to admire that. Here's a few of my favourites.







This is Mark of Quaker Oats Farm. Hands down he makes the "best" stuffed olives I have ever tasted. I love the sundried tomato ones as well as the garlic. But if you have the garlic you have to make sure whom ever your with has them also......... a little goes a long way. My friend Rob favours the blue cheese stuffed but I'm not a big fan of blue cheese.


Tam makes delicious hand rolled spring rolls as well as garden wraps, sticky rice and curried chicken stew.



Tom is our local honey guy. He owns a small business called "Lavendar Hills Honey". Probably one of the kindest as well as happiest people I know.




Jennifer of "Apple of My Pie" is not only a vendor at the market but also a friend. She and her husband Ford run the booth every Saturday morning. If you don't pick up a pie from her by 10:00 a.m. your out of luck.......she sells out pretty quickly. A testament to her wonderful baking.







Hope however you spent your weekend that you made the most of it.







Friday, September 12, 2008

Flight

Flight
Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

In the studio today working on some new pieces for the Purple Hills Studio Tour.


Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Turning A Corner

Ancient Shadows
Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

When I first started working seriously in the arts field I always viewed my work as something that was constantly evolving. So I guess I'm not all that surprised that I feel I've turned yet another corner......so to speak. Taking a new direction in my work isn't something I believe happened consciously but has been an ongoing process. Kind of like I put everything I've learnt up until now together and "here's what I've come up with". I also think my evolution toward working much more abstractly has been in the making for quite some time. At this point in my career it feels so freeing and unrestricted............anything seems possible.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Distant Rhythm
Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk


Tuesday, September 2, 2008

New Work

Forsaken
Work in Paint, Thread, Wools & Silks

This morning the girls both headed out the door for their first day back at school. John exited right behind them and I headed into the studio. I feel really energized today which is surprising since the entire summer has not only been a blur but my creativity level has been way down. Perhaps I'll chalk it up to " being too nice outside to be inside." Yeah, that's what I'll say........

The piece above, Forsaken is brand spanking new and left this morning for the framers so they could work their magic. By the end of this week I am hoping to have a similar smaller piece to sell here on the blog. Anything that doesn't sell here will go to Etsy. I'm looking for a bigger market for my smaller pieces so my work can at least been seen by more people.