Still Cold.................

The Red Paddle

Work in Progress............

We are still in the deep freeze here in the Village as I know most of Ontario is. Come on, it's March already. Winter has just about worn out it's welcome with me. A friend of mine sent me a photo of her son this morning who just bought his first car. They live in Victoria, B.C. and he was wearing a t-shirt........now that's downright cruel.

I'm leaving next week on vacation so I'm doing my best to spend some good quality time in the studio. Honestly, I can't wait to feel some warm temperatures. Occasionally I hear from my friend Jean Levert Hood who lives in Texas. I think she gets quite the kick out of my sob stories about how damn cold it is here. Every so often she'll let me know how lovely and warm it is there in Texas .......... I think next year I need to head to Texas and take some oil painting lessons from her...........never mind Richard.

So to brighten up my sunny but cold day I do love checking out galleries on the web. Just love looking at artwork. Here's a few favourites....

The Petroff Gallery one of my absolute favourites. The most gorgeous work the city has to offer.

Distill Gallery Lots of funky art and also a great area to hang out if your ever in Toronto

Lafreniere Pai Gallery in the lovely city of Ottawa

Ramblings

A Fruitful Darkness

Work in Paint, Thead, Wool & Silk

I'm off to my oil painting lesson with Richard this morning. We are working on both a landscape and a figurative piece. This break into a different medium has truly helped me become more creative in my own work. Ellen from Ridge West Gallery came by yesterday and purchased one of my pieces as a gift for a friend's birthday. Always a good sign when the gallery owner buys your work. So the show is full steam ahead and as usual I'm trying to get as much done as possible before I leave for vacation next week. Yes, we are getting away from this winter that promises to go longer than the book War and Peace. I'm dying for some warm weather and all day sun.

Here's wishing you a great weekend.

A Year of New Experiences

Cold Wind Blowing

Work in Wool, Silk & Thread

Today I took a step toward accomplishing one of the many goals I had set for myself at the beginning of the year. I took an oil painting lesson from Richard who has been a long time friend of John's. I have always admired not only his compositional skills but he has an amazing sense of colour. His work is pretty well divided between both landscapes and figurative work. So, for the next month or so were going to meet in his studio once a week and I'm going to pick his brain and of course do the practical work. This probably doesn't in any way mean I'm going to delve into the world of oil painting but I do hope to open up any creative doors that may let me in. I want this to be a year of experimental learning which again doesn't mean I'm giving up the work I do now. I have a show coming up this year and the Images Studio Tour in October and besides I love what I do. There's absolutely no question about that....but.....and isn't there always a but.....my personal feeling is that anything I'm open to receiving can only make my work better at this moment and in the future. Here's to open doors..........

Just A Bunch of Stuff None of Which You'll Probably Find Interesting

I've been a bad, bad blogger and have not kept up with my so called blogging code which is to post at least every other day. But I'm not making any apologies today I'll just blame it on the busyness of the season.

I met with Ellen who owns the Ridge West Gallery yesterday and things went very well. She is going to schedule a show with me in 2009 and would like to represent my work at the gallery. It's a smaller gallery but I was impressed with the artists whose work she currently represents and her desire to really work with and for her artists. She has a good spirit!

Being as obsessed as I am about movies I'd be remiss not mention a few I'm looking forward to seeing...........

Out on dvd The Visitor with Richard Jenkins. I was a big "Six Feet Under" fanatic and if you were too you'll remember him as Nate and David's father. As far as I'm concerned there is nothing that will ever hold a candle to that show........Alan Ball is a genius.

I'm not a huge fan of Brad Pitt's but have heard great things about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which opens on Christmas Day. A story that tells of a man living his life backwards from old to young. Interesting premise.

I also can't wait to see Slumdog Millionaire.

Last one.........for major sap factor but an all around great movie you have to watch

Love Actually. Other than It's A Wonderful Life this is my favourite holiday film. Listen to Hugh Grant's narrative at the beginning as it is priceless. Snuggle up with someone, make some popcorn and sip some egg nog (with or without rum). You'll love it

I was going to post a few photos of the oils and I've been working on the past week but the pictures sucked.... everything from the lighting to the glare from the piece. I'll try on a better day to take some new ones. I'm taking a very short break from paint and thread (maybe a week) and have delved head first into working in oils. I had a few wood panels laying around and thought what the hell, hoping it would kick start my creativity which believe me needs some kick starting.

Have a great weekend..............

Much Rambling About Nothing......

Not a whole lot new to report. The girls have had exams all week so I've had to put on my chauffeur's cap. When you have teenagers that thing is glued to your head. It seems every moment one of them "just has to go" somewhere. Since we are "country mice" as opposed to "city mice" driving is just a part of our life experience. Since most of girl's friends live nearby we are always looking for other parents to carpool with and I must say most of the time it does work out that way. With the price of gas and the impact on the environment it has to.

My sewing machine has been sent out for servicing which they tell me will take two weeks so I've been playing around with the oil paints I was given awhile ago. Now I truly don't know much at all about oil painting but because I work mostly in acrylic I do love the buttery strokes that are achievable in oils and the soft edges I'm able to produce. I've been using M. Graham paints which I highly recommend with the walnut oil medium which I like because it's non toxic. I do know the fat over lean rule but other than that I've just been experimenting. So I was fooling around with this little 6"x6" last week and quite liked the way it turned out. Unfortunately when oils dry they kind of dull out and there are some spots that are oilier than others. So I had to find a way in which to bring those colours back and at the same time protect the piece. I went online and read about varnishing but was surprised to find out you have to wait six months or so. What? How do oil painters sell their work if they have to wait six months for the piece to dry. So I went to an expert........I emailed Tracy Helgeson who gave me some good advice regarding varnishing. Thanks Tracy for your time.
Now I'm interested though in how other oil painters deal with this issue. If you have a moment please let me know.

Well, I'm off.........my yoga mat beckons and there are dishes waiting to be washed. Have yourself a great weekend.