There Were No Balloons or Cake at This Party (ok there was cake)

So yesterday when I was in my studio storing my art away I decided to have a little party for one.........a pity party. You know the "poor me" kind. Where you neglect to look at all the great things you have in your life and just concentrate on the crappy ones. The rain outside didn't help much as it has been a constant the last six days. So I'm organizing my art on shelves and thinking "why aren't I selling more?", why am I not the famous artist I think I am in my own mind?". Well all that pathetic whining does get tiresome after awhile so after getting some great advice and general cheering up from my "amazing" blog friend artists, I went and made some homemade chicken soup(really good) and then ate a big piece of banana cake (that wasn't so good, at least for the waistline).

I'm smart enough to realize the career path I've taken is not an easy one. Maybe I should have been a psychologist. I had seriously thought of that at one time but ruled it out in the middle of my Psych 101 class after I had drawn throughout my entire notebook as well as over some of my notes. Tracy said to me yesterday "Maybe you should just stop making art". I know what she was trying to do and I thank her for it. It made take a good hard, long look at what it would mean to "stop making art" and to realize that would not be a possibility. I'm driven to get into that studio everyday not because I think I'm going to get rich but because it is such an integral part of who I am. So...............I pick myself, dust myself off and get back at it. Then I started feeling really guilty about being so self absorbed when there are so many other tragic things going on in the world. I really am so very blessed. My life is a good one, a really good one and I'm grateful.

I've got this great guy who loves me (ok I know this is a line straight out of Jerry Maguire but it's still one of my fav movies. Long before Tom was jumping on couches and married "Free Me" Kate.) I've got great kids (granted they think I'm a little weird but hey, they are teenagers what do they know...in 20 years they'll think I'm cool but I won't hold my breath). I live in an "arts" supporting community and I do get to work in my studio every day.

Sometimes you just have to venture into the dark side for a short period of time to realize how bright everything truly is. May sound corny but it's true.

Harvest Sky

Available For Purchase Here

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".

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.

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!

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

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..........