Christmas Stuff

New work waiting to begin...........

This weekend I didn't even step into the studio other than to show a few new friends my work.  We hosted our annual party here on Saturday.  Such a wonderful time to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.  It was great to take a long look around and see babies, toddlers, kids, teenagers, 20 somethings all the way up to 50 somethings.........  We are  very fortunate to have so many people who remain close to our hearts.


Sunday I had promised to take the girls Christmas shopping so they could buy a few small presents for their friends. The mall is never my favourite place to be but I sucked it up just to spend a bit of time with my teenagers.  Felt really sorry for the mall Santa though, I stood and watched as child after child was placed on his knee, each one crying louder than the last.  There's a guy who puts in a hard days work ......


Dragged the girls and John down to watch "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" last night which just happens to be one of fav Christmas shows.  My oldest still thinks the Abominable Snow monster is scary....I think he's just looking for his place in the world. I know all the songs and yes, I do sing them as they come up which starts the girls shrieking and begging me to stop which only encourages me to sing louder.  One thing that I have noticed, and I must point it out, is that Santa was kind of nasty in that show....I mean he could have stood up and been a role model for others on how to treat people but he didn't.  That part just after Rudolph is born when he goes to Donner's cave to visit and sees Rudolph's nose.....he says something to the effect that "too bad he would have been great on the team" or during the reindeer games when the coach tells Rudolph he can't join in with the others....Santa was there but he didn't stand up for Rudolph which I found really disappointing. Yes, in the end they all recognized the error of their ways and it all worked itself out but I'm just saying ............

New Work in Progress......

The Business of Art

Fleeting Moments

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

sold

Major storm hit Ontario this morning with unbelievable wind gusts, snow then rain then snow again. Yuck!  Days like this make me so very happy that I work at home.  Made some tea (not the chai latte as that is a ritual that begins precisely at 3:00pm) started a small fire, answered emails...took care of business.  Speaking of business, I think it's only dawned on me in the last year of so that art is a business.  I think my head was somewhere up in the clouds previous to that realization.....  Now don't get me wrong because I am head over heels passionate about what I do and could never for a split second imagine what my day to day existence would be like without creating art BUT, and don't you know there always is one, art is a business like any other.  If money were unlimited then I could just go about my merry way in the studio creating work and not caring if it sells  but unfortunately money is not unlimited and I need to sell work to continue to work.  It is that simple. 

Within the last year I made a decision that the career path I had  chosen was going to be a successful one.  No ifs and or buts.  It was time to pull that head out of the clouds and work to make it happen and to realize only I can do that.   It is my responsibility.......

I was always talking about submitting to a variety of galleries and now I am. Is there rejection?  Of course there is but if you believe in what you do you shrug it off and keep on going.  It's the only way.  Since I took this approach it's amazing how far I've come and how many galleries are interested.  The biggest drawback of my work is the way it photographs.  Capturing two dimensionality in a jpeg is all but impossible so the work needs to be seen in person to appreciate the texture of it. 

I also began realizing that all the work I was creating just wasn't getting seen so I started marketing which I knew absolutely nothing about.  The Cityline segment came about because I sent an email, a few jpegs and my website explaining to them what I did and why I thought their viewers may be interested.  I love the age of technology for that reason alone....ease of communication. Now perhaps I would never have heard back from them but that's not the point, the point is that I took action and put myself out there and you just never know what the possibilities from that effort will be. There is a wonderful self confidence that washes over you when that realization occurs. 

So what am I doing now?  Well there has been a great response from the Cityline segment, I'm in talks with a few different galleries regarding representation and two leading magazines have approached me regarding an artist profile. Won't talk about who until it's a done deal.   I guess what I'm trying to say is that for me, all of this has taken place because I started understanding that there are two parts to what I do....the artistic part that fuels my creativity, makes me feel alive and connected  and the business part that is simply that..........business.

Back In The Studio

Two Birches

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

11"x14"

Two Birches....Detail.....

So now that my one moment of fame and fortune is but a distant memory....I am back in the studio.  I've got three new pieces painted up and am just getting ready to start the thread work.  All three are landscapes but I am itching to start a more urban piece.  I took some great photos when I was in Toronto last week and I have my eye on one that I may start within the next few days although with Christmas right around the corner we'll have to see how far I actually get.

This coming weekend we host our annual "Tree Hunt"  where many of our friends get together and we head out to our local tree farm to find the "perfect" tree.  Judging by some of the trees we've picked in past years "perfect" may be too strong a word.  Anyway, afterward everyone makes there way back here for chilli and lots of delicious food supplied by all.  Last year Kelly made samosas that were to die for.....if she's reading this ... no, I'm not being subtle at all.

Will post new work sometime this week when done.

Much Thanks

Thank you so much for all your calls and emails regarding the Cityline episode that aired today.

Many of you were looking for a way in which to watch..........

Cityline just put up the clip on their website.......Go to Cityline ...Scroll down to Other Clips and click onto Mixed  Media Art.....you'll have to sit through a 30 sec ad for a tv show but it will come on right after that...........

A Day at Cityline

                                                 A Row of Reds
                                       Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk
                                                     16"x 20"

                                               A Song In Silence

                                 Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

                                                       16"x20"

                                                               Passionate Ground

Work in Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

16"x20"

Last Thursday morning started out early for us as I insisted we be in the car by 6 a.m. although Toronto is only about an hour and a bit from where we live and I didn't need to be at the studio until 9 a.m. I couldn't take the chance that we'd hit a traffic jam or run into a fender bender. John is such a good sport as he knows what a freak I can be but he also knows how to just go with the flow so to speak.

Grabbed a chai latte at Starbucks and then headed over to CityTv and although I was trying to look as if I'd just strolled on over I was terribly nervous. It all ended up being for nothing though as everyone at Cityline was absolutely wonderful. We stood in the lobby for a bit waiting for Fiona Clark who was the producer of the show and there, standing beside me was Mary Dobson who was just so lovely and easygoing she immediately put me at ease. I also ran into Meghan from the Village Gallery who was there with work from Alison Hodson one of the many talented artists they represent.

Meghan and I hit it off immediately and we spent time talking about art and the business of it. We chatted for a bit and then they called us into the studio to set up.  The work got hung (thanks to a very patience man) and 5 minutes before the show was to tape the producer told us there were three extra seats right in front so John and I and Meghan got to be in the audience afterall. I won't go into the details of the entire show except to say I was really pleased about my small bit.  It was overwhelming but so very exciting. Oh, and I did get a chance to meet Tracy Moore the host of Cityline and she was so down to earth, friendly and welcoming.  I really can't say enough about how everyone there made us feel at home and comfortable. Thanks Cityline for a great experience!

Here's where you can get a breakdown of the show which airs this Thursday December 3rd at 9 a.m.

Afterward John and I headed over to The King Eddie to meet my sister in law Carla for lunch.  The King Eddie just happens to be my favourite place to eat when I'm in Toronto. The lobby was beautifully decorated for Christmas............I could have sat there all day just feeling happy.....

Exciting, Amazing Day

Too busy today to write a long post about my experience yesterday at Cityline but it say it was surreal and far too exciting would be an understatement. I will post all the details on Monday. I've got work at two shows this weekend...check out my sidebar on this blog to find out where.

Have a wonderful weekend.

A Big Week

Passionate Ground

Work In Paint, Thread, Wool & Silk

20"x16"

Tonight I heard from the producer of the Cityline segment in which my work will be featured with four other artists. She was just checking in to see if everything was on que for Thursday. I have to be there at 9 a.m. with the work and even though I won't actually be "on air" I'm still crazy nervous. They have asked me to bring 3 pieces but only 2 may make it to air. It was a tough decision but it will definitely be one of the three I've just completed minus the glass. Apparently Eric McClelland of Fleur-de-lis Interior Design will be introducing my work which is super exciting since he owns one of the most prestious interior design firms in Toronto.....ok now I'm feeling dizzy. John has a couple of appointments in the city on Thursday afternoon so he is going to drive me down... thankfully. Can't risk a fender bender with me behind the wheel.

I also found out today that I'm involved in a "smalls" show at Hartley Woodside's Gallery on Saturday which will run until Christmas. We had discussed the show back when the Images Tour was in full swing but I hadn't heard anything further until today when I received the flyer in which my art was front and center........uh ohh. Since I'm already involved in the Art Show in the Village all weekend I'll drive up to Hartley's on Friday with a couple pieces. He has a very loyal clientele and they buy art.

So yes, I'm excited with so much going on right now and just a touch overwhelmed. One of my friends, upon hearing this yesterday said "Enjoy this as you've worked hard and deserve it...just take the ride and see where it will take you...life is always stranger than fiction" I'm holding that close to my heart this week.