Keep Making Art - Art in the time of Covid19

Opening Time - 40 x 30" oil on canvas $1500

Keep doing art; the world needs art. Boy does it ever. It is every bit as vital in the times we are in now.  My heart is big for the nurses and doctors and all the service workers that risk everything to keep going, helping people through this difficult time.

My work on this painting began in a very literal way.  I thought I wanted to paint the blossomy hill that often captivates me as I drive by it on my way home.  But each painting session became less and less about representing that view, and more and more about how it made me feel.  Which meant that instead of imposing what I actually saw, I had to figure out how to create what I felt.  Letting go of the image was necessary.  Keeping space, and texture and subtlety became important.  I feel closer to the essence now, if further from the image. This is what intuitive painting is for me.  It's the kind of art I need to make just now.  

Artist self care

birdies made it onto the mini's
 this week  in celebration of the
little darlings flitting about in
the garden lately.

Not a great deal of studio painting going on this week.  I've been nursing a cold so staying home and focusing on health improvement instead.  When I'm away from the studio and not painting I feel like part of me is missing.  My studio practice is an essential part of feeling whole.  I recognize that 'a break is as good as a holiday' though, so a little self care is what's in order this week.  When I've been feeling like it, I have been satisfying that need to create with some little mini's.  My mini oil paintings are a meditative practice that celebrate little joys.  I plug into a podcast (favourites are: Art Juice, Savvy Painter & Art For Your Ear) and lose myself in the rythymn of the brushwork.

I applied to a couple of galleries for various juried shows last month and now they are all coming to fruition, which means there's a lot of dropping off/picking up paintings this month.  As a matter of fact there are 4 shows this month where I will have work ... two at Coast Collective, one at ArtPod and one with the Victoria Sketch Club.  I'm honoured to get to participate in these.  As an artist its important to 'get the work out there' so different people get to see the work.  One never knows where that might lead; often it leads to art sales and happy customers, and often it doesn't.  But we make art because we need to say something, and sharing the work is important.

AGGV Art Rental and Sales gallery program

Eminence - oil on canvas - 36 x 30"

I'm excited to say I got my painting 'Eminence' accepted into the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Art Rental and Sales Program.  Happy about that!  I love the venue that they have at the Victoria Airport;  a unique and eye catching display for all travellers to enjoy when passing through our airport.  

The rental and sales gallery is a great program.  It allows people to rent first class contemporary original local artworks for a minimum monthly fee.  That's nice because it means people can live with an artwork for a while, its especially good if they are contemplating purchasing it.  Or if they like they can rent it for a few months and then take it back to the gallery.  This allows them to rent another artwork to enjoy for a while.  

I love how Victoria is sooooo supportive of the arts.  And I'm tickled pink to have my work accepted into the AGGV art rental and sales program:)

Again, Again, Again...!

What instinct is built into an artists DNA that compels them to paint the same subjects over and over?  I've often wondered about this.  I think, returning to the same subject matter for an artist, is a little like finding your way home.   You might go out exploring from time to time, but its always nice to get home, isn't it?  
"Home is where the heart is" after all.   Sorry for the cheesy quote, but  it does apply.  
An artist learning their chops needs adventures while they grow their visual language.  Exploring subject matter and different techniques is how one learns to feel what to keep and what to let go of.  Truth in painting is about getting in touch with the good feels, the ones that are right for you; your home base so to speak.  What you have to say works from this place of centre.


Children know this instinctively.  When they experience something they love, something that makes them laugh, love, feel joy...what is their squeal, shout, exclamation?

"Again... Again...!! "  

  I feel like I'm always returning to a place of flowers.  Even when I know it's a bit too 'girlie' and often considered "oh, so cliche"...even when I think I want to paint something 'way cooler'.   And so...I go out and explore other things;  and when I'm done, I head 'home' again.     

Loving the Tribe

There's a special connection between art makers; a connection akin to a tribe.  In the tribe, one feels a spark, a mutual understanding with the other tribe members what it is to share a creative path.  I have the best discussions with other artists.  It's also why I enjoy listening to the Savvy Painter podcasts sometimes while I paint.  

SOLD

They are great while I'm working on my mini wood blocks, because I paint them responsively, not too much cerebral stuff in them.  When I need to think I cant listen to any podcasts or music (only exception is birdsong).  It feels good to know there's others out there all around the world working away on their own creative paths, going through similar ups and downs as me.  I love the tribe!  

SOLD

Dec 8th I've been invited to attend the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria's  December meeting.  woohoo! It's a great little public art gallery very enthusiastically supported out here in Victoria...cant wait to see what the other members will bring, it's a show & tell.  ...feel like I meet some of the tribe :)

Solvent Free oil painting

I've been painting with oils for a good long time now, and love their buttery quality and the true colour that stays the same when dry as when you make the mark.  These qualities are the main two reasons I love working with oils. 
What I dont love is the toxicity! My studio doesn't get the best ventilation. (there are 2 small windows but if it's freezing out or pouring rain having them open all the time isn't ideal) After a couple of hours of oil painting I notice the air quality isn't great, and I always take a break at these times.  A slight headache/watery eyes can be symptoms too. 

'Summer at Chaffey's Locks'
oil on panel 9 x 12 - $250

I was aware of Gamblin's solvent - free gel oil painting medium and found it good for panels but not great for my practice on larger canvas's because it has a rather thick consistency.  Then I read this Muddy Colors blogpost.  Yesterday I took a trip to Ottawa to the new DeSerres art store in Bell's Corners (its where the Wallack's was on Robertson Road) and I noticed they had the Gamblin solvent-free fluid medium, so I bought some.  Also purchased some Gamblin solvent-free safflower oil for cleanup. I'm excited to give these products a whirl and see if I can incorporate them into my process, because I'd be really happy to stay with oils but get rid of the toxic solvent issue.

blossom where you are

Apple Blossom - 48 x 24 inch- oil on wood - $1500

It's May, it's May...the lusty month of May...that love'ly month when everyone goes blissfully astray...(can you hear Julie Andrews singing in the background??!) ha ha!!  I do love this month.  I've been getting my blossom on :)  The trees budding and bursting with bloom always thrill me. It's gardening season, and  I'm missing my lovely garden at my old house; but I've lots going on despite no gardening to be done here. 

a detail of oil painting 'Spring Quilt'
available through Studio 87, Perth
(formerly Gallery On Gore)

In my last post I mentioned that we are moving at the end of this month...we'll be at 803 Lotus Avenue in Kingston's east end, starting June 1st.  It will take us about a week to settle in, and then 'poof!' it will be summer!  
This year, summer is full of visits with family and a couple of weddings for us, so again this year I'm unable to commit to do any art shows over the summer at all.  I'm kind of missing that.  I'm that person who loves connecting with people who show up at the art shows I take part in.  I'm hoping I'll be able to do a few autumn art shows before the year ends.
Next weekend I'll be giving an art workshop in the little village of Bath, with the Bath Artisans group.  It should be rather fun; we're going to be painting upside down :) It's a method I often employ to help me switch off  brain chatter when I paint.  I thought it might be fun and interesting to share with other artists, especially if they've not tried it before.  The workshop is called "Turn Your Inner Critic Upside Down" and it's on Sat. May 13th.  
We'll be in Victoria for a week this month, so I feel like the month is going to fly. 

moving studio again

Waterlily Pond, oil on linen, 14x18, $450

We are moving again.  On May 29th.  This time it is just 1 block over & around the corner!  We're staying in the same neighborhood.  My studio space in the new space will be downstairs on our lower level and is a little larger space than what I have now, which should work better.  I like to paint on several paintings all at the same time, flitting from one to the other like a 'bee in a meadow'.  in my current space that's hard to do as it's a small bedroom, which doesn't allow for several big canvas's at any one time.  I'm not crazy about having a studio in a basement, but  I can easily rig up some extra lighting if needed.  My friend Sarah made her basement studio work for her for many years, so I know I can too.  However, I have pledged to not even start thinking about packing up until the 1st of May.  I'm saving April for us!

May 13th I'm giving a 1 day workshop in Bath with the Bath Artisans.  The workshop is called 'Turning Your Inner Critic Upside Down'.  It isn't a beginner workshop, it's aimed at sharing techniques of getting past hurdles in our creativity, so painters with some experience already might enjoy it.
Apparently there are 8 already signed up, so it will definately be a go, unless something unforseen comes up. 
 

For reasons deeply felt

Why does any artist make art?  Most artists wonder about this from time to time through their journey of art making. I know I do.  I think the reasons evolve much like the art does.  I can start with the intention of developing an idea in a certain way, but eventually throughout the process, it is the art itself that speaks and I respond to it.  Painting is a search. It is a reveal.  For reason's only deeply felt by the artist guide the way along the path...memories, sparks of thought, joy, surprise, disappointment, anticipation, fear, celebration, doubt, all these things accompany the painter.  

'Night Garden'- oil on canvas- 30x60"

 

when it feels right.

Walk In The Woods
oil on panel - 12 x 16 -$450

Do you ever wish you could press "pause" and "rewind" while painting?  I do.  How to get back to those spontaneous and fresh marks full of  passion, before time allows sober second thought, reworking / tweaking until the original idea is lost somewhere in the blurred vision of your process?!  ha ha ha...  thankfully, it's only art; and what doesn't work, can teach us a lot!  I've been struggling with my paintings this month, so I like to think I'm gaining an education of sorts:)  Usually time and patience shows me the way.

This painting was completed in 3 separate sessions in oils...alla prima for the general idea.  A few weeks later when fully dry, I had a desire to paint out much of the original marks I'd done, using an abstract intuitive approach using opaque tones, which probably only took about half an hour, but it was a uniquely satisfying process, obliterating what I didn't like, and trusting my sub-conscious guide.  I put it on 'the shelf'.  I wasn't quite sure where it would go, but it felt good to let the muse take charge.  A couple more weeks passed, more time to ponder. Yesterday I took it off the shelf again..."what if?"... a few fresh marks.  "Ahh... so that's where my heart wanted to go."   I know it's out of season for posting on my blog in the winter... (after all I began it when it was autumn!) but I'm happy with this little painting.  
I think my favorite thing about working in oils is that it often forces me into a slow process which I have learned is best not to fight...somehow this slow unravelling feels right for me.







 

Recent work

'Firsts'
mixed media / oil on wood
30 x 30" - $1200

Finally got around to finding a resolution with this painting yesterday, using oil pastels and oil paint over my acrylic sketch.  The figures are my daughter Rachel and grandaughter Ella. 
Inspired by a spectacular family photo portrait taken by Matt's aunt, Lori MacDonald. 
I took the liberty of removing daddy and doggie from the picture...sorry Matt & Asha!  

What really spoke to me about mother and child, is their gesture /body language; reflecting that particular joy any parent experiences introducing their child to the power and awesomeness of nature.

July in January

'Backyard, July'  - oil on canvas 48x24 in

My garden in July feels like the right subject to be painting in January... bringing my thoughts from winter doldrums to sunnier days.   I like mixing luscious tints; smearing them over top of thin washes with palette knife.  Kind of like icing a cake... the process luscious and decadent... the physicality of the oils somehow seductive.  Sometimes the drag of the canvas is a bit of a deterrent to how the paint glides.

detail

detail

December studio time ...

With Christmas day over it feels good to hunker down in the studio and paint again.  I'm currently working on two water-lily & beaver pond themed paintings...here's what they look like so far, they're still a work in progress.  I like how they start as one idea and morph into other ideas as I go.  Inspiration for these ones has come from one of my many trips up highway 10 from Kingston to Westport.  I stop the car, jump out and creep to the shoreline so I can gaze at the beaver ponds, patterns of the lily pads floating on the surface.  At this time I snap a few photos for reference.  I think I took the photos in late September.  When I'm ready to paint the photos help jog my memory, so I can meditate on these experiences again.

We went to Victoria for a week just before Christmas, enjoying time with family.  We did a few kilometers of hiking on the Juan de Fuca trail leading down to Mystic Beach through lush coastal vegetation and and old growth forest.  What a special day!

Christmas was quiet and peaceful but delightful...Jane came home to make it special for us.  Happy New Year to all! xo

Art Shows This Weekend

Cottage Window  6x8  oil on panel

Saturday and Sunday this weekend (Nov 19&20) is the Holly & Ivy Art Fair; an event of the Thousand Islands Arts group.  We will be 18 artists and artisans under one roof at the Arthur Child Heritage Museum on the waterfront of beautiful Gananoque.  We'll be there 10am-5pm on Saturday, and 10-4pm on Sunday.  Hope to see you there!
For me it's the first art show weekend of 2016.  I usually participate in several art shows throughout the year, but this year I didn't because of the disruption of moving house.  It feels good to be getting back into it again! ...now if I can just find those boxes of show supplies....lol
I will also have small works at the Holly Jolly Art Sale in Perth at the Algonquin college campus, an event of the RLAA.

west coast inspirations

WestCoast Trail - oil on canvas - 36 x 30"

New inspiration from the coastline of the west is in my thoughts this week while working on this canvas. Naturescapes from this part of the world can be so amazingly beautiful which can also be a little intimidating for an artist...  such grandiose subject matter!  Focusing on value and shapes; trying to find an organic process with the paint...  what to leave out, what to invent...

Solo exhibition at JAmes Brett Coiffure until Nov 6

Wetland

Happy to say I've been contacted by a client who wishes to buy my painting Wetland, which is currently on exhibit with 18 other paintings of mine at James Brett Coiffure on Gardiners Road, in Kingston, Ontario. Whaahoo!!  
This solo show of my works has been on since early September at this location and runs through until November 6th.  It seems to me a wonderful venue for showing work because it's light & bright and is a busy salon with lots of clientele.  Thank you James Brett Coiffure, for showing my works!