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.  

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:)

NEW ABSTRACTED DIRECTIONS FOR ME

Clover Point - 30 x 24 inch -oil on wood - $1000 CAD.

"I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it...." 

I feel like perseverance has slowly begun to cultivate a new direction in my studio work. It's a good feeling.  For several months now I've been pushing my larger work into more resounding abstract sensibilities;  experimenting with different oil media and ways of working with it.  Most of all I've been conscious of simplifying and reducing elements to arrive at a clearer concept of my intentions.
One thing I've learned; you have to show up and push on through the uncomfortable middle bits. There are sure plenty of those! It means taking risks, not being precious, allowing time to hear your inner voice.

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 :)

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. 

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

Studio 87

Studio 87 grand opening weekend

Studio 87 is a spanking new gallery in Perth Ontario, and whoooooa, is it a beauty!  Owners Randa Khoury & Martin Hauschild have done an outstanding job on a renovation to this historic Perth property which is located across the street from their current Gallery on Gore.  

a decadent feast for guests, clients and artists

Two weeks ago when I dropped off new artwork for the space, construction was in full swing...the beautiful (to be) limestone fireplace hearth only had a couple of stones laid, the walls needed painting, lights and hanging systems needed to be installed. 

beauty, beauty, everywhere!

On Friday Dec 9th, when I attended the first of two grand opening events, the gallery was miraculously transformed into a simply beautiful elegant space!  Really,  I was gobsmacked at how lovely it was, especially having seen it under construction only a couple of weeks prior.  Alexa and the owners did a spectacular job hanging all the work in record time for the big opening weekend.  

Rhanda, greeting guests

Interior design/decorating of the new space is very impressive... thanks to owners Rhanda & Martin.  Rhanda has an interior design business and one of Martin's many hats had him designing and creating a beautiful natural maple desk top for the space (it was in use as a wine bar during the opening event). They have kept all the lovely old features of the space (wonderful old tin ceiling) but brought everything into this century, making it functional and welcoming. 

me with my painting 'Playtime'

As one of the represented artists at this new gallery, I feel delighted to be able to show some of my new work in this space. 

New gallery in Perth - Studio 87

White Camellia's oil on canvas 30x30 - SOLD

There's a new gallery in Perth...or rather it's an extension of an exhisting gallery.  Gallery on Gore is expanding, creating Studio 87, a contemporary gallery space across the street from it's present location.  I'll be  heading up to Perth later on this morning to bring new work to the gallery.  The new gallery, Studio 87 will be open to the public, Dec 14th.

Lake's Edge, 8x6 - SOLD

The Thousand Islands Art Fair in Gananoque was good this past weekend.  I found a new home for 1 large painting, White Camellia's, by a very nice lady who fell in love with it, and also homes for a few smaller ones, Lake's Edge, and Late Summer Afternoon. 

Late Summer Afternoon 6x8 - SOLD

Such crazy weather we had that weekend, on the Saturday it was sunny and 17 degrees, but by Sunday afternoon, when we were packing up the show, the snow was coming sideways with 40 km/hr winds! That was not fun...especially when the tail gait on the truck froze and I couldn't open it for 15 minutes until I chipped away at it.   grrrrr!
...One of the small joys (not!) of doing art shows!

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!

new studio and art shows

I've finally set up my new studio in a bedroom of the new place.  Yes, it really is a purple room with white butterflies on the walls...Lol! I couldn't be bothered to re-paint the room with all the work of moving house...but it's cozy with my old striped reading chair and art essentials, so I think I wont mind the purple after all...I pinned up a sheet on one wall to cover it for painting larger works, as it's really hard to 'see' a painting in progress on such a vibrant colour ...there's lots of lights, so it's nice and bright and warm. 

To the left is the rack card for my next artisan show, which is in Gananoque at the Arthur Child Heritage Museum, NOv 19th & 20th.  It will be the first artisan show this year after bowing out of doing any at all while we had our house on the market.  Now that our move is complete it is nice to get back to focusing on art again. Looking forward to this show. 
On the same weekend the RLAA is holding it's Holly Jolly Art Show & Sale which is in Perth at the Algonquin college campus.  I will have some small works in this show as well, though I wont be there in person for that one.