The AGGV Art Rental & Sales Program  launches 'Covid Creations' on Friday September 18th. Go to this link to view & purchase works from the show.

Above is an image of my 40 x 30 inch oil on canvas, titled Time For Healing

This brand new exhibition is on the walls in the Massey Sales Gallery & online at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.  

As you might guess this exhibit focuses on art created by Vancouver Island artists during the time that the world shut down during the pandemic.  It's a way to exhibit important local works created during this strange time in our lives.

The show and sale runs from Sept 18 - Oct 19th.  Artworks  can be viewed & purchased online and in the gallery.

Cottage Beach Art

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CottageBeachArt 

I started Cottage Beach Art at a time when I was moving from Ontario to the west coast, Victoria BC.  It seemed a fitting way to showcase all my miniature artworks and plein air works that I have created since moving to the coast.  It is also a collaboration of creativity with my daughter Holly and hubby Jeff, who create rustic beach decor and sea glass items.  Cottage Beach Art was born on Etsy to find a wider audience for these creative things.  It's been fun and its been a successful, so win; win:)

Five Fun Podcasts For Artists

part of a work in progress in studio today

When I'm painting in my studio, one way that I like to zone out and let the work flow is to listen to Art Podcasts. Somehow for me, listening along to a good art podcast keeps my brain amused while my intuition steps in to take charge of art making.  

This morning while flipping through UK artist Flora Yukhnovich's work on Instagram, I noticed that she mentioned that she was going to be a guest on a podcast called The Great Women Artists Podcast
I zipped over to have a listen, while I squeezed out my paint. 
Oh my, what a lovely interview.  I so enjoyed hearing Flora's inspiration and thoughts behind her process ... a total delight for an art geek like me to listen to!

If you're an art geek like me, you might just love having a listen.    
Here's some of my other current fav art podcasts :

Art Juice -
Art For Your Ear - 
The Savvy Painter Podcast
The Abundant Artist 

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:)

APPROACHING GALLERIES

Moss & Arbutus - 8x10 en plein air- oil panel

Finding the right fit in a gallery is an important thing.  But it does take time.  You need time to look around at suitable galleries and to have an idea about what sort of work the gallery shows.  It helps to visit the gallery and pay attention to how the work is displayed, how often it is refreshed and what the price points are in comparison to work that you make. 

When all of these things seem in alignment, a request in person or by email on whether or not the gallery is currently seeking new artists is a good idea. In person a gallery owner may say upfront they are or are not seeking new art, and often will explain how to submit if they are. 
Email is less personal, and often an email request to a gallery goes unanswered.  Don't take it personally; but do understand, some things can be learned from no reply: 
1.  They are busy.  Who isn't?  
2.  They don't think they can sell it
3.  They are not seeking new artists at this time. 

In my opinion, no reply to a simple email request tells me something else too:   It tells me that I probably don't really want to do business with that gallery anyway.  Think about it... Would you do business with someone who wasn't available or accessible about business matters?  A professional gallery has the courtesy to at least reply even a standard:  "...at this time we are not currently seeking submissions..."   

An important thing I want from a gallery is a professional gallery / artist relationship.  Make no mistake about it, artists provide a gallery their inventory, in exchange I expect a clear contract and a business approach. 

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.

EARLYBIRD HOLIDAY MARKET

I'm looking forward to this fun holiday market at my studio; The Arts Centre at Cedar Hill.

Just one day only from 10am  to 3pm, the potters and artists of the studios at Cedar Hill host a holiday market.  

Come see what we've been making. Shop for special gifts and unique one of a kind art pieces produced by local Victorian artists.

TRANSITIONS IN YOUR ART

Transitions in art happen all the time in small increments when painting.  It's all about listening to the inner voice, and following where it leads.  Since moving to BC, I have noticed that I am more and more interested in the abstract process of painting.  In my studio work I have been allowing myself the indulgence of painting for paintings sake, and seeing where it leads me.  It sometimes yields pleasant  surprises... I'm always searching for those.  It also often leads to stoppages where I have to put the painting away and revisit another time.  

Sometimes transitions are the result of what's happening in life, shifts in ways of thinking and new ideas bubbling up.  
Exploring these ideas enrich the art experience.  These transitions don't always have to become significant bodies of work, I think of them more as building blocks to something more interesting down the road.

ART SHOW ENERGY

TD Moss Street Paint In - Saturday July 20th

Woohoo! An amazing day of ART, ART & more ART featuring 191 artists and street activities is happening in Victoria on Saturday July 20th!  
It's the TD Art Gallery PAINT IN on Moss Street. It's our ART GALLERY OF GREATER VICTORIA's premier fundraising event.  

Late Afternoon Light,
McKenzie Beach
oil on canvas
15x45 inch

Last year, my daughter Holly & I attended the event which stretched 10 neighbourhood blocks along Moss street down to the ocean.  So exciting to take in such a thriving art event in our little coastal city.  I'm excited to be included as an artist this year, and that energy is lifting me up with anticipation for a fun day on July 20th, 2019!  I'll be at the corner of Moss & Carnsew street.


This week I've been busy prepping display panels; whitewashing old bi-fold doors. I'll display some small artworks on them.  Lucky there is a fence behind my booth, so it will be a good backdrop for larger works.  Hope we get a stellar day!

BREAKING THROUGH IN THE ART PROCESS

'Celebration' -by Sally Chupick, oil on canvas - 12 x 12

That feeling of excitement when you create a 'break-through' piece of art....you stand back and recognize you've made a leap to more meaningful work.  It's hopeful and more than a little seductive.  As artists we all want to grow.  It's our driving force.  

How do you get over that fence you are sitting on?  Usually it's by experimentation.  Do something you haven't done before, and you're likely to get something new.  Try a new tool, method of application, subject or palette.  Experiment a little; learn something new.  It feels good.

'Rejoice' by Sally Chupick - oil on linen, 12 x 12

PLEIN AIR PAINTING - VARIETY

8x10 oil on panel 'Fickle Fig Farm' plein air painting

Variety.  It's the spice of life, they say... I find it's also the spice of my outdoor 'plein air' painting experience.  It's easy to bumble along with the same old application method, but it's boring, and it gives boring results.

 I like to change up how I apply paint.  Brushes, palette knife, scraping, smudging with my gloved fingers or with a rag, the more variety the better.  Here's this morning's plein air painting from Fickle Fig Farm. with the Alfresco painting group. The Fickle Fig is a farm market / bakery / cafe near Sidney, BC on Mills Road near the airport.

HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED WHILE PAINTING

I feel like all painters have challenges at times with staying motivated. 
One day you're all fired up and in the drivers seat with your painting, but just as easily procrastination kicks in.  When that happens it can be hard to get motivated.  Typically there are 2 process' for me that motivate.

1.)  the subject itself motivates...it interests me; I respond with my 'painting voice'. In this process, I already know what I want to say... I follow it to it's conclusion. This process is linear, and often it's satisfying; I feel kind of thrilled when I get a good result. Who doesn't want to make a successful painting?

2.). other times subjects don't feel all that interesting.  I want to explore things less tangible,  things a little out of reach.  Painting this way is a whole different process.  It's intuitive, and experimental and more than a little addictive.  I don't as often get a successful painting.  As a matter of fact I usually don't get one.  How do I stay motivated here?

For me, the answer is: painting.

To motivate myself I load a palette knife, brush or rag.  If I start, something usually happens.  One stroke leads to something else... questions arise, corresponding decisions are made.  It's definitely non linear.  I can work for long times laying in passages, only to scrape
off or paint over them.  It's elusive.   Occasionally something surprising happens.  That's the best feeling, when something unexpected takes my painting in an exciting direction.   Before I know it I'm motivated.

Cottage Beach Art Etsy shop

Opening - oil on wood - by Sally Chupick - $600

Back in April I listened to a podcast on Savvy Painter which resonated with me.  
The host, Antrese Wood, was interviewing social media wiz Jenni Waldrop.  Jenni's podcast was all about selling on Etsy for artists.
Back in 2012, I had opened an Etsy shop and listed some things for sale, but it never really took off for me and I lost interest, letting it die a slow death.
So I was curious when I listened to Jenni talk about Etsy for artists on the podcast.  Truthfully I was unbelieving... I had not had success with it before.  AND neither had Antrese (the interviewer) as she mentioned in the podcast that she had also given it a whirl but it had never taken off for her either.

Let me just pause here to say that these next few months for me in my personal life are all over the map.  I have packed up my studio and I'm not painting for a couple of months until I'm settled again permanently in our new home in Victoria, BC.  I have time while not painting, to learn new skills.

I'll repeat...there were things that resonated with me as I listened to the podcast.
One of those things was how Etsy can be a platform for a completely other line of work different from your main practice.  My ears perked up!
I felt like I was ahead of the game! I actually have an extensive line of tiny paintings that I create on driftwood and on cedar that is not suitable for showing in galleries or other art exhibits. Being so small that I actually call them mini's, they dont take me long to make but I enjoy them.  I find them sort of like yoga for my art practice, taking me to a place of meditation when I work on them.  So I already have a line of work different from my main practice.
Another thing that Jenni mentioned in the interview is that Etsy's platform brings a wider audience to those artists that wish to sell art prints from their work.  My ears perked up again!
I have always sold art prints of of Kingston, and done really well with them while living here in our hometown.  I realize not everybody can afford an original painting, but many are willing to buy a print of an original, for whatever reason.
So I thought...maybe there are other people who would  buy prints of other paintings?  People who do not know my work yet.  People who live far away.  People who might not come to my website to find my work or go into a gallery.  The thing Etsy has is people.  Customers.  Etsy has a pretty big reach.  It dawned on me that I could use some Etsy help.
Long story short...I signed up with Jenni for an online course about Etsy selling.  There is a ton of stuff I didn't know, that I've already learned, that I had no clue about before.

CottageBeachArt is my new Etsy shop!  The focus is on cottage and beach 'art treasures'.  Everything in the shop has this vibe goin' on!  I sell my art prints and home decor, as well as my line of cedar and driftwood mini original paintings.  Although it is my shop I collaborate with daughter Holly and hubby Jeff.  They make beach jewelry and beach decor.  We all enjoy creating; launching a shop of treasures seems right.   Although the shop has a variety of niche's, I'm hoping they tie together with my theme,  COTTAGE - BEACH...we'll see how it all goes!
It's been fun learning.  And, I'm noticing a little jump in sales.   It's a time sucker for sure, but at the moment I have time,  as I can't paint while moving!  Ugh! Moving house is a pain. It feels like it's been going on forever, as we've moved twice in the past 2 years already!  This move to Victoria is our final destination, and we are really looking forward to completing it, and living there full time!

Mr. Whale

Pacific Pebbles earrings

Morning Garden art print

New directions

Over the Edge - oil media on wood- 12 x 12 - $400

As some of you may know already, I have been hanging out in Victoria, BC for a number of months; I'm loving' it!  BUT heaps of changes in my home life also mean juggling changes to my art business too.  I'm considering all options:)

These past few months, I've learned to work in a new shared studio space instead of my beloved home studio, but it's actually working out okay, despite a few hiccups in my routine....ie: having to clean up after myself after every session!  ha ha...ya that's not so great, but I get on with it.

Not everything about moving is great...like I'll be leaving good friends, and I'll be much further away from my darling grand-kiddies...but overall, I know it's the right thing for us now.  And after the winter this year in Ontario...ya...well need I say more?

I'm realistic in expecting it will take a while to find my niche with any galleries in BC,  but in the interim  I'm happy to continue to show some work in Ontario at these galleries:
Studio 87, Perth, ON
Kingston Frameworks, Kingston, ON
Meraqi Art Annex, Kingston, ON 
Little Pumphouse, Gananoque, ON

*newsflash*...I am currently doing in depth study delving into new ways to share my work online; stay tuned...I'll share more about that asap!  

I

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.     

Ignoring the critics and doing what you love

3 works in progress, oil & coldwax on wood

Going forward into the new year brings heaps of new things for most people, and I'm certainly no exception.  I've got so much to be thankful /grateful for.  Most importantly my family... but also for my art practice. 

I love, love, love, to make art that feeds my soul.   This means tuning into what I love, exploring possibilities, embracing risk and yes...pretty much ignoring what others think.  It's not like I don't hear what others think, I do...but I prefer them in the back seat(or the trunk) while I do the driving.
2017 has been an exceptional year as I fit changes into my lifestyle that in turn effect my art. Moving, a ton of traveling, and consequently, loss of studio space and time has forced me to find new solutions to make my painting practice work for me. Basically, size and process's change according to the spaces. For example small space; smaller works, new larger shared studio space...well, we'll see now wont we? heh.
Thank you to all my clients and friends who have supported and encouraged my art over this past year and made 2017 an excellent year for me.  I'm excited to see what 2018 holds!

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 :)

still painting in Victoria

Here I am in Victoria for the next few weeks; happy to find a little space in the days to do a bit of painting.   The first couple of days I was tired from traveling and fighting jetlag, but now I'm getting into the rhythm of the days here.

Yesterday I set up my paints in my mother-in-law's sun-room.  It's unheated in there but we had beautiful sunshine in the afternoon, which warmed it up enough to paint while Gma puttered in the garden trimming her hydrangea heads.

On the weekend Holly & Jeff picked me up and we wandered along Ella beach in Sooke, hunting for treasures. For Holly, that's beach glass and interesting driftwood pieces that she turns into cute Xmas crafts. For me it's inspiration for my mini wood block paintings.  I cant wait to share a table with her at a Xmas craft/art fair next Thursday; so fun to get the opportunity to hang with my girl and sell our goodies!