The New Year has gotten off to a productive start. I've been spending lots of time in the studio with details getting aligned for the first show of the year, Night of Artisr, starting March 3.

I have been working hard to clear up my last few commissions and some other items from my "half finished" pile.

Here is a peek at a few things in progress

I am about elbows deep into a new project for a local restaurant. An abstract series in a color palette out of my typical color patterns since I've been painting. It's warm and creamy and I'm drawn to merlot and warm luxurious food and classy atmosphere and jazz and I'm ..... Loving it.

I've recently stepped away from my abstract work dealing with a stack of commissions but it feels good to be back. The abstracts hold a special place in me. They are comfort. A much more flexible artistic freedom that balances with all my other projects. It loosens my artistic parts and gets me moving. This project has given me something to dig back into.

9 paintings in total to complete.
Half way done.
Public hanging location TBA
Yay! So excited.

Cannot stop listening to this whole album........ non stop!
I might be a little obsessed :)
This is the current favorite of the day.........

- I'm trying to get my townhouse on the market and I'm failing. The idea of having to de-clutter and have the house completely staged is giving me a few hives! No lie!  I've been busy and now it's time and I won't lie...... it's a little daunting a task.  A person is forced to face how much clutter they collect, even with every attempt to perpetually be purging to not get to that point. 

- Went to Newfoundland to visit my family.  Other than the expected dreary weather, for some of it, I got some much need battery charging and hunted for sea glass for another side project I'm beginning.

Painting on a car hood for Night of Artists 2015
Here are some progression pictures:

It was a dear friends 60th birthday party and I created a custom gift in spirit of the birthday girl and the theme. 

Janet has an eclectic taste favoring in antiques and all that is proper and beautiful and the theme was the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. 

I even made a fascinator to be festive!

1. Make a list

There are a zillion things to remember and in the stress of the moment (and if you are even 10% like me there will be a little anxiety before a show) you will forget something. I have never done a show where I have not (hell maybe it's just me so in that case disregard #1. Lol).

2. Double check electronic equipment

This was a lesson hard learned. My first "fancy" show I thought I had all the i's dotted and t's crossed. I bought all the items to make my display look professional and then..... I get to the show (an hour before open) and my light bulbs (recommended by store clerk) did not fit my lighting!!!!! Panic & near tears but a good friend made a quick trip to the nearest Canadian Tire and saved the day. Not every situation is as lucky as that.

Now rule of thumb is to check everything JUST IN CASE!

3. Buy a new lipstick

Or whatever makes you feel a little fresh. I love a good lipstick so that is my item of choice. Get yourself a little treat to put your best foot forward.

4. Organize your "stuff"

There areanu items that you will pack to a show to make a proper display. Keep your kit organized. It makes for an easier set up and helps you check your list (#1)

5. Give yourself all the time you need

Don't rush. Get some sleep. Drink lots of water. And lastly enjoy! This is the time to share what you love with the world. Not everyone will like your work and that's okay. Smile. Share the passion. Work hard. Make it fun!

I started this fella in preparation for the upcoming Night of Artists show (March 6-8) but he was snatched up before he even got off the easel. I'm enjoying the owls more with every one I paint.

I've been asked several times recently why owls and I really don't have an elaborate fancy answer. I painted my first one just because I had an interesting perspective for a reference photo. It was my first year painting and I was still experimenting lots with what I liked. I was drawn to it. The texture of feathers and making the eyes pop. It has developed into a "thing" for me. I just love them.

I never feel prepared no matter how many lists I make and no matter how many new paintings I have ready. I will always feel anxious a week before a show.

Am I bringing enough work?

Do I have everything I need?

Can I get one more painting done?

Will I forget something vital (I'm known to do this)?

Will my work be well received?

Did I varnish/wire everything?

Am I bringing a variety of my work?

What in the hell am I going to wear?

The list goes on. It's a crazy place within my brain! Ha ha

I guess a little anxiety is normal and keeps me on my toes.

I maintain a day job in addition to my art work. I am an administrative assistant which requires quite a bit of organizational skills.  I generally have mad skills in the organization department but right now........ I feel like I'm (please refer to photo above) drowning.  At work I'm on top of it. I got my systems and my filing and my processes.  At home, somehow, I have lost my brain.  I have piles of papers and receipts all over and there is no end in site.  

So time to buckle down some solid time in the office and get myself organized.  If you smell smoke it's just my shredder crying in paint!

The new year, mutually to most of us, feels like a fresh start.. A marked line where we can reflect on the last year and look at the new one a head of us.

I started mine off right .... In my studio! I've admittedly been slacking on my commissions. Not getting them completed fast enough. Just taking a little too long for my own liking. Standards set by no one other than me of course because my clients are all patient and gracious and give me all the artistic freedom on the world.

So in light of that self observation here is my first completed work of the year (started in 2013). The clients request was an owl on a fence post. A few sketched out before I got the right perspective to meet both of our likings but we made it and now he is complete.

I will be set up at the 3rd Annual Strathearn Art Walk this weekend, 


Sat, Sept 13, 2014 
from 2-6pm


Art  Crafter’s Market  Author’s Corner  Children’s Area Food  Beer Gardens  Live Music  Entertainment
 

Last day for the Whyte Ave Art Walk!

SALE today only for most items I'm displaying. Come on down to take a look. It's going to be another sunny day!

Finally I can share what I painted for my Dad's birthday/Fathers Day present (since he received it last weekend). 

I have really spent a good part of my painting time this year on animals, mostly birds and flowers. It's nice to switch things up.  The more realistic works hold a different type of creative release and satisfaction. They are not as loose as the abstract but I love the building of the layers and how they eventually get to the point of where I want them.  

All of these type of pieces I go through the same process. For the first few (or 10) layers I will absolutely hate it.  A lot of them are requests or commissions and I am not sure if it's challenge or the added pressure of commissions but I will regret the paintings for the first few sessions I work on them. I swear the only factor that gets me to keep working is that I committed to the client and would hate to let them down.

By around the 3rd or 4th time I sit down with a piece, it will begin the turning point.  When I start to feel some progress. That the shape starts to form and the shading starts to reach my preferences.  They take much longer and are a fantastic exercise of my patience, that has been know on occasion to be short.  The longevity of the more realistic work has shown me to embrace that I even have a process and just let it happen. 

Happy Birthday Dad!