Happy New Year

 2011 Ensō .....one moment

Hard to believe it is the end of the first decade of the 21st Century. Remember all the Y2K panic!
Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve and a wonderful 2011.
Looking forward to lots of painting.

Wishing

A Merry Christmas to all.

Peace on Earth.

Remembering

Beyond

This can be a joyous time of year, regardless of your beliefs.  

For people dealing with loss it can also be very challenging. 

Remembering all of the people in my life both friends and family who are no longer here in body, but still in my heart. 

My tribute to them is to live each day to the fullest.

Challenging

Challenge of the Season

2 persian kittens, 15 weeks old

1 red pine Christmas tree, 7 feet high

 Equals 2 kittens with sap and pine needle
in their very long fur   

[decorated the tree in record flat time
while they were sleeping, whew!
also brushed out all the extras in the fur,
kitten exhaustion used for good!]

It's here

Winter ...... snow and cold. One word ........ yuck! Only good thing is it makes me appreciate the hot, hot summers. And yes it was hot enough for me last summer and it is cold enough now and I have had enough of the snow. Thanks for asking.

On the walls at Love of Jo

During the month of December my work will be shown at the Love of Jo, Stouffville. Stop by, have a coffee and see some of my latest work!

Remembering Doris McCarthy

A great Canadian has passed away....Doris McCarthy was an amazing artist who lived every moment of her 100 years. I had the privilege of watching her paint as "Artist in Residence" at  the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in 1999. She was only 89, removed her high heels in order to paint a very large canvas. She kept running back to view the painting from a distance.  More energy than most people half her age. She will be missed.

"Enjoy every minute and each day. 
It will only come once."  

Doris McCarthy 1910 to 2010 http://bit.ly/ibu2Zr

News

A new feature on the Stouffville Studio Tour's Facebook Page.....
Inside the Artist's Studio. 
My studio is featured this week."About Sumi-e "
Check it out here Stouffville Studio Tour.

New additions

I haven't posted in a few days...we have new additions in our home. They are very "busy"   but lovable. Got back to work in the studio and had help.

Sheldon and Ozzy my new helpers

Dancing Brushes

Another great Sumi-e show. Great crowd,  inspirational paintings. I demonstrated on Sunday and had a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone.

Remebrance Day 2010

 
Remembering all of our veterans today and the people who supported them at home. Thank you.



Remembering all those in harms way now. Thank you and be safe.

It's over

Mountain Vista II

Relaxing time is over...moving on to the next show.

Sumi-e Artists of Canada, 

November 13th and 14th  12 noon to 5 pm 

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 

6 Garamond Court, Toronto 

west of the DVP, north of Wynford. 

Here is one of the paintings I am submitting to the show.

Time to relax

It is now time to relax for a few days. The Studio Tour was a huge success.....large number of enthusiastic people plus fantastic fall weather makes for a great weekend. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. I hope you enjoyed our location. Here is how we looked

Fun fun fun

I am really enjoying being organized....I think it might become a new persona. I demonstrated in the lobby for the last time before the Tour and created a half dozen original cards. ....no stress...why has it taken me this long  to discover organization!!!!!!

Getting close

Less than a week away to the 

Studio Tour......almost ready.
All the paintings are done, 

framing is almost complete.

All paintings are named!

Just need to place them around and we will be all ready!

Almost all done

My framing of new paintings is almost complete and less than 2 weeks to the Studio Tour. I am very happy with the selection of new work. Here is another one

It's officially complete

The Ripple Project is officially complete. $11,090.00 raised for animal relief in the Gulf after the oil spill. I am very proud to have had a small part in this. One person with an idea can make a difference. Hats off to Kelly Light for her vision and organization!

Time Flies

Last year at this time I spent a week in Arizona and visited the Grand Canyon for the first time. We went back last week, had a great time again and visited the Canyon again. It was still as breathtaking the second time. A place everyone should try to visit. I am now trying to organize for the Studio Tour that is less than 3 weeks away.  Here are 2 more paintings.

The're hanging in town

The Stouffville Banners are up on lampposts in downtown Stouffville. They look great! Just over a month to the Studio Tour! I will be demonstrating Sept 26th, Sept 28th and Oct 12th in the Latcham Gallery/ Care and Share lobby 1-3 all days. Stop by and say hello.

One more venue

Studio Tour artists have their paintings at another venue in town... 
The Corner House on Main restaurant.
This is the one that I have on display there.

Happy September

Yes, we are 5 days into September. It is getting darker earlier, and these last 2 days have been downright cold in the little town of Stouffville. I never liked Labour Day weekend....I go into it kicking and screaming because my favourite time of year is coming to an end. On the bright side it is a beautiful time of year and there is more structure to my days. Even cleaned my studio space yesterday....there is a floor! I am trying to really be organized for the upcoming Studio Tour October 16th and 17th. Less than 6 weeks away. Yikes! Here is a painting that is on display with the Studio Tour artists at the Love of Jo coffee shop in downtown Stouffville.

Another one

Here is one more painting...very happy with this one....it almost went to the big pile of paintings that didn't work but I kept at it and am very pleased with the result.

Ripple Project

The Ripple Project has now raised over $10,400.00 for animal relief in the Gulf. Very amazing ....if you haven't already check it out here.

More

A couple of paintings.....more to come

New paintings

I haven't posted for a few weeks but I have been painting a lot!
Here are 4 new works that I am really happy with. 

More to come as I start to record them!

Sold

My two Ensō  paintings for the Ripple Project are on the way to a new home. Thanks to the person who donated the money to get my cards. 

Almost $10,000 has been raised for animal rescue in the Gulf for a $10.00 or a $50.00 donation. Very impressive! Again no money goes to the artist or the person who started this project. Proof that one person can have an idea and make a difference! A real ripple effect.

There are many more cards available. New ones are posted every day. Check them out here.

August

It is hard to believe it is August already. I am still enjoying the wonderful warm weather however I saw my first red leaves on maple trees this morning. I had to drive down to Pickering this morning and went the back way. What a beautiful drive....I even saw a stand that sold pies and tarts on the honour system. You put your money in the jar if you took something. What a treat to see that kind of thing in today's world. Take time to look around...you will be amazed what you see when you really start to look for things. One of my favourite books is  The Last Lecture....about living in the moment....try it, it is good for you

New Banner

Last year the Stouffville Studio Tour created banners that were hung on the lamposts in downtown Stouffville [yes, there is a downtown Stouffville]. 

I decided to have another one made and this is what it will look like. 

Both banners will be up in September.

Ripple

The oil leaking into the Gulf  is a huge issue .....it is sad to think of all the damage that has been done already. The Ripple Project is trying to make a difference. Artist are donating small images and they are being sold for a donation to organizations helping to clean the animals. No money goes to the artist or to the person who started the Ripple. 

These are two Ensō  paintings - Japanese meaning circle. It symbolizes enlightenment, strength, elegance, the Universe, and the void. It also symbolizes an "expression of the moment". All things we need to deal with this crisis.  It  is usually painted in one movement  and there is no possibility of modification. They are original paintings 2.5 in by 3.5  ATC size in acrylic paint on rice paper mounted on acid free card stock with my chop or seal.

   

Check them out here,


Number 877 and 878....if you are interested in having them 
follow the instructions to the right on the Ripple blog for a 
$10.00 donation.

Yes it is!

Yes people it is hot enough for me ...as a matter of fact this is perfect summer weather
...... HOT HOT HOT
I love it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA

I wrote this yesterday but forgot to post

Happy Birthday Canada.


The best country, with the best people, and for 3/4 of a year the best weather. If we didn't have winter how could we possibly appreciate the rest of the year!

Terrible weather...great show

So it rained, all day but that didn't stop our Art Show. 
Good crowd of nice people....thank you for braving the raindrops.

Your invited

Yes the G20 is happening in Toronto this weekend but the city is not shutting down. 
Drop by and see some great art on Saturday. Your invited!

Another great day of painting

Yet another great workshop with interesting ideas yesterday. Had lots of fun which is the main thing and am still very excited to be working.

I counted on Monday I have 20 paintings on the go. Finished these 4 and I am very happy with them. 

After yesterday I have more ideas and more inspirations.... yea!!

More

Here is another new work.

Fun Fun Fun

Spent the last two Thursdays in great workshops, connecting with an inner child that I thought had been buried deep.
 
I have been in a real creative rut for the last year and a half. Yes I had some successes but nothing that I was really excited about and that made me want to continuously paint.  

All that has changed in these workshops. We did fast and furious scribbles and then "faux encaustic" paintings. I haven't been this excited about my work in along time. 
 



Here are two of the "scribbles". I can hardly wait to paint some more.

Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day to everyone... hope your day has been as wonderful as mine.

Great Show

Well the Lemonville Group of Artists' show is over for another year...great weekend of wonderful art. Met some really nice people.....all and all a success. Looking forward to next year's show our 18th April 30th, May 1st 2011. Time flies so fast it will be here before you blink!

Beautiful Wedding Day

There was a special day in our lives this weekend...our daughter's wedding. 

Beautiful bride in a dress that I created for her, fantastic weather, good food and company, a small simple wedding in our backyard under the blossoming apple trees with birds singing, a perfect spring day, just what they wanted. 

Congratulations and a lifetime of happiness.

Getting closer

Lemonville Group of Artists Annual Show is in less than 3 weeks. Here is a Lotus painting that I will have in the show.

No April showers?

Wow what a few weeks of weather we have been having in the GTA. It was 24 or 75 for those of us who still think that old fashioned way. Trying not to panic thinking about everything I am trying to get done in the next 6 weeks. Some moments it works sometimes it doesn't. Designing and sewing a wedding dress has been fun. I haven't created anything like this in a long time. I had forgot how much I like to sew. 

It always amazes me when people say they have nothing to do....I don't have enough hours in the day to get everything done that I want to!

Must find some time to paint.

My favourite time

I love spring! I love the warmer weather, I love the smell of spring, I love the colour of spring, I love the warmth of the sun, I love to see the flowers poking their head through the ground. I even don't mind the noise that birds make first thing in the morning. This year has been great with warm weather last week that felt more like May than March. I am one happy camper....it is a toss up whether I like spring or summer better. 

Trying to organize myself because of everything that is going on in my life in the next two months. I found this collage that I had created awhile back and really like it, of course no name but that will come.

Beautiful Day in March

What a wonderful day ....the snowdrops are up in my front garden, the last few days actually have been warm...people out walking....spring is just around the corner.....I can feel it. Went a saw some wild cats at Bluffers Park and some beautiful swans. 
Surely this is almost the end of winter.....keeping my fingers crossed

Another fun day

We had a workshop yesterday about watercolour mono print making. I had done it before and forgotten how much fun it is. You cannot control the outcome...I always like that in painting, the surprise. I don't like to control my work but rather react to what has happened on the page. 
Anyhow this one of the pieces that I did yesterday.

One of them

So this is one of the paintings that I found that I liked. Not sure of the name yet but it will come.....that is one of the hardest things for me ...naming a painting.

I like it

Was just playing with inks on Thursday and created this painting....finished it last night...I like it

Today's work

So because I have a few other things going on in my life in the next few months I am trying to be super organized so that I can keep my sanity....some might argue that ship has sailed..... however I spent the day going through some paintings that I had put away. As it almost always happens I don't remember why I wasn't happy with them... some I really like. The Lemonville Group of Artist show is the first weekend in May....not that far away so now I have a few paintings....Yea.

 As an artist I am often asked to donate to various causes. I am happy to do this for things that I believe in, however since art is such a personal thing I am very selective where I donate paintings. The last thing I want is someone to feel obligated to buy my art or for one of my paintings to not have a good home. Since the goal is to raise money for these causes I also want to maximize the amount of money raised.

 

One of the other things I do is make jewellery....I haven't sold any but rather I give it away as gifts or donations for fundraising. This is my latest creation for the Jennifer Ashleigh  Children Charity event the second weekend in May. They always have a theme...this year it is summer.

Busy Busy Busy

So I really dislike it when people say they are soooooo busy .....I am not going to say that. I just have a few things going and I am trying to juggle everything and not forget something. 

I wanted to post this last week but well you know........

I went to a wonderful exhibit last Thursday  at the Varley Art Gallery in downtown Unionville Ontario. It is well worth the trip but hurry it leaves for the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo the beginning of March.

The Automatiste Revolution:
Montreal 1941-1960

New Month

Hard to believe that we are into February already. The days are longer...light well after 5.30 and I am enjoying this winter. Just enough snow to keep it bright in the day but not enough to make driving a pain. 
 

Anyhow here is a doodle...of nothing...I might turn it into something....I rather like the lines.

Day 8

 

One more cool dude to end the  challenge week. I actually painted him on Thursday and wasn't sure about him but I have decided I like him.

Day 7

Another peaceful place to visit

Day 6

Spent a lot of time out doors yesterday. It was a mild winter day ......the trees were beautiful against the snow. Spent the day and night in Niagara Falls. It is great in the winter, no crowds beautiful views you just have to watch out for ice that seems to be everywhere. We were outside for 6 hours, great fun!

Day 5

An ensō [The Zen Circle] Japanese word for circle

Our original spirit is free and infinite in scale. An ensō is thought to be a symbol of this. A true ensō dares us to take chances.

Painted with one stroke it is an expression of the moment, when the mind allows the body and spirit to create. Only a person who is mentally and spiritually complete can draw a true ensō.