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Finishing Sumi-e Paintings

Painting Sumi-e work requires patience. I can't count the number of times I have gotten to the last stroke in a painting only to ruin it. This is a very unforgiving media, if you make an error you must start over. 

The next step after the painting has dried is to make the painting more stable by adding another layer of paper behind the work. This also improves the colour of the ink. You can dry mount it, which I have never attempted or you can wet mount it.   

There are places that will do it for you but  I prefer to do it myself. After many years I have got a system that works for me. Bear in mind that both of these papers are a little bit heavier than tissue paper. The "rice paper" that I use is strong if you know how to handle it when it is wet but it can easily tear especially when wet!

First you lay the painting upside down on a clean board.

After lightly spraying the painting with water you paste the back of the painting with an acid free rice  paste.

 

 
Placing a slightly larger piece of rice paper on the painting you gently rub the rice paper to the painting using a piece of parchment paper to protect the work from tearing. 

 
 Carefully lifting the work up it is now turned right side up and place on a clean support [some people use their doors, I don't]. The edges are taped down with packing tape [the worst part of this proceedure for me because I am always losing the end of the tape!]

 
You then have to babysit the work until it drys; sometimes the tape will break away and that can cause a ripple. 

My birds are now drying. Once they are very dry I will add my seal and sign them, all ready to be framed.

Back to blogging

It has been awhile since I posted a blog. No excuse why it has been over 2 months.
Anyhow I am back. I have been trying to paint a series of Sumi-e. Into my birds again with some success. I will post some of  them soon but in the meantime here is a painting that has a new home as of 2 weeks ago. 

Forever and Always  (C)

Time marches on

I have never understood how people can say they are bored or have nothing to do. Here it is the middle of May already and we are approaching the long weekend. Seems like not to long ago it was snowing .... oh wait Mother Nature had a bad day on Sunday and sent us all kinds of weather including snow, never mind.

Anyhow time for me just whizzes by. It has been an interesting few weeks. 

The show with the Lemonville Group of Artists was the first weekend.... big success and we had an opening evening that was packed. We had record crowds all weekend long so thanks to everyone who came out to see our work. 

Then on May 9th I was part of a team of three Stouffville Studio Tour Artists who created a collaborative painting in 30 minutes. I was nervous, not about painting in front of people but painting one work with 2 other artists. I think our painting turned out very well and I have a lot of fun!

In between painting we videoed our work ... Have a look..... Another time we might have a dedicated person taking the video.

The challenge was to create a painting representing York Region landscapes. We chose to depict a kettle lake in the bottom of the page with houses surrounding the lake and farmland behind. Collaged into the houses was an area map from the 19th century with all of the names of the farms from that era. 

Whitchurch-Stouffville Studio Tour  (C)

Thanks to the York Region Arts Council for inviting us to participate in this event and to the other artists, especially our team for a great evening.

Show Ready

So here it is just a few days until the Lemonville Annual Show and I am all ready.... go figure, no last minute paintings, framing or PANIC. I discovered a few years ago when I had way to much to do the week before the show [a wedding comes to mind] that if I get everything organized I can actually enjoy the event. Taken me all these years to figure this out, now no last minute paintings for me!

Here are a couple of paintings that will be in the show and the invitation... hope to see you over the weekend. 

Love (C)

Orange Splash (C)

Orange Crush II (C)

The Stance (C)

62

My parents 62 years ago today
 

Happy Anniversary ..... still going strong

Lemonville Group of Artists Show

I am busy getting ready for the Lemonville Group of Artists Annual Show in two weeks. It is our 20th and we are very excited about two things we have added to show. 

For the first time we are having an opening reception on Friday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm. 

The other is our "post card" art. We have created and are donating 4 1/2 by 6 inch original works with 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these small treasures to be given to youth art programs in Stouffville.

Here are a few of the pieces that I have submitted. 

  

If you wish to see more  visit the Lemonville website

And here is an invitation to our show 

Donation to a Great Cause

Happy April. Seems like Mother Nature is not ready yet but I am. I am very tired of the cold. I love the spring, as a matter of fact it is my favourite time of year. The smells, the warmth and especially the colours. Beautiful fresh greens and all the wonderful colours of the spring flowers... can hardly wait.

I am very busy getting ready for the Lemonville Group of Artists annual show.... details on my website www.alternativesinart.ca - upcoming events and I have a few other places my work will be on display ... more about that later. 

I have donated this painting to the Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation's  Annual Charity Gala April 26th 2013. It is a cause I believe in and have supported for many years. They help ill children and their families with expenses.  

The theme this year is Tropical Paradise and this is my contribution. 

Tropical Residents

More of my obsession

I have been very busy with my new obsession Zentangles. I have finished 24 in a month. Mine are 9x12 so larger than the official size, as a matter of fact I have followed very few of the official rules; I am following my own path. 

As a bonus I am really finding my painting voice again. This seems to have stimulated my creativity and I have been inspired to paint.
Here are a few of my favourites.

Aphasia Clients and Zentangles

I have written before about my over 20 years of volunteer work at the York Durham Aphasia Centre. Details are here,  here and here. 

Every year I choose a new famous person for the clients to work on upside down. This year I decided that the Queen Mother would be our "lady of the year". She was an amazing woman always with a smile and a very kind face. This is my version of her for clients to draw upside down. It is from a picture of her when she was in her late 90's and I loved all the wrinkles  and her beautiful round face.

The clients are great sports.... think I am a little crazed but they try what I suggest with amazing results. I also introduced them to my newest obsession [one lady with limited speech when I said I was going to tell them about my new obsession blurted out "oh no" .... so funny]. Zentangles at the Aphasia Centre in Newmarket was a big hit. They even took 3 sheets of "homework" with them to work on over the next month. 

I am by no means an expert on Zentangles but look upon them as organized doodles. At the Aphasia Centre I have the clients use doodling as a way to tap into the right brain and stimulate the brain. When I was researching  my new obsession I ran across articles about how Zentangling stimulates both the right and left brain.... perfect for people with brain injuries. MRI's show us that if part of the brain is damaged the rest of the brain reorganizes and starts compensating for the damaged area with varying results. Anything that stimulates the brain can create these new pathways over time so why not Zentangles and the bonus is you have fun.

The clients last week were tired after the "Zens" but very enthusiastic. I am anxious to see their homework results.

Contact me if you want any information about these programs.

More Zentangles

Here are some more Zentangles. Working on another one.

I introduced them to the clients at the Aphasia Centre yesterday. More about that later. 

 

More Zentangles

Clearly there needs to be an intervention.....four 9x12 Zentangles in 7 days. Problem is as soon as I finish one I am thinking about what I can try next. 

I really believe in the power of doodles and how it stimulates the mind. EVERYONE can doodle. Remember Picasso "every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up" Doodling connects with our inner child. 

Zentangles to me are organized doodling. I am not sure if I find them relaxing but they are fun to do. To me that is the most important thing .... having fun!

February

Well the death flu took a bigger toll on me than I thought but I am feeling myself again and it's February. Days are noticeably longer  ...  5.40 and it was still light out yesterday.  I haven't really painted much this last little while but have rather been playing with paints. I can feel excitement and creativity bubbling up .... the one idea leading to another so for right now I am just going with the flow. 

My latest new obsession is Zentangles [Google it for thousands of images]. I have always loved to doodle and have been preaching to the Aphasia clients how important doodling is to your brain. I was introduced to Zentangles on Thursday and cannot stop creating them I am working on my third one but here are the first two that I created. They are on 9x12 paper and are a great way to spend time. 

Happy New Year

Yes I am a week late but I have a good reason again this year [last year car accident]

I have the flu, I guess like so many other people. I love how the Ontario Board of Health is setting up clinics for flu shots but guess what, I got mine in November so clearly maybe this years version of the shot is missing the flu that is going around. Anyhow I am getting frustrated not doing much of anything but I don't want it to come back so I am resting.

I did get my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project so I am looking forward to creating when the stupid flu is gone. I have an unnatural fondness for blank books and have quite a collection. I am trying very hard to use them. More about that here. I have started several books on the theory that once I start using them I will stop looking at them and being afraid to mess them up. So far it is working but it is baby steps.

Anyhow here is my new sketchbook. It is a fun project with artists from around the world and your book goes on Tour. The Sketchbook Project

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas..... Happy Holidays 

Wishing you all good things 

one horse open sleigh (c) 2012

The penguins are having fun again this year!

In memory

During all the hustle bustle of the Christmas season it is easy to forget that for many this is a time of deep sadness coping with the loss of loved ones. Remembering all the friends and family who are no longer here in body but are still in my heart.

Workshop tomorrow

I am very pleased to be conducting a workshop tomorrow for the Sumi-e Artists of Canada. We are going to have fun with resists on rice paper. Anyone who has ever worked on this paper knows how thin and fragile it can be so it seems hard to imagine adding a resist to the surface. It is a very fun process and you can get some fantastic results. Looking forward to tomorrow. 

C'est moi

Workshops are held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre from 9:30 am to noon on these Saturdays. Cost: $20.00 for members and $25.00 for non-members.

Canadian Shield

Tic tock

That holiday clock is ticking .....LOUDLY. I am trying to be very organized this year so my panic mode is earlier than normal!

I am busy trying to create a new holiday card. These are the last 4 years of my cards. 

 

The penguins need to be up to something new. My thinking cap is on. Stay tuned

Honourable Mention

The Patriarch

Very pleased and surprised that this painting of mine was given an Honourable Mention at the Sumi-e Artist of Canada's show Shades of Ink this past weekend. I have painted several of these "birds" and this was the latest one. I used feather brushes for this work and he ended up with quite ruffled feathers but somehow looking in charge ..... hence the name.
Will post a better image when I get it off my camera

Shades of Ink ....Sumi-e Art Show

 

If you are looking for something different to do this weekend why not visit the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre for the annual show Shades of Ink. I have Four of my paintings in this show and two of older work is part of a calendar that will be on sale. I was very pleased that one of them was selected for the cover.

There is a lovely tea room and demonstrations all day long of Sumi-e or Japanese ink painting. I will be demonstrating at 3 pm tomorrow afternoon.

Stop by and say hello

Remebrance Day 2012

I just got back from the ceremony at our local Legion. I have tried to go to as many of these ceremonies as possible over the years. It was very nice to see a large turnout on this warm Sunday morning.  

Lest We Forget is not just a saying but something we should hold to our hearts and honour every day. War on paper is one thing, really listening and studying what happened is another. Our freedom is because of the sacrifices that were made and we should never take it for granted. 

For my Mother's story from the war visit this blog and also some other family stories visit this post and this post.

Remembering all of our Veterans today and all who are still in harms way. May our future be filled with peace.

November

Okay where has 2012 gone. I find it hard to believe that we are at November already! 

I have another show coming up ... Sumi-e Artists of Canada. I need five new paintings for this show. One down five to go!

Your invited!

 

Latcham Gallery

We are very fortunate to have a public gallery in our Town. Latcham Gallery is a great place to see art!

They are having a major fund raising event tomorrow. If your looking for a night of art, food and dancing come and join in the fun. 

Details at www.latchamgallery.ca

 

I have donated this painting to the silent auction.

That's a wrap

The 12th Annual Stouffville Studio Tour is now over. Just finished cleaning my house/studio so now time to put everything back together. 
Thanks to everyone who stopped by ... record crowds on not the best weekend weather wise. Several paintings found new homes so that is a bonus!
Mark your calendars for next year our 13th, weekend after Thanksgiving,

All ready

We are all set to go at our location for the 12th Annual Stouffville Studio Tour. Paintings are hung .... just putting the labels together and then some baking. Hope you can stop by.

I have also found out that two of my Sumi-e paintings were chosen to be part of a calendar that will be for sale next month at the Sumi-e Exhibition.... more about that later.

Here are a couple of my new paintings for this weekend. I found them in the "to finish" pile and couldn't remember why I didn't like them!

For lot of information on the Tour and the artists visit their blog http://www.stouffvillestudiotour.blogspot.ca/

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

Hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Getting my space ready for the12th Annual Stouffville Studio Tour next weekend between cooking the turkey. Hope you can stop by and see our latest work. Three generations at out location.

Who turned off the heat

I love hot weather. 

Just came back from a week in Arizona .. hottest day 113F or 45 C. It was great and I will have some more thoughts when I get over the jet lag however WHO TURNED OFF THE HEAT in Stouffville. 

Yesterday bathing suit today I have fleece on and socks and I turned on the furnace when the house reached 59F. 

Can't we ease into this fall weather!

Cactus bloom at night and they are beautiful.
A morning picture.

Happy Friday

Beautiful morning in Southern Ontario.
I have never been a fan of the return to structured life that happens this time of year.

I love summer and the wonderful hot lazy days. This summer has been exceptional for me, lots of heat and sunshine.

While I go back to structure kicking and screaming once it happens I am happy to get back to my routine.  Spent yesterday with my art group and will be seeing another group this weekend. the highlight of my week was Tuesday and Wednesday with the clients of the YorkDurham Aphasia Centre. It was Art for Communication days and they as always were amazing. 

Many of them brought their sketch books in to share. Part of my article for the YDAC newsletter

The Power of Art

Study after study has shown that brains can be retrained to adjust to the new realities after a brain injury. It is not just one thing that helps the brain but many different activities that might help. Of course each person is different and results are varied. Art for Communication is a monthly part of our program in Newmarket. Each month we go through a series of drawing exercises designed to stimulate the brain and exercise our muscles. The most important part is we have fun! By repetition we hope to create these new pathways. Drawing is also another tool to communicate. The more we draw the more comfortable we all feel drawing.  

Last month each client and volunteer in the Wednesday afternoon program received a sketch book from the dollar store to take home. They could draw anything; the only rule was that it must be in pen. The “homework” was due on the next art day. People were so pleased with what they had accomplished that they brought them before art during the month to show everyone. WOW. 

We were all amazed at everyone’s work. I doesn’t matter what is on the page but that they are working hard at retraining their brain by drawing and doodling. Now the Tuesday programs also have books and their “homework”. All of the books will be brought in to share on our next art day. 

I am so excited to see all these books. They are truly wonderful pieces of work, every single page.

More information about the art program can be found here 

Remember that most of these people they are using their non dominant hand, have never drawn before and would have never even considered trying any kind of art. They are very brave!

one person wrote a story with pictures

The courage that everyone that I have met with Aphasia can be summed up by this video of Gabby Gifford last night. 

Have a beautiful Day.