Long Time

Long time since my last post but things have been busy

Had a great show with the Lemonville Group of Artists in the dark .... power out all weekend but that didn't stop anything We had a great turnout!

Been trying to make the time to paint .... some days are better than others!

I have been accepted into two juried show One at the Scugog Council for the Arts where my painting received Best in Show and one upcoming show at the Uxbridge Municipal Offices for the Celebration of the Arts Sept 17th to 23rd

I am also teaching a workshop in Barrie Sept 8th Details here A few spots still available if you are interested

And then there is the Whitchurch Stouffville Studio Tour October 13th and 14th Details here

I am planning on doing better about posting .....

In the meantime

Always remember

Lest we forget

Not just words
Please take a moment to remember all the people who have shaped this country by their service

For this Remembrance Day November 11th 2017 I dedicate these poppies to all the men and women who served and are serving 

Remembering all who died, all who served, all who stayed home and looked after things.

Remembering my grandfather in law wounded at the Battle of Somme WWI

Remembering my Uncle who flew Liberators in WWII receiving the Victoria Cross, another uncle who was a gunner for 5 years in the RAF

Remembering my father in law who drove trucks in Europe, saw the camps and would never speak of his experiences

Remembering my aunt who was a "Bomb Girl" in a munitions plant in Toronto

Remembering my mother in law at home with 4 children under 3 and a husband in Europe

Remembering my father who joined the Merchant Navy and travelled up and down the Eastern seaboard

Remembering my mother who was one of the group of women who were "feminists" before their time by serving in the Air Force doing "men's work" or as their motto said "We Serve so Men Can Fly" 

Today please remember these people and so many others like them who gave up so much for our freedoms

Always Remember Diana Bullock (C) 2016

Thank you

The 17th Annual Stouffville Studio Tour was a huge success
Thank you for the support

We had great crowds at our location and lots of positive feedback

Mark your calendars 18th Annual Stouffville Studio Tour ..... weekend after Thanksgiving every year

17th Annual Stouffville Studio Tour

Getting ready for the annual Stouffville Studio Tour
Lots of new work. Here is a sample of a few of my new small works

Three generations are at our location 

Please join us. 

My daughter 

 And my mother Grace MacPherson

Hope you can drop by Studio #11 

Details at www.WSStudioTour.com

24th Annual Lemonville Group of Artists Show and Sale

Don't let the rain stop you
Lots of great art
Hope to see you

Always Remember

My new painting is called Always Remember 
It is in an exhibition this weekend at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
6 Garmond Toronto Saturday - Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm 

Always Remember (C) 2016

For this Remembrance Day November 11th 2016 I dedicate these poppies to all the men and women who served and are serving 

Remembering all who died, all who served, all who stayed home and looked after things.

Remembering my grandfather in law wounded at the Battle of Somme WWI

Remembering my Uncle who flew Liberators in WWII receiving the Victoria Cross, another uncle who was a gunner for 5 years in the RAF

Remembering my father in law who drove trucks in Europe, saw the camps and would never speak of his experiences

Remembering my aunt who was a "Bomb Girl" in a munitions plant in Toronto

Remembering my mother in law at home with 4 children under 3 and a husband in Europe

Remembering my father who joined the Merchant Navy and travelled up and down the Eastern seaboard

Remembering my mother who was one of the group of women who were "feminists" before their time by serving in the Air Force doing "men's work" or as their motto said "We Serve so Men Can Fly" 

Today please remember these people and so many others like them who gave up so much for our freedoms

Always Remember

Panic!

Trying hard not to panic ... the Stouffville Studio Tour is just over two weeks away and I am trying to be organized.

Think I am okay but I can't believe how fast the time goes by.

This is a series of my latest work from the beginning to the finished work. Just have to frame and name.

Diana Bullock (C) 2016

It's over

Yes summer is over ... maybe a few more days of official summer but tonight is the Harvest Moon. Cooler nights and yes that means it is almost Stouffville Studio Tour time.
I am gathering and organizing my new work. Four weeks will go fast!
My banner on Main Street

Really!

We just took down the show at the Kent Farndale Gallery [see invitation below] It was a wonderful venue and a we had absolutely fantastic feedback, so very very positive except......

There were three comments
"a bit blah",
"more diverse selection would provide a more interesting experience"
and my favourite
"I have seen better".

What is wrong with people!

Now please remember this is three out of over a hundred comments of our sixty-four paintings in this show. Yes, there wasn't enough diversity in sixty-four watercolours, acrylics, graphite, encaustic, mixed media and Sumi-e work. We had many, many comments the exact polar opposite of these comments. People loved the show and we are grateful to all the people who took the time to leave a comment.

I just want to say for the record I appreciate that my work might not be for everyone.... they may not like it. I am absolutely fine with that. The other two artists in this show Allison and June also recognize this reality .... we get it, art has a very personal appeal. While one person loves a work, the next person can't stand it. No problem with that and I for one always welcome constructive criticism.

What I do have a problem with is such cowardly comments in a book. I was always told if you don't have something nice to say or write, don't say or write anything at all. As artists we put ourselves out there every time we show our work. Each painting or art work has a piece of our soul in it. They are our babies! Don't show how small and cowardly a person you are by leaving negative comments in a book. Shame on you!

End of my rant.... I am going to bask in the positive and forget these three!

With apologies

It has been far too long since my last post .....

However here is an invite to my next show with my daughter Allison and my friend June Probert
The beautiful town of Port Perry is a great place to visit and the gallery is a true gem

Hope you can make it

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas .... Happy Holidays 

Peace on Earth 

Good will to all!

Boogie Woogie Penguins (C) Diana Bullock 2015

The Penguins

The "penguins" have become my signature holiday card. The gang have been busy again this year.
Here are the last seven paintings.

Rockin around the tree 2014 (C)

This year's painting will be revealed soon!

Remembering

Remembering
Holidays are a wonderful time of year. For many people it is also a time of great sadness.

Remembering all the people who have lost someone either recently or in the past.

Remembering all the people in my life who are now with me in spirit but never, ever forgotten.

Remembering that life is wonderful and we should forget about the small aggravations of day to day living ... just enjoy each moment that we have.

Diana Bullock (C)

Remembrance Day

Remembering all who died, all who served, all who stayed home and looked after things.

Remembering my grandfather in law wounded at the Battle of Somme WWI

Remembering my Uncle who flew Liberators in WWII receiving the Victoria Cross, another uncle who was a gunner for 5 years in the RAF

Remembering my father in law who drove trucks in Europe, saw the camps and would never speak of his experiences

Remembering my aunt who was a "Bomb Girl" in a munitions plant in Toronto

Remembering my mother in law at home with 4 children under 3 and a husband in Europe

Remembering my father who joined the Merchant Navy and travelled up and down the Eastern seaboard

Remembering my mother who was one of the group of women who were "feminists" before their time by serving in the Air Force doing "men's work" or as their motto said "We Serve so Men Can Fly"

Today please remember these people and so many others like them who gave up so much for our freedoms

I will be remembering my family at the Legion Service today

Lest we Forget

Time ......

I can't believe how fast time is zooming by .... I have been busy with life events so ... think that is part of the issue. I have never understood how people can say they are bored or have nothing to do. There are never enough hours in the day for me.

One of my paintings was accepted into the Uxbridge Celebrations of the Arts Juried Show for the past week "Oh Pear" is a Sumi-e work that I created painting with feather brushes that I made awhile back. Here is the picture of them .... very little control with these brushes!

and here is the painting

Oh Pear         (C) Diana Bullock 2014

September 1st ..... YIKES

Where did June, July and August go? Summer is my very favourite time of year .... I love the heat and yes even the humidity and I guess that is always why it seems to zoom by ..... winter always seems never ending to me. This summer has been very busy with lots of things happening including spending a week in British Columbia.

Several things have been happening and I will be updating more in the next few days.

In the meantime I participated in the Sketchbook Project again this year and my book visited the GTA last weekend. I unfortunately was unable to visit the mobile library this year but here is the link to this years book.

SBP 2015 Diana Bullock #16087

and if you are interested here is the link to last years book SBP 2014 Diana Bullock #14698

This is a bit of a family affair .... my daughter  SBP 2013 Allison Bullock #11487

and my mother SBP 2015 Grace MacPherson #16115

It is a fun project and well worth viewing some books online

(C) Diana Bullock 

Summer Time

Here it is the 17th of July and we are still waiting for the first day of 30 C.  I love summer and the heat. While I appreciate that not everyone enjoys the heat and humidity of a Southern Ontario summer I will be disappointed if we don't have a long stretch of very hot weather.

I haven't been painting much these last few weeks but I have been organizing and that always spurs my creativity.

Here is a painting that has a new home but I feel that perhaps this might be the first in a series ... we shall see!

Summer's Song
Mixed Media
(C) 2014 Bullock

Stop Gap

Artists are always being asked to donate work and there are so many great causes. I am very selective but I had no hesitation supporting this opportunity ..... I am very pleased to be a part of this fundraiser. Please read about Stop Gap

Many years ago, Stouffville resident Luke Anderson was involved in a tragic mountain bike accident. Based on his experiences after his accident, Luke created an initiative called 'Stop-Gap;' ramps designed to create awareness as well as access for individuals with mobility issues.

Luke's initiative began in Stouffville, where he grew up and now he wants to put more ramps in other areas including Toronto. Check out this great video featuring Luke himself explaining his vision.

Luke and his family have organized a fundraiser for Stop Gap and asked the arts community for help. Artists have created unique art on a Stop Gap ramp and they will be auctioned off to raise money for the cause this Friday evening May 29th. If you can attend please consider this event. Even if you are unable to attend but would like to support this fantastic cause please visit the website stopgap.ca

This is an innovative solution to a very serious barrier for people with mobility issues. This is why I am pleased to be supporting this event.

Here is my contribution to this fundraiser...... my ramp /painting

"It's a beautiful day" (C) Diana Bullock 2015

22nd Annual Lemonville Group of Artists Show and Sale

Spring feels like it is finally here ..... let's hope it stays

This weekend is the Annual Lemonville Show and Sale. We always have great crowds and a lot of enthusiastic people stop by to see our show. Hope to see you!

www.LemonvilleGroupofArtists.com

www.alternativesinart.ca

Happy Anniversary

64 years ago .....                                          

To my parents Happy Anniversary!

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015 

Lest we forget

Lest we forget. Not just today but everyday.

All of the freedoms we enjoy are because of the men and women, most of them still teenagers who served our country. I went to the service at the local Legion today as I try to do whenever possible and it was so wonderful to see such a large crowd. After the events of last month I think we are all more aware of our military. 

Remembering all who fought and lost their lives, remembering all who came home.

With gratitude, I remember my grandfather in law who fought and was wounded at the Somme in WW 1, my father in law who drove trucks in WW 2 through liberated Europe and who could never speak about what he saw. 

My parents, both still very active, served... my father in the Merchant Marines up and down the Atlantic Coast and my mother in the Womens Division of the Air Force, stationed on the west coast watching for enemy planes. I was fortunate to go to a reunion of these women a few years ago .... what a group, how young they were during the war  and how young at heart they were at the reunion, all of them well into their 80's. My mother's of her WD story is here 

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 but the realities are very different. Our freedom is because of the sacrifices that were made.

To all our veterans from all the wars thank you!

Let our future be filled be peace. 

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our location during the Stouffville Studio Tour. We had great crowds and lots of positive feedback. A few paintings even found new homes.

These cards were extremely popular on the Tour. If you are interested please contact me

Another show in a few weeks ..... have to create some new work for this.

All ready

Hard to believe it is that time of year again ..... 14th Annual Stouffville Studio Tour
I am all ready ..... just have to hang the paintings put on the apple cider and we will be all set to meet you.

Here are some of the new work that I will have on display

Hope to see you
Map is here or you can pick up a brochure at all of our sponsors before and at all locations during the Tour
Three generations at our location ... My mother Grace and my daughter Allison ....... a little story about this here 

My Sketchbook

My sketchbook is in Toronto this weekend at the Distillery District

If you are down that way stop by and check it out .... there are many more to view also. I had a lot of fun creating this book and look forward to maybe another one in the future.

Details of my thoughts behind this book are outlined in this blog post 

The digital copy is here .... book number 14698 ..... but there is nothing like seeing the real thing!

You're Invited

Hope everyone is enjoying this summer weather. Little humid but at least there is no shovelling and polar vortex so that is a real bonus. I for one am quite happy.

I have 10 Sumi-e works at the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Municipal Offices in the lobby. If your in the area during business hours stop by and see the show.

Next week Take Three - new work by Allison Bullock, Diana Bullock and June Probert at the beautiful McKay Centre in historic Unionville.  Hope to see you!

You're invited

Very pleased

Very pleased that 2 of my paintings and 1 of my daughter's Allison are part of  The Colour and Form Society’s 2014 Biennial Exhibition and will take place on June 4 to June 24, 2014 at The Papermill Gallery, Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre, 87 Pottery Road in Toronto.

Here are the paintings lined up and ready to be taken to the gallery. Mine are on the outside and Allison's is in the  middle 

Opening on Sunday ..... planning to be there and if you are in the city please stop by 

All ready

All ready for the Lemonville Show this weekend. Stop by and say hello!

Happy Anniversary

My parents 63 years ago. Happy Anniversary

A little story about my family

Grace MacPherson, Diana Bullock and Allison Bullock were the subject of a recent article in Good Life Magazine York Region Edition. For the complete magazine please visit here  and scroll down to the York Region edition at the bottom of the page.

Here is the article

All credits to Good Life Magazine

Picture of artists by Mary Cook  

All images of art (c) the artists