60

Happy 60th Anniversary to my parents today. 

It's back

Winter.....it's back in Southern Ontario. Snow, cold, wind chills. Last year this time over 20 c this year 0 c.....enough said

What?????

Okay, so clearly I spoke too soon. I apologize. It  must be my jinx on things. Spring has disappeared. A cold, rainy, cold, flurries tonight weekend in suburban Stouffville.

I am not complaining just observing.....where is spring?

Spring

The crisis in Japan continues. Please click here here for the information about the free paintings that I am giving away. I am in awe of the support of this project. Thank you, the people of Japan thank you!

I do believe in enjoying every moment, life goes on in spite of tragedy. 

It is a beautiful sunny day in southern Ontario. I think it is safe to say Spring is here! I saw my first robin on the weekend and there is a tulip peeking up in my front garden.

Stay tuned. Getting ready for the Lemonville Group of Artists show.

Japan

Things do not sound like they are getting any better in Japan. Imagine not having your identification, worrying about radiation, where your loved ones are, if they are even alive. This is so overwhelming on so many levels. 
I have  5 Ensō paintings still available  for free, the watercolour painting is no longer available. Read the following posts for the details how you can obtain your choice.

Thank you for your support.

For Japan continuing

Thank you for the support....over $600.00 has been raised for the Canadian Red Cross Japan relief. Amazing!

I have a few more Ensō paintings and that are available under the same conditions as the previous post. Ensō number 1 is still available from the first post. 

The people of Japan still need our help.

Thank you again! 

Ensō 7- no longer available

Ensō 8

Ensō 9

Ensō 10 no longer available

Ensō 11 - no longer available

Ensō 12 -no longer available

For Japanese relief

The devastation in Japan is so overwhelming for all of us. I have a plan that hopefully will raise money. 

Have a look at these Ensō paintings. Ensō means circle in Japanese. They are acrylic paint on white paper 8 inches by 5 1/2 inches with gold and silver flecks signed with my chop or seal. 

I will give one you one of these paintings, your choice,  if you send me confirmation of a minimum donation of $20.00 to the Canadian Red Cross Japan/Earthquake Asia-Pacific Tsunami.

Here's how to donate: 

•  Click here: Canadian Red Cross to donate online. Forward  me the confirmation artbydiana(at)gmail(dot)com

•  Donate one of the other ways outlined on the Red Cross site, let me know which painting you would like and I will put a hold on it for you until you can get the confirmation to me.  

• Already donated? Great! Send me the confirmation and I will send you your choice of painting. 

This is first-come, first-serve basis, so please don't delay.  

Also I have one watercolour and ink painting  [8 inches x 10 inches] that I will give to the first person who wants it and sends me a confirmation for a $50.00 minimum donation.

Ensō  paintings, one stroke, one moment in time. 
For Japan: one moment on Friday March 11 that changed everything.

Ensō 1

Ensō 2 - no longer available

Ensō 3 - no longer available

Ensō 4 - no longer available

Ensō 5 - no longer available

Ensō 6 -no longer available

Watercolour and Ink painting -no longer available

So Sad

Flowers for Japan

Today has been a very sad day....I can't even imagine living through a 9.0 earthquake. Thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and anyone who has someone they are concerned about. This was today's work.

New website

The Lemonville Group of Artists 18th Annual Show is 
April 30th, May 1st 2011.....less than 2 months away. 
We have a new website that is just finished. 
Have a look LemonvilleGroupofArtists.com

Yahoo

It's March....yahoo!

The month of spring, days are longer, sun is warmer, still snowing  but the light is at the end of the tunnel, we are in the home stretch. Bring on the warmer weather, I am ready.

Look at this!

Here it is ...a sign of Spring in my front garden. Green sprouts.

Aren't they beautiful little troopers?

Art Battle

Went to very interesting event on Saturday night at the Varley Gallery in Unionville, Ontario.....an Art Battle. Thirty-two artists painted in three rounds of 20 minutes each to declare a champion as voted by the audience. 

It was very interesting, a great fund raising event. My only complaint was there were too many people and because of some snowy conditions it started late. We left after the first round because it was just too hot and crowded. If you want more information check it out Art Battle.
 
As an artist, I don't know how I feel about competitive painting but it was a different  kind of evening. This was the 11th in the GTA so I guess they are becoming popular.

Stain Painting

Another great workshop......Lots of great ideas. 

Tried stain painting on raw canvas. I had some good results. Here are a couple of them.

Lucy

I mentioned before I volunteer at the York-Durham Aphasia Centre. I do a program called Art for Communcation with clients in Newmarket. It is designed to develop drawing skills to help with communication for people with aphasia....ie if you can't say the word apple but you could draw an apple and get your message across

It is a step by step process to tap into your artistic side and remember these people are not artists. I have them do warm up exercises for the brain and then they copy a picture that I have drawn of a person. We do the same person for a whole year. In the past it has been Mona Lisa, Winston Churchill, Abe Lincoln, and last year Elvis

This year I have decided that Lucille Ball would be a great subject Client's will draw her upside down while music is playing so that they can tap into that right brain.

I Love Lucy!

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