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!