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.

Thank you

Great 5 days at the McKay. Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

At the McKay

We are here at the McKay Centre 197 Main St today until 8 pm. Our opening is tonight 5.30 to 7.45.
Stop by and say hello, have a treat. 
We are open tomorrow and Saturday 10.15 to 5 and on Sunday 12.15 to 5. It's going to be a beautiful warm weekend and Unionville Main Street is a wonderful place to spend some time. 

CNE

The CNE begins today ..... the fair that signals the end of summer for Southern Ontario;  the new food item this year, deep fried bacon and mars bar. Thanks but no thanks, yuck. Of course there is over a month of summer left so plenty of time to enjoy my favourite season.

And next week I am very pleased to be at the McKay Centre in Unionville On with my daughter Allison Bullock and our friend June Probert. We will have 60 paintings on display. Please stop by and say hello! Your invited.

Maybe it is gone

I have been in  a little rut most of this year. Not painting as much and not even knowing what I wanted to paint. This afternoon was VERY productive. Three paintings!
Maybe the slump is gone. 

Not the best photo but these are three separate paintings

Artist Challenge

One day I was discussing my sketchbooks collection, yes a collection, with a fellow artist and how I buy sketch books and don't want to "ruin" them by putting work in them. Turns out she did the same thing so we made a pact to use one of our books and bring it to show the next week. Of course I didn't use one of the really good books but I did start to fill up pages in a book. It has been a really stimulating exercise and I have been surprised with  how it has helped my work. Here are some of the results.

 

 

And I created a couple of paintings from one of the sketches. Sometimes we all just need a little shove to get creativity going. 

  

 

I have finished one book and have another one on the go. 

This has been really a great exercise and one that I think every artist can use. No rules, paint or draw what ever you want. My friend used poems on the opposite page, I just played with brushes and colours and paint.

It is fun! 

By the way, thanks to everyone who stopped by at our show yesterday. It was a huge success and we really enjoyed the day.