Art and Life

More Minis

2012-02-08T07:02:00.003-05:00

Two more minis for the Art Delivered project. Working so tiny (6" x 6") with collage is a bit fussy but they turned out well. They look good hanging in a vertical row.

New Venture

2012-01-31T07:58:00.004-05:00

A new venture has started up and I am happy to be part of it. It is called 'Art-Delivered' and is a subscription service. These are my first two of four paintings which will be in the 'Art Delivered' gallery.

For more details, please see www.art-delivered.ca

I'm Still Here

2011-12-30T10:58:00.005-05:00

It's been way too long between blog posts! Very busy - but that's not a good excuse!

2011 has been a very good 'Art' year for me with 15 paintings sold since the middle of the summer.

My biggest painting to date at 30" x 36" - "A Field of Sunflowers" and one of my new style collage & painting abstracts at 24" x 24" - "Promises" have gone to new homes.

Some new directions have been experimented with in collage and painting combined and I will continue in that method.

Abstracts will be my focus for the next while both in painting and printmaking. I'm sure that when my orchids start blooming I will need to do an orchid series though. That's my conundrum - should I concentrate on one style or the other? What the heck - I like both!

Happy New Year!

On the Wall

2011-08-18T11:13:00.006-04:00

Installation complete! Now all that is required is another pot light in the ceiling over the painting. Client is happy, Artist is happy too! Payment in hugs and kisses received!!

Stages of Carey's Painting

2011-08-09T17:54:00.017-04:00

I am finally finished this painting which is 36" x 24" on gallery canvas. It came to me completely spontaneously and was quite a challenge to complete. I painted it for my son Carey's new house and it will be in the kitchen on a rusty red wall surrounded by cherry wood cupboards and gleaming oak floors. It will add a lot of colour and interest and hopefully be a good conversation piece.

I have included photos of my process, starting with applying gesso to an old painting. Each step was a surprise as I didn't have any idea where it was going. I just took my time and let the painting speak to me and evolve.

Summer Works

2011-07-26T17:39:00.005-04:00

Finally, some new paintings! It's been an extremely hot and humid summer! Just trying to stay calm and cool has been a big effort each day. Because of the weather, everything is growing and all my gardens are beautiful.

I am in the process of cutting mats and framing these paintings for inclusion in a summer show of paintings and printmaking that starts this Friday. There will be a sunflower series of 7 works, some landscapes and some abstracts.

Now to continue with a collage series which is starting to morph into collage with painting and printmaking combined for a fall show which starts November 1.

But top of the list is to enjoy each beautiful day and the amazing sunsets we are getting!

Series Continued

2011-05-10T12:30:00.002-04:00

This is the third collage painting in my Windows series. Next will be a rectangular shape at 20" x 24" and I won't know the colour scheme until I begin. So far, so good.

Working on a Series

2011-05-07T09:10:00.003-04:00

This is the second in my Windows series. I was trying for a calm, blues and yellows piece. My psoriasis has been acting up this past week with constant irritation and pain and I'm guessing that's why the red snuck in there unintentionally. It will be interesting to see how the third one turns out as I was aiming for a pair in similar colours. That's the fun of letting the painting have a life of it's own.

Renewal

2011-04-27T12:37:00.003-04:00

It's a beautiful warm day, birds are singing, grass is turning green. I love spring! It's the renewal thing.

This painting is the first in a new series of collages that I am naming Windows of Opportunity.
Partly for the obvious window-like image and also for the renewal theme.

Patience

2011-03-31T08:41:00.005-04:00

The Orchid Story:

I bought this Cattleya orchid, which consisted of one leaf with a few roots and a bag of growing medium, for $25 about 10 years ago. After nurturing it along for 4 years it bloomed - three beautiful, palm-sized extremely fragrant flowers. Then we moved. The plant lost all leaves but I kept watering and eventually new leaves appeared, one by one and now, 6 years later - three more healthy, beautiful flowers!

If you want to learn to be patient - grow orchids!!!

I can feel an orchid series coming on!

Happy Faces

2011-01-27T08:41:00.004-05:00

It's been way too long between posts, but that's the kind of year it was. A year with joy and happiness with the birth of our first grandson in April. A time of stress and sadness seeing our second son's marriage end. Throw more stress in there with a broken ankle and psoriasis on my hands and feet which, after a year of agony, is finally getting better. Not the best environment for creativity!

There was a lot of success as far as sales go, which is always a boost to one's ego. The sunflower paintings started with one little plant in my garden and ended up with a total of 5 paintings, this one at 30" x 36" being the largest. It was fun to paint on canvas, which is relatively new to me, and to do a realistic subject. There will be a few more to come but I need to take a break and do something different. In retrospect, flowers always make me happy - my subconscious knew what I needed all along!

This summer I will be offering a workshop in collage - teaching being another new venture for me. Now to find my collage materials and get busy!!!!

2010-10-04T09:06:00.002-04:00

I just got the news that this mixed media collage painting has gone to a new home.

In the past few months my abstract works have been selling which makes me very happy. I have been working on representational themes lately to be able to offer some variety in my shows. I live in a rural setting and most people around here don't 'get' abstracts.

Just goes to show you that perseverance does pay off!!!!!!!!

New Homes

2010-09-04T06:42:00.010-04:00

This summer has seen the artworks above all go to new homes which is a very happy and validating experience for me.

My plan is now to concentrate on creating larger pieces for another solo show, hopefully, in a year or so. I will continue to exhibit in one gallery, one boutique gallery and a few group shows.

I'm feeling the need for time to reflect, daydream and to learn some more painting methods. Working larger will also be a challenge, mostly because of my relatively small workspace, but, I am very thankful for my 'room of my own' - my little 'studio'.

Ready for 'Variety'

2010-07-29T12:53:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow I am going to Francesco's Coffee Company in Ottawa to hang a solo show for the month of August. This is my first solo art show for a long time and I managed to create a few new pieces of mixed media paintings on canvas for something new to exhibit along with a varied collection of drypoints, etchings, collagraphs, linocuts, collages and mixed media works on paper.

It has been a struggle to get this show together because of the broken ankle and severe eczema on my hands. The ankle has healed, unfortunately, not the eczema, although it is a wee bit better lately.

It will be good to see the works hanging collectively in one place and get feedback and ideas from onlookers. One always hopes for a few paintings to go to new homes - we'll see how that goes.

The photo attached to this post is of 'Three Sunflowers', my latest and largest to date at 24" x 30". Larger canvases are waiting for inspiration.

Cloning

2010-05-29T16:20:00.005-04:00

I've just finished varnishing this painting which is a semi-replica of a previous one. The first painting, 24" x 12", goes very nicely in my newly renovated guest bathroom so I decided to do another one in the same vein on a 24" x 18" canvas that I had.

It's not easy to do the same thing twice! There are subtle differences such as 9 leaves in the first one and 7 in the second and the border treatment is a different technique. It was a challenge and I'm happy with the results.

Now on to another sunflower painting which will be on a 24" x 30" canvas in a landscape format.

Today is Day 14 of my 6 to 8 weeks in a non-walking cast for a broken ankle. Since I can't get out, I have decided to do as many paintings as I can. It's keeping me occupied and very happy!

Silver Lining

2010-05-20T16:42:00.005-04:00

I have been neglecting my blog entries lately and today is the day to get back to it.

On April 25, 2010 we welcomed our first grandchild, Michael Steno Assaf, into this world. It's been a great few weeks and I can't believe he will be one month old next week.

Needless to say, creating artwork took a backseat for a while.

Then, just when I was getting my gardening near completion for the start of the summer, I broke my ankle and am now confined pretty much to my house with a non-weight bearing cast and hopping about on crutches. I'm told that this will be the case for 4 weeks and, hopefully, not one minute more.

The good side of this scenario, now that my arm muscles and hopping leg are beginning to not ache as much, is that I can paint all I want! I am working on one of three unfinished pieces and hopefully by the end of next week will be starting another new one.

This cloud does have a silver lining! I will post pictures when the works are ready.

Birthday Present

2010-04-22T09:11:00.007-04:00

I am happy to have had my two Canada Geese prints juried into the 2010 International Miniature Print Exhibition and am looking forward to seeing the show at the opening vernissage this evening. The link to the online gallery is: www.2010internationalminiprintexhibition.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday to Me!

Painting Again

2010-04-10T16:43:00.003-04:00

Finally, after months of indecision, brooding and lethargy I finished a painting that was started last fall. It feels very good to finish and I actually like the results. It is the third in the sunflower theme consisting of two mixed media paintings and one linocut. There are orchids blooming in my living room and blank canvases in the basement - I feel an orchid series coming on!

It seems like I always have bouts of creativity that come in fits and starts - that's just the way I am and I've decided not to worry but just accept it. Sometimes I actually lay awake at night worrying about what I'm doing wrong or what I should be painting to be more successful in the sales department. I'm giving myself a lecture here - Just Do It - whatever 'it' is at that moment and who cares if anyone else likes it. As long as I'm happy and I see that my artwork is improving, that's all that really matters. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Sunflower #2

2010-02-08T09:49:00.005-05:00

I should be getting things organized to go away on holidays but couldn't resist picking away at this piece of lino one more time. It was my first attempt and after modifying it, this is the second run through the press. I like the relief method but will not be using lino again. It warps when you wash the ink off and is difficult to flatten again completely. I bought a piece of stuff called 'true cut lino' and 'speedy carve' for my next attempts. I also found the Speedball block printing ink not very satisfying to work with and much prefer the Akua Intaglio ink. This is all very trial and error. Another thing I found a bit frustrating to use was a barren to transfer the ink. Maybe it's just me not putting enough ink on the plate first. I really like the crisp, graphic look of the black and white run through the press.

Now I really must get back to finding summer clothes that fit to pack etc. I have put the cover on my press and tidied up my printing space - back at it in a month!

Good Day

2010-02-04T20:51:00.005-05:00

Finally, after two months of house renovations, packing, sanding, painting, unpacking and cleaning I got a day to myself to get some artwork done!

I have wanted to do some linoleum prints for some time but couldn't quite grasp the process. This is the year for the Third International Miniature Print Exhibition at the Ottawa School of Art and I am hoping to get two prints done to submit for jury. This one still needs a few tweaks and tomorrow I will start a second.

I am exhausted after working for about 7 hours on this one today but very happy to be working at my art again. I have one more day to work on the second plate and then will be getting organized to go on vacation for a few weeks.

It will be nice to be in the sun and sand and relax!

The Joys of Competition

2009-12-22T21:36:00.005-05:00

Well, the short list is as far as I got this time. From over 1300 entries to 37 on the short list and then down to 5 finalists! I really had fun imagining my painting featured on a wine bottle and being on display in the Liquor Store for all to see! I will definitely give it another try next year! Although I am disappointed, I am happy and proud to have made it as far as I did!

I have one little photo to add to this post. Linocuts have been calling to me and I tried one last week. It is quite crude but I will hack away at it and give it one more go. After purchasing some new blades and lino (the ones I used were about 15 years old) I will try it again. It takes a bit of thought to be thinking about negative space. I am comfortable with the direct methods of drypoint and etchings but I know with some practice the linocuts will work for me.

There is an International Mini Print Exhibition coming up this spring and I am itching to get started on some new prints! I love entering juried competitions - it keeps me on my toes!

Good News

2009-11-24T21:35:00.005-05:00

This morning I received some really good news. A few months ago, I had entered some images of my printmaking in a contest run by the Hillebrand Winery in southern Ontario for labels for their 'Artist's Series' of wines.

From over 1300 entries the jurors selected a 'short list' of 37 entries and my "Textures of Life #1" was one of them.

I am very excited and nervous as now I will wait on pins and needles until the judges choose the winning 12 entries.

The last few months have been very stressful and upsetting so I am very grateful for some good news!

Evolution of a Canvas

2009-09-27T15:19:00.008-04:00

After months of trying to paint something on canvas, which I find extremely difficult as I am more of a paper person, I finally settled on this end result of Sunflowers. When I look back at the stages this poor little 12" x 12" canvas went through I really like Stage 1. Somehow, I can be very spontaneous and loose when working with paper but seize up completely when trying to paint on canvas.

Abstracts have been my main focus for quite a while but I find myself wanting to do some work that is more recognizable for a change.

I have decided to do a series of Sunflowers, inspired by one lonely little plant that grew for me this year out of many, many seeds planted. This is the first and I am working on #2 which is a 24" x 12" canvas to be followed by some larger and some smaller. There will also be some etchings, maybe drypoints and collagraphs as well. I hope I can stay in the sunflower groove!

There are also two more loose landscapes to finish which are in the same vein as the one in my previous post. That should keep me busy for a while!

Strange Summer

2009-08-26T15:17:00.005-04:00

Where to start - The weather, of course! We have had no summer, for the second year in a row. A day here and there, mostly rain. We also had a disaster hit and narrowly almost miss us in the form of way too much rain all at once - 5 to 6 inches of rain in an hour and a half on July 24th. As a result, we had the house to the east of us evacuated because of slope failure, and two to the left of us as well. Our property suffered minor damage and has now been repaired but it has been a very stressful month and will not be totally over until all the other properties have been repaired as well.

Needless to say, making art was not in the cards. I did manage to finish (I think) a mixed media painting and am hoping to do a few more in the same vein in the coming weeks.

Coming so close to the kind of catastrophes normally seen only on the evening news certainly has a very sobering effect on the psyche. I find myself having a hard time focusing these days, although dabbling away to finish this one did help and I'm sure that starting some more paintings will be good therapy.

Happy News!

2009-07-08T18:39:00.006-04:00

I know it's been a very long time since my last entry but a summer cold had me down for 3 weeks and I mean totally incapacitated!

First, my good news. I just found out today that one of my prints - the ones shown in my last post, was accepted into the 2009 International Juried Print Exhibition. There were 169 entries from around the world and 80 prints were selected. The jurors selected one print from most artists and two each from the two major prize winners. Needless to say, I am very happy and proud to be a part of this inaugural show at the beautiful new Shenkman Arts Centre here in Ottawa. The show will run from July 9 to August 30.

Now for my not-so-good news. The Art-2009 International Art Show in Toronto last month was a bit of an organizational disaster. The hall was filled with amazing art from a wide range of countries such as Australia, Israel, Ireland, Korea, Canada and many others. Unfortunately for all, the organizer was not very well organized so the setting up and taking down was very tedious and stressful and to top that off, the show didn't have many visitors.

For my part, it was a good learning process. I now know what to look for before committing to out-of-town shows and what to expect. I did have a great time with my artist friends discovering new restaurants, shopping and talking (one of my favourites). I met a lot of new people and discovered more exhibition possibilites in Toronto to check out.

When I came home from that adventure I participated in a wonderful 5-day workshop with Gerald Brommer, a well known artist and art teacher from California. He was a delight and filled our heads with information each day. It's always fun to learn new techniques and I am looking forward to creating some new works incorporating the methods learned in the workshop in the next few weeks.

A Pair of Prints for Jury

2009-05-08T10:18:00.003-04:00

These two plates were inked at the same time to be a pair in harmonious colours (3 hours spent inking, wiping and running two prints). I am pleased with the result and will set them aside as possibilities for entry into the 2009 International Print Exhibition to take place at the new Shenkman Arts Centre here in Ottawa this July.

Outside to garden now for the weekend and back to trying out some new colour combinations (analagous) on Monday.

2009-04-15T17:09:00.003-04:00

It's amazing how time actually does fly! A whole month has gone by since my last blog entry.

I ran a print today and will do another one tomorrow as I am not thrilled with this one. It might be able to work as mixed media. I haven't been printing for quite a while and spent a total of 3 hours on the ink mixing, application, rubs, printing and clean up. Now that the weather is getting nicer I find it difficult to spend the time this way but there is a new show I want to try and get juried in to and the deadline is June 5 for two prints! This is the 2009 International Print Exhibition and this juried show will be held at the new Shenkman Arts Centre co-inciding with their opening this summer. It would be a thrill to be able to take part in the inaugural showing at the new gallery.

I also have been accepted to show work in another gallery and have been busy cutting mats and framing and will deliver work to them next week. It is called 'Artemisia' in Westport, Ontario and I look forward to the next year with them.

I will have to be very careful with my time management in the next two months. I am almost ready for the Manotick Art Association Spring Show taking place the May 1st weekend with the artwork done, framing done except for paper backing, hooks and wires and then just need to make up an inventory list and price tags.

If I get two good prints in the next two weeks I will send them in for jury and see what happens.

Then there's the Art-2009 show in Toronto to get ready for. I want to make two more collages for that show and maybe one more collagraph.

The gardening will get done in small stages as a breather in between the art stuff. Why does everything always happen at once?

The Progression of #2

2009-03-15T15:46:00.000-04:00

When I look back at all the stages of this attempt to do a 'series' from a painting that had been completed a few weeks earlier I realize what not to do next time. I'm thinking it would be a whole lot easier to have an idea first of all and then to begin two or three at the same time and work on them simultaneously.

I struggled to finish this one because I was thinking too much. My usual way of working is not to think at all and just let the painting evolve and that is why, after thinking my way to #4 above I became very unhappy and indecisive and when that happens, out comes the gesso! I almost covered up my three flowers but at the last minute decided to try and save them.

The resulting painting is in a much higher key but they are about winter turning into spring so I might not tone it down (but then again, after a few days I might change my mind and mute the colours a bit). Anyway, it is done.

Now on to complete the two vase paintings!

Working in a Series - Stage 2

2009-03-10T13:49:00.000-04:00

Day 2 - I have put my flowers in place and decided where the frozen ground will be as well as the green areas. Tomorrow morning I will finish those two areas and then work on the outer collage some more. I hope to be finished with this one by the late afternoon. When I can put the two canvases up side by side or one over the other I will be able to see if a third will work.

I am now taking my painting apron off and putting my cooking one on!

Working in a Series

2009-03-06T14:05:00.000-05:00

My very frustrating efforts of the past few months got an affirmation last week in the form of a critique. I brought my canvas that I thought was finished to a critique session with a well known Ottawa art teacher and contemporary artist to get some comments so that I could see if my direction was worth continuing and what areas needed improving. To my surprise there was not one negative comment on my experiment and a suggestion that I should consider working in a series.

After spending some time on the internet looking for ideas on how exactly to do a series of work, I got started this morning. Since my first canvas turned into some odd little flowers wanting to pop up through the frozen ground the second one is to be the next step in the gradual thaw of spring. I am thinking of the circle of the seasons and the changes that occur with each day. Even though I am looking out of my window at ice and snow on the river I can hear a change with the birds that come to my feeder. The cardinals are singing and starting to stake out their territories. There are a lot more squirrels now running about and my dog wants to be outside all day to chase them.

I am also trying to finish two 12" square canvases that turned out to be flowers in vases - a series of two.

Once I get these practice ones done I will pick a theme, choose some sizes and start another series which, I am feeling, just might be flowers and gardens, abstract, of course. That's what happens to my brain after looking at ice and snow for 4 months!

I am excited about my attempts at collaging and painting together on a canvas support. It's amazing what a tiny bit of positive reinforcement can do for the creative spirit!

Thinking of Spring (Subconsciously)

2009-02-18T13:36:00.000-05:00

I have said all I need to say in the first one here - turns out my subconscious is wanting Spring very badly. Strange flower images appeared on the canvas and ghostly little flowers waiting to pop up through the frozen ground.

I don't know what is going on in the second one - needs more work! I am finding it difficult to unclutter my mind lately and it definitely is showing up on the page. Keep on working!!!!

Workshop Play

2009-02-12T13:34:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I enjoyed two more days of play and experimentation in a workshop setting. The objective was to apply paint randomly using a variety of tools and try to find shapes to begin a painting. All participants had a large amount of difficulty finding any shapes and the level of frustration could be felt and heard in the room (heavy sighs, lots of scraping and dry-brushing noises).

It was interesting to see how people react to trying to learn a different way of doing something. Many people, including myself, after working away for a few hours and getting nowhere, simply reverted to their old, comfortable methods. For me, that was applying collage papers to try to get some shapes going. The first painting shown here was done the first two days of the workshop when I was not seeing any shapes appear on my canvas. I simply started to collage and found a way to begin. I will paint the small white shapes green to tie in with the green already there and maybe darken it a bit. I'm not sure what will happen to the grey shape, it may get darker or lighter.

The second painting was done on the last day of the class, when, with a degree of frustration, I decided to give it one more try and randomly stamped, scraped and rolled reds on and then blues. I stepped back with my chalk and looked for shapes. With the help of our leader I did see a vase or flower pot which, of course, meant that I needed some flowers. I drew loosely with chalk and then painted the negative shapes. I did get something but didn't like it and wiped the chalk away intending to apply white gesso over the canvas and start yet again. I kind of like what is on there enough to try and make something out of it just to see what happens. It may change into a vase or even a potted plant, time will tell.

And then, it may just get gessoed over! It is play and experimentation after all!

Stage 2

2009-02-06T17:09:00.000-05:00

Today I worked on this canvas a bit more and the other three a bit also. This weekend I will try to finish at least one.

Possibilities

2009-02-05T12:19:00.000-05:00

I am thinking that finally I might be on the right track! The struggles of the past month or so seem to be coming together for me and I feel positive about continuing with this method of painting/collaging on canvas. The first canvas is just starting to come to life so I thought I would do a few more in the same vein while the mood is right. More posts to come in the next few days as I develop these further.

Another White Day

2009-01-23T11:47:00.001-05:00

It has been snowing here almost every day for a few weeks and getting very boring. I seem to gravitate to bright colours even more than usual at these times.

I have just completed (I think) two collages using papers I have made myself. The first one I had posted already but I have made a few changes and will enhance the line work at the bottom once I get some more black liquid acrylic.

It's been fun to do - I love playing with ripping up paper! There's nothing better for loosening up!

This weekend I am attending a workshop on composition and design so next week should bring some new thoughts into play!

Back in the Saddle Again

2009-01-20T12:16:00.000-05:00

I have neglected my little blog lately for many reasons, but the important one is that I am ready to start creating again!

Sometimes disappointments get the better of me and I become unable to focus for a while. That's enough whining for now.

I am interested in painting and collaging on canvas in order to create larger works and also to get away from the framing (the time involved and the cost). I have always been a paper artist, using pen and ink, pastel, watercolour and collage and am having an extreme amount of difficulty making anything half decent with paint and brush!

Recently I spent weeks working on a 24" x 36" canvas going over and over with paint, all the while just getting more and more frustrated. The final straw saw me in my pj's at 5:30 a.m. removing all the staples and rolling the canvas up and putting it out for garbage pick-up!

After that fiasco, I went back to playing with paper, staining, stamping and then making a small collage (10" x 14" on matcard). I am relatively pleased with the results and will make a few more.

The next step is to try to duplicate the method on canvas and use papers and paint.

I'm hoping I am pointed in the right direction - time will tell!

An Entire Day of Printing

2008-11-16T19:47:00.000-05:00

I have just spent all of Saturday running prints from a collagraph, a drypoint on copper and some zinc-plate etchings. It was a lot of fun but very hard on the neck and shoulders! Sunday was then spent cutting double and triple mats for these prints and some other ones. It was one of those days when I measured and re-measured and two mats just wouldn't work out! I am very stubborn (determined) and kept at it and finally, after a ridiculous amount of time, I realized that I had ordered the frame sizes a bit off which was throwing me off my usual method of having an equal amount around each edge. I did get them to work at last!

Next weekend I am participating in an open studio tour as a guest artist and will be assembling a few more frames tomorrow and Tuesday and then I should be all set. All in all there will be 16 framed pieces and quite a few matted and wrapped for an art print stand. The artwork will range in size from 24" x 30" down to 9" x 10".

Here's hoping for a good turnout and a sale or two!

Organic Collagraphs

2008-11-06T14:04:00.000-05:00

I finally finished the two 'organic' collagraphs today and matted them up ready to frame. With some advice from a good friend they have been cropped so the images don't seem to be floating around. It's amazing what you don't see when you are looking too closely at an image. Once she made the crop suggestions I instantly remembered a composition rule about having images touch or go off the edges. I just love the internet and e-mail!

Organic Collagraphs

2008-10-31T12:02:00.001-04:00

I am calling these plates 'organic' collagraphs as they have been constructed using dried plant material. The first two, the hydrangeas and leaves, are also on organza glued to matcard. I found the organza very difficult to work with. The first time I tried rubbing the ink on with a piece of material and the second time I tried brushing it on. Neither method worked very well. The dried hydrangeas were quite flat until I tried to stick them to the plate with gel medium and matte medium at which time they decided to plump up, making them thick again. They went through the press just fine but the amount of glue needed to make them stay down then seeps out around the edges making for a sloppy looking print.

The gingko leaves were better but the stems needed a lot of glue to stay flat and the ink didn't stay on the glue resulting in the white edges which looks too messy for me. The corrugated cardboard also had the same effect.

Out of the four attempts I think I will re-work the two gingko ones with oil pastel and see what happens. The other two will get ripped up for collage material.

All being said, I won't try that method again but will attempt making a cast of the fresh flowers and leaves next time in modelling paste or plaster of paris and applying that to the plate, which will also be masonite instead of matcard as it is much sturdier.

Not a wasted effort - nothing ventured, nothing gained!

New Work

2008-10-21T11:44:00.000-04:00

After a few weeks of putting my gardens to bed for the upcoming winter months and cutting mats and assembling frames I have started 4 new 13" square collagraph plates. I dried some leaves and flowers from the summer and am experimenting with fixing the dried materials to a matboard base along with corrugated cardboard bits, string, organza and texture using PVA glue. I have run into a few problems - my gingko leaves have some air bubbles underneath which I can't do anything about now but next time I will use PVA glue to fix them instead of heavy gel medium and cover them with wax paper and run it through my press to flatten them out. The other problem area is the hydrangea flowers which, even though dried, are too thick. I am waiting for a large amount of matte medium that I applied to dry and then I will cover them with wax paper and weight them down and then run them through the press to flatten some more.

While waiting for all this to dry I am now going to start 3 more plates in a 6" x 14" size using abstract shapes.

It is windy and raining outside today and somehow that is sparking my creativity! I will post again when all these plates are done and ready to ink up.

Monotype & Collage

2008-10-01T09:06:00.000-04:00

I spent some time yesterday working on some monotype prints from a few weeks ago, adding colour and some collage elements. I'm not sure if I like the result so I am posting photos of 3 of them in hopes of getting some feedback.

My next project is trying to collage dried plant material onto a collagraph plate. Again, I'm not sure how this will turn out either. I dried some flowers and leaves this summer from the garden to try this with and now the test comes. I'm hoping that gel medium will stick them down and seal them and then I think if I weight the plate down for a day or so it should flatten enough. I will post again when I have something to show.

A Productive Stretch

2008-09-22T19:00:00.000-04:00

Finally, after a long drought, some new work! The first print is the second run of Textures of Life#2 and the two leaf prints are monotypes. I also have four more leaf monotypes measuring in at 20" x 16" which will frame up nicely in a 27" x 24" frame.

Firstly, I had a lot of ink still on my glass-topped work surface left over from my last printing session which is at least 3 weeks ago! That's the beauty of the Hawthorn inks that I am using from York, U.K. - they are 'open' inks and don't dry up or skin over! Every day I intended to do some more printing but 'life' got in the way or, if I did get the time, I wasn't in the mood. Today, with a drop of linseed oil mixed in, my inks were perfect and I got my second run on plate #2 of a two-plate set done. I think I like it, but won't really know if it is a good one until it is dry and I look at it again matted up and in another room.

My foray into the monotype process took place at a friend's beautiful and spacious studio last week. We worked on gelatin plates with leaves and flowers from her garden using Speedball inks and rollers. It was a lot of fun and a fast process as well. After about 4 hours of fast-paced playing around I came away with quite a large pile of prints on Stonehenge printmaking paper as well as rice paper. As a result, I found two small ones that will frame up to 17" x 12" and four larger ones that will frame up to 27" x 24". I think they will all end up as mixed media with some additional colour added with liquid acrylic paint and some collage elements as well.

Tomorrow I am off to Pakenham and Perth to deliver new paintings to both the Three Yellow Tulips Art Shoppe and the Tay River Gallery. The weather promises to be sunny so I will bring my camera as well in hopes of catching a few interesting fall photos.

My inking table is all cleaned up and polished and ready for some more action. A few new plates have to be constructed first so that is the next project. I will try and be more productive and post again soon.

Another Day and a 'Definitely Maybe'

2008-09-08T17:55:00.000-04:00

Well, the day was not entirely wasted. I managed to do a lot of organizing and paperwork, take care of phone calls and follow-ups, order frames, organize pick-ups and deliveries of old and new work to various locations, get some new plates cut and ready to start and touch up a print that was not quite 'there' - not quite sure if it is ready yet. Tomorrow looks clear to get some work done with no major interruptions. Now to comb the burrs out of the dog (for the third time today) and find something for dinner.

New Blog Name

2008-09-08T09:18:00.000-04:00

I have decided that my blog needed a more relevant name - From Here to There (And Back Again) only has meaning to me personally. In attempting to sign up with Feedburner I took their advice on having a name that actually relates more to the content of the blog - it's a bit boring but all I could come up with today.

We have been inundated with skunks and racoons in the last few weeks digging up the lawn while searching for tasty grubs. My dog has been sprayed and I have been busy putting sod back in place almost every day. The installation of an underground sprinkler system, a new furnace, repairs to a deck, building of a BBQ shed has meant many extra people hovering around each day which does nothing to spark my creativity, hence, no new prints, which really ticks me off!

I am going to try, once again, today to run at least one, if I can get a few hours to myself. It's duct cleaning day - more workmen in the house. I'm getting very anxious! Please, please, please let me get in "the zone"! I should have called this entry "Crabby, Anxious Artist"!

2 More Collagraphs

2008-08-27T10:34:00.000-04:00

Wednesday morning and two more collagraphs to consider. I am realizing that my plates need to be constructed with thinner applications of modelling paste for impressions as they are difficult to ink and wipe when they are too thick. I am starting to get a feel for the 'rubs' although I don't like using scrim and think I will try to find an alternative that isn't quite as scratchy, maybe just a soft, well worn old sheet. I am going to ink and run two more today and try that out. I am pleased with the size of these plates as they frame up into a 16" x 20" frame with a 3" mat very nicely. They do take from 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours to ink up though. Back to work!

New Prints

2008-08-18T22:05:00.000-04:00

I am posting the photographs of the two first prints from new collagraph #1. I am experimenting with adding an extender with linseed oil to my inks and then, after the intaglio wipe, using rubs. I can see there will be a lot more practice needed to get this right! The first one is too much all the same colours but I think I will add some chine colle and see what happens. The second one might be able to be saved with a little oil pastel. I will try some more prints tomorrow with some toned down colours. I am also finding that for larger collagraphs (this one is 10.5" x 14.5") I should be using a thin MDF board as mat card for larger ones won't hold up on the edges for many print runs. I am applying another coat of acrylic varnish to the edges and back of this one when it is completely dry. Tomorrow I will also do some test runs of collagraph #2 as well.

Back in the Groove

2008-08-06T15:12:00.000-04:00

I am happy to say that I am 'back in the groove' lately and feeling much better now that I have decided to 'just do it', meaning make whatever art wants to come out and not worry about whether anyone will like it or not.

Having spent the last two days working on two new plates while listening to waves on the shore outside my window I am now ready to seal them up for printing tomorrow.

The theme seems to be the cycle and circle of life and they are collagraphs using illustration board as the support with white craft glue, heavy gel medium, modelling paste and fine sand. I am blending shellac flakes with denatured alcohol to use as a sealant. The attached photos are of the plates before sealing.

I am looking forward to 'printing day' tomorrow as I want to try out some new inking techniques.

Rainy Day Results

2008-08-02T23:27:00.000-04:00

I finally ran three prints from the cardboard etch and collagraph two plate experiment and am posting them today. That will be the first and last cardboard etch for me - too primitive and not enough control with the lines and wiping. I will try the two plate printing again though.

I will be back to abstract images and have begun preparing 4 plates, two 10" x 14" and two 12.5" x 20". Next week will be a major plate-making and printing week as I will have the weekdays to myself!

Two-Plate Printing

2008-07-23T16:04:00.000-04:00

I actually went into my art room today and did a test run of two plates! I don't like the result, but that's ok. I am posting two photos, one of the first cardboard etch while still in the press and the second the finished print with the collagraph added to the etch. Firstly, I don't like the cardboard etch as it doesn't wipe clean the same way as a metal etch but if that doesn't matter then it could be used. I was intending for the branches to be in the background so maybe I need to try this again with the collagraph printed first and the etched branches second. It might just be my rusty brain not thinking in the right (printmaking) order!

I will post again tomorrow - I need to keep this roll going!

Artist's Block

2008-07-09T16:05:00.000-04:00

Time has been flashing past me as I have been in a 'blue fog' of indecision and frustration, wondering what I am doing and why. I have lost my sense of direction and am struggling with a too busy mind trying to get back on track. Panic has taken hold and I am having difficulty getting back into my studio space and starting to work again. I know that once I get in there and start to make my marks I will be able to focus and continue - it's the first step that's got me stuck!

I am even having thoughts of selling off all of my art supplies and paintings and never thinking about doing any art ever again! My artist's ego is so ridiculously fragile it is making me angry - maybe that's a good thing! I will kick my artist's bum and kick-start my artist's art-making - in this last sentence I have replaced 'could' with 'will' - I have decided that was a very good thing and am now off to my little room to get the ironing out of there and run my plates! And if they don't turn out - who cares - there's always collage!

Here's hoping (willing) the page to turn on some actual productivity just for the fun of it!

2008-06-13T07:07:00.000-04:00

The past week was one of organization and tidying up - a routine I go through before starting a new series of artwork. Paintings were delivered and picked up from all the galleries I currently display in, supplies were restocked etc. My 'other life' (the gardener, homemaker, wife, mom) had a lot of demands to be filled as well. Many hours were spent pulling weeds, transplanting plants, stocking the fridge, freezer and cupboards for the upcoming entertaining season and the last 'job', that of painting doors and trim and washing all the windows will be done today.

All the while I have been cooking ideas in my head for new artwork. Etching has been calling to me and I am going to experiment with combining non-toxic etching with an aluminum plate and copper sulphate solution and a collagraph plate. I want to have some fine detail and the loose, abstract qualities of a collagraph together in one print. The preliminary drawing is done and Monday will be the start day. I am also feeling the need to include some realism in my plates probably influenced by all the flowers, birds and beautiful scenery which surrounds me. I'm not keen on snowscapes so the winter months are more about abstracts.

I was walking on the market in downtown Ottawa yesterday after delivering some paintings to a gallery and out of the corner of my eye I caught a familiar movement. It was a flourish of a hand that I knew so well it stopped me in my tracks. I turned and there was a face under a green baseball cap that I hadn't seen for years and was so delighted to see. Wilma Pinkus, my very first art teacher/mentor with her watercolours painting away in the crowded, bustling market scene she loves so well! The coincidence of finding her there made my day! After catching up on the last 15 years or so I was on my way with a renewed sense of joy from seeing an old friend in the total bliss of doing what she loves so well and truly living in 'the now'.

Blogging Day 1

2008-06-05T08:49:00.000-04:00

I have decided just to jump into this blogging thing and learn on the way, which is pretty much how I do most things anyway.

The plan is for this blog to be about seeing the world through the artist's eyes, in my case recently turned 60 year old hazel eyes which, remarkably are still 20/20, with the addition of reading glasses of which I own at least 10 to be found and lost in every room of my house.

At present, I am interested in creating art from my subconscious - I enjoy the mystery of working this way and am always surprised at what ends up in front of me. It is also very interesting to get comments from viewers as each person perceives the images in their own way.

As I work intuitively and almost never have a plan when I start a new piece of art, I will post my findings on how I figure out techniques with my printmaking and mixed media works and photos of the works in progress.

I will also post any items of interest to me about art and life in the hope that someone out there will find it interesting and informative.

I look upon this blogging experience as an opportunity to grow as an artist and as a person, so here goes!