Perseverance

The title of this painting is "Patience" and it sums up my attitude towards my painting experience.

I have been on a journey of learning and discovery for 26 years now. It all started with classes in drawing, life drawing, graphic design, illustration and layout, black and white photography and development, oil painting, pastel painting, watercolour painting, intaglio and relief printmaking and various mixed media techniques and workshops.

Along the way I've been involved with many art organizations, co-op art galleries, outdoor and indoor art shows and a few studio tours.  My paintings have been shown in many small art galleries and gift shops in Ottawa and other towns and cities in Eastern Ontario.

Recently I have had the good fortune to be asked by the owner of a major fine art gallery here in Ottawa, Koyman Galleries, to show my work.  I am now a 'gallery artist' and have a permanent display space in this beautiful venue.  My challenge now is to create more artwork in 'my style' on larger canvases. Here's hoping 'Joe Public' will like what he sees enough to buy my work.

In general, I think creative people have to build a hard shell against negativity for what they do and why they do it. Pursuing a subject for the simple love of learning and enjoyment of the process is what is important to me and I want to keep that freshness of attitude in my mind going forward in this new direction.

Heather Assaf
Koyman Galleries

Positive Reinforcement

The life of an artist, myself, as a part-time one at that,is a bumpy one. It seems a bit manic quite often!

There are highs such as having a successful show, which is always a treat. Another plus is having a particular piece turn out to be a gem after a fight most of the way through.

Such is the case for the last painting 'Connections' posted here a while back.  That one almost got gessoed over many times but I managed to pull through and be happy with the result.

It was entered into a juried show and I was very pleased to be accepted.  Working intuitively is always a guessing game and it is a good feeling to get affirmation.

The icing on the cake was an award!! In my 20 years of painting this is my second ribbon!  Juror's Choice Award!  Feels good - like a child, which is what I feel art does for me - brings me back to the simple pleasures of just doing.

That little high was followed by year one of a new studio tour - two days of nice comments and no sales, only cards.  The inevitable down side of the coin!

Next came the purge - days and days spent sorting through years of accumulation of art supplies and old works - what stays and what goes.

Now, is the starting over, again.  A big canvas awaits - 30" x 48". Colours have been chosen and I'm ready to get going on this one.

A theme of circles and spirals has always been popping up in my artwork.  I've accepted that this is the way it goes - ups and downs and starting over and over and over again.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this next one!