HELLO AGAIN!!!

I can't believe it's been 5 years without a blogpost! So much has happened in this time! Life does get crazy busy!

My photo for this post is of the river I live beside with the view from my computer desk of the ice melting. A few more warm days and the ice will be gone. I'm looking forward to everything greening up and the flowers and plants in my gardens sprouting! Spring is a very fresh and hopeful time of year!

I'm at the beginning of a 'reboot' with my art career. I am feeling  it's time for me to take the next step and really get organized.

I have been learning about art marketing and am dedicating the next 30 days to creating a new website with a shopping cart; creating a Newsletter that will be published on a monthly basis; getting back to blogging twice a month; posting regularly on Facebook and Instagram; and then, when I get that up and running, actually creating more artwork.

Because I work intuitively in an abstract expressionist style, what gets created next will be a surprise to me. I have a feeling a shift is going to take place and I'm looking forward to beginning these new pieces!

Spring is my favourite season and I'm really feeling the 'rejuvenation' aspect!!!

Re-working

I see it has been a very long time with no blog post - way too long!  It's been a very busy year and quite productive with commissions and sales with the two galleries I am with. My work is changing and I feel myself growing in confidence as I challenged myself with larger canvases.

The task at hand for the moment is re-working of pieces I find myself not happy with any longer. As storage space is limited this is the route to go for me.

The first two to tackle are part of a series from my last post over a year ago. It will be interesting to see what direction they take!

The "Series"

This is a successful attempt at the elusive "series" concept.  I always find it difficult to stay in a particular style or zone when painting so this time I pretty much worked on all 6 at once.  This works for me!!! I've finally found the answer. This series consists of 2 @ 30" x 30", 2 @ 16" x 16" and 2 @ 12" x 12".

The only problem is that I am now working larger (36" x 48") and space is very limited.  I can see a re-organization project of my little 'studio' space, which is a portion of a family room type area.  I'm going to need to figure out a way to get the panels up on the wall to work on as there is no room for multiple easels.   I need a heated garage!!!

Commissions

This painting, "Quintessence" was finished yesterday after a few weeks of stressful work trying to get it right.  The request was for a painting similar to one that had previously sold, only in pinks and yellows.  The last time I completed a commission piece was many years ago when I was working in watercolours and in a realistic manner.  Mixed media and acrylic in a non-representational style is another story.

This was quite the challenge for me. In trying to mix pinks, I was arriving at bubble-gum colours which made me very unhappy.  On the third attempt, I decided to work on 2 canvases at the same time and in colours that I like. The result was a 'letting go' of expectations and working on 2 at once was a very liberating experience too.  I was able to paint in my usual intuitive manner and the painting progressed quickly to my satisfaction and the second one is also coming along nicely.

I was very nervous when emailing the photo of my finished piece to the gallery where the commission was requested. The last thing I wanted to hear was that it was not acceptable to the gallery or client. I was prepared for,  and hoping for,  only minor tweaks  before varnishing and delivering.

To my delight, the gallery and clients were very pleased and all that was requested was for me to give it a name!

New experiences, though stressful, are such a thrill when there is a positive outcome! I have learned a lot about working on commissions and myself as well.  All that I needed to do was trust my instincts and inner voice and paint like I always do. In worrying every step of the way about whether the client would like this or that I put a muzzle on myself stifling my creativity totally.

Lesson learned!  Now to finish the second one for myself!

Productive Painting Time

                                         
                                           "Mind Games"

Summer weather is still here - the garden is calling to me BUT so is painting!  This 12" x 12" x 1.5" painting came together rather quickly for a change.  It is a relief to get a little one that I like in the middle of struggling with a large canvas - 36" x 48" x 1.5" and 3 works on paper to go with it.

The large one and companions are beginning to take shape and my mind is in the right place to tackle that big project.  My paintings are intuitive and emotional and a fairly clear head is needed to work out the puzzle that this kind of painting is!

A little diversion is sometimes needed - this painting was diversion #1 and a thorough house cleaning today was diversion #2.

Tomorrow it is Onward with the Brushes!!!!

"Huggie Bears"

I've been busy this past month or two enjoying summer weather, gardening, visiting with friends and family and creating!

These little bears are something new for me - amigurumi crochet bears. I am making them and donating them to CHEO - Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.  I love to keep busy and these are fun to make.  They are given to children in need of some extra comfort by volunteers at CHEO. These bears are a good size for a small child up to a teenager and are very soft and cuddly.  I'm hoping they will help some kids get through tough times.

Celebration

I am mourning the loss of a very dear friend who has left this world suddenly and way too soon.
We shared a mutual love of gardening, nature and art and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her beautiful smile,  sparkling personality, kindness and compassion.

I am titling this new painting "Celebration".  It is a joyous, colourful piece and it is a tribute to my wonderful friend and her sunny disposition and outlook on life.