Birthday Present

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!