I have been enjoying painting this winter.  The first painting I accomplished for the new year is 'Venus on the Shelf' 40x50cm Acrylic on cradled board.  I began with playing the various elements that I had collected. I ordered a range of used books with Venus in the title.  It was really hard not to order some of the books.  What great titles I found to use: Unearthing Venus, The Venus Fixers, Venus Prime, Venus with Bicepts and the list goes on and on.  I couldn't fit in some of the titles I got a kick out of like Venus Envy and Cruel Venus.   

Above are a few of the set ups that I did.  The bottom one is the one I finally decided on.  

​Then I began to paint!  Working back to front. 

I discovered that I need to have a tool to help me see the small details of the still life.  So after hours of trying to find exactly what I was looking for with binoculars I finally contacted an artist who I follow and asked where he got the ones I see him use.  Thankfully artists are so helpful and I received a response right away and had the binoculars ordered right away.  I can't wait to work on my next still life...that will be in March. It is a commission so I won't share until it has been gifted.  :)

It was a real challenge in a number of ways but I was able to stay focus and got through it fairly unscathed.  :) 

This painting is available and can be found HERE.  

I would love to hear what you think of the painting.  Thanks for dropping by. 

After such a busy time I thought I would start at the beginning...I will start with my 5th Annual show called Ethereal Whisper that happened at the end of October. I can't believe a month has gone past already.

When I started to paint 5 years ago in July 2012 I decided to do an annual show.  Well what a good decision that was, as it means each year I challenge myself in new ways.  This year my challenge was to work larger in acrylic and to continue to explore birds in a very realistic way.  I struggled with patience because these paintings both took longer than I thought they would (as most painters/quilters/metalworkers and so on know).  I had to remind myself that "it takes what it takes" and not be frustrated that I wasn't getting to the other boards I had prepped for painting.  In the end,  I was amazed and excited at how well the owls turned out.  So learning to be more patient ultimately turns out to be a good thing! :)

​There has been a couple of times in the past 5 year that I have seen a jump in my painting skills.  It is fascinating as it is a dramatic happening that presents itself from one painting to the next.  I can see more and I can render what I see at a new level.  The owls were that for me.  Now I am excited with that skill development because it is time to dream of new directions.  More on that another time! :)

​The show was a blast and it was so fun to catch up with all the folks who came.  The wine flowed, there was plenty of conversation and laughter and best of all, after months of being in solitude painting I got LOTS of hugs!  I needed those hugs.  :) I do love sharing my work with people and to have some welcome a piece of my art into their homes is a big honour.    Thank you!
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Thanks for stopping by.  I would love to hear from you.  Have a fabulous Thursday evening.

The month at NACC was really fun. I had an Opening on April 7th. ​

and I got to talk to a few of them! :)

So I painted Ptarmigans, an Eagle, a Raven (finished image below) and Snow Buntings!

I had quite a few people take time to explore my paintings

And after all the shows I had a spectator do the draw for the basket and Beth Collinson (one of my students) won the basketful of goodies. :)
It was a busy month and it was great to see everyone and to chat.  Now I am finally back to painting. I started a commission yesterday and also will be finishing the rest of the birds. I got the raven done before we went on holidays.

"Heedful", 6x6 in, Acrylic, SOLD
Thanks so much for dropping by!  See you again soon(ish). Have a great week.

I have been really busy painting in preparation for my show at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre for the month of April.  Ian and I hung the show yesterday...no photos taken!    I have to say I am pretty pleased with how it looks.  I tried to leave space for the viewer to really get to look without being overwhelmed.  There are some older pieces and there are 10 brand new pieces both in watercolour and acrylic.
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I continue to explore beautiful flowers and the new, never before seen acrylics are of birds!  :)  

Claim the Sky 2, 12x12in, Acrylic
I hope you will stop by for the Opening Reception on Friday April 7 from 6 to 7:30 pm at NACC!  See you there.