An Artist's Journal:

Artists In Italy

2012-01-31T18:36:00.001-05:00

I am busy working on some paintings for this show and organizing the ones I have already finished.It will be so great to see everyone again and to see what they have produced since we got home. It will be fun to revisit sketchbooks and work done on location too.

On Location In The Snow

2012-01-23T10:36:00.000-05:00

I have been working up my courage to sketch and paint on location in the snow. Previously, I have hiked out to various locations in the snow to shoot photos and then used them as reference material. Yesterday I went out with a friend and finally worked on location in the snow. To keep things simple, I decided that I would sketch in pencil for this first attempt. It was really not much different than sketching on location in warmer weather. We had a beautiful sunny day to walk through the grounds and find a location. Next time I will bring along a small paint box to paint on location ( and perhaps some toe warmers, my backpack for supplies and my walking stick to make the uphill and downhill paths in the snow less of a worry ).
The sketch to the left was done down by river on the Elsie Perrin Williams Estate. The water was running quickly and combined with the sound of birds singing and the barking of happy dogs being taken out for a walk by their owners, background music of a sort kept me entertained. I must admit that when I returned to my car I very much enjoyed the thermos of hot cocoa waiting there for me!

Weekly Sketching

2012-01-21T13:56:00.000-05:00

This is my pencil sketch.

My friend Cheryl and I get together once a week to sketch together. We have been doing this for about a year now. This week we decided to meet at Dundas and Richmond in the Starbuck's coffee shop with the intention of sketching the view through the windows of the buildings across the street. It was snowing heavily and many people were scurrying through the cold and snow as well as waiting just outside the window for their bus. Needless to say, our view was pretty much obstructed. After chatting for quite a while we decided to do a 5 minute sketch of the people inside the shop. While it was fun, I didn't produce anything much. I had taken some photos through the window and on my way back to the car too. Most of them were pretty uninspiring, but when I severely cropped one I ended up with something I wanted to sketch. I did a pencil sketch first and then the next day I began a small watercolour painting which I finished today. I am now considering painting a larger piece in acrylic on canvas.

This is the small watercolour.

Art Exchange Miniature Juried Show 2012

2012-01-13T08:21:00.000-05:00

Island of Burano, Italy

This is one of my entries into the Art Exchange Miniature Show. It is a watercolour painting of the reflections on the canal on the Island of Burano in Italy. Burano, famous for the handmade lace made there, is located near Venice. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather while on the island and enjoyed walking and wandering.

2012-01-10T18:10:00.000-05:00

I have spent the last few days with a wonderful book by one of my favourite watercolour artists, Mary Whyte. Although I have never seen one of her paintings, I have fallen in love with several of her paintings in photographs in various locations.The book is titled An Artist's Way of Seeing.

She writes:
" Art does not have to be something intended or something with a price tag. Art can be the way we set a table, lay a brick patio, teach a child to fly a kite or sweep a floor. It can be as simple as the way we cook a meal or write a postcard. When we are truly engaged in the experience of living and are not concerned with worldly expectations, the fruit of an artistic expression is inevitable.It will happen in spite of ourselves."

and
" Subject matter is neither pretty or ugly, as the beauty of a painting lies in the work itself. It is about seeing.... with the heart and soul as well."

and finally
" I've learned that painting from life can be one of life's greatest pleasures.....They all contribute to the soul of the work. And to my soul."

The delightful thing for me is that Mary Whyte writes the same way she paints, with gentleness and poetry and an abiding respect for the world and people she paints.
This is a book I will return to again and again.

Pen Sketches

2012-01-08T11:36:00.000-05:00

This sketch is done in pen. It was done from a photo taken in old London North. I love the views you can sometimes see between houses in the older areas of London . I think the trip to Venice has me looking for areas "between places" that remind me of the views down the small canals.

This sketch is also done from a photograph. The house is on Piccadilly Street in London and it used to be my grandfather's home. This time I used India ink, pen and water.

The Art Exchange Miniature Show

2011-12-29T10:51:00.000-05:00

I just finished the last of two paintings which I will enter into The Art Exchange Miniature Show. This is the 7th annual juried show and will run from Jan. 30th to Feb.18th. with the Opening Reception on Feb.3rd. I can hardly wait to see the entries this year. Every year there are some really exciting and surprising pieces in this show and many fine miniature paintings too. If you are running short of wall space, this is a great place to find some wonderful original art that can be a great addition to your collection without demanding a large place to display it !

Playing With My New Pen

2011-12-09T10:18:00.001-05:00

A few days ago I purchased a new pen and have been having a great time trying it out. This is what I have done with the new pen.

This sketch was started in my car on a street in the Woodfield area of London and then finished at home.

While my husband enjoyed watching a hockey game, I sketched this part of our family room.

This was my first effort with the new pen. It's an ornamental cabbage that was one of the flowers in a bouquet from my sister and her husband.

Backyard View

2011-11-30T09:30:00.000-05:00

The wooden fence marching haphazardly along the border of these backyards seemed to point to the roofs asking me to look up and see this. And so, once again I was attracted to roofs! This time their assortment of shape, size and direction is what interested me and made me want to paint this happy place. The garden shed, although not the most important building, nevertheless, is the star of the show, as is only fitting as far as myself and other gardeners are concerned.

Home On Elmwood

2011-11-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

I have both driven and walked by this home on Elmwood and have always been intrigued by it. One beautiful sunny day I had my camera with me as I passed by and took several photos. I used these as references to paint this. The shadows created by the strong sunlight seemed to highlight the features of this home which make it both unique and enchanting.

Autumn In The Village

2011-11-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

A group of friends and I were on our way to enjoy coffee and treats at The Black Walnut on Wortley when we passed by an opening between buildings which captured my attention. Luckily I had my camera with me and took a couple of quick photos and then hurried to catch up with the group. Much later, I used the photos as references to paint the scene I have called Autumn In The Village.

There's Something About Rooflines

2011-11-27T10:30:00.000-05:00

I am not sure what I find so attractive about roof lines, but perhaps it is the rhythm created as they repeat and diminish. Their contrasts of light against dark, earth bound against the sky, hold some kind of magic for me.

In The HeART of Old South: Porch Light

2011-11-26T19:26:00.001-05:00

If you are walking down Wortley Street you won't see any pink houses and yet this one in my painting is! This home always seems to me to be a very happy place and so I made it a happy colour. Incidentally, it was the chair on this porch which started me thinking about chairs, and was the inspiration for Summer Chairs #1 and 2

Old South's beauty saluted by artists who know it well | Entertainment | London Free Press

2011-11-23T13:02:00.000-05:00

Old South's beauty saluted by artists who know it well | Entertainment | London Free Press

The Heart of Old South: Vespers

2011-11-20T07:32:00.000-05:00

Vespers

The end of a Spring day in Old South celebrated by birds overhead singing the sun to sleep as they rest on a wire, basking in its last rays. This was a wonderful evening for a walk through the village and a good source of inspiration.

The Heart of Old South : Wortley Village Homes

2011-11-19T07:14:00.000-05:00

Wortley Village Homes

This painting is the result of a walk through the village with a good friend noticing the amazing variety of roof lines and porch styles to be found in Old South, as well as stained glass windows of all shapes and sizes. In order to show the roof lines and porches, it was necessary to use an angle that did not allow a good view of the windows. I decided to use elements from a stained glass window seen on a previous walk in the village, as a border. The painting itself then became part of a stained glass window. To avoid symmetry I added the words along the left.
I have explored roof lines in other paintings which may be seen in this show.

The Heart of Old South: Window on Wortley

2011-11-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

Window On Wortley

This is another painting that will be in the show, The Heart of Old South at The Art Exchange.
One of the really delightful things about Wortley Village in Old South is the way the independent shopkeepers take the time to make their shops attractive with unique window displays, window boxes, and signs.
If you have ever driven or walked down Wortley Road, you can't help but have noticed the shop at the corner of Emery and Wortley with its bright yellow bicycle and fabulous window boxes exploding with seasonal flowers.
In my painting, Window On Wortley, I have chosen to paint from the interior of the shop. The bicycle is purple because it works better in the painting that way. Peeking through the spokes of the bicycle are spring daffodils, one of my favourite spring flowers.

The Heart Of Old South: The Industrial Revolution

2011-11-17T07:31:00.000-05:00

As The Crows Fly

If you are like me, when you think of The Industrial Revolution, words such as elegant, fanciful, romantic and decorative don't immediately pop into your head. Yet the Industrial Revolution provided new technologies which allowed builders to use mass-produced pre-cut architectural trim to produce houses which are certainly elegant, fanciful, romantic and decorative. The age of the machine produced some of the most elaborate and feminine homes found in Old South London. Turned porch supports, gable details, gingerbread trim and all sorts of decorative woodwork details were made possible and affordable by machine made woodworking which was then transported by railway. The growth of the rail system allowed mass produced items to be easily transported. The talented local builders were then able to use their skill and imagination to combine these items with bay windows, turrets, porches, brackets, stained glass windows and transoms and other decorative items in surprising and pleasing ways to produce enchantingly unique homes. These features appear, not only on large stately homes, but also on smaller working class homes and cottages. Wonderful!
This is my whimsical interpretation of Old South, As The Crows Fly......rooftops,decorative gables, gingerbread and fish scale trim, windows of all sorts, an Old Ontario Cottage, trees in three seasons, towers, one lovely porch pergola, steeples and, of course, the ubiquitous crows.

The Heart of Old South: Summer Chairs: # 2

2011-11-16T06:36:00.000-05:00

Summer Chairs # 2

On the left is Summer Chairs #2 , one of my paintings that will be in the group show, The Heart of Old South, at The Art Exchange from November 21st to December 24th.
I love the porches on many of the homes in Old South London. As a child I spent many pleasant summer afternoons on my great aunt's porch on Winsor Ave.
As I walked through Old South while preparing for the show, I began to notice all the different chairs on the porches I saw. That started me thinking about the summer chairs we use on porches, decks and lawns in the summer. I began to play with images of chairs. Summer Chairs #1 was the result , a pen and ink piece you can see at the show or on my website. ( Just click on galleries and choose Old South London. )
I had so much fun with Summer Chairs #1 that I did a second similar piece in watercolour and pen. I added geraniums both in watercolour and in pen in the background as a reference to all the Geranium Walks that have been held in Old South London.

Show at The Art Exchange:The Heart of Old South: "Caw Tales"

2011-11-15T06:53:00.001-05:00

Bird Watching On Elmwood

This is one of my paintings which will be part of the group show at The Art Exchange from Nov.21st to Dec. 24th.

The working title of this piece was Caw Tale. Here is the reason.

When my grandson was very young, he called the crows, which are frequently seen and heard in Old South, caw tails. ( It was very poetic, I thought, but then, what grandmother wouldn't have thought the same thing? ).
Later, when he began to attend a daycare on Elmwood Ave, I occasionally picked him up at the end of the day. I felt like an old crone next to all the lovely young women who worked there as well as next to all the beautiful young moms.
One day, as I walked to the daycare from my car, I noticed the rooftop of a house on Elmwood and I loved the way it peeked out from the trees. Some years later, when I was preparing for our show, I decided to use the image of that particular house. I added a crow, partly because they are often to be found in the large trees in Old South, partly as a reminder of earlier years with my grandson but also as a companion for the old crone in my tale.
When it was finished I changed the title ( twice ), since Caw Tale probably made sense only to me. Its current title is, Bird Watching On Elmwood.

Upcoming Show

2011-11-14T17:43:00.000-05:00

Occupy London, Victoria Park

2011-11-02T16:17:00.001-04:00

My friend, Cheryl and I renewed our once a week sketching session earlier this week and returned to Victoria Park where we have spent many hours sketching. This time, rather than choosing the lovely old homes across from the park or the businesses on Richmond Street as our subjects, we turned our attention to the tents set up in the park by those who are part of Occupy London. It made for an interesting change...the tents are an intriguing combination of both organic and geometric shapes. It was pretty cold but we persevered.

Lost In Venice

2011-11-02T12:02:00.001-04:00

This is the first piece I have completed since returning from Italy. It is a pen and ink drawing of several buildings in Venice, most of which I have repeated in different sizes to give the impression of being wonderfully lost, as my husband and I were several times. We saw the same buildings over and over from different distances. The lion statue was something we both loved and we passed it several times as we meandered, lost, through the fabulous city of Venice.

The Heart of Old South

2011-10-29T15:46:00.001-04:00

Amelia Husnik, Annemarie Plint, Kevin Bice, Len Hughes and myself will be exhibiting work in this show at The Art Exchange on Wortley Road in London.

Sketching In Venice

2011-10-21T11:41:00.000-04:00

Sketching In Italy

2011-10-14T18:21:00.000-04:00

I was fortunate to be able to travel to Italy with a group of artists lead by Daphne and Kevin Bice in a Novack's Avid Traveller tour called Artists in Italy. We flew to Rome and then travelled by bus to Cortona. Along the way we passed through some enchanting countryside and I took photos like mad from the bus window. Many of these will be the inspiration for paintings I am sure. In Cortona I did several sketches, some of which are posted below.We did a day trip to Florence, which was magnificent and again my photos will inspire some paintings! After a week in Cortona we went to Venice. I did a few sketches in Venice but had succumbed to a rather nasty cold which developed into bronchitis and found it difficult to work while coughing. Again I have several photos to inspire paintings.

Urban Sketching: Wellington Street

2011-08-18T12:40:00.001-04:00

Today I met my friend Cheryl to do some "urban sketching". We went to Victoria Park and decided to sketch this house on Wellington Street. After several days of painting plein air, it was a delightful change to work in pen in my sketchbook....less paraphernalia to cart, no colours to consider, just black and white. My original plan was to apply watercolour to the sketch but I decided just to leave well enough alone. Definitely a couple of problems with this sketch, but overall I am OK with it. Cheryl and I agreed that the next time Urban Sketchers holds a symposium in the States or here in Canada, we would like to attend.

Early Birds

2011-08-15T14:33:00.004-04:00

A group of my artist friends ( The Early Birds ) have been up early painting plein air. This painting was inspired by one such morning excursion. We set up around 7 am on the banks of the Thames River near the corner of Wonderland and Riverside and painted until noon. What a wonderful way to start a day! This week we are going to paint near the Medway Creek.

A Gift: Lilies In My Garden

2011-07-26T13:52:00.001-04:00

I did a watercolour sketch of these lilies in my garden this morning. They were a gift years ago from my mother's garden and have faithfully returned every year since. They have always intrigued me because their seeds appear to form at the base of their leaves, having nothing to do with their flowers. Mom always called them Tiger Lilies, but I think their spots make them leopards!

Newfoundland

2011-07-11T17:51:00.004-04:00

Guest Artist Cheryl Radford at Sunset Arts

2011-07-10T13:40:00.000-04:00

If you are in Grand Bend, stop in at our Artists' Co-op Gallery, Sunset Arts to see our new displays and our guest artist, Cheryl Radford's work.

Sketchbook: Victoria Park: New Field Sketch Box

2011-07-09T10:21:00.002-04:00

Gate at Central and Richmond

I met up with Cheryl to do some sketching and to test out a new set of watercolours made by Sakura, a Koi water color field sketch box. It will take some getting used to, but the advantage of the little brush which holds water (so you don't need to cart around bottles of water as well as something to contain the water while you work )was wonderful for sketching (especially now when the airboot thing on my foot makes getting around tricky enough). I am not convinced it would do for a painting on location, but for sketchbook work it was great. The whole thing fit easily into my bag so I can take it with me everywhere! The sketch above was done with the Koi watercolors and then modified with pen.

Studio Work

2011-07-02T18:03:00.002-04:00

Since I am restricted by a cast on my foot, plein air painting has ground to a standstill. While I am able to walk well on floors and sidewalks and anything flat, level and sturdy, walking on grass, paths through the woods, fields or rocky shores are off limits. Very frustrating, since this is the time that the Gallery Painting Group paints twice a week on location.
I have been working from sketches and photos in my studio and today I finished a 30" x 20" acrylic painting of Medway Heritage Forest in Autumn. I will take it up to Sunset Arts Gallery and hang it on Monday, when I am scheduled to work.

A Voice from The Past: Memory Work, Kindness and Miss M.

2011-06-18T08:00:00.002-04:00

When I was a child in grade five my teacher, Miss M., was in the habit of giving us memory work. I remember only the following lines now, from a poem, the title of which I no longer know.

" Slowly, silently, now the Moon
  Walks the night in her silver shoon
  This way and that she peers and sees
  Silver fruit upon silver trees."

I think the poet was Walter de la Mare, but I may be wrong. Last night at the Sunset Arts Gallery Opening a woman walked through our door with some companions. She looked very familiar to me but it wasn't until I heard her voice as she was talking to her friends about her favourite painting in the gallery that I could place her. I introduced myself to her. I am sure she didn't remember me, since I have changed quite a bit in the many years since grade five. I reminded her of the great kindness she had shown me when I inadvertently destroyed many of her files when I was plant monitor and over watered ( to say the least ), causing a river of water to run down the shelves and on to her work. I was sure I would be in so much trouble, but as I tried to explain what had happened, she laughed and said she understood and helped me to clean up the water. I have never forgotten her kindness to a terrified little girl. Before she left the gallery she purchased her favourite painting, Near Ril Lake, which was one of mine which I did plein air near a friend's cottage. Thank you Miss M., for the purchase and for so much more!

Near Ril Lake

2011-06-10T19:28:00.002-04:00

And More Buildings

2011-05-29T12:01:00.000-04:00

More Buildings

2011-05-28T19:06:00.000-04:00

I spent the day sketching at Fanshawe Pioneer Village. The Gallery Painting Group held a workshop there today with most painters working in oil. I did two sketches of buildings, even though there were some wonderful vistas for landscape paintings. I promised myself that I could do landscape on Tuesday when we meet again, and so I completed two sketches of buildings using pen and ink with watercolour. The first is the Millar home and the second is the Peel residence.

Fanshawe Pioneer Village is a nice place to visit and sketching subjects are everywhere...lovely old buildings, cabins, gardens, antique farm equipment, people in period dress, lovely shop windows....an endless array of possibilities. I am sure to return here to sketch several times over the next few months.

Sketching Buildings

2011-05-25T13:21:00.000-04:00

I have been meeting with my friend, Cheryl Radford, once a week for a few months in order to try to improve my sketching skills, particularly sketching buildings, in preparation for an upcoming trip to Italy where most of what I will be seeing (and painting) is architecture. Cheryl does beautiful architectural sketches, so her work is certainly an inspiration! Today we met at Starbucks on Richmond Street and then walked down until we found something promising to sketch. I worked first in graphite and then in ink to produce the sketch above. Hopefully we will continue to meet and sketch so that by the time we are in Italy buildings won't be so difficult for me.

Daniel's First Paint Out

2011-05-24T20:12:00.002-04:00

The Gallery Painting Group met this morning at a farm on Westdel Bourne. My husband and I took our grandson, Daniel, who is five, along for his first paint out. We wandered around the property, visiting the cows, watching the sheep and horses and examining the farm equipment up close. Of course we took lots of photos too.The weather was damp, cold and windy, but Daniel and I hunkered down behind the car, out of the wind, and we were dressed in lots of layers so it was enjoyable for us both to do some sketching while my husband walked the property again taking more photos. Daniel did three sketches...two of clouds and one of the cow who had earlier seemed very interested in Daniel.We all three took a hot chocolate and windmill cookie tailgate break and then finished up our sketches. I did a pen sketch with watercolour added at home this evening.

On Location with The Gallery Painting Group

2011-05-21T17:33:00.002-04:00

This is a small watercolour sketch done on location this morning. The Gallery Painting Group meets regularly in the spring, summer and fall to paint on location. It's a great group of painters and we have fun together while also learning. At the end of each session we critique each other's efforts, offering both praise and suggestions. This morning we gathered at a dairy farm where there was an amazing variety of subject matter. I chose to do a landscape view across the road from the farm. I spent more time chatting than painting, but that's part of the appeal of this group... a chance to talk with other painters and compare ideas, methods, media and goals.The spring greens, yellows and pinks were fun to paint ... much softer and more high key than my usual palette... Next week we are meeting at a different farm. If we are very lucky the weather will be as nice as it was today.

A Visit to Sifton Bog in London Ontario

2011-05-05T18:57:00.000-04:00

My husband and I spent the afternoon at the Sifton Bog with our grandson. The weather was perfect and there were so many beautiful things to see. The tamaracks are in bud, lovely soft green misty shapes. Because the trees are not yet in leaf, blue sky is reflected everywhere, dancing and sparkling in the sun. Spring green clumps of moss are dotted through the bog along with geen shoots of all sorts including skunk cabbage which hasn't yet unfurled. I took several photos and will return as soon as I possibly can to sketch and perhaps do some watercolour studies. So much inspiring subject matter to choose from, but today was for family, not for sketching. Our grandson had a great time watching dragonflies, ducks, and geese and he spotted a racoon asleep up in a tree. We looked for, but did not see deer. We did run into a long time friend and artist who was also looking for and finding lots of painting material. After our walk we stopped and enjoyed coffee, juice and a snack sitting on rocks in the sun, chatting about all we had seen and heard. A great day!

Getting Ready For A New Season

2011-05-03T15:42:00.001-04:00

Today I drove to Sunset Arts Gallery in Grand Bend to get ready for the Grand Bend Studio Tour , Arts & Eats. The tour will take place on Saturday May 14th from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday May 15th from 11am to 5 pm.
Sunset Arts will be open on weekends until June 17th when it will be open daily until September.
The photo is my wall at the gallery. Every year I either under or over estimate how much work I will require. As you can see from the photo, this year I underestimated! So... another trip to the gallery this week to finish hanging my wall. I really don't mind. This time of year the countryside is lovely to drive through. Today the willows along all the streams and creeks were a breathtaking sight and the orchards we passed were pink, not with blooms yet, but the bark was pink in the light rain.

Award at Brush and Palette Show

2011-04-12T09:21:00.002-04:00

Market Series # 1, watercolour and pen

I was delighted to be the recipient of an Honours Award at the Brush and Palette Club Show. The judge, Catherine Elliot Shaw, made the folowing remarks:

The combination of architectural details, urban vista and intriguing table groupings creates an engaging image of ordinary stories. The text provides an additional dimension and its ambiguity allows us the opportunity to complete the narrative ourselves. The colour and technique imbues the scene with a distincitve, melancholy quality.

New Blues, Iceberg

2011-03-18T16:56:00.004-04:00

I was at David and Olga Guthrie's to pick up work they framed for me to exhibit at The Brush and Palette Club's Annual Show and Sale when some fabulous watercolour tubes of various blues called my name. Today I have had fun playing with blue and eventually revisited icebergs to use what I had discovered while playing.. The result is the painting above, Iceberg Revisited.

Paint Ontario, Lambton Heritage Museum, Hwy 21 across from the Pinery,Grand Bend Ontario

2011-03-13T15:19:00.006-04:00

I went to see this show on Saturday and I hope you do too. It is a fabulous show again this year!

Paint Ontario, Lambton Heritage Museum, Hwy 21 across from the Pinery,Grand Bend Ontario

2011-03-10T11:53:00.000-05:00

Since I will be unable to attend the Opening tomorrow evening, I will travel up to see the show on Saturday. If you are able, please try to attend the Opening or stop by some time this month. I am sure you won't be dissappointed!

This is one of my entries, After The Harvest, Mount Carmel Road,acrylic

Where The Heart Is Series: # 3

2011-03-09T09:24:00.003-05:00

Where The Heart Is Series: # 2

2011-03-08T07:08:00.001-05:00

Covent Garden Market

2011-02-25T14:31:00.000-05:00

Market Series #1

I have been busy painting, working on a series inspired by a sketching trip to the downtown market. The first one was done after attending a workshop about different approaches to consider when using photographs as inspiration. The second was completed using a small portion of the first as inspiration.

Market Series #2

Sketchbook Journal: Feb. 11, 2011

2011-02-11T15:24:00.000-05:00

quick pencil sketch, Market downtown London, upper floor

Sketchbook Journal: Feb. 10, 2011

2011-02-10T12:36:00.000-05:00

I have been unable to sketch for several days for a variety of good reasons but have happily returned today. I went sketching at the market again with a friend and did this pen study.

Sketchbook Journal: Feb. 1, 2011

2011-02-01T17:03:00.000-05:00

Nana's Chair

Sketchbook Journal: Jan 28, 29, 30, 31; First Month of 2011 completed

2011-01-31T11:56:00.001-05:00

Jan. 28

Jan. 29

Jan. 30

Jan.31

Sketchbook Journal: Jan. 27, 2011

2011-01-27T14:34:00.001-05:00

No dinosaurs today, just my chair and desk.

Sketchbook Journal: Jan. 26, 2011

2011-01-26T11:23:00.006-05:00

And, if those just for fun eggs hatched, what would you get? Baby dinosaurs of course!

Sketchbook Journal: Jan. 25, 2011

2011-01-25T21:39:00.011-05:00

I have been watching so many dinosaur shows with my grandson that I am now seeing them everywhere. I found this one on the floor of our garage, or at least a stain on the floor which looked to me like this dino on a nest. I added the eggs just for fun, and put her up in a tree, since birds are today's living dinosaurs, according to one of the shows we watched!

Sketchbook Journal: Jan. 24, 2011

2011-01-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

Always Got Time

Sketchbook Journal: Jan. 21, 22, 23, 2011

2011-01-23T17:14:00.000-05:00

Jan. 21

Ready to go plein air painting!

Flowers from my sister

Sketchbook Journal: Jan.20, 2011

2011-01-20T10:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I made granola. Today I sketched it.

Sketchbook Journal: Jan 19, 2011

2011-01-19T13:25:00.000-05:00

Ink and watercolour of the upper stories of buildings on Talbot Street and Market Lane

I met Cheryl at the market and we spent an enjoyable couple of hours sitting at the windows upstairs chatting and sketching. We hope to meet again to sketch, perhaps at a coffee house next time.

Jan.16,17,18, 2011

2011-01-18T09:09:00.000-05:00

Jan. 16th, my boots

Jan. 17th

Jan. 18th, Mom's grater

Sketchbook Journal: Jan 15, 2011

2011-01-15T18:21:00.000-05:00

Monk's Tea anyone?

Sketchbook Journal: Jan 14, 2011

2011-01-15T10:05:00.003-05:00

I dropped off my entries to the Miniature Show this morning and then returned with
friends in the evening to attend Jill Price's Opening.

Sketchbook Journal: Jan 13, 2011

2011-01-14T15:13:00.000-05:00

My Knitting

Sketchbook Journal: Jan 12, 2011

2011-01-12T20:18:00.000-05:00

Hey Cupcake! (an after school treat)

Sketchbook Journal: Jan. 11th

2011-01-12T19:14:00.002-05:00

Evening view of backyard

Sketchbook Journal: Jan. 10th

2011-01-11T07:21:00.003-05:00

I really don't know why I wanted to sketch popcorn today...possibly so I could eat some!

Sketchbook Journal: Jan.8th and 9th

2011-01-10T10:54:00.000-05:00

I did these two journal entry sketches with graphite and then watercolour. I have missed using watercolour and plan to continue using it for the rest of this week.

Spiderman's Gift to his Mom

Backyard View

Sketchbook Journal: Week One

2011-01-07T15:22:00.002-05:00

This is the first week of sketches from my journal. My goal is to do one each day of 2011. So far so good.

Jan. 1st, the last Christmas flower from Cathy and Dave's bouquet

Jan. 2nd, Cathy's beautiful red scarf in progress

Jan. 3rd, Daniel's toy dragon

Jan. 4th, cardboard box

Jan. 5th, skates in our garage ( very cold sketching! )

Jan 6th, more boxes

Jan. 7th, Should have stayed in bed today!

I Love CBC

2011-01-03T08:43:00.004-05:00

A New Year

2010-12-28T15:48:00.003-05:00

This is the time of year when I begin to think about what my resolutions for the New Year will be. Is this the year when I will finally organise the old family photos and complete the project I have been planning? Will I, at last, manage to keep a journal longer than a week? Will I continue to sketch daily or will the excuses finally win? And what about attitude? Will I remember to be greatful, kind, loving, even when it's difficult.... even when I'd rather be painting.....? I still have a few days left to make my list, but in the meantime here's an old family photo you might enjoy!

My mother and me

Happy Holidays to All

2010-12-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

Snow Clouds

2010-11-28T08:27:00.019-05:00

We went up to the Sunset Arts Gallery today to remove my work ( end of season ) and to meet with a customer to deliver a painting. Driving home from Grand Bend , we were surrounded by snow clouds. Beautiful, but eventually we got the snow and driving became a little unpleasant.

Perspectives of Africa: The Arts Project, 203 Dundas Street, London

2010-11-14T07:20:00.000-05:00

JASS London Juried Art Show and Sale Museum London

2010-11-01T08:16:00.001-04:00

I have had a painting, French Doors, juried into this show. I am looking forward to Opening Night!

Annual Gallery Painting Group Juried Show and Sale 2010

2010-09-30T11:06:00.004-04:00

I have been busy getting ready for the Annual Gallery Painting Group Show and Sale in October. My sketchbook has been a source of inspiration for some work, some was done on location, and others are the product of sketches, reference photos and imagination. I have a few paintings still in progress.

London's Gallery Painting Group's 60 members will be holding their Annual Show and Sale At The Byron Memorial Library in October. The artwork shown is the product of this year's paint outs held in various locations in London and surrounding areas including Grand Bend, Bayfield, Port Stanley, Delaware, Komoka, Arva, Aylmer, Thamesville and Thamesford.

To read more about The Gallery Painting Group go to http://www.thelondoner.ca/ and look for us in the Sept. 8 Arts section.

Congratulations Catherine Weber !

2010-09-20T10:24:00.002-04:00

My friend and fellow Sunset Arts artist, Catherine Weber, has had the painting, Dancing Heads, juried into the Pastel Artist Canada Show that runs from Sept.30 to Oct.17 at the Nelson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke (Toronto). Congratulations, Catherine!

Westdel Bourne Sheep

2010-09-07T15:25:00.006-04:00

This is a watercolour done after one of the Gallery Painting Group's paint outs. I had done a graphite sketch of the amazing barn on location, intending to paint it in watercolour at home in my studio. However, when I saw the sheep with their personalities so clearly visible on their faces, I was enchanted and took several photos of them before I left. I decide to use one of the triadic colour schemes I have been playing with to paint the sheep in front of the barn. When I was finished I cropped the barn out of the painting entirely and was happy with the result. I will paint the barn another time.....perhaps.

Lily Field

2010-08-29T12:30:00.002-04:00

When my Dad was a young boy living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he would spend summers on his Grandfather's farm, Lilyfield. This year the Gallery Painting Group visited a lily farm near Chatham, Ontario, and I did a small painting on location. The painting above was done in my studio, and I have titled it Lily Field, in memory of my Dad.

At Last

2010-08-11T09:09:00.000-04:00

Several years ago, a friend invited three other artists and myself to a weekend of painting at her cottage in The Bruce Peninsula. It was Spring and the weather was wonderful. We took advantage of the weather to paint like mad things, hike, take photos, and enjoy each others company. On one of our hikes we saw a trilliums galore as well as forget- me-nots and other spring flowers. The image of the trilliums and forget- me- nots has remained with me and I have attempted several times to paint them in watercolour but have never been happy with the results. This time I tried them in acrylic on canvas board and am happier with the final product.

GPG Komoka Paint Out

2010-08-11T07:47:00.004-04:00

Yesterday the Gallery Painting Group went to Komoka to paint. The weather was hot and extrememly humid, but in spite of that many members were there. I chose to paint the woods by the river. I was intrigued by the way the river shone through the shaded woods and branches and decide to attempt to paint it as my subject. The humidity made working in watercolour a challenge, but I treid anyway. I began by blocking in the shapes as seen in the picures below.

The finished painting, completed at home in the studio, was not what I had hoped. It was too dark and muddy, but I will try the scene again, this time in a vertical format which should help to bring in some sky and light.

finished painting

photo in vertical format

Roughing It In The Bush / Sweltering In The City

2010-07-17T14:13:00.005-04:00

On Thursday I travelled to Toronto to see Roughing It In The Bush, an exhibition of Doris McCarthy's work in honour of her 100th birthday. I went by train, subway, rapid transit and bus with two friends in order to get to Scarborough, where the Doris McCarthy Gallery is located on the Scarborough campus of the University of Toronto. It was a long trip, slightly confusing at times, but thanks to the kindness of lady Torontonions on various occasions, we managed to get to our destination. The exhibition was well worth our travel time. As well as seeing several of her paintings, we saw displays of her sketchbooks, old photos of various painting trips and a variety of memorabilia. Then we travelled back by bus, rapid transit and subway and then walked ( in stifling heat ) to the main campus in the city where more fabulous work from her show was being exhibited. How inspiring and hope inducing it was to see work painted in her 70's and 80's and a wonderful piece completed when she was 95.
Although the city was sweltering , we were not yet finished and so we walked to The Robert's Gallery where the Canadian Society of Painters In Watercolour were having their 85th annual members juried show. I enjoyed seeing the exhibit very much both the contemporary paintings ( main floor ) and work by former members ( upstairs ), Doris McCarthy, A.J. Casson and Franklin Carmichael and others. I sat for quite a while in front of the Carmichael painting, ( my favourite Canadian watercolour artist) absorbing, studying, admiring and cooling down in the air conditioning, then went back downstairs again to admire the wonderful contemporary members' work a second time..... unbelievably fabulous!
On the train home we played our usual post exhibition game of "Which ones would you take home if you could?" and, as always, each of us had our own particular favourites.
An exhausting day in the heat, it certainly was, but an exhilerating one nonetheless!

Lily Farm

2010-07-14T17:25:00.001-04:00

The weather was perfect and the location was too, with wonderful views and lots of shade to work in and a very friendly black lab to keep us company.

Gallery Painting Group Near Delaware

2010-07-13T15:28:00.002-04:00

Today I finally got to use my new Eric Michael's plein air watercolour easel. It was wonderful! The GPG Tuesday paint out was on a farm on Sharon Drive. I enjoyed working with my new equipment very much and almost finished a painting until the deer flies and other flies made working impossible. ( insect repellent seems to act as a condiment for them!) I finished the painting below at home in my studio.

Tomorrow we are off to a lily farm to paint, weather permitting! Tonight I am travelling to the Sunset Arts Gallery in Grand Bend to move my paintings to a new wall. It will be nice to see all the artists again.

Breakfast At Roxy's

2010-07-04T13:01:00.004-04:00

Roxy's, watercolour

Brian and I went to Port Stanley this morning to sketch and to have breakfast. We arrived around 8 am, walked around the center of town , took some photos and then succumbed to the heat and humidity. We went to Roxy's for a late breakfast. It was very busy, but the breakfast was worth waiting for. We then made our way home with a stop at Thomas Brothers to pick up corn, raspberries and back currents. Tomorrow I will be making black current jelly!! Yum!!

Just outside Roxy's

Port Stanley Harbour

A Day At The Gallery

2010-07-03T12:49:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was my turn to work at Sunset Arts. Brian came with me to help hang some new work and to keep me company. We had a good day, visiting with many delightful people who came into the gallery and with Theresa Marie from next door. I took some paints with me in case I had a chance to do some work and was able to complete a small watercolour in between visitors. The weather was perfect and I saw lots of families on their way to the beach. Many boaters took advantage of the great day too and passed by on the river near the back door of the gallery.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are off to Port Stanley to do some painting with the Gallery Painting Group.

Beach Rocks, watercolour, 3 x 5
Painting done between visitors to the Gallery

Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T07:50:00.005-04:00

Change Island , Newfoundland
acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24

First Work In New Studio

2010-06-21T15:37:00.004-04:00

My Kitchen Table, watercolour, 4 x 6

Beach Rocks, Change Island, watercolour, 10 x 7

The Studio: Move In Day

2010-06-07T10:28:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, at long last, we moved everything into the new space for my studio. It was a long day and we couldn't have done it without the wonderful young man from the neighbourhood who helped us carry everything from the second floor to the basement. As you can see from the photos, there is still some remaining work to be done, but it is essentially ready for me to work!

My watercolour table, taboret and easel are ready for me to begin playing! The chair, lovingly painted by my husband, Brian, is my tribute to my first watercolour teacher, Johnnene, who often had a red chair in her watercolour paintings.

I have so much storage that I am almost giddy thinking about it! here you can see the shelves and flat file.

The TV unit from the former family room was too big and heavy to move but makes a good storage space.

The flat files, a birthday gift from Brian, sit temporarily on a desk. Brian will build a storage unit to contain them.

A place for everything!

There are still some building supplies around .

Worth waiting for!!

Back to Sparta with the GPG

2010-05-29T14:34:00.001-04:00

GPG Paint Out: Sparta

2010-05-25T16:45:00.000-04:00

I sat by the pond and listened to the bull frogs' and the birds' jam session. Again today the weather was perfect. This is the watercolour sketch I did of yellow flags blooming in the pond.

Rain Date: Komoka School House

2010-05-24T13:05:00.002-04:00

Tara kindly invited us back to her property today, since the original date was a rainy day. There were lots more painters today. The weather was wonderful, the birds were singing and there was a lovely little breeze...in short a perfect day to paint plein air. I did two small watercolour sketches, one of the building and one of the old orchard behind it. On the way home I stopped to take a few photos of a wooded area beside the road filled with wild phlox.

First Paint Out of the Season: Rain!

2010-05-22T18:10:00.005-04:00

Gold Creek Drive: completed from the back of my car

Corner of Komoka Road and Gold Creek Drive: sketch from driver's seat

Today was The Gallery Painting Group's first paint out of the season. Even though the weather was not very co-operative, a few brave souls came out. Some took photos inside the old school house and some did sketches from their cars or inside the building. I did two quick sketches, one in pencil, the other in watercolour. You can see the rain spatters on the watercolour! The good news is that Monday's weather is supposed to be great and we have been invited back! There are so many wonderful subjects, both on the property and nearby, that it should prove to be great fun. After we were finished, Len and Amelia and I went for coffee and had a great chat. We have decided that this year we will sketch or paint no matter what the weather is like and will have back up rain plans in case we are unable to sketch from our vehicles as we did today.

Update: Sunset Arts Gallery

2010-05-17T16:10:00.002-04:00

2010-05-16T15:56:00.001-04:00

The perfume of Lily of the Valley from our garden fills the house. Wonderful!

Sketch Crawl

2010-05-16T12:16:00.000-04:00

A "before" photo of the soon to be a studio space.

Yesterday was Urban Sketchers' World Wide Sketch Crawl day. Everyone was encouraged to get outside and sketch their environment. I intended to take part, however circumstances altered and I did not. Perhaps next time.... My friend, Cheryl did some lovely sketches as part of the World Wide Sketch Crawl. You can see them on her blog http://radfordart.blogspot.com/ Well done, Cheryl!

Our Gallery Painting Group paint out season begins May 22 at the Komolka School house. Weather permitting, I will post some photos of the location and some of my sketches.

Back To Where We Were

2010-05-14T10:52:00.002-04:00

We are now at the point with our studio reno where we were about two months ago. We are ready to have the floor installed. Today the floor will be levelled out and then next week, on Tuesday, the floor will go in. After that, all that remains is to move in! This is me, smiling!!!

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T15:18:00.002-04:00

A Mothers Day gift from Brian...soon there will be somewhere to put it!

Spring: Birds Singing, Flowers Blooming...... Jackhammers Hammering

2010-05-06T14:19:00.001-04:00

Outside the world is birdsong while lilac breezes drift through our garden and old friends return... tulips planted when we moved here over 30 years ago, a gift from my late father; violets and lily of the valley and bleeding heart from my late mother's garden; beautiful, exotic (to me) trilliums, a wonderful mother's day gift from my daughter and grandson. Inside, in our basement, men are at work! The required permits have been taken care of, the paperwork from the city completed and approved and at long last the final construction work can begin. I am hoping to be able to move into my studio in a few more weeks. To me, the sound of these jackhammers is just as sweet as the birdsong outside, although I am not sure that the neighbours, or the birds for that matter, would agree.

Art Show, Five Artists On The Rock

2010-05-04T07:57:00.006-04:00