Top 5 + Happy New Year!

Another year has almost wrapped and it is time to wish all of you a very Happy New Year! It is also time for lists : ) Here are my Top 5 favourite paintings of 2015.

 Sea Glass / 36"x60" / acrylic on cradled wood support / $2100. ©Kim Rempel

 Shift / acrylic on wood / 16"x16" / $465 ©Kim Rempel

 Golden Sun / acrylic on canvas / 40"x48" / $1900 ©Kim Rempel

 Secret Garden / acrylic on wood / 36"x72" / $2600 ©Kim Rempel

Crow / 6"x6" / oil on archival panel / SOLD ©Kim Rempel
And in the spirit of a new year and fresh start, here is a piece of writing I quite like. I take issue with the line "no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should" but there is so much greatness here that I enjoy going back to it for those thoughts. Cheers everyone!
Desiderata.
Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy

Merry Christmas!

Today I am reposting a painting from a few years back along with a lovely piece of writing I saw online yesterday. I think I will copy the words and remind myself to read them year round : ) My warmest wishes to everyone! And to those celebrating, Happy Holidays!

Santa String / SOLD. To see a note about this painting, see below.

This Christmas end a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind; be gentle. Appreciate. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Welcome a stranger. Take pleasure in the beauty and the wonder of Earth. Speak your love. Speak it again, speak it yet once more.

A note about this painting: These figures are made from what looks to be a type of pipe cleaner, with plastic heads and they're holding trees or wreaths. They are 4" high.

Notes from the collector: Definitely European. Probably vintage 30s. I love browsing antique shops. In December everything is overpriced. The rest of the year, it's in storage and it's fun to ask if they have anything. The friendly types of shop keepers will go back to their stock rooms and invariably come up with something.

ARTLOVE: Denis Sarazhin

It's been way too long since I did an ARTLOVE post but I discovered a painter online that has blown me away and wanted to share. His name is Denis Sarazhin and he paints with such complex, intricate marks and colour that I find I'm actually holding my breath when I look at his work. Exquisite. There is a quality to his work that reminds me of Egon Schiele and wow, does Sarazhin know colour. I could get lost in his works for days.

Wandering through streets of Kerch by Denis Sarazhin



Pantomime 5 by Denis Sarazhin


Corn by Denis Sarazhin

After Hours

Done! I have had a block with my latest abstract so I moved to something completely different for a bit of a break. This is "After Hours". Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas (edges painted black) / 24"x36" / $995.