Thanks Sylviane!

I've been awarded the Sunshine Blogger award from French artist, Sylviane. Thank you! I encourage others to check out her blog (my favourite painting is Camille : ). I had the pleasure of receiving this award just recently, where I posted the blogs of some of the artists I quite admire. I'll take this opportunity to just say how much I've been enjoying everyone's work and how inspiring it is to check the blogs every morning and see such a feast for the eyes.

Grapes and berries - SOLD

Hadn't painted grapes in a long time. Liked all that dark with the lush reds.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Stolen moments - SOLD

Two finding a quiet corner of the room... loving their stolen moment, preferring each other's company to the rest of the party's. This goes out to - ah...he knows who he is : )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / SOLD

Shelter - SOLD

As in the strawberry. The cracked rim of the coconut, with the little berry nestled inside, is my favourite part of this painting. After people's comments yesterday I can't wait to try baking with fresh coconut. I think macaroons are in order : )

oil on panel / 6" x 6" /SOLD

Cracked! - SOLD

Wish I was painting them from a place of their origin rather than my studio on a snowy afternoon ; ) We bought this coconut on New Years Eve but didn't split it open till last night. I'm going to try grating it and using it for baking - never done that before. Wonder if I'll taste a difference?

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Dish stack

I was playing around with stacking different dishes in my studio, and settled on this arrangement. Some different shapes, calm and harmonious colours. I broke the rule and cut the composition in half - I just thought it looked better that way today!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Power up

A view from my studio window. I'd never taken the time to really look at these things. There's quite a bit going on up there!

6" x 8" / oil on panel / $75

To cut the sweet...

I love romance and all that is good and lovely in the world, but I commiserate with those who find Valentine's Day depressing and manufactured. Sometimes you want a little tart to the sweet, you know?

A few years back, my two youngest were into drawing monsters, and made a collection of their drawings. Actually - they're still doing them and I think they're AWESOME!! I keep them all. I love the artistry of Tim Burton and like to think I've passed my affection down : ).

So today I am posting some embroidery work I did in 08 of some of their work. I am making a monster quilt. I tried to stay true to colours they drew with, and in the case of pencil drawings I asked them what colours they envisioned. These squares have been completed for over a year but since I don't know anything about sewing/quilting they've stayed in my closet. I have to get this project done!

Anyway Happy Love Day - whether it's romantic, platonic, or just lovin' planet earth - and all the magic and treasures that are here waiting for us if we just open our eyes.

Winter scrub - SOLD

A typical Ontario winter scene.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / SOLD

Royal spectators - SOLD

It's a Royal Gala apple. Just trying to get catchy with my titles ; ) I enjoyed painting this one. The apple gave me a bit of a struggle - I've always found the apples that are a mix of green and red streaks tricky to paint but this time I got closer to the look without the apple looking too fragmented.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Two of a kind - SOLD

More flowers today. I set up a complimentary colour scheme for this one - liked the snap.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / SOLD

Two flowers

I'm enjoying winter so far but I have to say...I LOVE spring! Flowers and dirt!! They always make me feel good : )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $100

February escarpment - SOLD

Another scene from the hiking trail. This section of rock is just to the left from yesterdays piece. The snow is on it's way tonight!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Morning Sunshine

I have received the Sunshine Blogger award from Mary Anne Cary. Thank you Mary Anne! A nice surprise : ) Mary Anne's work is fresh and beautiful.

The rules for accepting this award are:

Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

Pass the award on to 12 bloggers.

Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

Link to the person from whom you received this award.

I have copious blogs that I follow daily, and many artists who inspire me. It was a task paring it down to 12 but here they are. I am happy to pass this along to:

1. Tony Allain

2. David Lloyd

3. Jala Pfaff

4. Terry Banderas

5. Arthur Simo

6. Pierre Raby

7. David Scott Meier

8. Trish Siegel

9. James Martin

10. Heather Horton

11. Elizabeth Fraser

12. Annie Salness

Precipice - SOLD

This is a scene from a hiking trail near my place. The sun had cast a beautiful glow on the rocks, and there - perched high above - sat one lovely tree.

6" x 8" / oil on panel / $75 / SOLD

Safe House "Quilt"

Since February is Black History month I thought I'd post this piece I created last year called Safe House. I had heard a story that quilts were hung to direct slaves to freedom and decided to read up on it. I found a book called Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by J.L. Tobin and R.G. Dobard. I found it fascinating. Among the various stories was one that compelled me to create this work. Apparently traditional "log cabin" designs had interior squares of red to symbolize the hearth fire. The people that were part of the Underground Railroad made log cabin quilts with black centers and hung them over fences and on laundry lines. When slaves (who were escaping) saw this pattern, they knew it was a safe house. Thus, the messages were "hidden in plain view". After reading up on this a bit more, I found out that historians are divided on the veracity of these quilts. It's one of those things that makes a lot of sense to me though and I choose to believe it.

mixed media/collage on canvas

Untitled

Just finished this ( I think I've finished it) so I haven't come up with a title yet. I began this piece in fall and put it aside, not sure which direction to go with it. The "bones" were there, but I still had more to do. It was painted in an old cedar grove that feels quite magical. The ground is like sponge, the scent woodsy and green and once inside you're cushioned from ambient noise. Serenity. These four twisted, beautiful trunks rose from the ground and made me think of a group of old friends or siblings.

30" x 40" / acrylic on canvas

Donut & coffee

Okay - I won't say what type coffee is filling this cup! LOL

I also wanted to mention to my fellow blog artists/readers that I came across a great blog from an artist named Tony Allain who began daily posting in January. I think his work is awesome and just wanted to share.

6"x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Homage to Timmy's

If it was a proper salute the coffee would be in the brown paper cup : ) Which reminds me...does anyone prefer coffee from the golden arches over Timmy's? Believe me - I am no great fan of that chain - but I have to call it as I taste it. I think their coffee is far superior! I know - it's almost sacrilegious to say so, but hey - that's my experience. If you don't understand the controversy, well...it's a Canadian thing ; )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Daisies in silver - SOLD

A bunch of daisies in my silver pot. I like the strong contrast of the white petals against the dark back drop.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Looking out

Another stab at the espresso cup. It will need a few more tries till I'm happy with it, I think. A little frustrated today. I am beginning to miss plein air painting. It used to be about all I did but I have wimped out this winter. Actually, throughout this blog I have mostly been doing studio painting (and have learned a lot) but I am looking forward to slightly warmer weather, when I will go out and paint the landscape.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / NFS

Ahhh...

Ahhh, a little cup of espresso to start off February. I got this cup last week because I just fell in love with the colour - a real old-fashioned milky blue. Funny, I don't even drink espresso. I'm more of a cappuccino girl : )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Bed of roses

Sunday post: where I take the day off and post something from my website.

This is an experimental painting. I painted from my head without any planning, rough sketch etc... just went at it. I was really into Klimt at the time and you can see his influences. Actually, I'm still into him : ) Loved his sense of pattern and design.

24" x 30" / acrylic on canvas

Pucker up!

The citrus scent was delicious when I sliced this juicy lemon. Truly I just wanted to sink my teeth into it even though I knew it would make me pucker up something awful. A good shot of vitamin C. As for the painting itself, I'm kind of fond of the wedge on the right : ) I got the glow I was chasing.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Magic in a vase - SOLD

I love painting flowers. I think of them like a bunch of miracles. Just think of what a seed looks like - a little speck of brown - or think of a bulb buried in the icy, frozen soil. And every spring, tender green shoots emerge and buds pop up and flourish into these intricate, luscious, delicate blooms (that showcase impressive patterns and intricate designs). Yes, I know I'm stating the obvious but sometimes I just think it's all magic : )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Orange row - SOLD

Perhaps I'm dreaming of summer, wanting to paint oranges and lemons. They are a nice shock of colour. Wondering if I added enough darks to the oranges? Maybe not 3-D enough. I thought about this while I was painting but then stopped myself from going further. I was conscious of wanting to keep it light and bright - but not sure if they now are reading too flat. Will have to experiment with that.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

In a squeeze - SOLD

And who hasn't felt that?!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / SOLD

Silver, green and gold - SOLD

Or perhaps "Surfaces from hell" lol. But I feel pretty good. I know in summer this would have been a complete nightmare for me. So - yay! - you do learn over time : ) The vessel to the left was silver, and the green candle lantern is ribbed glass, and then there is the flower.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75 / SOLD

That 70s star - SOLD

But really - doesn't it look like a sassy little number with her hand on her hip on the yellow carpet? I recently picked up this copper creamer - very 70s-looking - at a thrift shop. Who knew it would make a good gown?! I hear "Staying Alive" pumping in the background...

6" x 6" / oil on panel / SOLD

Yellow tulips

Sunday post: where I take the day off and post something from my website. Today I thought a bright painting was in order. It's been awfully gray and rainy the past 24 hours so here's a shot of spring for all those under the same conditions :)

acrylic / 12" x 16"

Fragments

This is that beautiful, faux depression glass bowl that I bought for a buck ;-) I think what I love about it so much is the colour. When I shone the light on it, shards of robins egg blue and turquoise sparkled. I threw the lemon and cherries in there for a bit of bounce.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75 / SOLD

Tumbling cherries - SOLD

I keep painting these cherries while they last. Yeah...I like to buy local and all that - and definitely purchase it whenever it is an option - but I couldn't resist these cherries from Chile. First of all, I had a craving to paint them after seeing Carol Marine's, and secondly - they really do taste great. I know - it's hard to believe after coming all that way - but they taste like the ones down the road!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75 / SOLD

Hide & seek

I really like painting bowls and plates from a birds-eye view. Love the circles. I had a lot fun with the shapes and colour on this one.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

7 cherries - SOLD

Seven delicious cherries. Firm and sweet. Ahhh...makes me daydream of July...

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Good morning

This is for Carol who asked when I was going to do orange. Orange it is : ) I finally went out thrift store shopping today and picked up a couple of items. I found a couple of nice things - I'll see what I can do with them tomorrow!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / n/a

Neutrals

I hadn't planned ahead today and as a result didn't have much for a set-up so I did a bunch of glass and neutrals. A challenge for sure. I'll have to go back to this again. And I really need to go still-life hunting : )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / n/a

Red herring

Sunday post (where I post something from my website): Red Herring

The past couple of days I've picked a colour and set-up a still life around it. It seems fitting to show a collage from a series I did in 2008, that was based on colour in language. For each piece I explored terms of speech incorporating colours, and tried to portray the literal and figurative meaning in the collage. With this piece I didn't depict the figurative meaning (a bit tough) but you will find a herring coloured red, a penny (red cent), a red hand (caught red-handed) as well as red tape (and who's not familiar with that!).

22.5" x 30" / collage on watercolour paper

Awash in blue

Yesterday was reds, today I gathered up everything I could find in my studio that was blue. So there is my new blue glass bowl, a pot of metallic ink, a favourite teacup, a spool of thread (back from when I was sewing things onto this collage) and an empty tin of Gypsy Tea (that my friend Dawn introduced me to). It is all sitting quite comfortably on a scrap of batik fabric from my sister-in-law.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75 /

Study in red - SOLD

I tried to play around with my still life set-up a bit more today. I tossed a couple of apples in my new red glass dollar store vase, and then laid the amaryllis bloom in front. I'm realizing that it really helps to have a number of objects right at hand in my studio, so that I don't have to "settle" with a set-up I'm not very excited about. This will mean hunting for some more items at thrift shops, and then getting a shelf to properly store said objects. Right now I have about five. Boy - if you could see my studio now...well, let's just say I've got my work cut out for me. P.S. If anyone has tips on how to title paintings a bit more creatively, I'm all ears : )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Winter greenery - SOLD

Another view out my studio window. A typical January scene.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75