important note to self

after a very busy week, with extra days in the office, and a growing pile of post it notes on my work desk, I have the day off…..time for tea and art with my girl…..this very important note to self appears…..this one needs prompt attention!  might have to take it to the office with me on Monday….or is it better kept here….both places could benefit….maybe I will go make some more “fun notes to self” right now!

hope you are moving forward, moving on, letting go and opening up to the possibility of every moment….I am going to keep on trying!  and in the trying, at the very least, I will avoid getting stuck!

xo

not stuck

wings out S T R E T C H E D

Sometimes it pays to procrastinate!  I have been mulling over various painting ideas for an upcoming art show for months now.  Luckily, I had not started painting any of them over the holidays (as planned) because a photo popped up earlier this week on the internet that grabbed my attention.  Just as we were getting an unexpected snowfall on Gabriola, I was being inspired by this captivating image of a snowy owl in flight that was photographed by Transport Canada’s traffic camera along a highway in Montreal. Isn’t she incredible!?

snow owl swoops in for a selfie

Having spent too much time trying to decide on too many ideas, the snow outside the window and this snowy owl made the decision for me.  Another bonus to having delayed my start on this piece is that apparently the chocolate advent calendars from the recycle bins make excellent palettes!  Best of all is the fact that this image speaks to my creative heart like none of the other ideas had done.  So with these outstretched wings taking shape on the 6 x 36 inch canvas I was given for next weekend’s art show, I am almost ready to join nearly 50 other artists to get Stretched!

owl begins to take shapeadding more colour

almost

I just need to paint the eyes and finish the background.  I hope you will come see how she turns out!  Did I mention that my daughters are both putting the finishing touches on two of these extra long canvasses too?  They will not let me give you a peek just yet, so you really will have to come to the show on Gabriola next weekend (at the Women’s Institute Hall).  You will find us and our art at the opening Friday night from 7 – 9 pm (with wine & cheese).  Or pop in Saturday or Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm.  Come see how each artist has stretched themselves!  In the meantime, check out the Facebook page for more sneak previews!

P.S.  Here is what this happy artist looked like when she got snow this week!  Now do you see why the snowy owl called to me so much!? snow day = happy girl

making Christmas cards

I love this time of year, the early days of preparing for the holidays when we have lots of ideas and lots of time to make them happen (or so we think).  The kids have already designed and created their linocut Christmas card designs and have been hand printing all week (wait til you see the neon pink!) and I have been getting the itch to make my own cards.  But I have lent the lino cutting stuff to another family and so I am trying my hand at something new.

Peace is something I have been yearning more and more for these days, on the Earth and in my heart.  After a week of bright moonlit skies, this image seems to call to me.   So I added some digital text to a painting that I think is perfect for sending holiday greetings from the west coast. Now I need your help in deciding which design I should get printed. Please tell me which one is your favourite…

peace on earth scriptpeace on earth scratchpeace on earth  lightpeace on earth card large peace

dive DEEP

What do you do when there is a heat wave? Jump in the sea of course! ….and this is certainly a mermaid summer for me and my girls.  Speaking of the sea….here’s a little peek at a painting I did for my little sister in honour of her BIG 4-0.  It is called “Dive Deep” and captures a piece of the Tofino shores where she was born and spent her early childhood.  I feel like the fourties are a time when we truly dig deeper to find our true selves.  I included a big bright moon in this piece to help shine some light on my sister through this important journey.  May we all SHINE our own true light in the coming years.

dive deep