stepping out of the box

Sometimes you just have to shake things up! I have been feeling somewhat boxed in lately in many ways. It's time for new beginnings. Rebirth. Time to start fresh and "just do it". I have given myself permission to play more in the studio with new techniques, different styles, colours out of my norm. I am looking forward to re-visiting things I used to do in the past with a new eye. Watercolours, mixed media, collage and photography. I have been loving my new digital camera that I purchased last year and will be incorporating some images into my work. The esty shop will be up and running asap and you will be able to purchase my works there.

This is "Sassy One" and "Sassy Too" (get the humour!!) They are each 12x12 acrylic on paper.

The importance of thinking and being green.

It seems only fitting that with yesterdays very successful Earth Hour that my first post back after my hiatus is about "the importance of thinking and being green". Did you participate last night? Are you taking steps everyday to help fight climate change and to be more environmentally friendly? I am a very proud Canadian today as Canada lead the world in Earth Hour. Baby steps yes, but a wonderful start. I remember having long discussions about the environment in high school. It's amazing to me how much our earth has changed in 30 years. I have been making more changes around the house and studio lately as well as upping my three R's-re-duce, re-use, re-cycle. I am very happy to be participating in the Art of Nature Show and Sale that is happening during the Green Living Show this month in Toronto. "Old Cottage Path" 36x60, $3800.00 is the painting that I've donated to this sale. 75% of the sale price will be donated to various environmental and conservation organizations such as WWF and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Get more information here.

Spring Break

I will be away from the blog for a week or so. It's time for some badly needed R&R. Some spring cleaning of the mind if you will. I am not quite sure which direction this blog is headed yet. I have been reading a lot of artist's blogs lately and some of them are just wonderful. Full of tips and techniques for other artists and wannabes or just a glimpse into what it's like being a full time professional artist. One that makes a living from their art. Others use it as a selling tool to sell work. There are "daily" painters at a few sites such ashttp://www.dailypaintworks.com/

One of my favourite artists here is Michael Naples. http://michaelnaples.blogspot.com/ His food looks good enough to eat. I especially love the cherries. These are little paintings (usually 6x6) that speak to me. Everyday things. Things around the house or outside your window.

I am feeling the need to get back to doing some smaller "daily" paintings as well as my larger landscapes. Perhaps this is the direction of my blog. For now I'll leave you with "Treeline". A 36x48 landscape that sold a few weeks ago.