New Mixed Media Paintings in Red Banana's Shop

Brooklyn Bridge 6x6 mixed media on board
click here to purchase

I'm still in a New York state of mind even though it's been months since we were there. Out of my memories (and the dozens of photos I took) came this newest mixed media piece now available along with 5 other new pieces in my shop. It's been a crazy week with lots of paintings being delivered to various galleries, new ideas making their way onto paper and canvas, dreams being dreamed, coffee and creative dialogue with the beautiful Sherry, and squeezing in time for a few power walks to enjoy the colors of the season. I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend. Hope you have a great one.

Shop Update, New Mixed Media Paintings.

Just popping in to say that my shop will be updated with 6 new mixed media paintings this Friday Oct 30. All 6 paintings will be up by noon eastern time. These paintings are a continuation of the series I have in the shop right now. They are 6x6, mixed media on panel. I've incorporated my digital photography, collage, graphite, PITT artist pen, acrylic paint, gloss medium. As these are done on a hard panel they look great simply displayed on a bookshelf or mantel, but they can also be popped into a frame. Just in time for holiday gift giving. And you know I've always thought original art makes a great gift.

Monday Already?

Islands 36x60 Acrylic on Canvas

Click here to Purchase

Good Monday! How was your weekend? Mine was a flurry of activity. The usual weekend chores with a whole lot of work thrown in. I finished up a few larger paintings, and even delivered 3 paintings including "Islands" to Canvas Gallery.

Last week in my blog reading frenzy I came across Simply Hue. A delightful blog with lots of color. Vicki is an artist and color consultant and her blog is a wonderful reflection of this. She even has an Etsy shop Simply Hue Designs featuring her lovely photography. I just love the retro feel to her photographs. I'm happy to say that I and Red Banana (my Etsy shop) is one of 15 artists that will be featured in Simply Hue's Artist Spotlight, in the first week of November. Click here to see Vicki's post and the list of artists.

For now it's in to the studio I go, as I'm madly working on new mixed media paintings that will soon go in my shop. I'll keep you posted!

Distractions, Distractions.

Pidgeons 6x6 Mixed Media on Board

Sold Thank You

It's been three days of distractions in my studio and I've not been as productive in my painting as I'd like to be. There are so many things that need to be done that are part of being an artist and running an art business besides the actual painting.

There's the inspiration and creativity. For me, it sort of just happens and when there's a "lull" in this department I start to get worried. Then there's the studio part, the preparation of canvases and getting the ideas down. Varnishing, photographing, listing. and then there's the business part of it. Arranging shows and venues to sell the work, dealing with galleries, managing my on line shop and networking.

It's the networking that has taken me away from the easel this week. I just can't seem to get away from this computer and blogs. I've discovered many new blogs this week and as much as I enjoy reading and sharing it's begun to keep me away from the job at hand. I'll be painting and I'll hear that "bing" that means I have mail. This is how the conversation with myself goes.

"I'll just check it, it might be really important. Hmmm, not the email I was waiting for but since I'm here I'll just check my Google Reader" and then when I resurface I realize the paint has dried on my brush, so I pull myself away and get back to the painting. And so here I am again as I really wanted to get a post done today. Maybe I'll just close this laptop up for awhile and focus! And I'll post a "link love" post soon and share my new faves with you.

Weekend Round-up, Mixed Media Monday.

Hi. I hope your weekend was enjoyable. I did a little bit of everything. Shopping, cleaning, chores, painting, and a little relaxing too. I even managed to get in a little baking. I don't bake very much in the summer but when the temperature cools I like to bake some treats now and then. So far this fall I've made 2 plum tarts an apple pie and some pumpkin muffins from a recipe I found over on Heather's blog. Yum!! They were a big hit here. Sometime this week I'll try my hand at making date squares.

Continuing from last week I've spent most of today working in mixed media on Jill's book. It's part of Inner Works, an altered book round robin that I've been involved with since the beginning of this year. Here's a sneak peek at a few of the pages. I think I'm just about done just a few more things to add. I'll be receiving my book soon and will share the wonderful work that's been added by Seth, Jill, Roxanne, Veronica, and Supria.

I've also enjoyed exploring Caterina's blog (new to me) La Dolce Vita. Her mixed media work is fabulous, the bird songs are very soothing-and the cats love it!

What Inspires Me These Days.

The cold crispness in the air
baking
leaves changing color
texture, lots of texture
working on the last altered book with inner works
neutrals with shots of color
humour
truth and honesty
walking
blogging friends
black and white photography
dinner with friends
my magazine stash
color chips from paint stores
visiting galleries
hope
window shopping
positivity
photos from recent new york trip
japanese papers
nature

what's inspiring you these days??







all photos copyright rita vindedzis

New in My Shop.

Stillness 10x8 Acrylic on board
Click here to purchase

It's been very busy here in my studio. Last week "to do" lists were getting the better of me, But today was great. Eight items on my list for today with six items already crossed off. I'll see if I can get to the other two later in the evening. New paintings are being listed almost daily in RedBanana's Shop (my Etsy shop) and there's plenty of affordable art available for gift giving. New mixed media paintings coming soon.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all that celebrate this weekend. We didn't make the drive to Montreal this year to be with that side of the family as we had a Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony to attend on Friday. Congratulations again Erik!! Today will be spent with family and friends here in Toronto with a big meal, some wine and some good conversation. To me, one of the most beautiful sites is the leaves turning color at this time of year. The abundance of reds, yellows and browns against a crisp blue sky. Just beautiful and I'm reminded of all the good in my life. I have so much to be thankful for. Wishing everyone a great weekend!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Be Your Own Super Hero Zine

October is breast cancer awareness month. Yesterday, I found a lovely envelope in my mailbox. You see last week I read this post on Sherry's blog, Everyday Possibilities. I immediately followed the link and found myself at So You Want to be a Super Hero, a new project created by Sherry Smyth along with 7 contributors, all women, artists, bloggers and super heros. In this wonderful zine, each contributor tells in her own words what being a super hero is to them. The zines were $10 ($2 for postage) and the remaining $8 going towards the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I read the zine from cover to cover last night and found the stories very inspiring. It seems rather fitting that I'm talking about this project today as it's Pink Thoughts Thursday over on Sherry's blog.

"While this zine has been produced as a breast cancer fund raiser, it isn't just about having breast cancer, or trying to conquer breast cancer. It is about hope, faith, spirit and love. It is about knowing how wonderful we are, what joy we can discover about ourselves, one another and in the world around us."

Sherry Smyth

Sherry Smyth
Everyday Possibilities

Paula Bogdan
Little Scraps of Magic

Kim de Broin Mailhot
Queen of Arts

Lulu Kellogg
Coastal Sisters

Charlotte Littlejohn
Artful Collections

Carolyn Lodge
Magpie Pixie

Brandi Reynolds
Joy Rebel

Roben-Marie Smith
Robenmarie.com

Studio Daze

Romancing the Stone
8x10 Acrylic on Board

The next few weeks will be a whirlwind here in my studio. With so many things on the go I find myself in a daze at moments. I'll be delivering new works to a few galleries, including small works for the upcoming holiday season. I'll also be updating RedBanana's Shop on Etsy (my online shop) with new affordable art. Romancing the Stone was inspired by a trip to San Fransisco years ago. I pulled out the many slides I took and remembered how I loved (and still find great inspiration) in gargoyles and architecture. This will be one of many new paintings available. Stay tuned to my blog as I'll be letting you know here when the sale starts. And you know you'll always hear me say "original art makes a great gift!!"

Autumn Colour Week-Play Along with Poppytalk-Red

Sunset in Red 18x18 Acrylic oon Canvas
sold

Evening Sky 18x18 Acrylic on Canvas
sold

Abstracted Landscape in Red 24x48 Acrylic on Canvas
sold

Well here we are. Today is Friday and that means it's Red!! The last day that I'm playing along with Poppytalk's Autumn Colour Week. Thanks Poppytalk for this wonderfully colourful prompt!! It's funny, I haven't done many red paintings lately. A few years ago I was really into the colour, but my palette has changed to the cool and soothing tones of blues and grays. This is really evident in the small landscapes available in my shop. Thanks to you for joining me in this fun tribute to the colours of Autumn. Have a great weekend!!

Brown-Autumn Colour Week

Sunset Path 36x48 Acrylic on Canvas
sold

Summer Sunset 36x48 Acrylic on Canvas
available

Still playing along with Poppytalk blog's Autumn Colour week. Brown is the colour of the earth. I use deep browns in many of my paintings as it's a natural in landscapes. Many decorators and stylists use browns in their designs. It's a very rich and classy colour.