Little Abstracts on Paper.

Happy Monday!! It's hard to believe that Spring is only 53 days away, while the eastern seaboard is experiencing a nor'easter. I feel bad for friends in NYC as they're expecting a ton of snow. Keep safe.

Today I'm sharing some very 'spring like' little abstract paintings. They are all acrylic on paper and I painted them with my publisher in mind last summer. I really enjoy working with Canadian Art Prints as I get to play and explore a variety of different subject matter and techniques. I certainly don't get bored in my line of work. I paint many pieces and out of dozens, only a few will get chosen to be published. If you wish you can see my new releases here.

 Pink Abstract No.2  

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Pink Abstract No.1  

acrylic on paper 8x8

 Citrus No.1

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Citrus No.2

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Rhythm No.1

acrylic on paper  8x8

Rhythm No.2

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Circles No.1

acrylic on paper  8x8

 Circles No.2

acrylic on paper  8x8

 At the Shore No.2

acrylic on paper  16x20

At the Shore

acrylic on paper  16x20

My Year Ahead.

I'm back in the studio after two meetings this morning and am super motivated. I've been meeting weekly with another artist/friend since last November. These meetings are all about goals, both career and personal, and keeping each other accountable and on track. Of course there is some small talk and plenty of coffee involved.

The Cityline crew taping in my home/studio.

Much was accomplished last year and probably the highlight was my art/design segment that I worked on with Sharon Grech for Cityline. That dream/goal was a year in the making and well worth the effort. The summer months brought some excitement when I noticed that a couple of my published posters were bestsellers online. Travel is oh soooooo inspiring and there were three trips to Vegas (I know!!) and one to NYC. There were also plenty of field trips to the AGO and local galleries, and I said good-bye to an artist friend that left the country to follow her heart (brave soul)

This coming year is being planned and mapped out. I didn't always do this in fact for so much of my life I just 'let it happen' but now I know that once written down, that dream becomes a goal and attainable.

What I know for sure.

Exercise and eating right are key for me to stay motivated, inspired and happy. Not so much the eating right, that I'm quite good with, but when I get really really busy, the exercise is the first to go. I won't do that this year. The workouts are scheduled in and will happen regularly!!

I need to get out!! Long days painting in the studio can be isolating. I need to get out every day for a twenty minute break, grab a coffee or just a walk around the block. 

A few goals from the past couple of years that were put on hold for one reason or other will be on my calendar this year. The timing is right.

I am going to ask for what I want. Step out of my comfort zone more often, and dream big. I'm not going to let my 'inner critic' screw with me as much. Look out 2015, I've got this!!!!!!

Into the Light.

So the last few weeks have been crazy around here. I was working towards a deadline for my publisher and needless to say there was chaos. I was working on paper so that meant not only was the worktable being used, I had to spread the papers out on the floor to dry. You know what that meant right? some of them were adorned with cute little cat paw prints. If you want, you can see my posters with Canadian Art Prints & Winn Devon here.

I did find time one morning to sort through my rock and mineral collection. While doing so it gave me some time to think about how my art has been changing over the years-especially the last four. Going through a personal crisis really affected the type of art I was putting out. I went through a period there where my work was very dark and moody. I used alot of black and dark neutrals.

My urban cityscapes were especially 'moody' Some even called them somber. To me they were a reflection of my mood at the time. Now that I`m out of that emotional funk, my paintings are definitely getting lighter in mood and color. I still like neutrals and find them very soothing, but I've been using lighter versions of neutrals lately. Pale blues and greens like the many shades of beach glass. Light grays in warm and cool versions.

Taking some time away now. I`ll be in Vegas with my sweetie who surprised me with a trip for my birthday.
If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter (or both) I'll be posting pics along the journey.

Be Back Soon.

It's been crazy busy here lately. Not just with this insane ice storm the north east received, but with the usual hectic pace of year's end. We were lucky and never lost power. The rest of my family and a few friends didn't fare so well. In fact my parent's home is still without power and they had some major damage to home and car from falling tree limbs covered in ice. Everyone was safe and sound though and that's what counts. 

There's been much going on in the studio also. Behind the scenes stuff, already planning for next year. Thank you to all that have purchased my art this past year. Thank you to the galleries that include me in their family of artists. Thank you to my publishers, my FB friends and fans, and Twitter followers. Thank you to all that have let me know that my art has inspired them in some way, and has brought them good feelings. For all of you I'm grateful.

Not sure if  I'll get another post up before 2014. I'm thinking I might just take a bit of me time and be totally self indulgent and do nothing for a couple of days.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.

Happy Holidays.

All the best for the New Year.

Peace on Earth.

Love.

On Being Published.

Vibrant 1 12x12

Canadian Art Prints

Last week Canadian Art Prints released their Summer 2013 supplement and I was thrilled to see that ten of my paintings are included in this new release. Working with Canadian Art Prints is a dream for me as I get to explore and paint a variety of different subject matter and expand on my painting style. Vibrant 1 is just one of the abstracts. There are eight in the 'ikat' theme which is so on trend right now. Also published 'OceanView' (from my previous post) and 'Whispering'.

I really enjoy being a versatile artist and I certainly don't get bored in the studio. 

New Releases Coming Soon.

I've been holding on to this news for so long now but the time has come to finally share it with all of you. I've been working very closely with my publisher Canadian Art Prints since last August and ....Drum roll please.....

Ocean View 

Part of the summer release

Canadian Art Prints and Winn Devon

Some new paintings have been included in the summer release in June. Yay!! Here's a sneak peek that Canadian Art Prints and Winn Devon Art Group posted on their Facebook page a little while ago. My entire portfolio with Canadian Art Prints can be viewed here.

Works In Progress.

March has been all about studio time and painting. I have 12 paintings in various stages of completion and 3 that have been finished and signed. They still need to be varnished but I'll devote a whole day or 2 to varnishing once all have been finished and signed.

Close to finished

I wanted to go larger with the mini (6x6) restaurant signs I did last year for the Festival of Smalls and so I'm working on 30x30 canvases. This size seems to be my sweet spot for now as it frees me up to paint a little looser. Something I've been striving for. Loose and painterly. There are a few abstracts on the go as well but I won't share those on the blog until I get a few done (at least 6) in the series.

Halfway done

I've been keeping some exciting news under wraps for quite awhile now. I can say that I've been working very closely with my publisher for the past year. Stay tuned...

Today in the Studio.

I've been busy working on 2 major projects this week. The first 2 photos are of the commission I mentioned in an earlier post. I'll spill the beans on this very exciting project next week but here's a sneak peek. I'm using a very specific color palette and I've started with the under painting of one of the canvases. There is so much more that will be added here.

The very colorful pages are studies and inspiration pieces for a submission I'm working on for my publishers. The week has had a nice balance painting wise.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the U.S. and yes I'll have the Macy's parade on while I paint in the studio tomorrow morning. Gobble gobble! :-)