A Giveaway Celebration.

It happened last week right after I returned from Vegas. Very quietly without any fanfare. I reached 300 posts on my little blog. So today I celebrate. I never imagined this day back when I started blogging. I felt so out of it and out of place diving into a sea of fabulous bloggers with so much to say and share and so many beautiful images. But it was the perfect way for me to share new work and my thoughts about being a working artist in my own little corner of the world.

Some days it's been hard squeezing in a post and there are times when I just can't get to it. New paintings have to be painted, galleries calling with requests for new work, commissions, keeping up with my Etsy shop and doing art "just for me". Add to all this daily family life and it can get crazy. I am truly grateful to be doing what I love.

And I am truly grateful to all my readers. Yes you!! Today I celebrate all my beautiful blog friends. Those that have stopped by from the very beginning and those that are just joining me.

Pink Sky 6x6 Mixed Media on board.

I'm having a little giveaway and here is the original mixed media painting that you can win. "Pink Sky" is from the series of mixed media paintings that I feature in my Etsy shop.You can view more of the series here and here and here. My poor little Etsy shop has been sitting empty for awhile and is long overdue for some new mixed media paintings. That's where you come in and how you can win this giveaway.

Leave a comment with this blogpost and tell me what sort of imagery you'd like to see in my shop. Nature-birds and trees, industrial-urban, retro, still life objects, steampunk, travel etc. I have definite ideas for a new series but I'm curious as to what sort of imagery you are into these days. I have a friend who is so obsessed with owl imagery it fills her home. So go ahead, leave your comment and you could win. Feel free to pass this on and tell your friends. The more the merrier at a blog party. Comments will close Sunday at midnight (east coast time) and I'll announce the winner on Monday October 18.

Red Banana's Shop on Etsy Update.

Pink Sky 6x6 Mixed Media on Board

Click here to purchase

Five Roses Flour, Montreal. 6x6 Mixed Media on Board

Sold

Thank You.

Just a quick update on my shop. The Christmas in July sale continues until July 25th. Yesterday was a busy day and I ended up adding a few more items. There are now only 4 original mixed media paintings left. 50% off the original price. Just $12.50 each and as always shipping is free anywhere in Canada and the U.S. This is your last chance on this series. :-)

Edited 8:30 am. Just 2 left. Click here to view.

Christmas in July on Etsy.

Purple Twilight Original Mixed Media on Board

Sold

Thank You

Chartreuse Original Mixed Media on Board

Sold

Thank you

Winter Berries Original Mixed Media on Board

Sold

Thank You

It's Christmas in July on Etsy and I've marked down 7 of my original mixed media paintings by 50 %. Now you can snap them up for only $12.50 each and as always in Red Banana's shop, items ship free to Canada and the U.S. This sale will run until July 25th. After that date they will be gone for good as I will be totally re doing my shop. New and exciting things on the horizon. Stay tuned.

Thoughts for a Monday.

Thanks to all that made it out to my opening at Arts on Queen on Saturday. It was great to see you and chat about my work. Here are a few shots I took before it got too busy. For those those that couldn't join me, my paintings will be up until July 31st.

So here we are, another Monday upon us. The unpacking of boxes is taking much longer than I expected and has me frustrated. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for the fact that we were able to purchase this beautiful "dream" condo. I'm very fortunate for sure, but the moving and all that comes with it really did a number on my head. All kinds of emotions have been popping up from out of no where it seems. I guess that's why those reality television shows are so popular. You know the ones where people are forced to part with their mountains of stuff and clean and organize their lives. The cameras follow them through the process and you can watch them cry and scream in frustration, issues and emotions buried years before coming to the surface. For me it's more of that feeling you got as a child the day after Christmas. The toys have all been unwrapped and played with and there's an emptiness in the pit of your stomach. Now What???

I feel like that. I've been concentrating on two major events for the last few months and now they're over. The move is over. My show is hung, reception over. Now what??? I suppose I feel like every other "creative" out there and I'll be spending the next little while figuring out what's next with my painting. A new series, the next show, pimping my poor neglegted shop. Embarking on a new adventure is exciting and a little stressful too. For now I'll just continue to unpack. I'm just about done setting up the studio although I'm not sure if I'm ready to share a photo just yet. Soon, I promise.

A Gift of Art.

Chartreuse 6x6 mixed media on board

click here to purchase

Purple Twilight 6x6 mixed media on board

click here to purchase

Mother's day is fast approaching. Did you know giving mom original art is a great idea. My favorite Mother's day gifts were always the pictures, paintings and hand made cards (made with love) I received over the years. I have a few original mixed media paintings left in my Etsy shop. They make lovely gifts. Free shipping to Canada and the U.S.

Last Day for Spring Color Week.

"Winter Berries" 6x6 Mixed Media
Click Here to Purchase.

Here we are, it's Friday already. How fast did this week go by? I've had fun all this week playing along with Poppytalk and showing you mixed media originals from my shop. Today's color is blue. Robins egg blue and I've picked "Winter Berries" as it really has the feel of an early spring day.

This weekend will really feel like spring as we "spring ahead" to daylight savings time. I don't know about you but I'm really looking forward to the extra daylight. Hope you have a great weekend.

Thursday is Purple for Poppytalk's Spring Color Week.

"Purple Twilight" 6x6 Mixed Media
Click Here to Purchase.

Today is purple day for Poppytalk's spring color week. "Purple Twilight" is the newest mixed media painting in my shop. I painted this specifically for spring color week. All shades of purple are perfect for spring. Makes me think of lavender or freshly painted Easter eggs. This would make a great gift for Mother's day.

Playing along with Poppytalk-Today is Yellow.

Brooklyn Bridge 6x6 Mixed Media
SOLD Thank you!

Wednesday is yellow if you've been following along with Poppytalk's spring color week as I have. All of my picks for this weeks theme are available in my Etsy shop. Spring is the perfect time to spruce up your surroundings with original, affordable art. These mixed media minis also make great gifts.

Tuesday is Chartreuse.

Chartreuse 6x6 Mixed Media
Click Here to Purchase

Continuing with Poppytalk's spring color week. Today's color is green. Not a regular shade of green but a bright spring green, chartreuse. It's one of my favorite colors these days. It's just so bright and cheerful. I've updated Red Banana's shop on Etsy. That's my little shop where you can find all of my mixed media minis. And be sure to check out Poppytalk all week to get a big dose of spring color.

Spring Color Week at Poppytalk-Today is Pink.

Pink Sky 6x6 Mixed Media on Board
Click Here to Purchase

It's spring color week on Poppytalk. I had such fun playing along last fall, I thought I'd participate again. Each day is a different "spring" color, and I'll post one of my mixed media paintings in that color. Today is Pink. "Pink Sky" has a retro feel and makes me think of long days as a child spent at the amusement park. It's available for purchase (free shipping) in my Etsy shop.

Turquoise is the color for 2010.

SweetheartSinner Creations
Japanese Geisha Girl

Knee Deep Originals
Turquoise Dreams

Kerry Beary
Cha Cha Ltd. Edition Print

It's official. The Pantone color for 2010 is Turquoise. You can read Pantone's official release here. I'm so happy about this as turquoise really is one of my favorite colors. It's a blue green combo that I find very cheerful and reminds me of a tropical paradise. To honor turquoise, I searched by color on Etsy and found the above shops. Check them out.

Back to Business and the Sale Continues.

Spring Blossoms
Sold, Thank you

Joy
click here to purchase

Asian Inspired
click here to purchase

Today it's back to business. I've been in the studio organizing and cleaning my workspace most of the morning. This is the perfect time of year to purge the mountains of stuff that have accumulated on my work table. I've been bringing my calendar up to date, writing emails and connecting with galleries, and I even managed to start two new paintings. This afternoon will be spent working in my sketchbooks bringing new ideas for paintings to life as well as updating my website.

The 50% off sale continues in Red Banana's Etsy shop until the end of the month. This is the absolute last chance to grab my original paintings at these prices as at the end of the month I'll be taking them out of the shop for good.

Exciting changes are in the making. Stay tuned!

Winter Sale

Winter Berries 6x6 Mixed Media on Panel
Click Here to Purchase

Hiver/Winter 6x6 Mixed Media on Panel
Click Here to Purchase

Winter Fun 6x6 Mixed Media on Panel.
Sold. Thank you.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We finally have some of the white stuff and very cold temps. It certainly got me out of my bah humbug mood I've been experiencing of late. There's nothing like a blast of cold and snow to make me think of getting my lists together and preparing for the holidays. And here's a gentle reminder that I have plenty of original affordable art for your gift giving. Take advantage of my free shipping to Canada and the U.S. but I'd say don't delay to make sure your purchases arrive on time.

Chance of Showers

Chance of Showers 20x24 Acrylic on Canvas
Available at Art Interiors

Well here we are, December third and it does not feel like it at all. At least not here in Toronto. November was beautiful and it was the first November that we didn't receive snow in a very long time. We have been getting our share of rain which I don't mind at all as I'm not a big fan of the white stuff. OK, I do enjoy it in December and it's always nice to have a white Christmas but for me, that's it.

Yesterday I met up with Sherry and we went to the Distillery to enjoy the coffee at Balzac's and to catch up with things in person. As we walked through the Distillery and enjoyed the decorations and the smell of fresh evergreens the sun was shining bright and it was reminiscent of a spring day.

The next few weeks will be a flurry of activity with openings to attend, dinners and lunches with friends and family and all that goes along with this time of year. I'm trying to schedule regular time in the studio and yes, new paintings are definitely coming along. I've also been planning ahead and there will be some exciting changes coming up in the new year. For now, I'll close with a little link love. Bella Rennie has some wonderful Holiday Cards in the shop and is offering free shipping for the month. Gabriela Delworth has a few copies of her book Paper Head Dresses available in her shop. The 16th Annual Festival of Smalls continues at Art Interiors.

My Etsy Faves Part 5

LeelaRocks
Turqoiuse Sea Necklace

Sprout Bunny
Stitchface

RJCharms
Snowflake Winter Charm Earrings

Poetic Designs
Vintage Dragonfly Necklace

Makeitawesome
White Rabbit With Santa Hat

Here are the picks for the last instalment of My Etsy Faves, rather fitting for Cyber Monday. It's been fun sharing all these wonderful shops with you. For those of you in the Toronto area Sonja Ahlers of Makeitawesome is exhibiting in the One of a Kind Show. I saw a bunny in a teacup that was too cute! And now on to the shameless self promotion part of this post, please be sure to visit my shop. Selected paintings are 50% off and I offer free shipping to Canada and the U.S.

Black Friday Cyber Monday and a Holiday Sale in My Etsy Shop

Martini
Click here to purchase

There's a sale going on in my shop right now. I've made my already affordable art even more affordable. Selected paintings have been reduced by 50%. New items will be listed daily and shipping is free to Canada and the United States. Make your holiday shopping easy and enjoyable this year. And as I've been known to say "original art makes a great gift!"

My Etsy Faves Part 4

Mya's Eyes Boutique
Kusudama Ball Christmas Ornament Origami

Yellowgoat
A Perfect Match Matchbox Necklace Silver Edition

Mana Moon Studios
Truth Be Told

Bluebird Lane
Shabby French Tags with Crown

Nahanibluette
La Torur Eiffel Paris Set of Six Gift Tags

Please enjoy my Etsy Fave Shops Part 4. These shops have loads of fun items perfect for gift giving and gift wrapping. Now go shopping!

BoGo in Red Banana's Shop.

I'm having a special event in my Etsy shop this weekend. BoGo or Buy One Get One!! Anyone who purchases a painting from my shop will receive one of the watercolor paintings above as a free gift from me. Each watercolor painting is an original painting (done by myself) and is matted in a soft white mat board. They measure 8"x10" and fit a standard 8x10 frame. You can even choose which one you'd like by letting me know in an Etsy convo or an email. Perfect to give as a gift or to keep for yourself. This event will expire at midnight (EST) Sunday November 22, or while quantities (the 5 shown above) last.

My Etsy Faves Part 3

Half Dozen
By The Altered Page

LUXE Collection Smoke and Blush
By Nest Pretty Things

Small Porcelain Bud Vase
By Stepanka Ceramics

Small Woven Metal Cross
By Art by Dawn Hunt

Mainly White
by Lucy Jewel Seaglass

Hi There. Hope you enjoyed a great weekend. It's time for my 3rd instalment of My Etsy Faves. Here are photos of my favorites, but please explore each shop further. We have some very talented artists here.

My Etsy Faves Part 2

Happy Monday!!! Hope you had an enjoyable weekend. We had stupendous weather and it felt more like June than November. Today I'm back with my second instalment of My Etsy Faves. I've selected my favorites but you should definitely check out these wonderful shops and see all the fabulous items offered.

Toronto Building Cocktail Napkins

by Avril Loreti

Blue Hydrangea Print
by Den 10 Studio

Blue Flowers Card
by Rochelle 31

The Arctic Hare and the Polar Bear
by Creative Thursday

Secret
by Veronica Funk