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!!!!!!

Red Head Gallery Presents Brief Encounters, Lynn Christine Kelly

Brief Encounters, Lynn Christine Kelly's latest exhibition opened this week at Red Head Gallery, Toronto. 

I've attended all of Lynn's solo exhibitions with Red Head (she is my friend of 10+ years after all) but this time I was treated to a behind the scenes look as I was invited in to the space during the install.

When I entered the gallery I immediately felt as if the weight of this particularly long and cold winter (and delayed spring) lifted off my shoulders. I was thrilled to see how Lynn had Incorporated natural earth elements with her bronzes and sculptures.

The scent of the greenery, earth, and flowers, and the abundance of gallery lighting instantly lifted my mood.

Brief Encounters is part of Lynn's ongoing body of work concerning the cycles of life. The exhibition contains painting, drawing, sculpture and installation.

Brief Encounters

APRIL 2 - 26, 2014

RECEPTION: APRIL 12, 2 - 5pm

ARTIST WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE

401 Richmond Street West
Ground Floor, Suite 115
Toronto, Canada, M5V 3A8

Scorched Earth Opening at The Red Head Gallery.

I was thrilled to attend Lynn Christine Kelly's opening reception of Scorched Earth last night at the Redhead Gallery. Lynn's newest body of work is an exploration of our relationship with nature, and emphasizes the symbolic connotations of longevity and survival. The installation and collection of charcoal drawings are simply stunning. A large fiberglass sculpture of the base of a tree sits in the centre of the gallery. 

In her artist statement Lynn states "The work consists of wood wall sculptures, charcoal drawings on wood panel or linen, and a fractured sculpture of a burnt tree trunk. Making images of trees and then focusing on materials provided by trees, I am offering a reminder of humankinds' need for a connection to the rest of nature, the need to nurture our forests as well as each other, and a hope for resurrecting an abundance of respect for Mother earth and all the bounty available to us."

The gallery was a buzz throughout the evening and all enjoyed the work. Scorched Earth runs until October 27th.

Red Head Gallery

401 Richmond st W. Suite 115

Toronto, On

Gallery Hours Wed to Sat. 12-5

Lynn Christine Kelly and Teri Donovan