Just Another Day.

Just Another Day 20x24 Acrylic on canvas

Available at Arts on Queen

"Fresh" hangs until July 31st

It's just another day here in the studio. I think this is the week that all things will finally fall into place since our move almost one month ago. New furniture will be delivered and picked up today. They'll be assembled and installed, others will be switched and moved around. My paints and canvases will be moved and re organized once again. Only after everything is in it's place will I feel comfortable enough to really get serious about painting new work. Even though I haven't been painting, I've been thinking about it constantly. I think of the empty canvases waiting for me, and the paint that has to be re stocked, and about how it will feel to be working in the new space. I've got lots of ideas and sketches done in my head now I just have to get them down on paper and canvas.

I'm coming up to my 300 blog post soon. I think I'll celebrate by having a giveaway of some of my art. Join me won't you.

There's No Place Like Home.

the view from our balcony

looking south

Hi there. I'm back!! It seems like I've been gone for ages. Things are finally starting to come together in our new home. 10 days without internet was a challenge even for me. There's only so much I can do with my Iphone. (ya, I know)

Boxes have been unpacked and things have been sorted and put in their new places. Tomorrow I'll paint one wall and my studio shelves that were painted before and didn't fare well through the move. Settling in has taken a little bit longer than expected but I don't mind. I'm totally enjoying setting up house. I'm working on getting my studio completely set up by Friday so I can actually get back to painting next week. I always feel a little off when I don't have at least one painting on the go.

My show "Fresh" opens at Arts on Queen this Saturday, but more on that in my next post. I'm off to enjoy a quiet evening with a glass of wine on the balcony. Dorothy said it best when she said "There's no place like home".

More condo shots-an Empty Canvas.

Our wonderfully large balcony with bbq and planter boxes. I'll be planting an herb garden with some cherry tomato plants and maybe lettuce. Definitely some hanging baskets with flowers and patio table and chairs for dining al fresco.

Looking into the master bedroom and ensuite.

The master bedroom faces west.

I've never had a walk in closet with built ins before. I'll be enjoying getting dressed in clothes that aren't permanently wrinkled.

The master ensuite. No more waiting in line to do what one must Yay!!!

These photos of our new condo show an empty building that will soon become our home. An empty canvas if you will. I look at them and think of all the possibilities, not just in decorating and what can be done visually but what the future holds for our little family. In all the years E and I have been married this is our 7th move and I remember saying out loud just after moving into this apartment we're leaving, that the next time we move it will be into our own home-one that we own. In 22 years we've shared some wonderfully high moments and survived some horribly low ones as well. I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my life, our lives, as an adventure full of possibilities and I'm moving ahead with these words playing in my mind "feet on ground, heart in hand, facing forward be yourself"

Thanks for singing these inspiring words Jann!

Checking In.

I sat down here with my laptop while waiting for paint to dry so I can continue and paint another layer on top. As I sit here catching my breath and thinking of what to write, I realize that I have nothing really to say. It's been a crazy few days and I've been running on full speed. We were in Montreal over the weekend tying up ends and attending a funeral. Chatting with friends and family that we don't see often and wrapping and boxing items. It was rather surreal and sad at the same time. I know it's the cycle of life and death and we all move on, so I put my memories close to my heart and carry on as close to normal as possible.

I'm attempting to get in to the studio as often as I can these days but the interruptions continue. The landlord has to show our apartment and so I'm forced to stop and tidy up at the worst times (like I've just mixed up all this paint and about to get it on the canvas and the phone rings). So I stop, tidy as fast as I can and the phone rings again, appointment cancelled. Back to painting and then in a while the phone rings again and I'm back to tidying. Smiling and trying not to freak out too much.

29 days until we take possession of our new condo. 35 days until I need all the paintings finished and varnished. 44 days until we move. 44 days until I have to deliver paintings to the gallery. 47 days until the opening reception. Yikes!! It's back to work for me!!