The Birds are Back

encaustic, oil and Swedish sewing pattern on 7"x5" canvas board
It's been a busy week, and I didn't get into my studio to paint until yesterday afternoon. But once there, these little encaustic pieces came quickly and without effort. So easily in fact, that I found myself questioning... Is it art? Are they "good"? Do they need more?
But today, I don't care :-) I made them. I had fun. I like them. Why would I demand more than that?!


encaustic, oil and Swedish sewing pattern on 5"x7" canvas board

Signs of Fall

Remember last Christmas when I hung red ornaments on our newly planted Dogwoods? Well this year, the trees are giving me an early gift and decorating themselves.

Table for Four Please

This afternoon, after procrastinating for months, I put some faces to the chairs (no legs yet) that have been sitting in the corner of my studio since Spring. The chairmaker is on a cross-continent trip with his wife, and last I heard they were in Vancouver... But they are sure to turn up back here at some point, and I thought it would be nice if I had these done when they do. I can't say it has been all that fun. I love drawing my little cartoony doodles, but I struggled with these. I wish I could have enlisted my cousin Sandi, whom I discovered on my recent trip, is a master at both acrylics and art for children (wall murals and such). Am looking forward to seeing all these characters around the little table Tom has built for them though...

This makes me happy...

I first saw this when Stacy blogged it months ago. She has it on her site again this week, and I can't help but share it here too. In my fantasy dinner party, I would sit Matt next to Peter Gzowski and across from Ian Wright. Love the music too...

Flags of Two Sisters

After four lovely days with my Aunt and mum in Upper New York State, I am back home. And happy, no, thrilled, to report, there is a touch of fall in the air here too :-) Ahhhh....
I had an amazing flight from Albany to Charlotte. I usually select an aisle, but this time had a window, on the left of the plane, and was treated to fantastic views of Manhattan, Philadelphia, and Washington on the way home. I guess we were crusing quite low... As we passed NYC, I could see all of the Midtown skyscrapers... Ellis Island, then the Capitol Building, National Mall and Pentagon as we flew over Washington. So cool :-) Will post more about my trip and reconnecting with family in a later blog, but for now have posted some photos on my Flickr page.

Three Flowers in a Glass Vase

beeswax, encaustic and oil paint on 5"x7" paper covered canvas board

I'm posting this a day early because I am leaving in a few hours to hop on a plane for Schenectady New York. My mum is there visiting with my Aunt Dot, and I am joining them for a few days. I haven't seen my Aunt for 12 years (!) and it's been well over a year since my mum and I have been together. I'm excited :-)
I am not back until Wednesday, so no Photo Tuesday this week. Will post on Thursday :-) Have a good week all!

The painting is a new encaustic based on the prints of Richard Spare.
And have I mentioned recently that i LOVE beeswax?

Shhh... Listen...

Sounds this morning. The ugly "caw" of a bird outside. Tiger and Freddie playing at Carol's. Traffic on Broad Street. The low hum of the house. Other assorted bird calls. Jimmy sighing as he settles into a nap. The sound of a brittle leaf falling off the tree outside onto the bricks. A deep breath in. More birds. A peep and a whistle. Tiger's happy yip-yip.

It's easy to go through the day without even noticing the sounds around us. I've started to list what catches my ear in my morning pages, and have happily discovered all sorts of weird and wonderful things right there for the listening. And when I want a little escapism, I go to this site, close my eyes, and travel somewhere exotic...

Tuesday's Market

Some photos from my outing this morning to the downtown farmer's market. It's a funny little thing held on Tuesdays and Thursday in a parking alley up near the arts district. The usual suspects include a table with cut flowers, one with baked goods (pies and banana bread), one with tacky costume jewelry and three or four fruit and vegetable vendors. I don't see how it can be a viable way for the farmers to make money. Today I spent a grand total of four dollars, and that's only because I splurged and bought a bag of fresh shucked beans. But still, the farmers come and proudly sell their stuff, and the little market that could struggles on into fall. I don't walk up there every week, but whenever I do, I feel a little more connected to my neighbourhood.

Spreading good vibes.

beeswax, oil paint, tissue paper on 12"x12" fibreboard

Yesterday morning I got a phone call from the woman who owns the gallery that I have several of my papier mache bowls in. Her call was to tell me that she had spent the previous evening surfing around HDIGH and the links of the artists I love. She talked about how most of the successful artists she works with have voiced similar words about finding their medium, and encouraged me to continue fighting against my inner critic. And, she asked me to bring my paintings by sometime. It was such an encouraging and positive and inspiring call, and to think I almost didn't pick up the phone! (My famous phone phobia.) The remarkable thing to me, is that she didn't have to call. She could have kept all those complimentary and encouraging thoughts to herself, and I would never have known one way or the other. And yet that call made my day. And now I have it in my arsenal, to pull up when I am sitting in my studio feeling discouraged or frustrated or critical. Sharing a kind word should be such an easy thing. Why don't we do it more often? This week, I am going to make a point of voicing my nice thoughts. When a colleague is wearing something I really like. Or the checkout girl has the prettiest colour of eyes. Or David makes a comment I find particularly profound (or hilarious :-). I suspect it will feel a little weird at first. But the skill of sharing kind thoughts is one I think I would like to hone.

Life this week.

A tree I pass every morning on my walk with Jimmy.


Ringo. My friend Norma's new puppy.
How ridiculous is he?!!


My studio and new painting in the works.


Detail of new painting.


Tiger. Being fostered by my neighbour Carol. Needs a home. I'm trying my best not to get attached...

Before the world led me astray...

My Artist's Way group is meeting tonight. The member hosting it sent an email with these instructions: please bring a toy, wear your play clothes, and if possible a picture of your self as a child, before you were afraid, critical of your self, before the "world" led you astray from your artist self.

I don't know how old I am here ... Eight? Nine? In the backseat of the car on the long annual summer drive to Nova Scotia. I think it's safe to say, this kid has developed few fears or concerns about life yet. I have good memories of those long trips... Making up silly songs with my sister, mum reading out loud from the front seat, "The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin" and "Anne of Green Gables", playing car bingo, and "Authors". One summer there was a killer on the loose; the RCMP set up road blocks and we would have to wait in long lines for the car to be checked for fugitives. Another summer we were following the route of Terry Fox. We never did see him, but still. Pretty exciting stuff for a nine year old with an imagination. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's photos and hearing their stories. I don't want to be a kid again, and sheesh, I'm glad my face grew into those teeth, but wouldn't it be fun, just for a day, to go back to that?

Birds and Boats

beeswax, oil paint, tissue paper on 12"x 12" fibre board

A new encaustic piece :-)
We had a party last night for some of David's colleagues and the students in his lab, and for the first time ever, I was pleased to show a few interested people my studio and the art I've been making. I felt a little of that when I was in the groove of my papier mache bowl making, but not as confidently as this. I truly feel I have found my medium. Perhaps I am being a little premature, but after experimenting with
Chinese inks
floorcloths
acrylics
monoprinting
woodcarving
papier mache
watercolours
collage
and
handbuilt pottery
(whew!)
I can honestly say, beeswax is the first medium that feels as if it is meeting me halfway. Actually inspiring me as I work. My studio calls to me now ... Come in! Play!

I'm addicted to these "Toyota ad" birds! I've tried Googling to find out who the artist is who did the original artwork, so I can give him/her credit for the inspiration, but no luck so far. I realize there is little chance of that person stumbling across my blog, but still. I like to give credit where credit is due. Here's the ad. I think it ran a few years ago and is no longer in print.



Have a nice Labour Day all :-) David and I were saying this morning how a holiday Monday makes the Sunday all the nicer. Enjoy.

PS. After much consideration and some sound advice from a good friend, I decided not to become Grace's POA. I feel good about the decision :-)