Friday, May 31, 2013

Urban Garden - Sigur Ros - Kids Fest

I treated myself to a little holiday in Vancouver, a whole week visiting friends, walking, eating well, and laughing a lot.   Sunday we took a long walk at Spanish Banks.  During the lowest tides we can wander over the sand bars and along the water's sandy edge for miles on end, examining the patterns left by the water on the sea floor as it retrieves away.  We made our way back through the streets of Point Grey for a little voyage in times, the neighborhood has changed but the red house on 11th Avenue close to Alma is still red, still standing tall, the stonewall is intact, there are renovation to rebuild the big front verandah where we had our Sunday night vegetarian dinners so many moons past, I can still remember the smell of Roz's wonderful nut loaf! Then we had the best falafel ever at a little shop down on 10th, it was not there in my days but sure worth a visit any day.  Yum!

Peaceful time in Hilda's beautiful urban garden
On Monday night, I experienced Sigur Ros live at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby, the rain stopped at 6:15, just in time for everyone to close their umbrellas and have dinner on a blanket before the show started. This Icelandic atmospheric rock band offered a very special evening with their mesmerizing music. There were three violins, three horns, two sets of percussion, two keyboards, electric guitars, basses, bells, voices, electronic sounds.A rare treat!
Sigur Ros at Deer Lake Park on Monday May 27th
Wednesday was gallery hopping day, we started on South Granville and soon found out that sadly enough two other galleries have closed their doors: the Winsor Gallery and the Equinox Gallery. This cannot be good for the art world, they were both representing established contemporary artists. Going to the Winsor gallery was always a must on my visits to Vancouver and always a pleasure, I've spent many afternoons there marvelling at the work of Fiona Ackerman and Gabryel Harrisson, among others.   Erin Eshi was showing at the Ian Tan gallery, and as usual her kind of etheral rendering was inspired and inspiring. Then we went strolling about on Granville Island, admiring wonderfully crafted brooms, felted dolls, fused glass pieces and hand made paper.  Beside the community centre, we discovered that the Children Festival also had events happening on Grandville Island. More pleasant visual surprises for us!  Oh I just love Vancouver.
 
Children's Fest on Granville Island

Monday, May 27, 2013

Shavasana - Abundance - Joy in the Studio


Days are really getting longer, the moon is filling up, the seeds are sprouting, the strawberries are in bloom, soon yummy berries, now, that's abundance isn't it?  The more the merrier! I have also been blissfully painting away last week and finished three new paintings. 
Sailing Solo 36" x 60" oil and cold wax on board

Shavasana 36" x 60" oil and cold wax on board

Tendresses has become Tender Nest  30" x 30"

I have had 10 days uninterrupted painting time in the studio lately.  Images came together joyfully and almost effortlessly, I just love happy times like that in the studio. Have fun!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Clandestine - Tendresses and Transglobal Underground

NICE MORNING, the sky has returned to pale blue with a row of luminous clouds on the horizon, a breeze moves the branches where caterpillars are slowly turning the apple tree into a campground.

Today is a good day! The freshly finished Clandestine has found a happy owner! Love at first sight, she said. This morning, I took the time to send submissions to both Sydney and Sooke Art Shows.
Clandestine  oil and cold wax 30" x 30"
A year ago, I wanted to loosen up my gesture, be more free in my movements.  Soon after, I discovered cold wax which is mixed with oil paints to create a smooth paste applied with knives and spatulas. My work has transformed since then, and my new paintings have more fluidity. The two paintings in the studio at the moment are Tendresses and Sailing Solo.
In progress - Tendresses oil and cold wax 30" x 30"

In progress - Sailing Solo  60" x 36"
In the studio, an all times favorite Transglobal Underground

Cheers to blissful painting times!


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Lilac Galore - Fado in the Studio



Oh, this is such a luscious time of the year, the apple tree is in bloom and so are all lilacs around, 
in and out, there they are.  The weather itself is delicious.  Tis' the sweetness of May.


I have spent little time in the studio this last week, just enough to finish the last two paintings. 

Still Life of Sins      Oil and cold wax      36" x 36"

One Morning      Oil and cold wax      36" x 36"    






In the studio, a Fado by Pablo Alboran and Carminho 
Carminho and Pablo Alboran 
A sad Portuguese folksong.