The Edge - Transition

Recently, I realized that cold wax - a compound of bees wax, resin, mineral spirits and dammar varnish - is quite toxic even if it is odorless and I decided to return to acrylics. Since then,  I have been in transition exploring ways to paint with acrylic gels, wallpaper paste and varnishes.  This is a new quest and it brings interesting discoveries in the process.    Also, I have changed the direction of the canvas. The last twenty 3' x 5' were painted horizontally and these last ones are done vertically. Here are my first two paintings. They are the guinea pigs of my new experimentation. More to come!

Detail

"There is a Crack in Everything, That's How the Light Gets In"

Detail

"Hold Me Tight"

Studio makeover, The Delicious Series

SATURDAY.
Tomorrow, Sunday, the studio opens its door. A major clean-up took place, not quite finished yet, but getting there. There are over twelve new paintings to show, small and large, and I want to find the best spot for each of them. My friend Carole Reid dropped by yesterday afternoon and saved the day! She provided her legendary smile, energy and good ideas. The place took shape, she created little vignettes here and there for added beauty.

SUNDAY.
The sun came out to bath the studio in a soft light. Art, white sangria, macaroons and tango music was enjoyed by all. A crowd of great people came by all afternoon, it was such a treat and I received genuine praise for my new work. Thank you everyone.

Here a short video from Carole. It captures the atmosphere at the studio yesterday.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202424737923021


MONDAY.
 I am contacting the winners of the four small paintings in display at the Delicious Series and glowing in the aftermath of yesterday's gathering.  Now back to business. Today, I need to write up and send bio, artist statement and pictures to Le Centre culturel in Vancouver for a show this fall - from
Oct. 27 to Dec. 13.
I just read in a business magazine that the art world has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Now that's good news!
Have a lovely creative week!

Freedom in the studio - Delicious Series on July 6th

I've allowed myself unlimited time in the studio, it's fantastic, wonderful and rewarding. Thinking about the two paintings that I've been reworking over and over for months, I realized that there was a place and time where each painting was revealing itself and somehow I failed to see it and kept on enriching little spots here and there without any cohesiveness to the whole.  Fortunately, both paintings are almost finished now and they turned out quite nicely. So this time around, it is important that I pay close attention to the evolution of the painting and recognize the place where it all comes together.
The last 3 paintings have formed a triptych which I posted on Facebook and got very positive comments. Thank you everyone. The third one is not yellow at all but I can't seem to adjust it properly in photoshop.  You'll have to come and see it at the studio!

Tentative title: It's still early

 To be in the studio every day for hours makes me realize how important it is to show up and work,  this is how things happen. I've ran out of cold wax and nearly all tubes of white paint are flatten to the limit, soon running out of canvasses and boards. It is nearly time to stop anyway so the new paintings have time to dry before I open my studio on Sunday July 6th for an afternoon together called The Delicious Series.

Here are pics of some new paintings slowly coming together.

Red Ribbons

Loose Ends

Today is one of those mellow rainy days, it smells fresh outside, the greens are revived, I am watching the fig trees in the back yard taking over my view of the back alley, creating privacy in the studio.  Life is good! Enjoy your day :)

Collages Collages - Fresh Paint

I like to make collaged cards for my close ones when I have time.  There were a few birthday cards and one special graduation card that came out of a mountain of clips from magazines. I couldn't resist using the leftover cut out pieces and make a few new collages on wood blocks.

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In the studio, a few paintings in the making. Almost finished, just need to look at them again and again. They are 24" x 24", oil paint and cold wax.

It's still early              

Air Mail

Ethereal Solstice

I wanted to work on these 3 paintings a bit longer today but it's already midnight and there's no chocolate in the house, plus I need to let them breathe, they are close to being finished, actually they might done. I'll find out soon, or I won't, the suspense is killing me, hope I can sleep tonight.
Enjoy the week end.

Vancouver and Iona Beach

The light was bright, the contrasts strong, the scenery familiar, it was like visiting an old friend.  We walked for hours under bridges, along beaches, through Stanley Park, along Coal Harbour and back to Yaletown. Vancouver is quite cosmopolitan, the variety of languages heard on this walk was quite impressive.  Made me want to brush up my Spanish!

Another long walk took us to Iona Beach located just behind YVR airport.  Hearing and seeing dozens of planes taking off and landing gave us all a little bout of travel fever.  There is the bird sanctuary nearby with the sweet melody of birdsongs and the aerial acrobaties of graceful swallows called Purple Martin, quite a show.

Happy trails!

Work in Progress - Library in colour - Closing Party

Art aficionados and friends came by Deer Lake Gallery on Saturday. The show runs till June 14 and I am thinking about organizing a little closing party on the last Saturday 12:00 to 4:00.

In the studio, a new painting is taking form.  It's a 60" x 36" canvas, it feels good to paint on a large surface again.

While shopping in the neighborhood of South Hill in Vancouver,  I came upon a very beautifully painted building, it is the local Library.

I have been listening to the National, the man has a beautiful mellow voice but bewildering lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK-EF9fAHIY

Deer Lake Gallery - Floating Lanterns in Tofino

Expect Magic, title of a collage done lately.  And there was magic in Tofino last week end, the sun was out, the waves big and strong, the company lovely, the guest house dreamy.  On Friday night we made lanterns and went out at midnight to float them in the puddles left by the tide.

Choose which paintings to bring to Burnaby - Check.
Make sure they are all ready to hang on the walls, touch up the artist statements both English and French. Check. Check.

I am ready to pack the car and head off to the ferry.  This is an exciting day, yeah!

The Opening Reception is on Saturday May 24th 2 to 4 at Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Ave in Burnaby. You are invited! I can wait to show you my new work.  See you there!