Visiting Mona Lisa in the Louvre Wow. What a year. Between getting married, backpacking around Europe, and creating 10 new original oil paintings, 2017 set the stage for a fabulous 2018. As I look ahead to my 2018 goals, I figured it was worth sharing some really noteworthy things that happened in 2017, that wouldn't have been possible without your steadfast support. I am grateful beyond words to have been able to bring the joy of painting into the community, and honoured to have been asked to run so many wonderful events that brought much-needed funds into the hands of worthy local organizations. Paint Nights - A Summary 1,516 people taught, 74 eventsand $10,950 raised for local charities. Of all the...
Before I delve in, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. If you're reading this blog, than you've probably helped support me in some way, shape or form. Perhaps you like my Facebook page, or you've been to one of my classes. Perhaps you've even purchased one of my paintings. Regardless of what form your support has taken...thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Hello, is this thing on?! I bet you forgot I even HAD a blog, considering the radio silence on this thing since March. For awhile, I really wasn't sure what to do with my blog; what could I really offer my readers that was of value?! After all, you're spending precious...
Happy spring, everyone! I am so excited to share this step by step breakdown of my most recent painting, "Opalescent Lake" (2017, 16" x 20", oil on masonite). The painting sold to a buyer from Temiscaming QC, who has a special connection to Algonquin Park and wanted a reminder of the many happy memories that were created there. As always, I posted update photos to both my Instagram and Facebook feeds, since I love to pull back the curtain and reveal how my art is created. Creating new works usually take me at least 30 hours for the smaller pieces, and upwards of 100 for my current major project (a 30" x 60"). I'm including this painting in the show taking place...
"I'd like you to close your eyes, and think about a place that really means something to you, deep in your heart. I fear if I ask young people that question, they don't have a place. It just isn't there. And, if people have no contact with nature, not only nature but mankind is in for a very gloomy future." - Robert Bateman Lively Pair of Chickadees, by Robert Bateman The chickadees are back this morning. They're elegant little birds, bobbing and weaving in the sky effortlessly as they float from the tree to the feeder, feeder to the tree. Watching birds is one of my greatest joys. I love everything about them; their feathers, their song, their flight patterns, the...
Whether you're an amateur artist or are trying to provide the ideal working space for your child who is just learning to paint or draw, lighting the workspace correctly is absolutely critical. For younger ones, it will help them learn to read their colours while avoiding eye strain, and for artists who are in the beginning stages of their development, having correct lighting will help you work more confidently at all hours of the day. In the article below, I outline my own personal experience with lighting trial and error, and provide some solutions for how to quickly and easily remedy your own lighting situation. Moving from my spacious 800sqft studio at Tweedsmuir into my 90sqft home workspace has not...
