Window Painting 2015

     Each year I hope more businesses in town will latch on to the Window Splash: seasonal Splash or even as sign-age or  advertising specials. I am part of a fabulous group of Window artists all over: Canada, the  States , Australia ,Europe.. just about everywhere  and I am so in envy of their work. They excel at their craft. Most  paint on the outside of the window, which  has many advantages: not having to deal with disrupting the inside of the store to paint or dealing with below zero temperatures and of course the ability to layer back to front instead of painting the foreground first as you do when painting from the inside. I marvel at the different styles I see and  the techniques that they share. I hope to have more opportunity next year  to share new designs for some of the local businesses. In the mean time I will paint my own windows.

 
      Here are some of my windows this year. the polar bear scene was inspired by a children's story  about a family of polar bears. I chose to just paint some  cubs in a Northern scene. If I could have painted the whole window, I  would have tried the Northern lights, which would have been a challenge. Most outdoor window Painters choose to do an initial layer in white paint and then paint colors on top. I chose to paint direct and mix paint colors and shade as I work. It is my style .

 The next few paintings were painted on the inside windows of Restoroute a Restaurant in Temiscaming, QC.  I chose to follow a theme of Hollies and Christmas decorations and Christmas lights.

    The final window painting was at Station Beaute in Temiscaming, Qc. The owner requested something that could stay up for the  winter , so what better than a winter scene and since a door I needed something with a little height. Birch Trees. I tried to add in the beautiful colors of birch, tricky, but they do display some color other than white , pink , yellow and blue. Difficult to capture with the lighting, but  suffice it to say , better in person.

A Busy Year!

     It is been almost a year since commencing this journey of embracing the life of a student, yet once again: following in the footsteps of my own children who have embraced the power of learning.   A year in , I am tired  and somewhat drained  but still forging ahead , trying to tackle each challenge even when part of me wants to just stop and take a deep breath. Sometimes  I do,  because it is all I can do. My days are full  from work, to placements, to pursuing my own  art dreams  and just keeping ahead of numerous readings and assignments. My mornings are early and evenings run late. I look forward to Friday night  for my pizza and wine and  down time to watch a movie. My house is a mess, but maybe it always was. I am surrounded by papers and books, paints and craft supplies, I sit at a computer most of my evening, trying to make sense of some reading that challenges every neuron in my brain  to fire, to grasp a concept that at times seems to rival the question of " why are we here on earth?" or at least it feels like that at times.

      My first illustration of starting back to school in  Art Therapy, was the image of Alice having fallen through the rabbit hole. Utter confusion and thoughts of abandoning within weeks of starting, doubting my own abilities to stay afloat. Initially the only reason I stuck with it,  was the embarrassment of quitting, I wanted to show my own children and myself that I was capable of taking on a new challenge, with no regard for age and should I or should I not at this stage in my life?  It has been a busy year but through it,new found strength in my own abilities, new friends  who have supported this undertaking  and family always there with a "you go mom"  which always provides me with that small burst of energy that is required for the midnight deadline. I have still five or so months of classes and assignments then the challenge of a thesis , that will take me well in to year two or three of this program. It will be a frightening endeaver, yet I look forward to the challenge..but not today. I am so tired my brain is cranky and uncooperative and I need some well deserved rest! Of course after my paper is done.

     My own art work has taken a back seat to these other endeavours over this past year although I still manage to get some art work done as it has become necessary for my own well being and survival. Art has not only helped me through rough times but it is also just as necessary as breathing for me. I am thankful to all my artist friends and colleagues who continue to inspire me and remind me indirectly to pick up a paint brush.  Today I will paint windows and enjoy and let go of school work, Temusique and any other force pulling me away from the pure enjoyment of painting. I need this.



So here we are . This has been my year! The good , the bad and  the ugly.
   

October News

Hello Everyone!

        It's Saturday morning , had a good night sleep and I am now enjoying an early brew of coffee. The days plan is to paint and school work. It's so strange to be referring to school work at the age of 50 + but not surprisingly there are many people in their 50's and 60's and 70's taking on new challenges from painting, to running , to sculpting, to going back to school...and why not? It's a great challenge and great fun! Who would have known a few years back that I would be in Art Therapy School, entering art exhibitions and  competitions, designing art therapy groups, writing poetry, teaching art and travelling with the Sole Sisters to Vegas Baby...ViVa Las Vegas.

       Life is fun and exciting yet coffee is still one of life's sweetest pleasures....of course even better if overlooking Pérce Rock as we did this summer,

or from the balcony of a cottage along  the Newfoundland Coast, a few years back , or from my Temiscaming backyard which I love.

      So today's project is completion of a painting that a friend has been waiting patiently for over the past few months. School has been crazy busy since last January: can't believe heading into a a full year so finding time for painting has been difficult.  I did manage to complete the following paintings

BlueJay Backyard Visitor

Great Horned Owl

Fallen Forest

Poppy Field

Floral Collage

So have a wonderful Saturday!

Art Therapy

      It was a big decision to go back to school  but Art Therapy seemed such a perfect fit.  It has been a crazy schedule to maintain and still fill commissions and create my own work for hopefully a future exhibition. The last paper I wrote was in University many years  ago and even then I wasn't required to write much as I was studying in the field of Physiotherapy. It has been a challenge but surprisingly I am starting to enjoy the process of research and writing. It takes me quite a while to get the words on paper  and editing has become an art. My husband now reads them and all he can say is  "yup that sounds academic". Perfect! My courses are primarily done on line, but full time study  and on a very strict schedule. This works for me as if left to my own devices  I would still be working on the first course. The material is fascinating  and I look forward to working with clients in the near future. 

In the mean time commissions are steady and I am busy.


 

   

    I am preparing for some mini workshops at the Train Station Museum in Temiscaming  July 9th and August 6th as well as in Corbeil September 26th. I have chosen for at least one of them to do a palette knife painting but one that needs to be completed in 2 hours or less. I painted this one yesterday and think it would work  well for one of the workshops.

A few paintings in the works are:

     The first one is an acrylic painting  12 x 36. The second one was an interesting process ; it started with an acrylic painting, an  abstract floral that wasn't working, so out came the papers and collage work commenced .  I kinda like the dimensional look to it  and love the texture of the papers.

     Today I  am  working on the Blue Jay painting. 

Year End Review

2012 was a  year  I made a life altering decision,  I started painting more.  As simple as that.  So now at the end of 2014  I reflect on what I have accomplished . I now paint more seriously and consistently.   So over the past few years, this has  resulted in multiple showings of my work including a solo show at the Train Station Museum in Temiscaming, QC.  I was thrilled to have a color pencil drawing of mine selected  this year to be published in Ann Kulberg's  CP Hidden Treasures II. 

Two Color pencil drawings were  juried into the Pencil Art Society's Exhibition in Repetigny, Quebec  this past summer. Particularly exciting to have my work exhibited with  other Canadian  and international artists. 

Two paintings were juried into the La Vase Portage exhibition in NorthBay , Ontario .  Both paintings were inspired by canoe paddles along Tee Lake...both represent nature's hidden secrets.  

 I taught this past year through my studio and also had an opportunity to teach in the schools , which was so much fun , part of a new Cultural Program. 

I had an opportunity to do some unseasonal window painting which was fun and challenging to design and paint.  

and some seasonal painting

I  have had multiple commissions in a variety of work and mediums from acrylic, graphite , watercolor and color pencil from scenery to historic buildings to portraits.

I sold  multiple paintings  this past year which is also very thrilling  to see my paintings in new homes , not only in Canada but internationally. 

 All in all a very good year.  I am excited to  embark on a new journey in January, not only will I be teaching art classes but I will also be taking some art classes  for myself as well as  starting a 2 year program  in  Art Therapy, through the   Toronto Art Therapy Institute accredited with the Canadian Art Therapy Association.

 I am hoping to continue with commissioned work as well as producing new art work for sale.  It will be a busy year.  I will continue as well with my bangle designs, which was great fun  and pursue publication of a children's book.  

Art classes will start in January and registration is planned for January 6th and 8th at the Centre in Temiscaming from 5-7 .  In the works are many ideas and plans... I like to make many plans and like New Year's resolutions  some may fall to the way side, but  what's important is that I just keep forging ahead.


I want to wish everyone a  Happy New Year! To my artist friends  thank you for so much support and encouragement and much success in the New Year!!!!!!!!

Art Classes 2015 (Tentative Schedule)

Adult Beginner Drawing  

 Cost:           $80
Supplies:     Please bring your own supplies (Pencil including HB, 2B, 4B, Staedler white eraser and
a sketch pad  8 x 10 or larger)
Date:           Monday January 12th - February 16th (6 weeks)
Time:          7-9

Participants will learn basic drawing principles, tools of the trade , and will work on a few mini projects. This particular class is designed for  those that have very little experience with drawing , may have put the drawing tolls away when in school and would now like to give it a second chance. The class runs for 2 hours which allows for time to learn a few lessons and practise with instructor assistance. Classes are small to assure full support in this learning experience.

Youth Mixed Media Ages 8-14

Cost               $75
Supplies:        Included (Will include paints and canvas and a variety of dry medium materials)
Date:              Tuesday January 12th to  February 16th (6 weeks)
Time:              3 - 4:30

Students will work with pencil, color pencil, watercolor and acrylics. Each class is a little different and the final 2 classes will give the students  a chance to combine atleast 2 different mediums. The student should gain an appreciation for different mediums and how to combine them for different effects.

Painting Classes /Workshops  Teen/Adult

Cost                $20
Supplies:         Bring  your own supplies unless otherwise indicated. Supplies required are based on   project. They will  be listed at the time the project s posted (at least 2-3 weeks prior to  the class)
Date:              Wednesday  Monthly starting  January 28th
Time :            6-9

 Project based painting classes will be designed for beginners , ages 12+  For most projects no to minimal drawing skills required , which allows one to explore different techniques with painting . That being said, I feel a good understanding of drawing principles and techniques will further enhance your  paintings.

Youth Drawing

Cost :             $65
Supplies :       Please bring your own supplies (Pencil including HB, 2B, 4B, Staedler white eraser     and a sketch pad  8 x 10 or larger)
Ages 8-11
Date :             Wednesdays January  14th  - February 18th
Time:              3- 4:30


Ages 12-15
Date :             Thursday January 15th- February 19th
Time               3-4:30

Participants will learn basic drawing principles, tools of the trade and will work on a few mini projects. This particular class is  designed for those that love to draw and want to learn how to render subjects  more realistic. Possibility of combining two classes  ages 8-15 depending on the number of individuals registering.


Painting Parties  (starting in the New year)
Children's Birthdays, Themed parties, Girls night out, Showers , Holidays, Mother/Daughter

Can set up in location of choice , supplies included.  Cost per person will vary depending on project  and time involved to complete project. $20-$35

Gather friends, enjoy socializing, get rid of some of the days stresses  and at the end of the evening  you will  leave with a  creation of your own.  Not necessary to be an artist to be creative , all you need is the opportunity to unleash your creative side. I will guide you step by step in completing a project. You choose a location and a painting you would love to create. I will post different paintings to choose from on my website joanneabbottart.com and my blog site http://josartstudio2012.blogspot.ca  in the new year. (I am presently working on samples to choose from)

Jo's Bangles

I had read an article  a few months ago , a decorative  painter  painting  wonderful designs on  wooden bangles . I was intrigued enough that I ordered  a selection of blank wooden bangles in a variety of sizes. I love bangles.

Unfortunately they quickly got shelved as I worked on other projects. I finally decided to give it a go but what design to use. I like to create my own designs.....so what to do?????  How do you create a design?  Well I often buy swatches of fabrics for their colors , designs etc...basically for inspiration , so I started going through my fabrics....good time to clean up as well. Anyway , I  came across a black and white fabric, with  a touch of red  that I was using to reupholster a foot stool ... I loved the colors ... and thought this is a good start. Then flipping through a few homestyle magazines I came  across a wall design  that looked like swirling ribbons....so this is where the first bangle came to be. Colors from the fabric and  then an adaptation of ribbons..instead  I made them look more like florals.

  I also use decorative painting magazines, home style magazines etc.  for color inspiration ... and this time came across a bathroom design  with a green gecko  so thought that would be a fun design  to swirl around  a bangle.   I chose a lime green color  with detailing in  orange/pink .

Next an orange gecko....then thought of a snake...I am terrified of snakes but I also love their patterns so I thought , what a  great way to  wear a  snake pattern and  a perfect design to wrap around the bangle.

The next few designs were somewhat inspired by retro style fabrics with overlapping designs.

 Each bangle is hand painted using artist quality acrylic paints and sealed with a high gloss varnish . A select few of the bangles have a wrap around design . I like to pay particular attention to detail  when designing and painting.  I will do custom orders on these particular designs as well as  designing new bangles which I will post on my facebook page  "Jo's Art Studio"and website  www.joanneabbottart.com