Canada at a Glance

              I have started a project  that is a collection of miniature paintings (4 x 4 ) depicting vignettes of Canada through the eyes of .... yours truly.   I have been fortunate to have traveled a little throughout Canada and am always in awe at the beauty   and splendor in our  own back yard.   When I travel, which is not often , I do love to  witness and experience different cultures but I often feel like the Wizard of OZ ....I want to click my heels ....and repeat one of the more famous quotes in film history  "There s no place like home".

So here is my Project.

             Each painting holds a memory, a story, a moment captured while travelling through Canada.  I have chosen not to just paint famous landmarks but to try to capture vignettes of what makes Canada great whether a person, a place, wildlife  or images that capture the Canadian spirit.   Of course it is from my perspective  and therefor each painting deserves a story to explain why I chose to paint it .

             This painting is of the Temiscaming Shoreline capturing the colorful reflections in the water. My husband and I, when kayaking usually enjoy skimming through the water close to the shoreline. It is by the shoreline that one can appreciate better the rock formations the intricate patterns of water reflections  and at the same time be on the ever watchful lookout for birds and wildlife.

       
                  It is spring in Canada and many of us wake up to the beautiful sound of the Robin.  I live in Temiscaming and am surrounded by woods. Early morning's are still and the song of the Robin resonates through  our small town.  It has been a long winter and we all listen with anticipation as that sound represents new beginnings and rebirth and finally we can put that snowblower away...or not....it is Canada.

What's New ? January 2017

Lots happening this Month. Always nice to start the year with a sold painting  to someone who shares a love of Blue Jays.  

So  far paintings that I have been working on this year include : a few new miniature paintings . Each painting is done on a 4 x 4 canvas. Although a small canvas each painting takes hours to complete. I am trying new techniques and subjects that are more of a challenge for me:buildings, landscape and trees. :) 

I am designing paintings for a new event Painter's Palate: Canvas ,Paint and Wine. I chose the Emperor  Penguins as a relatively simple painting to accomplish for beginners as well as an appropriate subject for a valentine themed painting. It involves simple shapes and few colors. Although a simple design, participants will learn : blending, shading, and detailing. This image is a cropped portion and participants are encouraged to add in their own unique style or colors. 

Working also on a series of whimsical Party Animals. This is the first one and still not complete ...detailing...always detailing. 

Working on a graphite pet portrait. Lots to do layers upon layers. Need to fix that eye :) What a cute puppy. 

Started working on some Cigar Box designs for a special project. I will post soon. Also working on watercolor illustrations for two very Special Projects .

A few Murals coming up. Need to finish them February and March.  Will post as they are completed or as a work in progress. 

School in Art Therapy not quite complete so I will be helping the APHTK(Association des personnes handicappe)  along with the coordinator of the Train Station Museum  to set up their first art show. After over a year working with them, thrilled to be able to display  their  art work and honour their accomplishments. 

Midway into the year and busy which is great! Hopefully starting my final project in Art Therapy and finally graduate with a Masters level diploma in Art Therapy...Yay!!!!!

Year End for 2016

      Upon reflection,2016 was a great year. I have been and continue to be able to  follow my passions in life from painting , teaching art , art therapy, travel  and of course pursuing an active lifestyle.  I feel fit and healthy and that is good. I have a wonderful family and great friends. Can't get much better than that!

    As an artist I have worked hard to develop my skills and focus my art on what is meaningful to me. I have always tried to do everything, from different mediums, subjects and styles and although it has helped me grow as an artist and continues to do so , I  have learned to now focus and build on the art that I feel most passionate about: applying a zoom lens to capture the  more intricate landscape of what we find in nature, the flora and fauna that surrounds us.  I have a long way to go but  I am so enjoying the journey.  

     Here are a few more recent works. The wolf image was based on some preliminary work in an art class I was teaching. The students did  fabulous drawings  of the wolf , meanwhile I was working on a painting.  The reference for the wolf was based on a compilation of photos retrieved from morgue files and an image  I remember of seeing a wolf on Gordon Lake road in the winter near my home. I had just come out of the walking trail with my son and turned to see it at the top of hill looking at us. It was a scary moment but a memorable moment. The other wildlife images are based on my own photos and artist reference photos to assist with details.  I am particularly fond of the Algonquin Park resident...the bullfrog. The photograph was taken by my daughter while we were hiking in Algonquin Park. I am presently working on a series of paintings of this particular frog , with each painting trying to establish greater detail.  

      The moose was a regular visitor on Highway 63 in between North Bay , ON and Temiscaming , QC. Again a photo I believe taken by my daughter. If we are together she is on lookout while I am driving. :)  As much as  it would be nice to see a majestic moose with large antlers, I did when in Alberta, I am happy to render  the  cow and calf which I think are more dear to me. I have been fortunate to have witnessed, through out Canada, the scene of a  young calf and sometimes two  travelling with their mother. It is a beautiful scene.  

     I have had a few adventures trying to photograph a moose  consisting of almost falling out a car because my husband was so excited when told their was a moose and two calves down the road. He started driving while I was only half way in the car. Another adventure was my husband getting charged by a moose when he got out of a kayak . We had been following, in our kayaks,  the movement of a moose and her calf along the shores edge of Kearney Lake , while camping at Algonquin Park. We lost site of them and we didn't realize that they had crossed a marshy area...my husband got out, on to shore and then we heard the crashing of the cow.  I never saw my husband move so fast, to get back into the kayak. A little scary , but funny also to watch. 

       The Dragonfly is rendered on a palette knife background. Designed from a close up photo  of a dragonfly, taken while walking along the bike path in Temiscaming. Often  there are so many flitting across the bike path  during the summer and as common as they may appear they are still one of the most magnificent creatures.

     

  The Blue Jay painting was designed from some images I had photographed from my backyard. The initial one is a 4 x 4  and was painting for a project i am presently working on Canada at  150 . The second Blue Jay is an 8 x 10 and has greater detail through layering and glazing. The Blue Jay is a special bird  not only for its vibrant color and familiar sounds most prominent in the autumn and winter but also because it was my Mother's favourite bird. Still have a little work to do but fairly complete.

This past year I ordered 150 mini canvases for a project of 150 paintings depicting my travels across Canada , including images of wildlife seen throughout these travels.  The images below are some initial paintings that may be included in this project . They are not all complete but it is a start. To complete this project by end of May , which is my goal..I will have to complete at least one per day.  I am glad i started early :)  

   

      This year I also worked more on my Bangle designs. I am happy to say I was commissioned for a few very interesting Bangles , but for most I was provided free reign to design as I wished. My goal this year is to better market these bangles  and sell online.  I may require a hand model :) and better photography. Most designs are done using bold colors and patterns and a few reflect my passion for wildlife. 

     Window painting which I do annually near the Holiday season was a great success. I am always nervous at the beginning. Probably because it is so public and I am shy by nature. The first brush strokes are always shaky until I get into a rhythm.  I always like to establish a theme and then design and them away I go. One window was inspired by our town hosting the Regional Quebec games in 2017. It was a fun window to design ...simple but colorful. I was asked to do a Holiday train which was super fun to design and paint.  I always do Station Beaute , a hair salon, and the window reflects the elegance of her own decor.  I suggested an owl design and that had to mean a snowy owl. It was a tricky design for  reverse painting the owl,  but turned out quite nice.

     2016 marked my first Painter's Palate: Canvas , Paint and Wine event held at the Kipawa Community Hall. I had wanted to do this for over a year and a half but somewhat anxious to take it  on myself. There were a few people that encouraged me and helped me along the way and for that i am thankful. it was a great success. I designed a winter scene,  very tranquil and allowed each participant the opportunity to learn some new techniques and yet simple enough to ensure a successful painting experience for every one.

      I was so excited by all the beautiful paintings created. Same design , yet all wonderfully different. I am presently preparing for another event in February and am available for private painting parties. My goal is a catalogue of paintings for people to chose from reflecting the seasons, holidays , special events , etc.. 

      I was also a participant this year in the Strathmore Papers, Pass the Journal Project : a collaborative effort of artists around the world to contribute a page spread and then pass on to another contributing artist. Thrilled to be included.  I chose to illustrate using acrylics and pen , the Northern Gannets that I was fortunate to see while traveling in Gaspé , Quebec. 

This year I also resumed some decorative painting during the Holiday Season, taking orders for custom designed ornaments.

     My goal is to continue to design new ornaments and market online .  I have lots of ideas for designs but need to  devote more time to developing these ideas.

      I am super excited about my art classes that I teach from my home studio.  I really love teaching small groups and sharing tips and techniques. I am planning more classes and possibly a drop in for beginner adults for painting projects.

      2016 marked my almost completion of my Art Therapy degree but because I was busy with numerous projects this will wait till 2017. I am not in a rush.

     So I really did have a great year. Sometimes it takes a little reflection to remind ourselves. 2017 is already filling up with numerous and exciting projects. On a personal note this year will physically be challenging as I hope to complete my third marathon , most likely Ottawa and the Commander Challenge at the Army run in Ottawa in September ( running a 5 km run and then a half marathon , one after the other) and finally a Spartan Race again in Ottawa....Ottawa is the place to be as Canada is 150 this year!!!!!!

      Finally I was super excited to see my sister's new book Undead Apocalypse  which included a photo of  Liam. :) Congrats to my sister for her tireless work on authoring  and contributing  to so many books. She is a force! May the Force be with her!

Day four of 2017...Bring it on!!!!!

Project: Canada at 150

       I have started a Project of 150 mini paintings depicting  the images I have seen travelling across Canada. I have been very fortunate to have travelled through each province over the years .  I have just touched  a small area of Canada but am proud to have experienced a little from each province.

      My first adventure was  travelling to PEI  with my family back in the 70's, a long drive in a Station Wagon, but held  such vivid memories that I have travelled back multiple times since and hold PEI dear to my heart.
 
    I worked as a teenager in Banff at the Banff Springs Hotel, an adventure I'll never forget. I had an opportunity to downhill ski at Sunshine and Lake Lousie in Banff, Night skiing at Mount Norquay. A most memorable evening was switch backing up a mountain on the back of a motorcycle to see the stars. What was so amazing was that they were within my grasp. I have never seen a starlit night as bright and almost tangible as that night.  I made wonderful friends that allowed me an opportunity to visit their homes in Vancouver and Vancouver island. I also worked in Edmonton as a student in Physiotherapy,so I  had an opportunity to visit  Klondike days, the Calgary Stampede and make my way to Jasper with friends and enjoy the hot springs and the Icefield Parkway.

      I lived in Ottawa as a young Physio but after a year and a half  moved to Terrace |Bay Ontario . This was a fabulous experience of small town life and all the adventures that it entailed. Camping at all the provincial parks in the area , learning to cross country ski,  taking up running,  all of which allowed me an opportunity to explore Northern Ontario and I did. This is where I developed a love of nature and wildlife and outdoor adventure. The wildlife is my favorite, always looking and hoping to capture a glimpse of a moose , deer, lynx , bear,  wolf  and of course birds, being my favorite.

      My husband and I bought a handmade canoe from a craftsman in Blind River almost 30 years ago , which we still own and we have enjoyed many paddles through the different lakes and creeks. We are always in  search of  a gem, a glimpse of a Blue heron, a kingfisher, or a Loon in the mist.  Hiking and biking afforded many opportunities for nature and wildlife viewing. There is nothing sweeter than seeing a moose and her calf in the woods and just watching, or stumbling on an owl, as i did while skiing one day: I will never forget that....my head was turning to stare at the Grey Owl and so was his to watch me.  It was magical.

       I moved out west  to Whitecourt , Alberta   and in doing so drove from Terrace bay through the Bruce Peninsula on  Georgian Bay to Montreal to visit family than off to Nova Scotia. On our return trip we drove straight  through to Whitecourt, Alberta. We camped along the way and therefore spent a little time in each province camping, hiking, canoeing and biking: a superb way to explore.

       I was in Alberta for 10 years. Summers were spent exploring BC, the  Okanogan Valley, Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island and of course much of Alberta. During one of our early Jasper hikes we will never forget seeing a Grizzly across a small lake. In our naivety we continued our hike which was glorious and uneventful regarding the grizzly near miss.

       I moved back to  Quebec after 10 years out west: the heart is where family is so it was a call to go back east.  This was an opportunity to explore the east coast again  and we definitely have: summers spent travelling back to PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. One of my favorite places is Algonquin Park and our annual camp outs at Kearney Lake. Algonquin Park has afforded us many opportunities for wildlife viewing and  many adventures.
     
        Last year, we  finally went up to Gaspe and saw Perce Rock, a dream of mine,  and this past summer Gros Morne national Park in Newfoundland. Each place I have visited has never disappointed. I am constantly overwhelmed by its  beauty and feel such a sense of pride in  living in this great  country.

       All of these adventures have offered me an opportunity to reflect on this beautiful country of ours and put these reflections to canvas.  I hope I can tell a story with each painting I complete.  I have started this project with some wildlife images and I will continue with images that reflect my personal connection with a place , a person or wildlife I have seen.

Work In Progress

I have been teaching a beginner drawing class for the past 5 weeks. The last class the focus was on stages of developing a finished drawing. This is an approach I take as do many artists, but not the only approach. I stress this to the students as each student will find their own unique way to develop a drawing.

We first used a pen to sketch out the subject , which in this case was a wolf and an eagle. The object was to sketch in  an overall shape then add in defining shapes or hidden shapes.  Doing this they look for  lights and darks  and indicate it using a pen..no erasing. It is always a little fearful to  not have an eraser on hand to correct mistakes, but surprising to most was how well  they  captured the essence of the animal, fairly accurately. This was also an exercise in restating a drawing.

Next step was to use pencil and using both reference and pen sketch to establish a pencil drawing  and work out any trouble spots...eye shape , direction, direction of feathers or fur, overall proportions...etc....

Once the student is happy with the pencil rendition of the subject , which is more of a line drawing , it is transferred to a clean  piece of paper. It is at this stage they start shading as taught in previous classes  and focus on the detailing line work.

This is a process and not for every drawing but it is a good process to work out a drawing, establish values and then focus on detailing.  I am easily overwhelmed with drawing and my process is to brake it down, as is for many artists. Practise, as in anything, makes it easier, and what I once used to do on paper , I now  do in my head..comparative measurements, values etc.

I am now working on a wolf painting. Was inspired by students drawings. With the painting it is a different approach . This style of painting is much looser than a drawing , but i am still interested in overall shape, darks and lights and accurate detailing.  I am trying to establish a certain look. I am loosely adapting some wolf images from Morgue photos which are free to use.  This is the beginning. I started with a palette knife then switched to a brush to blend. Then started on the one side to establish some form accentuating lights and darks....  Anyway....this is where i am at....I quite like it. Need to develop the eyes and build the layers of fur. Want to keep it loose though and not overdo it.

New Painting

Young Moose

I have wanted to paint a moose for while. I have yet to capture a photo of a Bull Moose with antlers but my daughter managed to capture this photo of a Moose along Highway 63 as it  was heading into the woods.  This painting is a 8 x 8 inch palette knife painting. I used a small palette knife and only at the end used a liner brush for the branches. I would love to do a larger painting and i will but not yet, in the mean time I will try a series of smaller paintings . 

Busy Time of Year

 

Window Painting 2015

     Work has kicked in after a hiatus from school. Projects are building and commissions getting done.I love this season for the anticipated window Splash. So far 4 businesses have commissioned a window which is great to see I would still love to see more. I am reminded of a New Brunswick artist who paints windows every Christmas for all the businesses in town. 

            Classes are up and running. I have a small group of young children taking a mixed media art class. Super enthusiastic group and super talented.  I am also thrilled to have a full adult group in my beginner drawing class. I am excited to see their final project as I have seen their first practice piece and they are all talented. 

            I am reminded of my own excitement, when my children were young and I picked up a pencil and took my first drawing class. Learning a new skill is unbelievably rewarding. 

          I am starting a piece for a competition that I need to hustle and complete this weekend. Also a few commissions require my attention. 

         If interested in some wild  Bangles....I will be setting up a table, in Desjardin Hall , the night of the Telethon, November 25th. 

         New Designs will be available and  don't hesitate to commission a one of a kind design for a special someone. 

I will be painting that night and it will be part of a raffle, the money being donated to the Telethon. 

        Finally after a year of thinking about trying this out: Painter's Palate: Canvas, Paint and Wine an evening of fun painting while enjoying a glass of wine. 

I am planning more events similar to this in 2017 and am also available to bring a painting party to your own home : painting with great company in the comfort of your home. What a fun way to celebrate events like Girls Night Out, or Mother Daughter Paint Out, etc.....

Most recent work.