 I've begun new pieces in the "Women of the West" series as I have missed working on prepared cradle wood panels. I'll still utilize the works on paper that I started during my Artist Residency at the ASA Gallery in autumn but, with a bit of a shift. I'm so excited. It was something I had considered to begin with by wanted to try out watercolour paper first. As an acrylic painter for so many years, I definitely prefer to work on a substrate that can be exhibited "as-is" (as long as the finished watercolours are protected with Dorlands Wax). Plus, I have been interested in working in a square format as I always did in the past. I'm loving these pieces in progress and can't wait to see where this leads.
  There are a different ways that I like to work in my sketchbook:
  One of the things I miss most that ended during Covid was the Empty Bowls Fundraiser that our local foodbank organized every year. I loved being invited to paint a bowl that would be put up for auction. It was so much fun to be in the room with so many people in the community that I knew and had worked closely with over the years. Out of the many ways I am able to contribute locally, this is one of my favourite so I hope that someday they bring this back as I do love to contribute in this way.
 Unfortunately, costs for videos on my website ballooned so I no longer have videos available for purchase but I have uploaded the directions for all of my online workshops which are now available to everyone here. In time, I hope to update and add Step-by-Step photographs to make it more accessible. Any suggestions are welcome. :)
 I'm still working on this series but it is morphing a bit...something I wondered about before and during my Residency at the ASA Gallery in Calgary. Though I'm not ready to share what I'm doing at this time, I am excited about the direction I've been taking. Often, when I create a body of work, it's not static initially but develops over time. Fingers crossed that what I'm doing works!
 It's been a good year so far...I've completed several essays in the two English courses I'm currently enrolled in (Protest Literature in the U.S. and Children & Young Adult Literature). There's been a surprising amount of overlap between the two courses, something I really enjoy. Both discuss politics, race and religion from different perspectives so I have really been enjoying the readings. Plus, books are always a great thing.
I'm also taking a bit of a break from Mastrius as I've been going pretty steady since the pandemic. I have met the most wonderful women and absolutely love the people I've had the privilege of working with...I feel blessed. At the same time, there are a few health issues that have cropped up so I want to take time to finish a large commission that I committed to, to focus on my education and also on my current body of work (I'm a bit obsessed!). I feel very fortunate to be creative as it always keeps me going.  I was able to procure the Small Hunter Satchel (rook - navy blue) by Peg & Awl for Christmas and it fits my Sendak Mini Artist Roll (maple), a sketchbook and a few necessities perfectly. It also works well with my university reads (bonus). I love their waxed canvas and leather closures/straps. They feel vintage and sturdy...just my cup of tea. I've had the artist roll for a couple of years and the longer they are used, the better they get.
 I'm hoping to travel south sometime in the new year so I've already begun planning my colour palette for the trip. I like to prepare early so that I can try it out before I go. This time, instead of primary & secondary colours, or even warm and cool primaries, I've adopted a couple of new colours. It's still a bit warm/cool but a little brighter. The colours are all Daniel Smith:
- Hansa yellow medium - Quinacridone sienna - Opera pink - Perylene red - Manganese blue - French ultramarine Apparently, these colours mix to create beautiful new shades so I'm excited to experiment with them. Available at Bluerock Gallery (L to R:)
1. Northanger Abbey 2. Sense & Sensibility 3. Grapes of Wrath 4. War & Peace 5. Sherlock Holmes 6. Huckleberry Finn 7. Great Expectations 8. The Three Muskateers 9. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 10. Uncle Tom's Cabin 11. Lord of the Rings 12. Emma   Crimson | 16x16 | acrylic & embroidery on canvas "The poppy is a red and precious thing That blooms a brief and shining hour And then, alas! its petals close And it is gone again." ~ Mary Oliver  |
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