 I recently had the privilege of having a lovely conversation with local artist Jake Joy Mulyk in her series of artist interviews Burst and Bloom.
One of the questions she's been asking artists is How do you slay the dragon of resistance? After studying Art & Design at Red Deer College I got a job (steady income is always nice). It was a terrific opportunity but I had to make adjustments in my daily life in order to paint so I got up an hour early every day just to start my day off in my make-shift studio. I continue that to this day...studio first. It helps me to keep a designated area in my home that is always ready so that whenever I walk by it, I tend to be drawn in to work. There is a link to her podcast on her website.
I'm still happily plugging along on this series of 'Fashion Plates' - on the left is "The Voyage" and on the right is "Abundance". These pieces make me so happy, the entire series does. I've completed 13 but would like to create 22 in total (at least). At the same time, I have an idea for 30 portraits, a series of small 4x4 squares and would like to complete my next university course before summer. So much great stuff to do, so little time. Anyway, a few more pieces down, and a few more in progress is always a good thing.
 Calgary Tower / 36x12 / acrylic on canvas This painting will be available at the Merlot Meets Monet event on May 15 at Hotel Arts in Calgary. This is a wonderful evening of wine, art and music in support of diabetes research with the Alberta Diabetes Foundation. There will be an elite collection of wines to taste along with an opportunity to purchase from the wine vendors as well as an opportunity to bid on local, original works of art which will benefit the foundation.
Featuring music, wine, silent auction, appetizers and door prizes, Merlot Meets Monet promises to be a very entertaining evening! Date: May 15, 2019 Location: Hotel Arts, Calgary Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Cost: $25 Tickets include 15 wine samples. Ages 18+ 
 Last I travelled to Lethbridge to spend time with my daughter which was fantastic. I taught a painting workshop with her grade 2 class and we hung a collaborative project at the public library that over 500 students contributed to in her school...I love those joint projects. It's beautiful. And the weather was amazing...sunshine and no wind (for a change). She is very creative and will be involved in the Lethbridge Handmade Market in April so I snagged one of her carvings before they disappear. I'm really looking forward to an extended visit again in the summer.
 Besides sharing my paintings, I love being able to share my work on things like cushions, travel mugs, wraps & more (Society6 & RedBubble) in books (Blurb) and also on tarot decks (Make Playing Cards) - currently I have two, True North Tarot that feature my 52 WEEKS::Totem Animals & Sacred Vessel Tarot which features the 52 WEEKS::Wildflowers. I'm working on a third tarot deck which I plan to call the Nasty Women Tarot using the 52 WEEKS::Heroes along with my current Fashion Plates series as the Major Arcana. I'm really excited about this one.
 I'd definitely have to say that the less glam side of the art life, besides the days that paintings really aren't working out, is all of the paperwork. To do lists, inventory lists, submissions, packages, bookkeeping, emails, budgeting, taxes...and the list goes on. Pre-digital era I used to dread photographing the work for my records & the galleries but now it's so quick (and much less expensive) to take a bunch and edit them slightly if required. But the thing I always keep in mind when I focus on the tasks that I don't like as much is how lucky I am that I get to do this every day.
 Recently my youngest daughter & I travelled to Nanton as we were invited to take photos of her sewing projects at Sentimental Journey Antiques. I was so thankful that my eldest was able to meet us for lunch as the weather had shifted and we ended up with a beautifully sunny day, the first (and last) in weeks. It's always such a treat to see my girls together.
 On the weekend my daughter & I had a lovely drive to Black Diamond to visit Bluerock Gallery. The roads were clear and the sun was shining which was a wonderful reprieve after all of our cold weather and snow. After I delivered the 'Nest' paintings we browsed the gallery, which is always a treat, and then went to Westwood Restaurant for the most delicious lunch. On our way out of town we made a stop at the Black Diamond Bakery for pastries to take home. The views of the rolling foothills and the snow covered Rocky Mountains in the distance is one I never tire of...it was a perfect day.
 On this International Women's Day I look back to last year at this time and am still so very grateful for all of the women have allowed me to paint them the past couple of years. The women who have supported me and my daughters have been incredible...whether through offering to be part of my project, or through kind words and generosity. I love to see women supporting women.
The first official International Women's Day was organized by Suffragettes (love that!) in 1911 in order to band together to affect positive change. Their values are:
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