During the pandemic, I was surprised at how productive I was...I completed 3 bodies of work while doubling up on my university courses. At the same time, I was baking and taking care of our home, decorating and knitting, exercising regularly and preparing everything from scratch. These are all the things I have always loved doing, which was why we lived in the country for a time though, once the pandemic lifted, everything picked up speed very quickly. 

In the last three years, I have:

• had 3 artist residencies
• been involved in 10 exhibitions
• finished several large commissions
• taught approx. 25 groups
•  created 7 bodies of work
• travelled to England, Nova Scotia, San Francisco & Mexico
• spent time travelling Alberta for research on my current project
• wrote/interviewed for several publications/radio/tv
• finished 10 more university courses
  
  

I am beyond grateful for all of the opportunities and the support I receive but am also very tired so in June & July I decided to take a step back and spend most of my time in my community while focusing on my current project and my final courses for my Bachelor of Arts degree (5 more to go!). I am still having fun sketching and working on the odd knitting project, but I have to admit that spending time in town and walking along our creek has given me so much peace. Though August is busy with my exhibit and demo in Calgary, I am looking forward to going back to the pace I had been keeping. Taking much needed time for myself, my family and friends has been a real blessing. Too much time on the road, away from my home and my work has taken a bit of a toll. I have absolutely loved everything that I've been privileged to take part in but I am a real homebody at heart so this readjustment has worked well for me. I'm curious where my future will take me.

This summer I was able to take part in an online colour wheel workshop with Kim Fjordbotten at The Paint Spot which was fantastic. I haven't really worked on a colour wheel with watercolours even though I do love mixing different 'primaries' to see what I will get as I love using a minimal palette. In this wheel, I decided to use my stash of M.Graham azo yellow, quinacridone rose and cerulean blue. I absolutely love this palette. Then I went through a variety of different 'primaries' switching out some yellows for orange or burnt orange, some reds for pinks or purples and some blues for greens. This was such a fun experiment and I cannot wait to play with other colour mixes.

I recently saw a fantastic post on Beam Paints' instagram where an artist created a fan deck of her Beam Paints palette, like a decorator uses and I loved it so much. I had a round clip and cut up some of my watercolour paper into shapes that I found to be interesting and had so much fun creating it. I used a dip pen and 'Wolf' permanent ink (a deep grey) by Octopus Inks and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. What a wonderful reference as I work.

I'm so proud of myself for keeping up with my weekly journal/sketchbook this year. It's been so fun that I've begun a monthly overview in a 5.5x8 inch moleskine sketchbook (which I received from my husband for my birthday) and I LOVE the shape and size of it, and the paper, too. I've been using my Art Toolkit triad template for the cirlcles and an Altoids tin for the rectangular shapes and was inspired by Helen C. Spark's beautiful sketchbook spreads. It seems appropriate that I began the month sketchbook spread in June...my birthday month. It was a fantastic month! :) 

I'll be working on my 'Women of the West' project during my demonstration at Framed on Fifth tomorrow (Saturday, August 16, 12-3pm). Everyone is welcome to drop in at any time:

FRAMED ON FIFTH
1207 5 Avenue NW
Kensington, Calgary, AB

I was so excited to see the newest publication by In Her Studio titled "MADE". It is such an interesting magazine as it focuses on the interesting things women create by hand. And I was absolutely thrilled to see the 'Nasty Women' project still included. That photograph makes me especially happy because my youngest daughter set me up and took it for me. It makes me smile every time.

I had such a wonderful time at the Exhibit Reception with my friend Ana Zanella on Friday. A number of dear friends popped by and I met some lovely new people. It felt like one of the fabulous old gallery receptions like in the past...I never see those anymore. Delicious wine & treats and, of course, our amazing host, Hannah White. Such a privilege!

Ella was born Ella Jacoby in Minnesota in 1892 and moved with her family to Dundurn Saskatchewan in 1902. She felt cheated because she didn't have a middle name so she gave herself one, May, after the month she was born in. She used different combinations of her name for different activities. She went by Mrs. O.J. Walker for her volunteer and community work, Ella May Walker for her artwork and Ella Jacoby Walker for her novel. This can make it a little confusing so we'll either refer to her Ella May Walker or simply Ella.

Education: Ella returned to the States in 1911 to study art at the Chicago Institute of Art and music at the Northwestern University School of Music. In 1913 she attended the University of Saskatchewan where she met and married Osman J. Walker. The Walker's both earned degrees from McGill University; Osman a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Ella a Diploma of Licentiate in music.

Move to Edmonton: Ella moved to Edmonton in 1920 when Osman accepted a position at the University of Alberta's Chemistry Department. From the beginning she actively involved herself in Edmonton’s music, theatre and art communities. She taught piano from her Garneau home, helped stage theatrical productions and was an active member of the Edmonton Art Club. She was a church organist and played organ for silent movies in the Allen Theatre.

(City of Edmonton)