 "Beauty does not have age or sex, I see it as a combination of qualities from within, which are projected to the exterior."
~ Consuelo Castiglioni  "I'm inspired by the inner complexity of a woman."
~ Veronique Branquinho  "Everything you do affects other people." ~ Luella Bartley So...I'm always asked how I push through to complete a series and, let me tell you, it's never easy. In fact, I almost quit this small 'Fashionista' series after the second painting because I wasn't happy with it at all. But, after thinking about it for days, I remembered that I prefer to work larger which means bigger brushes and less detail (difficult on 6x6 inch canvases). So I chose re-paint the 2nd piece from a closer perspective using a new inspiration photo (swipe right for original) and a bit larger tools. Now I'm much happier and am working on the 3rd in this series of 20...and I'm enjoying it. Fingers crossed I make it to number 4!
 "You can be a star or you can be an artist, both are noble pursuits." ~ Guy Clark, musician My husband and I have been watching a Ken Burns documentary series on the history of country music and I find it fascinating how all artists in any genre feel the same. The struggles are so similar. I have noticed that artists who tend to receive a lot of public encouragement are not necessarily the ones who are may not be selling their work and vice versa, but there is definitely a place for everyone. Finding a personal space is often the biggest challenge. I have personally found that the work that may receive to most attention might not actually be something that contributes to my life financially, and sometimes it isn't even great work, but interesting in some way. I guess that's why it connects with so many people. Anyway, I find these conversations to be important. I also find that there are times I need to create work for a bigger purpose and other times it has to be for fun. And I think that's a good thing.
 "It takes courage to be a painter. I always felt I walked on the edge of a knife. On this knife I might fall off on either side. But I'd walk it again. So what. So what if you do fall off? I'd rather be doing something I really wanted to do." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe
 "I like to watch people in the street, because people astonish me"
~ Agnes B.  Awhile ago I had been searching for fashion designers online & then through my daughter's Taschen books titled '100 Contemporary Fashion Designers', I was disappointed to see a very small number of women represented. Out of 100 designers only 20 were female. And, yet, for the most part the designs are created for women. Not that there aren't more female designers but, just like in the visual arts world, there are fewer that are supported & encouraged. So, I have decided to create a collection of 20 small paintings titled 'Fashionista' to recognize these designers.
 We had such a lovely week...spent time with both of our daughters, enjoyed the Helen Schuler nature centre in Lethbridge and, as always, was inspired by the Lethbridge Viaduct (aka The High Level Bridge). The steel trestle was built over the coulees and the Oldman River between 1907 - 1909 and is so beautiful I think it belongs in movies. The weather was lovely and it was wonderful to spend time with extended family. It is these breaks that have me excited to be back in the studio. Time to break out the airbrush. :)
 For several months I have been creating an online workshop, based on my book 'Sacred Vessel::An Artist's Handbook'. The PDF includes links to short videos where I share both my trials and successes as an artist, with a focus on the things that I wished I would have known when I was beginning my career. From inspiration to wiring canvases and documenting artwork as well as creating submissions, my goal was to share all the things I have learned throughout the past 20 years as a professional exhibiting artist.
There are two options available: the first is the 37 page PDF with links to 18 short videos and the other includes a 12 month mentorship program, where I will be available for a monthly conversation via email or skype for feedback or critiques, questions about artist statements or submissions or any other area of difficulty. The mentorship will limited to 10 participants. To learn more, please visit my etsy shop here. |
Honouring Ancestors
AIRdirondack Art Project
Placemaking
Alberta (above) +
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