I was raised in northern Manitoba, surrounded by the boreal forest and lakes of the Churchill River. During the long winter nights we would put on our ski suits and make snow angels as we watched the dancing northern lights and in the summer we learned how to paddle a canoe. My town, Leaf Rapids, was named after the rapids nearby. When I left the north, I felt hollow inside and missed it for many years...until I moved to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In the 25 years that I have lived here, I have had the privilege of enjoying the rugged nature that surrounds me and to explore everything the area has to offer, from the prairies to desert to mountains. One of the most fascinating things I have found are the erratics (giant boulders) left behind by glaciers around the prairie landscapes. The Okotoks Erratic (Big Rock) includes symbols left behind by travelling tribes...some of which I've included in this painting titled 'Contemplating the Moon'. There are circles representing the number of moons that had passed as they travelled, and lines to represent members of their tribe, even those who had recently passed. I often think of it as a type of texting, leaving messages for the next group. It's always interesting to see how it is these things that make me feel connected to those who came before us.

I’m excited to share that I’ll be teaching a new online course through @mastriusofficial, ‘Turn Your Travel Memories into Art!’.
Learn how to preserve the best moments from your wanderings through the art of travel journaling!
For me, keeping an illustrated journal has become a deeply fulfilling hobby, a passport to reliving my adventures and emotions long after the journey ends.
I'm excited to share some of my techniques and practices with you!

I will help you:

🖌️ Illustrate your experiences in unique ways
🖌️ Master watercolor and drawing techniques for stunning, portable journal entries.
🖌️ Learn what supplies to use for convenient packing and setup

Join me in an encouraging space designed to share and learn from fellow artists!

⏰ Starts Thurs, Nov 9, 2023
Nov 9 | Nov 16 | Nov 23 | Nov 30
4 sessions, 2 hrs each, weekly
10:00am – 12:00pm MT

Registration closes 24 hours before the course begins

🚩 Get YOUR SEAT and course info:
MASTRIUS.COM/online-art-courses
.
🏎️ Mastrius courses are the ultimate fast track to hone your skills and build your creativity. 🔥
LIVE & interactive!
.
🤝 Preferred pricing for Mastrius members.
Join the global community BUILT BY ARTISTS, FOR ARTISTS!

Lately I've been re-visiting a lot of older style of work but in a new way...including these hearts. I decided to incorporate pastel colours into the mix and I have to say I'm really enjoying it. It's always interesting to me to recognize how subtle shifts in my work can be refreshing in terms of creating new work and also have a totally different feeling. It's exciting and grounding all at the same time.

This summer I've really been enjoying adding images of the places around our home province...from heritage buildings and restaurants, to the countryside and small towns, to southern Alberta and the local farmers market. The Crossroads Farmers Market is also in a heritage building which used to be a slaughterhouse on the train tracks and, incidentally, housed a beautiful art gallery where I was first given a solo exhibit many years ago. There is another gallery in its place, much smaller but just as beautiful, and I had an exhibition of my 'Fashion Plates' paintings back in 2020 (the timing was not great). Anyway, I realized that I don't need to go far in order to collect memories of beautiful places so I've added this to my practice and I'm loving it!

Often when I feel stuck and struggle to move forward in my work, I will take a step back and re-visit old subject matter in a new way. Thirty years ago, my interior paintings were simplified & large (3-5 feet), then I completed an extended series of small 6" x 6" chairs, followed by a more detailed series created on layers of 8" x 10" acid etched glass.

During my residency at Sparrow Artspace in June, I had added texture to 6" x 8" deep cradled panels using modelling paste and stencils but wasn't sure what I would do with them, especially since I've switched to watercolour & gouache.

As I was looking through photographs I had taken, there were several interesting shots taken throughout my home so I thought that this might be a perfect fit. This time, instead of simplifying, I've begun to incorporate more details with pattern & colour and I'm quite pleased with the results.

As challenging as switching my process, medium, or subject matter can be, there are always those little 'A-Ha' moments and a lot of fun to be had in experimentation.

“Everyone must believe in something. I believe I’ll go canoeing.”
~Henry David Thoreau

My friend Ana Zanella & I had the privilege of working with a great group of women at Sparrow Artspace this weekend. LOVE the space and the people who join us! I worked on the teeniest little board book...just three pages so it went pretty quickly. I will re-visit it again to add a few little touches but I am so glad I got to spend my day with such lovely people.

I’m excited to share that I’ll be teaching a new online course through Mastrius.com:
‘Turn Your Travel Memories into Art!’

Learn how to preserve the best moments from your wanderings through the art of travel journalling!
For me, keeping an illustrated journal has become a deeply fulfilling hobby, a passport to reliving my adventures and emotions long after the journey ends.

I'm excited to share some of my techniques and practices with you!

I will help you:
🖌️ Illustrate your experiences in unique ways
🖌️ Master watercolor and drawing techniques for stunning, portable journal entries.
🖌️ Learn what supplies to use for convenient packing and setup

Join me in an encouraging space designed to share and learn from fellow artists!
⏰ Starts Thurs, Nov 9, 2023
Nov 9 | Nov 16 | Nov 23 | Nov 30
4 sessions, 2 hrs each, weekly
10:00am – 12:00pm MT

Registration closes 24 hours before the course begins

🚩 Get YOUR SEAT and course info:
MASTRIUS.COM/online-art-courses
.
🏎️ Mastrius courses are the ultimate fast track to hone your skills and build your creativity. 🔥
LIVE & interactive!
.
🤝 Preferred pricing for Mastrius members. Join the global community BUILT BY ARTISTS, FOR ARTISTS!

Last week I had the best trip to the Leighton Art Centre to drop off some new work and was treated to the entire space to myself. I enjoyed wandering the shop and gallery and then spent an hour painting outside. The view of the blue mountains in the distance is always mesmerizing, and even more so when the landscape is coloured in shades of oranges and reds. I hope our autumn continues for awhile and that I get another chance to head out before winter arrives...and then to visit on a mild winter's day as well. I don't think I've ever caught the winter season in the foothills in my sketchbook.

Last week I was struggling with these paintings until I finally decided to let go and play with my materials using my altered books as reference. I always find it interesting how I don't worry at all with altered books, layering and utilizing whatever supplies at hand, but when I work on paintings I become tight and worry about each step and each mark as I go. The funny thing is that whenever I just keep going and allow myself to experiment, the work flows. I'm really happy with the outcome of these paintings as the layers add so much interest. 

I started with a layer of colour and stencilled pattern, adding white and washes of colour in acylic gouache as I was influenced by some of the moon paintings I had done during my Astronomy course last year. Then I incorportated more stencil patterns, was drawn to a water soluble graphite pencil I had been gifted, then more mark-making using acrylic markers. I think these are finally done.