"I'm a remarkable woman, always was, though none of you seemed to think so." ~ May Morris

I have completed several demos recently and this 8" x 10" canoe was one of them. The reason I called it 'The Butterfly' because I incorporated a butterfly stamp on the background and around the outside edge of the canvas. Plus, the butterfly represents transformation which, to me, is encapsulated by a canoe image, which is also a symbolize resilience and resurgence.

Only one more month for these ladies...only three left to finish though I have been considering adding the names of those women who were listed on the back of the photographs. I haven't quite decided how I will incorporate them but am considering adding them to the bottom of the portrait, or maybe, on the mat under each portrait. I may try a sample where I tape off a section to paint then add the names written in white. At least I have until August to complete these before the exhibition in Calgary.

As I've been preparing a 6' x 4' Gottrick canvas for an upcoming commission, I mixed up a new batch of homemade gesso for a third coat (purchased canvases typically only come with two coats). This was the recipe I was given in art college back in the day, though I did have to contact the school for a refresher a few years ago. The ingredients are readily available at hardware stores. In my past, when I stretched my own canvases, I often used the cotton canvas drop cloths from the hardware store as well.

GESSO RECIPE:
1 part Plaster of Paris
1 part Elmer's glue
3 parts acrylic house paint
1 part hot water

I've also been mixing my own watercolour ground to apply to wood, metal and canvas so that I can paint on a variety of surfaces using watercolours. I protect them with a coat of cold wax, typically Dorlands Wax Medium, a clear, non-yelllowing beeswax and damar resin based product that makes the work waterproof (no frame required).

WATERCOLOUR GROUND RECIPE:
1 part modelling paste
3 parts gesso
up to 10% hot water

Earlier this month I received some news that wasn't great but I also received some incredible news. There are a few things happening in the new year which are very exciting so I've decided to focus on that...I cannot wait to share! I'm always surprised by the amazing opportunities & blessings I receive in my life and extremely grateful for the incredible people that surround me. I've decided to take the next few months to study and paint and to enjoy my friends & family. I expect even better things for the new year. :)

"May Morris was a woman ahead of her time, living openly with her partner Mary and fighting for women's rights. As she became more aware of the unfair wages paid to artisans, especially women, she made it a point to be more involved in labour rights."

I'm so happy to have completed another Jane Austen English university course. One more step closer to achieving a Bachelor of Arts - English degree. It was so great to complete one earlier Jane Austen course prior to visiting England in May and then another later Regency period course after returning, especially since I had the opportunity to visit Bath and saw her home there. When she was only 25 years old she wrote Northanger Abbey (1817), Sense & Sensibility (1811) and Pride & Prejudice (1813). I was also thrilled to visit the Jane Austen museum. The next time I travel to England I hope to visit Chawton, her final home., where she wrote Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Persuasion (1817) and began Sanditon.

I was recently contacted by a local business about a possible large commission for the new year and I'm thrilled to be asked to work on something so meaningful. To create a proposal, I printed several of my previous paintings which I cup up and re-assembled, painted and drew on to incorporate symbols, colour and imagery to represent several different groups. I'm excited to start this community project.

In fields where once the poppies grew,
With tales of courage, bold and true,
We bow our heads, remember well,
The stories that these poppies tell,
Of heroes brave, in red and blue.