Artists Working Together

Well... our Art Show at the Prestige is all packed up and put away.  It was a great show with some amazing artists. It was really fun and inspirational to work with these artists. They are generous people happy to share their artistic vision of the world.

For those of you that did not get an opportunity to stop by, let me share a bit of what this art show was composed of. Gaye Adams is a Blind Bay artist that has the ability to fill her paintings with light. Her landscapes glow and her portraits subjects look to have been caressed with light.

John Burrows, also from Blind Bay creates his paintings with colour used in a masterful way. His landscapes, gardens and folk art are infused with happy feelings from his rich palette of colour.

 Dennis Weber, a Metis artist from Kelowna shares his insight with paintings that really tell stories. His graphite portraits have such expressive eyes.

Reg Parsons, a bronze artist from Cranbrook with the 3D art was in the centre of our show. His sculptures brought such dimension to our show. With a skilful and complicated  process he creates artwork that will last almost forever.

My nature and wildlife paintings were my way of creating a window to look out at our Canadian wilderness. It was very satisfying to get some of  the large paintings out of the studio and share them.
All in all it was a great weekend.

Please take the time to check out these artists websites to see their artwork.
www.gayeadams.com
www.webergallery.com
www.johnhburrow.com
www.regparsons.com
www.valerierogers.com

Inspiration & Creation

The summer search for inspiration is endless. The hikes in the mountain, the wading down the streams, the berry picking on the mountain slope: all of these events are enjoyed not only for the experience of the moment but also for the paintings that will be born of it.  My camera is never far from my side and it records as I go. My pockets fill with rocks, pine cones, funny sticks and wisps of the gray lichen that is so hard to duplicate in a painting. So many beautiful and extraordinary sights to see.

So you would think that all the paintings come easy and that when I finish one, the next idea just rolls out ready to be painted.....but that is not always so. Sometimes the place between paintings is a most awkward uncomfortable place. I want to be painting but the idea for the next painting is in an uncomfortable growing phase that is taking its own time to develop.

 The bunches of other ideas that not long ago made me excited to paint, are just not right to create at this time. So instead of painting ....I am forced to turn the inspiration around and around in my head, then run it through my heart until....it is finally ready to think about becoming a painting.  It is a bit like being horse in the race gate but without a race to run.

But when it is time.....wow....the inspiration from all that time out in nature........it all comes together to jump start an idea. Then the I am on a quick run to the easel and the beginning of something new!

Photo of me enjoying inspiration on Vancouver Island and a painting called Turtle Creek featuring a close up look at a small island creek rippling its way down to the sea.

Awwww.... Kittens

Still playing with kitten paintings. Just having fun with creating the soft fur, the big eyes and the delightful feeling of awwwwww that you feel when you see one. My daughter has just chosen a beautiful gray tabby kitten to join their family. I really want a kitten also but really not such a good time to add an animal to our household, so in stead this is what I will do .......paint them.