Artist Trading Cards

Just have been introduced to the idea of Artist Trading Cards. Which are miniature artworks that are traded between artists. I am going to be participating in my first trading session in about a week.  It is at the gallery in Salmon Arm that is presently exhibiting my solo art show. Looking forward to seeing how this all works.

Just spent the morning creating my offerings of barn mice. The barn is full of these little fellows and it seemed the perfect fit.

Solo Art Show

I would like to extend you an  invitation to my solo art show coming up.  The opening reception is at 7:00pm on Nov. 13 at the Salmon Arm Public Art Gallery in Salmon Arm, BC. The show is “In Nature’s Footsteps” and will run from Nov 14 till Dec 12. It would be great if you have an opportunity to stop by!

Interconnecting Art

It is funny how life and art is so wonderfully interconnected. Years ago I read the most wonderful short story called Jonathan Livingston Seagull...it was beautifully simple but profound. Today I painted a painting that my husband looked  at and without a pause named "Jonathan." When he said it ....it just felt  so simple and so right.
Here is my painting titled "Jonathan."

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Kamloops Game Farm

Most of my photos come from meeting animals in the fields, mountains and woods.  It is the best experience to meet wild animals in their own homes. But I also sometimes take advantage of the opportunity to study creatures up close.  

This last week I stopped by the Kamloops Game Farm and took 2 1/2 hours to walk around and see the animals. These animals are either lifelong occupants of the park because they can not be released or simply healing from injuries and scheduled for re-entry into the woods. It is always hard to see wild animals contained in an environment that is not their own but the Game Farm works hard to maintain a good home for all these animals.  

It was amazing to see how well the 3 legged bobcat has healed from his injuries, because of the severity of that injury, he will now have a permanent home in Kamloops. In less than a few minutes he had found all the hidden chunks of meat hidden all over his habitat and was roving to see if there was any more. 

The grizzly had beaten a large barrel into a twisted bear toy and was grinning as he played with it. 

Here are some of the photos. 

Paintings inspired this years trip to the SEA

Every year I can't wait to go to the ocean. And every summer we make the trip and for me it is a bit like a pilgrimage home. As a child I lived within sight of the ocean till I was 14.  When I return to the waters edge it feels like I am greeting a family member. To walk the beach, dig my toes into the sand listen to the waves, I just savour it.

 To be exposed to all the life in the sea is an endless adventure, the tidal pools are full of creatures, the sand is crawling with life and the water both conceals and reveals so much life with each pulse of waves.

Here are the paintings that this year has inspired. So this is my Orcas flying painting. Love to see these immense beauties rise up out of the water. We were so lucky to see a full pod of killer whales playing along side the ferry and have a grey whale swim right past us while boating in the Broken Island waters.

Working on this sea lion painting right now and will post the completed painting on website when it is done.

My mind's is full of the sea.....I am letting wash out of me on the tip my paint brush. 

Off to the Stampede

Three of my paintings are headed off to the Calgary Stampede. Just finished boxing them up and a great friend is dropping them off to the Western Art Salon.

It is the wild west...and the buffalo are roaming with the pheasants and the lynx....mmmm....might not make sense but thats wildlife for you.  Watch for these three paintings if you in the Art section at the Stampede....Yippee Ki Iii Aaaaa

Teaching how to create natural textures

Well this weekend Saturday June 13,  I will be at Opus Art Store in Kelowna sharing how I create the illusion of the  textures of nature in my paintings. My demo project will be a half finished painting of Killdeer and their chicks.  It is a painting with rocks, sand, dry grass, feathers and wonderful bird feet. That should give us some textures to work with. Hope to see you all there. :)