Dear <<First Name>>,
Spring Issue 2014
With spring comes more balance to this artist's life and the balance comes from gardening in the evenings and hiking on the weekends with my husband.
The tulips and agave are waking up, our yard is raked clear of winter leavings, and the fruit trees have had their annual trim. The snow has been gone for a couple weeks and I await the burst of life here in Barnhartvale, BC. On the inside, the studio renovation was completed in March and I'm adjusting to the new space - which doesn't quite feel like mine yet - finding my way into a productive, inspiring, educational and profitable schedule with a new full time painting career.
Below is the latest painting: Indian Paintbrush and a Rose, 30" x 24" oil on canvas more about
Welcome Enda
The young woman in the painting above is my only offspring Jessie, and she became a first time Mom last month. She and her wonderful partner Ronan, are proud parents to a son, Enda. All are robust and adjusting well to family life. As Grandma (!!!!) there is no better way to show my love, in addition to all the snuggles, than to make art. I love his hands that move with eloquence.
Enda 8x10 drawing
AFCA Status
In 2009 I joined the Federation of Canadian Artists and was juried into Active Status based on portrait drawings. I was a fledgling painter at the time so embarked to learn more by attending several workshops from senior members and put in a lot of practice to have paintings accepted into juried shows. The accumulation of the right shows and the right quantity permitted me to apply for Signature Status. The Board of Governors evaluated 10 painting images, three of which were actual paintings. Last year I applied and didn't succeed, but this year Associate Status was earned, so now I'm Mairi Budreau, AFCA. New duties include jurying members into active status, jurying show entries and exhibition award winners.
WATCH FOR >>> CFJC TV Personality, Susan Edgell
At the end of April, the CFJCTV crew, Susan Edgell and I will begin an creative journey following the evolution of painting Susan's portrait. We will begin with the choice of a location and what to wear, followed by the photo session, and selecting the images from which the painting will evolve. Once a month Susan and I will get together on Midday for her feedback about the painting. A first for us all! On my website, a new page has been added where all segments of the coverage will be posted. Follow along to see what it's like to have a portrait painted, it's not like the old days!
Susan Edgell
Auction Winner at Thompson Rivers University Gala
A portrait commission valued at $3900 was auctioned at the TRU Foundation Gala fundraiser on Feb 15. The winning bid was placed by Anthony Salituro, owner of Viva Bridal and Jardines Domaine on Victoria Street in Kamloops. We're looking forward to the photo session next week.
His portrait in progress will be posted on my Blog in a few weeks.
Anthony Salitoru
Studio Reno
For several weeks my husband and I overhauled this work space. Insulating the walls and ceiling for sound, making it larger, chiseling concrete, pouring levelling compound, designing and building a drying room for oil paintings with air exhaust to expel vapours, putting in a new window, fresh air ventilation. Now it's so different, I'm not quite "home" in it, but it works.
I'm a chronic multi-tasker so to combat this the office area was moved out. The studio is creative space, the business is done in another room so I'm not pulled away by emails or phone calls. I want to thank my husband Al, for giving up his entire ice-fishing season, all those weekends and even a week of holidays to get this large job done. He did a beautiful job. It's all paid for and I'm a lucky girl.
Above: The drying room has 5 pull out panels and artwork can be hung on both sides. In the ceiling is a light (oil paintings get dark when left in the dark) and an exhaust fan.
Above: Daylight spectrum lights illuminate the SPACE! room for thoughts
Teaching and meeting space.
Not shown is an area of empty space for photographing artwork.
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The rest of the picture....
Balance in nature. Al & I hiked 200M down to this slot canyon just outside of Kamloops.
