STUDIO NEWS
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"Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June."
~ Al Berstein

June is a good month...my birthday is on the 25th, which happens to be a multiple of 5x5 (5 is my favourite number). I also turn 55 this year, wihich seems auspicious somehow. We have had the most beautiful spring, which has meant many days of painting on the patio. After all these months at home, it is nice to wander back outside especially since our patio feels a bit like a cafe these days, something I miss terribly. I do look forward to meeting up with friends and family in a cafe again, to listen to the happy chatter of others around me, and smell the brewing coffee (I'm not a coffee drinker but love the scent of it). I'm also looking forward to gallery openings again. Sigh. Here's to a softer summer.

What Women Create Summer 2021 issue now available :)

Coast-to-Coast

This week I begin work on a collaborative community mural at Luxstone Senior Living in Airdrie. They have a beautiful courtyard garden that houses a dilapidated old trailer measuring about 10x40 feet so I've come up with a design to be painted by local volunteers after I add the initilal 'drawing'. I wanted to create a large colouring book page with a map of sorts in order to make it easier for everyone. I'll make final adjustments once it's complete so that everyone can contribute without feeling that they need any painting experience.

The design came from the idea that all of the residents come from across the country so I incorporated a simplified version of my idea of Canada, from the Rockies in the west to the ocean in the east. I also included the official flowers of the provinces and territories along the bottom so that even children can be involved and also to better represent every province and territory. Of course I had to include Canada geese since I've been running into them everywhere. I can't wait to see the completed project.

Work-in-Progress

With the years of trouble I have experienced with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), it's been nice to put large canvases aside and focus on smaller works. Though, there was this one painting that I was in the middle of the re-working and I have decided to get back to it...just a bit slower and on the floor instead of on an easel. It's been hanging in my dining room, taunting me. I had asked for suggestions and am thinking of applying them all...adding stripes to the background, adding marks using acrylic paint markers, and adding texture. I've just begun and it's already a fun experiment but it's back on the dining room wall while I contemplate it once again. Fingers crossed this process works out!

More Extraordinary Women

The 'Extraordinary Women' is finally getting somewhere. Or, rather, I'm finally getting in my groove. As I paint each portrait, I read a lot about each woman and I am amazed. I knew that these women had done so much in our world but have been pleasantly surprised to learn how much more they have done. More than anything of which I was aware. To see where I am on the project so far and to learn more about these women, please visit my website here.

LevellingUp!

I'm currently leading two LevellingUp Mastermind groups, both for Emerging Artists but will begin leading a group of Aspiring Artists beginning in August. What's the difference between Emerging & Aspiring Artists?

What is an EMERGING ARTIST? As an emerging artist, you have been creating for awhile and are interested in developing a creative business:

writing - an artist's statement, biography and curriculum vitae (artist's resume)
website - you are interested in starting or have just begun to create a website
portfolio - how to prepare one and what to include
exhibiting - public or private exhibits and/or sales
business - any related art business (ie. photography, finances)

What is an ASPIRING ARTIST? As an aspiring artist, you have been creating on the side, as a hobby, and now you're ready to take it to the next level and are interested in:

technique - color and composition
art critiques - get feedback on your artwork to help you narrow and hone your style
supplies and tools - where to save and where to spend
marketing - learn to write your artist statement and CV, build your brand, launch a website, maximize your social media
price artwork – because your time and talent have value
finding your creative voice - we will work together to find your inspiration & style

Monthly memberships are available and also include free interactive panel discussions on composition, commissions & more. For more information visit LevellingUp.

For more information, visit LevellingUp .

Artwork Available