Going with the Flow

We hiked to the top of Black Butte this year!

We did a family trek south to Oregon last week.  Our first stop found us in Portland where we checked out the Pearl District.  The musicians in the group went to Pro Guitar Shop http://proguitarshop.com/ to buy pedals while I went to Utrecht Art Supplies http://www.utrechtart.com/ and Blick Art http://www.dickblick.com/, dividing my purchases between local and big box.

With our new finds, we went to the mountains where we love to spend a week at Black Butte Ranch, http://www.blackbutteranch.com/ for some 'R and R' which turned out to be 'A and R' - 'Activity and Relaxation'.  

My intentions were to paint plein air daily.  I had the canvas, paint, easel.  I did paint - though more experimentally and abstract.  Basically under paintings on which I played!  I played on the small canvas and I played outside - hiking, biking, golf, tennis, pools and sun.  Needless to say, I went with the flow and quickly accepted that these precious moments with my family far outweighed the time needed for focused painting.  I shot a lot of photos though and I'm certain I absorbed more creative paths to follow in my studio at a later time.... like, tomorrow!

Tangerine Dream

JUST A MINUTE

11 x 14

Here on the Pacific west coast, shoreline abounds on both rivers and ocean, carrying flotsam and jetsam as well as reflections and currents.  I've been exploring this movement in some recent small pieces like this one, Just A Minute.  I adore the brushwork in the foreground and the color juxtaposition between the light grey blue-greens and the tangerine oranges.  

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Performance Art

PERFORMANCE ART

12 x 12

Our household has a few performers in it - a daughter who sings and studies classical voice and a son who lives for his guitar.  I've been to countless concerts, both choir and rock to nurture and support these budding artists of mine.  Music is in our souls and gives us joy!

Performance Art reflects the performers on stage with the audience captivated, absorbed and observing - very similar to the act of painting where the canvas is the stage for me and my audience is the viewers/collectors who are nurtured by the colors, forms and energy.

A summer tradition of ours is to go watch a Theatre Under The Stars performance in Stanley Park, Vancouver.  www.tuts.ca/  Shows are at Malkin Bowl and alternate each night.  This year you have the choice of The Music Man or Titanic to enjoy.  Which to choose..... hmmmm.  It will probably be both on different nights!

Eye Candy

Sun has been somewhat scarce here on the west coast this summer so when it's shining I'm motivated to get shooting with my camera so I have it to inspire me when the rains really set in!


I took a walk through Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/lighthouse-park/, where trails meander through old forest towards the rocky coastline and Point Atkinson Lighthouse.  I see I was drawn toward curving shapes, texture and contrast - all design elements that are showing up strongly in my painting lately.  I find it interesting too, that the colors I paint with mostly reflect an energy I feel as a response to something - not the visual reality of what I encounter.  Ahhh, I truly am naturally drawn to expressionism like the ocean is drawn to the shoreline.

Happy Hour

HAPPY  HOUR
12 X 12

I'm energized by this season, who isn't? - more daylight, sunshine, blossoms, birds, play, barbecues, outdoor adventures.  This piece just bubbled up out of me - a response to the earthly pleasures of summer.

One of my favorite summer indulgences is making pies to enjoy! When I don't have time to do that, I head to the next best place for pie in Vancouver: The Savary Island Pie Company, savaryislandpiecompany.com/.  Their pies are a feast for the eyes and stomach.  In fact, you'll be seeing me there tomorrow!  Who knows what inspiration that visit will give for future paintings.

you choose

YOU CHOOSE
30 x 30

A week in Southern Ontario driving through the rolling hills and long flats speckled with little and big lakes - we saw 9 different universities for our son to potentially choose from and found some amazing restaurants to try in each town.  We have priorities after all!

And priorities guide artists toward subject matter - the camera is guided to focus upon and the finger is beckoned to click to capture the choice - reasons for can be specific or unknown at the time.  In You Choose I depict the freedom of choice, the largest circle choosing my subject as though it's my camera lens deciding where to click.

Speaking of amazing restaurants, when in downtown Toronto, try The Gabaradine on 372 Bay Street, www.thegabardine.com, for some casual dining comfort food while on the road - the Ploughman's lunch, smoked trout salad, mac and cheese and black cod were fabulous..... Not all for me alone - we shared!!!

taking the plunge

PLUNGE
16 x 16

I've been working on a series based loosely on Movement in Nature and as I worked on this piece, Plunge,  I saw the common shapes appear - ovals, vertical line patterns - shapes that were in my more structured Fall 2011 Birdsong series.  


Only this time, there's more action and Plunge is my yellow lab Bella running across a field to take the plunge into the awaiting waters of a pond ahead - no dawdling, no meandering,  only pure abandon!