Bottomless - Sold

Bottomless, 8x8 oil

I recently purchased a really nice set of cups and saucers. I had put them aside while I was working on a larger painting.  Even though that painting isn't quite done, (hopefully it will be by the end of today), I decided to paint this while it was in my head.  I have a lot of plans for these cups, (that sounds strange).  I can't believe that February is coming to a close soon.  This month has flown by.

Last weekend I went to The Artist Project in Toronto.  I have been visiting this annual show for the past few years.  It's an excellent show, and the quality of art is generally top notch.  The one thing I have learned from visiting amazing art shows is to trust myself and to keep moving forward!  When I come home I can't wait to paint!  As far as shows locally, I have been finding out about group shows, as my peers are sending out invitations regularly, but clearly I have not been invited to be part of.  This only makes me stronger and forces me to work harder to find my own way in this dog eat dog world of art where everyone is vying for attention. 

A Cold Day

A Cold Day, 7x5 oil

On Monday this week I went out to paint at Hidden Valley Park, here in Burlington.  The temperature was -8 C.  I really didn't want to head outside to paint, but the sun was beckoning me and out I went.  I found myself trudging through knee deep snow, only to find the lace on my boot had caught on some twigs and instead of keeping out the snow I was scooping it up into my now gaping boot.  Well with my pant leg soaking wet I stood in the snow and painted as fast as I could before I became too cold.  I lasted an hour and a half, (not bad). 

Friday February 7 was the big art auction at the Burlington Art Centre.  What a fun and exciting evening!  I had never been to any kind of live auction before.  The experience was a little nerve racking since I really didn't know what kind of reaction my artwork would have.  There was an excellent show of people, with the gallery absolutely packed, (over 350 people).  To my relief, the auctioneer was wonderful; friendly and comical.  Happily my painting did sell, with a little competition between a couple of interested buyers, which made it even nicer. 

Making Tracks - Sold

Making Tracks, 7x5 oil

I went painting 'en plein air' yesterday.  It was a beautiful day.  The snow had a crisp top layer that crumbled in chunks as I walked through it.  Unless you were a small animal, the stream nearby was not safe to cross.  I saw some small tracks across it but was too far away to get a good view, (wish I had my camera with me!)   I heard a couple of guys walking along the path with a dog further down the stream.  Clearly one had tried to cross the stream.  He was soon shouting that he had a soaker and that the water had gone over the top of his boot.  Live and learn.