Grand Opening for the Saugeen Artists Store today!

We are all excited about the GRAND opening of the store today!  There will be drinks and treats, and lots of activity due to the Christmas parade happening as well.  Hopefully we will be able to enjoy the music of a guitarist at times during the day.  We have been so encouraged by the response of the town, saying that this is something Hanover needs.  


We have included a fun and helpful element-- a Featured Artist of the Day.  This artist donates a small prize for someone who contributes to the Food Bank Box in the store, provided by the Salvation Army.  If you live near Hanover, you might as well try for the daily prize!


Here are some photos of the store, all set up for business:

The window display is my job.  The theme will change each week.

Inside the front door is a sampling of the wall art in the store.

There is sculpture, pottery, jewellery, stained glass, mosaics, photography,
and some unique items, all handmade by our group members.

This is my own display.

The Saugeen Artists are busy getting ready..........

for "The 24 Days of Christmas" Show. 


Twenty-two artists are displaying their work in the previous "Shoe Shack" store, downtown Hanover.  There are lots of Christmas gift ideas there, from cards and tree ornaments to sculptures and large paintings.  You will also find jewellery, stained glass, and even furniture!  Take a look any day during December, and meet the artists.  If you bring an item to donate to the local Food Bank, you can enter a daily draw for a prize from one of the artists!  It's a great adventure for the group, and we're looking forward to trying out the retail scene. 


 Here are some of the artists preparing their displays ........

What a great painting group!

Saturday, November 19 was my last watercolour workshop for 2011.  We were all focused on flowers for the day, a delightful diversion from the cold weather and the approaching winter.  This amazing group was able to switch from positive painting to negative painting and back again!  We all took 2 or 3 paintings home to keep working on until next time.............

Watch the "Classes" tab
to check on the next
workshops in 2012.

A new art venue!

I'm pleased to be asked by Wendy at the Partners Physiotherapy Service in Hanover to hang two  watercolour paintings in her front lobby!  Here they are:

"Consider the Lilies:
watercolour 11 X 14

This was a fun study in using lots of effects for texture,
and then making the flowers pop out by painting the negative shapes around them.

"More to Come"
watercolour 11 X 14

This was the piece I worked on during the Autumn Leaves Studio Tour, between guests at the Earthen Vessels Studio.  Nothing was painted in the positive-- I painted around all of the flowers (when my hands weren't too cold!).  The buds gave it the title.

On the weekend of September 30 to October 2, find out what great talent there is in Grey County!

The Autumn Leaves Studio Tour is on from 9:00 to 5:00 each day of the weekend. 
Click on www.autumnleavesstudiotour.ca to see a list of the artists and where you can find them.  If you would like to come and see me and my art, I will be at Studio C, Earthen Vessels Pottery, 10 minutes north of Durham.  Here is some of the pottery you will see there.

I plan to bring some watercolours and acrylics, and demonstrate painting during the day.

 

Enjoy the weekend!



Southampton Watercolour Fun.......

  

My latest students had so much fun playing with watercolour techniques, they inspired me!!  Our week's supplies included straws, mushrooms, tissue paper, kosher salt, saran wrap, sandpaper, Terraskin, and of course plentiful samples from the local Bakery.  We all learned so much, and had a great time sharing and laughing.  Thanks to each of the class for a great week!

Distillery Romance.............

Congratulations.......... to a special couple,
 for whom the Distillery District in Toronto holds important memories.
This was a fun painting to work on, with so many interesting angles, and lots of windows.
I think I captured the feel of the place!  

Something I love to do...........

............paint a house portrait for a gift!  This was painted in watercolour for a family member to give as a wedding present.  I hope the recipients enjoy their new home together!

"Abiding"

This watercolour was the result of a commission I was asked to do recently.  I love to do this kind of painting, called "negative", where I have painted around the shapes to make them show up, rather than just painting the shapes themselves.  It's a challenge, and takes a lot of planning.  I also find it fun!  As I was working, I was reminded of Jesus' teaching about "abiding" in him, so that he "abides" in me and I can produce fruit for him.  When I was finished the piece, I spattered liberally, so that the fruit seemed juicy, almost dripping.  I hope the owners are blessed by having that reminder in their dining room!

"Wheels"--- a fun piece of art to support Youth Literacy

This little box is only about 5" X 6"! 


75 local artists were invited to create an interesting piece of art from a plain, wooden box, which is then donated to the South Grey Bruce Literacy Council for a fundraising event coming up at the Jubilee Hall in Walkerton.  I thought of my 6 year old grandson Ben when I decided to paint Hot Wheels cars in it! 


On May 14, at 6:00, there will be a sale of all of the pieces of art, for $123 each. 
At 8:00 there will be a movie called "Waterlife" (for $10 admission).


If you want to see the art ahead of time, you can view it from May 11-13 from 1:00 to 4:00. 
I plan to take a look myself.  What a variety of work there will be!

Is it time for flowers yet?

These are little 6" X 6" canvases. 
It was so encouraging to paint flowers, I may do some more!

Spring means yard sales...............and new painting themes.



"Retired"
acrylic,  20 X 20

 These pots were shining in the sun at Grumpy's, a well-known haunt for yard salers and antique hunters who search the streets of Neustadt for treasures.  I can't help thinking of the hours of work those pots have put in over a llifetime.  Perhaps they will live out their years happily growing geraniums that match their red stripes.



A new painting "Come in out of the cold"

"Come in out of the cold"
acrylic, 12 X 24

This interesting arrangement of homes is near the Mill in Chesley, where we meet Sunday mornings for worship.  I added lots of colour for warmth.  I wanted the viewer to feel invited to come right inside on a cold winter morning.

Back to winter in a new acrylic painting............



"Evening Chores"
16 X 20


I took a photo of this scene on a sunny Sunday afternoon recently.  The contrasts and beautiful shapes weren't evident to me until I downloaded the photo, and decided I just had to paint it.  The farmer heading out to do his chores was added on later. 

January 29 Workshop: Painting Snow

Participants worked on ways to make deciduous trees in the snow, and show their shadows.  Where is the sun coming from?  Are the shadows parallel?  What colours are in snow? 
Don't forget to make every tree different!


The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 26.
Watch the Classes information to see what the topic will be!

A painting to help us think ahead to spring...............

"High Rise Real Estate"
acrylic
16 X 24

At my recent paint course in Southampton last fall, I went on a walk at lunch and discovered these quaint birdhouses for sale, all in a row.  I loved the shapes and angles!  What a delight to work on this painting in the middle of a cold January.







                                                                                       

Take a look at one of my new acrylic paintings.

                                    

"Summer Shade"

You may recognize the main street of Neustadt.  I was interested in the shapes of the buildings and the awnings.  The shadows made it seem like a steamy summer day when everyone was inside having a cold drink.