Kathleen Daunhauer Art

Turquoise Painting / Work in Progress

2011-08-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

Working on smooth board. I love it. Very bright, celebrating summer, this has a feel of 1940/1950's fabric, but I pumped up the color. Almost there.

While I paint I listen to Hay House Radio online. I have a membership so I have access to hundreds of archived shows with the bonus of no commercials. Had a nice dose of Wayne Dryer and Allen Cohen today. The message today....there is enough for all of us.

Hosta in the Night

2011-08-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

This is from a few years ago, but I never got around to taking any pictures of it. It is 20" x20"

New Work

2011-07-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

12" x 12" acrylic on board $300

Art That Grabs ME

2011-02-27T11:52:00.001-08:00

Yummy, yummy art. What do you think?
All art by Marti Somers

Reservoir Love, oil and mixed media on wood panel, 40x40

Marti Somers: Crossings, Mixed Media on Panel

Marti Somers: Chopsticks, Mixed Media on Panel

More adventures in Mexico

2011-01-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

Here is how Veda is feeling about Mexico.

Here is how she feels about travelin with big Al.

A beautiful church we saw driving into a tiny village to look for spirals on rocks.

Colorfull flowers everywhere.

The trail to the spirals.

Veda likes the fruit.

Walking along the stree.

Laughing over lunch with John and Doreen.

Thanks for stopping by

Leaving Sayulita for Los Ayala

2011-01-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

Our kitchen in Sayulita.

Sleep was not the high light of my time in Sayulita. Parties go on till the wee hours of the morning......thanks Al for gettting out of bed at 3:30am to track down the source of the blasting music and loud yelling.

Doing some drawing with Veda.

We are now in Los Ayala and I don't hear any bar noise, drumming, hooting or hollering, just the ocean surf. Sweet dreams tonight.

Mexico 2011

2011-01-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

We have arrived for a few nights stay in Sayulita. Our place is up on the hill overlooking the ocean. On our first day we were able to get to the beach for a few hours before sun set.

Here is happy Al, in the present moment, no longer waiting to get to warm weather.

Our bungalo, which is called Longboard Haven, but I've dubbed 'Mildew Haven', for a certain orderous smell.

Cobble stone streets, add to the clip clop of horses passing by.

On our way home from the beach we came across this tree which had several really big iguana's in it. We later found out, that about to 20 lizards live in this tree.

New Painting 'Paradise'

2010-11-18T18:16:00.000-08:00

Available at View Gallery

Show at View Gallery

2010-11-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

So many great artist in this show!

Eleanor Miller Painting Inspiration

2010-11-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Velvet Waters," o/c, 40 x 50 inches

"Return to Form," 18 x 18 in., o/c

"Attraction," o/c, 30 x 30 inches

"Rosebay," 40 x 36 in., o/c

"Subatomic Love," o/c, 40 x 40 inch

"Last Nights Dream," o/c, 30 x 60 inches

"Passage to Form," o/c, 60 x 48 inches

Works by Eleanor Miller

What I like about these paintings is the colors, then the images of beauty from nature, the drips.

“P“Painting reflects my observation of nature and the creatures that roam, swim and share this planet with us. The images th“Painting reflects my observation of nature and the creatures that roam, swim and share this planet with us. The images that interest me discuss life’s continuing process and the mystery of its evolution.” Eleanor Miller’s paintings are celebrations of nature as she melds reality with spirituality.

at interest me discuss life’s continuing process and the mystery of its evolution.” Eleanor Miller’s paintings are celebrations of nature as she melds reality with spirituality.

ainting reflects my observation of nature and the creatures that roam, swim and share this planet with us. The images that interest me discuss life’s continuing process and the mystery of its evolution.” Eleanor Miller’s paintings are celebrations of nature as she melds reality with spirituality.

Love Painting

2010-10-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

A new painting done. All the color surprises me.

Happiness is Something You Decide on Ahead of Time or How to Stop Being a Curmudgeon

2010-10-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

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I am not writing this to tell you a message about happiness. It's actually a message to me. I will have a place here on the blog to come back to to remind myself of this important point. I have been asking myself how much of the day am I happy or upset. What is the ratio? I was not happy with what was revealed.

How I arrange my mind. Decided to love it.

'It's a decision
I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in
bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer
work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day
and all the happy memories I've stored away.. Just for this time in my life.

to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

The Reclining Nude and the mind of a despairing artist

2010-09-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

Painting today took me to the depths of fear. I can track that this had been building up over a few days, thinking that I might as well just give up this whole pursuit and what a waste it was to spend money on studying art. After spending some time sitting in the sun looking at the garden, I realized how crappy I was feeling. My thoughts were not making me feel good. Can you really be happy thinking there is no point and you might as well pin up a sign on a telephone post saying 'house cleaner for hire'. Yes. those were my deep dark thoughts. Thanks goodness, I tuned in and realized that what I had been telling myself did not feel good and how right can that be? I may never be famous or rich from my art, I might not sell anymore paintings, people might laugh at my silly little pictures. But it all boils down to how do I feel when I create these pictures. Usually some of the stuff I make I decide is junk but the other half intrigues me. So I continue on.

This painting is of my dear friend Wendy who is also my adopted mom. She is the most inspirational woman to me. Its amazing that someone close to me inspires me to the depths. She is smart, talented, wise, truthful, courageous, a lover or art and beauty, flowers and veggies. I adore her. xoxo to you Wendy.

September

2010-09-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

Summer came in a flash and along with it I got married and planted a garden. Really!
The fire of summer is fading and almost just a memory.
Finally, finally I am painting.
My family says I am laughing alot. I noticed it too, some strange gaiety. Sometimes plain ridiculousness.
All is well.
A new painting is emerging. For a special friend.

How we feel about our new home

2010-07-12T17:16:00.000-07:00

We are moved into our new home, and very much enjoying having a garden.

Smiling and enjoying hanging out.

Having a yard is good.

'Dad' painting complete and something cool.

2010-05-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Finished the painting of my dad. My dad took us (4 kids) in a little wooden 'clinker' boat to many of the small islands off the tip of southern Vancouver Island. Often we would camp for days on deserted beaches and abandoned fields of old homesteads that once were productive farms on these little islands. After working 2 jobs, one as a full time postal worker and the other in the evenings at a gas station to support his family, my dad along with my mom would regularly pack us all up on Friday night and early Saturday morning we would head out in the boat for our budget adventure. I realize now how lucky I was to be able to spend time on these little islands that were pristine and uninhabited in the 1970's.
The picture of the building all cover with vines is just for the beauty of it. I think its beautiful.

Visiting my Childhood again

2010-04-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

Finish new work and photographed a bunch of old ones

2010-04-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Floating People

2010-04-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

I am drawn to the work of Montreal artist Jude Griebel. His floating people, peaceful and haunting at the same time.
Is there a connection to Marc Chagall's work and his floaters.
Then there is my own version of floating.

Jude Griebel

Jude Griebelption

Thoughts on bad art and a 19th Happy Jude Day

2010-04-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

Going back to a style that I seem drawn to, images and icons that float in space and have unknown meaning often to the viewer. I am challenged to see if I can get feeling into these paintings. I like what Julia Cameron say, 'you need to be willing to paint bad art'. I am afraid of my bad art and yet I need to be willing to paint and paint and paint even when they are bad.
Also some beautiful pictures of my son Jude surfing at Sombrio beach, the wave were gigantic. Yeehoo Jude!!!!

new painting not yet finshed

work in progress

Jude surfing at Sombrio beach

Judes birthday adventure

Birthday breakfast

Plantain salve that Veda and I made

New Work Completed

2010-03-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

March show at View Art Gallery

2010-02-24T08:58:00.001-08:00

Delight Yourself First Then Others Will Be Delighted

2010-02-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

Took a break from painting yesterday and took the kids outside.

Isn't this place amazing? What a beautiful day. Barefoot in February!

Working on a new paintings. I love this saying I came across...'Better to paint for yourself and have no public then to paint for the public and have no self." It is timely for me to come across these words as I struggle with my 'pretty' paintings. In the contemporary art world were I was instructed, I judge that these works would be laughed at. They contain no grey, no geometric lines, no angst....I sooth myself with Rufus Wainwrights sentiment 'so what if I like pretty things..' I call these paintings my little gems.

Back at the beach, we soak up our vitamin D, and breath the ocean air.

Fun with color...maybe Mexico did have an effect....

2010-02-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

Learning that I Have an Abundance of Time

2010-02-16T18:26:00.000-08:00

Taking deep breaths as I reprogram myself to trust that I have enough time. Here of some reminders of all the beautiful things I have had time for.

Picking wild food with Veda. We have been gathering nettles, and this picture show the magical wild violets we found. We eat them in salads, and they smell heavenly.

I have had time to create some new breakfasts. This is my latest protein hit. I blender up and apple and some raw almond butter, sprinkle it with hemp seeds, and raw sprouted buckwheat granola. Thats something to get out of bed for.

Moved some art around. I wuv my painting of Red Block and Licorish the guinea pigs. I have a strange connection to guinea pigs. At times I dream about them often. I saved both these guinea pigs from raccoons, so maybe they are communicating with me.

And I finally finished these three paintings. This is a poor photo but i was so happy to get them done, I couldn't wait to celebrate. I am excited to change things around a bit with the next paintings I am planning, it will still be flowers and leaves, but some new colors are coming.

Where I Disappeared to in January

2010-02-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

We went to Mexico! To the little town North of Puerto Vallarta called Los Ayala.

The great Sergio and his beautiful daughter Lissette, who showed us the sights and gave us lots of laughs.

No one know the the identity of this masked person. It was last seen running around the beach having lots of fun.

Thanks sweetie for getting us to paradise.

Putting My Feet Up and Another Artist Lurks in the House

2010-02-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

This means I have done the painting. Well almost, still need to put some wire to hang it on the back.

But another artist lurks in the house, possibly threatening my power, skill and talent. Its super Veda, doodling girl wonder.

Feeling happy.

Woman Can Not Live on Painting Alone

2010-02-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

Here are some other things I was up to today, besides painting. I made dehydrated flax crackers, yum.

This is my pot of elixir. When I paint I listen to alot of music, pod cast and youtube videos. I came across Daniel Vitalis, showing how he makes these herbal decoctions that you can then use in your smoothies ( I use them as soup stock too). This one is make with lots of fresh ginger, nettles, oat straw, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, cacao butter and goi berries. You blender it all up and strain it and then use it. This one taste like chai tea. Daniel calls this 'elixir craft'......I never use to pay any attention, because I thought he was selling or promoting a blender. See what my ignorance lead me to miss out on for so long.

Thing are so mild here right now in Victoria, I decided to take a walk and check my ocean side nettle patch. I was not disappointed, lush little nettles are up. Here is my nettle, lemon, celery and cucumber juice I had this morning.

And here is me and Veda getting the nettles.

Day 3 of Painting

2010-02-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

Adding many layers of glazes to get the flat acrlyic paint to have some life.

Almost Done

2010-02-03T16:20:00.000-08:00

I am beginning to see some patterns to my painting process. For instance, I get to this point after apply layer after layer of color where I start to doubt. But I push on through and keep applying those layers and then it starts to take off. This one is getting close to completed.

I am also recognizing how I make marks and shapes. Its similar to ones hand writing. You can recognize the unique way you do a certain letter. I notice in this painting my leaves are the same shape as the leave in my blog banner with the lady and the bugs. I painted these paintings years apart, and the way my hand naturally makes the shapes is the same. I had a teacher in art school who was very amazing. He could look at your line and shapes in you work and give you an analysis of your personality, almost like hand writing analysis. I was very amazed at how accurately he was in his assessment.

Strange Flower Painting in Progress

2010-02-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Creating a New Painting

2010-01-01T21:18:00.000-08:00

The House

2009-12-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

My family and I have been wishing for a old farm house in the country, where we can have a garden. This one is perfect. Okay universe, I found you a picture.

Bug World

2009-12-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

This is a snipet from an older painting. I cropped it and realised that this section was nice in its own right.
Some other wonderous art I found by Nathalie Lete.

Isn't that an amazing rug, designed by Lete? LIke these cups by her too.

Somebody Turned Twelve!!!

2009-12-05T16:00:00.000-08:00

I've Got To Be Starting Something

2009-11-24T19:07:00.000-08:00

This little spurt of creativity is thanks to Michael Jackson. We went and saw, 'This is It" and all his talent, creativity and passion got me moving. Not only with my paint brush, I was also grooving around the living room. Daughter Veda is not impressed with my MJ dance impersonations.

I share with you Michael's words at the end of the movie where he says to his crew (referring to the huge show that they were getting ready for): There is nothing to be nervous about, this is just an adventure...

Putting a Painting Together

2009-11-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

Group Show at View Art Gallery Opens Tonight

2009-11-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

These two little paintings will be for sale tonight at View Gallery. The gallery is doing a small works show and these fit the bill at 3"x3". Check out my Etsy shop to get them as prints.

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

A fun Halloween was had by all.

Veda was happy with her Victorian pirate girrrrl.

Kathleen's thrift store scores all come together. And Al shocked everyone with his daring costume choice.

Its Halloween every day for this guy!

Group Show at View Art Gallery

2009-10-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

My work will be in this upcoming group show at View Art Gallery in Victoria. Yahoo!

Good bye October

2009-10-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

October was intense. My dad passed away and that brought up many difficult feelings.

The dark nights are here, and we are getting ready for Halloween. In the Irish tradition we have carved turnips. They are very cool. Veda is sporting the rabbit hat she sewed single handedly (she designed it with detachable ears). And I finally painted the art room floor a brilliant orange/red which after days of noxious fumes I can heartily say looks dazzling. Stay tuned for our great halloween costumes coming up soon.

Dad and the planned/unplanned life

2009-10-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

Life can be topsy turvy. The other morning I was just commenting to Al that I was pondering rushing into things, verses controlling things. My friend Wendy reminds me that we can make all kinds of plans but they never really happen the way we plan them. The phone rang with my mother telling me my dad is in intensive care.

That day I planned to go to work and Al asked me what I would like for dinner. We planned to have salad. I did not go to work and I had pie for dinner.

I don't know if my dads life worked out as he planned. Or if my will unfold how I plan. I hear the trick is to accept what does happen. Like pie for dinner vrs salad.

Photo tribute to my dad.

My obsession with the desert, or How to put your relationship to the test.....take a road trip

2009-10-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip to the dessert in British Columbia. Visited Osooyos, Oliver, and Vernon. Swam in some divine lakes and had some really nice camp fires.
We got lost several times coming back into Vancouver at night. We slept in the van at the ferry terminal.
I am happy I got to see this area of BC.

Small paintings and musings on the emerging girl series

2009-09-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

Working on some small paintings, for a Christmas show. I seem to be drawn to the theme of lone girls. Thinking about this more and observing that many of my paintings have young girls ( many of them me as a little girl) I realized I am painting the aloneness I felt as kid. Funny how I often paint stuff and have no idea what I am doing, and then sometime later I understand some part of it. I have do know that for me I am often troubled by not knowing what it is that I am painting. At first I really have no idea, it's just what I seem to be attracted to. So I do it and often give myself a hard time for the subject matter I am choosing. And then these glimpses into what lies beneath. The little girls on the surface could be about my own world with is surrounded my young girls, having an eleven year old. The girls in the paintings have change over time, I began with me as a young girl and now I am painting other young girl that are not me. These young girls seem powerful to me. Even if they are alone, the have a powerful presence.

Here is my real life girl and my big boy.

For Fall

2009-09-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Driving out into the country today I was aware of a different light in the air, a new feeling. I remeber once hearing that summer is the fire season. Its energy is fast and busy. There is something about September that I adore. Things slow down. I am not mourning summer this year, but embracing the bits a stillness I am noticing. Soon acorns will be dropping, time to get out the autumn art. I put this print in my Esty shop today. Hope you like it.

Infinity and beyond

2009-09-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

The art walk went really well. I think I had 200 people go through both days. Thank you Veda for helping me keep the cookie plate full.

And to Al for helping clean the house and lots of ongoing positive encouragement.

Here's the pad all clean and ready for the crowds.

Some of the sweet people I meet over the week end. Don't they radiate?

And me before.....

and after, all tired out.

and thanks to the cosmic ha ha for all the strange things that go on,

for a never ending supply of things to paint

Inspiring Music 'the Cinematic Orchestra'

2009-08-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

My favorite way to start the day.... a cup of organic tea, some quite time in my journal while sitting in my granny chair.

This week end I finished putting up my paintings for the art walk. It takes some planning figuring out lay out and what goes with what. Plus I am terrible about measuring, I like to just eye it, and well...things usually come out crooked. Ah well.

I came across this great song, with some nice visuals too. Cinematic Orchestra check them out here.

What else is new?

Kathrine Dunn

2009-08-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

I came across this marvelous painter, Kathrine Dunn. I love the innocence, and spunk in her work.

Bzzzzzz Said the Busy Bee

2009-08-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

We've been busy. Veda has started horse back riding lessons. I love the boots they wear, and those leggings they call half chaps. Very cool.

Finally got all the passport stuff together and mailed off today. Here's my mug shot. I actually like it, other wise i wouldn't be showing it.

Getting ready to open my house to the public with the James Bay Art Walk. I decided to clear out alot of work that I am not attached too, and have a bargain room, kinda feng shui my art, clear it on out. I was surprised at how many paintings I have. I came across this one that I never liked much, but the canvas was custom made for me. Paint over it or clear it out?

And lastly I roared around the house at the end of this busy day, moving furniture, clearing wall space so I can hang paintings on every available wall I have. Here you see the great Soma cat posing regally.

Thanks for visiting my life with me.

2009-08-22T20:07:00.001-07:00

Here are the pictures of my work up at Plenty. It's very pretty.

Why am I posting a blurry photo???

2009-08-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

I have been working on creating greeting cards and I was amazed to find out how much paper quality can effect the coloring of the print. The first print is done on Hahnemuhle paper and the second blurry one is on Strathmore paper. My Hahnemuhle paper comes with all this info on their paper and how unique it is, but this really proves it to me. After printing about 10 cards on the Strathmore paper and scratching my head as to why they looked so bad, I tryed the same print on the other paper and was blown away. I am constantly surprised at the things I am teaching myself.

My art at Plenty

2009-08-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

I am excited to invite you to check out the store where I work on Saturdays, Plenty Epicurean Pantry on Fort St, as I did the front display window featuring my art. It was fun to choose works and pair them up with some of the beautiful and unique items in the store. Trevor who owns Plenty has a great blog where he shares recipes, product info and other interesting community info.

James Bay Art Walk

2009-08-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

I will be participating in the James Bay Art Walk, September 5th and 6th. This is keeping me busy getting the place ready. Wall have been painted, holes patched...Planning on what will go where. Looking forward to transforming the space into a mini gallery.

Lost Girl or Running Up That Hill cause Kate Bush is on My Mind

2009-08-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

Well with a long title that like that I don't need to write anymore here. Well actually I 've been working out the color kinks in my printer to get a new print out. Available in the shop now.

Cool Ranch Studio

2009-08-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

Sharing a sweet painting with you today from a fellow Etsy artist Caroline of 'Cool ranch studio' . Take a peek at her shop for her whimsical art.

Craving an adventour

2009-08-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is how much I crave an adventour, and testament to a wild imagination. We live next door to a 100 year old Hotel. Growing up on a small island off Vancouver Island makes this a novelty for me. Sometimes I like to muse on how right next door is a Hotel that serves food in its restaurant. You just don't have experiences like that when you live in a tiny remote community. Anyways back to the craving adventour part (yes I like to spell adventour this way, seems more fitting, like you are really touring). I often find myself looking out my studio window where I get a glimpse of the back roof top of the Hotel. It is stucco with this terra cotta tile, and looks kind southwest. In fact it reminds me of a place in Flagstaff Arizona. I was thinking about all this as I looked at the tile roof and realized I so crave an adventour. Since I can't have a travel adventour right now, I decided to imagine I was in Flagstaff. It gives me a different perspective on things when I do this. After awhile I find it to difficult to keep up with the fantasy and then I work on accepting who I am and where I am right now. This is my life.

Inspirational Artist Alert

2009-08-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I bought the most beautiful calander in a small little store in Hawaii. Little did I know about the amazingly talented woman behind the art work. Her name is Anahata Katkin, and I invite you to visit her inspiring blog. Reading through her posts and looking at her work and photos of things she loves, was yummy. Its great to find amazing women out there who are making their dreams come true, like Anahata.

Red Lady Dreaming

2009-08-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Working away at getting some of my paintings made into prints. Here is another new print availabel inmy etsy shop. This is a large piece 3"x 4". I was looking at Grace Hartigans work when I did this. She painted large in oils, with lots of drips and washes. Here is an eample below, such rich colors!

Chicken Girl Original Painting and Print

2009-08-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

New painting and print available now in my etsy shop. Bock, Bock!

Full Moon in August

2009-08-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hello

I want to share with you special day. Today me and my partner Al had a special ritual celebrating our commitment to one another. We will be doing this again in one years time, next August 6 in a very special wedding/handfasting ceremony. Being that both of us are mature adults, with a path of unsuccessful relationships, we are quite determined to have a different experience this time around. Using commitments and honoring those commitments in ceremony is a special intimate time we create together. Here are some pictures of our special day with each other.

Beautiful surprise flowers that arrived seconds before we stared our ceremony from AL's mom and dad. Thanks Skip and Reg.

Someones happy and he's not even being tickeled.

the Patio and its gifts

2009-08-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about our place is the little patio on the second floor. It has charming double frrench doors off the kitchen that open out onto this little garden oasis. Today it offered up a beautiful lilly that is filling the house with its sweet perfume.

Summer time walks

2009-08-02T19:08:00.001-07:00

Having some walks in the evenings, while the sun is still out and the breeze is warm.

Hanging the lanterns

2009-08-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

We went to China Town and bought these fun lanterns. This morning we hung them in the entrance way to our house. The last picture shows the turret room in the upstairs. This is my daughters Vedas room. My house makes me feel happy.

2009-07-31T23:15:00.001-07:00

Kathleen is trying out a integrated way to do blogging :)

Little Girl in the Garden

2009-07-31T18:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a funny little painting I did of myself. I am about 3 years old. This is from a series a paintings I have been working on based on childhood memories. My art prof at the times comment on this paintings was, 'what I evil looking little kid'........I didn't tel him it was me!

Camping

2009-07-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

When I was little my family spent the summers boating and camping on the small islands off Southern Vancouver Island. Now that I have my own kids, I appreciate to a different degree the effort my parents put in to taking 4 kids off camping for days on end. My favorite place we often boated and camped at was Sidney Spit Island. These paintings are based on those trips.

Summer Paintings

2009-07-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

With this wonderful warm weather we are having on the West Coast I thought I would post some paintings featuring beaches, ocean, water.... These paintings are available as prints on my etsy shop. Hope your getting outside and into some H2O were ever you are.

John and Linda Meyers Inspiration

2009-07-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

I found this very inspiring site of husband and wife creative Linda and John Meyers. Their home is amazing, it reminds me of growing up in the 1970's at its best. Yes, that is a canoe with the 'Blue Willow' china pattern on it , it hangs from the ceiling in their living room.

Around the house

2009-07-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

Some pretty spots in my house. Happy Saturday.

Dreaming of the country

2009-07-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of this past week was driving my daughter Veda and her friend out to horse camp each morning. It was a half hour's drive out into the county and the weather each day was warm and sunny. Our family is craving to move out of town and I found the perfect road for us to live on, that features many old farm houses. Soon I will have my country house and raspberry patch. In the mean time trips to the country, goats and strange finds with bring me pleasure.

Dreamy Painting

2009-07-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

Still enjoying my new printer. Having fun seeing the amazing prints its making. And loving this great sunny weather too!

MY NEW PRINTER

2009-07-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

I decided to take matters into my own hands and buy a good quality printer to make my own prints. I brought it home today and got it all up and running and the prints that came out of it were amazing!!! When I first started looking into making prints I wasn't sure if I should out source to a print shop or buy a printer. I did end up having a printing company make some very good quality archival prints, but it was so expensive...really expensive. It also meant every-time I had a painting I wanted to be able to offer as a print it was back to the print shop. I checked out some other shops that did a cheaper job, and sadly, the quality really reflected the lower price. I did some research and found that the Canon Pixma PRO 9000 MK 11, was getting very good reviews. I am certainly not disappointed. Here is my latest print I am offering in my etsy store, made on my snazzy printer. Enjoy.

Chicken Boy

2009-07-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Some more art to share with you. This painting explores themes from my childhood. I have painted my brother and one of our chickens. The beer bottle, life jacket and baby are references to alcoholism that runs in my family. I was reading some Julia Cameron the other day, and she was describing how in her writing at one point she was reconciling her divorce, unconsciously. I think that is what I do with my art much of the time, reconciling my childhood and and the family I was raised in.

Quadra Island trip

2009-07-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

Just came back from a great trip to Quadra Island. Stayed with my good friends Wendy and Mike. Went to the ocean and the lake. So peaceful and beautiful.

Musing

2009-07-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

I hope where ever you are the sun is shining like it is where I am.

Here are some paintings I did awhile back, and the buddha picture makes me happy. He sits above our bathtub on the window sill surrounded by tiny little beach rocks my honey collects. What makes it really sweet to me, is seeing my sweeties artist/creative side come out and the beauty he creates in his own unique way.

My Day

2009-07-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

Doing some research today on art licensing. I was going through my work to see what images I have that would be good for this type of venture, and found this old sunflower painting. Seeing this painting again makes me realize how many different types of subject matter i enjoy painting. I feel optimist that I will be able to explore all these different styles and subject matter. I had my first good sleep in a long while, and I feel renewed and ready to take on new things. I think I am in a renewal stage, as I also took some time today to purge my computer of lots of clutter and unnecessary or outdated stuff. It was like clutter clearing my house.

I have also been enjoying making a list each evening of what I accomplished during the day. I have tended to think that I have not done enough each day. Taking the time to write down all I have done, helps me appreciate and have faith that I am moving forward.

Here is my list for today:

Woke up and snuggled with my honey.

Has a hot shower.

Made oatmeal with rice milk and fresh raspberries.

Mailed a great big pile of gallery submissions at the post office.

Bought groceries.

Made chicken soup from the left over organic chicken we roasted the other night.

Eat lunch.

Did an hour of yoga with a routine I watch on youtube.

Had our weekly telephone couples counseling session ( me and my honey have been counseling once a week for over a year now, we want a happy, healthy relationship and have found digging deep with the help of good therapist awesome).

Took some time to rest and listen to my binary beats for 45 minutes.

Went for a walk down to the beach with Veda and Al.

Ate dinner.

Did a 10 minute clean up.

Researched art licensing.

Cleaned up my computer.

Re-listed on Etsy.

Wrote my blog post.

Wow! I did alot of great stuff. Big hug to me.

One of my favorites

2009-07-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a painting that was not well received when I painted it during the last year of my BFA. When I say not well received, what happened was during a critique none of the profs made any comment on this painting, either they were ignoring it or they over looked it. What ever was going on, I felt alot of shame about this painting, and I brought it home to hide it away. But when I had it in my house, I realized how much I liked it. Its one of my favorite paintings. I don't care if its not sophisticated, it spontaneously came out of me and I am charmed.

Tiny Paintings

2009-07-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

I worked on some smalll 3"X4" paintings yesterday. I am in a phase of not knowing what I am doing or where I am going with my paintings. This place of not knowing is a familiar state for me with my art practice. Being a controlling person I find it uncomfortable to not 'know'. Perhaps its time to read a page or two of Julia Camerons book, the 'Sound of Paper' each time I go into my studio. I find she really understands the ups and downs of living life as an artsit, and she is good at gently guiding one along the creative path.

Where I spend my Saturdays

2009-07-04T20:46:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you some pictures of the very charming little shop I work at on Saturdays called Plenty. It is so fun to work here, its full of locally made, organic and fair trade foods, chocolate, cook books and art. Every thing I love. In the summer we get the most amazing local flower bouquets from a local farmer. Totally delightful.

Dream Inspirations

2009-07-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

I woke up very early this morning and began painting. I have dreamt two nights in a row of baby bunnies. Rabbits are symbolic to me of fear, as they are very timid animals. About two years ago had a strange and beautiful dream of a rabbit and badger dancing together, which I created into a paintings. I think these new dreams are telling me that my fears these days are much smaller, but they are there and need attending to. Living life fearlessly and trusting you will always be taken care of is a quality I very much would like to cultivate in my life. How about you?

Artist's, submit your work to 'Artist day'

2009-06-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here is the painting I posted about awhile back. It now has color and it is in my esty shop. She is a 'Summer Fairy', and ready to enchant!
Artists, check out www.artistday.com, I came across it in Elsa Mora's delicious blog. You can submit your work and you may get featured on their site. I am submitting my 'Girl with Cat' painting.

Submissions helped along by Ganesh

2009-06-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Wow, I was really busy today. I decided that Mondays would be my marketing day. I was putting together submission for galleries. Here is the mess I created. The Ganesh pictures are included from the garden, because he is the remover of obstacles and my room could certainly use that today, and perhaps he will help open some gallery doors for me.

A Fill Me Up Sunday

2009-06-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is a painting of me when I was wee little. I had a nice round tummy. Now I fill myself up with beautiful pictures, like some of the ones I am sharing with you today.

Today was a day to catch up on doing things for me. First I awoke to a green drink. Me and my honey take turns making juice in our juicer with fresh greens, lemon and a little fruit. I worked on some details for my business and then, this is the best part, it was sunny and warm enough for me to do some sun bathing on our little garden patio. While I lay in the sun I alternated between reading a big colorful book on homes in Santa Fe and the other was on the artist Arthur Rackham. Santa Fe and New Mexico call to me, when I see pictures of adobe homes, I long to live there. Arthur Rachkam was an illustrator in the early 1900's. He had such a style. I will leave you with some pictures to fill out your imagination.

Arthur Rackham illustration.

Mabel Dodge's home in New Mexico (amazing woman, find a book on her and read it!) Oh, and P.S Please great spirit let me live in a house like this.

New Camera and New Painting on Etsy plus a Bonus Rambling on Insomnia

2009-06-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

I am very happy with my new camera. It's a Canon Power Shot SX110 IS, and its awesome. So now I can fulfill my dream of creating beautiful pictures for my blog. I have lots of ideas cooking. Today I took some shots of some older paintings that I have not documented. I have one posted on Etsy. I will get more posted over the week.

In other news....I am hopefully I am coming out of an intense bout of insomnia. This is something I have struggled with for years. I like following the principles of the law of attraction in the flavor of Ester and Jerry Hicks, so I don't want to whine too much about the effects of insomnia. Here is a great down streaming list documenting all I have accomplished while living with insomnia:

1. Completed my estheticians training at the Aveda Institute with my buddy insomnia.

2. Completed 2 years of full time classes at the Victoria College of Art with insomnia in tow.

3. Completed and received my BFA with the help of insomnia.

4. Made my own website while insomnia visited.

5. Ended a long term relationship and moved my two kids and me to a new home single handily with the great insomnia.

6. Began a committed relationship with my sweet heart Al with plenty of insomnia dancing all around me.

Hooray for insomnia and all we have been through together. You have been an interesting companion, and now you are free to move on.

Fathers Day musings

2009-06-21T18:14:00.000-07:00

Many of my paintings explore my childhood. Growing up in a Jehovah's Witness family, has given me plenty of source material!!! I also signed up for a double whammy when I came into this world as, alcoholism runs rampant in my lineage. Sometimes when I am going through a hard time, I am thankful that I don't resort to substances to numb the difficult feelings, just pure straight emotional pain for me. I some how escaped addiction to substances, but I do have the disease of "reaction". Anyhow, here is a painting I did long ago, featuring my dad and his beer and me as a floating saint.

Paintings around the house

2009-06-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

I hurt my neck two weeks ago doing a summersault first thing in the morning......don't ask

( hint: very bouncy, boisterous boyfriend). I must crane my neck out when I paint because since I started painting again, my neck is aching. I have a massage/accupunture treatment scheduled for Monday, with the wonderful and only one block way, Rachele (email for contact info if you want this great woman's talents performed on your needy body).

So while I am not painting I will show you another painting. This one is acrylic on canvas, 3 feet by 3 feet.

Painting hanging on my wall and my secret camera

2009-06-18T21:25:00.000-07:00

I have some paintings that I have not documented, and they are hanging on the walls in my home. I thought I would show you one today, and let you in on a secret. The secret is, I do not have a digital camera. I use the tiny little built in camera on my mac computer to take all my pictures. I know, its not somethings I am proud of. Thought you might be wondering why my pictures are so grainy and blurry. I am on the look out for a good easy to use digital camera. It will be so much fun for all of us when I get that camera.

FIrst painting after one and a half months

2009-06-17T22:27:00.001-07:00

I am finally painting........and I feel really rusty. It's been a month and and half since I last painted and boy do I feel it. Here is the under painting I am working on. This is done in acrylic on panel. I have no idea what I am doing, which always freaks me out. But I have been told not knowing is the best place to be. I am such a controller. I am excited to see where I go as I start to layer on the color glazes next.

Moo Business Cards Arrived Today

2009-06-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

My Moo Design business cards arrived today! They are printed on beautiful recycled paper, they are very reasonably priced and arrived promptly by mail.

Another cool thing, is if you order a pack of 50 cards you can choose 50 different images. You can also down load your images right off your Etsy site if you have one.

AND..... how I got started with Moo, they will print you 10 business card for free, and deliver them for free. I ordered my 10 free ones and liked them so much, I placed a real order. They also print cards, which I am itching to order from them.

Totally happy with this product. My daughter is going to be pleased too, because her 10 free cards also arrived for the club she started with her friends. It was fun to go online with her and help her created the template and images her wanted. Fun , fun , fun.

The Perfect White

2009-06-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

I am so excited how the paint job turned out in my studio. I painted it in Benjamin Moore's paint color 'Cloud White'. The wall was originally white, but next to the new paint the old paint looks grey. My friend Feng Shui Nancy who is an amazing feng shui practitioner her in Victoria (she trained with Denis Linn in California) recommended 'Cloud White' as the perfect white. Thanks Nancy, my studio is going to look so amazing. This picture is not my studio but it is Cloud White.

Local Show at Emily Carr House

2009-06-09T16:00:00.001-07:00

Today I also went and checked out the gallery space at Emily Carr House. I will be showing some small works there next week. It is such a beautiful old Victorian House. Through out the summer local artist will be showcasing their works there. These are some of the paintings that will I will display.

New Print Available on my Etsy Shop

2009-06-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have a new print in my Etsy Shop. Hope you enjoy it. To see the rest of my shop click here

New Work

2009-06-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

Before the big break in painting, while I was awaiting my new studio space, this was the last painting I completed. I am looking forward to doing some more small works is this style.

Studio Update

2009-06-07T13:52:00.001-07:00

The carpet came off and has uncovered a fir wood floor. In the process of preparing floor and walls. The room has north facing windows which will be a change for me as I have had direct sun from south facing windows in the past. It won't be too long now before I am all set up and I have a room of my own. I let you know if Virginia Wolfe was right.

2009-04-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

Had a great day with my two honeys, Al and Veda. I am preparing some of my water paintings for a group show with the theme 'water'. Went for two walks and made raw crackers and raw cookies. Looking forward to a relaxing evening.

All done school!

2009-04-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

I am finished school! Here is a photo of my work for the grad show. The other photo shows me with the lovely flowers I received from Al's parents. They know the way to my heart....I love flowers.

While I am waiting for my studio to be available I am working on the marketing side of art. I have 3 goals that I am going to accomplish in the next three months. They are:

1. Having my web site up and running.

2. Having my work ready to send out to galleries and artist run centre's.

3. My etsy shop is open and ready to rock!

I am very excited about all of this.

These goals are helping to keep me focused. I have so many things I am interested in.....gardening, preparing raw food, walking, reading, watching movies........and family and relationship a included in all of this too!

2009-04-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I posted. I manifested a studio.......in my own home! My 18 year old son is going to move out. Yikes! He will be living on his own for the first time. More about that later.
I think having a studio in my own home will be awesome, as I am still mom to an eleven year old and very home based. I plan on tearing out the carpet to reveal the fir floors. It has great big windows and plenty of light. Here is my before picture. After picture will come June 1st when I officially move in.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

2009-03-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

School is ending for me and I am about to embark on a new journey. The last couple of weeks for me were confusing, as I was finishing a completion of 6 years of school. Now its on to create my own studio and get my art out there. I am beginning now.

I have not yet found my glorious studioyet, so I will create a space in my home. When it is set up I will show you. Right now my easel is doubling as a table holding seedlings that me and Veda planted for my other passion....gardening. A charming old house and garden is another manifestation I am working on . Since I don't have a yard for a garden, I am using my patio to pour all my plant passion into. As I told Veda, that way we will be ready when our big garden comes.

2008-11-24T09:38:00.001-08:00

It's a painting day in my studio at school. I know realize that having a studio space is something I want to manifest. At home a paint in my kitchen as I am sure many women, mothers and men have done before me and currently. I an now sending out to the universe my desire for a studio space for when I finish my BFA in April 2009. I will keep you posted on how the magic unfolds.

Here is a picture of my wee painting space at home.

2008-11-12T09:10:00.000-08:00