I Adore Matisse! (Sold)

Grandmother's Sofa (30"x40")Sold

One of my hugest thrills was a weekend in New York City where I went to see an exhibit of my favourite artist Matisse.  I wish I had known him. Wish I had been born in a different time and was able to study under him. What a rush that would have been.

My friend gave me a sofa that was her grandmother's.  I have had it for many years now and kept thinking... "this is like the Sofa in Spanish Still Life by Matisse."  I decided I would set up a similar vignette to his painting.   I lost all track of time.. stayed up all night and well into the next day... Just couldn't stop painting. I happened to have a patterned blanket which I have used in other paintings and just went wild.

The Snow Storm (SOLD)

We had a our first official snow storm yesterday. For some reason, I get into this space where I think I have to bake and cook up enough food to last the winter.  My brain forgets that we have grocery stores and that I don't have to put on snow shoes to get to them. Never the less,  I spent the entire day in the kitchen, making everything from loaves of french bread to casseroles that I had no idea even existed. Of course being in the "kitch", it most definitely called for a glass or two of wine while I measured flour, cut up vegetables and created more dirty dishes that regrettably I had to clean up. I actually really enjoyed it but today I didn't even want to look at the bloody room for another 2 weeks. So, dinner was a no go this evening.  

Instead I decided to skip it, and think about the summer to come. I miss the beach already. Thus, the "Beach Chairs" painting.  

The Mask

  One of my students did this last year in a lesson on African art I had taught. I was overwhelmed when he arrived  at my door on Halloween wearing his work of art. Not only had he dressed the part, but had carved a spear all on his own out of a piece of wood he had found. That is why I teach... Influence them when they are young,  for they are the ones that will build our cities and colour our world.... art is equally as important as the sciences......... 



Dreaming

Iris....(Sold)

I have been having the strangest dreams lately. Last night, I had a dream that I was cuddling in the back of some old beat up car with a couple of Huskey dogs. What the hell is that? First of all, Huskies just aren't the cuddling type (normally) . I only discovered this when I tried to cuddle a couple and they were not amused. Perhaps if I had of been covered in snow and yelled out "mush" (isn't that what they say?) they would have liked it better. Then after loving the fact that I was with some big dogs, (in my dream) I found a tick in my ankle. Teach me to hang out in old cars and cuddle dogs I don't know.  Dreams are great.  Mine are always in colour. When I was a child, a man with a top hat on a stage would introduce all my dreams. He would say, just before the curtain opened, "and tonight we will be dreaming about....."

Getting Miffed and then Getting Over It...

Pears #1 (Sold)

I was having a chat with a fellow artist and he was discussing some work he had at an establishment close to where he resided.  He began to tell me about the lack of respect for his work.  It is a situation that happens to us at times.  I call it the "wallpaper syndrome".  Other artists have experienced this too. As have I. Luckily, only once.  At first when I came face to face with this, I was miffed beyond belief. I went into this place, not a gallery, only to see a crappy guitar leaning up on a bench jabbing it's creepy strings into the canvas of one of my paintings. Now, I am no Diva but was pissed off. Won't say how I confronted the guitar but it wasn't pretty.(the owner of this art wrecking machine was not there to witness it, thank god. If he had been, I might have guitar strings sticking out of my head.) For anyone truly worried about this instrument, take solace in the fact that I did not damage it. It just sort of slid off the bench.... funny that.   After a little while, I realized, I could not be upset with people like that. They are just too self absorbed and have no class. I must feel sorry for them. (with my art at a distance of course). I think telling a fellow artist that had his experience, my story, helped him. It's a learning curve....Say NO to wallpaper... 

Three Sailboats. (Sold)

 I have a few friends that are older than I am and it's great as they give me the heads up on what is to come.  I feel I have a special edge on the future. My favourite heads up advice is not that I should save for retirement or what to invest in so I can live a very comfortable life. It's the girlie advice. Perhaps shallow, but great to know.  Things like, I won't have to shave my legs 3 times a week in about 20 years. Stay out of the sun and you'll look better and not have as many wrinkles. Wear sunscreen on your hands.  Don't get too many places waxed (hmmm) as eventually it might not grow back. Keep wearing 3 inch heels.

 (I will because 50 years from now I want to be able to maneuver my walker while wearing them.)  

It's all really good advice. Obviously from women. Not to leave out the boys.... they also contribute with their words of wisdom. Here are a couple..... Just wait until you start forgetting stuff and one of two things will happen, you will either become a crabby old lady or mellow with age. Either way at least with the girlie advice I'll look good! 

Metropolis (Sold)

Had a great evening last night.  It was such a good time with friends. For bringing the vino R, yay you and M... get your butt back here to Mo Bay and we can all do this way more often. A few more  initials in there and to them thanks for coming.  We will do this again soon... a little princess headache this morning but nothing too severe. XXXX 

The Forest (pastel on paper) (SOLD)

I took a walk today, just before teaching an art class. I put on my funny flowered rain boots and headed off to have a little "soul centering" time.  Behind my home there is this amazing place that seems as though it doesn't belong in town. I am lucky to have a backyard that has trees and water. We have a river running through town named the Maggie Maggie.  There are two stories as to why it is named that.  People tell of the lonely girl (Maggie) whose seafaring lover was lost at sea. She was so distraught, that she threw herself into the raging river.  The other reason it is called the Maggie Maggie, is one that is not shared with tourists. shhhhhhh

Italy (Sold)

Antico Frantoio Bruschetteria

Dear Italy... Thanks for reading .... I miss you. To the best Bistro I have ever been to. I loved the dancing. Vittoria's sons, Sandro and Felice, and her grandsons Maurizio and Fabrizio ... I will return.