2020-16 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover               Dragons And Little Boys

So...how are you this week? There were so many responses to last week's newsletter. I can't thank you enough for the considered thoughts.

After the tumultuous events happening all around us and the calls to action that many people are pondering, I'm hoping that we can create a kinder, more just world. I've often thought that it was enough that I be a good person and that the way I lived my life was enough. However, it has become apparent that more is required of me. Speaking up instead of being afraid to rock the boat. Undoubtedly the opportunities will present themselves.

Things in the art world are starting to show up again. I am still participating in the #artistsupportpledgecanada. The remaining pieces will be on my website shortly. But of course I have already bought my pieces of art. One from my buddy Liz. See her posts at studio888art on IG.The other piece is from a French artist Elke Trittel (elketrittel on IG). Who knows how long it will take to come from France!

It is very exciting that the Riverdale Artwalk is online. This year you don't have to think of sunscreen or umbrellas. You can shop from your living room and take all the time you want in the many booths. Take a spin in my virtual booth in the virtual art fair. See 'real' art you can hang on your 'real' walls.
Riverdale ArtWalk. www.eventeny.com/company/?c

One of my purposes in doing this letter is to spread the artistic word. I was very moved  to receive a wonderful message from Roseanne thanking  me for  'opening the door to this form of human expression for her. It has been really a great experience for her to see how I build my work and the process I use.' Thanks again. RAP!

Here there be DRAGONS!!  And little boys who love them!! Attached you will find a photo of my Fox and his drawing from Fun Monster Drawing, a Facebook Live video I do every Tuesday on my Gail Williams Artist page. It has been a blast to do these videos. I break down the images to simple shapes so everyone can follow along. Thank goodness for the internet.

On Fridays at 1pm, I do a Facebook Live featuring my Painting of the Week. This week 'Block Party' is featured. I've heard of lots of cool street parties that have got neighbourhoods getting to know each other better. Michael organized a Trivial Pursuit game party for us and we had so much fun. I think he is cooking up another event soon. Thanks Mike!

I can't wait until we can all hug and kiss each other again. Party plans are expanding even if my bubble is not so much.

YOUR HOME     YOUR STYLE     MY ART

Rock on,

Gail

2020-15 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover - So this just happened..

Really not sure where to start, so I am just jumping in with it.

Many of you may know that I have been married for 50 years (to the same man) and that man is black. You may have figured it out from a photo or two I have posted of our daughters. But today I am sending a wedding picture from 1970. My husband has no family so we haven't had the experience of many mixed marriages. Of course we have been the targets of racism, but here in Canada, it is oh so subtle. But not less hurtful and wrong.

 This has been such a confusing and outrageous time of conflict for so many people. I would like to say for all people but I fear that is not the case.  I find it heartbreaking to witness. And I struggle in knowing what I should do and say.

My daughter Ingrie, has sent along a link which you might like to check out.

https://www.fridaythings.com/recent-posts/how-to-be-an-ally-george-floyd-black-lives-matte

How to Be A Good Ally To Your Black Friends — Friday Things This week’s news cycle has been heavy—especially for Black people. Here’s what non-Black POC, Indigenous and white people can do to help.
www.fridaythings.com

Another reader and former neighbour, Peggysent along a link that I think might also be helpful.
CNN and Sesame Street are doing a Town Hall for Kids and Families, Saturday morning June 6.   https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/us/cnn-sesame-street-standing-up-to-racism/index.html

I think that equality in all things has to happen, but I know that true equality might never happen. There will always be groups who think they are better than the rest and deserve to be in power.  Human decency and respect is the right of all.

In ongoing art biz, my paintings for #artistsupportpledgecanada have had a great response. I have 12 pieces that are all 14x17in.mixed media on heavy WC paper. The special price is $200 (regularly $300) unframed. I am calling this the Chrysallis Collection. When I have sold $1000 of  my art I pledge to buy another artists's work. It is a great way to start or add to your collection of original art at a lower price point. I have sold 4 already. You can see Lorrie with her new purchase. And I am adding two more for your viewing pleasure. The whole collection is on Instagram and Facebook, but I can send you photos of  the ones that are still available.

Rock on..in peace, love and respect.

          YOUR HOME     YOUR STYLE     MY ART

Gail

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2020-14 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover - Take Time To Smell the Roses

Hope you are continuing to keep well, washing your hands, and wearing your designer masks. Are you having street parties? Distanced coffees dates? Virtual cocktail hours? Are you over the novelty of Zoom? I must say yes to all of the above, especially the Zoom. 

Doesn't it seem like everything just suddenly starts popping out of the ground? We get a few days of warmth and a little rain and the earth releases it's glory that has been waiting. How quickly we can forget the long days of dark winter.

A dear friend of mine, Ruth, who now lives in Salt Spring Island sent me the most wondrous email. I am sure you will agree that is is stunning. Please click on the link to see what I mean The only downside is that this happens in New York, not Toronto or anywhere in Canada that I know of https://lewismillerdesign.com/flower-flash/

I love getting emails from friends who know how much I love art related events. Mira from Ottawa sent me this one. Although I am not fluent in French I get the gist. https://eipmh.com/joyful-as-painting-child-an-evening-with-arno-stern/  Wouldn't I have loved to have had an art teacher like that?!

Theresa sent this suggestion..check it out..you can do a free trial to watch it. https://watch.mhzchoice.com/the-art-of-crime...crime and art together sounds intriguing to me!

As I announced in last week's newsletter, I am participating in the #artistsupportpledgecanada . The pledge is a way to support artists at this time when we cannot show our art at art fairs and galleries. I have 12 pieces of art to sell for $200 each. When I have sold $1000 worth, I pledge to buy art from another artist. I am launching my 'Chrysallis Collection' on Monday June 1 to the general public, but I am offering it to my newsletter followers first . These paintings are regularly priced at $300. They are 14x17in, mixed media on paper, unframed. It is a great way to start or add to your original art collection at a lower price point. I attach 2 more of the collection . Let me know if you would like to see all of them and I will send them to you. First come, first serve. I have already pre sold 3 of them.  

Don't forget you can draw along with me on Tuesday on my Facebook page, Gail Williams. I'm doing Fun Monster Drawing for kids and adults at 12:30. Fox and Theo give me inspiration every week. 

And the winner of this weeks' draw is Emily..congratulations!

Rock on

            YOUR HOME     YOUR STYLE     MY ART

Gail

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2020-13 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover                  My High School Crush

So...how are you?  Are you finding it a challenge to just keep doing this isolation thing? I'm usually a pretty upbeat person with lots of energy and I'm finding it not so easy to put a brave face on sometimes.
Especially when I hear of friends losing a parent due to this dreadful event that has rocked our world.
For all I have, I am so grateful. So many people do not have the resources we have. 

I love getting messages from you with questions about art products. And I love to share the exciting new toys I have recently started using. If you think you would like to dip your hand into creating, I would highly recommend the Derwent Inktense coloured pencils. They are just like the coloured pencils you used in school, but you can wet them with a damp brush to get paint. The colours are fabulously intense! They are much brighter than the regular watercolour pencils or crayons.

There is an online creative event called #artistsupportpledgecanada. Those Intense pencils will be used in the paintings on paper that I will be doing for the pledge. I will offer them first to my newsletter peeps with an extra special discount. Stay tuned for details.

My dear friend, Kim has collected quotes and writings about art for years.  She often sends them to me and I am passing one along to you in attachments. They are about the value of art to our lives.

My weekly giveaway goes to Cora and Bill Turnbull. Congratulations..I'll be sending you a little treat of my art.

At laaassssttttt....I can hear Etta singing that one as I anticipate 'meeting' my high school crush once again. Yes..my high school crush was the guy who cut his ear off.  My lovely daughter Ingrie, has ordered us tickets for the ImmersiveVan Gogh Exhibit. Check out vangoghexhibit.ca. to order your tickets.  He was my first love. I can't wait. It is a drive through art exhibit. That's a first for me.

Wishing you a safe and quick return to 'normal'

Rock on,

                          YOUR HOME     YOUR STYLE     MY ART

Gail

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