2021-17 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover    

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmas and aunties out there. Where would we be without you :) !! I am forever grateful to everyone who sent me their photos for the '30 Mothers in 30 Days' project. It was quite a honour for me to be entrusted with capturing the essence of all these strong women. Such light, courage and brilliance shone from each of them. The skills I learned in executing these portraits I will add to my tool kit. But the value of connecting with these spirits outweighs by far, my personal technical growth. Many of them have been sent to their forever homes. Thanks again for the belief.

Can you believe it is May already? No matter what happens, the sun keeps rising, the grass grows and it's been a year of craziness. A year of loss for many of us and a year also of learning and growing. What has been evident for me this week is how much more clear I am getting about what my voice is and how I express myself. And also paying attention to how others are expressing themselves.

One artist I follow is Louise Fletcher. What she wrote this week reminded me that you, as the viewer of my art, are standing (if your'e at an art show) where I was standing as I created the painting. Watching where the brush strokes went and seeing the result of all the decisions I made during the creation. There is a visceral contact between you and me. Very often I am not making my decisions consciously. You may agree with me or not. The painting may induce a memory or may not excite you at all. But it is a conversation that we engage in. I've added two paintings today and I'm inviting you to perhaps send me a word of what the work says to you. I'm not asking for compliments or criticism. In fact, please fo NOT say if you like, love or hate it. I don't have names for either of these pieces yet. But what you say might trigger my imagination as to a title. I really do appreciate your feedback.

Here's the contact for Louise Fletcher.
https://www.louisefletcherart.com/contact/#jump

Til the next time, please accept my appreciation for giving me a place to express myself.
I truly appreciate your support.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

ROCK ON,

Gail

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2021-16 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover          

Her Name is Dianne

Last week all I was hearing was 'Let's fly away' which is a wonderful thought but totally improbable at this moment of our current stay-home situation. And now it's Jimmy Cliff's 'I can see clearly now'. Mind you the video is very fun and brought back memories of the movie 'Cool Runnings' and John Candy. What's not to love. Just the earworm..that's all. Thanks Dianne! #JimmyCliff #ICanSeeClearlyNow#Vevo

The responses I'm getting from people are so heart warming. The movie and book suggestions keep coming and the ideas of artful living. Thanks to Len, Chris, Mira, Diana, Dianne, Deb, Kim and Angela for sharing. Please don't stop.

Today you'll see some work from two of my dear friends who are both super creative. Deb sent me a photo of just one of the many quilts she has made. I think the colours are soothing and she is so meticulous. It seems that quilters often are. I know there are more of you out there, please send me an example and I'll brag on you too.

Then Angela sent me a birthday card that she made. Look closely at the book titles. I love her quiet, wacky sense of humour. She also up on the art scene and sent me this read about David Hockney.
David Hockney, 83, says working has given him a 'new lease of life' as he prepares to unveil mammoth 288-ft long Bayeux tapestry inspired picture in Paris

Yorkshire artist David Hockney says his new work has given him a new lease of life. A show at the Royal Academy of Arts in London will capture the season with 116 of Hockney's iPad prints.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9509699/David-Hockney-83-prepares-unveil-mammoth-288-ft-long-Bayeux-tapestry-inspired-picture-Paris.html?ito=email_share_article-top

Both of these friends are former co-workers. Science and the arts rule! Thanks so much.

The '30 Mothers in 30 Days' project is in the final stretch and as I've said before, it is an honour to be doing these mini portraits. I still have room for a few more, so please send me a photo of your Mom, grandma or aunt and I will do my best to create a 7X7 in portrait in mixed media on paper. There is no obligation to purchase, but if you want yours it is $99. Shipping is FREE and as a BONUS, I'm including a 5x7in print of one of my larger paintings. I have already shipped out several to their new homes. Thanks to Diana, Megan and Diana. All across the country!

Til next time, thanks so much for your support. I do appreciate it.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

ROCK ON,

Gail

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2021-15 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover              

My birthday gift to you

It was my birthday this week and I've decided that a GIVEAWAY of a set of my COASTERS would be a great way to say thank you for your support. It's my party and I can do what I want.

So, at random, I am sending a set to Andrea. I hope you'll enjoy a set of these coasters every time you use them to perch your glass of champers on when it is your birthday.

I'm going to brag on my super talented niece, Lise this week. She has won her second MPSE Golden Reel Award!! She's a music editor for sound and tv, and worked on the Vikings series. How cool is that ‽ Congratulations Lise.

And while I'm bragging I just have to give a big shout out to my daughter Ingrie, who with her partner, Emily have a great Instagram account called t.zonebeauty. Give them a watch and learn the latest in beauty and skin care. The last one on hair care was spot on.

A big thanks to several people who sent their book and Netflix choices. I now have a great list to keep me busy. Thanks Deb, Mira, Hilja, and Darlene.

As well, several people have sent me mother photos. I'm blown away with the honour of creating a portrait of these fabulous faces. I still need a few more, so please if you've been thinking of it, send me pic of your mother, grandma or aunt. I will do my best to give them some love. 30 Mothers in 30 Days is the name of my series.

This week I've finished 'Prince', a 36x24 mixed media piece on canvas. I've also added 'The Night Was Brilliant With Stars'. It is 40x30. You know I like to experiment and while doing 'Prince' , I used unlikely things to make stencils with. A cut up berry box, a piece of mesh, some bubble wrap. It was starting to look like a dog's breakfast (pun intended), so I mixed together the translucent colours neon pink and orange. I wanted the background to recede instead of taking over as it was doing. It works brilliantly. I'd love to see how you would use those colours together. I had a dress with pink and orange mushrooms on it in the 60's. Orange does seem to be a theme for me. I'd love to know what your favourite colour is.

Til next week, thanks again for giving me a reason to show up here. I do appreciate it.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

ROCK ON,

GAIL

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2021-14 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover             

It's a one man band here

Do you ever get an ear worm? (Try explaining that one to a kid!) I thought you might as well have this too.
”Come fly with me, let's float down to Peru
In llama-land there's a one-man band
And he'll toot his flute for you
Come fly with me, let's take off in the blue”

This is a favourite choice of my fabulous essentrics instructor, Sheri Burge. Every time she plays it I remember the first time I heard it in concert by the wonderful Canadian singer, Holly Coleat the Pantages Theatre. And then I imagine myself hanging onto a condor as it floats above the mountains in Peru. Isn't it amazing how quickly music can transport you? All those images in the first line. You can send me your next ear worm...I don't mind at all.

And just because I adore Sheri check her out at....
www.sheriessentrics.com

Thanks so much for the Netflix and book suggestions Bev and Ellen. If you like something seriously silly, try 'Thunder Force' on Netflix. The ending is worth the whole movie, in my opinion. Or is you'd like to be educated, look for 'This is a Robbery' about the famous 1990 art heist in Boston. The museum where the art was stolen is a work of art in itself.

In recent newsletters I've mentioned a few artists' youtube videos that I have found interesting. You may recall that I've often added collage to my work and one thing I've tried just this week is using household items as tools and stencils. I had to rely on my Macgyver skills as I've heard that fights are happening at the dollar store, so roaming the aisles in search of new things is off the table till whenever.(!) At least that's what Kim tells me. I have used plastic forks, chopsticks and cut up berry boxes as tools but never as stencils. If you have some other ideas, I'd love to hear about them. I'm posting on my Instagram the current canvas if you want to take a peek. Also, please don't hesitate to ask.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the honour of making a portrait of your Mom, your grandma or an aunt. This project, 30 Mothers in 30 Days, was designed to keep up my daily drawing, but I never expected that I would fall in love with all these women. I really wish I could speak with them. My portraits are not photographs. I'm trying to capture their spirit and there's something about really looking into another's eyes that is helping me to make the connection. If you would like to help me out, I welcome more photos to create these 7x7 in minis, with mixed media on paper. There is no cost to you, but if you wish, you may purchase your's for $99. I include shipping within Canada and a FREE small print of one of my large paintings.

Here you will see my gallery wall filling up. It will be quite exciting to see it full of
30 Mothers in 30 Days. Thanks so much for your help.

I truly appreciate your presence and your responses. Please keep them coming.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

ROCK ON,

GAIL

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2021-13 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover           

When are we going to get  there

Sorry about the whine...but I think there are a few people out there who would also like to know. It would be nice to start conversations with hugs and not 'Did you get your shot yet?' I'll try to change my attitude a bit. You didn't come here for ranting, did you?

So.... I'll tell you a Fox and Theo story. Fox insisted I got lost. Last week I took the boys on an adventure walk in the Leslie St. spit. It is so quiet down there, you can actually hear the chickadees. Climbing up and jumping off things, finding hidden paths, examining ant hills. But Theo was not amused when we ended up walking almost 3 hours in spite of seeing ducks and geese and several beaver chewed trees. It's kind of fun to 'get lost'.

One of the things I like to do is watch art videos, so I'm always looking for new artists to watch. This week I have become obsessed with Lewis Noble, a UK landscape painter. I've been going to bed with him every night this week. (don't tell) He has a lot of youtubes and approaches landscape painting in a non-traditional way. Check him out at lewisnoble_artist www.lewisnoble.co.

What are you watching these days? I'm looking for some good Netflix series. I love international, mystery, murder and silly things..surprise, surprise. Suggestions please.

This week I am sharing 3 of my artist buddies whose work I admire. Please give them a peek.

Felicity Somersetdoes stunning photography.
https://www.felicitysomersetphotography.com

Beverly Allenis a painter who makes art with plant dyes.
www.beverlyallenartist.com and nomadbev on Instagram.

Melanie D'Silvamakes wonderful jewelry with bespoke beads and silver.
Her Instagram is wearalittlesparkle.

For Mother's Day, I started a new series of mini portraits, 30 Mothers in 30 Days,
But I need yourhelp please. Send me a photo of a mom, grandma, or aunt and I will do my best to capture a likeness on a 7x7 in paper with mixed media. I had so much fun doing my last portrait challenge. If you would like to purchase the picture, it will be $99, but there is absolutely no obligation. I'll be posting the results on instagram.

I'm sharing Day 1 of my 30 Mothers in 30 Days, my Auntie Gertie who was a real glamour girl. One of her lines was 'You have to suffer to be beautiful ' as she gave me my first Toni home perm. ( a photo you will NOT see)

Til next time...Thanks so much for giving me a reason to be here. I truly appreciate your support. I hope this brings a smile to your face.

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

ROCK ON,

Gail