2021-07 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover            

Is it a train? Is it a plane?

No...it's YOU! See the paragraph below all about 'seeing'

Last week I mentioned that I've discovered this great little book by Austin Kleon. He writes about creativity which I am so passionate about. He talks about really seeing, not just looking. One of his illustrations shows a face with the words 'Close your eyes to hear and 'Close your ears to see'. You have probably experienced the same thing. When you really want to feel the music you might close your eyes. Another story he tells is of an art teacher who made 'finders' for her students to help them to see' Just a piece of paper with a square cut out. Hold it at arm's length or closer and your field of vision changes. Or check out your surroundings and see what shows up in the square. Just for a bit of fun. Try paying attention to the things that grab your attention.

A few weeks ago, I said I was in the process of getting prints made of some of my original paintings. I am happy to say that I have found a great printer who prints both on paper and canvas. The ones on canvas are called giclees. I plan on having smaller sizes as well. I will announce the roll out very soon. I am quite excited!

Also, I'm having a contest and I don't want you to miss out. It's on Instagram, but don't worry if that is something you don't necessarily do. You can access the feed from my website. Just click on the square Instagram icon in the bottom left of the home page. You could win one of the 30 heads in 30 days portraits that I just completed. They are all original 6x6in mini paintings on paper. No purchase necessary. However, if you do want to get one please send me a reply.

Attached you'll see Day 20 and Day 28 of the portraits.

I hope that you are well and feeling a little more energized with the increase in our daylight hours. The weather is crazy everywhere, isn't it‽ Snow in Texas???

Thanks so much for being here. I truly appreciate it.

Rock on,

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

Gail

2021-05 Living Artfully

Hello Dear Art Lover    

It's a New Dawn

What is it about a few sunny days? Just a few in a row and I'm already feeling good. Just like that Nina Simone song. Has it been shining where you are, despite the annoyance of this f___ng lockdown?

Of course, I have been blessed with a new and larger studio space to work in. I've also been challenging myself with a '30 heads in 30 days' project. If you see the Instagram posts you will see what I have been doing. My intention is not to create a realistic likeness, but I have been surprising myself with some of the results.  
Even if I get just one feature nailed, it seems to do the trick. It's also keeping me honest.

Doing this every day reminds me of the Chuck Close quote... ' Amateurs look for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and do the work'. I met him at his show at the Buffalo art gallery years ago when my buddies, Dorothy and Angela and I went on a road trip. It was just after an extremely heavy snow storm. There were streets littered with downed trees. It was a spectacular sight. You would recognize Chuck's work I'm sure. He did huge photorealistic portraits. But the amazing thing about him is that he had a stroke in 1988 and worked from a wheelchair . He had this awesome rig built to lift his chair up so he could paint portraits 50 times life-size.

I tried to upload a youtube of Chuck entitled 'Chuck, Up Close ' but just couldn't figure out how to do it. It's worth a watch and only a few minutes long.

I would also guess that he would have some assistants. And do I ever know the value of helpers! My niece, Lise, has helped me with so much instruction about computer related issues that I'm sure she must be banging her head against the wall after some of our calls. She has the patience of a saint.

You may have heard that I am going to be making prints of some of my larger paintings. I'm hoping to open the shop on March 1. If you have any suggestions about the size of a print or a particular painting you'd like in a print, please let me know. They will be limited editions and considerably lower in price. I have my favourites, but I am always surprised by what others choose.

Today I'm adding two of the portraits I've done. They are only 6x6 in on paper, done with a mix of media..watercolour pencils and crayon, and acrylic markers.

Til next time,

YOUR HOME + YOUR STYLE + MY ART

ROCK ON

GAIL

2020-03 Your Home..Your Style..My Art

Hello Dear Art Lover Welcome to YOUR Creative Life🖌 

Hope this February finds you in good health. So many people have succumbed to various bugs that have been making the rounds. 😷 Thankfully I have avoided the dreaded lurgy. And it's not because I've been hibernating. It's almost been as busy as the pre-Christmas party season.

We had a wonderful opening at the Artist Network gallery on Jan 23 at 1158 Queen St E. The show runs til Feb 23, so there is still time for you to check it out. There are a lot of very talented artists in the show.🖌

In building my art business, as well as showing my work in art shows, I keep my website updated. gailwilliamsartist.com Please check out my latest series entitled 'Stories'.📢 As you probably have noticed, most of my paintings evolve around a story. Sometimes I know what the story is before I start, but very often the story is not revealed until the painting is finished. Often the story unfolds much later. And the viewer also engages with the painting adding her/his own insights. Another thing I am asked, is how I name my paintings. What I do is make notes of phrases in the books I read or the music I hear. When I finish the work, I go through my notebook to find the title that resonates with what I have created. The most recently finished painting, which I have attached was called 'Looking for the next gig' while I was working on it. But when it was finished it just had to be called 'It's A Whole New World' 

I attach a photo of one almost done work and am puzzled about a name. Please help me with your suggestions.🤔

Many of you know that travel is one of my passions. Two years ago was a trip to Prague, Berlin and the Czech Republic. My BFF Dorothy and I are perfectly paired travel partners. She's shown enjoying the gift shop at Prague castle.

🖌My creativity tip for this week is to indulge your appetite for eye candy. Spend time perusing those expensive art books in Chapters or the library. Or perhaps, treat yourself to a book that makes you swoon. There are so many. I could spend hours and lots of dollars feasting my eyes on some of them.

I'd love to hear what artists speak to you.

Til next time, ROCK ON.💃

Gail

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2019-11 - COASTERS..COASTERS..COASTERS!!🍹

Hello dear art lover Welcome to YOUR Creative Life

Our Gifts for the Soul holiday market was a super success. We have found a wonderful new home in east end Toronto at the historic St Matthew's clubhouse at 450 Broadview Ave.It is also the home of East End Arts. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the fabulous creatives in our show this year. Dorothy Barrett, Melanie D'Silva, Janet Potter, Lorrie King, Nicole Salter, Joanna Williams, Nina Okens, Hilja Laasen,Scott and Sasha Wahlstrom . The charity beauty sale held by Ingrie Williams was a resounding success as usual. You can find Ingrie on her blog t.zonebeauty that she hosts with Emily MacCulloch.

Who can believe that another Christmas has rolled around? It just seems like yesterday that Fox and Theo, the adorable grandsons, were excitedly running circles around the tree. I know some people already have all their shopping done , but I must confess I still have a long list. How about you? Are you one of those who start planning at the beginning of the year?

My Creativity 🖌 tip today is to start a collection of images or words that inspire you. I am starting my art journalling workshops in January and if you are interested please let me know soon. I have a list started. I'm thinking of a 6week course on Sat mornings. Details to follow. No experience required!

The coasters 🍹have been flying out of the studio, but you can still order. Drop me a line and I will send you the choices. $35.00 for a set of 4.

NB DATES🎄📢

Sun Dec 8, gallery888, 2359 Queen St E..I have 6 pieces there.

The Labatt Studio Show, 7 Labatt Ave, Sun Dec 1, 12- 4..lots of new work, including the attachment of 'Venice is Sinking'

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2019-10 - New Product💡

Hello dear art lover Welcome to YOUR Creative Life

It's SNOWING!!! Yahoo? We love it [from inside] and hate it when we have to drive in it. But...most of us have chosen to live here. And we are pretty fortunate to be living in this country where we have freedom and opportunity.

It's the time of year where we remember all those who fought for the freedom we have today. My father, Bill Pudas, lied about his age to join the navy with his best buddy. They were off to have an adventure, never knowing how bloody an adventure it would be. Luckily both of them would return to their families.

My creativity tip 🖌 this time is that I have decided to start some workshops. I will hold a series of art journaling workshops in the new year at my studio. I will be able to have 6 students, so please let me know if you are interested. We will focus on discovering how using an art journal can open the door to creativity. You might want to start noticing what catches your eye. I know I sound like a broken record when I say that, but it truly is the beginning to the artist life.

My new products 💡 are the four sets of coasters I have created from my original artwork. I still have some of the originals available. The collage works are 6x6in wood panels and the others are details of larger paintings at larger prices. These coasters will be at our Gifts For The Soul holiday market for only $35.00, but I can reserve for you as well.

Please check my website. I have added a 'Testimonials' section with some lovely comments from eloquent clients.

SAVE THE DATES 🌲

1. Momentum show ongoing til Nov 24, 1158 Queen St E

2. Gifts For The Soul..one day..Sat Nov 23, 450 Broadview Ave

3. Galley888 group watercolour show, Nov 23-Dec 22 2359 Queen St E, [I will be at the gallery on Sun Dec 8 to receive guests]

4. Labatt Studio show, Sun Dec 1, 12-4, 7 Labatt Ave

Love to share holiday wishes at any or all of these events💓
Rock on
Gail

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2019-6 - MORE new products💡

Hello dear art lover Welcome to YOUR Creative Life MORE new products💡

Very exciting news😁

I am just too excited that I can't wait to share that I have been chosen for the Salt Spring National Art Prize competition. One of 49 paintings chosen from a field of almost 2000 entries. 📢📢📢 'All Dressed Up For The Party' [30x40 acrylic and mixed media], joins this prestigious crowd of artists from across Canada. The show runs Sept 21-Oct 21 in Salt Spring Island. The image is attached. Please visit the site for more info www.saltspringartprize.ca..

One thing I have been working on is my vision book.🔍 I believe seeing is believing. I am creating a book that is full of words and pictures focusing on what I want in my life..my art work, my health, my family, travel and financial goals. You can do a page or poster to look at and remind you of your personal desires. It is vey fun to do... a work in progress, as is life. I'd love to know if you are interested in doing this also. It is a powerful thing.🖌

You are invited to view and purchase my art at several locations this summer. Or by email. Currently, I have 4 pieces at the beautiful gallery and frame shop XC art restoration, at 596 Mt. Pleasant Rd. Visit www.artrestoration.ca for details.

On Friday July 26 and Sat July 27, 6pm- 10pm, I am displaying my work with the fabulous Marlene Pape and Felicity Somerset at studio888.💡 I will have more coasters and some new stickers. As well, I have some art work in the group show inside the gallery. Come on down to the Beach for the Jazzfest to enjoy lively music and original, affordable art.www.studio888.ca

Finally, I want to let you know how much I appreciate your support. I am taking vacation til the end of Aug, so there won't be any newsletters til the fall. I wish you a wonderful summer of fun and relaxation.🔆

Gail

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2019-5 - New Product 💡

Hello dear art lover Welcome to YOUR Creative Life

We finally do have some heat here in Toronto and of course we are either revelling in it or complaining about it !I will be enjoying the beach here with my grandsons on some picnic days building sand castles and exploringthe ravines.🐈🐕 I can remember lying on the beach at my Grandma's camp, listening to the waves of Lake Superior on a quiet day, soaking up the sun while covered in baby oil mixed with iodine. [It was a guaranteed suntan look..lol]

Do you recall what your favourite summer activities were? 🍦

Today is the last day for the Artists' Network Streetcar show. It has been a well attended exhibition and my paintinghas received lots of love , but is still looking for a new home.

The group show at gallery888 at 2359 Queen St E opens on July 24 til July 28. Once again, I will be rocking out withthe Streetfest in the evenings of July 26 and July 27 on the street in front of the gallery with some new work and with somebeautiful coasters. I have attached a photo of them. They are 4 for $35.00. They make a great hostess gift to go with that bottleof wine you take to your summer parties. 💡

🖌How did you do with the 'looking and seeing' I mentioned in my last newsletter? Did you have any 'aha' moments? Did you notice if your eye rested on any particular colour or shape?

Today, I suggest that you notice the shadows that are cast in these days of sunshine, either the ones your shape makesor the magical patterns created by trees and leaves. Perhaps you can even capture them with a pencil drawing or yourcamera. I would love to see what you come up with. Summer is the time to play!

Let me know if my new product is something you would like.💡
Wishing you fun in the sun.🔆

Gail

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