I actually did finish  some work this week, but it went out the door before I got a picture of it. When it's hung for the show later this week I will get a shot or two. Always better on a nice white wall anyway. So instead I'm going to show some work by artists that I am inspired by,

First is Virgil Burnett a internationally known resident of Stratford who is currently having a show at our local public art gallery. Virgil is an illustrator, sculptor and author. I have always been enchanted by his pen and ink drawings and their fantastical detail.

Muse by Virgil Burnett

                                                                      End Papers

One of his own books

Books he illustrated covers for.

Another artist I wanted to feature is from the UK, Nikki Whitlock. She has a unique style incorporating both painting and mosaics. They too, are fantastical and full of detail. I like the fact that she also incorporated words into her pieces.

Coincidentia Oppositorium - The conjunction of the opposites

                                                     This a very mystical piece: The Underworld

The Spirit of Autumn

The Masquerade in the beginning, I'm waiting to see what this one looks like finished

Another Stratford artist and  friend, is Wendy Orr. A one time graphic artist and currently a high school art teacher. Wendy is looking forward to her retirement and the opportunity to paint full time.

The Porch

Harmony of Opposites, something new for Wendy and it is now at the Stratford campus of the University of Waterloo

Fall

and Auntumn Floor

...

and my all time favourite, My First Collection. I watched her paint this one at my house, a marble a night. I think the light reflection is brilliant.

My Upcoming Classes at Gallery Stratford

Letters of the Lost Art (ages 4-6)

For wee hands learning to print, the purpose of this 4-week class is to inspire, create and celebrate the importance of forming letters! From Egyptian scrolls, Chinese script, Native hieroglyphics to our own ABC’s – students will step outside the digital world to behold the beauty of lettering. Led by artist Wendy O’Brien.

4 weeks, Tuesdays, 4 - 5pm (a small popcorn snack will be served)

April 5th – April 26th

$55 Gallery Members, $65 Non-Members

All materials supplied

Art Submerged (ages 7-12)

Art and Science meet in this dynamic drawing and sculpture class inspired by the works of German artist and biologist, Ernst Haeckel. Best known for his colourful illustrations and discovery of over 1000 under-water species, Art Submerged will draw from observation as well as imagination translating students’ 2-dimensional creations into 3-dimensional works of art. Led by artist Wendy O’Brien.

6 weeks, Monday, 4:30 - 6pm

March 28th – May 9th (no class on Easter Monday – April 25th)

$85 Gallery Members, $95 Non Members

All materials supplied

Material Inc. (ages 7-12)

Combining paper and fabric, students will layer, print, stamp, stencil and more discovering the endless possibilities of textile surface design. With the use of varying fibres and techniques, each class will result in a unique piece of art! Led by local fibre artist Wendy O’Brien

6 weeks, Wednesday, 4:30 - 6pm

April 13th – May 18th

$85 Gallery Members, $95 Non Members

All materials supplied

Ready, Set, CLICK! (ages 7-12)

Learn the ins and outs of digital photography in a relaxed, fun and creative environment. Bring a camera from home or enjoy using one of the Gallery’s. Led by Wendy O’Brien.

3 weeks, Wednesday, 4:30 - 6pm

June 1st – June 15th

$55 Gallery Members, $65 Non Members

All materials supplied

ENCAUSTIC PAINTING WORKSHOP – TEENS/ADULTS

THROUGH THE USE OF COLOURED MOLTEN WAXES, STUDENTS WILL EXPLORE THE VERSATILE AND UNLIMITED FIELD OF ENCAUSTIC PAINTING! JOIN ARTISTS, WENDY O’BRIEN AND ANNA KOOT AS THEY GIVE AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THIS ANCIENT PAINTING MEDIUM WHICH IS ENJOYING A WORLDWIDE REVIVAL.

ENCAUSTIC I - SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH, 10AM - 3PM

$75 GALLERY MEMBERS + $40 MATERIAL FEE, $85 NON MEMBERS + $40 MATERIAL FEE

ENCAUSTIC II – SATURDAY, APRIL 2ND, 10AM - 3PM

$75 GALLERY MEMBERS + $40 MATERIAL FEE, $85 NON MEMBERS + $40 MATERIAL FEE



The Gallery Grows Green in April!

In celebration of Earth Day, April 22 – Gallery Stratford will hold special workshops throughout the month of April. Each workshop will celebrate art by creating with an eco-conscience mind. You won’t want to miss these one of kind…GREEN art event!

April 4th - Monday – Tin Can Puppetry – 7 - 8:30pm - ages 7-12

April 13th - Wednesday – Botanical Drawing – 7pm – 9pm – Teen/Adult

April 16th – Saturday – Natural Dyes on Eggs – 10am – 12pm - All Ages

April 18th – Monday – Green Banners – 7pm – 8:30pm – 7 - 8:30pm - ages 7-12

April 27th – Wednesday – Upcycle: T-shirts to Art – 7pm – 9pm - Teen/Adult

$25 Gallery Members, $30 Non Members

All materials supplied

http://www.gallerystratford.on.ca/

new work

I haven't blogged in a few weeks, I contacted fifth disease from some child I taught. It's not bad if you are a kid but as an adult it's a knock out punch. They don't treat the disease, just the symptoms, I don't know which is worse the disease or the drugs. I keep being overcome by weak spells and fatigue. Not only did I break out in a nasty rash, but also had sore swollen joints. They were so bad I could hardly walk down stairs, or crawl into a vehicle. Walking was slow and paintful. My right wrist felt like I'd sprained it. The doctor's first comment was, "I wondered when I'd see the first adult with this!" The good thing, she had had it herself so was very sympathetic. The other benifit  (if there is one), is I can never get it again. So, that's my story and I"m sticking to it.

I actually did get some work done in between teaching classes at the gallery. I used the faux felt I made for this first one. I used TAP paper to transfer and image, then I machine and hand embroidered it and added a little needle felting. It's mounted on plain canvas at the moment....not sure if I will put a colour wash on the canvas.

This next piece is paper fabric made with old book pages and lace, embellished with needle felt flowers and a 3D bee. there is also a llittle stitching and a few buttons. It's mounted on a rather thick canvas, so I added a paper border to break up all that black.

This one is a mosaic of decorative apers I made using a National Geographic and a natural orange cleaner, as well as bits of gelatin prints and found papers. the centre piece looks like an etching but it is a bit of a cheat. I mixed oil paint with linseed oil and spread it on a acetate sheet with a brayer. Then, I layed a piece of paper on top and drew a simple image. When I pulled it off, there where a few white areas, so I filled in one with a pencil drawing of an old farm gate. I liked the technique so I might try some more.

The last 2 are new encaustic pieces, one of thistles and one of Mexican sunflowers. I used  a pick with the thistles which truned out quite effective. The second I carved away some of the wax, to define the petals more.

An open invitation to area artists

As I have mentioned a few times, I am a member of Gallery 96, an artist co-op in Stratford, Ontario. The gallery has been working on a Trillium grant that has allowed the artist members to access help and information in the areas of curatorial practice, critical writing, advertising and marketing. So to that end we are presenting a workshop to help members and non memberas alike, get a grasp on marketing yourself as an artist. Something artists have trouble doing or they try and avoid it all together. It's a hard thing when you wear your heart on your sleeve, but a neccessary if you wish to become successful.So here is the info if you are interested and within travelling range of the event.

Marketing for Artists 101

Are you a practicing artist struggling with the ins and outs of marketing yourself? Do you know someone who is? Then you are invited to an evening workshop presented by Gallery 96.

Guest Speaker: Martine Becu; a marketing wizard who has worked with arts organizations and marketing for several years.

When: Tuesday April 26th 2011 @ 7pm

Where: Factory 163 (163 King St., Stratford, Ontario)

Presentation will be approximately an hour with time for questions afterwards.

Access if off the parking lot to the south of the factory.

Admission is free and open to anyone interested.

For further information contact: info@gallery96.com or visit our website at www.gallery96.com

This workshop is supported by the Trillium Foundation

Faux felt and Needle Felting

It's been a busy few weeks since my last entry. In the last blog I featured a pair of red foxes that were playing in my siste's yard. Since then there has only been one other sighting and this time only one loney fox. I hope his partner is still ok. After all she does live in the city.

It's still winter around here, we had another blustery day yeaterday with a few rural roads closed. The snow is up to my knees in most spots. Here are a few photos from today. I like the dome on top of the gazebo and the old cream seperater. Then there is the piles by the barn, which I don't like.

....and one dozy cat in the window, even thought there is no sun today. It is at least milder but damp, Im not sure which is worse, that or the bitter cold we have been having.

I've been making some faux felt, a process I saw in a book by Val Holmes. I like this method and plan to do more and then embellish with more roving, embroidery, image transfer, etc. These first two are king of wild, they may become floral ones in the end, not sure.

 This one actually has more of the dark green as you move up the piece. There is hand made paper and yarn in between the layers of roving.

This one needs a little more work I think, perhaps another layer.

I haven't given up needle felting, I have a fw new ones but there seems to be an issue with adding more photos all of a sudden. This happened the other day when I tried to add to my blog. Sometimes the computer is so frustrating. I'll give it one more shot and if nothing comes up I will try posting again tomorrow.


OK, now it works, and I don't have any idea why it decided to work now and not two minutes ago.

                                                                     Huts and Dories

                                                                     Spring Fields

                                                                    Pumpkin Patch

                                                                     Fuschia

                                                       ....and yet another country road.

Foxes

I haven't posted on my blog for a bit as I've had computer issues, don't you just love technology?

We are back with a few photos from my sister who lives in Mississuaga, a large city just west of Toronto. This happened on the weekend in her backyard that is surrounded by a high fence. It's equally amzing that these fellows managed to jump the fence and have a little play. Needless to say there were no squirrels around the bird feeders that morning.

My nephews had a great time naming them, but I doubt they will be around again. My sister's place is not to far from the Credit River, which is probably their normal home.