first rejection letter of 2011

My creativity level was hampered a little this week as traipsing after owls through deep snow last weekend took me a bit to recover from. Sometimes it sucks to be a gimp, but the reality in life is everyone has something to deal with and in my case its not such a big deal. I am grateful to be able to walk even though I may need technical assistance and I do know my limits, but I choose to push them at times, especially to get such wonderful images as I did. So after dislocations and pain this week do I still feel it was worth it, Darn Right! An artist must create despite all odds.

Today I received the official rejection letter from the submission I sent to create pieces in conjunction with the Children's Festival. Its alright as the pay offered was really lousy and if I had gotten the commission they would have gotten way more than their monies worth. As it is I can now share my submission with you. In photoshop I altered butterfly photographs so they look more textile like. I then pigment printed each image onto quilters fabric and 24 hours later coated each image with acrylic gel to set the pigment to the cotton. Then I cut and sewed and in general had fun creating each as a individual hanging. The finish touch was to sew on antique buttons. The triangle hanger is recycled coat hangers. Wouldn't one of these look great hanging near the front door advertising the joy of spring/summer. I love the beauty and diversity in creation and I love diversity in creating. I am sure I will find a place where they would be happy to sell these for me. Each hanging is about 8 x 21 inches.

SOLD

SOLD

Spring is on its way, hugs and enjoy your day.

Oh ya, I also have good news of being accepted for a exhibition, which I will tell about that later.

bits and pieces

Yesterday I was going through some small pieces that need framed. I decided to keep the setting of this "Yellow-rumped Warbler" bold by using a colorful mat surround that matches the paint color.

 I will be taking these paintings to the Donalda Center for the Arts this weekend. Its a wonderful gallery space in a historic bank in Donalda about an hour drive from Camrose. I love when we go through the coolies as we usually stop at Ferry Point Crossing for a picnic lunch or supper. My new camera had to be sent back as it was inconsistent and getting worse, so I am going to have to use my old standby, my 6 pix Rebel. I must make note that this first edition SLR Rebel is a fantastic camera, its what I used to capture these images.

"Tattered Splendor"

There is beauty and strength in the butterflies, they keep to their life purpose, though ravaged and tattered they keep on.

I changed up this one, cropped to a tighter composition and splashed more color on. I didn't photograph the original so cannot make a comparison, but this interpretation feels more intimate than the original did.

"Fritillaries Delight" 

this one I finally matted and is now ready to pop into the frame.

"Natures Gift"

This one was painted in two sessions. A few years back my niece gave me this wonderful bouquet of sunny flowers. At the time I loosely roughed the flowers in and had left the background white. Recently I dug it out of my portfolio as I felt it had potential if pushed further. So yesterday I pushed and played with color. I am quite happy with the end results.

Wishing all a big smile and a warm hug!

Digging Up The Ancients

What a weekend its is. We spent part of friday down at the archeological dig at Rossdale that was going on this week where they are looking for ancient aboriginal camps where previously a hearth had been unearthed.  Later in the day we stumbled upon another dig where dinosaur bones were being excavated, pretty interesting day. The digging up of the ancients is a strange thing to witness. I felt a presence near the pits, a sweetness played the air, even the birds took vigilance near by flitting about from tree to tree. Buffalo bones being unearthed at Rossdale.

We spent a couple hours walking the ravine yesterday and today looking for birds and were not disappointed as I captured a Solitary Sandpiper as well as this Spotted Sandpiper.

The butterflies have been out in abundance these last few days.

Devon Exotics

This morning I was busy photographing my paintings which is a very time consuming process as I seem to have trouble getting the reds to photograph well with the other colors I use in my work, seems like if the bold colors come true then I lose the subtle colors in the birds. 

Tonight I was wiring the bird paintings for hanging in the up-and -coming exhibition "Wings Of Creation" only to find I have run out of d-rings so I cannot finish the job tonight. There are only a few days left to get ready as delivery and hanging all happens this saturday. 

"Devon Exotics, Brown butterfly" a 15"x12"watercolor painting on 300lb Arches.
The idea for this painting came when I took photos in the butterfly house at The University of Alberta Devonian Botanic Gardens. I just love going there, once in I can spend hours watching and photographing the butterflies. They have a variety of wonderful gardens to stroll through that are spread out on the 190 acre property. Alpine gardens, herb gardens, and a Japanese Garden.