Cupcakes and All I Need

So, ok, I got a bit carried away with this cupcake theme. It was a fun vacation for me, though, and I think I can get back to more serious mark making now that I have that out of my system. The painting of "Samanda" sits patiently waiting for my return over there on the other side of the studio. She is quiet and undemanding, except that the look in her eyes is a bit reproachful. I have now, in any case, my Christmas gifts ready to send off in a few weeks to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, loving women in my life. I promised them hand painted scarves and I like to keep my promises when I can. Being a new Senior "pensioner" is giving me a sense of freedom I've never had before...I still intend to market my work but the sense of urgency is gone. I can breathe. I can relax a bit. I can sleep nights instead of wondering if this will be the month we can't make the mortgage payment. And thankfully our needs are small. I am letting go of a lot of the materialistic desires I once had. The house isn't my dream house but so what? It is a good house. A strong, warm house. I have put my stamp on every room and it enfolds Bob and me. The surroundings here are magical...I live in nature...the best decorator ever. The food is wholesome and we have enough of it. The birds visit, the dogs romp, and the other wildlife visits (sometimes when not invited but always welcome so long as they don't eat everything in sight and wreck the topiary). All I have is all I need. But a new camera would sure be nice...tell you what...I'll trade a personalized cupcake scarf for a good used Canon T1i Rebel DSLR.

FineArtViews Painting Competition Award

I got a wonderful surprise today when I got home from a long day in both Courtenay and Campbell River with Bob running errands. I thought I would quickly check my email and received the message that my painting "Lisa" was selected as one of the FAV15% in the September FineArtViews Painting competition. This is means I might get featured in the informed collector section sometime in the coming months. I am trying to embed the award badge in this blog but I got a message that the gadget is broken right now. Hope they get that fixed soon. In any case, I feel very grateful to the jury and feel that I am finally making a bit of progress in getting more attention for my work. Artists ride the fence of ego vs. selflessness, trying to offer the world part of their gift and at the same time wanting some of the spotlight as a result. I am no different. I would like to be a well known, well regarded artist. I'm human! I also seriously hope that my small efforts bring a bit of light into our world...I am aware that in the long run none of this matters but while we're here it is nice to contribute in a positive way and be recognized.

Nicole Up Close and Personal

I decided to post this close up detail of Nicole since I have received comments and emails about her skin tones. I struggled with this for quite some time and kept scraping off what I had done. I finally realized that there was a lot of yellow light bouncing around in the trellis area, a distinct

lemon colour, greenish and pale. When I used that it seemed to come to life at last. In a photo it is harder to see, unfortunately. In any case, this gives a better idea of what is going on in those skin tones. Lots of Permanent Rose also for the reflection from the deep red flowers, especially around the chin. Used a pale, greyed lavendar on her forehead. I felt like I was painting a clown face at the time but it worked! I am very appreciative of everyone's enjoyment of this painting. No word yet on how its doing with the Blossom show jury.

A "Bearly" Plausible Notion

This guy (or girl - don't know which!) has been seeking the center of my attention for over a week now. No matter what I do, hanging out old smelly dog blankets on the fence (after repairing where he crashes through), old dirty laundry (don't really want to go there...), rewiring the electric fence, sending the dogs out to do bear baiting duty, picking all fruit and cleaning up everything I can think of,and stomping around the yard banging loudly and annoyingly (just ask the neighbors) on a pot with a big metal spoon, this bear just won't take the hint. A real cutie, though, don't you agree? When Bob gets home in a week (God, a whole WEEK??), we are going to string barbed wire. Maybe put a loud speaker out there and play heavy metal 24 hrs. a day.(Isn't that how they finally got rid of Noriega?)

Meanwhile I am seriously considering doing a painting of this yard wrecker...just wish I could get close enough to make sure I get his eyelashes correct.

Heather's Sister

Nicole in the Rose Trellis oil 16"x16"

Here is the other entry to the Blossom competition. I've posted Nicole before but some of my newer followers may not have seen her. I so appreciate everyone's wonderful comments about

my work and it is very motivating! I never expected to find so many other talented people out there who would be interested in what I'm doing. I love following all of you also even though I

don't comment all the time - if we commented on everything none of us would have time to paint!

Regardless of the outcome of this show I'm trying for the support from all of you is enough! Who needs a jury full of strangers to give us the vote of approval when friends, old and new, are so warm, helpful, considerate, and just plain fun?

Meanwhile, I have to get back to my Black bear, the one who keeps breaking into our property - a real cutie who is having trouble with overstaying his welcome. See my FaceBook page for pics. Or maybe tomorrow I'll post one here. It has also been suggested to me that I should do his portrait as I have a pretty nice shot of him up our big fir tree. Hmm. Maybe I will.

Waiting and Wondering

Heather with Peonies oil 14"x14"

This is one of my two entries into this year's Blossom competition - the one with the big awards and a national tour. You are allowed to enter a painting that includes subjects other than flowers, but flowers must be a major part of the image. I don't know if my portraits of two sisters with flowers around them will qualify (the other is my "Nicole in the Rose Trellis" piece.) I love to paint most subjects but it always feels more "right" for me if a figure is included. Entering shows is now part of my regular routine but the waiting and wondering if it will be accepted is a bit frustrating. There are so many wonderful artists now...have there always been? Or is it that we are a more affluent society that has allowed the inner artist in so many to come to flower? More people can afford to be artists, not having to struggle just to survive...although there are still far too many in the world who exist that way. The starving artist in a garret is merely a romantic notion that has never been the best way to nurture one's talents. Most artists don't care about becoming millionaires but not having the funds to keep a roof over your head, decent food in your belly, and pay for the needs of your children is not in anybody's definition of a great way to become "true to your art." So, I continue to enter shows even though part of me dislikes the whole juried thing, the separating what one person or a committee thinks is good from what they think is not worthy...when, in fact, the same work presented to a different jury will likely be rated differently.

It's a gamble but part of being an artist is not to hide your light (i.e., your work) under a barrel but to have others be engaged with what you have done, to find delight or meaning in it and to let you know that your efforts are appreciated. We all need a pat on the back once in a while...and

some coin to put in the bank on occasion is nice too.