Alice in North Bay

The floor of my studio is covered once again...not to mention every surface and corner... I have been busy these days nursing a cold that is FINALLY on the mend. The cleaning has taken a back seat (the very back of the bus). I am SO happy that I am starting to feel better because I am looking forward to going to a wonderful ART event this weekend just an hour and a half from where I live. It's called the Mad Hatter's ART Party!

This is going to be an ART show dedicated to everything Alice. I painted one of my girlies disguised as a bunny with a slight obsession for tea. It was so fun to paint this one and I am happy that I completed it before the cold arrived on my doorstep.



I have another awesome weekend ahead of me where I get to rub shoulders with many creatives. I will take many pictures to show you guys. I can't wait!

In the meantime, I am working on my very first calendar for 2011. I am loving this creative process and continuing to set my intentions for 2011.

Also, I am getting my hair chopped off tomorrow and I can't wait! One more day and I think I would do it myself! Pics to come, I promise! (Hopefully good ones)

Much LOVE to you!

Studio 276

Welcome to Studio 276...

Tour on the Fringe...an ART show and sale.

This ART show is hosted inside Heather Topp's home.
A generous artist who invites people into her home every year
to showcase other artists in our northern city.
This year there were over twenty artists and I was lucky enough to be one of them.

It is here that I spent the last three days,
surrounded by fellow artists and people in my community
who believe in the importance of supporting ART.

Come on in... I want to show you the work of these talented people.

Here are the landscape paintings of Celine Blais Maltais and the pottery made by Darlene Dardick. Two super cool women I had the opportunity to get to know a little...

A series of collages made from the talented Jenny Latreille.
She is a multi-media artist. She is also a friend.

This is some of the work of Lynn Latreille (Jenny's Mom). She is super creative and is always bringing fresh ideas every year. She also makes killer handbags. I bought one with a felted poppy on it. This woman rocks! This is part of a collection of pen and ink blocks.
They are FABULOUS!

This is the work of featured artist Ron Langin. This is part of his new collection.
He used cornmeal, beeswax and oil paint to create these beauties...


This is the beautiful work of the very talented Tricia Stenabaugh.
My new ART friend. She also had other lovely works painted on watercolour.



This figure was created by the host and AMAZING artist Heather Topp.
She has many figures of women throughout her home. They are AWESOME!



This is another of Heather's works. Her work is an experience!



Here are some paintings that you surely recognize. My big eyed girls were hearted by many. I also had a table filled with goodies that are now being worn and shared with the peeps in my community and across Ontario.

This weekend was a taste of what it's like to be in the company of the most respected and talented artists in my community. I soaked it all in. I met many people that I hope to spend more time with as I continue this ARTful journey.

I am planning some new projects and listing some new goals. FRINGE was everything I was hoping for and MORE! It has opened me up to more possibilities and has filled my heart right up with joy and gratitude.

I am going to continue to process and make my lists this week as I prepare for another ART show in North Bay on Sunday. I will tell you more about it this week. For now, I need to get some groceries and tidy up. I am starting a NEW drawing class tonight at the Sudbury ART Gallery. Here's to loving life even with a bad cold and a tired body. I am also so grateful to Steve who has been putting in more time lately so I can live the life of my dreams...

I hope you enjoyed the tour~LOVE to you all!

Ten Down...Two to Go...

This was my inspiration today...

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say,
but what we are unable to say".

Anais Nin

Remember the dream I had about the cake and the book? Well, it sure has shaken things up around here. I have been writing again and feel as though I have opened Pandora's box. It hasn't been easy going there again...where the darkness lies...but I know that with each word and each page I am getting closer to the end. I hope that once I finish this book, I will be able to move on in every way possible.




I have completed my tenth short story. I only have two more to go and I have a feeling that they will be written sooner than later. It seems as if the Universe is kicking me in the butt to get this done... I am looking forward to sending it to a selected few to edit and get their feedback.

It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time... I will be sure to let you know when I finish...I might scream it from a mountain top!

Thanks for taking this journey with me... What kind of book do you dream of writing? What story do you need to share with the world? I would love to hear about it?

ART Studio Tour Preparations...

Every surface of my studio is covered again in preparation of the
Fringe ART Studio Tour happening next Friday through Sunday!

I am BEYOND excited for this tour as it is the most respected and well-known tour of the year! I will be spending three days in an old beautiful home downtown in the company of veteran, experienced, talented artists. I am over the moon to be part of this group of creative people. I am sure I will come back SO inspired and ready to roll up my sleeves and get painting again!

I have been printing, cutting, pasting, assembling and packaging...

I will have new magnets, glass pendant necklaces, note cards, and journals....

I LOVE to find new ways to package my items and present them...

Here are the archival ART prints that will be for sale!

I still have SO MUCH to do but I am counting down the days like a kid at Christmas...


PS. I am listing NEW prints in the shop today.
Here is a peek at my NEW Favorite that will be for sale shortly!

PSS. Sign up for the newsletter to get savings and more specific info on shows and new items!

'bye bye birdie...'

Intention as my Roadmap

"Set Your Intentions'
This is a painting I will be showing at the Fringe ART Show next week...

Autumn has always been a time of NEW BEGINNINGS for me. A time that makes me feel I can reinvent myself, improve upon, evolve... Maybe it's the fact that it's back to school or that I used to be a school teacher and a new school year always brought a newness to my life; a new class, a new bunch of students to learn from, a new bunch of parents to endure...lol...

I am also a FALL baby (being born in November), so this time of year is particularly special to me. It reminds me that I am closer to being one year older, better, wiser...

It is also a time where I enroll in classes again (a drawing class at the local ART Gallery), get back to my clubs that I have missed (my book club), and sign up for group meditation as well...

One of my ARTful Journey sisters is encouraging us all to 'set our intentions' and focus on what we desire. Louise has a very inspirational post that you should check out! Her post has reminded me to be more mindful of my thoughts and to gently push away all matters that do not help fuel my deepest desires and my very small and very big dreams!

What do you focus on? Is it feeding you or draining you? I promise to kick my negative thoughts to the curb for the next 24hours... Let's see how much of a difference a day makes? Are you in?

My Dream About a Cake and a Book...

I had a dream a few nights ago that I finished my book. It was proofread by three people and when it was completed, the book was baked inside a cake. All four of us sat at a round table and consumed the cake seeing the layers of words as we cut into it. It was delicious... It felt so real and normal. The cake was vanilla, the icing was white with periwinkle blue trim. The writing was script and my words were legible as I slowly ate and enjoyed my piece of cake.

So here I am a little perplexed...but starting to understand the meaning and significance of this dream...

It's time to get writing again...time to finish the three stories I have left. I need to get this book baked...so other people can read it, eat it, and experience it.

This is one dream that has made a slightly weird impact on me, but an impact none the less... Have you had any weird dreams lately with a message?

The Sounds of my Studio...

Sarah Harmer

I have been really busy painting in my studio these days. I'm getting ready for the ART Studio Tour in my home town that is happening on the 25th and 26th of this month. I just wanted to share the music I have been digging BIG time as I paint the day away. Sarah Harmer, a beloved Canadian musician just released a new album after five years...This was was worth the wait! Check out her website to hear one of her best. Listen here to "Late Bloomer" (give it two seconds and the music will start).

If you are looking to rock out to some good music, pick up any one of her CDs'. I guarantee you will LOVE her! Enjoy!

My Pocket of Light

Breath
Going Within Means Never Going Without

This painting symbolizes my spiritual side. The one I carry with me, inside my deepest pocket. I have been feeling a tug, a pull towards this pocket that is always there, patient and kind. I have been feeling a nudge to go there and listen, to be silent and hear the whispers.

This pocket of light, along with my heart are my compasses, the ones I listen to above all else to make my decisions, to take a new direction, and to move forward in my life.

Maybe it's because all the other parts are falling beautifully into place. Maybe it's because I am nurturing and caring for all my other parts; the physical and the emotional, that I am now feeling a deep pull towards nurturing that spiritual side of me again.

Hello sweet pocket of light. It has been a while. I am so happy to be home. I am ready to listen.

On Being Yourself...

I've been thinking a lot lately... more than usual on the mark I want to leave on this world. I've been thinking of all the GREATS; Charles Darwin, Mother Theresa, Vincent Van Gogh and countless others. I've been thinking about how lasting their imprint has been, how meaningful their life's work has been to the world.

What I have realized is that all these people lived their lives as best they could. They followed their hearts and lived life passionately. Despite their difficulties and challenges in life, they remained true to who they were.

'be yourself'
nobody can do it better than you

This is my newest painting. I want it to remind me to always stay true to who I am and what I believe in. Despite what may come my way, I am certain that being myself is the only thing I need to do. As I continue to peel back the layers and uncover my truths, I am realizing that being me is always going to be enough. Being myself is the way I am supposed to live this life!

I may never be a Darwin, a Theresa, or a Van Gogh. But, I want to be the BEST me I can be... No matter what the plan is, I know in my heart that I am on the right path... I hope I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I am ready to shine my light a little brighter.

LOVE to all of you during this long weekend,

Remember to BE YOURSELF...it is enough. xo

PS. I will be listing this painting along with two more originals on Monday.

It`s about the little things...

Spontaneous trips to the beach for a picnic...
and being the only ones on the beach.

My new feather tattoo.

Mini crispy crunch blizzards.

Having my own .com in cyperspace!!!

Knowing that this time next week, I will have the house ALL to myself again. No boys, except for Frodo... Can`t wait to paint all day long with no interruptions (and no guilt)... Time to get my game on!

Happy weekend to all of you!

PS. Sign up for my newsletter to get special shop discounts for September + more NEWS!