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Please note I will be uploading a body of new work shortly. It was a busy season and I am thrilled to be back in my studio, dabbling in all seasons once again. Thank you all for your support!

if elephants look pink in sunset? Officially blogging! 😀

Just spent a lovely Saturday with some great ladies, keep it up and remember the power of the sock! I have been inspired to add poppies as an upcoming series. Please note that I have added a few new works to the New Arrivals Gallery. More to come very soon! 😀

I am happy to report that I’ve finally settled in for the summer at the Waterfront’s Baggage Building. I’m looking forward to greeting visitors and spending many wonderful hours creating in my studio space. My Landscape 101 Workshop started last night and my first Art “After”noon will be held this Saturday, giving children a chance to work in the style of Van Gogh. This summer, I am committed to keeping a close eye on my website, adding new arrivals and blogging regularly. Thanks to all for your continued support!

What an amazing summer it was, not only for the uncharacteristically warm weather, but for the connections I made during my residency at the waterfront. It was a summer of learning and partnership and I owe tremendous gratitude to the Turtle Girlz of the Painted Turtle for visualizing what was needed in the city and making it happen. The Baggage Building Art Centre continues to become a hub of artistic creation and presentation, a landmark for the public to enjoy art and all it has to offer.

I had the thrill of holding several workshops this summer, both for children and adults. Saturdays consisted of Art “After”noons, where children would experience the life and creative times of a variety of influential artists and eras. I am uploading some pictures to show their creative effort. It still amazes me to see the artist within the child emerge and take hold.

I also had the pleasure of holding adult oil painting workshops. The first occurred within doors, learning the basics to my own technique and employing (and enjoying!) the power of the sock. I, again, was in awe at the results. It is wonderful to have a student realize their own potential and know they can continue to cultivate it on their own. My personal bonus has been the lifelong friendships I acquired during our time together.

Our Plein Air workshop was postponed until early fall. This proved to be a happy turn of events, even though our first outdoor session was during a storm. We managed to huddle under the awning of the ice cream stand and paint the Sleeping Giant in the fog. The next session allowed us to juxtapose those tones with a beautiful sunset. There is something to being out in the air with a brush and a canvas that only those who give in to the effort can truly understand. That workshop reminded me of the power of nature and I will certainly be returning to the open air this spring.

I want to thank the Turtle Girlz at the Painted Turtle and the Waterfront’s Baggage Building for nominating me for a 2012 Thunder Bay Arts and Heritage Award for Visual Arts. I attended the awards ceremony on December 13 and was thrilled to have been selected as this year’s winner! What an honour to receive recognition for doing what I love to do!

I am also excited to be the featured artist in the January edition of The Walleye. I truly appreciate the chance to articulate my intent, share my sources of inspiration, as well as some of my techniques. Furthermore, I would like to congratulate The Walleye for accepting awards in two categories during the 2012 Thunder Bay Arts and Heritage Awards.

I have been using the cold days as incentive to build up a body of new work. I am actually feeling inspired by the “frozen greyness” to experiment with new colours and blending techniques. I hope to upload images for viewing within the next week. I am so blessed with having support to continue creating. Thank you to all and Happy New Year!