Waiting For My Friend

One of my favourite galleries is The Roberts Gallery on Dupont in Toronto. I lived for many years around the corner from the Roberts Gallery. If I had time I would pop in. If I didn’t have time I would admire the work from the window.
Last month my painting Waiting for My Friend was accepted into the 100th Anniversary Exhibition of the CSPWC. I was so excited that my work was going to be shown at the Roberts Gallery. When I went to visit the show, not only was my painting in the show, it was in the front window!! My painting was sold and has now gone to a new home.
”Who were you waiting for?” people ask. It was September 12, very hot and sunny and I was on a painting trip on an island with many Collingwood artists in Georgian Bay. The phone rang and I found out my daughter had gone into labour, 3 weeks early! I was so excited, nervous and could not really concentrate on painting. I did a small sketch of this tree that morning before I got the call that my new friend had arrived, Sophie was born:)

Escarpment Magazine

I got a call one afternoon. “Would you like to be the feature artist for the Escarpment Magazine?’ Clay asked. Wow, really? YES.
I had a wonderful interview with Deena Dolan, where we discovered that our paths has crossed in many aspects of our lives. Photos were taken by Clay Dolan and then in July 2024 the issue came out. What a wonderful feeling! The reason I am writing this blog is because this does not happen everyday. I apply for exhibitions all over Canada many times a year. I most often receive the email that says “ thank you for your application, but this year we had so many applicants…..” There are lots of rejections. But every once and awhile you receive special news, that yes I did get in, that I did win an award. And you have to take this opportunity and celebrate because it does not happen every day. Celebrate the moment!

Frames

I frame my paintings in 2 different ways.

The first way is a more traditional way with mat & glass.

The second way is without mat & glass. With this method I have to wax the painting to protect it from light and water. It is then adhered to a board and put in a floating frame.
Both frames come in white and wood colour. (the wood frame is more expensive)

I am more than happy to help you choose the right frame for you.

BLUE RHYTHMS

Blue Rhythms is a painting that I did on the Escarpment this winter. These snow patterns are like a quilt to me. My mom made beautiful quilts and this snow pattern reminds me of her blue and white fabrics. I had fun with the patterns on the trees and the heavy snow piles on the branches. The snow is so soft and fluffy. I really love winter!

Intense Blue

Intense Blue was painted after I did a hike up the Blue Mountains in January 2021. I knew what I was looking for, and I had to get up there before the shadows disappeared. My daughter and I basically ran up the mountain to get to this specific spot: the rocks on the escarpment. I wanted to capture the intense blue shadows with flickering white light bouncing off the shapes. We made it just in time! I love the way the light and dark shapes interact with each other in a playful manner.

Sunshine Coast

May 1, 2020 I was supposed to take a ferry to Salt Spring Island to meet with my oldest daughter. Covid-19 arrived and our trip was put on hold. I always really look forward to having my time with Emily and also to gather inspiration for new artwork. In 2017 we went to the Sunshine Coast and spent a week hiking and exploring by kayak. The painting here (SEAL ISLAND) was done on that trip. On the shore of the left island were 15 seals of all shapes and sizes, an amazing sight to be seen. I always seem to be emotionally charged after these brief but wonderful adventures and the paintings that follow, are often filled with that same emotion.