Be kind to yourself ...

There is no doubt about it ... this painting thing is hard, but try not to be too hard on yourself. I say this, not necessarily because I follow what I say myself but mostly since I have started teaching classes again ... I see students wrestling with the process vs. the finished product.

All too often, the finished painting becomes the goal and the process is forgotten ... the love of the paints and the brushes and the feel of the rough canvas ... even the smell of the oils. That is the love. I won't say that I am not guilty of this myself but when I slip into that place where I am judging what I am doing ... it is then, I try to remember that I love doing this ...

Warm wishes,

Barbara

New Work

"Along the Eastern Edge"

This summer past ... saw another visit to Newfoundland, also a favourite place of mine to see and smell the ocean air,  hear the seabirds and visit the people.

As well, I had a great visit to Nova Scotia, which created a number of inspirations for new work ... you will see them here!

Very best wishes

Barbara

A Favorite Place

Prince Edward Island

One of my favourite places to visit, to spend some real time on an empty beach listening to the waves ... to re-connect with everything you drop in a busy life filled with comings and goings. And while those comings and goings are part of the music of life ... on these beaches you can hear the melody softly whisper on the wind 

Roses from my garden!

So ... I posted about this piece a bit ago and I am thrilled now to report after The Fine Art Show in Streetsville last weekend ... it sold! I must confess that I did go back in and work on it a couple of times after before I put it in the show but nothing could have made me happier than having a perfect stranger love a painting!

Roses from my garden!

Very best wishes, Barbara

Small Sketches

Every now and again ... it is important to challenge yourself! 

This was a 30 minute sketch on a small wooden panel - starting with brush and ending with a knife I toned the panel with yellow ochre which allows the light to sing a little and then pushed myself to put down my knife when the 30 minutes had finished!

Best wishes, Barbara

How a life changes ...

In the blink of an eye ... everything can change ... we have all experienced that from time to time. Again, the journey ~ it may be rocky, smooth, beautiful or sometimes not so beautiful ~ just do your best to stay somewhere near the path!

Best wishes

Relay for Hope 2015 - Nova Scotia Panel

I have been fortunate enough to get myself involved with the 2015 Relay for Hope - it is a cross country Relay in support of AIDS/HIV research starting in St.John's, NF this month and finishing in Hope, BC in October of 2015.

Here are some images of my Nova Scotia panel that will become part of a much larger project including pieces from all the provinces and territories.  It will then follow the runners across this great land!

I had a great time working on this and learned so incredibly much ...

Enjoy and many best wishes!

John Willard workshop

Hi and I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

A few weeks ago … a number of us from the Burlington Fibre Arts attended a workshop with quilt artist John Willard. It was a wonderful Sunday afternoon, with so much to learn and friends to share it with!

Below you will see some photos on my piece from the start with a small 8x8 black and white printed square and the addition of strips and more strips and the some angled squares until finally the finished quilt top. You will see some of the squares from my workshop mates as well!

Enjoy!

My piece at the start

Workshop mate - amazing!

This is an attractive pile of fabrics …

And this how many of the quilt tops turned out at the end of the day! A beautifully riot of colour and personality!

We had a great time and enjoyed the teachings of John … and of course each others company!
Have a wonderful spring and Happy Easter

Many best wishes,
Barbara

Group Of Eight Georgetown Trunk Show

Hi again,

I hope this finds everyone well … although we are still in the grip of winter here in southern Ontario, buried again by a late winter storm!

A few weeks ago, the Burlington Fibre Artists hosted a trunk show from the Group of Eight Fibre Artists based in Georgetown, ON and I took a few pictures that I know you will enjoy.

It was a wonderful evening full of inspiration, artists' talks, discussing of techniques and the sharing of stories - what could be better?

The Group of Eight was founded in 2006 by a few like-minded friends that were looking for a creative outlet for fibre work outside of the traditional quilting guilds. So, eight members were the basis of GOE which now has nine members. Please enjoy these photographs ~ 

The artists' of the GOE can be found at goegeorgetown.blogspot.ca or search the Group of Eight Fibre Artists with you favourite search engine. Please know that some of the photos may be details ~ not the full piece.

Very best wishes and thank you so much to the Group of Eight for joining us,

Barbara

Finding Your Voice - Part II

Hi again,

Just a bit ago … I talked about finding your voice and introduced you to a dear friend of mine, Sandy Simmelink, who  gave a workshop to our group on "Finding Your Voice" …

One thing that I have remembered from the workshop and wanted to add is her advice on practicing your technique always and everyday if possible, and then working in series when ever you get a chance.

Working in series lets you practice your techniques and then find whatever it is that makes your voice unique … it pushes us to revisit our favourite subject matter until we have explored it to its fullest.

I have include a couple of images to demonstrate working in series … all of these pieces are of the same size and general working materials.

Your series could be anything from subject matter, size, colour or working materials … what ever connects the pieces together as a unified body. This will help as time goes on to let people know that this is your work.

Exploring your subject matter to this degree will help in your efforts towards finding your own unique artistic voice.

Very many best wishes,
Barbara