I Dream of...

Awww, dreams, this has been a topic for writers, poets, and artists of all medium. If you look hard enough there are many people who can help you achieve your dreams. The internet is full of them, really, just look. Life coaches, "gurus", "experts" etc.

Every since I was small, I loved to draw. I love to draw people. It is difficult to get the expression quite right or the proportion correct, but I have been practicing a lot lately.

I wonder what others dream about, motivates them, what do they want?

Last year I was fortunate enough to travel to Paris with my family. I could see why this city has inspired so many. I was thrilled to be there. When we went to the Eiffel Tower, we were walking along The Seine and I saw a Gypsy lady gazing into the river. I was fascinated, growing up I had heard lots of stories about gypsies, some good and some not so good.

Their culture has always interested me, and I know I am not the only one, just do a search on the internet and they have been the subject of many pieces of art. I took a couple of photos of this woman and I am glad I did. She is subject of one of my newest paintings.

"Gypsy Dreaming" 2010 Oil on Canvas Board 

I wonder what she is dreaming about, no don't tell me, I want to imagine for myself.

The  Mosaic for Mental Health Art Exhibit and Sale opened tonight, what a fantastic turnout!   There are hundreds of tiles and they are amazing, with many sold already! Artwork was submitted by local artists, on 6 X 6 tiles and then displayed at The Craig Gallery  in Dartmouth, NS. 

Checking out the Artwork

It is a wonderful fundraiser for a very important cause. (Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The tiles are $25.00, $55.00 framed and art cards are $3.00 each. The exhibit runs until Sunday October 31th, 2010. It will also be part of the NOCTURNE art at night on Saturday, October 16, 6:00 pm until midnight.

A Collection of... Tears?

For anyone who knows me, they know I like collecting stuff. I really like art glass, pottery, teacups etc. There is something about finding the elusive object, a quest, a holy grail of sorts.

I don't have a lot of space so I have to be picky about what I find.
So I tend to ask myself these questions before I buy;
1. Do I really like it?
2. Can I afford it?
3. Do I have room?

When I feel I have enough or my collection is complete, I move on.

One thing that I love to collect, but it is getting harder to find, is beach glass.  I have more luck finding it on the less populated beaches. I love finding the different colours, particularly the blues, the greens, and the variety of textures in the pottery. My daughter loves it too. We have a rose bowl that is filled with an assortment of beach glass and other treasures.

I am not sure why I am drawn to it so much, the beauty for sure, but I think it is also how nature has taken something that was once discarded and made it beautiful, desirable.

One of my friends calls beach glass "Mermaid's Tears", which I think is lovely and adds to the mystique.

It's funny where we find our inspiration.

"Sea Glass" 2010 Oil on Canvas 6X6

Fun at the Beach and A Sleeping Baby

I completed another painting.  It was the same theme I painted a few weeks ago, of my little girl playing at the beach. Talk about inspiration!  No one ever tells you how much your children will inspire. For me it is also a bit of nostalgia from my youth, combined with the innocence they portray. I am still amazed at how fast they grow! I know I will not run out of subject material for awhile.

Summer Fun
5X7 Oil on Canvas

I also completed a sketch of my baby girl to go with the one I had completed of my oldest daughter when she was a baby. I attempted this three times and the third time was charm. I am pleased with how it turned out. 

I love how beautiful babies are when they sleep... so peaceful.

Charcoal & Conte Crayon on Charcoal Paper 2010

I still have so much to learn, but I do see progress in my work.