Reflections, Resilience & Recovery - 14th Annual Mosaic for Mental Health

This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week.

It is a week about building awareness and reducing the stigma that surrounds mental illness. There are many events happening this week in Halifax/Dartmouth where you can learn more about mental illness and the work that is being done.

Take some time to become more aware, whether you go to an event, do a little research, or talk to someone.

The Canadian Mental Health Association annual art show, the 14th Annual Mosaic for Mental Health, occurs next week. It opens October 11, 2012 at the Craig Gallery in Dartmouth, NS and runs until October 28th, 2012. Artists donate a piece of art, typically 6 inches by 6 inches and they are sold in support of CMHA for $25.00 each. The display of art is fantastic with a wide range of styles.

The theme of the show this year is "Reflections, Resilience & Recovery" and I tried to convey the theme in the two pieces of art that I submitted.

Artist - Kerry Lynn Fraser

"Walk a mile..." - Artist - Kerry Lynn Fraser

Go and show your support for the great work they do and buy some original art!

I See Red

I am excited to have a painting in the upcoming fall show for the DVAS.

Stop by if you are in the area!

It has been thirty years ago today that Gladys, my Mom, passed away.

In some ways it seems like so long ago, fleeting impressions of a life that had an impact on that 12 year old girl. In other ways the details are vivid, like I am still there.

Though I only had her for a short time, her influence, her attitude, her dreams and her challenges continue to have an influence on me. I see her in myself, my sister, my aunt, my niece, and my daughters.

Miss you Mom.

Artist - Gladys

Nova Scotia Sunsets

I haven't had the opportunity to complete any new works this summer so I thought I would share some of my sunset photos I took while camping in my home province of Nova Scotia.

Brule Point, Nova Scotia

Brule Point, Nova Scotia

Brule Point, Nova Scotia

Five Islands, Nova Scotia

Five Islands, Nova Scotia

Wearable Art

I love jewelry, I love making things, so recently I have started making hand painted original pendants or "Wearable Art".  I love combining the various colours. Each piece is a tiny little painting that you can wear.

Here are a few of my favourites. 

Inspired

Inspiration for me comes from many places. As the title of my blog suggests, my mother Gladys has been a big part of my adult life even though she was never physically a part of it. She was a beautiful caring person, that tried to do the best she could for the children and youth she worked with. Her dedication to her career, and the passion she put into it, left a very big impression on me and subsequently my future career choice.

I have been fortunate to be able to work in the field of Mental Health. I have learned so much from the clients I work with, their families, and my colleagues. They are the inspiration for the painting below, "Foundations".

Foundations - Acrylic on Canvas

I also recently completed a new painting that was inspired by the support and generosity of my coworkers who make it a pleasure to go in to work everyday.

Bundled Beauty - Oil on Canvas 16 x 20

2nd Twitter Art Exhibit - Moss Norway

I am excited to be able to participate in the 2nd Twitter Art Exhibit in Moss, Norway. Last year, when I initially started painting I participated in the first Twitter Art Exhibit. It was a great experience and I met many talented artists online.

David Sandum is a fantastic artist on Twitter from Moss, Norway who has organized this exhibit to raise funds for The Women's Crisis Center in Moss where abused women and children can get help. Artists from all over the world who are connected via twitter submit orignal art. The art is the size of a post card and represents an individual tweet. Around 300 artists are participating and it will be fun to see the variety of art and artists represented from around the world.

This year my submission was inspired by beautiful pink tulips that I received as a gift from my friends. The title of the painting was influenced by the subject but also by popular culture. (See if you can guess from where!)

"A Study In Pink"
 Acrylic on watercolour board - 4 x 6

Nova Voce, the Provincial Men's Choir, is a fantastic choir in  Nova Scotia. They perform around the province and if you have the opportunity, you must go see them. My Aunt Lynn is their very talented accompanist and also Gladys' sister.

They are planning a fundraiser on February 25, 2012 and I have been asked to donate a painting for their silent auction. The painting I did last year was a big inspiration for my subsequent work.

I had a bit of difficulty with this painting. I started it and did not like the direction I was going. Instead of getting frustrated, I turned the partially painted canvas upside down and a picture started to emerge.

This is the result...

In the Distance - 12 x 12 - Oil/Acrylic on Canvas

Nocturne

This new painting was inspired by the wonderful Nocturne Art at Night Festival that happens in Halifax, NS in October. After a fantastic night, wandering the streets of Halifax and taking in many of the exhibits, one of the highlights was the ferry ride back to Dartmouth. Live music and the moon reflecting on the water was a perfect way to end the evening.

Nocturne - Oil and Acrylic on Canvas - 20 X 24

 Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that 2012 is here. I took a break from painting in the month of December, I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my children for the holidays.

I am ready to start a new year with lots of new ideas, lessons learned, and new inspirations! Until I can post my first painting of 2012, here are two bright little paintings I did at the end of 2011.

I hope they add a little colour to your day.

Red Bowl - 4 x 4 Acrylic on Canvas

Blue Bowl - 4 x 4 - Acrylic on Canvas