Art Log

The Summer Artisan Market is drawing to a close on September 2nd.  This is the last chance to see some of my work there until the Artists on Main Show in the fall.  Come in out of the heat and take a look!

"Where do your ideas for painting come from" I am often asked.  You can trace my thinking with what follows.   In the Okanagan a neighbour will arrive at our door, a large box of fruit in hand, with a slightly desperate look on his face, an indication of a bumper crop of backyard fruit.  How can one family consume it all? Preserve it all?  So the neighbours are fortunate to be recipients. This photo of two plums came from exactly the above described situation.  The photo sat in my files for years but recently when thumbing through Old Master's images with their dark, rich backgrounds suddenly I had an idea I would like to paint a fruit series with this kind of set-up. And what about the foreground? Draped fabric?  Too challenging?  Prints?  Too distracting.  I stepped out the door only to see our little mosaic table and that formed the idea for the foreground.  Ta da!  A synthesis.

Almost ready for your eyes . . . Maybe one more coat of glaze yet.  Still on my desk.

My neighbour knocked on the door with another box of fruit. The plums still had the bloom on the skins. These were not to be eaten before they were painted. But for a background, what could be strong enough in pattern and colour for these dark, succulent plums? My Tree of Life carpet was the answer. What do you think? Please share your thoughts with me on my guestbook.  www.PocketDesertPainter.com

12 X 9 X 1.5" acrylic on cradle board prepared to the highest standards. Shipping extra.

"Where do your ideas for painting come from" I am often asked.  You can trace my thinking with what follows.   In the Okanagan a neighbour will arrive at our door, a large box of fruit in hand, with a slightly desperate look on his face, an indication of a bumper crop of backyard fruit.  How can one family consume it all? Preserve it all?  So the neighbours are fortunate to be recipients. This photo of two plums came from exactly the above described situation.  The photo sat in my files for years but recently when thumbing through Old Master's images with their dark, rich backgrounds suddenly I had an idea I would like to paint a fruit series with this kind of set-up. And what about the foreground? Draped fabric?  Too challenging?  Prints?  Too distracting.  I stepped out the door only to see our little mosaic table and that formed the idea for the foreground.  Ta da!  A synthesis.

I often do taste tests when we have guests, bringing home several types of cherries or apples.  What is the taste difference between a Bartlett and a Bosc, I wondered.  Wanting to paint the pair, I employed  the Old Master's background values again but what about the foreground? My answer came from one of my Matisse books, filled with images of scenes and still lives, draped in fabric, the quilt because there are so many quilters here.  

I am so very pleased that a Calgary doctor purchased 'Honey Bear on Polka Dots' for his daughters from The ART GALLERY Osoyoos yesterday.

 When I was 10 years old my aunt bought me a small water-colour of clowns, that I still have to do this day.  The daily  joy of living with original art is without match.

 One Honey Bear remains without a home, though . . . 'Honey Bear on Duty'  

This Saturday night from 6 to 9:30 p.m. downtown Osoyoos will be its most exciting with the ART WALK on.  Enjoy refreshments at each of the hosting establishments as you stroll from Boston Pizza, Bits and Bites, The Okanagan Gallery, The ART GALLERY Osoyoos and Bordertown Winery. You'll find me at Bits and Bites with lots of paintings for you to select from.

I always smile when I am painting dogs so when this little darling and her owner came to visit in Keremeos during my show there I could not resist taking a photo to see if I could capture some of her emotions.   If you have a pet that should be painted, let's talk.  Leave me a message.

It is always a joyous time for an artist when he or she sells a painting, but to sell two works to a pair of patrons is very exciting.  I thank my dear patrons, Ron and Marilyn, from Winnipeg who purchased two large paintings 24 X 24", one framed, one unframed exhibition canvas for their home collection.  It was the first time I've had to ship paintings this large so my dear husband made a wood protective frame, we packed the paintings first in soft protective bags, placed them back to back and filled their interiors with bubble wrap and flat cardboard layers.  Then we stapled cardboard to the exterior of the frame, placed the goods inside, stapled the top and handed them over to Canada Post, which, considering the amount for tracking and insurance as well as shipping was very reasonable.  Thank you Marilyn and Ron and I hope you enjoy the paintings for many years to come.

If you haven't put ART WALK Osoyoos on your calendar for Saturday, July 27th, you will miss out on a great event here in the Okanagan. Held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. ART WALK Osoyoos presents artists and artisans displaying and selling their works at Bits and Bites, Bordertown Winery, Boston Pizza, The ART GALLERY Osoyoos and the Okanagan Gallery, most of which are within walking distance of each other.  Refreshments served at each site while you're browsing and shopping.  You'll find me and my works at Bits and Bites.

The cherries are in abundance now.  You can buy them in the supermarkets, stop at an orchard stand, or even do you-pick on an orchard ladder.  The latter is not for me!  When we moved here I bought a cherry pitter and 20 pounds of cherries and set to work which took a couple of days.  But the flavour burst is always worth the effort.  Here's a few on a plate for you.

The plums aren't quite ready yet but they are coming along well, developing those rich hues followed by the soft bloom.  This image from last year's crop painted in a loose, bold style.  See my gallery for prices.  Please leave a comment on my 'Guestbook' page