hello

New Blog Locale

2011-04-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

This blog is now at peaceofpi studio

See you there. Cheers!

Painting break with Tim Hortons

2011-04-19T20:47:00.001-07:00

Sometime today, take a few moments just for you.

Cheers.

Sight

2011-04-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Glimpse of a Beetle 5 X 4.5 X .5 inches. Acrylic with paper on wood.

This raven has a twinkle in his eye because of a potential tasty treat.

Inspired by the incorporated line of text "A glimpse of a fire beetle in flight is a sight..." this piece also reminds me to take notice of the wonders around me every day.

Raven Lore

2011-04-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

Pensive 4 X 6 X 1/8 inches. Acrylic and paper on wood.

In my dog walking adventures we occasionally see a raven looming large amongst the crows feasting at low tide.

Ravens are extremely smart, have great survival skills and often develop local dialects, so their caws and other vocalizations will vary from place to place. They are believed to mate for life and both mom and pop care for the young before it's time to leave the nest.

While Edgar Allan Poe did much to add to the Raven as a bird of curiosity in North America and beyond, the Brits have plenty of Raven lore too.

The Tower of London keeps Ravens permanently. A legend dating back to the 1600's says that if the Ravens leave the Tower of London, the fortress, the British crown and kingdom will fall. (More about the Tower Ravens is at Historic UK)

Maybe it's the intelligent stare, their curious nature, their common yet mysterious presence, their sheer adaptability or a combination of all these that make the Raven a lasting figure of legend, lore and interest.

To me they are both beautiful and ordinary, which makes them endlessly appealing.

Even Still

2011-04-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hope 6 X 3.75 X .25 inches. Paper and Acrylic on wood.

With Earth Day approaching I was thinking about endangered species of birds.

There are many birds threatened and endangered
including certain species of woodpeckers,
cranes, grouse, warblers,
jays and plovers.

Even still
this little guy
has Hope.

Bloom Time

2011-04-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

Blossoming 5 X 5 X 1/2 inches. Acrylic and paper on wood.

This painting I sneak-peeked in my last post. It's now complete and in full bloom.

I have several paintings on the go and I'm happy to have lots of studio time blocked out for the upcoming week.

Wishing each of you extra time this day for the things that give you joy :)

Progress In and Out

2011-03-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

It's tilling and planting time in my garden. I made a few markers out of rocks, this one is about 5 X 4 inches.

Just for fun, I also made some small ones for my herb garden. Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs. This marker, about 3 X 1 1/2 inches, is tucked under a deliciously fragrant branch.

And in the studio, this piece is in progress and starting to come to life. There's a gleam in this little one's eye, inspired by the noisy birds just waiting for a chance to frisk in my soon-to-be-sprouted vegetable garden.

Contractual Obligation

2011-03-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

Mr. Bird 5 X 5 X 1/2 inches. Mixed Media on wood.

Whenever Mr. Bird poses for a portrait his name must also appear in letters at least as large as he is...

It's Here

2011-03-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

F is for Freedom 4 X 4 X 1/2 inches.

Spring weather always reminds me of freedom!

Bird Dreams

2011-03-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

Wren 34

6 x 6 inches. Mixed media on wood.

Dreaming of Spring flowers :)

What is Real

2011-03-11T13:52:00.000-08:00

Bird Pride 8 X 10 X 1/2 inches. Mixed media on canvas.

Dichotomies can be appealing; as an artist they can be stretching. Here my challenge was to mix cheery with subdued.

The bold bright stripes in acrylic paint made a contrasting background for the grays of the transparent bird sketch, created with a combination of lightly brushed on gesso and smudged graphite.

The less noticeable gray color is in opposition to the vivid colors. This is grounding. In a culture immersed in clever advertising meant to grab our attention, it reminds me not to be distracted by the loudest noise, but to take notice of what's real.

X Chroma Zone

2011-03-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

X Chroma Zone 4 X 3.75 X .75 inches. Mixed Media on wood.

For International Women's Day.

Symbolizes the bars, barriers & challenges faced by women and girls in poverty.

The purpose of a woman's life is just the same as the purpose of a man's life: that she may make the best possible contribution to her generation.

Louise McKinney (1868-1931)

How About a House

2011-03-03T18:22:00.000-08:00

Tall House (front) is made from an acetaminophen box.

Tall House (back) I decided to snap pictures as I worked.

And put together a little progression tutorial.

Sounds like fun, right? If you decide to make one, post it on flickr or your blog. The colors, shapes, design and possibilities are endless!

What's My Story?

2011-02-28T15:24:00.000-08:00

Pangaea Warming 8 X 10 Acrylic on canvas.

I'm honored to be featured today in the What's Your Story? segment on the crafty blog

SavedByLoveCreations

I gave a short interview and blog author Johnnie highlighted a few pieces from my shop. Her blog is full of crafts, projects, tutorials and even freebies! Thanks Johnnie, I had a great time :)

Stop by if you have a few minutes!

Communication!

2011-02-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

Exclamatory 3 X 3 X 3/8 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

A writer friend of mine has a thing against the exclamation point. The sentiment being that good writing doesn't require such emphasis as this loud punctuation mark lends.

When it comes to literature, I can understand his argument. When it comes to art, this emphatic little beauty conveys a great deal. (!)

And with online communication, the lack of body language, tone and facial expression requires the occasional emphasis! To convey mood! And intension! It's almost as useful as the smiley face!

Have a great day :)

The Sound of a Five Dollar Bill

2011-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Fiver 4 X 4 X 1 1/2 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

For the Irish girl who said my slang reminded her of home.

And the sweet canary boy who turned silent. He's begun some muted chirping - looks like he might find his song again. Thanks for your kind thoughts :)

Now 8 Bucks

2011-02-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

Consumer Special 8 X 10 X 1/2 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

Ever feel the endless noise of advertising & consumerist mania?

Bird Dog

2011-02-07T15:17:00.000-08:00

Lost Song 4 X 6 inches. Acrylic & ink on canvas board.

A little bit sad but mostly hopeful, made for a canary friend who is very quiet but (fingers crossed) will start to sing again soon. When it comes to canaries, outside of their moulting season, singing=happy & healthy.

And a sleepy Mr. Finn says Hello Peeps!

First of all

2011-02-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

Number One 3.75 X 3.75 X .75 inches. Acrylic on wood.

Just one small thing.

Wiarton, Shubenacadie & Punxsutawney

2011-02-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

Groundhog Day 3 1/2 X 6 inches. Collage & Acrylic on wood panel.

With thanks to Willy, Sam & Phil...early spring.

Signs of the Times

2011-01-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

Giant Tomato & a Flash Mob 8 X 8 X 1 1/2 inches. Acrylic & Newspaper Clipping on Canvas.

Sometimes headlines just leap out at you.

The story that inspired the headline is fairly humdrum: as a result of a new sign bylaw, the local farmer's market is brainstorming ways to advertise and direct the public to their location.

Officially my favorite headline of 2011, it had to be incorporated into my new painting (shown in an earlier post as a work in progress). It was exactly what was needed to complete the piece.

I'm open to finding a new fave. The press has eleven more months to top it.

It's On!

The Visible Heavens

2011-01-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

Empyrean 4 X 4 X 3/4 inches. Acrylic on wood.

Empyrean: of or relating to the sky or heavens.

And in this case (at least) not related to or referencing comics or the X-men foe Empyrean -

A mutant who could absorb human agony and painful emotions and blast them out onto his opponent, causing them pain & agony.

Actually, just the opposite is intended.

My goal is that this piece counteract negativity, heal painful emotions and celebrate beautiful colors, textures and ideas.

And maybe make one look to the wonder of the visible heavens.

In Progress

2011-01-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Smitten with this color palette, I continue to explore it's possibilities with a new piece.

Working on canvas I'm using acrylic paint, the heavier bodied type that holds its shape, making for lots of delicious texture.

Using palette knives almost exclusively now, I find they are an exiting tool providing a type of control and effects not possible with brushes.

I'm still a fan of my abnormally large collection of size triple 0 through 10 brushes. They're old friends, just having a well earned holiday while I put my knives through their paces on the canvas.

Here's to old friends and new pals!

Miniature Love

2011-01-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

Tiny Heart 2 X 2 X 3/8 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

No matter the size, a heart has the capacity for endless amounts of love :)

Feeling the Love

2011-01-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

Love Bird 4 X 4 X 3/4 inches. Mixed media on wood block.

Hope you're feeling loved today :)

Graffiti on the Train

2011-01-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

9 X 12 X 3/4 inches, mixed media on canvas

Trains have an incredible array of graffiti on them, and so much of it is elaborate and colorful. The undercover artists work in a huge scale and accomplish their subversive acts of artification very quickly.

I keep seeing these displays as the trains chug by. This painting is inspired by both the art and the creators of this colorful, controversial & rebellious form of self expression.

Lettering Letters

2011-01-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

O 6" X 6" X 1 1/2" acrylic on canvas.

With all the comic letters I've done over the last several weeks, I expanded on the idea of typography and came up with these painted letters.

With the abstract background, I went with more of a script font, for a freeform feel.

It's days like these my studio feels like an inventor's workshop, rediscovering an elementary life skill - my own version of the cursive!

Morning Sky

2010-12-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

Morning Sky 9 X 12, acrylic on vintage canvas board.

This was a commissioned piece and the new owner had it framed for display in their home.

With all the choices available today, they were able to find just the right shade of buttercream for the mat and it really sets the piece off.

As an artist you don't always know how or where your creations end up being displayed. I'm so glad to be able to see the painting in it's new casing and hanging on the wall. Bonus!

Handel as Public Art

2010-12-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas blogger friends!

1980's DC Love on Monday

2010-12-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

Who's your Hero?

2010-12-15T08:46:00.000-08:00

Working my way through the alphabet as I'm busy with custom orders for the holidays.

And loving it!

Colour

2010-12-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

Bright Galaxy 16 X 16 X 3/4 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

As I hop back and forth between collage and painting, my paint palette is becoming bold and bright.

This piece has a multi-colored underpainting brought to cohesion with a cheery four color combination.

I haven't left the birds behind, just taking a small detour where color and movement are the focus.

Speaking of birds, I've changed my profile picture to a happy black crow, adapted from a painting I did earlier this year. What do you think? It's different to not have my little painted doll face but I'm trying it on for size.

Whatever you're up to, hope you're smiling today!

Meow

2010-12-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

Haven't posted a picture of Tupper in a long time.

The dogs get way more airtime, so this one is just for her.

For Old Times Sake

2010-12-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

The color and fun of comics continues to draw me in. Two new offerings today:

For Old Times Sake 4 X 3.75 X .75 inches on wood.

Collage of Dark Knight comics, 1990.

The backs are covered in text and although they look great standing on a desk or shelf, there is a hole for hanging on the wall.

Name Your Poison 4 X 4 X 3/4 inches on wood.

A collage of Batman and Robin comics from 1990.
With speech balloon words by Batman, Robin, Alfred and villains.

Brave Alfred is putting down American Football...dangerous thing to do when you have super strong, fast & occasionally violent roomies.

Bravery & Adventure to us all!

Superheroes in the Making

2010-11-29T15:30:00.000-08:00

On the studio table today...

Title Untitled

2010-11-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

Opinion 4 X 4 X 1 3/8 inches

Acrylic on box canvas

A friend who is an art history buff recently brought up the subject of titles and how artists title their work. They expressed a dislike for untitled pieces stating they wanted the artist to take the final step in communicating about the work. While I always title my work, I understand the rationale behind untitled pieces.

Some artists purposely leave their work untitled, intentionally giving no clue or directions for viewing and experiencing a piece. They place no word ideas onto the work other than what can be seen. Their purpose is to allow or require the viewer to bring themselves more fully to the work, so the viewer can form their own interpretation and meaning. Makes sense right?

I don't mind untitled works, so why do I always title my pieces? I think fundamentally it's about my intentions. To me art is communication. Both to self-as-artist and to others-as-viewers. There is thought and meaning and emotion behind each piece, and part of the way I want to share that is to carefully choose words to accompany and express ideas I have about the work.

I think I leave room for the viewer to interpret the piece in relation to their own tastes and experience, while also contributing to the communication through word titles. In the end it's a personal decision based on many factors, one of the many wonderful things about the freedom of the creative process.

Circa 1984

2010-11-19T14:03:00.000-08:00

Pow Bam circa 1984

Each 4 X 4 X 3/4 inches on wood.

Ideas About Gift Ideas

2010-11-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

The holidays are coming and I had to get in the mood so I decided to make something new in the rustic theme. I have many little well dried wood cut rounds in fir, arbutus and scotch broom and I thought they would make nice decorations.

One side is painted in bright colors, and I left the backs natural and inscribed peace, then tied on some hemp twine and that did it. So now that I'm in the mood, it's time to get organized.

How do you shop for Christmas? For me, it starts with a list. Aside from gifts I'll hand make myself, I'll be doing a lot of shopping this year online. I live in Canada and without going into a rant about the speed of Canada Post, I figure that as long as I shop now, things will have plenty of time to arrive by Christmas.

For me, free shipping is a big plus but I'm always up for any kind of deal. At ArtFire you can shop for gift ideas and use the shop for tabs like Free Shipping, Coupons or even look for items on Sale. Fun!

Who are you buying for this year? My gift list runs the spectrum: Toddlers, Pre-teens, Teens, University students and adults. I don't like to emphasize stuff and prefer to find small and (hopefully) meaningful gifts.

That and funny too. Funny is very meaningful. I'm always up for that.

Last year I made my brother a sort of inside joke gift:

If you're a fan of Monty Python, you may see where I was headed with this.

But that was last year, now I need to sit down with a cup of tea and 1) click my way to online gift ideas paradise and 2) let my imagination wander towards what my own handmade gifts will be. I know it won't be Spammy, that's been done.

There's just over 30 days to bring everything together.

Life Cycle

2010-11-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

There are pieces of various sizes in mid-stream on my studio table. This is one of the smaller works in progress, where a seagull is emerging on this 4 X 4 X 1 1/4 inch box canvas.

On my morning stroll, a particularly noisy gull was making a big play for a salmon.

It's spawning season and the salmon have returned to the local creeks to swim against the flow and complete their life cycle. The eagles and bears get first dibs, but the gulls are close by. Never subtle but fairly successful, they manage to take part in the bounty.

Barring a bear sighting, the dogs take little notice of this activity and drama. They have their own agenda outdoors. Running and sniffing out the local dog news are top priorities.

Penny is the boss on a walk. She's 13 and has recently become quite deaf. But she's smart as a whip and has adapted to our communicating with hand signals. For the most part it works very well.

Her nose works as good as ever and she enjoys her walks complete with familiar sights and new smells. Things have gotten dicey a few times when she's lost sight of us and taken off in the wrong direction, so we make sure to stay in her eye line when we're outdoors.

Indoors she's my studio pal, snoozing while I work. She is so dear, it's difficult to see her at a loss sometimes. But she doesn't feel sorry for herself so we try not to either.

Finn is now about one and a half and a complete character. He is so full of mischief and fun.

He absolutely adores Penny and never gives up on trying to convince her they should play like fools and cuddle like litter mates. He takes the I'll wear you down with persistence approach and I have to say, it pays off most of the time. And knowing Finn, I'm not surprised.

You see, Finn took a similar level of dedication and persistence to train and adapt to life with humans. Seriously, this little angel has exasperated me more than any dog I have ever known. Our bonding was difficult, not instant, and it took way longer than I ever expected, but in the end after many months of blood, sweat and tears, he's a full pack member for life. And a shameless cuddlebug.

Our daily walks fill me with inspiration thanks to the birds, trees, water & mountains but also integral are my furry family members, quirks and all, who live in the moment, reminding me how blessed is life in the now.

On Your Bike

2010-11-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

Bicycle Series, collages on wood, each 4 X 4 X 3/4 inches.

I've just completed a little series featuring velocipede and tandem bikes.

I used papers of various vintage, the oldest from an Italian-English Dictionary with wonderful, almost fall apart pages.

What I like about a series is that it allows the opportunity for a concentrated study on one topic and one style.

I like that the pieces stand alone yet also have a unifying factor of color and subject matter.

The edges are a deep chocolate brown and the backs are covered in text. A small hole has been drilled in the back so they can be hung on a wall. Such a fun project :)

In my part of the world it's a bit too rainy for me to enjoy bike riding today, but I had wistful thoughts of crisp November air whizzing past my face while riding down a hill...a delightful fantasy, and much dryer than the real thing!

We Care

2010-11-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

We Are 10 X 10 X 3/4 inches, Mixed Media on canvas.

Happy news. My painting will be up for auction November 30 in support of AIDS Vancouver at the We Care Red Ribbon Gala complete with Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction. The Gala will be held at the lovely venue of the Museum of Vancouver.

AIDS Vancouver provides all sorts of services to the community, working to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to support those living with the disease.

Several local artists are donating pieces to the Silent Auction, with all of the proceeds going directly to help those in need.

I hope the gala, held on the eve of World AIDS Day, is a huge success.

Red Poppies

2010-10-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

I put together a collection of poppy themed items in honour of upcoming Remembrance Day. These are a few of the items, the full collection can be seen by clicking the golden button at the bottom left.

In Flanders Fields

Curated By: peaceofpi

ArtFire.com

Since 1921 Canadians have worn lapel poppies on the left (over the heart) as a symbol of remembrance for those who have fallen in military operations. Non-political and non-partisan, the wearing of a lapel poppy is a symbol of collective reminiscence and a commitment to never forget. Remembrance Day is November 11.

With thanks to those who came before and those who serve today.

The Heart of the Matter

2010-10-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

Climb to the Heart 16 X 16 X 3/4 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

This new painting is a departure from the whimsical miniatures in both size and subject matter. The focal point is a larger than life anatomical heart, which is depicted as on display for visual and physical access.

The heart has so many meanings.

The physical speaks to health and literal life blood. With out it we could not live. If it is damaged it may need repair, therapy or constant monitoring to keep it working properly. It is a fragile organ.

The emotional is about love, be it romance, familial connection or deep abiding friendship. It can even point to the truth, the facts laid bare, raw and uncensored. Emotional exposure can be risky, dangerous with a payoff positive, fulfilling and empowering or negative and damaging. Or both.

The spiritual is about things unseen. Beliefs, faith and core values. The spiritual can cause happiness, peace and healing. When it comes to the spiritual, disagreement about what is or isn't can cause misunderstandings, dissent, fractions, schisms, danger and even death.

Ideas about the heart are significant, charged, loaded and relevant.

Hope your heart is in good shape today, not fragile or distressed, but healthy in every way.

Miniature Magical Houses

2010-10-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Chateau Habitant Mixed Media on canvas.

I'm continuing a series of wee houses. They are each very small at 1 X 2 X 3/8 inches.

I just can't help it, collaging the tiny gems together somehow goes hand in hand with dreaming up the story behind each piece...

An ancient tower of a castle, Chateau Habitant magically disappears and reappears at will, providing shelter from the storm for weary travellers. A safe hideaway, open to all. The only payment required is a thank you.

All of the houses are made from French script. This is the Les Maisons trio.

Chez Bleu is a fairy house.

The dwellers of bleu can always find their way home whether their house is tucked away in a secret location known only to a few or displayed for the world to see.

The Chez Bleu fairies help those who tend to lose their way, get turned around, or generally suffer from lack of the sense of direction gene.

82 Rue is an ancient house full of mystery. Also a fairy house, the dwellers of 82 Rue specialize in assisting the non-fae in creating lives and homes full of laughter and humor. A laugh or two at the start of the day puts your mood right. A laugh in the evening means your dreams will be happy.

L'orange is dedicated to people on the move.

Fairies of l'orange help a person with To Do lists while simultaneously increasing opportunities for quiet reflection and idle thought.

Somehow the world slows down and the important things still get done.

L'orange: sorting priorities and lowering stress levels for 800 years.

Hip to technology, gnomes choose to live off the grid when it suits.

Whoever possesses Gnome House will become in tune with nature, their knowledge and interest in the garden increasing each day. In addition, they may appear shorter than usual from certain points of view, which isn't a bad thing, really, when you think about it.
~
I hope your day is filled with wonder

and may be even a fairy, gnome and a cozy home.

Lunch and the Nature Institute

2010-10-16T14:13:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by peaceofpi studio

2 X 2 X 3/8 inches collage painting on mini canvas.

The Nature Institution is devoted to studying the natural environment. That, and lunch.

Committed to seeking out the very best that lunch has to offer and sampling respectable amounts of same, not much nature study is accomplished after 12 pm workdays.

But afternoon discussion and contemplative thought are, indeed, important aspects of Nature study - essential, in fact, to the continuation of new thought and discovery.

Nature + Lunch = Innovation

Due to an endowment from nature-loving chef-zillionaire, the Institute is actively hiring. All of the researchers at the Institution plan to work there until retirement, and there is always room for more.

All prospective employees are required to read and understand the strident rules of the Institute Lunch:

1. Lunch: It is essential that each person, take time out of one’s day for lunch. The break for lunch is usually to be taken at 12:00 pm. However, 11:00 am should not be seen as too early nor 1:00 pm as too late. The main point being that a lunch break should be taken each day.

2. Duration of the Lunch break is one hour minimum, although two hours is standard. Three hours is not out of the question. The point is to ensure the break is taken (See Rule 1).

3. Lunch is a flexible time. Standard practice involves the eating of a light (yet hearty) meal. Perhaps a short stroll outside, weather permitting. It may be enjoyed alone or shared with others, as desired, in accordance with Rule 1.

4. There shouldn’t be too many rules about lunch.

Applications are being accepted via comments or tin can telephone.

Acquaintances

2010-10-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

New painting, Acquaintances 10 X 10 X 3/4" Acrylic on canvas.

In this cheery little piece, it appears a raven is making friends with a worm. The question is, what happens next...

Will they be friends?

What will they talk about?

And what will the neighbours say...

The fun of this painting was a personal challenge: to use a limited palette - only one shade each of blue, red and yellow with Payne's grey.

In the end it came out crisp and vibrant. I've been experimenting with and exploring color for a few months now and it seems there is no end to the learning and growing.

Color: Such a simple topic is so many ways, yet the complexities keep expanding.

Meanwhile, raven meets worm.

Gaggle of Geese

2010-10-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Gaggle, 6 X 6 X 1 1/8 inches. Mixed Media on canvas.

Another trio of birds, this time young geese. In shades of cream, butter and pumpkin spice (pie anyone?) this little canvas is warm and cozy.

It's always fun to find a way for the painting to continue on to the edges. This way it can be viewed from more than one angle.

This coming weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, with Monday being the holiday. I'll be baking up pumpkin pies using an extra spicy recipe passed on through my family. Delicious. Let the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves fly!

Whatever your plans for this weekend, here's to family, friends and sharing a hearty meal.

Cheers!

Autumn Flock

2010-10-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Autumn Flock 10 X 10 X 1 1/4 inches. Collage painting (acrylic & paper) on canvas.

This little painting started with a random placement of text for the background. Washes were then applied to unify and add order. I was going for a warm feel so I chose shades of golden yellow, oxides and ochre.

Then more opaque layers of paint were applied. I added in the orange and deep sienna tones for a true seasonal feel. Going for texture and movement, I used a palette knife, leaving peaks and valleys in the heavy bodied paint that holds its form when dry.

The tree branches and bird silhouettes were painted in a burnt umber color. It reads as black but is a warmer shade that blends better with the warm palette.

Lastly I added the suggestion of leaves to the top portion, giving the birds a canopy of safety from their point of interest. They seem to be intensely focused on something off canvas. Do you think it is friend or foe? Predator or prey? Danger? The promise of lunch? Or...

You decide!

The Good Blues

2010-09-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

Crossroads 12" X 12" X 3/4" Acrylic on canvas. My latest abstract painting is about movement. The colors are intended to highlight both the sense of space and the left-right movement across the painting. The lone vertical element contrasts with the horizontal lines, which inspired the title.

Continuing my study using this gorgeous shade of saturated cerulean blue are two more mini canvases:

Blue Storm 3" X 3" X 3/8" Mixed Media on canvas.

The house is real wood, attached to the canvas for a 3D effect. I've noticed how the color of everything from sky to trees to buildings and houses seems to change according to the weather. In this piece the little wood house takes on the color of the stormy sky.

Luna 3" X 3" X 3/8"

Moonlight and art of the Coast Salish inspired this piece. The Coast Salish peoples are particularly known for their distinctive and beautiful carvings, usually minimalist in design. This piece is my own take on their people's incredible contributions to art and minimalist aesthetic.

September is coming to a close and I'm at a small (but happy) crossroads with my art - Beginning October 1st I'll be offering my paintings for sale at Artfire, a vibrant and professional handmade marketplace that I believe has a great future for both self representing artisans and buyers of quality handmade goods. And that's great news!

The future looks bright.

Cello & Bird

2010-09-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

Cello and Bird 10" X 20" X 3/4" Acrylic on canvas

About two weeks ago I posted a work in progress shot, and now this piece is complete.

Not altogether different than it was weeks ago, it only needed various tweaks, some shading and highlighting here and there, but getting the combination of colors right took many sessions (and days) of walking away...allowing my mind to focus on other things and just letting the cello be.

It was a lesson in patience. Returning to the cello and bird, paintbrush or palette knife in hand, I could only work on a small area, one focused idea at a time, and then I needed to leave it for a time. To marinate.

A good Cellist needs to put in the time, honing their craft, getting the instrument to produce the proper sounds. Maybe that's the lesson of this painting - Don't rush it. Be Patient. Do the work. It's worth it in the end.

"Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart." Pablo Casals, cellist (1876-1973)

Eventide

2010-09-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Eventide, 8" X 8" acrylic on canvas

This little abstract is a continuation of my current interest in exploring color. While line, shape, scale and visual balance is still an important part of the creating process, I'm paying special attention to color in terms of balance, matching and mixing.

The palette for this piece is fairly straightforward - primaries of cadmium red and yellow with ultramarine blue. I continue to be amazed at the endless rainbow of possibilities in using only three primary colors.

The divine and wonderful happens when color meets color on the mixing palette. Shades combine. The resulting bloom is new, beautiful pigment.

Pure joy!

Friendly Figures

2010-09-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Vale, Dog Walker - Westie, 8 3/4 inches tall.

I showed some work in progress shots of this gal in a recent post and now she is complete. I call her Vale. She's made of painted muslin stuffed with polyfil. Imagining her in wheat colored grass, I made a base covered in paper clay. Little fabric poppies stand tall at Vale's feet.

Batgirl Soft Sculpture, 10 1/2 inches tall.

Combining my love for superheroes with my wee doll-making spree, I designed and sewed up this Batgirl. Not able to decide on one particular incarnation of this superb crime fighter, I painted a costume that incorporates several of the styles Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl) has sported over the years.

Her body is painted muslin cloth that is stuffed with polyfil, and she stands with the help of wood and a comic collaged base.

These dolls have been a fun creative distraction in 3D, fueling me full of ideas for painting in 2 dimensions.

Creative work is play. It is free speculation using materials of one's chosen form.
-Stephen Nachmanovitch
author of Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art
(one of my top 20 all-time favorite books)

Another World

2010-09-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

My current read is an amazing autobiography by Lucille Ball. This abandoned project, completed in the late 1960's, was discovered in the 1990's, after her death. With a lovely introduction by her daughter Lucie, it is frank & heartwarming. I'm devouring page after page.

It begins in her early childhood, and spans all the years in between. The tales of her years in Hollywood under contract to RKO and MGM, show the strange life of Starlets of the 1930's & 40's. Her life with Desi and their creation of their iconic show is TV history fun.

Mostly it is a story of a daughter, sister, wife & mother. A loyal and devoted person, family came first for Lucy. Her voice shines through as she shows herself to be a hardworking family oriented class act.

As a fan it is intriguing; as a woman of a different generation it is at once absorbing and relatable. As a fellow creative it is encouraging to read how she continued to believe in herself and move forward, working towards what she wanted no matter the odds or opinions of others. What a gem of a book!

Hello Cello

2010-09-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Another sneak peek at a work in progress.

This cello on my easel.
Waits.

We're doing a dance, back and forth.
Sometimes she waits days.
I return to add color or line.

Slowly the steps come together.
I wait. She waits.
Inspiration translates paint to canvas
Until the dance is complete.

"Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart." Pablo Casals, cellist (1876-1973)

Fall Friends

2010-09-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

A little glimpse at what I'm working on...

...a girl who loves dogs and long walks in the woods.

And a quick hello from Finn, who has taken after his older sister and enjoys napping in the studio while I work.

Here's to a crisp September stroll through the woodland with your best buddies by your side.

Aces !

2010-08-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

Woot! The Batman typography collages are completed. For me, the fun of creating these pieces is the hunt for the perfect image to adorn each curve or slope.

Each is 6" X 6" X 1 1/4" with comic panels on the thick edges.

I can just imagine hanging these on freshly painted walls and surprising a young Batman fan with a personalized bit of comic book fantasy.

Superheroes, we love you!

On the Studio Table

2010-08-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

Recycled vintage Batman comics becoming letters for a custom order.

Each will be on a 6" X 6" X 1 1/4" box canvas.

Some lucky boy is getting a cool new bedroom!

Thrifty Thursday

2010-08-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

Always on the lookout for the unwanted or forgotten book, I snapped a few shots of my recent acquisitions of discarded beauties.

Birds: Their Life, Their Ways, Their World is a Reader's Digest pictorial from the early 1970's.

With pictures full of bright over-the-top colors, the pages will serve as reference and inspiration for painting & sketches.

There literally is not one page without some kind of illustration or diagram. What a treat!

This well loved copy of Tom Brown's School Days by Tom Hughes has no publishing date inside. The book was originally published in 1857 with an illustrated cover. This copy, published by the World Syndicate Publishing Co. is most likely from the late 1920's or early 1930's.

It has deliciously yellowed pages with a few classic line drawing illustrations scattered sparingly throughout.

The text is very small - maybe 8 point font, making this a tiny pocket treasure. Along with the classic language and content of the story, this book provides a very interesting look at Victorian England.

All this amusement for only a few pennies each. Thrifty Thursday fun :)

Pondering a Palette

2010-08-14T10:57:00.001-07:00

Valiant 12" X 12" X 3/4"

Sometimes it's refreshing to take a step back and evaluate your creative tendencies. Recently I've been revisiting and exploring color, color mixing and color palettes.

The Old Masters (in Europe from the huge period of 1300 to 1800) used the colors available at the time. The palette they employed is the inspiration for this piece.

Earthy and muted colors, often applied with a palette knife, were used to create romantic realistic art. Here I've opted for similar color mixing and use of a palette knife but veered away from subject matter with an abstract approach.

Using old-style colors in an interpretive way has sparked a new perspective and excitement about contemporary painting.

I'm looking at my tubes of paint with a fresh eye.

Superhero Me

2010-08-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

Batman E, custom monogram collage 6" X 6" X 1 1/4"

These custom pieces are fun to make. The client chooses the letter, the superhero and the background color. This E was made using a DC Detective Comic from 1988.

Superman S Collage 6" X 6" X 1 1/4" made from 1983's Superman and the Amethyst Princess of Gemworld (love that title).

They're not too big, just the right size for a bedroom wall or as part of a larger comic display.

The gallery edges are thick, perfect for a panel of comic goodness. Batman streaks across the edge of this E giving it an extra bit of fun. Finding and selecting the panels for the sides is a ball. I love to try and made the four side edges tell a story of their own.

Using all non toxic paints & sealants and damaged vintage comics, they're a great upcycle/recycle project. Sealed with a glossy finish, they easily wipe clean and are completely protected, giving the comics a new second life.

Comic fun, superhero magic!

Little Bear

2010-08-03T10:46:00.001-07:00

Little Bear
Originally uploaded by peaceofpi studio

Had a visitor last night. Where I live we all have bear locks on our garbage bins, but they can still smell it. This guy (or gal) is young & pretty small. He managed to rip the door off my neighbour's enclosed locked shed and find a snack.

The bigger bears often have one or two coyotes following several meters behind (to pillage the scraps) but this little one looked to be alone.

When it comes to sharing space with bears, we give them wide berth. The goal is to co-exist as much as possible with them.

Last month there were 4 bears killed by conservation officers just a few kilometers east of here. It's actually lack of education & bear awareness that causes the unnecessary deaths.

Now they're talking about instituting a 5-10 thousand dollar fine for not properly securing your garbage. We keep ours in the garage where the bears can't get near it, but not everyone has an enclosed garage.

As humans encroach on their territory, living together with wildlife becomes complicated.

Reproduction

2010-08-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

Alike 6" X 6" X 1 1/2"

After making some crisp reproductions recently, I plan to make a mounted embellished print of this painting. I'm hoping the colors come out true and vibrant, retaining the details of the original.

These posterized shots of my tiny wood dolls came out beautifully. The images on the cards are larger then the original doll size of 1 3/4" and the colors are crisp and animated.

I'm really excited about the quality of this Imagine giclee print. The texture of the canvas came through and all the colors are perfect.

Having prints made is detail oriented because the vibrancy and quality of the original needs to be there. Each piece poses it's own set of challenges. Unlike getting messy with paint and brush, it requires digital artistry and the co-operation of technology - something I'm looking forward to tackling in the days ahead.

We are...

2010-07-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

We 10" X 10" X 3/4" mixed media on canvas.

More from the Human Series, exploring humanity, culture & ideas about gender.

*****************************************************************

It's a long weekend coming up for many. I hope you enjoy the break, if you have one. Enjoyment, relaxation and restoration to each and every one of you. Thanks for stopping by my wee blog & happy end to July.

Human

2010-07-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

Woman with a Brain 10" X 10" X 3/4" mixed media on canvas

Equal Eye I & II each 3" X 4" X 3/4" mixed media on cradled wood panel

These pieces are part of series on humanity, gender and culture - highlighting that we are each people, human beings first and foremost.

Recycled and Rethought

2010-07-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

Rise Up 5 1/2" X 8"

This collage is on a heavy board that was reclaimed from the inside of an old three ring binder. It incorporates damaged comics, a vintage page of text, paper, paint and ink.

Even the geekiest of comic geeks might have trouble identifying the character as Dr. Valerie Hawkins-Mailer who made a one-time appearance (as far as I can tell) in the X-Force.

More recycled board and wood will be part of a series of upcoming collages using damaged comics.

Trap 8" X 10"

The recycled substrate for this collage didn't want to lie flat so instead of photographing I scanned the piece. The central collage is 4" X 4" and it's mounted onto the collaged 8" X 10" surface. The images are from a 1948 reprint (1989) of the Batman origins story.

I love the idea of using familiar images in a new way to tell a different story. Comic book figures and drawings are an endless supply of emotive and dynamic images. I find inspiration in re-interpreting them in these journalistic pieces.

Here's to the superhero in all of us!

Tiny Tortoise

2010-07-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Schnell Novelty 2" X 2" X 3/8"
Lately I've been painting larger pieces, minimum 10 inches and up, so it was a nice diversion to return to my first love, mini art.

It's a collage painting made with hand painted papers, German & English text and a sweet little tortoise image. The word above his shell Schnell is German and it means fast or in the imperative sense: Go! Go! Quickly!

I imagined that the tortoise is bit of a novelty in the neighborhood because he's a speedy little guy, always on the go. But he is still a tortoise and fast is a comparative term. It still takes all afternoon to get from his favorite noontime nap spot to his cozy evening bed of grass under a large leaf.

Oh the life of the land turtle!

Progression

2010-07-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

Sunbeam 12" X 12" X 3/4" on canvas
This painting came together in stages, often with several days of rest and unconscious pondering in-between. I'm satisfied with the end result, and after wondering when it would finally feel finished, I can now let this bird fly.

Here's a peek at my process and a few work in progress shots:

I started with a turquoise background as a base and then spent several hours painting and detailing the bird. Originally inspired by the gorgeous turtledove, I decided to abandon a realistic approach and make the dove extra colorful with touches of blues and greens. Then came the ground cover, inspired by local wildflowers, and then rays of summer sunshine.

I was unsure if the piece was finished - I felt something was missing so I took a photo, which often helps me to see a painting in a different light. I decided it wasn't complete and set it on my studio drafting table and moved on to a different painting (another great way to gain new ideas when you're stalled).

I darkened some of the turquoise collage pieces to define the sky. It was a good addition and I set the painting aside again. Then the idea of words floated by - I grabbed onto it, and test drove typewriter text.

This seemed to fit the folk art feel and the letters were stained and added. A few final touches to the sun and the background along with the addition of the dark edging and the painting let me know, I'm ready.

The process of painting is about discovery and imagination. It also has taught me patience. It's both humbling and awesome unearthing the details in a creative work. This piece in particular has taught me to wait and listen and allow things to happen in their own time.

Comic Superheroes, Timeless and Timely

2010-07-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

X-men Double Light Switch Plate

This collage was made to update our colorful and quirky guest powderoom. It's created using late 1980's X-men comics - my favorite era for Marvel costumes. They are hip and colorful and somehow a bit less sexist. As you probably know, superhero costumes have changed from time to time over the years, sometimes termed an "update," other times to suit a new storyline.

Over in the DC comic world, a surprising new update has been revealed:

Yes, it's Wonder Woman. She's been re-imaginged as an urban crime fighter with a different past than the Amazon Princess I grew up with, one that gives her new edges and angles to her psyche...read more about it on the DC blog

I'm all for updating and re-inventing, and I kind of like the new costume. It's a far cry from the Lynda Carter superhero of the 1970's. Here's hoping the writers stay true to essential elements of a strong woman who rights wrongs in her own powerful female way.

You go girl!

Chatting with the Birds

2010-07-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Talking Raven 10" X 10" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on canvas

Inspired by loquacious crows and summertime BBQ's.

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, here's to the joys of Summer fun. For my friends in the other half, hope your Winter is cozy & comfortable.

Cheers!

New Paints

2010-06-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

Line up tubes in Almond Roca tin,
place in studio...
better than a bouquet of flowers.

Wren in the City

2010-06-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

Oppidan Bird 10" X 10" X 3/4" mixed media on canvas

Feeling the folk art vibe with this painting. The bird is inspired by the Bewick's wren, a common visitor in my neck of the woods.

The warmer weather is here and I'm so grateful my studio stays cool and crisp. It's always one of my favorite places to be, and when the sun heats up I have one more reason to prolong my stay in the studio of peace and pi.

Hope you're staying cool wherever you are :)

Watchful Raven

2010-06-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Raven at the Door 12" X 16" on canvas

Inspired by the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe this painting was created using layering and distressing.

While Poe's raven was somewhat of a tormentor, this bird is less menacing and more watchful. Intelligent and patient, the raven sees through the surface and finds hidden meaning in non verbal communication.

Here's to going beneath the surface and exploring the depths. Courage to us all!

Crustacean Love

2010-06-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

May Your Crab Bucket Always Be Full, art card 8" X 5" acrylic and ink

I love the ocean but I don't eat seafood. Coming from a fishing community replete with Summer Salmon Bakes, Fish Smoke-offs, BBQ Seafood and Crab Cake & Clam Fests that is really saying something.

What I do love is the ocean floor at low tide. It's a feast for the birds, with crows being the most creative in the ways they devise to crack open their booty. They love to drop clam or mussels onto cars to smash the shells. Pavement will do in a pinch too. The modern world has provided plenty of shiny hard surfaces, perfect to aid in popping open a quick breakfast on the go.

Rarely a day goes by where I'm not shooing my dogs away from bits of well past it's prime crab leg or clam left on grass or path. So the sentiment of this card is really for everyone, human or otherwise, who finds sustenance or joy in the bounty of the ocean.

Questions of Results and Music

2010-06-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

Musica 12" X 12" X 3/4" Mixed Media on Canvas

As the crow warms up by singing his scales, the question arises, what kind of music does he sing?

Are the Results the Same? 6" X 6" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on Canvas

And this blackbird is asking her own question.

Answers to my artistic questions are spilling out on the canvas as I continue to explore texture and color in the context of discovery and growth in my work. I find that showing up and doing is the simple answer to the complex questions of the work of creating.

Here's to many more questions and the joy of finding answers.

Yesterday's News

2010-06-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

Transitory, in 3 pieces: 10" X 10" X 3/4"; 5" X 5" X 3/4"; 3" X 3" X 3/8"

Call it collage, mixed media or assemblage, this new work combines various items including paper, paint, metals and buttons.

In sepia and rusty colors it is meant to highlight the beauty of age and even decay.

In a disposable consumerist culture, old is often a negative and the au courant gets all the buzz - anything short of antique is passe.

This is my vote for the beauty of yesterday.

In the Midst of the Storm

2010-06-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

Tempesto 10" X 10" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on canvas

Sometimes life is turbulent and it feels like a storm is raging on. But we stand firm and move forward. When the storm subsides, we emerge.

These thoughts inspired this piece, created with text and multiple acrylic mediums. It has a touchable surface and a semi-gloss surface that catches the light. The raven is mattified to suggest feathers and set it apart from the turbulent surroundings.

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each. Henry David Thoreau

Here's to weathering life's storms, which do pass in time, and to savoring the promise of June.

Make Believe and Tea

2010-05-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

America Girl 4" X 6" X 3/4"

It all takes place in her imagination. The audience watches as Captain America fights a foe. How it will end is up to her. Her mind is powerful and she writes the story. Go girl.

Speaking of imagination, how about a tiny stop in the land of make-believe...

This is a short little video I made with my tiny painted dolls and painted rock cottage.

Red is played by Justice Bink. She knows 37 ways to disable an aggressor or anyone else who annoys her, so she was perfect for the part.

The Big Bad Wolf is played by Octavio Lupinikov who prefers cotton blend flannel in shades of flattering blue. He's a bit of a diva, but we managed to complete the shoot with minimal disruptions thanks to generous amounts of Earl Grey tea with fresh lemon slices.

Oh the wonders of a warm cuppa...

Rosewood Sky

2010-05-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Rosewood Sky 3" X 4" X 3/4"

Flying by with a tiny offering from the studio. This black bird painting is on a cradled wood panel, a great surface I love to work on.

Inspired by the pink blossoms of spring and the changeable, sometimes stormy weather of May, this little piece has a textured background and touchable surface.

We've been having days mixed with warm sun that turns to showers and back to sun...not fun for planning what gear is needed outdoors, but ideal for the buds and blossoms. My herb garden loves it and the rain is encouraging my strawberry patch to make the berries big and juicy. Here's hoping we get a few berries before the birds take their share!

Studio Snapshot

2010-05-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Quotes that resonate, motivate and encourage are scattered around my studio. They have inspired me as much as images. This quote by Julia Cameron is in a spot near my computer where I see it daily. It rings particularly true with me, and it's comforting to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

The words on this sign hold a certain irony that I find enchanting and it's state of decay only adds to it's charm. Placed beside three of my 3" X 3" paintings, the ancient Washington Farmer watches over the items it shares wall space with, somehow promising their safety.

Personalizing is an ongoing process and fresh new bits and pieces are always making their way into a nook or cranny. For over two years now I've had dedicated studio space, it's about 15 feet square with sliding glass doors leading into a small rustic garden. It's a dream realized. What a blessing it's been :)

Birds in the Sepia Sun

2010-05-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

Sepia Sun 8" X 8" Mixed Media on Artist Canvas Board

The Springtime sun is shining, making perfect conditions for photographing art outdoors. The light is great and colors photograph so much truer outside.

In sepia and sienna tones, this piece is multi-mixed media incorporating paper, acrylics, charcoal, pastel & various acrylic mediums.

Snowgoose Haze 6" X 6" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on wrapped Canvas

This piece was an opportunity to play with texture using tissue paper, gesso and acrylic mediums. The goal was to have the goose appear faded, with the overall look a bit unfocused. The touchable surface is a tactile treat :)

Since the sun is still shining, it's a perfect day take the dogs on an extra long tromp along the shore and see which waterfowl are out scouting for dinner.

Music of the Loon

2010-05-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

Loon Dance 10" X 10" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on Canvas.

Sometimes I watch birds and I see their movements set to music. This loon is about to make it's next dance move and I wonder, is it a Tchaikovsky waltz, an 80's ballad or an eclectic folk tune playing while it flips and floats? At 10 inches square this piece is on the larger side for me, but I still love my minis...

Bluebird Dream 2" X 2" X 3/8" Acrylic on canvas.

It's pretty tiny at 2 inches and completely joyful for this wee bird who is part of an unusual dream. The music is quick with staccato notes repeating. Unique for me because there is not a scrap of collage in this piece. It just happened that way.

Bluejay Cadenza 10" X 10" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on canvas.

Back on the larger side, I don't even have to wonder with this piece because I know this cool jay hears jazz music. Improv virtuoso style jazz with extended solos and lots of key changes. He listens while the sun sets and long into the night. Bluejays do what they want.

As the music streams into the spring sunshine and mixes with the sounds of nature it seems like a perfect time to ponder the birds of May.

Spring in the Marsh

2010-05-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Canada Goose 6" X 6" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on gallery wrapped canvas.

Canada geese are plentiful in my neck of the woods. They have pretty strong personalities and great instincts. Thanks to the Canadian Federal Migratory Bird Act of 1918 it's illegal to harm a goose or disturb its nest, so it's no surprise that the geese are pretty nonplussed when they see us humans. They tend to nest wherever it suits...on the ground at the side of a footpath, in a tall bit of grass, in Uncle Bob's flowerbed...

Heron 8" X 8" X 1 3/8" Mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas.

There are lots of shallow spots in the inlet where I live and when the tide goes out it's marshy and perfect for the herons who graze for their lunch. They are nesting right now too but they are wary of humans and their nests tend to be well concealed and in relatively protected spots. With their long legs and blue-grey plumage, I never tire seeing them plodding and fishing in the mud.

From the up close and personal Canada goose to the leery heron, this time of year is a feast for the birdwatcher's eyes.

Birds and Taxes

2010-05-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

Cultural Decay 6" X 6" X 3/4" Mixed Media on cradled wood panel.

Two new bird pieces to welcome the month of May.

In my sphere taxes and funding have been hot topics of late. Budgets are being crunched, and in response to underfunding, education and the arts are taking some hits. This piece came about as a result of this convoluted topic.

Alike, 6" X 6" X 1 3/8" Mixed Media on Canvas

After a brief stint making Animal-People, this painting was my transition back to bird art. There's a story or two in this piece about
stepping out of your comfort zone,
not judging but rather accepting others, however different they may be,
and two unlikely friends teaching each other a thing or two about what they've learned along the way.

Taxes will always be a bone of contention from how much is collected to how it is (or isn't) spent.

Meanwhile, the birds.

Consider the birds of the air...

I do. Quite a bit actually. That's undeniable.

Welcome birds of May.

I'm a Squirrel Girl

2010-04-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

Squirrel Girl 5 1/2 " X 8 " Acrylic on board.

Imagine being an animal that can run up a tree trunk faster than the wind, cling to a branch and spy the world below. Well, that's me. From my hidden spot I can listen to the birds, hear the chatter of the humans and scout for food.

Optimistic humans fill vessels with nuts and seeds, hoping to spot a dainty chickadee or a bossy bluejay. They don't always welcome my kind to their bowls of plenty, so I have to be quick.

With stealth and speed I rush in, grab a morsel and run. If time permits, I do a quick victory lap, tail high in the air as I celebrate my bounty. Safe in the tall tree, my pilfered meal tastes sweet as I lick my chops and ponder my next move.

Life in the wood is never dull. One nut at a time I am a ceaseless woodland warrior.

Mother Earth

2010-04-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

I made this doll to celebrate Earth Day. She's made from a recycled shampoo bottle (the upside down type where the lid is the base) that is 9 inches tall. Limiting myself to using leftover bits and pieces so she would be a true recycled creation, I used painted fabric, yarn, embroidery floss, and tiger's eye beads.

Who is she? Mother Earth is an ageless protector and guardian of our planet. On her belly sits a polar bear representing the animals on land and a fish for the creatures of the sea.

The globe on her torso is a constant window to the status of the earth’s resources. A recycle symbol sporran is Mother Earth’s coat of arms and avid mission - to encourage recycling, reusing and reduction of waste.

Hope you have a moment to think green and celebrate the wonders of the world today. Happy Earth Day!

Ocean Dream

2010-04-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ocean Dream 5 1/2" X 8" Acrylics on recycled heavy paperboard, rescued from a discarded binder.
With Earth Day coming on April 22, I've been thinking about the beautiful ocean waters outside my door. The octopus is a graceful and elusive inhabitant of the ocean, and is also a highly intelligent creature with problem solving skills, a strong long term memory, the ability to learn and to use tools.

The girl in this painting imagined herself transformed into an octopus for an underwater adventure exploring the ocean floor and enjoying the freedom to move with the fluidity of a cephalopod.

Who wouldn't want an opportunity to visit underwater as a creature of the deep?

Playing Pretend in the Woods

2010-04-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

Imagine 5" X 5" X 1/2" Acrylic on canvas

In art, I'm all about birds. Birds created from damaged comics, birds painted in silhouette, fabric birds and bird themed collages of all stripes in all sizes. Birds in trees.

Birds lead to thoughts of the woods, the forest, and the life within; fairy tales and folklore, and the what if's just outside my door; maybe that's why I've had these little woodland girls ask to be born.

Deer Girl, 3 1/2" tall, 5" to the tip of her antlers

The girl beasts dream about what it would be like to be a creature of the forest. To be friends with the swift, the soft, the feathered and furry would be exciting, mysterious and full of adventure.

Hawk Girl, 4" X 6" X 3/4" 1980's comics and acrylic on canvas

The Hawk girl could fly above the canopy and spot trouble from a distance, Deer girl could run faster than the rain and a young Rabbit could find all the best ingredients for lunch. The perfect combination for a day with forest friends.

Art Supplies - Wood!

2010-04-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

After a visit of my favorite art supply store, I have a new stash of cradled wood panels. The ones I chose range in size from 10" X 10" down to 3" X 4". Built from a renewable resource wood (woo-hoo!), the panels are similar in many ways to canvas but with a very different solid textured surface to work on. The grain is lovely. They also have the added bonus of flipping:

Where they can be worked on from the other side, a ready made box with new possibilities. The deeper 1 1/2" panels lend themselves more easily to work on this side than the 3/4" depth, unless shallower edges are part of the effect.

Since I work primarily in collage painting, the hard surface of the wood lends itself beautifully to all of my favorite techniques and allows me to incorporate a few more I've been dreaming of, in particular creating more layered, more dimensional, heavier, thicker collage as well as bricolage (combining odds & ends in collage) and assemblage (3D objects ).

This new stash of wood has me up and running!

Quickfoot

2010-04-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

Quickfoot is a softie made of sports socks. I adapted the pattern from Miyako Kanamori's Softies. Almost 18 inches from ear-tip to toe, it was a fun project that came together in an afternoon as a great distraction from my usual creative work.

I was inspired by reading the Star Trek novel, Uhura's Song by Janet Kagan. In this epic adventure, the original series crew works to help an alien race of cat-like creatures. The story has wonderful writing and a variety of interesting & exciting characters. I think if it wasn't a Trek novel, it may have had wider readership and become more beloved, even on the level of the great epic stars of Sci-Fi.

What I particularly liked is that there are no discernible gender roles and the women depicted are smart and strong. I thought the cross species interactions and world building was captivating and satisfying.

There is plenty for the Trekkie too - a new side to Uhura, more depth for Chekov & Spock, and wonderful treatment of Kirk, Bones, Scotty & Sulu.

Who knows, maybe on one of my stitchy diversions I might make a little uniform for Quickfoot, you know, in case it gets cold while adventuring through space.

A Small Moment

2010-04-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Keep Reading 3" X 5" collage on canvas board

There are always distractions pulling us away from listening, so we avoid the moment, the now.

Sounds sights, movements, all flowing past us at high speed.

There are multiple messages, telling us to do, think, go, get, be...

We sort, highlight, minimize, maximize...and sometimes what is truly important becomes unclear.

This is my vote for the small moment of calm, of clarity & peace.

Welcome Travelers

2010-03-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

Two more pieces in my house series: Crow House, 3 X 3 X 3/8 inches. An aged house, still used for posting, Carte Postal is inhabited by the crow who reads messages late into the night.

And on a more monochromatic theme, Paris Velocipede, 3 X 3 X 3/8 inches. Remembering visitors past and present, Paris House welcomes travelers on both foot and wheel. Language is unimportant, as Paris House translates all tongues.

Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found. - James Russell Lowell

Les Maisons

2010-03-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

Here's the beginning of a little series on house and home. These three are teeny tiny homes, each 1 x 2 inches on wrapped canvas. The script on the houses is in French so that led me to call them Les Maisons. From left to right they are l'orange, 82 Rue and chez bleu.

Now that it's Spring, I'm being drawn to the colors of nature and thoughts of reawakening and coming alive. Freedom of expression plays a big part as well. Because for me art is both process and result, I'm looking forward to bringing these ideas to life.

Without the playing with fantasy no creative work has ever yet come to birth. The debt we owe to the play of imagination is incalculable. - Carl Jung.

The creative possibilities are limitless :)

Welcome Wellie

2010-03-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Good day to you. Allow me to introduce Mr. Wellington Whyte. He is delighted to make your acquaintance. Dressed up and ready to go visiting, Wellie (as his friends call him) is a sought after companion for tea, surfing the net, and is also an informative and elegant escort for a day about town.

Wellie is a rare bird in both personal traits and appearance, though not technically a bird at all. He's actually a member of the rarely recorded Felis banditas, and is related to both cats, raccoons & macaques.

Heritage aside, Mr. Whyte feels we are beyond such distinctions and descriptors and should be known by our character, not our family tree. He sees no merit in using this as a guiding principle in the company he keeps and he hopes to be afforded the same courtesy. And, in Wellie's experience, he has been graciously welcomed and embraced again and again.

That's Wellie, he makes friends of all stripes wherever he goes.

Hear hear, Wellie. Well met, my friend.

Slice of Pi

2010-03-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Birds at Sunset, as pictured is 12 5/8" X 12 3/4" X 3/4". My six piece collage painting is complete and yesterday I celebrated with a Steak and Guinness pie from the British Butcher. It's classic pub fare goodness and a great weekend treat.

I'm not much of a meat eater, not quite a vegetarian, more of a flexitarian - a kind of occasional meat eater, so this was a rare treat. My vegan and vegetarian friends are pretty tolerant of my fence sitting on the meat issue, I think they are gently hoping to win me over to the kinder side. And with apologies to veggies, my meat pie diversion was very tasty.

And it's timely to note no animals were harmed nor were toxins used in the creation of this painting. Although the dog did snore in the studio for the duration.

So what's next? I'm set to begin work on some deep box canvases and spend some time looking ahead, organizing my projects and deadlines for the next few months.

As for now, it's Pi day - 3.14 on the calendar, not just celebrated for today's date, but also because it is Einstein's birthday. There are so many great quotes from him. One of my favorites speaks to the fact that there are always challenges, and there is always more to learn:

"Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater."

Kind of puts things in perspective.

Pi is also the end of my studio name. I think there is peace in pi.

Happy Pi Day one and all!

Bold & Bright

2010-03-10T20:00:00.000-08:00

Dreamland 6" X 6" X 1 1/4"

This is a custom painting for a special lady who loves bold color.

I was thinking about her home, wondering about what kind of piece I could offer that would celebrate her bold sense of fun and her flair for the dramatic.

So I pulled together my brightest orange, golden yellow, a touch of turquoise and a deep purple bird. I knew she would want to enjoy the piece from all angles so I capitalized on the shape of the boxy canvas and continued the painting onto the gallery edges.

She loves music of all kinds and I was reminded of a fantastic, joyful and visually stunning movie we enjoyed together a few years ago. We talked about the feast of colors, the beauty of saris and the unique sense of color combinations.

The movie inspiration is Bride & Prejudice, an adaptation of the Jane Austen classic (Pride & Prejudice), a Bollywood/Hollywood production by Gurinder Chadha. I was particularly thinking of the song Marriage into Town, a fantasy sequence full of beauty, joy and a sense of fun.

I can't wait to see her reaction to this extra bright and fun painting. Here's a peek at the song that inspired the palette. If you have a chance to see the movie, it's well worth it, especially if you are a fan of Jane Austen.

Enjoy!

It's the Small Things

2010-03-04T10:54:00.000-08:00

Bay Tree: 1" X 2" X 3/8"

I'm currently working on a 6 piece collage painting on canvas. It is on six 4" X 6" canvases that together form a single square painting. It has been a fun challenge to tackle this larger work and the tiny Bay Tree bird and Crow 43 came about using some smaller bits of the handmade paper I'm using on the work in progress.

Crow 43: 1" X 2" X 3/8"

For these smaller pieces I like keeping the colors bright and cheery, letting the bird pop. To me these wee paintings are joyful little things.

I'm also putting the finishing touches on a tiny bird sculpture in painted fabric. Between painting and stitching and gluing and sealing, my hands are thankful for my good buddy, George,

And his wondrous cream (and I'm not even a shareholder or anything!). I found George a few years ago when I realized that I had, in fact, become like the women who came before me, and I needed to, had to, moisturize my hands. And George's daily became my buddy soon after.

Sometimes it's the small things that make a difference. And it is good to know,
My Grandmother.
Was.
Right.

Here's to Grannies and life's little wonders.
Cheers!

Inspiration About the House

2010-03-01T14:54:00.001-08:00

Don Quixote, Picasso
Sometimes I'm asked about art that inspires me. I thought a quick tour of some of my art collection would be fun.

The above framed print by Picasso is a favorite that I've lugged with me for decades. It's a wonderful example of black and white taken to the highest of heights.

I picked up this colorful fiber art piece in an open market in Kenya, East Africa. I love how it is bold and bright and active. The fabric is waxy and stiff and lent itself well to framing.

I painted this in 2009 when I was doing a series looking at geometry and art. Larger than my usual work, it somehow fits in the room with both the Kenya and Picasso pieces.

From Mexico, this fish brightens up my entryway along with this Van Gogh classic -

Cafe la Nuit, Van Gogh

And this watercolor from Bolivia. It's small and incredibly detailed. I love the street scene and once again, fantastic use of color.

This lovely portrait of a schoolgirl is from Vietnam. I love it's sparse lines and how it and the color "suggests" the background. It hangs in my kitchen, sharing space with my Tea Lady:

Found in a fun antiques & more marketplace in Idaho. A cute tin sign, it's a reproduction that fits right in.

Unlike this genuine antique, complete with rust n' dust. It doesn't actually live amongst all these other pieces as it resides in my studio where it fits in best.

Back to the main floor and this Bear. It's printed onto ceramic tile and is an example of BC Coastal First Nations art. He guards the front door, greeting visitors.

Further North in Canada (and just around the corner from the bear), this is a beautiful example of Inuit art, which is colorful with bold lines, often depicting images of family life.

Along with a few masters, today we've travelled to Canada, US, Central & South America, Africa and Asia, all at one low low price! Thanks for visiting my home and some of my inspiration. I'm thankful to these artists for creating art that continues to enrich my daily life.

Extra Small, Small & Medium?

2010-02-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

Satsuma 1" X 2" X 3/8"
Ever notice when you buy coffee that there is no longer a small? And when it comes to clothing, sizes vary according to the store you shop in - one place I might be a 6, others and 8 and occasionally I'm even a 4. I stay the same physical size, honest I do. No Alice in Wonderland here. I realize it's all about marketing but it tends to confound me as a consumer.

Drink and clothing sizes may have changed but art & craft is still uses words like small as far as I know.

Sir 2" X 2" X 3/8"
I call a two inch canvas mini because it's much smaller than conventional pieces. It's not a miniature in technical terms, as that is a whole different genre that refers to pieces that are scale reproductions, such as one sixth scale miniatures - incredible works of art themselves, and well worth their genre definitions.

Raven 4" X 6" X 3/4"
A 4" X 6" painting is still small but more familiar, the size of a notebook or paperback novel. In this size, small is a more subjective or comparative term.

With the redefinition of so many things, and all the new terms to describe size, I wonder if the creative world will have to adapt, with pieces referred to as grande, venti, mega, giga, mammoth, jumbo, Herculean....with big meaning the smallest of them all?

Onward & upward for now, whatever the size! Makes me rethink this quote -

Big thinking precedes great achievement.
— Wilferd Peterson

Wordy Wednesday

2010-02-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

Credit where credit is due:
1. V, 2. Pure., 3. Comics Legends Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, 4. Odeon Palast, Berlin (1913), 5. Varnum Typewriter Ribbon, 6. cartel10: dj naughty, 7. Black Text, 8. Comic Initial J

I love flickr!

Marvel and DC Bird Buddies

2010-02-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

Here are the two completed pieces from the works in progress I showed earlier this week.

Lady Birds is 9" X 12" X 3/4"
The tree is made from comic balloons and was quite detailed and intricate to put together and well worth it. The bird ladies are made from rival comic houses - DC (Pirate Captain) and Marvel (Scarlet Witch). Both are made from damaged issues from the early 1980's.

The lady birds are briefly pausing for a respite before they fly off to their next adventure. And believe me, these ladies don't rest for long.

The edges feature snippets from the same comics so it can be enjoyed from all angles.

X Bird is 6" X 8" X 3/4"
It is named for the X-men, and perhaps the fiercest of them all is Wolverine. He's fighting on the wing (and if you know Wolverine, that's what he does best) and he's rescuing a drowning victim on the chest. Busy mutant, but that's life as a member of the X-Men.

I had a great time bringing these pieces to life. Making new from old is so much fun!

And last but not least, I'm a bit overdue celebrating this blog award:

Passed on to me by Linda at Ae Fond Kis

She's a talented artist from Scotland making all sorts of goodies infused with color and whimsy. Her blog is interesting, insightful & inspiring. So if you're into that sort of thing, check it out.

I'm supposed to pass it along to 12 sunbeams and really, it's just too difficult to choose so I'd like to pass the award onto each person who has commented here, thank you, you are bright orange on a blue sky to me.

Have a great today.