Sunday, December 27, 2009

Breaking in a New Sketchbook


Got a new sketchbook from a friend for Christmas and decided to christen it today at the Ajax waterfront. It was very cold although the wind was fairly light. As luck would have it...... they had built a new little bridge (tiny actually) .. just by the pavilion. It just covers a little run-off area.... but me and bridges are always in love !!!!
Klaus went off ahead while I took literally 5 minutes to create the first sketch of the new bridge in my new book. I sketch with a staedtler pigment black liner (made in Germany of course) the ink is archival and acid free..... this info is only relevant to my art friends I guess :)
I caught up with Klaus at the iron bridge and we quickly decided that we'd had enough of the cold.
The attached picture is not from today but another winter sketching at the same place.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Twas 3 sleeps before Christmas..... ho ho ho


As I sit here in the studio surrounded by gifts waiting to be wrapped I feel the season taking hold...... the ham is baked and sitting on the counter for all to nibble til the turkey shows up. The shopping is finished, at least as far as presents are concerned. The grocery store shopping will never end...... as long as it's still open I will need something.
This year's Nova Scotia Balsam tree is sending it's aroma throughout the house and I think this is the best tree yet.... extremely large and takes up much of our tiny living room and the angel is kissing the ceiling.... just the way I like it.
We will count our blessings this year and try to not think about our sorrows and hope all will be better in the new year.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Moving On

It's been one h....ll of a summer with family health issues.... but it's now time to get back on the treadmill and move on.
This week has been wonderful...... two days at the Ajax club working on some pen & ink commissions... an Oshawa Art Assoc. Exec. meeting and then a PineRidge Art Council meeting.
All the while thinking about the acrylic demo from last thursday which was so inspirational.
I have small art projects to get done for the art clubs for Christmas exchanges and now is also the sign up time for the spring tours so it's a lot to take in.
Hope everyone is in good spirits for the upcoming season and is getting in the mood for the ho ho ho's and LET's EAT holiday time.

Friday, November 13, 2009

I'm Cured..... lol

So... this is the first time I've actually ignored the 13th phenomena..... and it worked!
I spent the day shopping and enjoying the company of my sister and my Mother and we had a wonderful day together.
Wonders never cease..... all I had to do was plan the day as a successful event and it happened!
I think some call it "mind over matter"

Thursday, November 12, 2009

I think I have "Paraskavedekatriaphobia" !!!!

So..... tomorrow is Friday the 13th of November....
I usually hide out on these days..... some ingrained fear of having a really bad day!
This time I will go out for lunch and go shopping and pretend that it is any other day than a Friday the 13th.....
Cross your fingers.... no... no. I didn't mean that.... it'll be OK.. REALLY...lol

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Where to start again?

Haven't painted all summer, other than a quick sketch or two.... so now where do I start?

My equipment and supplies all look like foreign objects to me.... they used to be so familiar like old friends.

I have to figure out what to pack up for a day at the Ajax art club tomorrow... might have to start with something very simple to ease into it.... or maybe get really bold and just start throwing paint around and see what happens ..... lol !!!!!
This is the last piece I finished back in June called Shores of Cape Breton - Acrylic 30 x 40

Saturday, November 7, 2009

St. George Art Auction

What a great night..... lots of terrific art, seeing old friends again, good food and wine and all in the name of fundraising for the church.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Coming off Family Medical Sabatical


As most of you know.... it's been a rough summer for the family with health issues.

Now I'm finally going to try to get back to some normalcy (if that's a word!).. I've been walking at the lake, which has been very good for healing the soul.... but this week I actually started back into sketchersizing..... Just walkling with my sketch book and a pen and doodling along the way.

Will try to get back to the art clubs next week as I miss all my friends.

Thursday, October 22, 2009


Allister Young July 1, 1928 - Oct. 21, 2009
Dad passed away yesterday at 3:15 am. We were
by his side and holding his hand.
The world will be a different place without him.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

October Update

Hi all,
Family health issues have prohibited me from spending much time updating my blog. My art interests have taken a back seat to family..... as it should.
Mom is ill but looks like she might be on the mend. Dad is not faring so well and is now spending more time in Hospital than out.
Sister is finally on the mend and hope she stays healthy.
Been taking care of Dad at our house but looks like he will now spend his time in hospital and then on to a care facility........ if we or the hospital can find one..... that we all can afford.!!!!!
Hope everyone else checking in here is having a better time right now.
Love
Sharon

Friday, July 3, 2009

New Solo Show at McLean Centre


I'm thrilled to announce another solo exhibit at the McLean Centre in Ajax. It will be an extened show that will run throughout the summer.

July 6th right through to Sept. 14th. I will be exhibiting 50 pieces of work.

Hope you get a chance to drop by and see it.

Cheers

Sharon

Monday, June 15, 2009

Solo Exhibit Reception

Hi all, well I made it through the opening reception. Not my favourite thing in case no one shows up....... I actually love talking to patrons and discuss the work..... just nervous in case there is no one there to talk to !!!
The gallery looked fabulous with all the work hung up and looking it's Sunday Best. There were a number of people attending including Mayor Parish and Councillors Pat Brown and Joanne Dies.
Thanks to my art friends who came to show moral support, it really was appreciated.
The show is running til June 28th.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Solo Exhibit - June 14 - 27 Cultural Expressions Gallery


I been sick with a rotten cold the past few days... Yuk! On the mend tomorrow hopefully. I have a solo exhibit coming up on June 14. The opening reception is Sunday June 14th from 1pm to 4pm.

Cultural Expressions Gallery, 62 Old Kingston Rd., Pickering Village, Ajax

Come one..... come all !!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Ajax Festival of the Arts


The Ajax Creative Arts show is now behind us and it's on to the next event. This Saturday is the 2nd Annual Ajax Festival of the Arts. It will consist of 3 locations: The Village Community Centre, the Arena and Cultural Expressions Gallery. I'll be setting up a gallery for our club in the arena which will be 50 feet long by 10 feet. There will be approx. 90 pieces of original art to browse through, plus 3 stands filled with unframed matted works and art cards from a number of our members. The arena will be filled with a number of artisans displaying original hand made works including jewelery, woodwork, painted rocks, fabric creations, etc. There will be music in the field with an outdoor stage and artists doing demos in the Comm. Centre. Check out the art at Cultural Expressions along with the specialty food.

Everything opens at 10am to 5pm - Pickering Village, Ajax, Ontario

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Another Art Show Week-End .. YEAH !


The ACA Show is this week-end and I'm so looking forward to talking art trash with my friends during the show. Even though we are all working at the show it's such a fun time for us. Looking at all the work and hoping everyone sells at least one piece.

The weather is certainly co-operating as it will be sunny and beautiful all week-end. I'm going to do my whole display with sepia watercolours that I finished this spring, especially because they are all local scenes too.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Gardening Season...... Almost !!


The plants are all purchased even the vegie garden ones. Hanging pots ready to go up and sway in the breeze.....

Now all my friends (and the weatherman) are saying "Frost on Sunday Night" :(

So all the pots and flats of flowers are sitting on plastic in the library on the floor..... I keep popping in to take a peek at my "almost" garden.

I'll have to paint in the studio for the next few days to take my mind off gardening... at least until Monday....

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Ajax Creative Arts Show - May 22, 23 24 - 2009


Check out the ACA Spring Show and sale ..... over 50 local artists exhibiting original works along with unframed works and art cards.

22 Sherwood Rd. Pickering Village, Ajax, Ontario

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Ajax Festival of the Arts


Just got back from a steering comm. mtg. for the Ajax Art Festival..... this promises to be a great 2nd Annual event. May 30 in Pickering Village.

Almost 40 artisans and artists set up in the arena, and outdoor stage with lots of entertainment, a Kid's Zone and the Community Centre filled with local artist and Cultural Expression Gallery serving up amazing art and carribean food.

One day only..... so get your event "Passport" on the day and win some awesome prizes.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Check out the Trilliams


Hubby and I went on a photo shoot this morning down to the lake...... then we went over behind the hospital where there was a whole wooded area filled with Trilliams. I think it's called Clement's Woodlot.

I took a lot of pictures so I hope I can get some painting ideas from some of them.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Grand Finale At The Dunbarton Show

Well, the Dunbarton show is over and I'd say it was a grand success. I sold lots of my miniatures and some art cards so I'm very pleased.
So..... now it's on to the next event which will be the Ajax Crative Arts show on May 22nd. This is always a great event because so many of us paint together all year and we finally get to see the works all dressed up in the Sunday best with frames and matts and price tags.
We hang out for three days and just have the most wonderful time talking about our work and differnet processess and new products.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

ACA Show Program Almost Ready

Spent the day at the Dunbarton Show....... really a nice show.... lot's of miniatures to see in a variety of mediums and the prices are a steal !!!!!
I just finished working on the program for the Ajax Creative Arts Show on May 22nd, 23rd and 24th. I'll get it proof read tomorrow by the show convenors while I'm at the Dunbarton show and hopefully I can go to print on Monday.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Ready to Sell... Sell..... Sell

Ok..... everything is labeled and priced and tagged ...... packed in the van for the morning so I can just dash off early. Heading to the Dunbarton Art Show early morn so need to be organized.
Now I'm off to dinner... hubby is taking me out.... YEAH !!!!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Dunbarton 3-Day Art Show


Just got back from a PineRidge Arts Council mtg. and now trying to put some artwork together for the Dunbarton Church annual art show.

It opens Friday at 1pm - 9pm, Sat. 10am to 5pm and Sun 1pm to 3pm.

Check it out at 1066 Dunbarton Rd. Pickering

There will be a lot of original artwork at reasonable prices along with art cards and a small amount of jewellery.
Portion of the proceeds go toward the Church.
I have this image of the church available on an art card... The original watercolour is hanging in the church.....

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Latest Work Off the Easel


Calling it finished...... Eagle Point, Cape Breton. This is along the Cabot Trail where we were watching some bald eagles fly around. They would land in the trees and also land on the rocks close to the water. We took so many photos....

Not sure what this bay is actually called, but we named it Eagle Point for obvious reasons.

Acrylic on canvas 24 x 40"

Monday, May 4, 2009

Astoria Magazine Article

On-Line mag. "Astoria" is promoting our Ajax show..... wow.
Check out the magazine here...
http://astoriamagazine.com/artists

A Fresh New Canvas... YEAH !

Starting a new canvas today.... nice big one ! 30" x 40" I've sketched my design on there with a thin wash of sienna acrylic.
This will be another Cape Breton Island scene around the Cabot Trail..... or at least my attempt :)

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Yahoo Finally Fixed

Finally got into my site..... now I'm off to the library to check out some art videos

Trouble with Yahoo Web Hosting %&**#%.. AGAIN

Not the first time this has happened and it's so frustrating. I can't get into my website to do any maintenance because Yahoo has put an ad campagne on the page I log into and I can't get past it to my site.
The make it extremely difficult to find anywhere to send a msg of complaint also. Maybe it's time to find another host.
Annoyed in Ajax......

Photo by Allan O'Mara from Conference Place Show



Thanks Allan for taking this shot of me with my work. I neglected to bring a camera.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Conference Place Juried Exhibit


Went to the opening reception of the Conference Place juried show this afternoon at the Whitby Health Centre. What a blast...... lots of faces I haven't seen in awhile and some old pals that I see a lot.
The show looks great, although right now it's all being shown on easels in the front rotunda. It will be hung later for a three month exhibit.
This painting is Fantasy Forest, acrylic on canvas 36" x 30" and has been accepted into the show.

So Now I'm Blogging ?????


Never thought I would do this..... but here goes!

I'm sure I'm out of my realm here as I have no idea exactly how this all works. Flying by the seat of my pants might be just the way to go here though.
This is the latest work off the easel........ Audley Road Meadow, acrylic on gallery stretched canvas - 18" x 18"