Artful Reflections
Artful Reflections are my personal insights, stories, and musings shared in a collection of blog posts. This is where I share my conundrums and philosophies about my creative life behind the canvas.
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A nice story
I love a nice story. And I have one to share with you. Awhile back I offered to donate a pet portrait as a fundraiser for a group (Red Head Strays helping cats strut) that works tirelessly to rescue and foster cats. I thought I would have completed the painting in January,but Mother Nature had other ideas. I think you know the story. Snow. Rain. Flash freezing. Flash flooding! inside my studio unfortunately. And of course, pretty sure you know how this went – the basement and studio mess as a result. Back to the story Once upon a time there were two little girls who liked to swing on…
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The problem with Prussian blue – A comedy
Oh dear me So I have this brand new tube Prussian Blue paint in oil (if course). I tried to squeeze a dab out onto my pallet. Only it would not come out. So I squeezed a little harder. Still no paint. And then I squeezed a little harder. Success!!!! Only half the tube shot out. Over the top of my pallet (as in all over the edges), onto the side of my water bottle, across the protective cardboard I had put under my work. Phew! Now if you know anything at all about Prussian, it has a reputation of getting away from you. I really thought that meant as…
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My Process to Start a New Painting
Other than starting out with a serious dose of procrastination – there are many stages to the painting process. Mine typically goes like this: Inspiration is always first It may take on many forms. Whether it is the softness of a petal or the play of light and shadow or an intriguing detail that just speaks to you. Something has caught your eye. Made you stop and look at it a little deeper. Then you make a decision. I must paint that. In whatever way you perceive it to be. You make so many decisions at this point, size, orientation, medium to technique. I seldom have to look for something to…
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New York Minute (sigh)
Last week, I cannot believe it has been a week already, we had an opportunity to got to New York City! Pretty unbelievable place. Although there seemed to be far more people there than I remembered from the last time, the place is WONDERFUL! And bright! And colourful! We stayed right on Times Square for the first two nights. Right outside our hotel door seemed like millions of people. And then moved to Central Park for the next two. Took lots of photos, ate really well, walked until we dropped – quite literally! And we took in “The Lion King” as well as The Museum of Natural History…