Our first drawing class

Sunday was our first drawing class and one of the exercises I asked the class to do is that old chestnut "drawing from an up side down image" to fool yourself into letting go of drawing what you think it is and just drawing what you see. One of the sources I used was a drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger. I made an ink tracing of his drawing for us to work from. I thought you might like to see what the original looked like. It is a lovely, sensitive work in chalk.
Your home work this week is to practice contour drawings and try to do at least 20 minutes practice each day.
Here is my 20 minute sketch made while I waited for an appointment.

2 studio views and a new painting

It is hard to find time to paint this time of year but I am getting back into my studio a couple of times a week - yahoo!

Buoys in red and white ( 10 x 14 inches)

Studio 1

Studio 2

My paintings at Swoon

The farm show at Swoon will be up for another week. There is always more than just the feature shows going on at Swoon and Brandt can set up a great display of art any where in the house. The bathroom is a little gallery and is hung with some of my work. It is just off the main room where the farm show is hung. Drop in before the 28th if you can.

The Farm show at Swoon

Swoon Fine Art and Antiques is having another juried show in July. I was delighted to have 2 of my submissions chosen. The show opens on Saturday July 6.

Tupperville Farm (13.5 x 21.5 inches)

Winter cattle (10 x 20 inches)

At the Book Launch

The book launch was a great party - lots of good food, good conversation, a reading by Kate Rose of her animal rhymes, and a good time was had by all. Thanks to all who attended and helped to make this such a fun event. A special thanks to my angels; Deb, Janel and Lorraine who did food and flowers.
Congratulations to Susan Friend who won the "Great Email list door prize"

                                Book signing, Kate and I

                               A happy crowd

                                            Chatting at the launch

                                Fabulous food

                                      The "Email list" door prize

                                The original illustrations were on display

                                                Kate is just as lovely as she looks!

Sharing The View

YAHOO!

I have been selected as one of the 12 artists in the province to be represented on the 2014 calendar produced by CBC's Information Morning, Halifax. The calendar sales and online auction of the original art works go to support Feed Nova Scotia I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this project and delighted to be included on a list of artist whose work I admire so much. This year's artists are: Celeste Friesen Nikkel, Geoff Butler, Shelley Mansel, F Scott MacLeod, Christopher Gorey, Louise Williams, Monika Wright, Lio Lo, Su Rogers, Geoffrey Grantham, Wayne Leal, Barbara McLean

The theme this year is "Nova Scotia, My Home". You can follow the live broadcasts as they introduce all of the artists and of course, keep an eye on the Sharing the View website.  On the mainland: www.cbc.ca/informationmorningns and click on the sharing the view icon. 
I will be painting a winter scene and hope to make posts as the painting progresses - Stay tuned!

Book Launch and Exhibition

Here is the poster with all the info!