Because they go together.
Because I couldn't stop with one canvas...
Where Love Has Gone
Acrylic and collage on canvas
11 x 14 in. each
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Throwback Thursday
Back then, I was teaching myself with bits of information gleaned from the Internet. A lot of it was incomplete so I had to fill in the blanks. This method was messy and limiting, so I put it aside.
Years later, I took up monoprinting again. Recently I did a project for Somerset Studio.... stay tuned !
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
I began my artlove affair with birds in the mid-1990s.
Along with birds, I also painted coffee and tea cups.I used many different media, and then I came across monoprinting. I love trying new things that catch my fancy.
My first attempt at monoprinting. It involved a piece of glass, paint and paper. I forgot that the drawing would be mirrored, so I got this.....
......... when I really wanted this
Back then, I was teaching myself with bits of information gleaned from the Internet. A lot of it was incomplete so I had to fill in the blanks. This method was messy and limiting, so I put it aside.
Years later, I took up monoprinting again. Recently I did a project for Somerset Studio.... stay tuned !
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Painting over a painting.
It's the biggest canvas I can manage in my small space: 24 in. (that's 2 feet!) by 20 in. I had painted it years ago and it hung in the hallway until I got tired of it. So one night, I took a roller and black acrylic paint and covered it up. It sat on my easel for a few weeks, black as night, waiting for something.
Last night, this happened. I say "happened" because I had no plan, no ideas.
Except for one thought: I remember you.
What or who I was remembering, I can't say.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
It's the biggest canvas I can manage in my small space: 24 in. (that's 2 feet!) by 20 in. I had painted it years ago and it hung in the hallway until I got tired of it. So one night, I took a roller and black acrylic paint and covered it up. It sat on my easel for a few weeks, black as night, waiting for something.
Last night, this happened. I say "happened" because I had no plan, no ideas.
Except for one thought: I remember you.
What or who I was remembering, I can't say.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Monday, February 23, 2015
It's almost time for the new issue of Somerset Studio.
You'll find me in the Mélange section, paying homage to one of my favourite, or perhaps my very favourite, collage artist, the great Lenore Tawney.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
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| Photo: Stampington & Company |
You'll find me in the Mélange section, paying homage to one of my favourite, or perhaps my very favourite, collage artist, the great Lenore Tawney.
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| Photo: Stampington & Company |
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Friday, February 20, 2015
And it's Friday.
Time to tie up all the loose ends of the week.
Because it's been an untidy sort of week.
Things not completed, headaches, unkind weather, insomnia.
But also good things, never forget the good things.
In somma, as they say in Italian, life.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Time to tie up all the loose ends of the week.
Because it's been an untidy sort of week.
Things not completed, headaches, unkind weather, insomnia.
But also good things, never forget the good things.
In somma, as they say in Italian, life.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
The day's doings:
*Finishing and article for my favourite magazine, proofreading and polishing it.
*Making a pot of vegetable soup
*Managing a headache, the result of barometric pressure
*Gluing bits of paper that I can't bear to throw away on a card.
I hope your day is pleasant and headache-free!
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
*Finishing and article for my favourite magazine, proofreading and polishing it.
*Making a pot of vegetable soup
*Managing a headache, the result of barometric pressure
*Gluing bits of paper that I can't bear to throw away on a card.
I hope your day is pleasant and headache-free!
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Mid-February and we are in a deep freeze. It reminds me of the Februaries we used to have a couple of decades ago before it got warmer. So I tell myself this is normal.
It's warmer today, but it's still freezing. All you can do is laugh.
This helped. Because it's so true.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
It's warmer today, but it's still freezing. All you can do is laugh.
This helped. Because it's so true.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Friday, February 13, 2015
We had a very serious power outage today. A large section of the city, both commercial and residential, including my neighbourhood, was affected. What dismayed me was how people thought the worst and jumped to conclusions without any real information: that the outage could last for 6 days, that electricity was "hard to control", and nonsense like that. Which is scary considering the consequences of such a long power outage in the middle of winter. I injected any commonsense that I could into my conversations with people and decided to take it one step at a time. The power came back on within 3 hours of the outage.
Meanwhile, I'm reminded again not to take certain things for granted.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Meanwhile, I'm reminded again not to take certain things for granted.
On my easel today, a painting begun many years ago, finished last night.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Thursday, February 12, 2015
One of my prized papers is part of a very old map of the Florida waterways, from the days when they printed maps on quality thick paper. I've been hoarding it and it was time to bite the bullet.
I used a piece as a background for my sailboats, drawn with ink then painted in white, and adhered to a postcard-size watercolour paper. It's small, but I was careful with it because I didn't want to ruin my precious paper.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
I used a piece as a background for my sailboats, drawn with ink then painted in white, and adhered to a postcard-size watercolour paper. It's small, but I was careful with it because I didn't want to ruin my precious paper.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Still sorting through my mounds of paper, I came across these three things, and arranged them together. And the Tea Lady emerged. I'll add some stamping, a touch of paint, paper scraps and glue, and we'll see what happens.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
"And is there honey still for tea?" -- Winnie the Pooh
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Monday, February 09, 2015
Today, I'm sorting out countless piles of paper, all kinds of paper. When you do collage work, paper piles up faster than the speed of light. A lot of it is in the form of scraps and leftovers from projects; much of it should go into the recycle bin, but first you have to get over that I-might-need-this-in-the-future feeling. Which, of course, is why paper piles up faster than the speed of light....
I resist the urge to sweep it all off the table and into a garbage bag. I pick through it first and see if there's something usable right away.
Like this.
Then I take a deep breath, and ditch the leftovers.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Like this.
Then I take a deep breath, and ditch the leftovers.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Sunday, February 08, 2015
Saturday, February 07, 2015
Friday, February 06, 2015
My good friend Carolyn Saxby has posted the first part of a tutorial here. She does beautiful work, and this project appeals to me because it uses what you already have, all the scraps and leftovers that you never want to throw away.
I was also thrilled to see my little owl friend take a bow on Carolyn's post.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
I was also thrilled to see my little owl friend take a bow on Carolyn's post.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Thursday, February 05, 2015
Wednesday, February 04, 2015
I looked out of the glass doors and asked the doorman what the weather was like today.
"It's warm," he said, "much warmer than yesterday."
"Nice," I said.
"It's hovering around 0 degrees [celcius]," he offered.
What I could see for myself, however, was the dark grey sky.
So here's a shot of colour for a dark, grey day.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
"It's warm," he said, "much warmer than yesterday."
"Nice," I said.
"It's hovering around 0 degrees [celcius]," he offered.
What I could see for myself, however, was the dark grey sky.
So here's a shot of colour for a dark, grey day.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Learning from the Masters.
In my early days of painting, I studied the Masters whose work appealed to me the most, and in the time-honoured tradition, made paintings based on their work. The name of Matisse conjures up his interiors, odalisques, portraits and cut-outs, but I was more drawn to his landscapes. This painting was based on a Matisse landscape, using watercolours.
Looking at it today, I still like it. Matisse was a great teacher.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
In my early days of painting, I studied the Masters whose work appealed to me the most, and in the time-honoured tradition, made paintings based on their work. The name of Matisse conjures up his interiors, odalisques, portraits and cut-outs, but I was more drawn to his landscapes. This painting was based on a Matisse landscape, using watercolours.
Looking at it today, I still like it. Matisse was a great teacher.
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| After Matisse, watercolour on paper, Colette Copeland, 1998 |
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Monday, February 02, 2015
Sorting out my accumulated work since the 1990s brings back a lot of memories of where I was, what I was doing, who I was. It's like a map showing my path, with all its meanderings and discoveries -- not all of them pleasant, such as the failures, which didn't stop me, I might add.
When I was a full-time magazine journalist, I did what I did best and that was writing. I loved art and I wrote about it, but I also I believed that I couldn't draw or paint. One day out of the blue, I bought a small set of watercolours and started sketching. I started very simply, and kept going, learning, enjoying, and learning some more.
When I became a freelance writer, one of my assignments was a monthly food column. The column was illustrated by someone who didn't understand what I was writing about; illustrations, after all, have to echo the subject matter. There has to be a connection between the two. I thoroughly disliked those illustrations, not least because they were boring. Come one, I thought, let's dance a little, let's have a little humour, like this:
But what to do? It wasn't as if I could do it. Or could I?
There was only one way to know: I was going to try, and if I failed, so be it.
I did.
And I presented my editor with a package deal. I would both write and illustrate my column. He looked at my sketches and agreed.
This was my first illustration.
And somewhere along the line, I began to enjoy creating the artwork a little more than writing the column....
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
When I was a full-time magazine journalist, I did what I did best and that was writing. I loved art and I wrote about it, but I also I believed that I couldn't draw or paint. One day out of the blue, I bought a small set of watercolours and started sketching. I started very simply, and kept going, learning, enjoying, and learning some more.
When I became a freelance writer, one of my assignments was a monthly food column. The column was illustrated by someone who didn't understand what I was writing about; illustrations, after all, have to echo the subject matter. There has to be a connection between the two. I thoroughly disliked those illustrations, not least because they were boring. Come one, I thought, let's dance a little, let's have a little humour, like this:
But what to do? It wasn't as if I could do it. Or could I?
There was only one way to know: I was going to try, and if I failed, so be it.
I did.
And I presented my editor with a package deal. I would both write and illustrate my column. He looked at my sketches and agreed.
This was my first illustration.
And somewhere along the line, I began to enjoy creating the artwork a little more than writing the column....
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Sunday, February 01, 2015
Today marks the Celtic feast of Imbolc, the halfway point between winter solstice and the spring equinox.
I created this illustration for an article I wrote on Celtic feasts back when I was freelancing for magazines, and found it when sorting through all the artwork I created over the years. It incorporates ancient symbols.
The days are getting longer.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
I created this illustration for an article I wrote on Celtic feasts back when I was freelancing for magazines, and found it when sorting through all the artwork I created over the years. It incorporates ancient symbols.
The days are getting longer.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Friday, January 30, 2015
Sometimes I just want to tear paper and shape it into something.
Then I want to stitch it.
Then I want to hang it.
The hardest part is the stitching. I use a thimble on my working hand, but I still manage to prick the fingers of the other hand....
Wishing you a pleasant weekend.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Then I want to stitch it.
Then I want to hang it.
The hardest part is the stitching. I use a thimble on my working hand, but I still manage to prick the fingers of the other hand....
Wishing you a pleasant weekend.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Winter giveaway.
An artist's trading card (ATC) made with my own rubber stamps.
My rubber stamps are by Stampington and Company. The link is in the sidebar on the left.
If you'd like to join in, please leave a comment and make sure I can contact you if you win. The draw will take place on Thursday Jan. 29.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
An artist's trading card (ATC) made with my own rubber stamps.
My rubber stamps are by Stampington and Company. The link is in the sidebar on the left.
If you'd like to join in, please leave a comment and make sure I can contact you if you win. The draw will take place on Thursday Jan. 29.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
The sun is out, in the distance the lake is a blue-grey, and the boats are waiting....
You have to be very careful folding old paper because it tends to tear and break easily. The larger boat is made of a page from a book, Sherlock Holmes written in shorthand.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
You have to be very careful folding old paper because it tends to tear and break easily. The larger boat is made of a page from a book, Sherlock Holmes written in shorthand.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The down side -- if there is such a thing -- of working every day is the accumulation of artwork.
I've started a clearance sale in my Etsy shop, and these three collages are the first on offer.
They were all created on mat board, using antique papers. See them here.
Thank you.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
I've started a clearance sale in my Etsy shop, and these three collages are the first on offer.
They were all created on mat board, using antique papers. See them here.
Thank you.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Monday, January 26, 2015
Stitching by hand.
I picked up needle and thread for the first time in months. I'd almost forgotten what a calming and pleasant thing it is, especially in winter when the wind is howling and you're curled up on the couch needing to do something.
I had put this piece aside to focus on painting. I told myself I would finish it later, and yesterday it was calling my name. (Now available in my Etsy shop.)
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
I picked up needle and thread for the first time in months. I'd almost forgotten what a calming and pleasant thing it is, especially in winter when the wind is howling and you're curled up on the couch needing to do something.
I had put this piece aside to focus on painting. I told myself I would finish it later, and yesterday it was calling my name. (Now available in my Etsy shop.)
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Thursday, January 22, 2015
My priority today was to go and see The Imitation Game. I went when it first opened but it was sold out, so I waited until the audiences had thinned.
I've read about the Enigma code and Alan Turing (who cracked the code) in the past, and I can say that the movie is absolutely brilliant, and all the more poignant for being a true story. I won't say more because you should see this movie.
What's more, whenever I work on my computer, I remember that he was the Father of Computers.
Today's art. Another sparrow.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
I've read about the Enigma code and Alan Turing (who cracked the code) in the past, and I can say that the movie is absolutely brilliant, and all the more poignant for being a true story. I won't say more because you should see this movie.
What's more, whenever I work on my computer, I remember that he was the Father of Computers.
Today's art. Another sparrow.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
New work
The past week or so has been about getting work ready for the exhibition (see previous post) which opens this evening, so I haven't been waving my paintbrush around. Until today.
The sparrow / le moineau
We have a lot of them where I live. These simple birds are sweet and friendly, and when they congregate, they twitter their hearts out -- which, occasionally, can drive you mad.....
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
The past week or so has been about getting work ready for the exhibition (see previous post) which opens this evening, so I haven't been waving my paintbrush around. Until today.
The sparrow / le moineau
We have a lot of them where I live. These simple birds are sweet and friendly, and when they congregate, they twitter their hearts out -- which, occasionally, can drive you mad.....
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
ROMANCING THE WORD
A new exhibition at the
Dignam Gallery
Women's Art Association of Canada
23 Prince Arthur Ave.
Toronto, ON M5R 1B2
waac@womensartofcanada.ca
416-922-2060
Opening Reception: Friday, January 16th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
I would love to see you there.
I have three paintings in the show.
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|
Travellers, there is
no path,
paths are made by
walking.--Antonio Machado
|
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|
Memory
and desire, stirring
Dull roots with
spring rain.
Winter kept us warm,
covering
Earth in forgetful
snow, feeding
A little life with
dried tubers.
--T.S. Eliot, The
Waste Land
|
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|
The dragonfly
can't quite land
on that blade of
grass.
--Matsuo Bashō
|
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Today's offering.
The Stone Angel.
Available here.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
The Stone Angel.
Available here.
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown
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