Summer discomfort

Life has been a little difficult lately.... a lot of construction noise going on around my home, added to a back injury that's forced me to stay in. I take a walk every evening and do core exercises - recovery is slow but steady.

As for the noise, earplugs help a little, and so does sitting at my work table (I have to keep remembering to sit up straight and not give in to slouching) making artist trading cards. These two have just been listed here.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 And just like that it's July.

Revisions on my manuscript are very nearly done. Meanwhile, I followed my mentor's advice and sent a sample off to a literary agent that she recommended. Whatever happens next is in the hands of the Unseen.

Some 20-25 years ago, after I'd written 3 novels while holding down a full-time job as a magazine writer/editor, I sent out queries all over the place, more than 100. The replies I got were soul-shattering but I persisted and one well-known publisher almost published my second novel. At the 11th hour, they pulled out due to funds. Since I had already worked for a book publisher and the slush pile was one of my responsibilities, I knew better than to give in. I was also glad that I had been kind and diplomatic when writing rejection letters.

I knew what I was capable of and no amount of rejection would change that. But there came the time when I was exhausted and I turned to art making. It saved me.

Fast forward to last year, and this wonderful (and competent authority on publishing) came into my life and talked me into resurrecting one of my manuscripts. For that alone, I'm grateful.




Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Little collections

New in my shop.

Little collections of little quilties.

Two sets of 3

On sale with free shipping to Canada and the U.S.

 

SOLD.Thank you. 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The laptop is dead, long live the laptop

My trusty computer breathed its last and for about a week everything came to a standstill. The unfortunate thing about getting a new one up and running is hours of work, the loss of some programs and getting used to new stuff. Feeling like Mr Duffy, but I'm getting there.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Two collages

Listed today in my Etsy shop, two collages on antique papers.

Alternative methods of travel series

Peculiar people

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Books and art

Way back when, I wanted to design book covers. Many years later, I was given the opportunity to design a cover by a friend who is publishing her books on Kobo.

This was the first one - I created the artwork, not the title and cover lines.

 

This is the second one that I just finished - I designed the whole cover, cover lines and all.

 

 All I can say is that I really like designing book covers....

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I just listed another art bundle/instant art collection in my Etsy shop. Six original pieces. You can view them here .

 Meanwhile, I'm working on my manuscript and some new artwork, too.

And occasionally taking care of Gustav. He likes to look out the window...

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Dog story

 For the past two weeks, my friend's dog, Gustav the dachshund, has been staying with me while she and her family are on vacation.

Gustav is one of the most affectionate dogs I have known. And because of that, he managed to completely take over my life.... It's just as well that he goes home tomorrow night because the temptation to spoil him is strong.

As for me, it will be back to work - something I haven't done much of since he arrived!





Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Writing.... and drawing.

I don't know where she came from, but she means something to me and maybe one of these days I'll figure it out.
  
 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Books

Writing fiction activates the imagination, so when I took a break, I got the idea to combine my quilties into a fabric book.

They are in a sense like finished "pages".

 One of the spreads

Another spread

 

 You can see the whole book here

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I have a book project to work on this year. It's already written, and now it needs to be amplified from a novella to a full-length novel.

It's not easy to revisit a story, but I'm committed; I got the push from someone I trust and who knows what she's talking about. It's never too late!

That doesn't mean I don't continue to create my artwork. This is a brand-new listing in my Etsy shop.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

2019

Wishing you all a very Happy and peaceful New Year.

So does Gustav the Magnificent!
Sometimes I take this little guy out for a walk, and sometimes he spends the day with me.
He's small but his psychology is big...

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

New in the shop!

Three little art patches [SOLD]

and

Cuckoo in the Nest (can you spot him?)

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Christmas tags

I make these Christmas tags on order every year.

This year, I've made 16 tags so far, on order for some special people. It may not sound a lot, but they are fiddly and time-consuming, and I enjoy making each and every one! Each tag is one of a kind, some are similar, most are different, but no two are the same.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Yuletide

It's that time of year again. 

My little Christmas trees are back and listed in my Etsy shop. Orders taken here

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Ancestors

You have nothing to teach and everything to learn. 

You are an artist and the flowers want to bloom near you. 

Your ancestors use you to speak.

-- John Patrick Shanley

 Self-portrait with birds.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Art bundle

 My first art bundle is up in my Etsy shop. You can see it here.

I'm offering 9 small pieces of original art in acrylic, watercolour and collage. Free shipping to Canada and the U.S.

SOLD. Thank you.

 Thank you for dropping by!



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

New listings

 In between photographing artwork for my art bundles, I made these mini art quilts, now available in my Etsy shop.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Pug with art bundles

 Bella went home last night.

This is her "What ARE you doing?" look.

 Apart from taking her photo, I've been sorting my works on paper - there is a lot of it. This pile is only about 15% of what I have. It all has to go somewhere. The not-so-good stuff has been thrown out or cut up for other projects.

My idea is to create art bundles, 4-6 artworks and list them in my Etsy shop for *sale* prices.

  
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Fun with cats and dogs

Rufus

Watercolour/6x8 inches. Available in my Etsy shop 

 The Cat. 

4x6 inches, gouache and acrylic. 

Will be available in my Etsy shop shortly.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Miss Bella

I am boarding this bundle of joy for the next five days.

I don't normally board dogs, I walk them. But Bella belongs to a good friend of mine, and I know my friends' dogs, so I don't mind boarding them. Also she's keeping me fit!

Tomorrow she's getting a special treat because... it's my birthday.



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

All buttoned up

I have a box of buttons I tried to give away but no one wanted them.

 So I sifted through them, and made this on a 4x6-inch piece of plywood.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I've made one piece in three days, but one is better than none, a little practice is better than no practice, so I'm thinking this is an improvement!

 

I have a good excuse, though. I'm going through piles of paperwork and shredding what is no longer needed. I have tax returns and related paperwork going back to 1990, so you can imagine how much there is and how long it's taking. Of course, the shredder had to break in the middle of it all, so I tried shredding by hand. That didn't last long. Out of exasperation, I filled the sink with water and dumped the papers in it. Left them to soak for a few hours, then put on rubber gloves and squeezed the water out (pretending I doing laundry by hand). The paper fell apart as I twisted the water out of it and ended up looking like cottage cheese. It's one way to destroy personal information!


 



Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

My energy has been low; the heat and humidity don't help, and I'm thinking getting older also has something to do with it. I don't work as much as I used to and it worries me when I go a full week without making anything.

So, when I get a burst of energy, I take advantage of it. I wanted to practise some abstract and semi-abstract ideas.

I painted this entirely with a small sponge because I wanted to see how it would feel and what it would look like.

 Blowing in the wind

Rear window

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Faces

 I like drawing and painting faces. It occurred to me that the 8x10" mixed media art boards are the perfect substrate and size for faces (for me). I sketched this in the afternoon, put down some paint, then had to go and take care of a few things. Last night, as I was watching TV, I got up and went to work on it.

 

 L’été meurtier, acrylic on art board, 8x10 in. // 20.3 x 25.4 cm

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Two paintings and an article

In the last couple of days, I finished an article for Somerset Studio and made two paintings. After a couple of slow months, my energy is returning.

The paintings are done on a new (to me) product - Canson Mixed Media Art Boards. They come in a pad of 10 boards and measure 8 x 10 inches.

Watercolour

 

Acrylic

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Small is good

I like creating small items, maybe because of instant gratification but also because of the portability.

I made a pouch out of kozuke paper (it's a very sturdy Japanese paper), stamped and stitched it. It's perfect for keeping small supplies in it along with needle and thread, thimble and mini scissors.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Indigenous Canadian art

 Yesterday I went to the Art Gallery of Ontario to see the Tunirrusiangit exhibition. It was gorgeous and extremely well done. Several galleries were filled with the works of Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak and her son Tim Pitsiulak.

This work, The Enchanted Owl, is by Kenojuak Ashevak, stonecut on paper, 1960.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 I wonder what was going through the sculptor's mind....

Abbey of Sainte Foy (France), c. 1050

Source unknown.









Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Start your engine

I couldn't get started. So I cut a large piece from a roll of paper, took a big brush and some paint, and smooshed it around. It was very freeing.

 Then I made a small piece using a charcoal pencil. 

 It got me started and I had a productive day.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown