….the forecast has the temperatures going below zero tonight
New Flower (November 22, 2021) – The Last of the Geraniums in my Garden
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Category Archives: About Me
Putting Down the Paint Brushes for Knitting Needles
…..Macro Monday, November 22, 2021
I’ve been inspired to start knitting again. Partially because Christmas is coming and I always love to make handmade gifts and partially I needed do something else creative. In knitting, the creative part comes in selecting the wool and designing your own patterns. I’m not revealing the entire project because they are gifts and I don’t want to spoil the surprise for their recipients. Instead, I’ve decided to take close-up shots for Macro Monday.
A Festive Opening for the Small Gems Show
….Saturday, November 20, 2021
What an exciting day! The Small Gems Show opened and the turnout was amazing. It was so nice to see the gallery full of people (all vaccinated and wearing masks) and the art work was spectacular. Here are a few images from the show.
Mark Making With My Hand Made Brushes
…..using ink
I know that my hand made brushes will react differently to different media and the type of paper I use. Yesterday I used simple newsprint to experiment on and I painted with black India ink and green and gold acrylic ink.
Most of the brushes produced very thin lines but the simplest brush with the larger buds produced the bigger marks. I’m planning on trying this again using acrylic paint to see if the more viscous media leaves more dramatic marks. Maybe I’ll try watercolours as well but I suspect they will react the same way that the inks did. These papers will come in handy for collage work that I’m planning on creating for the next show.
Making Hand Made Brushes
….from materials from the garden and the water’s edge
After completing my three art pieces for this weekend’s Small Gems Show I started to delve into some video art classes that I recently purchased. The first class is called Loosen Up and Tara Lever has produced some very inspiring lessons. One of the first ones is making your own brushes from natural materials.
I thoroughly enjoyed going on a foraging trip through my garden and the park at the end of my street. I came back with a bag full of interesting plant material.
After sorting through the stems of dried materials I started to bunch them together and wrapped them with yarn, thread and wool. I loved doing this and when I finished I placed them in a vase that I made a couple of years ago.
Now I’m ready to get out my ink and paints and experiment with mark making using my new brushes. Some of them may not hold up well but that’s okay. I’ll post some of my experiments later this week.
Cheers!
Silent Sunday – November 14, 2021
….photo taken yesterday while walking from Mount Sinai Hospital to WAAC on Prince Arthur Street
A Photo a Week – Gateways From the Past in Venice and Rome
…thanks to Nancy Merrill for hosting A Photo A Week https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/11/09/a-photo-a-week-gateways/
I had a great time going through all my old photos from our visit to Italy in 2016.
Warming Up
….back to making ‘inchie’ art
Thanks to Amy from Mindful Art Studio for hosting the slow drawing parties. She literally takes us through some very slow drawing activities to get our creative juices flowing. After doing the line drawings I added watercolours and more marks. This is very relaxing and I literally get lost in the process.
A Painting Update
…it’s been awhile since I last posted some of my artwork
Back in September I was finally able to display two of my paintings for a show that was suppose to take place last January. I had originally made three paintings for the show but one sold earlier in the year. I’m pleased to say that the two that were hung in the gallery at WAAC also sold.
These were all 16″ x 16″ x 1 1/2″.
I’ve just finished three more pieces for another show later this month. The show is called Small Gems and no piece can me more than 48″ all around. These three are all 12″ x 12″ x 1 1/2″.
Happy Hallowe’en Everyone
….a very satisfying Hallowe’en night
Last year our doors were closed because of COVID. This year I noticed in our block that more homes were shelling out than I’ve ever seen in the 43 years I’ve lived here. It was a perfect night. I had made up 50 bags of treats and had another 20 chocolate bars left over. It all went and I had to close shop early.
In total we had 64 kids come to our door. I felt badly when I ran out because I know that there would have been more. One of the things that I loved about Hallowe’en this year was the sense of community with those that participated. We walked up and down the street and talked to our neighbours and chatted with the parents when they brought their children up to the door. My husband and I both shelled out the treats and we were able to sit outside because the weather was so mild.
Did you participate in Hallowe’en this year?
Mama Cormier 