New Flower (January 15, 2021) – Pink Carnations

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….the weather has been so mild that the green grocers are able to display their cut flowers outside

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New Flower (January 14, 2021) – Yellow Tulips

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Mama Cormier

…haven’t posted flowers in awhile because I haven’t been able to get out

Today I had to take my husband to the hospital for blood work and his annual check-up in the oncology department. Currently the hospitals don’t allow visitors to accompany patients so I spent time walking through High Park and up and down Roncesvalles. Not many stores are open but the green grocers had flowers sitting in front of their stores and I treated myself to a bunch of these yellow tulips. My husband is fine by the way and his cancer is still in remission after 9 years.

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My Art Challenge – Days 11 and 12

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….finished way too late last night to post my finished piece

Yesterday I was inspired by Lisa Congdon after watching one of her art videos. I really enjoy making line drawings of flowers and Lisa takes it a few steps further by adding lots of mark details and another thing that I love, collage. Adding all the marks is very time consuming but also very meditative and I think that’s why I lost track of time when I made this piece.

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The second photo is the piece that I just finished today. After not being very happy with my last ‘family portrait’ for Carla Sonheim’s class I decided I would try another. I’ve discovered that if I take my time and let things dry before moving on I get a much better result. Also this time I really enjoyed the assignment where as with the first attempt I wasn’t having much fun.

Back to Painting – January 6, 2021

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….a little drawing, some colouring and back to watercolours

After making my line drawing yesterday I was in the mood to get out the watercolours and ink and make another abstract floral on paper. I do get a lot of satisfaction from this style of art and will probably make more.

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Orange Blooms

One Resolution: More Art in 2021

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….on day one I’ve started to draw from my new book In Bloom by Rachel Reinert

I’ve tried this before where I wanted to make art every day of the year. I made a lot but I didn’t quite hit 365 drawings in 2018. This year I won’t beat myself up if I miss a day or two but I’m going to give it another go. My husband gave me a book for Christmas that I asked for and today I cracked it open and drew the first two flowers featured in the book.

I’ve discovered over the years that I’m very much drawn to flowers in my photography and my art. I always believe there’s more to learn so I’m really looking forward to drawing and learning more about flowers.

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Intuitive Painting

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Mama Cormier

….working small

I’m in love with intuitive painting. I never quite know where I’m going when I start but the process is very meditative. As I get into the painting I see some themes pop up and I go there but try to stay loose. I still need to work on that.

I’ve always wanted to paint gifts for friends but have lacked self confidence or run out of time or both. This year I made the time and dove in. I started with just laying down marks and then randomly layered colour all over the board. Once the first layer dried I layered another random selection of colour over the first and usually in opposite temperatures, i.e. cool vs warm colours.

Here are some examples of how the process starts.

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When I start into the final layer I tend to go to floral or landscape themes. After I’ve laid down the main shapes I start to add marks for interest.

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These are all 8 x 8 on wooden panels. Here are some close-up of the same work.

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A Road Trip to the Country

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Mama Cormier

….titile for my third painting for the New Members Show in January

My third intuitive painting turned into another floral abstract but it is probably the least abstract of the three paintings. It reminded me of the wild flowers along the edge of the highway on our way to the cottage, hence the name.

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Memories of Nowruz

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Mama Cormier

…this name came from my daughter-in-law who was reminded of the Persian New Year, Nowruz

The colours in my second painting reminded my son’s wife of the colours associated with Nowruz. I thought it was the perfect title for my second entry into the New Members Show at WAAC in January. I’m really enjoying my experiments with intuitive painting.