"HANG, TIDY & CLEAN,HANG, TIDY & CLEAN"

I decided yesterday that I needed to get the paintings out of their boxes and back up on the walls of my gallery. It took all afternoon. Today, I have been cleaning out and reorganizing my studio space. Hopefully this will help get me inspired to work on a new painting. I have had one in mind for awhile-sometimes it really helps when they sit on the back burner for awhile. I have even scraped and cleaned the floor under my easel. I 've been thinking about getting a cheap scrap piece of rugging to put under my easel to protect the stone floors. I have been discussing the possibility with another artist of sharing a studio space. We are both  wanting to reclaim the lower level of our houses. While cleaning up today I had to find space for a years stash of  new canvases. I find it much cheaper to buy in bulk.If I had a separate studio I'd be able to store them there. Oh well, that's for another day. I think I'll call my friend and see if she can get in touch with the realtor.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MAYOR DAVE

My first meeting with Mayor Dave and Vickie was very exciting I had finally found a group of people committed to the arts and who understood that the arts act like a mirror reflecting the heart, soul and mind set of a community. The idea was to promote the Pelham artists through an original art show. I could hardly wait to tell my art friends - they were going to have a hard time believing me. Sports sports and more sports seems to be the name of the game in our area, after all we are Canuks were hockey reigns supreme and yes we all agree for the need to exercise regularly, no question,

But, art feeds the soul, it reflects the health of our community and YIPPPEEEE Mayor Dave gets it!

After this initial meeting, many more were to follow  with the Summerfest committee Gary, Julie, Bea, Todd, Katie & Vickie etc At every turn I was offered constructive suggestions and offers of help. They all made my life as show organizer easier. We had a plan. We executed it. Problems that a rose were dealt with promptly and professionally.

Kudo's you all of you.

We actually created something very special that has an amazing vibe.

Thanks Mayor Dave & the Summerfest Committee. I look forward to working on 2013's show.

FABULOUS FIRST ANNUAL ART IN THE PARK

Thanks to the Town of Pelham for inviting us to start an all original,juried fine art show which was an integral part Pelham Summerfest. "Come CHill on The Hill" - we artists had a blast! Excellent support from, the Pelham Summerfest Committee made this a great experience for me as the organizer of the  Art show. I could not have done this without the help of my friend Jim Kerr. I appreciate his advise. Jim always amazes me even when complications of diabetes are making his feet and legs so sore he hangs in, encouraging me along the way.

We would not have a show without the artists. I'd like to thank them all again and again. They are the heart beat of the show, displaying their wonderful creativity. You ROCK!

We had a great loss in our art community with the death of Maria Klokkou from cancer last week and her funeral was on Friday, she was best friend of Pat Paquin. Pat went to the funeral Friday, but was back in her tent for the start of the show Friday afternoon, Larry Wing had just had stomach surgery to remove a cancer these are just a couple of the remarkable artists I am honoured to have had showing with me at this First Annual  Art In The Park.

A very special vibe was wafted  through out the show with the music from some great bands, specially Kindred Spirit , warm summer days, sparkling white tents of the artists village, friendly artists chatting together sitting at tables under large locust trees, talking art with locals who dropped by to view the show and buy original pieces of art.

What can I say but we all had a wonderful time. I am very excited to start planning the 2nd annual show.

COMING SOON - ART IN THE PARK- FONTHILL

Artists are now in motion gearing up for Art In The Park. Artists calling yesterday to my studio asking about last minute details. Potters have their kilns filled with interesting and new pieces. Painters completing new pieces or  they are off to the framers.

I cancelled a last minute media day yesterday, when I spoke with the reporter from Niagara This Week he had indicated that he'd put a picture in with the article already going into the paper this week or he'd try and get it in next week prior to the show. But most of the local Pelham/Welland artists I contacted were unable to attend due to work or previous commitments with family. Next year we will work out a earlier Media Day for the artists.

I am excited about the quality and variety of art that will be shown at the premier Art In The Park show.    The variety in mediums include glass art dichroic & cathederal glass, watecolour, oil acrylic, artistic & functional pottery, pencil & charcoal, textiles & glass

For a little peek preview please go to www.pinterest.art in the park.com

Come have a glass of wine ( Niagara College Vintners) and wander through a fabulous art show & find some original treasures to make your very own.

This will be last post until after the show. I'd like to thank Mayor Dave & his team for their continued support of the arts. They have been a great pleasure to work with and have been instrumental in making ART IN THE PARK a show that artists and patrons will want to come back to for many years to come.

To my fellow participating artists, thank you for your faith in the team that put this show together. I wish you all a successful show!

PLEIN AIR IN FONTHILL

Packed up paints and graphite, picked Jim up at the Seaway and drove to Pelham Library. It was a lovely day to paint outside. Jim had us go over to the Bandshell were he suggested we look around and decide what we wanted to paint. He demoed with water colour. He discussed some of the difficulties painting outside ie continually changing light and shadows, overload of information which can make it challenging to decide on a composition. Jim's composition included a road sign and a hanging basket with the Pelham Library in he background. Two other artists worked on a similar composition to Jim's. Diane and I worked on different compositions of the back of the buildings on Pelham St. My composition included the church in behind Beamers and part of Peace Park. I decided to continue my experimenting with liquid graphite. I worked on 300lb Arches watercolour with mixed results. I definitely want to continue with this medium. Practice! Practice ! Practice!

Plein Air Painting with JIM KERR

 Plein Air Painting with Jim Kerr


Dates In July   Fee's $45 / day


FONTHILL

Thursday july 5th  the Gazebo in the Park - Fonthill
Meet Jim at the library


Tuesday July 10th Painting in Mary Powley's Garden 2 Kevin Drive, Fonthill
(BBQ Lunch - bring something to share for a Pot Luck)


NiAGARA FALLS


Meet at Jim's place 4940 Huron Street (corner of Huron and Second St.) Huron St. runs off Victoria Ave,


Painting the Queen's Backside or Frontside


Wednesday July 11th


Wednesday July 18th


Demonstrations will be in watercolour. Students option to medium.


Time: 9:30 to 3:30 pm  - break for lunch


Contact Jim 289 257 1021

NIagara Night of Arts & Art In The Park

So exciting, had a meeting with the rep's from the town of Pelham & rep's from the Region, plans for the inaugural launch of the Niagara Night of Arts is well under way. All the local artists involved in the arts are being encouraged to step forward and preform. It is wonderful to see young emerging artists being encouraged to display their arts. My friend Monique who is a fantastic potter doing both artistic and functional pottery,her son is  a musician and is going to preform at the Niagara night of the Arts and many young people have submitted sculpture , 3 dimensional work etc. ART ROCKS this community! i am very proud to be a very small part of this amazing event.

Niagara Night of Arts is part of Pelham Summerfest which is a four day event. The fine artists that will be showing and selling their original work in Summerfest's Art In The Park are gearing up for the show everyone is enthusiastic and looking forward to launching this new art show. The support & help from the Town is greatly appreciated.

Tired Feet & A Dear Friend

Home and tired. Artistry By The Lake in NOTL was interesting and fun. Made more so by selling some paintings, always boosts ones self esteem. Best of all my friend & mentor James came on Sunday to sit the show and help me pack up.Artists egos need to be gently stroked on a very regular basis to keep them motivated to produce and experiment. Met some lovely people. One of my clients came and I got to meet their new baby boy, very sweet. They purchased a little painting I did of Longfellow PA. I am also very excited that another lady purchased "Summer Rain." Tomorrow I have to deliver a painting that is going out on a "trail" basis. I really hope the couple will love it. Fingers and toes crossed.