FLYERS, FRAMING AND PELHAM NIGHT OF THE ARTS

Busy day, did the mundane cleaning of the house this morning. It was great to open the doors and windows and let the fresh air in 23 degrees C. today. YEAH!!!

This afternoon, I was on the road over to my framers to pick up "Angel"(oh my goodness she looks fabulous!) and so do "Strip Mining " and "Vessels". All paintings are now ready for the Pelham Art Festival. I just have to haul out my lights, test them, check my show bin and make sure I have all my hooks, labels, taki, credit card machine etc.

I also picked up  my friend Margories painting as it was ready too. Drove to Marg's but she wan't in. I emailed her when I got home to let her know I had it. Unpacked the van, grabbed a snack (have to watch my sugar levels) and a drink. Picked up paper work for tonights meeting, cheque for Art In The Park and some information on bank sponsorship, put some pecans in a zippy bag and off to the meeting.

Arrived a little early for meeting, dropped cheque and banking info with Sally. Sally had the 5,000 flyers for the ART IN THE PARK - terrific - I can get them out to the artists ASAP so they can hand them out at their shows. I'll put them through the library system as well. I must email Sally or Monique and see if I can get an e copy for the artists , I can put one up on my website and they can email them out to their clients. Monique did a nice job on the flyers - very summery looking.

 Our meeting was short tonight as Monique had to pick up her kids at school as they were returning from a trip to Florida with the school band. (bet they had lots of fun) Todd was at the meeting tonight and proposed that instead of the Muskoka chairs that we were going to auction off , he suggested a pallet wall structure with benches that would be erected in Peace Park (functional art) people would pay a twoonie ($2) per slat then paint it, put a design on it, their name, saying/ phrases etc. Then the slats would be attached to the wooden wall. Todd said that there was enough room for 2,000 boards generating hopefully $4,000 and we could get some grant money for public art to help with costs. BRILLIANT!! We are going to approach local schools to have children display their art and each participating child would get a certificate and perhaps a voucher. Problem is that we don't really have a large area to display the art so we thought of having Dave ,our grade 8 co chair, film the submissions and then show the film at the Pelham Night of The Arts. Meeting ended and we'll all meet again after the Pelham Art Festival as Monique and I are participating artists and another member of our planning team is volunteering at the Art Festival and is involved with set up.

MY COUSIN PETER IS A WOOD TURNER

I have been face booking with my cousin Pete (Peter Coleman) discussing a wide variety of topics. Peter is one of 23 first cousins I have all on my mom's side of the family. Peter, his brothers David , Paul, Steven( who was a baby at the time), sister Heather and I spent many adventurous summers at our grandparents cottage in Muskoka with our grandmother (Bea Coleman).

Grandma was a self taught artist who worked in oils and depending on how much money she had painted on everything from the cardboard backing of note pads (which I found four and have framed them), canvas boards to the walls of the rectory( most notably above the fireplace in the dining room of the Anglican rectory in Deseronto , Ontario.) We have many very creative people in our family, from a cousin who was a ballerina in the National ballet, to novelists, wood turners, wood carvers, great cooks and fine artists like my grandmother and I.

Years ago, my family visited with Steven & Peter and their families. We all had a great dinner at Stevens and chatted about our families, in general catching everyone up on our lives. After dinner, Steven presented me with a beautiful wooden box he had made for an eagle feather ceremony that turned out to be a little small for the feather suggesting that I could use it as a jewelry box. I was thrilled at such a very generous gift and it sits on my dresser and I do use it for jewelry. I look at this little box everyday, it connects me to people I love in a very tangible way. On this same trip we went to Peter's home and I saw Peter's work shop and a display of burl bowls that he had made. His brother David imports exotic wood from around the world and he gave Peter some smaller pieces. Peter inlaid some of this wood into a few of his bowels. Peter told us that at that time he was selling his bowls in Toronto at a gallery on Queen Street and doing quite well. Much to my great surprise Peter offered me one of his bowls, not only did he do that but he allowed me to choose which one I wanted.
This bowl sits today on my coffee table, I dust it each week and oil it when I oil my tables. It is as beautiful today as when Peter gave it to me.

As I mentioned, Peter and I have been face booking each other and the other day Peter indicated he was heading out to BC for a trip and I commented how lucky he was. ( British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places in the world), Pete replied saying he wished he was lucky enough to be able to paint like grandma and I. I thought "WOW!". Then it came to me that I could do a painting for Peter to thank him for the joy his burl bowl has given me over the years. I immediately faced booked him and asked if he'd like a painting and if so what subject matter would he like ---- silly question - trees of course. I indicated to Peter it would probably take me a couple of months and if he could send me some pictures of trees he liked I'd get working. Pete sent the pictures so now I can start working on a composition. I am very excited to get started on this project.

AN INTERESTING DAY

Today started much like any other, woke up (always a good thing) had breakfast, went to Vermeer's Gardening centre to get my orchid repotted. After a brief discussion, I discovered that I had been water my plant wrong and the pot I had brought in to have the orchid transplanted was too big - solution pack in more orchids and cover with moss. Looks great! I wanted planters for a very narrow 10" wide hall table and the mantel over the fireplace. I was directed to some really pretty citrus coloured pots in a variety of different shapes and sizes, including some in the shape of a coffee cup with polka dots ( just had to get  a lemon colour one with white polka dots for the kitchen table). I chose two small lime and one small orange pot and decided that succulents or some funky cactus would look great with a more modern decor. The mantel over the fireplace became somewhat problematic I couldn't make up my mind what size and shape of container to use - think I'll check out some antique places to see if I can find something a little unusual.

After Vermeer's I went to have an orthotic made. It was a fascinating procedure. I have never had a cast made of any part of me before. As Amedeus worked making the casts of my feet, I couldn't help but think that the casts after they have been used to make a mould might make for some interesting 3 D art work.

Back home for a quick dinner then off to an art class. The class worked on a humming bird. I did my own thing and continued working on my experiment with colour and worked on an old farm building.
I really like the colour combinations one gets when using compliments and how these colours play off each other in a painting.

SUPER EXCITED!

I am so impressed with how writing  and posting images on my blog is reaching people. I posted earlier today the very first images of "Three Swans "and "Out Buildings". I have only posted these images on my blog and I have already been contacted by people interested in purchasing these paintings. Wow! Thank you! It gives great encouragement when one receives such positive feedback. I have been going around with a big smile on my face.

Erin Snow dropped in and picked up 2 giclee watercolour landscape prints on canvas 24 x 36  and giclee notecards for a gift bag/s for the Heirloom Show at Vermeers in Welland the second weekend in June. She was kind enough to pick up 100 postcards with a 10% coupon from my studio that will go into the 100 gift bags to be given out to the first 100 customers at the Heirloom show. This saved me a trip into Niagara Falls.

This is the first time I have tried using a coupon to help advertise my work, it will be interesting to see what business this generates.

* Giclee's (fr. term) are  archival prints produced with archival inks achieving the closest image to the original in colour and value  and printed on archival paper/canvas.

THREE SWANS DEBUTE AND OUT BUILDINGS

THREE SWANS (needs cropping)

OUT BUILDINGS

 

TA DA

 

A preview of two new paintings that are part of an on going experiment with colour. I hope they will be well received. I love how the colour spark off each other, so much fun. I think this is a more creative way to express what I am feeling and seeing in a landscape.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

I am not only getting ready for the Pelham Art Festival on Mother's Day Weekend but, the Heirloom Show which takes place the 2nd weekend in June at Vermeer's Gardening Centre. Erin Snow who is coordinating the Heirloom show has asked for donations. I am putting together bundles of note cards with giclee prints of some of my waterclour paintings. I am  also going to donate a painting.

I have been working on my three swans. I think it is working up well. It now has several layers and I am pleased with the over all feel of the work. On completion I will photograph it and put it on my blog and then on my website. I like the large square format 24 x 24.

I started a small landscape painting last Monday of some old farm buildings near Napanee, Ontario. Originally, I thought of doing them realistically but then colour combinations started milling around in my head and they wouldn't go away. I worked on the painting for a very brief time last Monday as I had to go to Toronto in the afternoon to pick up my son at Pearson airport. So had basically just roughed in the subject, today I completed the painting changing up values and reworking the analogous palette I had chosen. You just have to love red violet pine trees! This little canvas was lots of fun to paint and the results are made all the better because of choosing a non realistic colour palette. The colours sing in this painting. I'll photograph the little painting along with the swans and put them on the blog together.

LETTERS/ WORDS/ TITLES - OH MY!

Worked on Pelham Night of Arts today. I did some research into a grant from the Niagara Community Foundation. JoAnn Krick was most helpful. She sent me a copy of the application for a "mini grant".After reading the criteria, I decided this was best handled by a town employee that knows the ins and outs of the questions being asked.I also did some investigating into the Canadian Banking system regarding grants for the arts. This process is more complicated and will take time to research thoroughly. I think someone from the town that has banking experience would be able to use the correct jargon when approaching these institutions.

Finally, sent my web designer 3 more photo's of recent paintings to add to my website, They can be found quickly in the section devoted to New Work. One is called "Waiting". one is called "Strip Mining and the third is called"Vessels". I don't know about other artists and how they select names for their paintings, specially, non objective ones. I find it difficult sometimes to come up with a creative and appropriate title. On other occasions, the names just trip off the tip of ones tongue so to speak. Maybe, if one has music playing in the background as one looks at the painting trying to compose a title, it might jog the creative juices or cause the little grey cells to vibrate at a quicker rate and in so doing produce more inspired thought processes. I'll try it next time, when I have a brain freeze.

YEAH! PAINTINGS LOOK AMAZING -

I cannot thank everyone at FrameCraft enough for the excellent job they have done on my framing. Absolutely worth every penny. The paintings show so well ,dressed in their beautiful wood frames. They have a very simple elegance. I am really pleased with the way the experimental paintings look.

I have taken an additional three paintings in to be framed and I am very excited about what the finished product will look like. I will have to take photos of my double booth at the Pelham Art Festival this year. Can't wait to see the impact they have.

DAY THREE OF EXPERIMENTAL WORK & THREE SWANS

Well, well, well, where to start? 

Perhaps a cuppa tea, will help the process. Put the kettle on , put out a large mug and a teabag. Looking at the painting turning it, evaluating what's happening or not. Decided to lift a large section on part of the cruciform foundation allowing the gold colour to flow into another shape. Evaluate, did this lift  do what I wanted it to - yes, I think so. Clean up edges of various shapes.

Decision - do I continue layering or stop - am I done? Have I said what I wanted to? If I add a layer on top of the wc I'll have to spray it at least 3 times with fixative and allow it to sit until thoroughly dry. Will another layer enhance what I've done or distract? I think I'll spray the work with fixative anyway, set it aside for awhile and come back to it.

Brought out swan painting and put it up on the easel. Looking at the under painting. I have decided to work this painting with an analogous colour palette red violet, violet, blue violet, blue, blue green and  yellow & red orange as compliments. The reference photo was taken this winter along the Niagara river. Re worked the wintery water background, thin sheets of ice can be seen floating along side the birds " gives new meaning to" A Polar Bear Dip".  The swan in the foreground is the smaller of the three perhaps last years gosling. They have such a peaceful grace about them. Deceptive looks mask how strong and aggressive these beautiful birds are.  I have decided to paint the shadow area of the larger swan in the background a greyed blue violet, the one directly in front of him with greyed violet shadows and the little one in the foreground in greyed red violet. The reflections are fantastic as is the light on each bird.

HERE IS THE FIRST EXPERIMENT COMPLETED

This is the first experiment completed. I used analogous colours with compliment and one layer of texturing. When I first looked at the canvas I saw an explosion of colours and on closer inspection I saw a large bouquet of beautiful flowers, but then I began to see bottles, wine  and champaign glasses, etc.I decided to lift the part s of the bottles and glasses.

DAY TWO OF THE GREAT EXPERIMENT

I unwrapped my experiment from yesterday, looked carefully at the additional dimension created by wrapping it in kitchen wrap. Set it up on my easel and went and put a load of wash on. It's Saturday here and it's when our hydro rates are lowest so I try and get all my laundry done  using the lowest rates. Back at my easel. I have set out 2 fresh water containers, tissues and a soft  brush. As I look at the piece, I begin to see shapes to lift. Today, I am trying to stay totally focused on non representational shapes. I have decided to document this process and so I took an initial photo. I became so engrossed in what I was attempting to do that I forgot my morning snack and it wasn't until my tummy started rumbling that I checked my watch and realised it was way past my lunch When I  returned to my studio I looked at the work, & realised I had to many wormy looking shapes. I decided to go big incorporating the already lifted shapes - ah much better. I keep turning the work to see which way I like it best, while doing this I started to see racing cars, a Pinocchio, a hand, all kinds of realistic shapes. I think this will be a good place to snap another picture. I am also considering adding an additional layer perhaps a half drop repeat of a simple geometric pattern or perhaps stamping. This process certainly gets the little grey cells excited! It's off to work I go - more laundry - more paint!

Darn, interrupted by the doorbell - company - everything on hold until later.

Two pic's from the beginning of this experiment. Colours need adjusting from the actual to the web. But the gist of the experiment can be seen.

WORKING ON SUBTRACTIVE METHOD TODAY -NON REPRESENTATIONAL

Today, I remembered to thicken my watercolour paint prior to applying them to the canvas, better results I think. Working analogously still red violet, violet, blue violet with compliment of yellow. I have applied a layer of plastic wrap to create a secondary level of texture. Currently this piece is drying.

I took the canvas I started yesterday upstairs late last night to have a second look at what had transpired. At first, I wasn't too impressed, but on a second look I started to see some possibilities. I have been working on it again this afternoon and doing some light lifting, looking at it as a non objective piece. I started to see things like shell shapes, wings, bottles a hand grasping a vase/bottle, a lady with a wine glass on her nose, someone with their head tilted back eating grapes - perhaps this painting is from the Greek god of wine Baccus'  home and these are old wine vessels spilling out the last vestiges of the nectar left over from an orgy! Goodness this would be a fun painting to have in a dining room or wine cellar.

I have also been working on Art In The Park today. I am very pleased to say that we juried in a new artist, Lauren Ellis, ex Wellander who now lives in Guelph. Lauren works in graphite/pencil. We are all very happy to welcome her aboard. I contacted both Monique and Sally re our flyer for the show emphasizing the need to have it in the hands of our artists by May 1st. we have artists participating in 2 major shows in the peninsula were the combined attendance is approx. 9,000 people. Plus once May starts many art shows will follow all leading up to ours in July, so we need flyers to send to our clients and to hand out to new folks at the shows we will be participating in this spring/summer.
More cheques have come in from artists this week and I'll have to get them over to the Town next week.

OH MY GOSH! 2,000 READERS OF MY BLOG!!!

WOW!! Hello Everyone,

I am so excited that my Blog has reached around the world and over 2,000 readers.  Thank you all so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read about me and my studio work.

Thank you!! :)

EXPERIMENTING IN THE STUDIO TODAY

Experimenting with watercolour on canvas today. Great way to use up some of my older watercolour tubes. The colours are rich and lush. Must remember that less water works better as canvas doesn't absorb water like paper. Now waiting for the paint to thoroughly dry before proceeding with next layer.

While waiting for the watercolour paint to start drying, I pulled out a reference photo of three swans that was taken this winter. The swans were floating/swimming between small ice flows on the Niagara River. My best friends mom who will be 88 yrs, young this year, loves swans. I painted a mute swan from the Canadian Arctic for her. She called the painting "Maggie" and it hangs in pride of place above her sofa in her living room. You can see this painting if you go to my website www. patriciahaftar.com go to the gallery lozenge and click, go to Animals and you will see "Maggie".  My best friend and her mom went to North Carolina to help her daughter in law who has MS and her granddaughter who has some special needs, while her son is serving overseas in the US Marine Core. I  think that I may paint the three swans for my friends mom. If it will make her happy - it will make me happy. I began the painting today. Played with some  analegous and tetriad colours - yellow orange, orange, and red orange swans anyone?? Ah well, there is an underpainting started. Yeah!

Are 4 swans, three too many? We'll see. Think I may call my friend.

Life and Times of an Artist's Easel: GESSO! GESSO! EVERYWHERE - INCLUDING ON ME - OH MY...

Life and Times of an Artist's Easel: GESSO! GESSO! EVERYWHERE - INCLUDING ON ME - OH MY...: Today has been a busy day in our household. I got up early, ready to go in the studio. Made a crock pot chicken dinner that could simmer all...

GESSO! GESSO! EVERYWHERE - INCLUDING ON ME - OH MY GOODNESS!

Today has been a busy day in our household. I got up early, ready to go in the studio. Made a crock pot chicken dinner that could simmer all day.  Found my tax statements from the bank. Checked my emails from yesterday. I had one from my son and one with the minutes from last nights meeting for the Pelham Night of Arts which is part of the Pelham Summerfest. It was a very productive meeting lots of great ideas. Anyway, I know sooner checked the emails, my phone began to ring,my daughter in law wanted to drop my grandpuppy ( choc.lab) off for a sleepover. He is off his food and missing my son .Love my grandpuppy. Lori dropped him off and we ( grandpuppy and I)went down in the studio were he had a discussion about world affairs with one of my cats , he eventually found the one sided conversation mind numbing and laid down for a nap and I started to prep for texturing and gessoing  a couple of canvases. I put on surgical gloves (but doh! forgot to put on my art smock!!!!) Struggled to get the lid off the litre jar of gesso, I have small hands and it just didn't want to budge - finally out of desperation I decided to crack the lid against the countertop to open it - as I'm wacking away I had this sudden vision of the lid flying off and creating an unforgettable mess - luckily this didn't happen. Had fun playing with the textures - in someways it's like playing in soupy mud. Canvases are prep'd and drying. Even though gloves were on I still managed to get gesso on my shirt - ah well, another art shirt! Tomorrow or Friday will be a special all day paint day. Excited, thinking about colour combinations, more texturing, layers on layers. Must go take grandpuppy for a walk he is bouncing around and crossing his legs - yuk -it's pouring out.

HERE IS THE WORK UP PAINTING THAT WILL BE USED FOR A LARGER PIECE

 I just couldn't resist doing these children. Here they are waiting patiently, waiting for the bride and groom to come. Cal's sunglasses hanging from his shirt just like his Dad's. Gabi squirming down off the bench as she catches sight of her mom and dad and Erica checking her watch to see what time it is. They were wonderful, no fussing or whining and the two older children kept a really careful eye on little Gabi.

I think I'll give this little original to Erica's mom and copies for Cal's dad and Gabi's parents.

I have come to the conclusion that larger is certainly easier, when trying to add details. Maybe that's because my eyesight is so poor. Oh, well this was fun and educational to do.

NEW PAINTING - I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO DO

When we were in Mexico, I took many photo's one of my very favourite is of three children that were at the wedding. I caught  Cal, Gabi and Erica sitting patiently on a bench waiting for the bride and groom to come. Cal got restless and kicked his shoe off - I think his feet were hot - it was in the high 80's and humid, little Gabi started to wiggle off the bench - when I turned around her momma was waiting for her and Erica was trying so hard to be very good as she was in the bridal party. I thought the kids looked really sweet and typical of children trying hard to behave at an important occasion. I just had to try and capture the essence of the moment. I may use this painting as a work up for a much larger piece - we'll see - lots to work through.

Spent part of my day working a bit on my Etsy shop www.patriciahaftar.com  go to the "E" button and click it will take you to my store. I managed to update my profile, added a new coupon code for 10% off as a Mother's Day Promotion and uploaded two of my new works. I discovered that the photos of the portraits that I'd saved on my lap top flipped when I tried to upload them and I couldn't rotate them - very frustrating as I'd filled out the whole profile, luckily when I went to publish the listing I noticed the positioning of the portrait. I'll have to resolve this issue.

Tomorrow is Monday. Yeah! all Day paint in at my friend Barb's with 10 other artists. Great therapy for the soul.

Life and Times of an Artist's Easel: WOW! I AM SO THANKFUL & IMPRESSED

Life and Times of an Artist's Easel: WOW! I AM SO THANKFUL & IMPRESSED: I am so thankful that I work with a framer that believes in me and my work and when I ask for help they bend over backwards to help me fulfi...

WOW! I AM SO THANKFUL & IMPRESSED

I am so thankful that I work with a framer that believes in me and my work and when I ask for help they bend over backwards to help me fulfill my ideals. I took in a large number of original works to be framed for the Pelham Art Festival and I knew the bill would be substantial. They came through with a deal that works for both of us. Another example of how they helped me out, I have a commission client that ordered a very large painting and they wanted it framed. I took it of course to my framers, they did an excellent framing job. Once the frame was on the picture, it no longer fit in my van, FrameCraft transported the painting to my clients and if that wasn't over the top they stayed and hung the painting. It looked fantastic. Happy artist - very happy commission client. Ya gotta love my framer.

However, if I believe (which I do) that I produce high quality work, then I need to respect that work and have it framed properly to show the work at its very best. FrameCraft  not only has high quality wood frames and finishes but they have highly trained knowledgeable staff. This framer works with their artists to help them achieve the results they are looking for and delivers the product on time.

Can't speak highly enough of how they have supported me. I wish all artists had the same caring experience with their framers.

GOOD VISIT WITH FRIENDS - WHO WERE VERY HELPFUL INDEED

Just prior to leaving yesterday for my framer.I had a call from a friend and fellow artist which made me fall behind in my schedule a bit.

The drive over to my framer's was beautiful. I drove by Decew Falls, all the colours of the barren fields and forests stripped of their leaves so you can see the true form of the trees. Just love it. Looking for the white swans in the lake - didn't see any, but plenty of Canadian geese.

Once at Frame Craft, it seemed to be an endless stream of paintings coming from the van. Roseanne and her daughter came out to help me position them and try and select appropriate frames. We found some really beautiful textured frames in an espresso finish that really made the portraits pop when we added a thin black liner. the other paintings will be framed with simple modern  clean line black frames. The black I think helps direct peoples attention to what is important and that is the painting.

I vacillated  with the 3 big paintings between two different sizes of the same frame one about 2 inches wider than the other, they both gave the paintings a sense of presence but, the deeper frame really had impact. Two problems arise. One, I am a person of small stature and holding at 39 years of age  and I am slightly concerned that the size and weight of these frames will present a problem as I move them from show to show. Second, I may have to go to my bank and ask them to float me a loan to pay for this order. Oh well nothing ventured nothing gained.

I am awaiting an email from Frame Craft to tell me what the damages will be if I proceed with this order. YIKES! My consolation is that the frames are well made and of solid wood, hence my concern regarding their weight.

OFF TO MY FRAMERS - FRAMECRAFT

I haven't seen my framers in a while. It will be good to see them all again. They are so helpful when selecting frames. Never been disappointed, they bend themselves over backwards to accommodate my needs and those of my clients.

I have to be careful with so many new paintings to make decisions as to what will be framed for shows and what will not. I like to frame as many as possible as it makes for a much more cohesive showing.

So down to the studio to make decisions - decisions. Then pack the car and off to Framecraft.

Maybe I'll get some prices on the larger frames and timeline. Mother's Day is coming up quickly.My first show is the Pelham Art Festival.

NEW PAINTINGS ARE ON THE WEBSITE

I am delighted to say that my new work is on my website, Thank you Ex Nilo Designs. You do me proud. New Paintings will be found in Florals, Series and Portraits.  Thank you to everyone who commented on the sampling of paintings that I put out on my Facebook page earlier today. just as a note, I find it amazing how colours change when downloading from my camera to the computer and then when uploaded to a webpage.

I have enjoyed throughly experimenting with texture, colour,value and other elements of design. I should have taken pictures during the process. I was like a child let loose for the first time to finger paint - paint/ gesso was all over me -------I now own a large apron!

Thank goodness I had the presents of mind to cover tables in the studio. It's amazing where glue and gold leaf can get if you're not mindful. Plus having a large  plastic storage bin for texturing materials is a must.



I will be interested to see how the public receives these new works.