Why is naming paintings so difficult? I love writing, I love painting, but when it comes to combining the two, it’s just not a thing I’m interested in. I’m one of those people who ends up writing “untitled” on everything. Some people have a knack for naming paintings. I am just not one of those people.
So, I sat down last night and worked on another submission for the Anonymous Art Show, and here you have it. An untitled doe.
8″ x 8″ acrylic on panel
I’ll have to come up with something, though – naming the painting is a requirement of submission. Can I just call it “An untitled doe”? Ha!
Well, it’s that time again. When the leaves start falling it’s a reminder that it’s time to start working on my submissions to the Anonymous Art Show at the CityScape Community Art Space in North Van. I love this annual art show. It’s a great opportunity to create something new and be a part of something – even if life is hectic, there’s always time to do an 8″ x 8″. Actually, I’m going to back track on that comment. I always think there’s time to do an 8″ x 8″ because hey, that’s pretty small… right? But then I remember how much I prefer painting larger canvasses. So, I’m starting early this year. You know, to leave some time for trial and error.
My boyfriend and I were in a store recently and I crammed myself into a child-sized donut Halloween costume. I kept thinking about pretty pink donuts. So when we sat down to work on our submissions recently, this is what I came up with. Apparently painting this didn’t get the donut thoughts out of my system, because I still want to be a donut for Halloween. We’ll see. We’ll see.
Donuts 8″ x 8″ acrylic on canvas
How the show works
The Anonymous Art Show brings together local emerging and established artists, all paintings are priced at $100 and there is no signature on the front of the painting. In addition to being a great opportunity for people to purchase local art as gifts, it’s also an awesome fundraiser for the North Van Community Arts Council. All pieces are done on 8″ x 8″ x 1.5″ supports and when one is bought, it’s taken right off the wall at the time of purchase.
Important dates
Deadline for submissions: October 29 (4pm)
Opening reception: November 17 (7-9pm)
Show open to the public: November 18 – December 17
For more information, check out the artist call. Happy creating 🙂
I’ll never forget how awkward I felt when I was 18 and suddenly there was a person without any clothes on right in front of me and I had to pretend it felt normal and remind myself not to giggle as I settled in for three hours of drawing. After the first half hour and a little growing up, the giggles subsided and I was hooked on life drawing classes. (I hope that made you laugh, because it makes me shake my head to think about, haha.) You really had to learn to roll with the punches – sometimes you’d be so committed to something but the models would only be instructed to hold the pose for 5 or 10 minutes and you’d have to accept what you had. Other times you’d spend an hour on something and feel like you over did it. It was all so temporary.
I’ve been working on updating the portfolio part of this site and had some real nostalgia rush through me as I looked through old photos. Every piece has its purpose, but it also has a memory attached to it. The image below is one of my most favourite drawings I’ve done to date. While I was in England, our life drawing class was a bit different than the ones I was used to. Our model was always the same, and the poses were much longer. He was much more social and would often walk around and see what we were doing in the middle of his pose. I asked him how he got into being an art model, and he said he did it because he wanted to be immortalized. That always stuck with me.
Your Mundane Life is Killing Me – Charcoal, paint and newsprint on paper
I was on Main St. recently and saw there are daily life drawing sessions at Basic Inquiry Gallery. So, you’ll find me there soon. If you know of any other life drawing sessions in Vancouver please let me know!
I’m finally wrapping up a painting I’ve been working on for some time now. I enjoy seeing process photos from artists so I thought I’d share some of my own.
This big guy is done with acrylic on 24″ x 30″ canvas.
The first layer is always exciting as you get your first glimpse as to what your new painting could look like. “Rhino” in progress
The next couple layers are the most challenging in my opinion, as you start to work out what colours will go where while staying true to the drawing underneath.
“Rhino” in progress
People often think at this point you’re finished, but you know you aren’t. These last couple treatments are my favourite- I love refining everything and seeing the little pieces come to life. “Rhino” 24″ x 30″ acrylic on canvas What’s your favourite step when you’re painting?
I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t been painting as much as I would like to. I had studio time at the West End Community Centre’s pottery studio over the fall/winter and it took most of my spare time.
Luckily I was able to get a couple things in for some holiday gifts last minute. This beautiful golden dog was commissioned by a close friend to give his brother and brother’s wife. “Lucca” acrylic on panel
When I was in university, I worked primarily (well, let’s be honest – solely) in 2D materials. I took one ceramics class as an elective to give it a shot but compared to my comfort level with painting, ceramics was a real challenge. Things didn’t go where I wanted them to, the wheel hypnotized my eyes and it just wasn’t a painting (duh, Chelsea.) Regardless, it was fun to get my hands dirty.
A year or two after university, I found myself feeling a little uninspired. I wanted a challenge. I found a pottery class at my local community centre a couple years ago and pushed myself out of my comfort zone to try it out. Learning from the ground up (turns out I forgot everything I learned in ceramics at university) was a great experience. It was really a lesson in putting yourself in situations you aren’t always comfortable in, and that something really beautiful can come from a little anxiety. There is always something more to learn.
Last year I was really excited with what I ended up with having practiced a bit more, and am really excited for what’s to come this Autumn. I’m thinking wood-wick candles, rustic cheese plates, unique mugs, and lots of little drawings on everything.
I admit it, I haven’t done the best job at keeping this blog updated. Guilty! With Autumn in full force, I have no excuse. Here come the chilly nights in – my favourite time of the year, with lots of time for creating. Speaking of which, I’ve been having a great time lately. I recently finished a new painting of an adorable dog named Philly. I love the wood in the background, and that I got to give him a little name plaque. I was told he has quite a stoic personality, so I think this suited him well. I’m looking forward to bringing more wood texture into my paintings.
