Mother's Day

Mother's Day, my special day, made possible by the JackJack Attack, the Roadrunner, the boy who lost his listening ears in Lake Ontario last summer.  I'm not sure why this year I'm reflecting more then other years.  Maybe because husband had been asking me what I wanted for Mother's Day for two weeks, likely feeling badly that he would be away.  Or maybe because it wasn't so long ago that I thought I would never have someone to wish me happy Mother's Day.  Maybe I'm just tired.  We spent a large part of the day at a place I don't really enjoy, Uncle Donald's to J, DonDon's to my nephews, rainy day stinky play land to me, the Golden Arches to others.  Most of the day was a very good Happy Mother's Day but the redirection, it's his turn now and the 'was that a playful air punch close to that little kids face or are they really fighting' is exhausting, as always.  Thankfully, he is tired now too. Many races to the back acre with his buddy B.  Another chase after the dog he let out (again).  And the final slope we have to push the kid sized ATV up because it's just not meant for grassy slopes with two growing boys riding.

It's been busy leading up to Mother's Days as well.  Husband started a new job (travelling again).  I taught a 'Make Your Mama a Scarf' class.  It didn't really go as planned but was fun.  Good thing the Mom's stayed and enjoyed making their own scarves after the kids picked out the colours and then got distracted by the toys that happened to be in the room I'd rented.  Next year I might put an age limit on it.  Then I did a last minute, week really, rush to finish up some things for my first show.  Here are some snaps.

 The wool, waiting to be made into something fun.














The scarf laid out.  The first step after picking colours.

I did make the kids make a Mother's Day card for their Moms.  Good thing boys like to glue whether they like crafts or not.










My share of the community booth at the Brighton Arts Council's Jubilee Show and Sale.  You can see my floral paintings, my piper and my felted pieces.

This is my newest painting, 12 x 24 oil on canvas white hibiscus.








Now Mother's Day is almost over.  I got what I really wanted, a few projects done.  A happy, tired boy who actually sat at the table for lunch AND supper, not jumping and spinning around like a transformer.  A boy who didn't listen to badly and quietly played with the Lego that Grandma sent while I scrubbed the floor.
Maybe I'd better wish Grandma Happy Mother's Day again. 

Current Events

Volunteering in the Arts Quinte West booth at the Quinte West Home Show this weekend.
I am wearing one of my felted vests, the three paintings behind me are mine.

Next up is the Brighton Arts Council BAC Jubilee Spring Art Show and Sale
Saturday, May 5 at 10:00am at King Edward Park Community Centre Elizabeth Street, Brighton, ON
https://www.facebook.com/events/314884415243875/

New Painting

16x16 Oil on canvas.


I'm not sure when I started this painting but it was after we travelled through Portugal almost two years ago. Today I put some final touches on it while J was trying to figure out why the empty staple gun wouldn't work.



J and his x-ray vision glasses.

Project finishing week

12x24" Oil on Canvas
I have painted two paintings from a lovely day out for lunch last summer at Huff Estate Winner. The other painting was of creme brulee, which makes me want to bake, paint and eat more creme brulee.

Felted vest, Merino wool, bamboo and silk.
My first attempt at felting my own piece of clothing. I was very excited to use my dormant pattern making skills.
Fashion photo shoot looking pictures will come at some point (hopefully).

I thought I was on a roll but it didn't last as long as I hoped. The cosmo was painted in two days so I became optimistic that the hibiscus that has been on my easel for a year would be finished also.

Displaying at City Hall and January plans

My felted hats, scarves and flower pins are on display as part of the latest Arts Quinte West (AQW) display at the Trenton City Hall for January and February. These warm handmade wool hats and scarves suit the theme 'Winter Magic' quite well.
Currently being laid out on my felting table is my first attempt at wearable art, a wrap vest in black, teal and silver blues. Next up more flower broaches, a new style of hat and some classes. Plus my favourite felting related activity, shopping for wool on etsy.com.
I am excited to announce that this summer I will once again be the Artist in the Park at Presqu'ile. This will be my second and final year before I pass on the opportunity to another Artist. I am already looking forward to relaxing Wednesday's painting at the Boardwalk, Lighthouse and along the lake and reacquainting myself with people I met last year.

Handmade Scarves and Berets

These one of a kind wool scarves and berets are wet felted. They are mainly Merino Wool with accents of silk and mohair. Other wool fibres are thrown in on occasion. Some are beaded and some have tassels. Each side is slightly different. They are hand washable. Flower broaches are coming...

Fall Shows

My booth at the Brighton Lion's show and sale in October.
I only displayed a few of my paintings deciding to feature my newly felted berets and scarves.




Setting up at the Arts Quinte West show Arts Extravaganza November 12.



New mixed media water study of St. Augustine Beach. 18"x 48".
I painted three paintings from the pictures I took last March while on holidays with my family in St. Augustine. It is a fabulous beach that I hope to return to some year.