Event Planning

My January goal of event planning for 2011 has finally fallen into place. Primarily due to my participation on the Arts Quinte West Steering Committee, soon to be Board of Directors at the next AGM. The events are in place. First up the Quinte West Home in April and then the UpFront Art Show in June. Both here in Trenton.

If only Grandma and Grandad could have stayed longer but Saskatchatoon calls. Sorry, I can't resist quoting from Adam Sandler's Grown Ups lately. I do have one new painting finished and the rest not as far along as I hoped but a couple weeks of painting in the evenings will fix that.

My Priority

I was hoping to plan my year as an artist this month, but decided, or maybe it would be more accurate to say, as it has happened the month has gone by and only nine events are planed. The same nine (all related and mentioned in my last post) planned last year. Artist in the Park at Presqu'ile (big whoop, whoop, I'm very excited). One new painting is started and those unfinished paintings, unfinished. Hope, completion and satisfaction, come next week in the form of Grandad and Grandma. Yeah, because the priority is an only child and games aren't any fun when you play by yourself and you are three. Napping isn't fun either, when you are three. The new painting was only started tonight. The result of last nights full night of sleep. Here's hoping there is more of that coming soon, full nights sleep and evening productivity. Maybe more planing will happen yet this month.

My new lens is seeing a lot of action. Especially, on those cold days where we build forts and stay inside and friends bring their nice little babies over for me to practice my photography on.

Christmas Festivities and New Year Plans

Trying out my new 50mm 1.8 Christmas lens on the primary subject.
Daycare Friday is quickly approaching, do I actually work/paint or should I spend more time with my new lens and friend's month old baby. Easy decision.

I am very excited to share the news that I will be the "Artist in the Park" at Presqu'ile Provincial Park near Brighton this summer from July 6 to August 31. More on the park can be found at ontarioparks.com, however, I get to hang out at the park every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm. Details will be posted at the park. My job, promoting the park and art. Sounds like fun to me.

Fall activites and art shows

6 P.M. and CrazyJ is sleeping. It doesn't look promising for me to achieve the elusive full nights sleep. Ahhh...oh well. The blog I've slacked off and ignored in favour of fall art show prep and spending time with my small child gets a new post.
My participation in the local fall art shows is now complete. I managed to complete one new painting this fall. Plus, I have a good start on a few more. Now it time to enjoy the upcoming festivities and come up with a plan for next years show.

Volunteering as the Brighton Arts Council's Curator is keeping me very busy. Luckily, the BAC has a wonderful variety of artists who humour me when I need art right now to fill spaces. And while promoting fellow artists, including myself, I have sold a couple of my paintings. Worthwhile venues to visit in the Brighton area include; the Kingsley Korner Gallery at the Chamber of Commerce and the Library, Lola's Coffee House, Vito's Restaurant, The Independent, the Brighton Inn and the Beauty Reservoir.

Then I started cold felting scarves. For fun and because the boy can help, he likes to spray the wool, the dog and whatever else catches his eye. At least he isn't running around with a paint brush loaded in oil paint. Actually, I felt the need (no pun intended) to create something elegant and original for an upcoming gala at the Four Seasons. Photos of that with dress to follow when the event happens. Now I have a selection of scarves for Christmas gifts as well.

Spotlight on Brighton

40"x60" Mixed Media on Canvas

For my part in promoting the arts in my local area I curate the Brighton Art's Council Art Rotation. In between running around Brighton getting all the BAC venues spruced up for this weekend's "Spotlight on Brighton", and chasing the toddler, I have managed to finish the fine tuning on my Cape Sagres beach painting.
This will be a very busy weekend in Brighton with special displays set up in the local resturants to coinside with live music and a large art show at the East Northumberland Secondary School sponsered by the Lion's Club. Plus, numerous other events. I get to paint pumpkins with any kids that come to the art show and mind my both. You can learn more about all of the activities at octoberisartsmonth.ca.
Now I only have to worry about who is going to put their finger into the wet paint.

Yeah, back to school!

I'm not sure who was more excited about playschool starting again, Jack or myself. He was asking for school all summer. The first day back to school tired him right out. He fell asleep sitting up. Naps are getting few and far between, so, I quickly got out my paints and got to work.
October will be a busy month for shows. Hopefull, I will have a few new paintings to share.

Twenty odd days of company

Exploring the fabulous boardwalk at Presqu'ile Provincial Park with Grandma and Grandad.

The Ploughman's lunch at Huffs Winery enjoyed by Gwen and I on a day away without the guys. Fifth Town and Black River cheese with homemade pickles and pate and the Reserve Riesling over looking the vines. Very relaxing!

An impromptu drop-in to see the wool at the Rose Haven Farm Store in Picton had Gwen and I signing up to try our hand(s) at felting. A bit of wool, a pool noodle, some patio door screening and we are now set to make scarves for all our friends. So we would like to think.

Between visitors I some how managed to get the giant fall leaf painting finished. Photo below, can you see the "wow, finally" on my face?

However, other painting projects and free-work for various art councils have been put on hold until playschool starts since "Jack the great napper" has become "Jack Nonap".

Yes, Ryan and Jack, I did manage to get pickles made. 17 sealers have been proudly shelved in the basement.