Felted Scarves

Thanks to my friend, Vanessa Walters for taking pictures of the scarves I made this spring. It was much easier then me carrying my bag of scarves around and making friends pose when they had on the appropriate colour of clothing. Here is a behind the scenes picture of the action at our photo shoot, I was busy running from very wet little kids between outfit changes.

New Paintings

Nana and Poppa have come to visit. Crazy J is happy, he is on a farm tour with Nana and Poppa. Mommy is happy, I'm getting paintings finished. Husband is happy. He is into his last month of school and can soon move home and drool over his boat. Maybe he can boat too. That really has nothing to do with the visitors. The dog is happy. She isn't being harassed by a bored preschooler.

My newest paintings were inspired by photos I took at St Augustine beach in March.

Mixed media on canvas 12 x 24

Mixed media on canvas 24 x 36

More painting pictures will follow soon. Including two commissions. It must be a huge farm tour the boy is on.

Felting takes over the painting room

The newly felted scarf/belt made from wool I found at a "Gathering" for spinners and felters in Port Hope last month.

Ah felting my new love. It's taken over my painting table. And the preschooler can help. He is quite good at soaking the wool. Unfortunately, he gets distracted and starts spraying the dog and then whatever else is in front of him. I don't mind if it isn't my freshly grated and slimed olive oil soap that I've just mixed up to adjust the ph of the fibers to felt.

After my next event organized by myself for Arts Quinte West June 4th called Arts UpFront, it is back to the painting table to get some paintings finished up for display and sale at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this summer.

Erika in the autumn blue/teal scarf. Vanessa in the blue/purple scarf.

Zumba

Zumba, Zumba, Zumba. The last month has been all about Zumba, the Latin dance inspired fitness craze. I decided to teach Zumba in January and took the Zumba instructor course in March. Now I am teaching twice a week. Fun! Now into my second week of teaching, I am back sneaking in a few hours here and there painting. One commission, one special request and numerous half finished paintings on the go. Unfortunately, they are all in the ugly stage and not yet suitable for posting. Quickly upcoming is my first show of the year, a fundraiser for the Trenton Children's Centre on April 9 at The Wing, 230 North Murray Street, Trenton. Exciting news for the Arts Quinte West group I belong to. AQW has launched it's web site artquintewest.ca.

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.