Spring of Creative Adventures

Lady in Red, acrylic, 8" x 8"

April Blog

We are at the end of April already. How does time pass so fast?


April was a very productive month. It began with spending another week at the cottage with my husband, friends, and dog. We own a share in the building that allows us five weeks at this place every year. Except for our fixed summer week, the weeks rotate. This year, we received most of our weeks in the first half of the year. Unfortunately, we never get more than one week in a row, but I still enjoy these mini-retreats to recharge.

My friend Janis came again to paint together. We were so lucky to spend two days at temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius, enjoying the sun and blue sky. The geese were chatting happily. However, the wind was fierce.

Left: On the Rocks, acrylic, 10" x 8", unfinished,
Top right: Rocky Shore, watercolour, 5.8" x 8.3",
Bottom right: Spring at the Bay, acrylic, 8" x 10", unfinished

 

I struggled with the first outdoor painting of the trip. After weeks of not painting outside, the challenge is especially eminent. You feel out of practice, and it usually shows. Moreover, I wasn’t too excited about the subject, but it was a sheltered painting spot. We could have moved, but we would have lost precious time. As a result, the painting still needs a lot of work. (On the Rocks, acrylic, 10" x 8", unfinished) 

In the afternoon, we sat on the beach, and my watercolour box landed a couple of times in the sand because of the fierce wind. Nevertheless, we had more fun than in the morning. Painting while blown in the wind still beats work and chores at any time. Later, I wanted to add more detail but decided against it to keep the true spirit of the outdoor experience. (Rocky Shore, watercolour, 5.8" x 8.3")

We headed to the peaceful bay on the peninsula’s north side to paint the following day. We had a perfect morning at the bay, listening to the geese and observing the first turtle. Soon, the area will be overgrown with grasses and not accessible until the late fall. (Spring at the Bay, acrylic, 8" x 10", unfinished)

In the afternoon, we explored the region, walking through the marsh in Cobden and then further to Beachburg, where we found a lovely beach. There were no other people, but the frogs and toads offered an enthusiastic concert. We even observed an enormous turtle crossing a road slowly but unharmed. We continued to the Westmeath Scenic Lookout. We painted there before, but we would have been disappointed this time because the landscape that is spectacular during most seasons was still mostly dormant. Plus, the wind would have blown us away if we had planned to paint.

In the early days of our careers, we spent every minute painting during painting trips. We thought we had to make the most of our time away from family obligations by painting as much as possible. Nowadays, we are almost 20 years older and pace ourselves, something we can all learn from animals living in the moment and achieving such balance between activity and rest.


We still love painting together but take time to appreciate our surroundings without constantly feeling the urge to create something.


On the days without Janis, I painted a tulip painting (at top of page) for the upcoming Petite Art Show and prepared another one. It was so mild that I could paint, sitting on the patio. However, once the sun disappeared, it felt cold fast.

Pink Tulips in a Blue Vase, acrylic, 14" x 11", unfinished

I completed a winter painting from our March trip on the only rainy day. Plus, I drew every day and started a felted painting of tulips. It was a very productive and still relaxing week. I made time for yoga, walks, games and reading in the sunshine. 

The End of Winter, watercolour, 8.3" x 5.8"

By mid-April, I finished my sketchbook with drawings and wanted to continue with a new watercolour journal. However, when I looked at my drawing and watercolour journals and pads, I found a beautiful 16” x 12” Moleskine book and decided to fill this one first. Because the pages are so big, I have divided the pages into three spaces so I can fit three drawings on each page. 

drawings from the time at the cottage

However, I have only drawn one image since then due to my bookkeeping and administrative tasks, parts of my business activities that have to be done but are not necessarily enjoyable.

sketches at the Ottawa Little Theatre

 

I miss it and want to continue starting today. It is hard to get into a routine and easy to fall off. I still drew during an outing to the Ottawa Little Theatre and in preparation for and during classes. Aside from the three Cartooning & Comics classes at the local Francois Dupuis Recreation Centre, I also teach a session of four virtual drawing classes in cooperation with the Orleans-Cumberland resource centre. It is such a joy to see people who have never drawn before, or at least not for many years, having fun creating art.

Drawing Class for Beginners

I will publish my next blog on May 31, 2024. I will write about my experiences during the Ottawa Tulip Festival and another trip to the cottage.



To stay in touch, I invite you to the following two events:

Felting Experience – Tulips: Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 2 PM to 4 PM, virtually and in person

To see if you enjoy needle felting, join my two-hour May workshop, an introduction to needle felting. You will create a cheerful painting that brings a piece of spring into your home at any time of the year.

For a social get-together, I invite you to the next in-person Art Café Meeting on May 26, 2024, at 3:00 PM. We will create a mixed-media artwork. The meeting is complimentary. RSVP here.

Daily Art: How I Keep Challenging Myself

Blog 3



March was a productive month. As much as I want to inspire you to nurture your creative expression, consider that the centre of my business is art. I have long stopped listening to people who think that a professional artist should produce a certain number of artworks. Art is very individual and not a cookie-cutter production. I create because I cannot stop capturing what interests me. Art is not about speed but enjoyment.



At the beginning of March, I spent some time at the cottage. My friend Janis came from Monday to Wednesday to paint together. The weather during the season was relatively mild, with temperatures climbing up to 14 degrees Celsius. However, the wind was still icy and cold. I enjoyed painting in the mild sunshine. On the one grey day, I drew the tree stems at the beach.

 

unfinished paintings and the finished drawing from the trip

I love listening to the wind and birds. In addition, you don't have to worry about mosquitoes in early March, although the ticks were already active. With April at our doorsteps, I am excited for more opportunities for painting outdoors.

I find time for my needle-felted projects during Zoom calls and Crafters Afternoons with friends. I have a couple in the final stages that need my undivided concentration. I hope to finish them before I start teaching again in mid-April. 

unfinished needle-felted paintings

I still challenge myself to draw something daily into my sketchbook. I didn't manage to keep up, but at least I drew more than I would have without the intention. I sketched all of the images of the Murder on the Orient Express collage during the performance, except the first one with the train. 

I also drew many faces during Zoom calls that I will not post because I didn't ask the participants for approval to publish the images. It is always a good exercise, even though often the sketches don't resemble the persons because people tend to move.


Here are collages of my drawings: 

 

inspired by my Cartooning and Comics classes

Blooms

Landscapes (the first looking out of the cottage, the second from a photo)

Murder on the Orient Express (Ottawa Little Theatre)

Going Out

I created most images with coloured pencils. I used markers for some drawings inspired by my Cartooning and Comics classes. I will look for a watercolour or mixed media journal to offer more opportunities for daily art activities.



I will publish my next blog on April 26, 2024.

In the meantime, I invite you to stay in contact by joining my mailing list. I send out two newsletters each month - one with teaching news and the other with information about my latest artworks. By subscribing to my newsletter on my website, you will receive my free e-book titled I Am Ready to Paint, but Where Do I Start?

Finding The Best Creative Routine

 

February Blog


At the end of last month, I asked you how your creative year has been going so far. While many people have high expectations of themselves and often state New Year’s resolutions that are so ambitious that they discard them already after a couple of days or weeks, it takes repetition to create a new routine. I like drawing while listening to an audiobook or music as a break before my afternoon projects or in the evening when I have finished work and household tasks. Do you have a time when you feel most creative?


As expected, after returning to my post-vacation routine, I found it more challenging to create a new drawing or painting daily. While I created art every day for at least 30 minutes, sometimes the progress did not show, especially when on my needle felting projects. I usually didn’t count course preparations as part of my private creative time. However, when I especially enjoyed the characters, I drew them again in my sketchbook.


As I wanted to capture things I appreciated or saw daily, I was sometimes too ambitious in my drawing project to finish in a day. I still work on adjusting the complexity of my daily drawing to the time I have available during a specific day.


I have realized I pay more attention to little things I appreciate and capture on paper, especially on days when nothing special happened. It is easy to keep looking for the big, breathtaking scene while you miss the beautiful subjects for your art all around you.


Here is collages of my drawings:

 

I created most images with watercolour pencils or pencils on regular paper in a new blank notebook I bought in December because I loved the art on the cover. I have not posted any of the portraits I created during Zoom meetings because I didn’t have a chance to ask the people for permission to share the images.

I will publish my next blog on March 29, 2024.


In the meantime, check out the following events:

- March 4 to March 15, 2024: check out my Facebook page or Instagram page for March Break activities you can do with the whole family

- Felting Experience – Bunny Workshop, March 17, 2 PM to 5 PM, virtual or in-person

- March 23, 2024, at 3 PM: virtual Art Café. The meeting is complimentary. Please bring your beverage and some drawing materials of your choice, and let’s get to know each other. RSVP here.

Capturing Precious Moments

January Blog


Even though it is already the end of January, I still want to wish you a year full of creative adventure and lots of happy times with loved ones because the older you get, the more you realize how important artistic expression, relationships, and connection are for your well-being.

I spent the last days of 2023 and most of January in Germany. The trip was not for sightseeing but for nurturing relationships and especially spending time with my aging parents. During that time, I also visited some school friends. I am always amazed that we connect instantly - as if we just met days ago instead of months or sometimes years ago. 

 

 

Aside from the highlights of seeing people close to me, I had a special visit to my 92-year-old former art teacher, Inge Besgen (http://www.inge-besgen.de), who shared many stories from her life. It was a fascinating afternoon!


The days without a work schedule allowed me to draw, paint or felt every day, which made it easy to succeed during my challenge to create art every day. Being on vacation allowed me to take my time, and I enjoyed capturing things I appreciated or saw that day. The subjects varied from fellow travellers, Christmas decorations, first spring flowers, family and pets, and some of my favourite foods. 

 

A visit to the exhibition Grünzeug - Plants on Paper at the Hessische Landesmuseum in Darmstadt  inspired me to the image of the iris with the butterfly (see at top, from old reference photos).  

 

 

Seeing photographs from the extensive collection of Frida Kahlo in the Opelvillen in Rüsselsheim gave a fantastic view of her difficult life and that of her family. I had no idea that her father was German. I created a drawing of Frida in clothes I would pick for her.

 

I created most images with watercolour pencils or pencils on regular paper in a notebook with alternating lined and blank pages, perfect for creating art while traveling. My focus was to capture something I experienced or saw every day because I see my life through my art, which helps me remember precious moments.

I also participated in the Inspire Beyond Belief event, organized by M. Shannon Hernandez and Amy Hager, which encouraged me to think about what I want to achieve this year. Being a visual person, I drew images of my goals and Shannon.

How is your creative year going so far? Have you started a new project, continued work on a project from last year, or are you still procrastinating, waiting for inspiration? If needle felting is on your list of activities to attempt, I invite you to my winter workshop, Cabin in The Woods. The registration deadline is January 28, 2024.

I will publish my next blog on February 23 with an update on my creative activity. In the meantime, I would love to get to know you better. Let’s connect for a virtual coffee chat.

Happy New Year

 

 

Have a fantastic 2024 with lots of creative adventures! 

Starting in January, I will reduce the blog post to one on the last Friday of the month. I will publish my January blog on January 26, 2024.