A Joyful Heart Brimming with Memories

Mutti's Pink Hibiscus, watercolour, 5.8" x 8.3"

Blog 6


My heart and mind are brimming with joyful impressions from my trip to Germany. Not only did I spend unforgettable hours with family and friends, but I also saw many beautiful sights which will continue to provide new inspirations for my art. Many times, I wished that I could spend time with my painting buddies to capture the scene.


One of the highlights was my dad's 90th birthday with family and my parents' circle of friends. I am thankful for the chance to celebrate my dad's fulfilled life. 

For the rest of the time, my daughter and I combined meeting with my friends with visits to cultural sites. We went to the Palm Gardens in Frankfurt at the time of the rose festival and strolled through the gardens of the Schwetzingen Palace. 

We also spent two days in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a romantic Bavarian town with many half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. We walked on the Medieval town wall, from which we had breathtaking bird's-eye views of the old town.

For the first time, we saw Chagall's windows in the Saint Stephan’s Church in Mainz. We were lucky to receive an introduction to the history of the breathtaking windows. Chagall, a Jew, was initially reluctant to create any art for a German church but changed his mind after he developed a friendship with the pastor. You can find more information here.


During an outing to Mainz-Laubenheim, we walked in the vineyards with a breathtaking panorama view of the surrounding cities, the Rhine River and the Taunus. We could even see the skyscrapers of Frankfurt.

I love getting inspired by the creativity all around me. It brought me great joy to admire the craftsmanship and innovative ideas at an arts and crafts market in Ober-Ramstadt and during visits to friends' studios. Luckily, I had my suitcase in mind because I could have bought some exquisite pieces.


I created less art than I expected. However, I focus on nurturing human connections during visits to Germany. While I still have regular contact with friends and family through emails and weekly video calls, they are no substitute for in-person meetings with actual hugs.


On many days, I created drawings with pencils and watercolour pencils in my daily journal. I drew most sketches of people during our train rides and the rest from photos. I also had to use reference photos for most other artworks because there often was no opportunity to draw while chatting with friends. Most of my painting buddies approve of seeing me draw at all times, but many other people probably find it peculiar. I know some people who don't comprehend my need to capture the world around me. However, I could not live any other way. I feel compelled to draw what I see to preserve it for my memories.

I also finished a watercolour painting (see top) and two felted pieces. The needle-felted painting of a rose is on a felt bag I purchased in a store. It is my first piece of functional art. I will write about the process after I have finished the bag. 

 

I will be back with my regular blog on July 26. In the meantime, I invite you to join me for the Art Café on July 21, at 1 PM in Cumberland, Ontario. We will create graffiti on paper. Please RSVP here.

Let Nature Inspire You

Pink Tulips in a Blue Vase, acrylic, 14" x 11", CAN $375

May Blog

I love sharing my passion for art with others to encourage them to express themselves through art, whether to capture nature’s beauty, tell stories, work through life events or relax. Teaching also challenges me to try different subjects because the participants are more engaged when I show them how to create what they want to capture.

Cartooning and Comic Courses for Children

 

Most of the time, I find a balance between teaching and my own creative projects. This month, the scale tipped towards preparing classes and administrative tasks. 

Drawing Classes in Collaboration with the Orleans-Cumberland Resource Centre

I taught three Cartooning and Comics children’s courses, a drawing course and two needle-felting workshops. I also hosted my Art Café. While chatting, we inspired each other while we created the fruity mixed-media artwork. 

Tulip and Beach Workshops

Fun Mixed Media during the Art Café

The schedule for the second half of the year is on my website. You won’t find the Art Café there because it is foremost a social get-together. Please email me to learn more about my next Art Café on July 27, 2024.


Next Friday, I will leave for a trip to Germany to celebrate my dad’s 90th birthday. Keep informed about my art and events by subscribing to my mailing list. Due to my vacation, I will publish my June blog on July 5.



I enjoyed participating in the Arteast project to create panels for containers for the Byward Market. Painting together was fun. However, to combine the different visions and styles, it is best if everyone has their specific tasks. Our team painted Spring in Ottawa with a view of the National Gallery and The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica with tulips from Major’s Hill Park in the foreground. 

 

Spring Panel in Progress

I also finished an acrylic still life of tulips in a blue vase (see above) and worked on several needle-felted paintings.


My friend Janis and I painted the stunning tulips in Major’s Hill Park. Even though we both have other favourite mediums, we brought watercolour paints because of their easy portability. The second painting is a very loose sketch because we ran out of time.

Blushing Pink, watercolour, 8.3" x 5.8"/Tulip Bliss, watercolour, 10" x 7"

Disappointingly, I couldn’t stick to my daily drawings until I went to the cottage for a week. However, my drawing journal for Germany is ready. I plan to create a visual diary. 

Stag and Doe at the Ottawa Little Theatre

At the Cottage

Flowers and a Visit to the National Gallery

Here are the paintings from our weekly virtual Painting Buddies meetings, which create an always anticipated creative break with dear friends.

Strawberries, Sunset at Presqu'ile, Sunny Tulips, Apple Blossoms

Do my images inspire you? I would love to hear about your projects.
 

Have a fantastic June!

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?