How I opened my being to art
I first recognized my interest and budding talent in art creations when I was newly married and began to work with oils. Our tour of Europe sparked this interest further and when we moved to Owen Sound I took courses at night school to further develop my use of colour and how to work with perspective. This interest gradually faded when we had three children in 4 ½ years but my creativity emerged in other areas as I taught nursing.
After retirement I began exploring other creative interests. I found Zen Tangle drew me back into drawing and freed my creativity once again as I began using some of what I learned to expand into sketching scenes in nature, especially trees, with somewhat abstract surroundings.
I wanted to add colour to what I was doing and gradually explored working with acrylics. During the pandemic I did some virtual exploring with two local artists Sue Allison and Kelly Maw. I was delighted to cross paths again with Carey Carrick. I have been further developing my talents with Carey for the past 2+ years.
Why I chose to work with the media and subjects that I do
I enjoyed my initial work with oils but found them cumbersome to use. The odour was unpleasant as was the clean up . The paintings took a longer time to dry. Initially I began sketching with a microtip pen because that is what Zen Tangle suggested. But I recognized the benefit of adding shadow with a soft sketching pencil. This evolved into working more with pencil and feeling that my images were coming more to life. While I could have added colour with water colour, it is likely my initial work with oils that led me to acrylics. I love its flexibility and how easy it is to clean up . Plus no odour.
I find a sense of peace and spirituality connecting with nature. You will find most of my paintings include at least two of trees, rocks and water. I easily meditating in such venues and try to bring that state of connection with all life to what I create.
What comes from within me speaks through my hands and the media I use, becoming a means of sharing connection to the spirit of nature with the observer.
Whispering solitude: It was not easy walking on this rocky beach, but the location held a unique sense of meaning. There were places to sit and allow my inner self to connect with the mystery of the earth. This shoreline is located north of Rush Cove close to a rugged section of trail.
I used acrylic paint and different techniques with brush, pallet knife and sponge to show the texture and perspective. This painting will be offered in a Fundraising Silent Auction
Rushing Waters: Almost mono-chromatic acrylic painting using mostly pallet knife on 18 x 24 canvas. This painting will be shown and for sale at the Bruce Peninsula Art Show at the Lion’s Head High School on the August long weekend. This is the painting that nudged me to use a pallet knife and I loved it. This section of rock changes somewhat as the water level rises and drops in a cyclic pattern. It lies to the south of Rush cove. $190
Challenging Descent: Acrylic on 18 x 24 inch canvas using brush, sponge and minimal pallet knife. It was a difficult descent down to the water after leaving the newly build steps by the Barrow Bay Trail. The painting itself was a challenge. It took several attempts to get the shape and curves of the large rocks in the bottom half to look as I wanted it to. Acrylic paint gives me the opportunity to use brush strokes to help depict roundedness.
This painting will be shown and for sale at the Bruce Peninsula Art Show at the Lion’s Head High School on the August long weekend. $190
This view gave me the opportunity to show the sun sparkling on the water. I wanted to change my painting to one that was not escarpment yet close to it. MacIvor’s Pond is situated on Bruce Trail property across from our cabin. It now hangs in our cabin. Not For Sale
Spring Awakening: acrylic on 24 x 18 inch canvas using brush and pallet. I love the glow from the sunlight in this picture. Thank you to Stella Coultis for allowing me to use her photo as a resource photo. This painting will be shown and for sale at the Bruce Peninsula Art Show at the Lion’s Head High School on the August long weekend. $190
This painting was gifted to my son out west. The scene is one taken on a boat trip the family took somewhere between Victoria and the Mainland. Our grandson is sitting on an inflatable paddleboard watching and taking in the sun set.
Our daughter and her husband love Mount Baker in Washington State. it can be seen from several places along the shore of Victoria. THIs painting was gifted to them.
This scene is from the shoreline of the upper Saugeen Bruce Peninsula. A friend loved the painting so much she was determined to purchase it for $190. This acrylic painting was created with brush and pallet knife.
Living Reiki ... thoughtful perspectives 