Evening Glow

I met a friend tonight for a beer at the Watermark Restaurant.  I've never been there... it's located in one of my favorite places in the city,  on Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver.  We talked a little about this and that... business, art, photography & some light talk about past moments in life.  I had a good time.

As we stepped outside and said goodbye, I turned left down the path and walked toward my car. 

I took a glance to my right to look down the beach and I knew I had to dig (and I mean DIG) around in my purse to find my camera.  The sky was glowing around Cyprus Mountain and the beach sand had a warm reflection from the night sky and restaurant lights behind me.

As I looked around, it seemed like everything had this same warmth emanating from it.  The moon wasn't full, but I suppose my senses were.

It began as a nice evening and surely ended just the same.  

Emerging from the Procrastination Tunnel

I don't know what it is. I start off energized and excited about getting a painting started. I love drawing out the image and composing it on the board.

After I do the ground work of the black base, then I block in my color choices. It's all good... in fact, it's fantastic! I'm on a roll... nothing can stop me!

Then, then there is this horrible stage that almost always emerges. It's the real decision making time. What kind of sky? Day? Night? Sunny? Cloudy? How do I want to develop the rocks (because they will reflect the nature of the sky)?

Half of the problem is that I get so enthralled with all my ideas, that I start too many paintings at one time and overwhelm myself. I know this. But I do it every time.

This time I had eight on the go at once (which is not at all unusual). After my inevitable bout of hair pulling and indecision, I had to put four away (their backs to me so I cannot see them - in fact, they are in another room). I will rediscover them after I finish the first bunch of four.

So after a few days of languishing, anaylzing, shrugging and doubting myself, I somehow emerge from this tunnel of procrastination. Although, it doesn't feel like I'm actually procrastinating because I seem to spend a lot of time thinking... thinking, then thinking some more. I'm not quite sure what good it does, but none-the-less, that's what I do "Dream a Little Dream" 18" x 36"

Now, tonight, I have finished these four and will deliver them to Lions Bay Art Gallery on Friday.

"Early One Morning" (left)

24" x 6"

"Quickening of the Nite" (right)

24"x 6"

"Conducting the Symphony of the Sea"
36"x36"

Now, I'm tired. But surely I will begin this process all over again after I finish the other four paintings that were banished earlier to make way for these four.

An Unexpected Day

It's been foggy for the past few days here at home in the Valley, on the West Coast as well, but yesterday (Saturday) it finally burned off, or blew away, or whatever it does.

Seeing as the sun was shining and the air was crisp, I decided to go for a mini escape out to Vancouver.   

As I drove along the highway further into the city, the fog started up again in thick patches. I felt a little disappointed as I wasn't going to see the sun glistening off the ocean, but I kept driving, looking forward to getting out of the Valley.

I arrived at Dundarave in West Van. at about 2:30pm, parked and breathed in the heavy air.  I imagined I didn't know the area or what lay beyond the bank of fog that blanketed the ocean.

The sound of the fog horn was consistent and comforting. 

Mist surrounded the pier and Beach House, stuck to the trees like cotton candy... Mystical, mesmerizing, mysterious... 

I hadn't walked in this neighbourhood for about 15 years or so and hadn't seen the mini art displays imbedded in the rocks just outside the sea wall path.

Small tiled mosaics sporadically decorated the piles of rocks beside the walk.  They were the colourful bits of joy that made me smile and think of only good things.

My smile turned into a private chuckle when I neared these driftwood reptiles propped up on the beach facing me and the passers-by.  

The afternoon was refreshing for all my senses.  The sunny day I was expecting to experience turned into a whole 'nother one.  Somehow I just saw things differently...

Inspiration from the Internet

I felt that today was a total write-off as far as making art is concerned.  I just couldn't get into it.  But alas, I spent some time surfing other artists' blogs and facebook pages, and have been re-inspired to create.  Tonight I'm going to get a good night's sleep, wake up refreshed and get to work.

Sometimes we should allow ourselves some down time to get revved up again.

I loved seeing the variety of work, thoughts, methods and colours.  Thanks to all you artists out there!

Family Appreciation during Tough Times

I don't have kids and I don't know anyone who has had a sick child, therefore, I never realized how special a Children's Hospital is...

Last week my mom and I flew to Alberta to visit my sister and her family. My sister's newest family addition, only a few days old, contracted meningitis - scary surprise for everyone. So not only were my mom and I going to see the new baby, we were going to see them in the hospital and spend a lot of time there as well...


All the soap dispensers are the decorated with the "Soapy Soap" guy - makes you wanna wash your hands often because he's so cute! Then don't forget to use the hand sanitizer before you hold the baby...

I don't think anyone has ever taken a picture of me holding a baby, but here it is! What a sweetie - she's so small, light and CUTE!

The hospital had great places to make families feel comfortable and "at home" as could be.

The girls made some cards and stockings for mom in the hospital's art room and the crafts were displayed in her room. They really miss her!


We hadn't celebrated Christmas together yet, so we had it at the hospital as sis and baby can't leave until the treatment is finished.

My brother-in-law ordered a couple of yummy pizzas for our Christmas in the Family Room. So my sis and baby walked, strolled and rolled (all "connected") down here to be with everyone.

This was also our "pre-game" dinner before we went up to the Hospital Theatre room to watch the Flames game on the big screen...

In case you didn't notice, they are avid Flames fans! In fact, my nephew knew all the trivia question answers during the commercial breaks.

The hospital had prizes for correct answers and he won a little stuffed Moose for all of his sisters... even the baby! What a sweetie!

Great bunch of kids... love 'em tons!

There's a lot of work with a family this size... I'm amazed at how strong and resiliant my sister and her husband are. Wow!

The older brother and sister have been incredible by helping dad to keep the household going while mom is finishing her 21 days in hospital with baby.


Latest news is that the meningitis was caught in time and the baby is doing fantastic. I'm thankful for Alberta Children's Hospital and so blessed to have such a great family! xo