2012 - Year in Review

Well, 2012 is almost over. I reviewed my 2012 goals and the results are in Green Text. My 2013 goals are being developed and will be ready early in January. I think I will have fairly drastic changes in my approach to 2013, so stay tuned!

Artist Goals 2012: To continue to find avenues to learn, produce and display artwork.

Learn:

·Continue to increase my knowledge of various painting techniques and styles through online courses and/or local workshops. I've been participating in some webinar courses by Johannes Vloothuis, and will continue to do so throughout the year, as long as he keeps offering them... Johannes has been quiet lately for the summer, but I've got a few new things lined up that I'm going to try, including monotype printing. Still no further courses from Johannes, but I have tried, and really like, monotype printing. I have several original monotypes available and they are selling well. I've particiapted in a couple of webinars in coloured pencil and pastels. So not a bad year for learning.

·Start a monthly painting challenge where we will focus on a particular technique or subject to explore. I have posted 2 painting challenges so far this year, not quite monthly... Ok, perhaps quarterly would be better....another challenge to be posted soon. So this didn't go quite as planned...a few challenges were thrown out and completed. Determined to have a schedule for this in 2013.

·Start a “create together” day once a month for the members of Arts Northeast to learn from each other, and perhaps have guest participants to increase our knowledge. Attempted, but have not been able to meet due to changing work schedules, snowbirds, and weather. Should start in June. More delays....but we have a date set for August 18th! I participated in a couple of monotype create togethers which were great fun! A schedule has been developed for the first 6 months of 2013 for the "create together" opportunities. 

Produce:

·Create a defined body of work (10-20 pieces) using a theme. Have started this...a lot of research completed and 2 pieces painted. Distracted by painting for the Arts Northeast exhibition. I had anticipated if we had 2 shows this year with Arts Northeast, then this goal will span into 2013 as well. One more is sketched out and ready to go up on the easel to paint! Reviewed my list of ideas for next paintings....going to work on one when I finish this update. Currently have a canvas on the easel as part of this project. Need to plan further paintings for this project in 2013.

·Create up to 30 pieces of artwork for 2 exhibitions in 2012 with Arts Northeast. Created 14 new pieces for the May show. On target if we have 2 exhibitions.... Another exhibition scheduled for November 1st....stay tuned for more info as it becomes available....target of at least 6 new pieces for this.... A total of 49 peices created this year. Exceeded my goal!!!

·Spend more time sketching/drawing by completing one small piece per week. Not quite one a week, but art is moving forward. Ok, not so much, but have plans to pack my coloured pencils and sketchbook for vacation! Four pieces created while on vacation, and four pieces of Artsy Doodles.

·Complete more plein air paintings. It's Newfoundland....way to cold to venture out for this yet. This is strictly a summer/fall activity. Ok, so can you beleive its been TOO HOT? Yes, true.....so no plein aire yet.... Two pieces created while on vacation.

·Complete several winter/Christmas theme artwork. One completed and one sketched in ready to go.... Too hot to think about snow...lol One on the easel now, won't be finished until 2013.

Display:

·Increase my online presence through use of facebook, my website, my blog and online art stores, such as Kijiji, Fine Art America, Etsy, and Zazzle. Original artwork and photography online with Fine Art America, Etsy, and ImageKind. Prints listed on Kijiji. Now posting with Twitter. New blog set up for Arts Northeast. Completing free online tutorials on a variety of painting subjects for my website for student use. New tutorial almost ready to roll out on paint brushes. Keeping other online avenues up and running.... New tutorial on brushes is completed. New products on Zazzle. New website being designed and is launching January 1st, 2013. Sneak peak today!!!

·Explore venues for two exhibitions with Arts Northeast. One exhibition complete...decision on second one for this year tomorrow. Second exhibition and sale a go for November 1st. More details to come. Worked with Children's Wish Foundation - NL Chapter for an art auction to support the charity. Went well, some lessons learnt, and hopefully will be able to partner again next year and do even better!

·Explore venues for exhibitions outside of the Northeast Avalon. Contacted one gallery and working on a few others. Delaying until 2013. Actually went ahead and have several original paintings outside the Avalon in 2 galleries - Picture Frame in Gander and House of Diamonds Art Gallery in Glovertown.

·Submit artwork to juried and non-juried art competitions/exhibits locally and globally. Have passed on this so far this year...subjects of local exhibits have not struck my fancy at this time. Again, nothing has struck my fancy yet...tried to complete a painting for one local exhibition, but time was not on my side. Still nothing struck my fancy. Maybe next year, but not a focus for 2013.

Not a bad year overall....looking forward to 2013!

12 Days of Artwork - Day 6

Icebergs....living on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic means you see numerous icebergs every year. This is an up close view of one.

"Icy Blue"

8" x 10"

This painting is framed and is available at House of Diamonds Art Gallery, 1 Main Street, Glovertown, NL.

12 Days of Artwork - Day 5

While on vacation this year, I took some of my art supplies and actually found some hours to paint.

The itinerary had changed slightly due to unrest, so the Captain had some extra time and brought us to a small volcanic island in the middle of the Mediterranean off the north coast of Sicily Italy. Stromboli's population is between 400 and 850. The volcano has erupted many times, and is constantly active with minor eruptions, often visible from many points on the island and from the surrounding sea, giving rise to the island's nickname "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean".

So, Day 5 of my favourite artwork of 2012....

"Stromboli"

5.5" x 8.5"



This original artwork is done in oil pastel. Regular price is $45....on sale until January 6, 2013 for $30.

12 Days of Artwork - Day 4

I wanted to do something a little different for me....well, flowers ended up being in the painting, but the "vase" is not ordinary!

"Spring Showers Bring..."

10" x 8"

I painted this during April 2012....and we did get some May flowers this year!

This painting is framed and is available at House of Diamonds Art Gallery, 1 Main Street, Glovertown, NL. I have several other original paintings at the Gallery. Drop by and have a look if you are in the area!

12 Days of Artwork - Day 3

2012 saw me trying out a new form of artwork....monotype prints.

From Wikipedia:

Monotyping is a type of printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The surface, was historically a copper etching plate, but in contemporary work it can vary from zinc or glass to acrylic glass. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together. Monotypes can also be created by inking an entire surface and then removing ink to create a subtractive image, e.g. creating lights from a field of opaque colour.

Monotyping produces a unique print, or monotype; most of the ink is removed during the initial pressing. Although subsequent reprintings are sometimes possible and are called "ghost prints." Oil and acrylic paints can also be used in lieu of inks.

I absolutely love it! so, here's Day #3's favourite artwork....a monotype.

"Word Art"

6" x 6"

This unframed monotype print is regular price $25....until January 6th, 2013, you can have it for only $20.

Remember there is only 1!!!! So don't delay.



12 Days of Artwork - Day 2

Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas - My Favourite artworks in 2012.

Many of you know I love to paint monochromatic paintings....and that my favourite subject to paint is florals (see Day 1). So it isn't surprising that my fav #2 is a combo of these!

"Cattails"

12" x 6"

This painting is available at Picture Frame, 81 Elizabeth Drive, Gander, NL.

12 Days of Christmas - A Review of 2012 Artwork

I've seen a few artists do this, and I thought it was a fabulous idea. So for the 12 Days of Christmas I will pick my 12 favourite pieces of artwork that I completed in 2012. I'll be posting my favs over the next 12 days....come back each day to see what will be revealed!!! There may even be some special pricing!!!

In no particular order.....here is #1. Well, this one is my absolute favourite this year.....read on to find out why.

"Always Remember"

20" x 20"

One of my most recently completed paintings in 2012. I painted this on Remembrance Day weekend which was less than 2 months from our recent visit to the WW1 memorials in France - Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in remembrance of the 1^st Battalion of the Newfoundland Regiment who were all but wiped out on their first major engagement on July 1^st, 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. This is only one of 5 memorials in France and Belgium commemorating the Newfoundland Regiment's contribution to the Great War. The site is one of the few in France or Belgium where a visitor can see the trench lines of a Great War battlefield and the related terrain. Purchased in 1921 by the people of Newfoundland, the memorial site is still owned by the Province.

We also visited the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge, which was very moving as well.

My mother had a relative who fought in the area during the Great War - Gerald Kennedy. So this is for him and all of the other military and support people, who have fought throughout the years for freedom and peace.

This painting is going the framer the first thing in the new year and will be ready to purchase mid-January. I will offer this painting for purchase at the unframed price until December 31^st. After that, the price will increase based on the cost of the framing. Special price is now $800.

Happy Holidays!