The St. Peter's Church

This is the little church in Windermere where I will be set up for the Columbia Valley Art tour on Sunday Aug. 2, 10-4. A charming spot, so be sure to come by and see me (there are rumours that ice cream may be available). It is the "stolen" church.

The church was originally built in Donald BC, 200 miles north. Mrs. Klimpton missed it so much her husband dismantled it under the noses of the town officials, shipped it by wagon and steamship to Windermere were it stands to this day

I just spent 4 hours tearing my house apart looking for a painting. Hoorah, I finally found it. Menopause brain is dangerous to your health and the poor people around you.

Sally's Girls

I had a lady approach me and ask me to do a painting of her granddaughters in their Ft. Steele. apparel. I am always terrified about comissions and this one doubly so because it involved people and portraits are so challenging. However, I think the little painting is quite sweet ( I had a really good, supplied photo to work from, thank goodness) and they seem to be happy with it.

Down time

I'm taking a few days to show my brother around. Good lord, I didn't realize we resembled each other so much. We stopped by the Bull River to admire the view.

Another Day at the Farmer's Market

Today, Bill Croft and I held a shift at the market. It grew to be very hot! Lots of people but not much in the way of sales. I guess we lack Sebastien's gift of the gab.

The Barn at the Bend

This is an old barn that stands along WEstside Road.

Moose hut at Wilmer

This is a little garage in Wilmer. I liked the color and the moose antlers hanging on the doors.

Twelth anniversary

"Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat." Joanne Woodward

A dozen exceptionally good years. This is why I consider myself so lucky.

FArmer's Market with Jessica

Jessica is the administrative assistant at Pynelogs. She has a stall to promote Pynelogs every other week at the Farmer's market and I was her featured artist this week. She is a fun person to hang out with. The painting to her left with the pink construction paper swimsuit was actually a nude. I was nervous that someone would be offended by her so I covered her up. As the morning progressed we began stripping her down(much to a couple of small boys delight). Within about 15 minutes of disrobing her..she sold!
Painting is a dangerous business. I mishandled a can of black gesso last night and managed to get if all over me and half of the back porch. Good thing I was outside!

A good time was had by all!

I had my art opening at Pynelogs last night. What a blast. I have never seen so many people in that old building. It was a terrific mix of the artists present. Jami and crew did a wonderful job of choosing the artist and hanging the work. I sold several paintings! I received several compliments on my wonderful artsy skirt too. That is the first time I have worn a crinoline since I was about 4!
The Lord of the Porch was quite a hit. I received a fair bit of good reviews concerning my abstracts also. I am always tempted to edit what I put in the show but have learned to just take everything. I get unexpected reaction from paintings I would never expect it from. It is really interesting to get feedback from people and their reaction to paintings.

Art Pixies

With Jami on my left and Jessica on my right, I can accomplish anything! These two ladies work hard and tirelessly with whiny, cranky and/or confused artists to get their art on the wall and organize the receptions. I owe them so much, plus they are just fun to hang out with.

I am looking forward to my reception tonight, a shared show at Pynelogs.

Whirling dancers

Once again the photography is subpar due to the lighting conditions but this was the last painting I finished before dropping everything off. It is based on a a photo of our local Arabian Spice dancers.
Today I'm trying to catch up on a little cleaning and a lot of phone and computer connections that I haven't had time to do.
I'm getting excited about my opening tomorrow night!

The Lord of the Porch

This is the best I could do for a photo due to the low lighting. It stormed all day, and I was driving through some rip-roaring electrical storms. I dropped off 20 painting at Invermere and then turned around and made the two hour drive to Cranbrook to drop off 7 paintings there. My walls are nearly bare!

I really need new tires as I discovered while hydro-planing along!

First time at the Invermere Farmer's Market

It was fun. I shared a booth with Sebastien Bell and Bill Croft (hereafter referred to as the evil twins). I had a few sales (enought to cover my booth fee) and some good exposure. It was a busy day. Unfortunately, I spent a fair whack of money on two kinds of superb honey from the honey man and a baguette and loaf from the bread man (he has a little brick oven in a tow along trailer) I won't be getting wealthy at this rate! I wore my "hug an American" button to commemorate the 4th of July and was hugged by a few people.


The evil twins. We packed up at 1 pm just as a small deluge of rain hit and some very close thunder and lightning!! I ducked! We discovered that if you have a choice in picking a tent, red is much more flattering to paintings than blue.
Sebastien fighting boredom...or something. He is a wonderful salesman, extrovert and schmoozer!

Nude #1

Constantin Brancusi, "Command like a king, work like a slave, create like a god." This was a quote from today's Painter's Key newsletter. I like it very much.

I have a stack of life drawing sketches tucked beneath the spare bed. I don't want to throw them out and I don't want to frame them because they are so large (and would be expensive to frame). I also have a stack of rather shabby 18x24 canvas stretchers I bought at a yard sale. I decided to collage the drawing onto the canvas and go from there. I experimented with some scraping of paint, wasn't satisfied with the result (for me, when in doubt, go bolder). I tried to use my homemade stamps over both the figure and background to bring the two together and finished with a glaze of quinicidrone gold. I can live with her for now.

Windermere Lake--view from the cattleguard

I am trying to do some landscapes. I want to do some "historical sites" for the upcoming Columbia Valley Tour of the Arts on Aug. 2. including the stolen church (where I will have my booth) among others. I just need time to paint!
I must say, this one looks better in person. I will try to photograph it again.

Happy Canada Day!

Greetings from Ft. Steele. What a beautiful day...lots of people. Notice my blouse fabric please.(it's printed with Maple leaves.)

Northwest Mounted Police.
Could this girl not pass for Anne Shirley?

Determined little fiddle player just sawing away.