Happy New YeaR 2013!!

Take a nice thrifted car coat.

Add a warm fur collar. Sorry, but nothing fights the bitter cold like real fur! Plus, this collar may be older than I am. How do you like that duck tape body double?

Now you are all cozy. HOly toledo, how can it be 13 years past the millenium!?

Slap on a seasonally inspired hat and go celebrate at First Night or something!

Check out how other people are ringing in the New Year at;  http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/12/visible-monday-78-lets-close-year-out.html

Downtown Abbey Delrium--- armistice blouse

I am re-watching Downton Abbey seasons 1 and 2. I liked it the first time but had missed the first two or three episodes. Now I understand the "great scandal". And I have become hopelessly hooked.

This blouse is what they call an armistice blouse. I used the Folkwear pattern and made some revisions. For one thing, I added significantly to the length. The original design shows it being worn outside with a little tape around the waist and being worn rather like a peplum. I knew I would always wear it tucked in, so I just made it long. I used a light weight cotton with multi-colored embroidery sprigs. If I made it again, I would make it a bit smaller (I may take the sides in a bit). I also thinking of adding a larger bit of lace at the neck to make it a little less revealing. It looks ok in the photo but if I bend over.....

I would consider making it short-sleeved so that it resembled Lady Mary's blouse.

When the sun hits the mountain tops.

Lake Windermere    16x16    SOLD

It always amazes me how brilliantly the setting sun can light up the mountains. Throw a foot of snow on this image and you would have our weather for today. 

I keep promising myself to take my pastels outside and make some color sketches but I am too busy currently chopping and bringing in wood for the furnace. I need someone to lay hands on Bruce and make him functional again (he hurt his back). I have to take a sick car to the mechanic today. Perhaps, I'll be lucky and get him into the clinic. That's about as amusing and technical as taking a cat to the vet.

From our house to yours!

Merry Christmas!

Have you ever tried to get a dog to look at a camera?

Rats...but Happy Tib's EVE!

I made a great post for Visible Monday and then found out, urk, no visible monday this week. Oh well, Have a wonderful Tib's Eve.

December 23rd. In Newfoundland tradition, it's the day you get drunk and celebrate Christmas with all of your friends, before having to spend all of your time with your family. A sacred practice, you don't miss Tib's eve lightly. B'ys are gettin' smashed fer Tib's eve wah?

From:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Tib%27s%20Eve

 

Pinkie's Prom Dress 16x16

This is one of the first figure paintings I made and is still one of my favorites. It was based on a photo of one of my cousins. I just love the glasses and the sense of expectation.

Mom used to buy those lovely old prom dresses at the Goodwill for a buck. My friends and I would put on makeup and swan around in the formals playing "Miss America Pagent". I wish I had some of those dresses now!

Shaken, Not Stirred!

 
Wow, 40% off on tasers,  accessories and tactical clothing! This is an ad that ran in the Flathead Beacon that we picked up in Eureka, Montana yesterday. These are not hunting weapons, unless you are hunting humans. I don't see ads like this in Canada. Merry, creepy Christmas. Although I would kind of like to have a taser.

Warning

Be very afraid!

For those that don't know, a troika was a fast whirling folk dance with three people. This was a painting that more or less "appeared" at a Burridge workshop. By that I mean that I was just having fun slopping around creating texture and saw figures suggested in paint, sort of like watching zombies appear out of the fog.

Howling at the Half Moon

 Alpha Pair   24x24  

I seem to be on a wolf kick. The Alpha pair takes the high ground on a twilight evening.

A christmas jumper

I mad this up with a remnant I found in my stash. I think I will try it with a smaller belt. I see now why people wear wool for warmth! It is actually red and forest green although it looks very blue in the photos.

I'm rather proud of the little flounce in the middle of the back hem. I've been wearing it to my Christmas craft sales.
  

**CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!**

If anyone would like to win a 8x10 matted print of one of my paintings, just leave a comment and mention you would like a print. You can choose from any print that I have blogged. I will draw names out of a hat on Dec. 23rd.

Last week's winner was Lisa (dreamz-n-wishz)?

Now go check out visible monday at :  http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/12/visible-monday-77-blast-of-color.html

Lioness

Lioness 12x24 acrylic collage

I have had the good fortune to see cougars at least three times, twice from the safe vantage point of being in a car, once in an unnerving encounter on foot. They are gorgeous and big.  When I walk, I always pack bear spray and pay attention to my dog. Fiona knows better than to tangle with a cougar. I can tell when she smells one by her behavior and the fact that her dorsal ridge hairs stand at strict attention. 

We have a resident female that raises her family near town. One of the local guys chases her with his dogs when she becomes a little too familiar with being in town. I don't mind her for a neighbor as long as she restricts her diet to non-humans.

Luna

 Luna    16x16 acrylic collage

A snow wolf for a long winter night.

Short grey days are driving me crazy. I can't wait for Winter Solstice.

Better Late than Never: Tulle and a teacup

I may be slow but I get there. Inspired by Melanie's beautiful ballerina skirt on Bag and a Beret:  http://bagandaberet.blogspot.ca/2012/10/everyone-needs-ballerina-dress.html I decided to photograph my own version. In front of my studio with a cuppa to warm me. There is also a great post on tulle skirts at:  http://vintagebirdgirl.blogspot.ca/2012/10/tulle-teacups-turquoise.html 

 

**CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!**

If anyone would like to win a 8x10 matted print of one of my paintings, just leave a comment and mention you would like a print. You can choose from any print that I have blogged. I will draw names out of my furry hat on Dec. 16th.

Now go check out visible monday at :  http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/12/visible-monday-76-spot-of-animal.html

the "M" word

Dreaming of Ghost Ranch   acrylic collage

I'm working on marketing, that is....thinking about it, reading about, doing something about it. It's the artist dilema that painting simply isn't enough, you have to work at marketing too. I am making plans for what I want to learn in 2013, what I want to paint and new ways to sell.

Currently, I am checking out the Artist helping Artist's blog:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artistshelpingartists/2012/04/12/using-pinterest-to-sell-your-art

I find the interviews long but worth listening too. Get a cup of coffee and take the time. And as for Ghost Ranch, I would love to stay there for a month and just paint!

patchwork jumper

I made a patchwork jumper.

Too Ma Kettle?

Is it better with a belt?

Or minus the long skirt?

Now go look for inspiration at :
http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/12/visible-monday-75-aunt-of-groom-wore.html 

Hope

I have reached a point where I want more, to go deeper, become more successful with art. I am starting to work my way through the books "Write it down, make it happen" and "The Artist's Way". I like to set goals rather than make "resolutions" but they are the same thing for me. I truly feel that writing through the exercises brought me to where I am today, getting to make art, having been able to travel to places I never thought I would get to, getting married a second time. Now I am ready for more. First, I have to figure out what that more is!

 I must be on the right track because when I was trying to think of an image to go with this post,"Hope' is the image that immediately fell under the cursor.

"Your playing small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great?" Nelson Mandela

Down with dark days

Moose     12x12

I hate this time of year when it's dark all day. The sun comes up late and goes down early. The cloud inversion keeps the valley in twilight. Ugh! I just want to sit in front of Pinterest and veg out. 

Instead, I am going to take Fiona and walk down to where they have been clearling the trees for the wildfire protection and use some of the branches for swaths for the front door. Remember, when life hands you melons.....you could be dyslexic!

Four-eyes

These are a pair of glasses that I ordered on the net a while back. I felt like the dark rims were a little too strong. So being a painter....I painted them. I was going for snow leopard.

For other fashion ideas, check out:  http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/11/visible-monday-74-new-york-state-of-mind.html#disqus_thread

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl    11x14

I saw a snowy owl in Victoria. It swooped down over my car one night and startled the dickens out of me. Lovely though.

Come on Down!

The Headwaters Art Society will be holding

 a winter Art show and sale

 on Saturday, Nov. 24^th from 11am-3pm

 at the Canal Flats Community Centre. 

There will be 17 artists!

Refreshments

Come on down and check it out!

Happy Thanksgiving

This image was lifted from pinterest. I hate to think of how much time I waste on that site but it is so much fun!

Quick five things that I am grateful for:

that I have the opportunity to paint
that I have a patient and supportive husband
that I have amazing, beautiful and accomplished daughters
that I have an affectionate dog who (more or less) comes when she is called
that I have good health
(oh, there are so many more)

Can you rattle off 5 things that you are grateful for?

Thrift Away

I quite liked this stretch denim dress that I found in  a thrift store but it just wasn't generous enough in the hip area for my generous pear shape. I decided to take a page from Sally at http://www.alreadypretty.com/ and try layering a dress over a dress (or in this case a knit skirt). I'm kinda liking it.

Dress, skirt and boots, all thrifted. Tights from We love colors. Accessories, accumulated over the years.

Check out other women playing dress-up at: http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/11/visible-monday-73-crisp-white-mans-shirt.html

And yes, I am still painting.....

cervus argentum #1

Like Ghost Lake

I went out to help Bruce mark some lots on a project that he has been working on. This is looking down on the camping area. We had to borrow a canoe and paddle across the lake to finish marking a few spots. My stupid life belt wouldn't zip up and I was so terrified paddling across that cold void I kept splashing water in my face from paddling too fast. If I hadn't believed in Bruce's canoeing ability, I would never have been able to even attempt that crossing. The line from "Ghost Lake" (and the outcome of that poem) kept running through my head..."Ghost Lake's a dark lake, a deep lake and cold"

On the return trip, I whipped off my bear spray belt and notched it over the preserver. That made me feel a lot better. 

 
I don't like for Bruce to go out there on his own. There is no cell phone coverage and he is ambling through a 3000 acre tract of land. If something happened (predator attack, moose attack, canoe tipping over, breaking a leg) I wouldn't even be able to find him. If he doesn't arrive home by a set time, I would just call Search and Rescue. I think he lets me go with him because he's convinced he can outrun me in case of bear attack. Fiona LOVES to go with us.

In case you are not familiar with it, here is the beautiful and haunting poem:

The Skater of Ghost Lake
By William Rose Benet

Ghost Lake's a dark lake, a deep lake and cold:
Ice black as ebony, frostily scrolled;
Far in its shadows a faint sound whirs;
Steep stand the sentineled deep, dark firs.

A brisk sound, a swift sound, a ring-tinkle-ring;
Flit-flit,--a shadow with a stoop and a swing,
Flies from the shadow through the crackling cold.
Ghost Lake's a deep lake, a dark lake and old!

Leaning and leaning with a stride and a stride,
hands locked behind him, scarf blowing wide,
Jeremy Randall skates, skates late,
Star for a candle, moon for a mate.

Black is the clear glass now that he glides,
Crisp is the whisper of long lean strides,
Swift is his swaying--but pricked ears hark.
None comes to Ghost lake late after dark!

Cecily only--yes it is she!
Stealing to Ghost Lake, tree after tree,
Kneeling in snow by the still lake side,
Rising with feet winged, gleaming, to glide.

Dust of the ice swirls. Here is his hand.
Brilliant his eyes burn. Now, as was planned,
Arm across arm twined, laced to his side,
Out on the dark lake lightly they glide.

Dance of the dim moon, a rhythmical reel,
A swaying, a swift tune--skurr of the steel;
Moon for a candle, maid for a mate,
Jeremy Randall skates, skates late.

Black as if lacquered the wide lake lies;
Breath as a frost-fume, eyes seek eyes;
Souls are a sword edge tasting the cold.
Ghost Lake's a deep lake, a dark lake and old! 

 Far in the shadows hear faintly begin
Like a string pluck-plucked of a violin,
Muffled in mist on the lake's far bound,
Swifter and swifter, a low singing sound!

Far in the shadows and faint on the verge
Of blue cloudy moonlight, see it emerge,
Flit-flit,--a phantom, with a stoop and a swing . . .
Ah, it's a night bird burdened of wing!

Pressed close to Jeremy, laced to his side,
Cecily Culver, dizzy you glide.
Jeremy Randall sweepingly veers
Out on the dark ice far from the piers.

"Jeremy!" "Sweetheart?" "What do you fear?"
"Nothing my darling,--nothing is here!"
"Jeremy!" "Sweetheart?" "What do you flee?"
"Something--I know not; something I see!"

Swayed to a swift stride, brisker of pace,
Leaning and leaning, they race and they race;
Ever that whirring, that crisp sound thin
Like a string pluck-plucked of a violin;

Ever that swifter and low singing sound
Sweeping behind them, winding them round;
Gasp of their breath now that chill flakes fret;
Ice black as ebony--blacker--like jet!

Ice shooting fangs forth--sudden--like spears;
Crackling of lightning--a roar in their ears!
Shadowy, a phantom swerves off its prey . . .
No, it's a night bird flit-flits away!

Low-winging moth-owl, home to your sleep!
Ghost Lake's a still lake, a cold lake and deep.
Faint in its shadows a far sound whirs.
Black stand the ranks of its sentineled firs.

Draped Model revisit

This was my original painting. I found the background interesting but maybe overwhelming. So I changed it. Whenever I have a painting that doesn't seem to generate a lot of interest, I figure I have nothing to lose by changing it. It either succeeds or gets painted over!

I think the figure has become more important now. I also softened the line at her hairline.

Old Man Sweaters

I didn't think it was possible but there are sweater makeovers! So I gambled $2 on a thrift sweater from LLBean...

And followed the directions from:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xMtQ6H1TCA alter a sweater I took in the sides and the sleeves and set the sleeves in an inch or so in each shoulder. It was surprisingly easy.

Now I have an outfit to brave the cold, wet winds of Victoria in.

I hereby declare "Open season" on old man sweaters!
Go check out other fashion ideas at:
http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/11/visible-monday-71-camouflaged.html

and for some leftover Halloween fun

Fiona a la Bela Lugosi
Note to self: Dogs do not like having makeup put on even if they are a hit with trick or treaters.

BE SURE TO VOTE ON TUESDAY!

Cervus Argentum 2

Cervus Argentum 2        12x12 acrylic collage

I felt the need to explore collage incorporating aluminum duct tape yet again. I do really like the deer in this series. I should try another animal!

Omigod! I can't believe this is true. Please watch:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uxHLnQZLq20
AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Act Like it!

And don't forget to vote.

November

Roscoe dressed for the season.

Happy Halloween 2012

Urban Kootenay Deer. Scary!!

In the old days, Samhain was often associated with a blood sacrifice, perhaps arising from the fact that animals were slaughtered for winter foodkeeping at this time. You could make a "blood" sacrifice by signing up to be an organ donor. You could save more than one life. Check out this link:
http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/lifelong-friends-receive-kidney-transplants-from-same-donor-1.1017458

 And a great pinterest board of costume ideas:

http://pinterest.com/worlds/2012-halloween-ideas/

Getting ready for spooks

Halloween collage and a zombie

Check this out-- Zombies!:  https://www.google.ca/search?q=zombie+walk+image&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Skull scarf

I bought this wonderful at the gift shop of a cave I visited in Arizona.

Simple enough to tie it around the waist to make a skirt (a bit bulky though)

I like to tie two corner together on either end to make a shrug.

A quick cover up.

A sugar skull painting from last years Halloween.

Go  check out the other scarf wearers at Not Dead Yet Style:

  http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/10/visible-monday-70-scarving-it-up.html