Saturday, January 31, 2015

Stop Looking


Ice fishing


Yesterday I got to see the ice fishing huts out on the lake. There is a small village out there! Trucks drive right out onto the lake. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining. A little bit chilly if you were in the wind. 

Today we are off to Perth. 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

It makes everything magic!


When I landed in Calgary today I'll admit I was disappointed there was no snow. It was bright and sunny and the city had a pretty sky line. But, no snow. 




Well I am now in Ottawa and is there snow! Lots of it! Landed as snow was falling and it's still falling. Tucked in at friends for the night with a happy heart. Looking forward to everything this week has to bring. 

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Packing snow gear


I cannot believe I am packing my snow gear! I am pretty excited to be heading to Ottawa thrusday for the Below Zero artist residency. 

I'll be taking camera, journal and iPad so I can capture any ideas that come to mind. My hope is to come out of this with some ideas for winter themed pieces. 

If I can I'll be blogging daily so watch here for more!

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Friday, January 23, 2015

One week!



In one week I will be in Ottawa for the Below Zero artist residency program! I am counting down the days and very excited.

Winterlude is also going on while I am there and there is tons of events happening around Ottawa. Skating on the canal, kick boarding and ice carving are just a few. I hope to get some time wandering the city to see some of the amazing events. I'll admit I am also dreaming of sitting in a coffee shop beside the canal somewhere watching skaters and hopefully the snow coming down.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Meet Stinking Fish Studio Tour Artist Angela Menzies



Meet Stinking Fish Artist Angela Menzies

One of the members of the Stinking Fish Studio Tour, when I asked Angela for a 100 words about herself this was her reply.

"Years ago I started teaching art to children and one of the projects I like to work on with kids involves self image and how they see themselves. Mostly, kids see themselves in an overwhelming positive light. I saw girls choosing words like “Powerful”, “Beauty”, “Imagination”, “Awesome” and “Cool”. 

When I started asking women to come and model for me the response was usually pretty negative. I often heard things like “I hate my stomach”, “my breasts are saggy” and “I’m too skinny and boyish”. It made me sad; all I saw were stunningly beautiful human beings. And I wondered, when did this change? When did girls / women go from feeling awesome to less than? I begin each painting with an interview and ask my model to start describing how she saw herself. The catch? She wasn’t allowed to mention her size or body. The first painting in this series was entitled “Size: Laughter” and was inspired by one of my dear friend’s amazing smile and laughter, which lit up every room she entered. I really wanted her to know this about herself. 

My ultimate goal with my artwork is to redefine what “beautiful” means for women."

Angela can be found at the following websites, I personally recommend giving her blog a read I really enjoy it.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

The rain is falling


As the rain falls on the roof here in Victoria I am dreaming of all the winter I will get to experience in Ottawa at the end of the month.

I may have a couple days to myself after the Below Zero residency and am thinking I may stay in downtown Ottawa. Winterfest is going on and I am envisioning skating on the canal, coffee in a coffee shop along side it and possibly sketching new ideas. 

My mind is so excited over the possibilities this trip may bring.

Monday, January 12, 2015

First blog post from Ipad



That was a bit harder than I thought. But I've got my first post from my iPad done! 

I've got two lovely blooming plants right now. Thought I'd share those and force myself to use my camera. 

Gearing up for Below Zero!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

It's official



It's official I am accepted into the Below Zero program at the end of January! This is a 1 week artist residency based around Canadian winter. Could it be more perfect for me? Some of the activities include dog sledding, skating on the river, ice fishing, snow shoeing and night skiing. It's in the town of Wakefield Quebec just outside Ottawa.

I'm hoping to fly out early or leave late and have a couple extra days to connect with the glass bead community out there.

This will be such an adventure!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy New Year


Happy New Year !!

2015 is going to be amazing, I'm sure of it. As I say goodbye to 2014 I acknowledged some highs and lows. I did my first triathlon, took on some new art challenges and met some amazing people. I also said goodbye to some friends and animals I'd rather still have in my life, but I was blessed to know them. I failed at some fitness goals and never did conquer swimming in open water. 

2015

Well buckle up open water cause I'm going to conquer you this year!

A few more triathlons.

I've joined a monthly art challenge group/class that promises to "Spark" up by muse. 

My personal bucket list goal for this year to to get to some place snowy, possibly hunt for northern lights. I've applied to a Canadian Winter artist residency that I should hear about soon, if I get in you'll hear me shouting from the rooftops. If I don't get in then I guess I'll have to plan a trip somewhere else, maybe Alaska finally?

What are your plans for 2015?