Life Lessons from waterolour

The greeting cards or plaques are everywhere that give whimsical but true "Rules of life I've learned from my cat or dog" or whatever. It occurred to me while painting one day that all the frustrations, struggles and joy of watercolour had taught me my own valuable life lessons. Such as the following:

Rule #1  Patience!!! If I go in before it is dry I can ruin it, turn colours to mud. Wait! Things work in their own time. Have Patience! It's a virtue.

Rule #2  Everything in art is subjective. All is relative. Colours or a palette I work with will be pronounced "wrong" by the next book I pick up or opinionated artist. Understand why you use your colours and if they work for you that is all that matters. If not, be open to explore and learn. The same with your art. What one person deems worthy will not appeal to your grandmother or the next jury committee.

Rule #3:  Watercolour is water based. Water flows. We've all heard "go with the flow". See where a painting wants to go. Allowing the water and colour to blend and flow is one of the most zen-like joys I can think of.

Rule #4: Watercolour is a transparent medium. Let it's light shine through. That goes for the artist as well. Don't try to paint like anyone else or compare yourself to anyone.

Rule #5:  It can be fun! I've heard that watercolour is a difficult medium. Yes, challenges are encountered but when I  remember to play and stay open wonderful spontaneity can happen.

Rule #6:  Turn things around. Get a fresh perspective. Stand the painting upside down. Use a mirror. They say life is a mirror.

These are a few that seem to come up often. I am sure there are more. I'm also open to observations from other painters.The creative path is if nothing else, quite the journey!

Nature's Palette

Nature's Palette

LILAC COLLAGE

   Fresh Greens, brilliant pinks, blues and lilac - beautiful colour of every shade and hue and  Spring finally arrives with Summer close behind. Creative juices stir and I find myself picking bouquets of flowers  that only last a day and must be painted before they droop. With mild sunny days I also drag everything outdoors only to be reminded once more of the joy's of  Plein air painting. There's nothing like it or the challenges and frustration as light and weather quickly change.
Carving out time and space to paint during the summer is an endeavor some of us plan. Some travel to workshops in distant locations, but others might not have the opportunity. If you are looking to take advantage of a beach location close to home I will be teaching a one week workshop in July. Living on the edge of the lake and a park offers opportunity to paint outdoor scenery but if indoors is preferred there is also the use of my home and studio as a base.

 It will be every morning 9:30-1:00 pm Monday to Friday.

Dates are July 15th -19th

Fee: $200 for the week

materials list will be provided

A consecutive block of time is a great way to immerse yourself in a body of work whether indoors or outside. Last summer enthusiasm ran high and I loved seeing the amazing work created. I'm looking forward to another great session. To register: email me at shamanstree@gmail.com.

Home is Where the Art IS

Home is where the art is

Home is where the art is- a catchy little phrase?  My day starts with coffee, but with a choice of which hand made mug. I love all my pottery mugs, some brought back from travels, some gifts, some collected from Toronto artisans. A special woven scarf, a piece of jewelry made by someone I know and beauty on my walls and I define myself separate from mass produced sameness. Something created from love can't help but add a bit of heart as well as art to your home.
Plan to visit the homes and studios of
 The Beach Studio Tour.
May 3rd. 4th and 5th
My location is 17 Fernwood Park Ave.

View my latest collection of work on YouTube (and subscribe to my channel while you are there please).

Spring Arrivals

Beach Studio Tour

 Brings New Spring arrivals

In the cold dark months of Winter new paintings have been simmering and they can be viewed during the upcoming Spring tour which opens Friday evening May 3rd.  Come by Friday evening for an opening reception and then throughout the rest of the weekend, May 4th and 5th.  I have new watercolors, acrylics and mixed media. It is always a pleasure to see old friends and new. Enjoy the beautiful Beach and visit the other artist locations on the tour as well. 

Winter's Dream

You are invitied to my home and studio for

 the Spring Beach Studio Tour

Friday night May 3rd 6-9 pm

Saturday May 4th 10am -6pm

SundayMay 5th 11am-6pm

for more information: www.beachstudiotour.ca
or shamanstree@gmail.com

Returning Light

  Light. I started noticing it in January. It's slow incremental return. It's searing cold beauty on fresh fallen snow. Now it has warmth.  Light and dark. I talk about it as a painting instructor. It can make a painting dynamic and exciting. That could be said about life as well I suppose. Light can't exist without dark, but the struggle between the two at times seems to eclipse all else. Who wins or can they both. Why is it that art is so often a metaphor for life. "Life is short, Art endures".  Maybe. Perhaps the important thing is to create, feeling alive and vital in the struggle to give light and value to what has meaning in the moment. Standing back from the painting the dark helps shape and bring out forms and colour, but it is the light that awakens the magic and warmth. Welcome Spring!
With spring's return comes a new series of classes starting March 19th and 21st. Check classes for more information.
The Beach Studio Tour is the first weekend of May. It is always a fun event.

Happy New Year

New Year's Resolutions



I never make New Year's resolutions. The main reason is that they're broken or forgotten within hours of making them. That's not to say I don't think about the direction or flow in which my life is going. I find it easier to talk about intentions and being a painter it relates I suppose to how I view painting. I often see it as a journey, an exploration. What do I want to learn, how do I want to play, experiment or explore a certain theme? Sometimes it works in wonderful ways beyond my expectations and sometimes not. The most important thing is to create. A favorite quote of mine is: "Curving back into myself  I create again and again." Ovid.
My New Year's intention is to allow myself the space and time to curve back into that infinite source of being and create........... no judgment, no expectation.

Some of us like to create on our own, but some like the motivation of a class setting. I have new classes starting in the Beach on Tueaday evenings,  Jan. 15th and Thursday evenings January 17th. There is a 4 week Saturday class in the Yonge-Lawrence area at Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre starting January 19th. Beginner or more experienced all are welcome.

Fall Beach Studio Tour

Beach Studio Tour

October 19th , 20th and 21st
Friday 6-9pm

Saturday 10am-6pm

sunday 11am-6pm

You are warmly invited to my home studio for a wine and cheese opening Friday night October 19th. The exhibit and free tour  at my location (17 Fernwood Park) and throughout the 12 other locations continues Saturday and Sunday. 

A variety of new works will be on display. A fairly recent series of mine is inspired by Pine River, a small magical river that runs throughout the Mulmur Hills area that will be affected by the the Mega Quarry. This year coinciding with the weekend of the tour there will be two other events: Soupstock in Woodbine Park and Artists against the MegaQuarry at Essentia on Queen St. A great weekend to have some soup, see some art and enjoy the Fall coulours in the Beach.

The Pine River series of watercolour and acrylics on canvas will be based on my frequent stay in a little cabin owned by a friend, surrounded by trees on the edge of the river. A true artist's retreat that I loved. When I grew tired of water and trees I took a drive and enjoyed the rolling hills and beautiful vistas of the surrounding area.

The inspiration and images stayed with me and influenced my painting through sketches and photos I brought back to my studio. These paintings will be on display with a percentage of the proceeds going towards www.ndact to support efforts to save the water and farmland in this beautiful area.
Along with plein aire paintings will be my usual whimsical mix of flowers, angels, goddesses and abstracted explorations. It would be great to see you.