I'm trying to get the hang of this retirement thing, so much to do... Organization is what I'm lacking (I'm procrastinating at this very moment).
We've had a trip to Port Renfrew to see the southwestern part of the island. I'm still recovering. I've come to realize my body is getting older and climbing over rocks to see tide pools is best left to those that have kept in shape or the young. I would go to Sombrio Beach again though just for the abundance of tide rolled rocks! There isn't much in the town of Port Renfrew and as it was before July 1st that we were there, there was not much choice in dining out. But it was a decent place.
We've had some bad news (more on that at a later date) and some good news! We will be grandparents to a new baby in January! I'm particularly excited!!! That will make me a 4time granny!
So... summer time blues... this must mean Cyanotyping. I haven't done that much but I was doing a few experiments yesterday to some success but not to the degree I was hoping for so more experimenting is in order! I have also embarked on making floating frames for the Cyano's that I have on cradleboards... I will possibly post on a new page when they are up for sale.
I just have to either finish this rock picture or start my next commission... probably start the commission.
In other news I've sold two of my drawings this month!! I'm so excited about that as every sale helps. My mom has also taken my cards to Victoria to sell some to her friends. These are my cyanotype original cards. I forgot to get a picture of them. (hmm that's not like me)
​Well, coffee is done! Time to get to work!

If the truth be known, I'm in full procrastination mode. I should be working on my commission...and I will get to it today but I've been sidetracked with getting my ArtandFoundDay artwork ready for placing tomorrow. ...and taking orders for some little teddy bear magnets I've recently received. 
I'm sitting here listening to Benjigirl chewing on her prime rib bone and Terry watching some golf tournament so easily tuned out background noise. It's a lazy Saturday almost mid March! We'll putting our clocks ahead tonight and for me that means Spring is starting to happen as the days get longer. Spring, my favourite season! This year we had some work done in the backyard, we're getting married in May so I wanted all the shrubs etc professionally manicured and I had a firepit put in for Terry! We have yet to use it, it's been a month and a couple weeks of that were snowfilled! Not to mention it's been a little too damp cold for us.
But I digress... So many art projects I'm thinking about... I have ordered my Cyantype chemicals and am planning on working with cloth this year for some banners and possibly some table cloths! I've just ordered some art supplies and hopefully I'll get pieces done before we start getting into full wedding mode. As mentioned previously, my facebook friends have been wanting to order my little business card size magnets so I am making templates for ordering more magnets of my art. Trying to keep costs low and pass this on to my customers. I may even look into making an Etsy shop!
My BIG NEWS for this Blog is my Art Show news!!! I entered my first juried art show (Actually my very first showing of my art that wasn't online). I entered the 10th Annual Ladysmith Art Gallery Show, I entered "Innocence Letting Loose" This was the third time I drew my childhood teddy bear and I love the juxtaposition of a teddy bear with a moonshine bottle. ...and I love my teddy bear Charlie! Anyway, I won a Juror's Choice Award!!! OMG! I could barely believe it! I had to keep looking at the result online and I only believed it when I picked up my cheque and Certificate. I teased my neighbours that they can now tell their friends that the live next to an award winning artist ;)
I'll post a couple of pics of these exciting moments....

Happy New Year to any and all of you that have discovered my Blog!
This may be the year of big changes in my personal life.... so far we have a few travel plans.... and a wedding to go to. This year that wedding will be our own :) 
As far as my work/life plans... I feel I'm in a flux, discombobulated time...my day job is holding less joy and more of a ffswaidh.... kind of feeling. All I want to do is draw and hoddle cozy and safe in my little home. I may become a hermit hippy chick with long grey hair that goes out only when taken out...nah, I do enjoy people and doing things for myself but being safe and cozy in my home drawing does not go understated. So let this year begin so I can get going with the flow of the Universe!
As always, welcome to my world and if there is anything you like on my website feel free to reach out to me! I don't give my cell phone number out for first contact as it is my personal phone. But if needed after first contact I can give it out. All the best to you for a happy, healthy cozy New Year!

..... and just like that we are heading into the tail end of November. I'm ramping up production of art cards, started with my 2022 Christmas cards. Since then I have decided to print my own little notecards, I'm still needing to find my ultimate cardstock. Something with a little sheen I think would be ideal. I'll see about adding them here under Art for Sale or maybe just to facebook... hmm
I've been doing a few pieces of art for myself the last few months and a couple commissions, I've found my muse and his name is Charlie! He's a little furry and likes his booze but he's got a warm spot in my heart. You'll be seeing more of Charlie over the next year.
My next blog will probably not until the new year, so if anyone is reading this... I wish you all a Merry Christmas and catch you in the New Year 2023!

*August for our family means birthdays! Especially my Mom's! This year Mom turns 85! We are so fortunate to have her with us and that she is in good health. I have twin siblings that had their birthday yesterday, a nephew's birthday today one of his daughter's was on the 11th, another nephew had one on the 12th. This year to celebrate we are holding our family golf tournament on the 20th as we were hoping some families from Alberta would come and take part and celebrate Mom's big birthday. We are going ahead with our plans but COVID has reared its ugly head again just as a ...reminder? My Mom's building has been having an outbreak among it's residents, fingers crossed so far Mom has been spared.
As for Art, I have been working hard the past 3 and a half weeks on a picture of a blue heron for my Mom. She has been requesting this for some time and I'm happy to say I'm on the home stretch 3 days before her birthday. I won't be able to get it framed but I know she will do this part to the tastes of her surroundings. I used drafting film for this, I painted the subject and the foreground on the front of the film and the background on the backside. The idea being that the subject and foreground would stand out almost 3D~ish. I will post a picture of it when all is finished and scanned.
*EDIT... I went to see my Mom and to see this painting framed... well, the framer framed it upside down...OMG! Seriously, the heron looked like a ghost and was facing the opposite direction! So we called, that was an exercise in itself but finally spoke to a framer who had no idea how that could happen. Mom took it back and they made it right! Can't wait to see it made right!
​
So let the Celebrations begin! Safely!

May 3rd already, I should have many projects in the yard done by now but it seems nothing goes as planned these days. The trip in April we were so looking forward to was cancelled, not due to the obvious 'could be Covid' but because the cheap airline we booked with for a week stay in Ontario changed our flight to just 4 days! We didn't find out until the day before we thought we were going to fly... emotions run ragged. But we salvaged a bit of the week by renting a little AirBnB in the Black Creek area just north of Courtenay, the weather wasn't the best but we got to explore parts of the island we rarely get to. When we got back our little kitchen/dining area had a bit of construction putting in a sliding door where there was once a window, It brightens up most of the room. 
I've once again been off work as Terry got Covid and because we are in close quarters I was assuming I would be infected so not wanting to bring it to work with me I felt it was prudent to stay home. So far I have been lucky but will it remain this way? 
Art projects, I have recently been delving into something new to me but the method is as old as the hills.... Cyanotype printing. My explorations are still in the early stages but I'll attach a pic of my first try, which after watching a few tutorials on Youtube I did all the methods thinking this is going to be  fantastic! Mastered on my first attempt, lol.
I finished a few things in the last couple of months, and took "Asses in the Grasses" in to be framed along with the magnolias I purchased from my great art buddy in England Helen Carter! I'll show them off in the next blog. I just recently finished "Blue Tit in Blossoms" and today started another bear project and new way to get it done, so far my juries out but that too will be revealed in the next month or so. 
So for now adieu, stay safe and healthy!

... It's now nearing the end of February. Still questioning the happy New Year, but I do have some future events to look forward to... I will be travelling to Ontario in April and one son will be getting married in July. I sincerely hope the world has found some peace by April or at least Canada. I'm fearing the political divide among Canadians will forever damage our relationships with each other. Can't we all just agree to disagree and quit spitting on each other? Is it too much to ask? The loudest voices are the ones I choose to not listen to, and ironically they are the ones saying they come in peace.

.... ugh! I digress, this is suppose to be my happy place! Personally though I have been struggling, I was told to go home from my job as a non-essential worker again the first week of January. During that time I hurt my back, when will I learn I am no longer young and fit.. I can't lift everything even though it is just a few inches. So, I channeled my energies into getting us back on the jobsite... and I managed to do that only to not be able to work because my back is too hurt. So 6 weeks not working....I have been trying to create art but when your soul is in turmoil it's hard to do your best work. But, I'm an optimist and I will continue to put one foot in front of the other and hope for the best! It may yet be a good year :)

Well, I've hit a wall... no commissions in the near future so I'm at a loss as what to keep my hands busy.  So today I practiced my drafting skills, I haven't used those skills since 1992! I'm hoping for a new kitchen in the next few months. Trying to find a contractor that works with kitchens has turned out to be a bit of a challenge but I'm excited at the prospect of new construction. Next step is to beg the bank the moolah to accomplish this vision!
So I sit here at the computer, thinking it's time for an animal.... but what.... stay tuned. The dreary period of September should be motivation to create but, eh... just get on with it, find that elusive gem and get busy!

Dog Days of Summer???
I suggested this to Terry the other day... like is it when you've been enjoying the great weather (mostly... can we all say "heat bubble") and yet there is still so much summer left to enjoy? I think my garden is loving the heat when I've given my plants enough water, still waiting for my zucchini's to explode.
We've taken our road trip to Alberta this year, happy to have seen our families after this past year and the new baby in our driveway managed very well! Our next trip to Alberta will be in August to attend a family wedding! Can't wait for this.
Art... this is what I do but summer is distracting. I have done a few pieces just for me because it is a subject or a technique I've wanted to try but I have now buckled down to a few commissions. The one I'm working on at the moment is a double portrait of a very beautiful couple that will be given as a gift by the commissioner. I hope to be able to post it here and Instagram once it has been gifted. I also have an upcoming commission of a dog which will be a memorial piece, I'm excited!
Well, I better get going so I can get this piece completed... Have a great dog day :)