Spring has sprung! Looking forward to the last Art Show for the Arrowsmith Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. I am entering my piece titled "On the Lookout" I'll post it below.
I am looking forward to finishing the piece on my board so I can start doing Cyanotypes. My Mom finished the lap quilt made with my Cyanotype fabric pieces, we had it quilted by a lady in Qualicum Beach and I am letting Mom show it in the Quilt Show in Victoria in May. 
I am looking forward to a couple trips to Alberta this summer, I am so grateful that we can do these trips to see family. I have 5 grandsons now so it's always a treat to have time to form a bond.
Learning to paint has taken a backseat to other forms of art as I was making gifts for Christmas in the fall, a small piece on a wood round, and a few shrinky dink keychains.  
But it is now time to get some outside gardening done in preparation for the growing season! Cheers!
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Middle of November and yeah, I am a little surprised that it was June the last time I entered this space.
A lot has been happening in my world, some of which I am still dealing with. My Step Mother was ill and I didn't find out until she was in her last two months of life. It has brought many emotions, thoughts to my mind... I've had many sleepless nights since the middle of July. My main takeaway is, I wish I had of spent more time visiting her, learning more about the way she feels and thinks about life. But alas I can only gleam a little insight through the process of removing her earthly belongings.
I have made a decision to not renew my FCAArrowsmith Chapter membership but I will stay with The Federation of Canadian Artists Vancouver. I have points towards my signature status so hopefully one day I will endeavour to fulfill this status.
I have been busy getting my images ready to put my yearly Calendar together, I have just put in the quality control pieces in so I can tune anything up before ordering the many. I had high hopes at the start of the year to have most of my art done before summer began but with my Mom's illness art was put on the back burner. I will try again next year.
I have been dabbling here and there with painting, I can't seem to get away from the detailed work. I will post a couple of the small pieces I have done on my own, figuring things out. I did a one week online course with an artist that I quite enjoyed but it soon became apparent that I didn't have the time I needed to continue... I would like to come back to this in the future. I will post a picture of those works as well.
For the rest of 2025 I will be continuing my Executor work with my Step Mother's Will and get ready to have a quiet Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all those that read this.

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Wow! Where did the time go? I started off producing a piece a month at the start of the year and then my Mom got sick. The time went with the worry and time spent with her in the hospital and the first few days at home. I'm a little behind with producing art for the Fall Show which will be earlier this year. I may not have anything ready to enter... which would be a first in a few years.
I did work on a piece totally new to me, mixed media, acrylic painting with some collage elements. This was a piece for my great niece who is having a baby girl any time now. I asked her if she had a theme for her nursery, she said yes... Babies in Bloom. So I spent a bit of time thinking of something and after a few practices with the concept I made a piece I think is unique and I hope they liked it. I'll display it below.
I'm having difficulty with coming up with my own reference photos to enter the federation art shows. You need to use your own reference photos and none of my images are exciting me, now if I knew how to paint I could possibly figure something out. But alas, the fear is holding me back. 
I have had a little time with my other art love, Cyanotypes. I haven't shown any lately so hopefully soon. I'm thinking up a new mixed media piece using one of my older pieces as the background for maybe a watercolour painting.
Holidays are coming so I need to get busy.... 
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Greetings! A new year has started and I've already completed two pieces, both smallish pieces that are basically practice gift pieces. I wish I could afford to gift all my art, but supplies do cost money. I'm working on something that will be eventually for sale, but just maybe it will be accepted to one of our shows this year. I'm trying to focus on pieces that I would like to hang in my own home but also give me practice with my medium of choice. I'm dabbling in doing a watercolour base for my pencils, so far so good. It speeds the process a wee bit, and doesn't detract from the piece.
I have decided to renew my membership in the FCA and my chapter membership... one more year. We'll see how this year goes, fingers crossed for some success.
Non art related news, I'm heading to Alberta next week for my youngest grandson's first birthday! I'm excited to see my Alberta family. Terry will be holding down the fort and having a friend visit.
Goals for 2025..... well, maybe try picking up a paint brush again. Something acrylic on canvas... I just have to figure it all out but will definitely show it off here in this space, because I know no one will see it if it's bad..lol
I have also ordered my Cyanotype chemicals to hopefully get an early start on this years creations. I have some leaves dried ready to go, some hydrangea petals as well. I will be experimenting with powdered tints to add colour, I did a few last fall with fabric dye... just enough to get me excited to experiment this year!
Well, that's it for this first edition of 2025! Drop me a line, let me know you read this... ta ta for now

Fall has settled in... the rains have arrived! Soon the leaves will all be gone and I am having thoughts on where I want to go with my art pursuits. I am still a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, that being something I'm thinking about... I have entered 3 shows with them and have had success with either a win or a sale of art. But my pencil work takes a lot of time to make a show winner and the commission paid takes a good chunk. But, have I sold anything not in a show? I guess I haven't put a lot of effort into that pursuit. These are questions I ask myself. Hmmm....
So that being said, I have entered the Fall Show which I was told would only be a 10% commission and all art would be priced at $300 for a 12"X12" piece. I found out after I entered the commission would be 35%, and both pieces were accepted. So what will be will be....
I have started working on my yearly calendar, I have the images in place but am doing a few more to try and put the best ones in for 2025. I have also worked on an image for my Christmas cards, I don't sell these as I mainly do them for me to send out. I know people don't send Christmas cards much these days but I feel this is a tradition that should be kept. It's nice to know that my friend or relative is thinking about me when I receive a card, especially if they include a little note!
If anyone actually reads this and is interested in a calendar I take orders as I can't afford to have calendars sitting around unsold.
The first test batch will be the gifts I give to my family for quality control :)
Well, short on substance this time... I better add a picture!