Little Christmas Notes

Just working on some Christmas Notes for the Walk, Laugh and Lunch walking group.



Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Wise One

I finished the whimsy, Forest Girl whom I now have renamed to "Wise One"....who listens! Thank you Tamara LaPorte for sending me this free lesson. I'm very happy that I've learned so much and have a lot more confidence in drawing faces...even whimsical ones. Now all I have to do is to find my own style of whimsy.

Wise One - 11"x14" mixed media

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Whimsy Forest Girl

Yup, I'm back at the "faces" especially the whimsy ones. I had an opportunity to revisit Tamara Laporte and her whimsy girl, so I went along....changed her up a bit, I am calling her "Wise One" because she listens to the wise owl on her shoulder. She is almost complete.

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Getting Out...of My Rut

Okay, I know that this past year has been brutal. I still really miss Victoria and my friends there....and of course the weather. Today it's a bit warmer than the -9 but the first big snow has fallen. Yuk! I am trying to embrace these changes but my physic just refuses. I'm not sleeping well and of course I've gained quite a bit of weight, or at least it feels like that to me. Nevertheless, I need to get out of my rut and begin anew. Currently I am exploring a new series of paintings, these ones will include hats and possibly instruments and maybe even people. I am growing in the arts a lot more than I ever thought. At least I've made progress on the creative side of my life, although when I feel a little down being creative is a lot harder.

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Done and Delivered

I know that I have not been too regular on the blog these past months...but I have completed yet another piece. This painting was commissioned by my sister and was 60" x 36" (The Last of the Summer Birches) the largest piece I have ever done. I actually don't have a proper photo of this piece cause it was way tooooo big! Hopefully the next time I see her (like in April/May) I will take a photo to have for my records and hopefully will post here.

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

October 2018

Oh my gosh, where in the heck did September go?  I'm in a fog and cannot for the life of me get it together! There are just too many changes going on in my life! After the relocation to Ontario last year I really thought that this fall, a year later, I would have my act together. I have made progress as in joined Arteast Ottawa and I even have a painting on display until mid November; however I still feel that I am in a funk!

So, here's what I plan to do about it - Art Journaling to the rescue. I plan to write about the move, missing friends and weather in Victoria, knowing where to get stuff everything and more. I have given myself an October Challenge. I really, really hope that this helps me find my peace and who knows some inspiration for another series. I need a change!

Here is the first one... "Be Wise"


Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Arteast "Open Studio"

Yesterday I attended my first "Open Studio" with members of Arteast. A great friendly group of folks of all ages. I really enjoyed myself.

My big creation was more of a "doodling" style or "mark" making as I wanted to engage in conversations and no over stress myself.

"Eye of the Storm"

Last Friday we had 3 major tornadoes touch down in the Ottawa Gatineau area. We were very lucky and suffered no effects.

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

It Begins

Yes, that's right, it begins. It's fall, it's time to get "right too it" and I have begun yet another of the "Birch Series". This one is for my sister Laura. She really wanted something as a "statement" over her stairway. So this piece will be "60 x 36"... this is the Beginning!

For Laura - not yet named

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

September!

There is something "new" and "fresh" that happens to me in September. Usually the heat and humidity of summer is pasted or a least almost over; the kiddos return to the rhythm of a new school year and I get to turn another year older. I start to thinking a lot of my past memories of school starting, new teachers, making new friends and broadening my knowledge. My three grandchildren set out this morning with this excitement and promise and I wish them a fabulous year ahead!

This year I will begin by entering a painting into the Arteast Ottawa Juried Awards. I'm very excited about showing for the first time in my new city as well as participating in an artist community. Lots await for my "new year"!

Unit next time....happy creating
Nadine

Finished!

Yeah, I have completed another birch tree. Still acrylic and 36"x24". I'm pretty happy with it! Now I just have to give this gem a name. I'm thinking "Forest Whites".



Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Birches...again!

Yup, I'm still on the birch kick. This one is for the condo! I think it's done, but I'm not totally sold on the dark areas. So I tried photographing the painting in black and white to see any problems. I think I may just let this painting be for a week and then I will re-visit....



Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Getting Out There...

I spent yesterday sketching outdoors with a new group of artists at Humanics Sanctuary and Sculpture Park in Cumberland just outside Ottawa.

A gorgeous environment to walk, meditate and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Even though I was exhausted from looking after the wee ones...I decided to participate in this outing, not my best work but I don't rally care, I got to meet some wonderful people and explore an area close to Ottawa.







Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Healing

For the past two weeks I have been nursing both of thumbs due to torn ligaments. Crazy I know, it's not from texting too much or playing games on iPad; it's from pushing a stroller while balancing a scooter on top also while going uphill. Nuts! Today, the right thumb is almost better and the left is coming along.

I haven't done a lot of painting due to the thumb issue, however I have been working on a series of mini 'barn' watercolours.

I'm starting to get board with painting the same subject...like I haven't painted enough birch trees...LOL. The purpose of this exercise is to see a great "improvement" after 30 days or so of mini watercolours. I will compare in July!



Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Catching Up

I don't have my "little guy" with me today, so I've planned lots of appointments. Now I have a dentist and will be visiting with my Financial Advisor later today! No art for me to post.

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

So Long "Summer Birches" 1 & 2

I had to say "farewell" to my two original Summer Birches...they were similar but I was so very happy to create and re-create.

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Wedding Bells....1976

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband of 42 years! Wow where have the years gone! I feel so very grateful for having him in my life; we created an awesome family, travelled, shared good and bad times but always together; he is also my best friend!

I created my own card using a pulled string technique. Beautiful results. Here is one of them!



Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Painting Up A "Forest"

I'm getting repetitive, I've completed four of very similar colours in the "Birch Tree" series.

Here is another one!

15"x30" acrylic

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Finished!

Sorry about not posting last week, but I really, really wanted to finish this piece, which I did! Yeah for me. Another great piece for Caitlin Turner...birthday present from her parents.

Summer Birches #2
24"x36" acrylic

Now to get it delivered!

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Not Complete....Yet!

Yup, I'm still working on the Birch Trees for Caitlin...it's takes just over a week to complete a large painting such as this.

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

I'm On A Roll

What a week! I have another Birch Tree (24 x 36) acrylic to paint. My latest large piece was so popular that the request for a second painting came in shortly after the the trees were sold. So I said, "no problem" the painting won't be an exact replica, but very, very similar. So off to the art store to purchase another large canvas. While I was there I thought "I need to still have one for me", so I purchased two 24 x 36 and next week I will be painting up a storm!



Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Helping Others

One of my greatest joys along my own creative journey is to encourage and help others get started on their creative path. An art shop can be so overwhelming and one can get lost immediately with decisions as to what to choose and the cost of getting started can be scary. So this morning I am helping a "newbie" to get started on her creative path.

The first two things I ask a person who is interested in painting is, "What to you want to paint and what medium would you like to use?"

After these questions are answered the rest should be simple. I will report back on this experience.

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

The Island Is Calling..

My wonderful and generous son gave one of my birch paintings (large 48' x 12") to a friend. This friend operates the gift shop at the Heriot Bay Inn on Quadra Island. He told me that Deb really, really loved the painting and would like more. So, after getting up the courage and also having completed some pieces to show, I emailed her. Voila! Yes, please send me more...the 8"x10" are perfect for travellers.

So these four little darlings are on their way to Quadra Island and hopefully some new homes. Gallery wrapped and ready to hang....$85.00 each.



Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Birches Galore!

I'm still into the birches...another acrylic  36" x 24" canvas completed!



Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Blue Birches

I can't have too many of these acrylics. I just love how they are so bright and cheery!

This piece is 20" x 30" on canvas, the last of my supplies. Next week I plan on purchasing another large canvas.

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Time Well Spent!

March Break! Three wonderful days with the grandchildren! 

Mia, age 7 (doesn't really need glasses but wears them anyway)

Roger, almost 3 (very proud of his achievements)

Frances, age 5 (spending alone time, finally!)

Until next time....happy creating

Nadine

Another "Whimsy" Girl

I have been working on lots of art and creative projects...but sometimes I have to wait until I am finished before posting.

I did this one for Kam our concierge for his daughter Isabella. I really hope she likes it!



Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Back To Birches

Here is another finished acrylic. Small , (8"x10" gallery canvas) but I am very happy with the outcome. I will be starting a larger version.

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Finished!

I worked hard this week and managed to complete the two commissioned pieces.

I am very pleased with their outcome....

"A Star is Born"

"Team Canada"

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Working on the Commissions

As mentioned, I received two commissions on the "whimsy" people and after a waiting an entire week I finally received the information that I needed to start.

The little guy, loves curling and the colour blue; has brown hair and blue eyes. The little girl, loves the theatre and loves the colour blue as well and has brown hair and blue eyes.

These are some of the beginnings....

...this one is almost finished loads of layers

...this one is just one layer...with watercolour crayons and words from theatre and musical notes

Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

What A Week!

Lots of action this week, not only with the Olympics in Pyeongchang, Korea (27 medals for Canada) ...but on my creative journey. First, I completed a seven day Drawing Drills challenge and for this I decided to force myself outdoors and to sketch in public everyday for a week! Yeah I did it!

Secondly, I decided to start working with acrylics again, completed a 16" x 20" piece that I "SOLD" this morning....OMG! How lucky do I feel. I feel like I am surrounded by "abundance". I can now purchase more canvases...yeah for me!

"Spring Birches" - 16"x20" acrylic

My "28 Days of Love" series...will have to wait until tomorrow....

Until next time....happy creating

Nadine

28 Days of Love...continued

This challenge can be extremely difficult. First, one runs out of fresh ideas! Secondly, not every piece is a success. It's very hard to let go of that perfectionism part of creating especially if you are a Virgo!

The last three were not my favourites...but I do like these ones.












Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

28 Days of Love....continued

Here are a few more finished pieces. Please excuse the photo quality.







Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

Working Like Crazy

Life in Ottawa is cold and snowy, so I am spending a lot of time creating. Here is a large format acrylic painting plus my 28 Days of Love pieces. Life can be crazy even on the creative side!




Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

28 Days of Love

During these 28 days I will be learning a lot about colour combinations. What works and what doesn't.











Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

28 Days of Love

As I mentioned in Friday's post, I have a new collaboration happening....28 days of Love.

Here are four completed pieces.










Until next time...happy creating
Nadine

Ground Hog Day!

Oh my, according to the local ground hog....we have six more weeks of winter! Baby it's cold out there today - 30!

Well I just have to entertain myself with more art!

I have a new idea and I'm calling it "28 Days of Love". This project is mixed media done over the course of 28 days...in February and the size is "11" x 7" on Strathmore Bristol 100 lb. paper. The only requirement is that every page has at least one heart...somewhere.

I hope that working in this series "28 Days of Love" will challenge me creativity. I am still thinking about the best way to show....weekly? Maybe?

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine

The Last Days in January

This January was five weeks long, almost five weeks. It was bitterly cold, bright and sunny and we walked everyday!

I spent a lot of time creating and musing just to keep the juices flowing.

Here are a few examples:

Until next time....happy creating
Nadine