A Whimsical Journey - A Children's Book

This book is not only for children but also for the child in all of us. Over the last few years I have been asked many times if I had ever considered writing a children's book and my answer always was "I would love to, but a writer I am not. Having Laurel Ellen attend a "Happy Art" class I was teaching at the Vernon Community Art Center changed all that. Not that I suddenly learned how to write, but Laurel certainly can. She, and her gift of words became a gift to me. Well, the book has happened and Laurel has created the most delightful poetry to go along with my illustrations. Questions accompany each image that encourage children to study the images to see what they can find hidden in plain sight. Price of the book is $25 and postage $5. If you are interested in a book send me a message via my contact page.

Armstrong Art Gallery Show – September 2018

One of my first illustrations with color was “Undersea Gardens”  I discovered the bright happy colors I was able to put down on paper and was excited with what I created.  But I remember showing it to an art teacher and her first question was “is it light fast”.

Light fast!! What did that mean! Well I looked into definitions and was disappointed to find out that what I was creating with alcohol inks was not.  But that was 3 years ago and I have done a lot of research and tests and have not let this stop me from what I am doing.  I continue to use my alcohol ink “blend able” Copic markers to create my “happy art”.  Once the black and white illustration is finished, it is scanned and saved for future coloring books.

Then the fun begins and the color is added.  Actually the fun begins when I sit down and begin to create what I visualize in my mind.  My sister recently sat down to color a piece in one of my coloring books and said she has a whole new insight into my busy mind. Once the illustration is finished with color, it is again scanned and sent off to different places to be made into fine art prints, prints on canvas and to the photo lab for prints for cards.

The originals are sprayed with varnish, then UV spray and framed under non-glare UV glass.  I have one original set aside that I sprayed only with UV spray. It has been in a window and half covered with paper for almost two years and to date no color loss.  So with the proper care I am comfortable that the images are protected from fading.  I have a great time coming up with new ideas for illustrations and love what I do.  I have my own show coming up at the Armstrong Art Gallery in Armstrong, BC for the month of September and am excited to show off my work.  I just finished this piece for the show {Hummer’s Heaven}. If you are in the Vernon-Armstrong neighborhood, the exhibits opening reception is on September 6 at 6pm. It is an open reception and everyone is welcome.

A New Year, New Art, New Adventures

I find creating a new illustration is usually easier for me than writing a post.  I sat here for the last half hour trying to come up with a title and what to write about. It was hard, but then I thought, it is a new year, I am creating new art and I have new adventures coming up in 2018. I have created several new illustrations that I am now putting color to.  I usually carry my art bag with me and when I have time, I work on new pieces. I only need my pencil, pen and eraser when I am away and save the coloring process for when I am at home. I am also redoing several of my older illustrations on illustration board. My first work was all done on illustration paper and I now only work on board.  I like the firmness of it and have been testing my work to see how the alcohol ink illustrations stand up to light.  I find the board absorbs more ink and when a piece is finished I spray it with Kamar Varnish and then UV spray.  I left one illustration that was protected with UV spray in a window, half covered with paper, for over a year.  I recently lifted the paper and saw no change in the color of the two sides.  Alcohol ink art as with any fine art should not be hung in direct sunlight or under florescent lighting.  If I have the original framed, I have it framed with conservation glass. Now that I have taken the time to test my illustrations, I feel more confident displaying my original pieces in gallery shows.

My new adventures include being Artist of the Month in the Village Gallery in Lumby for the month of March and April.  I will be displaying my prints and giclees for that show.  I am then displaying my original artwork at Nadine’s Art Gallery for the month of May and I have just been informed that my proposal for an art show at the Armstrong Art Gallery was accepted and I will have a show there in September.  So busy times ahead but a good busy.  I love to create and come up with new ideas.  I also have a short You Tube video that was put out by Shaw Cable that shows the process I use to create my artwork.  I have included the link on my website under “Links”.  Many thanks to Patricia for interviewing me and making me feel comfortable.

I have taught a couple of “Happy Art” classes at the Vernon Community Art Centre and today was the first one for 2018.  It is fun to spend time with people who are interested in the type of artwork I do and I have the pleasure of working with seven lovely ladies for a couple more classes this month.  The next set of classes will be in April so if you are interested in taking a session, contact the art centre for more information and to sign up.

Artsolutely 2017 was a very successful event at our centre.  It is a major fundraiser for our art centre and it was fun to participate and meet all the artists and artisans that were there this year.  We are lucky to have such a wonderful centre here in Vernon and I have to say my life changed when I first walked through the doors four years ago.  I have met so many lovely people and am happy to be a part of a very lively art community.  If you live in the area and have never been there, check it out and see what it is all about.  Well, I did not think I had much to say but I guess I did so I am wishing you all a very happy January and a successful 2018.