This began with the idea of painting a white picket fence. To create the fence, I dipped a popsicle stick in white paint and set it carefully on the canvas and pulled downward.  First we had to eat a few Fudgesicles :o)

The background came next.  I wanted the painting to be balanced, so originally I had two small trees beside the house on the left side as well.  I wasn't happy with it, thinking I needed something closer to the fence.  Cherry trees were in bloom at the time . . . so there you go.

I thought of painting children playing on the grass.  A cartwheel?  A picnic?  Flying a kite? I wasn't sure. The idea of a girl and her dog came to me.  I wondered if it would "work" with a girl leaning on the fence, looking like she's waiting.  

The blue house was a red school house for a day - but the red was too strong - so it went back to a blue house.  Our first house in Melville, Saskatchewan, was blue with white trim.  I really loved that house!

The puppy was inspired by my son's teacher and her new puppy, Ruby.  It seemed fitting that this painting would become a year-end gift for Liam's teacher.  

It just seemed right :o)

If Birds Read Poetry - and Someday Dream

Collage has opened a whole new world to me with my paintings.  I have been dipping into my memory of poems and text I read twenty years ago as an English Literature Major at Trent University. 


I have a little someday dream. . . to have The Little Gull Studio in a floating house at Fisherman's Wharf.  I would sell paintings, cards, t-shirts, mugs, and host little painting workshops.  It would be cozy and lovely and a way of life to make you happy.  The best part?  Aidan would work with me.  And, perhaps if he wanted to, he could live on the Floating House.

Ah, to dream a little dream.

The Little Owl, ReDux

So, I did what I said I was going to do - I cut the owl out, and collaged him on a wooden panel.  Funny how deconstructing ones own work takes a huge leap of faith.  I decided to add the daisies as things didn't quite seem full enough in that space.  I'm wishing the bleeding hearts were against the blue sky instead of the brown...but that's something I can do differently next time. You see, as a beginner - I really am optimistic.  I just hope I don't look back in years to come with embarrassment.  For now, for where I stand now, I'm proud and excited about the possibilities. 

I've dedicated this little painting to my son Aidan: my little man who goes at his own pace.  I'm fiercely proud of him too.  My boys are my best work to date.

Of Paints and Brushes and Owls and Stuff

When I started painting, it was for myself.  I wanted to try to capture the images that floated through my mind; and I wanted to play with acrylics, and learn how to use that medium.  When I looked at works of art by illustrators like Rose Cowles,  something in my heart would long to do that too.

So, I bought my first paint set with my Christmas money.  I've probably already mentioned that in an earlier post, but it really was a pivotal moment for me.  I'd been aching to get my hands on the paint, the canvas, the brushes, the ideas, for over a year.  When the time came to jump in, I was ready. 



Then came another pivotal moment: when I realized that I could make my paintings into cards and sell them to help raise awareness and funds for our local Down syndrome society.  I approached the Board, and asked if I could. The Board was on board (awful pun intended), and so The Little Gull Project began. 

To say I am very proud of The Little Gull is an understatement. 

I'm very proud.  But, I'm also quite aware that my paintings are at the experimental stage.  There are a lot of wonderful artists out there, like Diane Duda, and I'm happy to learn from their creations.  Dianne uses text in many of her paintings, and that inspired me to try it too.  Take this little guy, for example:



This painting is an experimental project on paper. What do I like about this painting?  I'm pretty happy with the text collaged onto the owl's belly.  I think I could have done better with the bleeding hearts.  I should have used canvas instead of paper, as the paper buckled from the thickness of the paint.  I'm not happy with the background because of that buckling.  I'm thinking a different colour for the sky might be a better plan.  I'm tempted to cut the owl and tree out, and collage it onto a canvas, or wooden block (something I have yet to try).

If you have any advice on how to make this owl better - please leave a message.  I'm happy to learn! I'm in need of a mentor, or two, or ten....

The Little Gull has a lot of room to grow, and I'm okay with that.

Off My Nut...

Busy, busy life, and I'm off my nut.  Whatever that means.  It's simply an expression that comes to mind and seems to capture the essence of my current reality. 

I've jumped in with both feet.  I've set the wheels in motion on The Little Gull - a small (from home) art studio.   I came up with the byline:  "A small studio created with childhood in mind."  I've found two stores that will sell my paintings.  Three that will sell cards/bookmarks. I've met with an art printer, and scanned four of my favourites.  I'm planning to order art cards soon.  And bookmarks.  And prints.  And magnets.  And whatever else will make The Little Gull fly.


I have seagulls fluttering about in my belly right now, and wonder where this gumption came from. 

I will be proposing to the local Down syndrome Society that I sell the artwork with a portion of proceeds going to their music therapy program for children.  I hope they say "go ahead" - and that I can write on the back of the cards/bookmarks about the program. 

I hope they say yes, because I don't think I'd have the nerve to approach businesses if I was doing it for just me.  I also hope they don't think I am using their name to sell for myself.  I really truly just want to give back, and this is the only way I know how right now.

So.  There it is, all my nervous energy written in a blogpost.  Ahhhhh. Cathartic.