what is it about an orchard?

I have been spending as much time and energy as my schedule permits immersed with painting. Spring brings out the best in me I think. The returning birds are back to welcome me on my daily walks, and even though there are still patches of snow on the ground, the earth is warming up and showing green.

The orchards will not be in bloom for another month at the earliest, but after the monochrome and dormancy of a long winter I crave some colour and light and those familiar with my work know of my orchard obsession. 

I have a few canvases on the go and this is one of them. 

 Waiting for May, oil/cold wax on waxed support, 24x30in, available

 Although I usually work from paintings made on location, ‘Waiting for May’ was made by intuition, intention and recall. I hope it t echoes my optimism and although you may not see the birds in this painting, I like to think I speak for them as well.

happy spring

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." 
 - Doug  Larson 


I've been working long days in the studio-just realized today was the first day of spring!

below, a painting from last Spring's Ireland residency

 I lar baire (in between)

 mixed media on mylar  16x30in 2012

upcoming painting workshop

You are invited to participate in my next series of playful art classes to be held at the Grimsby Public Art Gallery. Open to artists who like to learn and have fun-and you can bring your ipads and laptops to class!!!

for info and to register:
Grimsby Public Art Gallery
18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, Ontario, L3M 1Y1
905-945-3246
gpag@town.grimsby.on.ca
www.town.grimsby.on.ca/ArtGallery/Main/

International Women's Day

in light, some early work

 

 warning, oil /cold wax on canvas, 26x48in

painted in 2000 in response to a poem by Jenny Joseph. There is a whole movement around this poem-which I dispute, as the meaning  of the words is non-conformity. In my humble opinion, women grouping  together  to dress up in purple goes against the very core of the message.