for the love of dog

There was no other wanderer on that road, yet I was not alone, for his tracks went with me, each paw-print as familiar as the print of my own hand. I followed them, I knew each thing he had done, each move he had made, each thought that had been his; for so it is with two who live one life together.

Farley Mowat, The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be, 1957

Rags for those loved: the Dog Tree Dogs inspire artists.  Emily Carr They also bolster our communities, help us heal, improve our fitness and teach us about love and compassion. They enhance our spirit. In 2012 I installed ‘Rags for those Loved, intentions from Ireland’. Local residents were given the opportunity to engage in an ancient Celtic custom in recognition of loved ones who were ill or have passed. I am excited to announce the continuation of  this ritual of leaving offerings that represent a wish or aspiration, however this time; the dedication will be to our Dogs. ( or any loved companion, great or small, that has enhanced your life..) The community is invited to embellish a symbolic tree with collars, toys, rags, poems, or any item that connects them with their beloved pet. These adornments are meaningful – symbolizing grief for a loved companion that has passed as well as a desire or dream for a new family member or adopted friend. Visitors are encouraged to stop by with their pets to tell a story, and to write their dog’s name on a piece of fabric, tie it to a branch and make a wish.

ARTS WALK Saturday, September 14 1-3:30PM Reception at the Grimsby Public Art Gallery 4-5pm Site specific community project: The public and their dogs are invited to participate. Location: Outdoor grounds of the Grimsby Public Art Gallery, Grimsby, ON, Canada   18 Carnegie Ln., Grimsby, ON., L3M 1Y1  905-945-3246  http://www.grimsby.ca/residents/cultural-facilities/art-gallery_____________________________

summer birds (sold)

Everything is changing colour early. September is bittersweet. I miss my summer birds. The yellow finches left a few days ago. The yellow goldenrod will have to do.

It is a colourful yet quiet time of year to be out painting.

September, early gold, oil on canvas, 18x24in, 2013, available

upcoming encaustic workshop

Sway, encaustic on found panel, 2x5x14in, 2013, available

September Encaustic painting workshop at the artist's studio all levels welcome Saturday, September 21 12:30-5PM click here for course description and registration. Booking and payments can be made securely online via paypal

skyfall

 For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.      

             Leonardo da Vinci 

August remains of the day, oil, cold wax  on canvas, plein air, 8x8in, 2013

coalesce

my witness is the empty sky

Jack Kerouac

August, remains of the day, oil on canvas, plein air, available

self portrait

Another re-work of a painting from last August that I wasn’t happy with. This year, I`ve been especially moved to paint my `homeland` as it might be the last summer here-change is in the air. 

 As followers know, this tree has been a constant in my work over the years. With it’s wild unkempt branches growing in different directions I consider it to be a self portrait. 

 August, oil on canvas, 24x36in, 2013

We have had cooler weather and early in the season, lots of rain. I have never seen so many apples adorn this wild tree since I moved here fourteen years ago so am assuming the season’s climate has factored in.

 Daniel Lanois

On a related note I have just returned from a press conference for the The Greenbelt Harvest Picnic. It`s location, at Christie Lake Conservation area, is beautiful! The outdoor music event  features farmers markets as well as visual art. 

It was really lovely to meet some of the farmers and musicians at this morning’s media conference, although I think my enthusiasm over meeting White Horse in person might have placed me high on their `beware`  list of stalkers! 

 

Melissa McClelland & Luke Ducet (whitehorse)

Follow up

Below a few images of Sunday`s 

workshop held at my place. I also wanted to report that my opening at Earls Court Gallery went REALLY well, however their photographer is on vacation so I will not be able to post images until she returns. 

in order of appearance:
Daryl, Liz, Bob, Marj

plein air painting workshop in the garden

This beautiful weather has even made my garden glow-come out this Sunday afternoon to paint it or the surrounding vineyards. Thank you to GPAG for the opportunity to introduce this plein air workshop. All levels welcome.The fee is a steal at only 25.00 members and 35.00 non members. If it rains we will work in the studio at the Grimsby Public Gallery with fresh cut flowers. Please register via the Grimsby Public Art Gallery.
phone: 905-945-3246
e-mail: gpag@town.grimsby.on.ca

 

openly exposed

  
 I dropped this new painting off at Earls Court Gallery-in hopes it will be included in my upcoming show with Dara Anam  However, aesthetically it depends on the combined body of work. The curator has an excellent eye and I am happy to go along with her decision--fingers crossed!

 July, goodbye, oil / cold wax on canvas, 30x40in, 2013

I confess that I abhor openings where my work is featured and I must show up- I feel vulnerable and exposed and all I want to do is run and hide. my saving grace? WINE!

That's not to say I'm not excited to see everything up, as well as chat with old and new friends as well as collectors who will be attending. If you are in the region, please stop by for some art, wine & refreshments.
 Click here for details.

July (goodbye)

 

I set off last night hoping for a brilliant sunset. Instead, a study in greys.

 

 

July, (goodbye), oil on canvas, 18x18in, 2013

 This is the third of the sky series on it's way out to Earls Court gallery on Saturday- hope the paint dries!

 

 

morning side

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

July, morning-side,  oil on canvas, 18x18in 2013, available

brew

The weather has been irresistible lately and although I have studio work to finish up, a plein air escape was inevitable. 

July, storm brewing over Olgas barn, oil on canvas, 16x16in, 2013, available

wild things

Sometimes I look at the billow of July leaves on open rows and can’t help but think of big butterflies. The unkempt vines are my favourite with unrelenting weeds weaving into wanton wild carpets.

July with Queen Ann, 36x48in, 2013, available

Look familiar? This is a rework of an earlier painting. I have just brought 'July'  into the Jordan Art Gallery.  www.jordanartgallery.com.  The Jordan Art Gallery is an entirely independent venue, run by artists, for artists. 'We are committed to communicating our knowledge and perspectives on the disciplines we represent.'

Greenbelt Harvest Picnic

 
It is a thrill and honour to announce that I have been selected to participate in the third annual Greenbelt Harvest Picnic. 

Those familiar with my work know that my focus has been on agricultural issues and the plight of those Ontario farmers whose livelihood and lifestyle has been decimated by pressure from urban sprawl.
To read more about the project, please visit this link. 'Cultivating the Greenbelt:an ongoing dialogue with our protected land'

This year Neil Young and Whitehorse (have seen them live and they are sonic wizards) will be joining producer and musician Daniel Lanois' roster of brilliant musicians. Along with  performers and visual artists, there are farmers who will be providing local produce and natural foods.



The event takes place August 31. For more info please visit: http://www.harvestpicnic.ca/


Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Neil Young recorded with Crazy Horse for the first time in 1969 for the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere which includes the hit "Cinnamon Girl" and the extended guitar workouts "Down by the River" and "Cowgirl in the Sand”.
In 1979, Neil Young & Crazy Horse recorded Rust Never Sleeps... READ FULL BIO

---

Emmylou Harris - Already celebrated as a discoverer and interpreter of other artists’ songs, 12-time Grammy Award winner Emmylou Harris has, in the last decade, gained admiration as much for her eloquently straightforward songwriting as for her incomparably expressive singing. On Hard Bargain, her third Nonesuch disc, she offers 11 original songs—three of them co-written with Grammy– and Oscar–winning composer Will Jennings. READ FULL BIO

---

Daniel Lanois - One of the world’s most influential music producers – a shaper of albums by the likes of U2, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel and Bob Dylan. Daniel Lanois is best known for ongoing collaboration with the eclectic Brian Eno, Lanois first came to the ambient music pioneer’s attention while still in Hamilton. There, Lanois produced albums by Canadian stars from Martha & The Muffins to Ian Tyson to Raffi.   READ FULL BIO

---

Whitehorse - Six Shooter Records’ Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet tie the musical knot with the debut of their new band, Whitehorse, marrying their talent and chemistry on stage as a smoldering duo. Gutsy and resolute in their pursuits of sound and substance, Luke and Melissa’s fusion of the personal and professional brings to mind the road-tested romance of Johnny and June. Individually, Luke and Melissa have been recognized ...   READ FULL BIO

good things come to those who wait

  

As a young girl I wandered fields at my grandmother’s farm. They were enchanting and mysterious. I loved to disappear in them, dream in them, and emerge from them as if I’d been in a magic world. Decades later I’ve opened myself again to the wonder of field.

On July walks I am enthralled with the floaty look of field and  stop in my tracks for too many minutes to see the light flicker and spark on the random wild growth-thinking it’s not random at all. And bird-watching with a sense of awe as they synchronize in low flight before landing to become one with field..

 July, good things come to those who wait,  oil / cold wax on canvas, 30x30in, 2013

I had posted this painting ‘in progress’ and finished it today. The reference was a loose drawing but it just  wasn’t enough and I found the colours and shapes were not going where I wanted. Rather than hike with this large canvas to work on location, I brought the wild flowers and grasses into the studio and used them as reference. I often do this and find it always helps, whether just with colour temperature or structure. I am much happier with the painting now. 

Upcoming plein air workshop

Summer Painting in a Grimsby Garden

Join us as we revel in the heady scent, sound and colour of a summer garden.

This afternoon workshop is enjoyable for those with minimal art-making experience as well as more seasoned artists. We will paint on location Monet style-‘en plein air’. In inclement weather work will progress in the studio with fresh flowers as inspiration. Sessions are in oil or acrylic and a materials list will be provided upon registration. 

Sunday, August 18

1:30-4:30

Grimsby Public Art Gallery
18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, Ontario, L3M 1Y1

phone: 905-945-3246
e-mail: gpag@town.grimsby.on.ca
webpage: www.town.grimsby.on.ca/ArtGallery/Main/