On. And on.

The Pond Plein air oil, 4
The Pond
Plein air oil, 4″x5″

Finally, a painting.

Life has been a mess of moving, renovation planning, back pain and understanding life in a Strata.

And until just a few moments ago it had not occurred to me that this Strata was not something I should be trying to fight against. It is. It just is and my worrying and trying to figure it out will not change that which it is.

And so is the renovation and living in a home all mussed up and without our stuff in place. It just is.

And so I will paint. Those few hours of focus when all I am is a painter, trying to read the world and tell my story of it.

I am full of advice for others to “let it go”. It is time for me to take my own advice.

And paint.

The Times, They Are A Changing.

I’ve been on a self-imposed hiatus from here and from art making in general for the past month or so. The TD Art Gallery Paint-in and Sooke shows were huge hits with lots of art talk, inspiration and sales. This new plein air direction is hitting home for not just Andrew and I but for our collectors as well. I love seeing work go to good homes!

Andrew and I are just 11 sleeps away from moving into a new-to-us town home after selling our little house and buying all within a 2 week summer vacation. Prep for the sale was just a 2 week venture so all together we’ll have completely changed our home-lives within 2 months. We are moving to the east side of town to be closer to work for me (I can walk!) and to remove a huge amount of house maintenance from our lives (No more fall leaves!!!). Which hopefully means more time to paint en plein air but also in a larger studio. It doesn’t seem real and I suppose it won’t until we have those keys in our hands and are gazing at the space around us. Sigh.

The grounds of our new complex have a series of ponds, fountains and green spaces and our new neighbours had better get used to seeing us out there painting. Expect some new scenery here as we explore and enjoy a very welcome change.

It’s on, baby.

The summer of art has begun. Along with the heat comes some extreme art events. I hope to see you there!

Currently in progress is the grand opening exhibit of the Windrush Gallery in Metchosin.Windrush

Both my husband, Andrew Bartley and I have pieces in the opening show, which features Vancouver island artists exhibiting their work in a mental health themed show with partial proceeds going to YouthSpace.ca.  

Windrush Gallery  10-5, Weds to Sunday  |  4357 Metchosin Rd

Coming up in July is the TD Art Gallery Paint-In on Saturday, July 18. Again, both Andrew and I will be exhibiting (and plein air painting!) at this wonderful event. Seriously, if you’ve never been, you are missing out on a most unique community event with over 150 local artists demonstrating, displaying and discussing their art throughout the day. Moss St. closes down to traffic and the pavement fills up with thousands of happy art goers and their canine companions. I almost enjoy dog and people watching more than talking about art all day long! Please go. You won’t be disappointed.

Paint-in

TD Art Gallery Paint-In

Saturday, July 18, 2015 | 11am-9pm

Moss Street (all of it!)

Last but not least is the annual Sooke Fine Arts Show.

A must see every year, this regional exhibition showcases 375 works of original, west coast art by artists on Vancouver Island and the surrounding BC coastal islands. Andrew and I both have work in the show this year and the gift shop is a wonderful place to find original art at small sizes and small prices. I believe art should be accessible to all so look for a few of my miniature landscape oil paintings in the gift shop this year.

SookeSooke Fine Arts

  • July 24 – August 3
  • 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke
  • $8 – One Day Pass* (13+)
    $7 – Senior (65+) Day Pass
    $15 – Show Pass
    $30 – Purchaser’s Preview Evening (July 23)
    $15 – Taste of Sooke Evening (July 30)
    Kids under 12: Free at all times