The Big Switch Up

It was one of those weeks. Too busy by far to do anything relaxing or creative, just a lot of running around. The show at the Meadowvale theatre was extended for a few weeks, but as both galleries where I have work on a regular basis are changing up the shows, I had to go to all three venues and move things around. I also had a one day art event held at the Lakeshore Yacht Club (in west Toronto), where I had donated a painting to the silent auction for Sick Kids Hospital, and had a few other paintings on display. Seemed like it was one long social weekend, which while enjoyable, has left me longing for some creative down time.

"A Cappella"    12x12" Acrylic on Canvas
Now on display at the Art Gallery of Lambeth in London, Ontario

In Your Own Sweet Way

In Your Own Sweet Way
24x30" Acrylic on Canvas

I love jazz guitar. My son has started playing, which could be part of it, but I had already explored a bit  before he ventured into the world of jazz. "In Your Own Sweet Way" is a piece of music done by many musicians, but the one that caught me was by Joe Pass, on the recording "Chops". 

Around Christmas I went to an art opening where London guitarist, David Jolly, was playing, and he was kind enough to let me take some photos while he played. I'm sure this is just the first of the paintings I'll do using the photos from that evening. He seemed completely comfortable with me walking around him taking pictures while he played, so I took a lot. 

I've got a few months before the festivals start up again, so I'm going through last years pile of pics, along with video stills from some DVDs I got from the library, and trying to see what I can come up with. I've got a few pieces started.... but I still haven't begun the huge 4x6 foot canvas I have sitting here. Something that big is a bit intimidating. It's been many years since I've painted really large. I think Ill need a good chunk of time for that one. When a piece hits the ugly stage, and they all do, it seems to last longer the bigger it is. I have to be mentally prepared for that.

Serenity

Serenity
18x18" Acrylic on Canvas

Miniatures

In preparing for this show at the theatre, I neglected to look at my upcoming commitments for the galleries I was already a part of. At the last minute, and after repeated reminders, I pulled out a couple miniature paintings I had done last year and submitted them to the Art Gallery of Lambeth's juried miniature show. The opening was this past weekend. Good turnout, as always, and quite a few pieces sold, one of which was mine. For an added bonus, I got an honourable mention (and a lovely ribbon). The juror was Madeline Lennon, an Art History professor from Western University. That was a lovely surprise.

"Syncopate II"
Mixed Media on paper

The Brass

The Brass
24x36" Acrylic on Canvas

I'm a sucker for a band with a horn section. I'll watch them for hours. Could be blues, jazz or swing, right down to a ska band... I love them all.

Solo Exhibit at the Meadowvale Theatre

The main wall of the lobby, across from the bar. Each of these pieces is
30" wide. They look kind of small, but it just because the wall is so big!

Well, the big day arrived and my solo exhibit went up at the Meadowvale Theatre. Right up until we started sorting and leaning things against the walls I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough work... the place just looked so huge. Luckily my sister was around to help, and she's done this kind of thing many times before. We figured out their hanging system without too much difficulty, and started spacing things out.

By the time we were finished I had almost every space covered. I have to say I'm pretty happy with the way everything looks hanging together. The bright colours really pop on the neutral walls. I have a few new pieces, completed in February, that I have yet to post (as the astute observer will notice...). I will post them over the next couple weeks while I start work on my big "Big" band painting.  :)

Beside the bar, across from the big white wall

View from the front door. The piece beside the coat check
is 36" wide. It looks so little, but it isn't. That seems to be
my running theme....

The main wall from the opposite side.

Creative Flow

Stepping Out
24x30" Acrylic on Canvas

One week to go and counting. The last little while has been incredibly productive for me... probably more so than at any other point in my life. Even with a full time job, I've been able to finish 8 fairly large pieces and 3 smaller ones. Even when I was in school I wasn't that prolific. I think having the deadline has helped... I can't stop to analyze and plan, I just have to do. One painting builds off the previous one. I really think that as long as I don't stop, I could keep going indefinitely. Unfortunately, I will run out of time. I still don't know if I'm going to have enough work to fill up that wall, but I tried my best. Next time I'll have had a head start.