The EEEEK!!! Factor

I was recently asked by a friend if I finish one painting completely before starting another - I told him that is exactly what I do; and normally that is true ... however, as the February 1st opening date of my show is fast approaching, and between now and then I'll be out of town for 8 days (EEEEK!!!) I have revised my modus operandi and have set up several painting stations around the house. Aside from painting in my studio, I now have works on the go in the living room, kitchen, front entrance, and TV room and the household is in chaotic turmoil - my ever supportive husband does the cooking, dust bunnies are piling up in every corner, I am severely sleep deprived, and I haven't gone anywhere for the last 10 days that required me to step out of my slippers and paint splattered shirt. I could go on with this blabbering, but I've got work to do! Wish me luck and continued energy.

On the easel today

This is another work in progress for my upcoming show. I'm using acrylic paint on wood panel - I love the way texture from the grain in the wood reveals itself in the painting, even after 2-3 coats of Gesso and multiple layers of paint. The blobby shapes in the foreground will become an 'ecluse' (loch keeper's station) and a boat in a loch.

Illustration Friday - BUZZ

I didn't think I'd submit to Illustration Friday this week because I'm too "buzz"y painting canvases for my upcoming Villages of the South of France show, however, when my husband peeked in my studio and saw the underpainting of this work on my easel he asked me if I was painting a beehive. I realized this particular village is shaped like a bee skep, and as I continued working on it I thought a small village like this would be a-buzz with activity and gossip. So here it is, 95% finished, my contribution to Illustration Friday. PS - for a nanosecond I thought of adding a bee to the sunflower but decided that would be far to corny for words.

Another work in progress

acrylic paint on wood panel

From the Midi Canal/South of France series

The first finished painting of 2007

From the Midi Canal/South of France series

Back to the easel

Now that all the Christmas chocolates in the house have been eaten, I'm re-focusing my attention to preparations for my upcoming show: Villages of the South of France. The paintings in this series are not necessarily portraits of the villages I visited a few months ago, but rather are impressions of the church-centred scenes I saw over my glasses of wonderful local wines as we travelled the Midi Canal. Here's a mid-progress shot of a 23 3/4" x 17 3/4" x 3" exhibition canvas.

Peace - Illustration Friday

Winged Woman With Sturdy Shoes - this is my submission for Illustration Friday's peace theme.

Good-bye Winged Woman With Sturdy Shoes

The good news is that I sold this work yesterday; the sad news is that I shall miss it very much as it's one of my favourites and enjoyed a prominent spot in my studio - it greeted and inspired me every time I entered the room; better news is that I am filled with inspiration to immediately set paint brush to canvas and fill that now vacant wall space.

Illustration Friday - HELP

Here's a painting I did earlier this year and it's my entry for Illustration Friday's Theme - "HELP". This work is entitled Community Advocate With Sturdy Shoes. The community advocate works to HELP those in the community who need assistance in caring for themselves and their families - those who may not be able to navigate their own way through the often complicated twists and turns of governmental bureaucracy. This advocate stands firmly centred in her sturdy shoes, embracing her clients; the rainbow of colours illustrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnic groups, philosophies, and mental and physical abilities of those in need; the advocate's hair is spiky like a porcupine = she's on the defensive for her clients in these days of government cutbacks to social programs; the fence is taller than the figure = she feels hemmed in by the daunting challenges she faces; on her apron above the housetops there is a little bit of blue sky = hope. The clients and the houses are in series of 7 = the days of the week and therefore everyday. Let's celebrate those who are proactive in helping those within our own communities and the global community who need a little HELP to get by.

Limited Edition Prints Now Available

Limited edition prints of these paintings are now available in a variety of sizes on-line through Art for All of Us: http://artforallofus.com/roden.php

A portion of all sales goes to charity - when you purchase a print you choose from Art For Us All's list of charities (my charity of choice from the list is Habitat for Humanity).

Update

I've been busy preparing for Christmas and working on finishing up jewellery orders, so I have nothing new in the way of completed artwork to show you. I am working on paintings on wood for my South of France/Midi Canal show in February.

Village

Here's another recently completed 11.5" x 11.5" painting from the South of France series.

A new series of paintings

I spent most of September travelling along the Midi Canal in the south of France and as a result I've begun a series of paintings of the villages, churches, cathedrals, and castles from memories and photographs I took along the way. A church was the outstanding central structure in every village and town we visited. As you can see, my characteristic use of symbolism appears in this example (Montpellier, acrylic on canvas, 11 1/2" x 11 1/2"): 7 houses (including the house of God) represent the 7 days of the week, and therefore everyday; the houses of the community lean against each other for support, although their philosophical outlooks may differ (the various angles of doorways, windows, and rooftops).

Illustration Friday?

I haven't actually posted this to Illustration Friday... this week's theme is "clear"... which rhymes with "deer" ... but I think that's a bit of a stretch, don't you? I started this petite 12" x 24" work yesterday and finished it today.

Illustration Friday

This is an image from earlier this year - With Sturdy Shoes: Tippy-Toe Prayer - it's my contribution to Illustration Friday's latest theme: Smoke

My Home and Native Land

I collected this piece and other Memory & Narrative works from Place des Arts today as the month-long show is now over - it's the first day in several months that I have every piece of my artwork home again and egads! I don't know where I'm going to store it all. Here's a photo of the cover of My Home and Native Land and the table top papier mached using the paper cut from the pages of the book.

Taking a break from painting

This is the time of year when I take a break from from my regular art practice and focus on making beaded jewellery - I find working with these beautiful globules of colour, arranging and rearranging them into pleasing patterns is a form of meditation for me. This year I've enjoyed collecting beads on my European travels and my daughter in Thailand has sent some lovely beads my way as well. After a couple of months of beading I feel refreshed and ready to start painting again with renewed vigour, and the beads lie dormant for the next 10 months or so, with their lovely colours sparkling and winking at me from a corner in my studio.

Open Studio on Friday

I've cleaned up my studio and it is now presentable for visitors. I'm featuring works from three series: Community; With Sturdy Shoes; and Vessel. I've hung paintings on every available surface, positioned a few sculptures here and there, and have a table laid out with beaded jewellery works. Hope to see you Friday!

Memory & Narrative

This is a detail from "My Home and Native Land", the altered book component of my contribution to this exhibition with Leap Visual Artist Collective. I carved through 2500 pages of Canada's history and Canadian definitions in The Canadian Encyclopedia to create and define my "home" as truly Canadian.

The show has been hung and is ready to be viewed during the month of October in the Atrium Gallery at Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, BC. The opening reception is Thursday, October 5th, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

I have been involved with this collective of talented thought provoking artists for 7 years or so and am very excited to be once again participating in one of our yearly theme-related shows.

Woman Before A Mirror, mixed media on 3 canvases, 66" x 54"

These panels are one component of the Woman Before A Mirror work. "Slip", explained below earlier in the month, is the second component.

www.placedesarts.ca