To All My Lovely Artists - I'm sorry.

For some strange reason, probably because I was messing about with Google+, I lost ALL the images from ALL of my blogs posted since 2008. This is a very serious thing. An art blog without art is no blog at all.

I am painstakingly rescuing each image, but so far only got to the end of 2012. Prior to that, the site was more or less dedicated to other artists, because I was deeply involved in my writing. And those are the guys whose work is now missing from my posts.

Bear with me folks. The links to the artists still work, but the images will be slow to return. I can only manage a few a day. And I'm not getting any painting done.

Along with Hotmail going to Outlook, and Google adding that scary plus sign, I've had my hands full for a while, trying to recover or understand things.

Perhaps you know what I'm talking about. I hardly do.

Mother's Day Tribute - Latest Acrylic Naive Folk Painting

Something a little different today, after weeks of painting busy crowds, Colonial people and ships. I was thinking of all the mums out there...and how their skills are so taken for granted.

Now that my kids are grown, I only experience scenes like this when I visit grandchildren. It always amazes me how much a mum can accomplish in a short amount of time. And this from a woman who had twin boys and a daughter! I had to work fulltime, and now only vaguely recall how frenzied it got at times. It's all - thankfully - a blurry memory.

But we manage it all. We are superbly capable, yet it's the one area of expertise that we do without formal instruction (other than suggestions from our own mothers, or mothers-in-law, who were, let's face it, also self-taught).

"After Breakfast"
16 x 12



So Bravo mums! You are a wonder. I am a wonder. We are all wonders.

Until next time. 



"The Clipper" 19th Century Sailing Ship - Naive Seascape Folk Art

I know - who really cares about 19th Century painting reproductions? I do. I would paint them all the time, but it's a tiny market. In fact, I willed this one not to sell because I take that as a sign that I should keep it. I know just where I'll hang it.




 

24 x 18
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

If any of you have ever tried to paint a tall ship, you know how difficult it was getting the rigging right (or as 'right' as I could manage). There must have been miles of rope on those vessels. I was almost cross-eyed by the end.

"The Simple Life" Figurative Seascape Window and Woman Acrylic Folk Art Painting

Here is the latest one. I can picture myself living here, probably without the cellphone, or a TV, or the laptop. I don't know how long I could last, but I'd be willing to give it a try.

 

Acrylic on 16 x 12 Stretched Box Canvas

Have a lovely, relaxing Easter.

"Cafe" - New Figurative City Interior Painting

I enjoyed doing the larger figures in this painting, with the extra detail involved. I haven't been out for a lunch for a while, and the subject matter appealed to me. You will note that no one is eating. Hmm... Wonder what that says about me.





Acrylic on 16 x 12 Stretched Canvas



See you next time.

"The Commander" Faux-Colonial Naval Officer Portrait

I had a need to paint something Colonial-looking. Since I cannot afford to buy originals from that Early-America itinerate-artist School, I always make my own. Sometimes I keep them to decorate my own walls, and sometimes I offer them for sale. It's a very specific taste, so I don't expect a rush of interest, but I absolutely love doing them.

My "Commander" goes well with "M'Lady", painted a few months ago, so I've included her here.





Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas



 



Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Canvas

These are an obvious change from my city people paintings, but I have another of those in mind. I have no idea what the setting will be, but it will come to me in the next day or so.



"Market Day" - Latest Figurative Naive City Folk Art

Acrylic on 16 x 12 Stretched Canvas

There is no market day in my area, as far as I know. Of course, it could be so well-hidden that I've yet to discover it, but I think someone would have mentioned it. In Britain - in fact all of Europe - whole town squares become markets with dozens of stalls, and I've bought some incredible collectibles from such places. Canada has its share, and I'm guessing the States does, too. Being in the Antipodes, which entails doing a lot of things which are opposite to the rest of the world, Sydney has permanent markets, in dim, vaguely stale, buildings, where you can buy just about anything, but which lack the spontaneity of the outdoor versions, and certainly the fresh air. Paddington has an outdoor one, but it's too far for me to travel. No doubt, out of town, there are some great country markets, but I haven't found one yet.

This painting represents my memory of good city markets. I miss them.


Don't even ask how long this one took me to paint. I couldn't stop.

Two New Naive Escapist Folk Art Paintings

I don't know why I have this need for pleasurable things outside my immediate experience right now. I keep picturing beaches, and secret city places, and good food and wine. Perhaps I have a real need for a holiday.

In any case, these are my two latest paintings. Both have some relationship to food, and definitely gave me a warm glow as I painted them.

No explanation for the missing diners in the park. I leave that entirely to your imagination. But it's certain the pigeon is in for a nice little snack.






"Beach This Way"
Acrylic on 8 x 10 Stretched Box Canvas



"Green Space"
Acrylic on 10 x 8 Stretched Canvas

But real life goes on. And now to the nightly news...

"Perfect Plaza" New Urban Primitive Folk Painting



Acrylic on 16 x 12 Stretched Canvas

 We all have our favorite places to unwind.  For me, it's always been al fresco meals, soaking up some sun and feeling part of nature as I eat my Bruschetta. Even coffee doesn't taste as good as it does when you're outside in the fresh air.

We were very excited when our local city planners  began construction of a walking plaza here.  They blocked off each end of the main thoroughfare - a small street of shops that had little attraction because we have a hugely popular indoor mall a block over - and new signs appeared diverting traffic to a linking road. We patiently lived through the constant sound of road-building -- the whole area was being resurfaced -- because we were going to have a little oasis at the end, a perfect pedestrian mall, outside.

The construction guys finished and moved out and we curiously wandered into the area. There were now lots of benches along the sides (although we were puzzled by the new sidewalks). There were some trees, planters filled with flowers, but then we saw that there were traffic lights at each end of the block, and that a very small amount of cars still used the road.

The Powers-That-Be had decided to allow vehicles through our pedestrian mall. Store owners and others with business in the area had made a fuss and were permitted access by car. The whole thing had been a huge mirage. We had been duped. The only things that changed were the addition of more plant life, and a reduction in the amount of traffic.

So my painting this week is my idea of a perfect plaza, one where you can sit in quiet contemplation, or have a snack, do a little shopping, and not be overpowered by noise and bad air quality.

These places are common in Britain. Almost every small town has turned its high street into a car-free zone. We don't seem able to get it right. Of course, I still have hope that Council will reconsider our re-vamped street. Obviously reducing traffic has some benefit, but we deserve more. We are not all genetically attached to the car.

See you next time.

"The Neighbourhood" Primitive Urban Folk Art

While I'm in busy little people mode, following my antique store painting last week, I've produced another one. This is really familiar territory for me. Toronto (and most cities) have  little enclaves like this one, and I was comfortable walking around at all hours, and I didn't have to don proper clothes or fuss with my hair before I stepped out.

Acrylic on 16 x 12 Stretched Canvas

I used to live in a neighbourhood just like this. It was just one corner, but it had everything you could want, all within a few steps of home. It’s much quieter where I am now. I miss that old hustle and bustle. Guess I could always go to the local mall, but it isn’t the same…

Don't forget to support local art, wherever you find it. And never be afraid to buy something you love. If the artist is unknown, all the better. You could be the first on the bandwagon. Art shouldn't intimidate, or make you feel you don't know enough about technique or style. It should jump out at you the moment you see it - grab your attention. That way you know it will always give you pleasure, right there on your own wall. And you'll never regret that cash outlay as the years pass. (I spent my electricity bill money on a lovely landscape once. I don't have any memory of finding the cash to pay the bill, but I managed to keep the lights on. And I still have the wonderful painting.)

See you next time.