WINTER HAS SPRUNG

Winter has sprung in Northern Ontario. You would think after all the years I have lived here I would have adjusted by now, but not the case. I hate winter!!!! I admit I enjoyed it when I was a child, jumping in fresh piles of snow, building snowforts and making snowflake angels. Now winter means dressing in layers and layers of heavy clothing to prevent the cold bite of the winter wind, trudging through deep piles of snow....*moan*. Yes, I am entitled to moan, I've put in my dues having been through 30, okay 40 odd years of the white stuff.
But I am wandering from my main reason for starting this blog and that is art work. Having just completed a winter painting in my "Life In Northern Canada" series I have already begun a summer one. Yes I am pushing the season a wee bit but hey, consider it artistic license. Maybe if I keep working on this one the painting will give me the warmth I need to make it through another Northern Winter. One can only hope.

MY LATEST FOLK ART PAINTING

I have finally finished my latest folk art painting. For some reason this one took more time than others to complete. It was definately a labor of love. It could be that my painting style has changed somewhat and I wanted to keep the style as similar as I could to my other paintings. Then again it could have also have been that I tried to be a little more through and careful. I'm not entirely sure, however, it is complete and I feel so much better. Almost like giving birth!!! :) I feel such a sense of relief. I am quite happy with the way it came out. I'm not sure if I will put it for sale on Ebay as I find their rates have really gone up and art doesn't seem to be doing as well on Ebay lately. It is also my biggest folk art painting so I'm not sure how much I will sell it for. I do know that I am ready for a change of season. I am going to go on now to paint a bright spring or summer painting with the children. Hopefully, it won't take as long to complete this one. Then again...with me...who knows?

NEW ORLEANS T-SHIRTS SELL BIG ON ZAZZLE!!!

What a nice surprise to receive an email from Zazzle that 52 T-shirts with the image of my painting "They Can't Keep Us Down" had been purchased from my Zazzle shop. This painting was a Jazz wall hanging I did based on the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and the spirit of the people of New Orleans.
Jazz put New Orleans on the map musically, and the culture lives on despite the events of Hurricane Katrina and the devestation she created. I wonder if they were purchased by some group to wear to an event? That's the only downside to selling through online shops is that you have no contact with the people that purchase from them.
Oh well, I am just really happy that so many sold and that someone obviously loves that painting. The original wallhanging is still for sale and can be seen at my ETSY store.

HANDPAINTED ICE SKATES

Finally I'm able to get on the computer and post my latest work. I've had a few hectic and busy weeks and haven't been able to keep up my blog, but I am back now and have lots to share.
I have just completed painting a pair of old figure skates. I love to paint on any surface, especially something I haven't tried before so when I saw these pair of skates being tossed aside...well...I saw a blank canvas. Out came my paints and my imagination and before I knew it, I had created these great decoration/conversation pieces. One I painted in a Christmas scene with the words 'Season's Greetings' on one side of the blade and 'Happy Holidays' on the other. One side is a snowy scene with a Snowman family and the other side features my little folk art houses. I removed the old laces and threaded lacy ribbon adorned with cinnamon sticks through them.


The second skate was painted in a non Christmas winter scene so it could be displayed all winter. One side shows Children enjoying outdoor skating and the other side shows more children enjoying winter past times such as building a snowman and sledding. These are similar to my Northern Ontario folk art children scenes.



They would look wonderful hanging on a front door to greet visitors or simply for display. They would also make unique gift packages for Christmas filled with treats...the possibilities are endless.
They will be offered for sale at my shop on ETSY and through my website.