We escaped to Quebec last week for some much needed rest and relaxation. We first stopped in Montreal and marveled at this beautiful and vibrant city. I was there years ago when I was too young and stupid to appreciate it, so I'm glad we stopped and got to spend some time soaking up the atmosphere. There is one thing that I couldn't quite understand. It's a city of extremely attractive people with an unbelievable ability to consume large amounts of cheese, charcuterie, foie gras, and red wine without looking like little dumplings. Is it the red wine that compensates? I'm just glad that I brought plenty of ENO because my WASP stomach was barely up to the task.
We then moved on to North Hatley, Quebec and stayed at Manoir Hovey which was a place that I'd been itching to go for years. As luck would have it we got bumped up (love when that happens) and got to spend a few days in utter paradise. It was so quiet- even the chipmunks were quiet- ok, I guess they are anyway. I've shared a few photos including one of my handsome husband looking like an' intelligent man with deep thoughts'.....who will likely not be very pleased that I posted it. That other one is the best shot of me from the whole trip.
So now we're back and I'm twiddling my thumbs waiting for some twinge of inspiration to overtake me. I think my mind wasn't used to completely shutting off. Or perhaps it's all the food that has caused a total creative block. I could very well end up painting only chipmunks this week or perhaps cheese. Just warning you.
Oh, and thanks for all of the kind comments about my work in the previous post- it means a lot!
May 13, 2012 | Filed in: Random
It's no secret that I'm a big film buff and that one of my favourite subjects to paint are women and so it's probably no big shocker that I'm a big fan of the femme fatale. I did a lot of my growing up in the 80's and 90's and watched far too many film noir movies for my own good. That time frame was ripe with plenty of strong yet duplicitous ladies which of course were a throwback to the earlier ones of the 40's and 50's. But where have they gone in today's cinema? This occurred to me the other day while I sat there twiddling my thumbs. John feels that she's been replaced by the (excuse my language here) 'ass-kicking, sharp and pointy, black spandex clad warrior' types that you see today like 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'. That's fine and all, but it just seems like they're copying the naughty behavior of their ultra violent male countertypes rather than using their own intellect and feminine wiles to do their evil deeds. Is it really all about political correctness and that perhaps the femme fatale has simply become outdated and an embarrassment to feminism? Or maybe it's just the opposite- maybe she's being muzzled. Not sure. All I know is that I am desperate for a little dose of glamour and mystery with my leading ladies. Some 'true red' lipstick, a chignon and a shot of good bourbon would make me a happy girl again.
March 11, 2012 | Filed in: Random
Here we are in mid February and for the most part it hasn't been that bad- has it? Normally I'm tearing my hair out and on my second bottle of tequila by noon (kidding)- well kind of. I think it's the lack of snow here in Ontario and not feeling as shut in as I normally do. Although, it's pretty ugly out there. Brown, grey, dirt, salt, mud, grit, ugly.
Anyhow, I thought I would share some of the things that are pulling me through these ugly times.
From clockwise.....
1. Breakfast for dinner. Why not be wild? I just haven't figured out the perfect drink to go with it- I suppose a mimosa? Image via Foodmonger
2. The tantalizing interiors featured on Bijou and Boheme. Anyone who starts a blog post with 'My bedroom sucks poop balls' is alright in my book.
3. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Fascinating. The Duchess had a gown with a giant lobster on it- need I say more? Except I'll add that their home in Paris was a direct inspiration for my 'That Summer In Monte Carlo' painting.
4. Copious amounts of Downton Abbey. John bought the two seasons and it's Masterpiece Theatre on steroids. Love every moment of it.
5. Manoir Hovey in North Hatley Quebec. I've been wanting to stay there for years, and we finally booked a trip in the spring. It's embarrassing how excited I am to go.
6. Rereading Rebecca. It's so good the forth time, although it's giving me nightmares.
7. Chocolate covered in gold dust. I've yet to come across it in real life, but one needs a goal. Image via this is glamorous
February 10, 2012 | Filed in: Random
I made it back to the craft corner last night and voila! More canvas prints!
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE A LOOK!
January 19, 2012 | Filed in: Random
I returned to my 'Craft Corner' the other day to work on some small canvas prints. My craft corner has been a sad and lonely place as I haven't had any time to spend there these past few months. Perhaps calling it a craft corner is an overstatement. It's basically a desk with a lamp and a staple gun and a few boxes of staples. You see, I don't craft. Or rather, I don't craft very well. This surprises people as I have artistic abilities but seem to lack whatever it is that makes a person a successful crafter. I suspect it's patience and the ability to follow instructions or some sort of guideline. For example, last month I hosted a little Christmas party for a few close friends. I figured it was a perfect time to make a few paper snowflakes to hang around the house. Off I went to my craft corner with a little instruction manual on how to make paper snowflakes. Brief chaos occurred resulting in two sad little torn up snowflakes that didn't look much like snowflakes and a burst of profanity that made John shudder. That was the end of that. However, I do make a pretty decent canvas print and I enjoy wielding a staple gun so all is well again in the craft corner. I don't know when I will make it back so when these eight canvas prints are gone, there's no guarantee when more will appear. Although, I am wrapping up some commercial work that I've been working on this past while, so hopefully I will get to spend more time with the staple gun.
Also, I should mention that I may have an original ready either later today or tomorrow. It's a part of my 'Black Walnut Manor' series just in case you're interested....
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SHOP.
January 13, 2012 | Filed in: Random
