Category: Artists
How Colour Makes Me Feel
August 29, 2024
I’ve often imagined that observing bright colours, especially in nature, was like taking vitamins. The neon green moss in the forest in February, an intense dark blue sky behind white snowy trees, ...
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The Search for Treasure
May 1, 2024
A common stumbling block for artists is “not knowing what to draw, paint, write or sew etc…”. I have heard students or artist friends lament about this and I have been stuck ...
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How Birds Give Us a Sense of Wonder
October 3, 2023
One of the most precious gifts I received as a child was a large picture book of birds painted by the 19th century ornithologist/artist, James Audubon. It was from my grandparents in ...
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Finding the Edge
May 1, 2020
Reflecting on this (Robert Davidson) quote again, I think “the knife edge” between the past and future is where true creativity lives. Some think creativity is only painting, drawing, dancing or making ...
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Windows Into the Past - Visiting the National Gallery
January 13, 2020
This December I had my dream experience of spending two days, mostly alone, at our National Gallery in Ottawa. I have been asked several times what my favourite piece was but I ...
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Monarch Mountain
March 26, 2019
This painting called “Monarch Mountain” is inspired by a hike with a friend in Atlin, B.C. (near Whitehorse) last summer. Due to this being a south facing slope in a northern latitude ...
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Time With Emily Carr
October 10, 2018
While reading all her books in succession I started to feel like Emily Carr was becoming a friend which I looked forward to hanging out with at the end of the day. ...
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Blast From the Past
February 5, 2018
I recently acquired two paintings I did 20 years ago that had been sold to a local art collector. It was a bit of a surprise to see them, it was like I ...
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What Makes the Best Studio?
January 5, 2018
To do creative work we need to transfer from our everyday busy thoughts. Rituals can help. I have a few: as soon as I put on my painting apron I feel like “I’m working”. I also make a cup ...
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