Field Trip

 Stairwell.  If there was a banister it would be a stellar one to slide down

I hitched a ride into the city with Damian yesterday to take myself on a date to the AGO.  I hadn't been in way too long, since they did the big renovation.  I was looking forward to the sound of my feet echoing in those big rooms, off of the hardwood floors.  Was looking forward to that inspiring tingle I get in my stomach when I drift past all of that old oil paint sealed in ornate frames.

Tour group

I arrived right when they opened and it was fantastic, most of the time I was the only one in a space.  It was like having a private viewing.

Shadowy self

I found myself alone in a large atrium with great light streaming through, so you know, had to do the ubiquitous shadow shot.  Then I had a little sit down in that sunshine and admired the ivy crawling the old brick wall outside the window across from me.  Natures art.

My back couldn't hack it, it demanded a little rest

Sadly I didn't find the new space as inspiring as the old one.  The individual rooms just didn't have the warmth I remember.  Some of the spaces seemed a bit sparse or something, I can't fully explain it, there was just something missing.

 I love rooms like this one and below, frames upon frames, rich wall colour.  I like my art galleries and museums to be just as historical as the pieces housed inside.  Modern design has its place, obviously, I mean times and styles change but I guess I'm more into the traditional style.  I'm into cozy yo, I want to be bundled up in everything from sweaters to art.

Hello, darling Modi. Portrait of Mrs. Hastings by Amadeo Modigliani

I love Modigliani, he's one of my favourites.  I was so happy to walk in and see this hanging in front of me.  This portrait of Jeanne, his luvah and baby mamma, is probably my favourite.  My Dad gave me a huge framed print of it years ago saying she reminded him of me... this is why it's a fave.

Marchesa Casati by Augustus John

Ever since I was a kid this portrait of The Marchesa has intrigued/haunted me.  She's what I think of when I think of the art gallery, I look forward to her gazing straight through me every time I visit.  Look at those eyes, that fiery hair !  She holds me captive in front of her for so long.

Hot Wheels

Check out our new wheels, purrrr.  She handles like a dream and really opens up on the highway.  Seriously though, did I really just build a stroller?  I friggin did.  It was one of those "hit me" moments where i realized i was gonna be a Mum, gonna have a kid VERY soon.  Though it also means I can indulge in vino again VERY soon!  See those cup holes at the top by the handle?  Those are for travellers right, roadies?

Anyway, this little sexy wasn't too bad to put together.  I mean nobody is winning any literary awards for writing the instructions which consisted mainly of cipher-like images with "... snap" beside them.  As I attempted to figure out the exact angle they were trying to depict I began to rely more on my wits and that "snap!" sound for final outcomes.  Of course in all honesty it could be a user issue, I'm not much on an instruction manual kinda gal.  I usually try to put stuff together just by jumping in and chucking the manual to the side.  Damian suggested that maybe this time I could try using the manual since, after all, there would be precious cargo riding in it.  He had a point there.

As slick and modern as this hot ride is, I would still love to push the Tiny around in a spooky old, haunty, Victorian pram.  Still, this will do, it folds up pretty sweet and is much more practical for today's hustle bustle society.  Plus the car seat fits in it, snap!

Voila, avec car seat... and curious feline onlookers.  It didn't take long at all for one of the cats to end up chilling out in it.  Now I have kleenex boxes piled up in it so they don't get the seat all hairy.  Doesn't keep them out of the storage basket underneath though but that's fine, they can fort it up in there, that spot is just for the plethora of crap i'll be lugging around with me anyway.

I have to say that I'm shocked at myself for allowing me to take these photos in our kitchen.  You are now witness to the hideous cabinetry and linoleum floor I curse on a daily basis.  The joint needs a reno big styles!  Kitchen re-do is a big one though so it's on hold for a bit.  Besides, I think I did a pretty ok job masking the heinous with a Liz Taylor style vaseline vignette on the pics.  Romantic.

Paint, you joyful SOB

"The Earth Brought to Its Knees" - 30"x24" acrylic, oil pastel, pencil on wood panel

Damn I love painting.  Since being told to stay home now, by my doctor, I've had more time to do it too, whoot!  I hope to get my website up hella damn soon, I need a proper place to "hang" my work and get it out there.  This is going to be what I do while on mat leave (besides laundry), Tiny Dancer can chill in her playpen in my studio and get paint splatters on her..... until she's big enough to get into the paints herself.   This is hopefully what I do AFTER mat leave as well.

I need to research shipping larger pieces, packaging them up all cozy and secure, rates, and all that jazz.  Need to start moving some work to make way for more, it's piling up!

These are a few of my recent pieces.  The photos are slightly shameful, they could be way better.  I've been wanting to take the paintings outside to photograph them for my site, in ambient light, you know?  It's been a mad spell of rainy weather though so I've been shite out of luck in that department.  I heard a dirty rumour of sunshine this coming week so I'll get my arse out there and utilize the snot out of it before the snow comes (i love you, snow).

Using this post to start a board on Pinterest of my work (cheeky), I lose myself on that site daily.  Wanna follow me there?  Here I be!

"Going Deeper and Deep" - 18"x24" acrylic and pencil on wood panel

"Pattern for a Night Sky" - 30"x30" acrylic, oil pastel, pencil on gallery stretched canvas

Untitled - 36"x36" acrylic, oil pastel, pencil on wood panel

Untitled - 18"x36" acrylic, oil pastel, pencil on wood panel