Moments that matter

I'm proud of myself. How often do you think that...or say it out loud? I'm guessing not enough. You are not alone folks. I often feel like I'm not living up to my full potential. Ambition, success, small steps forward should be rewarded no matter what your job is. Today I'm sharing some achievements that make me smile. It's hard to write about yourself and not sound braggy (is that even a word?) but I'll give it a go.

If you are not familiar with NYC based artist and author Adam J. Kurtz than let me introduce you. His words are shown in the image above and he has just come out with a book that looks amazing. You can tear out the pages and keep them as reminders and inspiration.

A few weeks ago I hung some of my work at an independent bookstore in town called Hunter Street Books. It really does make me so happy to think that people are viewing and experiencing my paintings in a public space. Having them stacked in my studio is reality sometimes, but it's such a great feeling to hang them in a unique shop like this.

If you are not able to view them in person you can check them out in my online shop. Please contact me with any questions. If you are downtown shopping over the next few weeks you can see the collection until early January. 

A few months ago I accepted a challenge from a local shop Watson & Lou. They asked artists to create a piece of art that had a slogan on it, your choice to make it funny or sincere. One that would help describe our city, Peterborough. One afternoon I sat at my dining table with scissors in hand and cut up an image of my grandma with two of her friends. This was the starting point, all I knew was that I wanted to try collage but was unsure of how I would go about it. I know artists, including myself, talk about the process a lot, reality is it's these moments of uncertainty and experimentation that are the most rewarding. I could have deleted the email and never took the risk of making something out of my comfort zone, but I didn't. 

Photo by Watson & Lou

Photo by Watson & Lou

The framed print from my original collage is available for sale at Watson & Lou, and some fun products are in the works with this design. I'm excited to see how they turn out! This piece reflects my thoughts on why people gravitate back to this city. When I was in high school I couldn't wait to leave and I really never thought I'd move back. I've met a lot of people through instructing painting classes, neighbours and acquaintances who all say the same thing. They just moved back. There is something in the familiar that makes us feel comfort. It's been four years to the day that we moved into our home, and I don't miss living in a larger city.

Photo by Watson & Lou

MOO contacted me recently and asked if I would be interested in sharing some information about my business and choice of packaging. I just received an email with the featured artists and I wanted to share it with you. Check it out here. 

Promise me something, if you get that feeling of excitement about something you worked hard on or created, that you will share it. Tell those you are close with, it's great to have a cheering squad. Don't worry if you feel like your bragging, people want to share in your successes.

Art by Adam J. Kurtz

Thoughts

I recently read the title of Grace Gulley's new book "How To Make Friends As A Grown-Ass Woman" and it got me thinking. Since I joined IG and started this blog two years ago, I have made a lot of new friends. Some I chat with through face time, some live locally and we hang out in real life. Then there are those who are like my cheering squad. Always there to give support and offer real criticism and feedback. 

Photo by Grace Gulley

Grace runs CYL Squad and says to "keep like-minded friends who share big dreams and similar aspirations." I think this is very important in this artistic community. Painting at home is often lonely and I crave communication with other makers. I instruct painting classes weekly which is a great way for me to teach beginners how to create as well as socialize. 

The other night I read something online that was teaching you how to grow an organic following on social media. Suggesting posting only photos in a certain colour palette (perhaps staying on trend with Pantone and the colour of the year...ya right!), making sure that the top nine photos all relate and are not too similar. Also to be consistent posting at least two times daily. Just reading that gives me a head ache!

I post what I feel like sharing whenever I have time to do so. A lot of times it's different styles of artwork. I like to mix it up and experiment with techniques, as I personally love an eclectic style. The process is the most rewarding part in my opinion. I don't have a specific medium of choice and I'm ok with that, I've tried to narrow it down but it's just hasn't happened.

Art by Tessa Forrest

I just read an interview on artist Jasper Johns and felt very connected with some of his words. 

"There’s the question of doing something knowing what the result will be, or doing something that involves a degree of uncertainty. There can be freedom of that sort. Tending in one direction, you may become aware of where you’re heading and may realize that there are other possibilities. You may want to introduce those possibilities to see what the meaning can be."

At the age of 87 he is still creating today. If you are in the UK check out his show at The Royal Academy of Arts.  

I'm still learning to tell my story through my art. I will keep pushing, keep making, and keep experimenting with what feels right. I feel an urge to create Plant Studies again, we'll see what happens when I head to the studio.

Holiday Gift Guide

We usually put up the tree (it's a fake) at the beginning of December after my oldest daughters birthday. I don't go overboard with seasonal decor, just a bit of stuff I've collected over the years mixed with crafts that the girls have made. My youngest daughter is already cutting snowflakes & drawing gingerbread houses!

I recently saw "A Bad Moms Christmas" and while it made me laugh out loud it also put me in the holiday spirit. I LOVE Kathryn Hahn. If anyone decides to make a movie about me...which isn't going to happen any time soon, I hope she's up for it. In the movie, the ladies all enjoy beers in the foodcourt before they tackle the stress of mall shopping. My go to winter cocktail is a White Russian...yum!

Meet my girl crush Kathryn.

Ever since our girls were small we've tried to limit the amount of gifts we give to immediate family members to one thing. Last month we went to a local Etsy market and a shop in town that supports local artisans called Watson & Lou. We are almost done! No shopping at the mall for this lady.

I thought I would share a gift guide with you featuring the makers of the items I've bought so you can check there stuff out and start shopping!

"Best known for our colourful geometric studs, MOONLIGHT FOR VIOLET is thrilled to bring you easily wearable pieces in a wide variety of colours and shapes."  Shannon creates out of her home in Toronto, ON. I had a difficult time choosing what colour to get, I also love the colour mint chip. I think these ones will look great with anything. "The brass hexagon forms shown here are filled with polymer clay and filed, and come with 18 karat gold-plated surgical steel bases with tight-fitting butterfly backings."

Check out Lakeside Stitch Co. based out of Lakefield, ON. Stephanie has a wonderful collection of outer wear to keep you warm this holiday season. I picked up two crocheted market bags to gift in a cotton/nylon blend, that will be great to use for produce or everyday essentials. 

My daughters couldn't decide which one we should get, all the feathers by Flux Glass Co. are amazing! "I like to keep my designs simple, because I think it’s the beauty of the glass itself that’s the real art." The copper details add a modern touch to this traditional stain glass. Jessica is based out of Orillia, ON. and has branched out and started to create arrows, trees and mountains as well. Her etsy shop is taking a break but you can shop her items online at Watson & Lou.

Photo by Flux Glass Co.

Who doesn't love a bar of soap with a cool cat on the packaging? My daughters loved these all natural ones by Peterborough maker Melinda Richter.  They are synthetic fragrance free & will make the perfect stocking stuffer. Available at Watson & Lou.

Photo by Papirmass

If you have someone on your list who loves art and decor this is the perfect thing. "Need a gift that wows but don’t have time to figure out how? A gift subscription to PAPIRMASS will keep them surprised, delighted, and thinking of you every single month." I was lucky to win all of the art shown above in an online contest last month by this Toronto company.

"Papirmass is an independent art subscription that seeks to spark curiosity and inspire creativity. Subscribers all around the world love how our monthly mailings help them discover their next favorite artist. Through unique prints, studio interviews, and hands-on artistic activities, Papirmass is all about making creative connections." 

"Electric City Supply is a furniture and home decor company started by two friends with a passion for industrial/rustic design out of Peterborough, ON." I thought this hanging pegboard would be a great way for a guy to display tools in a workshop or hang a collection of ball caps. Even if you use it as an art piece without any hooks it looks just as good. They are having an online sale until November 22nd, so check them out.

This 100% natural cotton bag has me singing No Diggity every time I see it. Swell Made is based out of Peterborough, ON. Lesley has lots of unique goodies for the holidays including modern gift tags, cards and even an advent candle! I picked this out for my husband to give to me...I know I'm not the only one who shops for themselves at the holidays. I'll act surprised in front of my kids I promise.

Gift Tags by Swell Made

So remember shop local and handmade this holiday and support small businesses and makers. You will be less stressed and won't be the person driving around the parking lot at the mall pissed off that you can't find a parking space. 

Artists I'm crushing on

Last week my husband & I enjoyed a day date in Toronto. We had a few hours before we went to see the band Middle Kids (who were amazing live!) in an intimate concert at the Horseshoe Tavern. I didn't check the hours at The Art Gallery of Ontario so unfortunately we went to buy tickets only to realize that they were about to close. Lucky for us that we decided to go across the street to a few independent galleries that were open & got to see some amazing original artwork.

The exhibit at Bau-Xi of Canadian artist Steven Nederveen was so good. His show "Something in the Air" was very intriguing. His mixed media pieces connected the movement of paint with the natural environment so well. His colour palettes in this collection are my favourite to create with, shades of blues & pinks. Now I'll show you a few of my favourites.

"Something in the Air" photo from Bau-Xi Gallery.

"Emerald Forest 2" photo from Bau-Xi Gallery

"Black Sand Shores 1" photo from Bau-Xi Gallery.

After we viewed that exhibit we walked into Mayberry Fine Art. A few paintings were hung by Canadian artist Meghan Hildebrand from her show "Fire Season." Her paintings captivated me with their abstract dream like qualities. I left feeling very happy, yet sad I couldn't afford to take one home with me.

"Treat Me Well" Photo by Meghan Hildebrand

"Herself, Little By Little" Photo by Meghan Hildebrand.

"Things That Happen To Rock" Photo by Meghan Hildebrand. 

The painting above is from her "Cloud Hand" series & has sold. I wish I had the opportunity to see it in person, I love it! These colours & markings come together to make a modern landscape that I relate to.

I treated myself to some new oil pastels that day & can't wait to experiment with them. There's something about seeing artwork in person that is very inspiring.

Watson & Lou

A new shop has just opened up & I thought I would give you a little tour. Watson & Lou is in my hometown of Peterborough ON, & is a unique spot downtown that supports over 30 local makers. You also have the opportunity to rent shared studio space as well as take part in monthly creative workshops. 

 "Our mission is to celebrate the beauty, ingenuity, and kindness of our local creative economy. We aim to provide a platform for local makers to share their work with a wider audience while growing and refining their practice through dialogue and skills-sharing."

A selection of pieces from North Oar co. & Burn Island. 

Beautiful side tables from Relic of Canada.

A collection of prints are available to choose from.

That wallpaper is so gorgeous you could just frame it! I also need to note how full the fiddle leaf figs are, I'm jealous. 

The plate wall by Lou Brown Vintage is so fun!

How great is that pop of teal behind the till mixed with the copper pendants.

They have a good selection of art/design books & magazines.

Lots of colourful items to bring home, including Cultural Standees by Lucky Jackson.

An overload of cuteness for the little ones. Dolls by Mini Goddesses, Booties by Coyles Cubby, felted bunnies by MonAmieManon.

A selection of stationary by The Critter Co. &  Swell Made Co. Papercuts by Laurel Paluck.

Odd Ducks Vintage makes the most amazing fibre art. Neck Ties by Slice of Blackbird Pie.

You can take a selfie under that pretty unicorn. Some of my paintings hanging on the right.

If you are local make sure to follow them to see what workshops are happening.

Tonight Heck Yes is running a sold out workshop making cacti gardens.

If you have never tried working with a medium before grab & friend & enjoy a night out. You can sign up for all workshops here. 

If you are not local you can still check out the Online shop. Make sure to support local makers for the holidays! 

Two Years Later

Let me give you a little background about this website & blog incase you are new here. My youngest started Junior Kindergarten Sept 2015 and it was during the month of August that I decided to try and paint full time & work as an artist. Since that time I have found myself setting personal goals & deadlines which have forced me to make new bodies of work & explore the creative side that has always been a part of me. I have had the opportunity to have a solo show, several group shows & install some of my paintings in restaurants around the city. I'm so lucky that retailers in the area want to showcase my work for their clientele. Getting my name out there is sometimes challenging but definitely worth the effort. 

Saturday night I'm going out for dinner with my husband, sister & a few friends to celebrate my Birthday at a new Pub that recently opened. I'm excited to hang out in the space as I installed some artwork before they opened & have yet to sit & enjoy it. One of the bars is painted turquoise, as soon as I saw that I thought, yes my art needs to be here (turquoise is my favourite colour). The above painting "The Blues" is an old favourite that is on display & looking for a new home.

My first blog post was Aug 30th, 2015 & I truly can't believe that I have stuck with it. I thought I would try & do a blog post once a month to let people who enjoyed my artwork know more about my inspiration, & love for Interior Design. Since that time I have posted once a week, which really is crazy as I have never considered myself a blogger. Moving forward I may try to post every two weeks, we'll see what happens I guess.

Photo by Oxford Proper

I still have accomplishments that I hope to achieve & ideas that will challenge me in my studio. I would love to collaborate with others artists or companies, so feel free to contact me if you think we would be a good fit. One of the highlights of this year has been creating a body of work I called "Plant Studies." I've learned a lot from other artists & I have admired Michelle Armas work for years. Her personality seems so down to earth & listening to podcasts where she has been interviewed I've always come away with great tips & advice. The day I put my Plant Study collection in my online shop she was the first to purchase a piece. I am not lying when I say that it brought tears to my eyes. It felt like validation that everything I had been doing was working & I was on the right track.

I'm not sure what the future holds for me & my family, but I do know that I'm the happiest I've ever been. Working a 9-5 retail job is what I left behind when I had my daughters, perhaps one day I will need to step back into that environment to help pay the bills. Right now I'm taking it one day at a time, a creative life is very fulfilling.

House Feature - Lora Neveu

I recently discovered Lora's company on Instagram & fell in love with their designs. The products they make are sprinkled throughout her home & add a ton of personality. "If I had to describe my style I guess it would be vintage surf cowboy, because I love things that are earthy and natural but also really love quirky sparkly things. I come from a fashion background but have always been a maker and DIY-er. I started Sun + Stars in the winter of 2015 with my friend and business partner Kristen McGregor." 

"My husband and I bought our house in the Junction area of Toronto with my sister in 2011. It's split into two apartments. Our family is on the top two floors, they are on the bottom two and we share the outside spaces. It's a nice way to live in the city (more) affordably, plus we have less house to clean and have a built in dog sitter when we go away! Our portion of the house is about 1400 square feet. Sometimes we dream about moving to the country and having a big studio and wide open spaces, but we've lived in the city so long that I think we might miss the convenience of walking everywhere. Plus we have a really great community around us, it would be hard to walk away from it." 

Now let's dive into these photos and see her creative space!

This is a corner of the living room. It's filled with colour, art & music...some of my favourite things. Lora's sister got the girls the yellow record player in Nashville. "They love playing Mini Pops and Blondie records while they play lego."

A few records from their collection.

"I'm really inspired by vintage kids books and art prints. I've always been drawn to vintage and have been thrifting and flea market shopping my whole life, some of my favourite pieces of furniture or clothing are things I've owned for years."

"I used to be a big collector, but now too many things in a room create a visual noise that makes it hard for me to relax, plus living in the city space is at a premium so if I don't love it or use it, it goes! Our living room is our all purpose room, this room is rarely empty. We got that big sectional couch from West Elm because each piece is the size of a twin bed so it can double as a guest room when needed. The teak coffee table lived in my house when I was a kid and it's the most useful piece of furniture."

"The kitchen is the room we've done the least changes to other than adding some cupboards and lots of white paint. We're planning on re-doing the backsplash this fall. We do everything in this room, eat, dance, make art."

Using vintage maps is an inexpensive way to fill your walls & add colour to your space.

"In the warm weather we always have the sliding doors wide open to the deck. We eat out there and hang out and there are stairs down to the main back yard."

My favourite colour is turquoise...how great are these painted stairs!

I think we all need a pair of these pillows on our bed.

"Our room is pretty minimal. My life and house are loud and messy, I need my bedroom to be a place that is calm. Most of my collections are capped at 3-5 pieces, except for my plant collection, I tend to fall in love on sight with plants and bring them home with me."

I love the natural light in here, don't we all wish we had a few sky lights? How amazing are the hand made eye pillows Lora made. "The embroidered curtains are panels from a dress that my husband's mom wore when they lived in Mexico (when he was a kid)."

Years ago Lora purchased this print online of grasslands from National Geographic. It was enlarged & now hangs in the bathroom.

A private space to escape & enjoy a morning coffee.

"Looking out onto our little upstairs deck from bed is another of my favourite things. For a house in the city we are surrounded by trees, you can't look out a window without seeing trees. It almost feels like we live in a tree house."

Lora's studio is at the top of the staircase. A framed print of a Bald Eagle as well as lots of greenery add warmth to this corner of the home. 

"I spend ALOT of time in here, working and listening to music. It really is my happy place. We work on new designs and patterns, cut fabric, silk screen and sew in this room. My husband is an animation compositor and he he often works at night too. I've always found mornings and nights to be great times to work on projects, if you manage to get that second wind!"

I love seeing where other makers find inspiration and their creative outlets. "Together we aim to design items that appeal to both kids and their parents; Pieces that add imagination to a child's bedroom or look playful in a living room. We believe in quality goods made from sustainable materials that will live in your home for years to come." 

The pink door leads to the girls bedroom. "We have three rooms on the second floor of our house. Right now one is used as a studio so the kids share."

Vintage rattan hooks hold the girls dress up costumes & purses. I think the exposed brick is such a great feature, I'm glad they didn't paint it.

One of my favourite elements in this room is the eclectic vibe created by mixing vintage textiles & patterns. I feel like a boring mom as my daughters only have 2 sets of sheets & one duvet cover. Unless I do a complete makeover things always look the same.

"This is probably one of my favourite rooms in the house, it's so filled with light. My kids love jumping on beds and also often fall out of bed while sleeping so we keep them low to the ground. We made the window seat and the "cave" bed in separate DIY projects." 

Vintage textiles add so much colour & personality to the kids room. Lora has painted the ceiling a pale blue which allows the girls artwork & Lora's designs to pop against the white walls.

How cute is this! They are coming out with a new design for fall of a Blue Jay, all you Canadian readers check it out.

I want to thank Lora for sharing her home with me, & since we are only a few hours away I think my daughters & I should stop by before the snow falls for some fun in the big city! 

40 Days of Painting Series

I've been keeping busy the last few weeks painting daily. I've learned a few things in the process.

First off it is really hard on my lower back to sit at my easel, or a table for hours at a time. My husband suggested I stand at our kitchen island & it's working out pretty good. Other than the fact that my art supplies are everywhere & there is not a ton of space for any food prep!

If I create a painting & think in my head that I am done with it, the next day I usually decide to go back in & add more layers & details. I'm also finding that I'm repeating small markings in black paint. Lastly, the wood panels are way more textural than canvases. I like how the pigment appears transparent is some areas & the grain is still evident.

I gathered a few of my favourites & took them in my backyard to photograph them in natural light. They are currently hanging out in my basement studio (it's dark down there!)

The process is really the most exciting part for me right now as an artist. If I'm unsure of myself I just take a step back & come to the studio with an open mind. There is no room for doubt or a lack of confidence. I will make this body of work & time will tell if it resonates with you.  

Highlights of the week

I want you to know how much I appreciate every sale that occurs. When my artwork finds a new home I do a little happy dance & so does my family. You are supporting my dream of being a full time working artist. It honestly makes my day when a collector sends me a photo of the piece installed. If you ever purchase something that is hand made I think that one of the kindest gestures you can make to an artist is showing them the piece in your space. 

This painting has found a home in a beautiful nursery. I couldn't be happier that the parents chose original artwork in their daughters room. I hope she grows to love it & that it stays with her for years to come.

In a few weeks Watson & Lou is opening up in downtown Peterborough. A few pieces from my latest "40 day project" will be available here. They will offer a wide variety of unique gifts & many are made by local artists/makers. Check it out in person or shop online. The grand opening happens to be on the same Friday as the monthly art crawl. Should be a blast, stop by & say hi!

National Geographic recently announced the winners of the travel photographer of the year contest. I really love this photo taken of a colorful apartment complex in Japan, which received an honorable mention.

Photo by Tetsuya Hashimoto

My daughters went camping last weekend so my hubby & I treated ourselves to dinner & a movie. I didn't have high expectations as I'm not usually into action films, but this had a plot & was more than just violence. My favourite element was the music, the following day I painted to this soundtrack & it was fabulous! I'm a child of the 80's & this was a great mix of some classic songs. Also Charlize looks stunning in every outfit, even if she's covered in blood & bruises.

My daughters & I went to see the current exhibit at The Art Gallery of Peterborough. Canadian painter Charles Pachter's work was wonderful in person. His images of the Queen, moose, and maple leaf flag are pop icons of Canadian contemporary art. There was even a painting of butter tarts, it doesn't get more Canadian than that. If you haven't seen his modern gallery in Toronto check it out, I'm so jealous... I want to move in!

My seven year old did her first full week at camp & loved it. There are lots of art themed camps around, but this one was all pottery. They also had someone come in one day & teach the kids how to make paper, which I remember doing way back when.  Kawartha Potters' Guild was recommended by a friend who attended last summer. The girls had a great time & these are just a few of my favourite pieces she brought home. There were eleven in total. She told me that I chose all the ones she made on the wheel! I've still yet to get my hands into clay, one day I'll do it.

I've been painting every day & I feel like I'm on track with my personal challenge to complete 40 paintings before my Birthday. If you want to be the first to know about the release of this collection sign up to my newsletter!

40 New Paintings!

My mind often remembers things quite spontaneously. The other day out of nowhere I recalled that an artist, Emily Jeffords, did something really fun when she turned 30. She created a piece of art every day for 30 days & then celebrated the collection by releasing it on her birthday. If you are an artist you may have heard of, or participated in Ella Luna's 100 day project. Makers commit to creating something every day for 100 days & cheer each other on using certain hash tags through Instagram. Now every piece doesn't have to be amazing, it's all about the process & getting better at your skills. 

A few pages out of her book The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion

I feel like at this point in my life 100 days is too big of a committment. I am turning 40 on September 1st & thought why don't I commemorate the year by trying to create 40 new paintings in 40 days. I'll also be celebrating with a few drinks & maybe a night out with my hubby. Summer is still in full swing which means some days painting won't happen until my daughters are in bed & the kitchen is tidy. The other night I didn't head to the easel until 9:30 & guys I stayed up until midnight! My hands were working overtime & I just couldn't stop. I'm usually in bed by 10:30, even before kids I never stayed up late. I actually produced 3 little paintings that aren't garbage & that I really love. FYI...this doesn't happen often.

Some of the 8x10" pieces that are going to be part of the collection.

This past week I've been on a roll & created some pieces I'm really proud of. The wave of emotions can go from really low to really high as I look for inspiration & try to make something that feels unique & original. I usually paint on canvas, but have discovered that birch panels are my preferred medium for this collection. Mixing oil & chalk pastels with the paint is new to me & I'm learning techniques & teaching myself something on a daily basis. I'm using my hands more than ever & blending the pigments with my fingers, I love the feeling of paint on my hands!

Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter if you want to be the first to know what is happening with the collection & find out details about the release date.

Follow along with my journey on Instagram & see studio scenes of what I'm up to. (By studio I mean the kitchen table I often sit at, or the blanket in my drive way I cover with art supplies!) Thanks to everyone who supports my artwork & all of the collectors who have pieces of mine hanging in their homes. You all keep me motivated to experiment with different mediums & all of my artist friends (you know who you are) if I ever doubt myself, thanks for your advice. 

Dream Holiday

Last week I shared details of some of my favourite spots in Prince Edward County. This week I'm sharing a space I hope to one day visit. We have family in Ireland & England, it's been over 18 years since my husband & I last visited. Maybe it's time to save up & head back for an epic family holiday.

Here is a dreamy vacation property that is available to rent in Kingsbridge. A market town and tourist hub in the South Hams district of Devon, England. "The Malthouse has been completely transformed & rebuilt. Originally built as part of the Phoenix brewery two hundred years ago, the Malthouse is the oldest building in a terrace of cottages that have grown up around it. Dilapidated, neglected and unoccupied for many years, the building has been transformed into a light filled modern dwelling. Old on the outside, new on the inside, the house is a surprise! - not what you might expect when you stroll past on the street." 

Now let's dive into the photos!

"Here at the Malthouse we love arts and crafts, so when we were given the opportunity to fill the house with original artworks by local artist James Stewart, we jumped at the chance.  All the paintings in the house are for sale and therefore regularly changing."

I think the owners have done a wonderful job creating a space that both adults & children would enjoy spending time in. I'm going to start saving so I can one day travel here & experience these beautiful beaches in person.

Summer Getaway

 A short 90 minute drive from where I live is a vacation spot that is becoming quite popular called Prince Edward County (PEC). My husband & I went for the first time two years ago. We visited a few wineries & had lots of fun checking out the local hot spots. Last weekend was our 14 year wedding anniversary. We celebrated by returning here & were surprised how much has changed.

We enjoy beer more than wine & last time we visited it was difficult to find a brewery. This time around we did not have time for them all, which is a good thing. Our favourite was Parsons Brewery, we went twice & it was a great time. When we arrived in Picton it was overcast & 17 degrees, kind of like the weather the day we got married. We each ordered a flight of beer & chatted with the bartender. The brewery is made up out of two reclaimed buildings, very cool. The next day we went for lunch, sat & listened to live music & got lots of sun.

You can choose your own flight & then get a pint or two of your favourite. Mine was the Sumer Saison (hints of banana & clove) yum!

A few weeks ago I mentioned in another post that we wanted to visit PEC but could find no accommodations. We lucked out in May & booked a room at a Motel that had just got a makeover called The June. When I reserved our rooms they only had a few photos online, I crossed my fingers the bathrooms were clean. Turns out that the place is just as lovely in person. When we arrived we got a complimentary drink & chilled outside around the fire pit. I slept as good as I do on our pillow top mattress at home. The air conditioner was loud enough to block out any noises from younger guests who partied into the morning hours. (I sound old I know) If you want to have your wine & cheese outdoors but prefer privacy, go behind the motel's parking lot at the back. Here you will find some picnic tables in the woods (romantic right).

Our room had a balcony & a great view of the water. Each room has tea & coffee, in the morning we sat here & relaxed.

I got Keri the wonderful lady who checked us in to take a photo of us on the sofa...cause look how cute it is. I'm going to keep that one just for us, here is the interior of the lobby without our gorgeous faces!

This was my side of the bed. My friend Lesley at Swell Made designed the pillows in many of the rooms, check her out. Here is proof of the power of wallpaper, can you imagine how plain the focal wall would look without it?

It really is a great community, everyone is so friendly & helpful. We travelled between Bloomfield & Wellington to check out the local shops & eat of course. Dinner at The Agrarian did not disappoint & they serve my favourite Pluck Tea "Cream of Earl Grey". I love checking out the colourful interior at The Drake & the sculplture/art garden has been extended.

Jessica at Parlour Studio was lovely to chat with & her shop is filled with the most gorgeous greenery & local pottery. A must see!

Saturday morning we sat at a bookstore & chatted while browsing magazines, it was so relaxing. On our way out of town we noticed the Mustang Drive In. We used to go to a drive in when we were dating but it's been a while. In Bloomfield there were a few good shops like County Collective, which is a summer POP-UP filled with lots of hand made goodness. Sand & Sumac had a variety of textiles for your home & beautiful jewellery. I also had "Campfire" ice cream from Slickers that tasted exactly like toasted marshmallows...it was crazy good. 

This is the County Collective.

In the past week so many people have asked me what I thought of The June & I just got a text from my friend asking me what breweries were a must. I hope this post helps if you are planning a trip to PEC.

Gallery Wall

The photo below was taken in February of last year for our Apartment Therapy house tour. I grouped a collection of my favourite artwork together when we moved in 3 years ago & hung it in the living room on the main wall. All of the pieces were placed no higher than eye level & I was happy with how it looked. This is the first wall you see when you enter our home, after leaving the foyer.

Photo by Lauren Kolyn

Fast forward to this past Christmas when our daughters received an aquarium. It's large & we really had no space on the main level in our bungalow to put it. I've had the vintage teak coffee table for years, and it seemed like the only spot for it to sit. There are drawers on either end that are really deep, one side never opens as it would hit the wall. The other side houses lots of puzzles. The only thing that usually sits on top is the blue lacquered West Elm tray filled with kids books.  Sometimes the girls would sit & colour here but we definitely could do without the surface area. 

A week before school finished I decided to give the gallery wall a makeover. It was a rainy day, so I had the pot lights on. That 2 outlet power bar is no longer there, which makes me happy. The wicker basket sits behind our rope chair & also holds more kid's books. 

When I hang a gallery wall, I eyeball the entire thing, no measuring for me. The only thing on the wall in this shot is the first aid box that belonged to my father-in-law. It's screwed in so it wasn't going anywhere, all of the other frames aren't too heavy & a nail is all I used. I think some of the walls in our home are plaster, you really have to hammer the nails in with all your might to get them into the wall.

I hung the largest piece first above the aquarium, a photo from my friend Meg at September Wren. I also have 3 other prints of hers on the wall. The wooden piece on the left eventually got switched as it was too tight against the wall. A few pieces are signed prints I've thrifted, while others are photographs I've taken or purchased while on holiday. My husband enlarged an old photo of my grand parents for me which I love.

I started on one side of the wall & worked my way across, trying to vary the frame colours & style of artwork. The red piece on the bottom is an illustration from "Stranger Things" my husband bought that one. I love the turquoise palette in the canvas (pool scene) by my friend Laura Browning.  She graciously sent this to me after I featured her lovely home on the blog.

Two of my resin pieces are displayed. Pink clouds is from my Daydream series. Stay tuned I'm going to have a summer sale on what stock I have left. If you subscribe to my newsletter you'll be the first to know. The other mini block is resting on top of a frame since it's so lightweight. A polaroid of my daughters is sitting on a frame on the far left. I like an eclectic mix & this makes it less formal in my opinion.

We got a beach photo from our trip to California printed in a fun shade of blue by Parabo Press. I took the shot of the Zebras on the same holiday at Hearst Castle. My youngest daughter was so excited when she saw it up.

It's tricky to photograph this wall on an angle as the opposite wall is all windows. I think you get an idea of what it looks like all complete. My friend was over a few weeks ago & said she couldn't help but stare at it. It's a conversation starter for sure. It tells a story of the travels & memories that are special to me and my family.

Leading to our basement we have a large gallery wall on both sides of the staircase that is made up of family photos. If you have pieces you love, display them in your home! I always think it's strange when I go somewhere & there is no artwork on the walls. Maybe that's because I'm an artist, I like to surround myself with it daily.

My Creative Process

In 7 weeks I am installing a collection of abstract paintings in a local shop. The owner has requested that the pieces be large. I've painted on a large scale before & enjoyed the process & final outcome. I think in the back of my mind I wonder if they don't sell where will I store them all? My studio space is in the basement of our home & not very big. This summer I have lots of painting to do to prepare the collection of work. Let's hope I can sneak in some me time while my daughters are out of school.

Last week, on the last day of school, I dropped off the girls & then headed to one of my favourite spots. The local skatepark always has tons of colour inspiration, & the graffiti changes up a lot. Those kids are busy with their spray cans! I snapped some photos & wanted to share a few that caught my eye.

This reminds of a delicious beverage with slices of oranges & limes floating in it. A bit of summer mixed with amazing texture!

I started a new piece yesterday & it is currently on the easel in my dining area. I think it helps me visualize what direction I want to take when I see a painting over & over throughout the day. I'm so lucky that I can leave all of my supplies & paint sitting in our living area & my daughters know not to touch it. Can't wait to use up all of the blank canvases sitting in my studio.

Lindsey Hampton

I recently discovered the work of Vancouver based artist Lindsey Hampton while flipping through domino magazine's current issue. A vase of hers caught my eye & I made a note to check out her website. I loved everything I saw & decided that I would share her work. She is a graphic designer as well as a ceramicist, and has been creating for years. “I got into ceramics to fulfill a need to create in multiple dimensions.” 

I always find inspiration from design magazines.

Her speckled stoneware has the most beautiful colour combinations. High gloss glazes mixed with modern shapes have me dreaming of owning some of her pieces for myself. I've never attempted any kind of pottery, maybe this summer I should sign up for a class & challenge myself. 

I read an interview Lindsey did a few years ago & wanted to share a quote of hers with all the makers reading this post. "The best thing I ever did was stop caring. I don’t mean that in an apathetic way but that I learned to not be too precious about anything. Things break and get messed up or just fail and all I can do is try to figure out why and troubleshoot. It’s easy to get stressed out when other people’s deadlines are involved but I just try to remind myself that I’m a one woman operation that does handmade ceramics and if anyone gets too mad they probably shouldn’t be buying into such a delicate, patient process. I also take great pleasure in purposely smashing things that didn’t turn out the way I wanted so it’s kind of a win-win."

A corner of Lindsey's workspace.

Lindsey makes a lot of custom orders for clients as well as boutiques around the globe. I recognized her work immediately when I saw it at Coming Soon, a shop I wrote about a few months ago. The use of pastel hues in her work has me inspired to head to my easel & paint.

Highlights of the week

I recently decided that I wanted to change up the art in our home. We have a large collection that is spread out on a few gallery walls. I won a contest my friend Meg from September Wren was having through Instagram & our new prints just arrived this week. She is a talented photographer living in Santa Cruz, her work is amazing go check her out. She let me choose which pieces I wanted, how lucky am I! It was really difficult to narrow down, she has a great eye for mid century design and vintage signs (two of my favourite things). It's been 3 years since we moved in & I did the majority of our decorating. This week the gallery wall in our living room got a refresh. I thought it was time to change things up as my daughters' now have an Aquarium that sits in front of the wall of art. I'll share photos soon, pinky swear.

This is the largest print I received from Meg. I popped it in the frame as soon as I opened it up.

It feels like so long ago that I visited the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo. We recently went to Niagara Falls with our daughters & I pointed out all of the places that I used to live while attending University. We would go on field trips to the gallery with my art class for the day since the border was so close by. I checked out the website recently & Shantell Martin currently has an exhibit on that ends in a few weeks. She has an installation inside the gallery "Someday We Can" as well as a public mural shown below. "This is the first time an artist working with the Albright-Knox's Public Art Initiative has installed work simultaneously at the museum and in the community."

Shantell Martin working on her mural, Dance Everyday, 2017, at 537 East Delavan Avenue. Photograph by Connie Tsang.

Pampa is a homewares brand based in Byron Bay, Australia. I recently came across them on Instagram & loved every image I saw. "Our team works directly with skilled artisans in remote and rural Argentina to bring you the finest-quality woven textiles."

These planters are show stoppers, I may have to paint a few!

A glimpse of their showroom. I love the vibe in here!

It's hard for me to believe that is has already been one year since I had my first solo exhibit. Lots has happened since then & I'm so thankful that I had that gallery space to show my work within the community. It was definitely a learning experience in the studio, as I attempted to make a cohesive body of work. I have become quite fond of using my putty knife & continue to use it to paint my Plant Study paintings.

I recently mentioned on social media that my favourite colour is Turquoise, can you tell I dig shades of blue?

Last Friday night my husband & I attended our annual Beer Festival in town. We sampled delicious food & drinks while listening to some great live music. The highlight from the night didn't actually happen until Monday when my husband won a radio contest he entered at the Festival. I love me some Fleetwood Mac so I was really excited when he heard that he won tickets to see members from the band tour with their new album, Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie. We head to Toronto in a few weeks, hopefully they play a few oldies so I can sing along. 

Have a good weekend folks & Happy Father's Day to all the daddy's out there.

Wallpapers I'm crushing on

I've had a few people ask me if I was going to continue painting Plant Study paintings since my latest collection was just released. The answer is "YES" I love creating them & I've been saving images of wallpapers to incorporate into the backgrounds for months. My last collection had a lot of Kelly Wearstler pattern's infused in them, I changed up some of the colour combo's but the lines were very much her designs.

I thought I would do a post about a few companies that have caught my eye, if you are in the market for wallpaper check them out. First up is Flat Vernacular. "Specializing in original fabrics and “wallpaper with a life of its own” (The New York Times), founders Payton Cosell Turner and Brian Kaspr create patterns from a variety of elements as playful and captivating as they are distinct. Designed and screen printed locally in the US."

The Heavens - Zephyr. This pattern comes in a variety of colours, I am digging the hot pink.

Folded - Cyan. This pattern reminds me of my friend Angela's artwork.

Levante - Breccia. The texture is so good in this! It would be tricky to paint, but I may give it a try.

"Drop It MODERN is an interiors company committed to creating modern prints and textures for the home. Drop it Modern serves to bridge the gap between traditional home décor and modern printmaking with artfully curated design in the form of drapes, wallpapers, wedding blankets and more. Based in Tillamook, Oregon, all designs are created in house and manufactured in their local Oregon community."      

Playground Mural -  Floridian. The designer Bree has a thing for clean lines & mid century furniture...we would get along just fine.

Grid - Miami Blue This pattern comes in a variety of colours & has an 80's vibe I adore.

Wanderlust Mural -  Rust

"Juju is a wallpaper studio located in beautiful Portland, Oregon. Every roll is printed by hand, is untrimmed, and in most cases has been made to order. We print with water based inks on creamy, durable, sustainably harvested paper. Primarily inspired by folk art of all kinds, our designs suggest the simplicity of an elegant old-fashioned signature, or the impossibly perfect collection of driftwood and sea glass on the shore."

 Big Moon - Gold on Navy I painted this pattern a few months ago, it was hard on my eyes for sure. I loved it but then I screwed up the plant. It's now waiting to be painted over, do it for the process right!

The Pearl - Gunmetal on Blush

"Astek Inc. is a leader in both the wallcovering and custom digital printing industries. Astek works with clients worldwide to meet their design, digital printing, wallcovering and signage needs. Our clientele spans a variety of industries including hospitality, architecture, interior design, fashion retail, motion picture and television."

Encrusted - Spectrum

Photo by Black Lacquer Design

I saw this bedroom on Design Sponge & immediately knew I had to find out who made this stunning wallcovering. I don't think I would attempt to paint something similar for my Plant Studies, but I love it so much I had to include it. That texture is what I dream about!