4/30/2021 12:02:04 PM
What situations, places, or feelings make you reach for the comfort of food? When you’re already exhausted, overwhelmed or experiencing a few too many hiccups does this have the potential to send you straight toward comfort food? What are your favorite comfort foods?
I wasn't feeling well for a few days this past week and felt overwhelmed with stuff to do and turned to "comfort painting". Who knew this existed. I craved painting something rusty.
Here are some of the stages of this painting:
Here is the final watercolour:
 |
| Under Lock...down - 16" X 12" |
Have a great week
Danielle
4/25/2021 8:04:48 AM
This past week I've been watching a photography course that I bought back in January. Yes it took me a while to get to it.
Miriana Baddour This course is introducing me to a whole new vocabulary. I'm still not finished the course and have already bought some new equipment. Originally I was thinking of getting a light box, but now I've got more interesting things on the way. I'm not going all out with a new SLR camera but a few new pieces will sure be helpful.
As soon as I receive my new equipment, I will be practicing with different compositions.
Until then, I am working on a landscape scene. Don't you love seeing reflections on water on a windless day. These conditions offer mirror like reflections. Here is my interpretation of such a scene. It is on my easel to decide if it is done or what else it needs.
Next, I think I might do a scene of a famous building in Québec city. A friend of mine has been posting numerous paintings of scenes from Québec city and other areas. I feel inspired to paint a photo that I have. I also have another photo of reflections in water. So which one shall I paint next?
Have a great week,
Danielle
4/16/2021 8:04:47 PM
According to Wikipedia, quilt making was common in the late 17th century and early years of the 18th century. Back then quilts were not made from leftover scraps or worn clothing as a humble bedcovering during this period but were decorative items that displayed the fine needlework of the maker. Since quilting required much leisure time, it was an activity that only the wealthy adopted.
Things changed in the early 19th century. Quilts were then made from squares of printed fabric. With the arrival of the Industrial Revolution textiles were now manufactured on a broad scale.
Our grandparents made quilts to keep us warm during cold nights. These were often made from clothes that no longer fit. Today, quilting has transformed into a popular hobby. Quilts are now works of art and fabrics are made just for quilting.
When I started painting my quilts, I didn't want to paint the old quilt that my grandmother made because the colours are dull, yet I still wanted to have one quilt that was representative of that period. I bet you can spot it.
 |
| Title TBD - 28" X 18" |
Here is another painting that I completed recently as a demo for my class for Kanata Art Club. I'm currently designing the next classes for this organization. Stay tuned.
 |
| Line Them Up - about 18" X 14" |
Have a great week,
Danielle
4/11/2021 8:21:02 AM
Do you remember the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic when shoppers emptied grocery shelves? It's not surprising that during unusual circumstances that people develop unusual behaviors, such as panic buying.
It should come as no surprise that panic buying can have undesirable effects. It can lead to an actual product shortage especially when production might be lower and/or shipping is affected. During the last six months, watercolorist have witnesses shortages of watercolour paper or certain colours of paints. But why do people experience this shopping fever during crises?
There are numerous reasons why people purchased more goods than necessary to protect themselves or basic necessities or medical supplies during the early days of the pandemic. In addition people experiencing ongoing emotional distress such as uncertainty, fear and anxiety during a health crisis may be motivated to make purchases because it gives them a feeling of security, comfort, or momentary escape, which helps alleviate stress.
Could some artists be suffering from shopping fever and been purchasing too many art supplies to alleviate their stress during the pandemic?
Would you believe that I'm not done yet with my painting of quilts. But I'm getting closer, real close. If all goes well, I might actually finish it by tomorrow with a black background. This requires a number of coats of paint and a few of hours to completely dry between layers.
 |
| Line Them Up - 30" X 20" |
I also have two other painting underway. These are projects for different classes. Here are the blue jars...
And here is one I started yesterday with another group,
Have a great week,
Danielle
4/3/2021 7:30:42 AM
I've always trusted my intuition. When I used to work for the Government of Canada, I trusted my intuition for a number of things which most times turned out to be the right thing to do. It should come as no surprise that I use my intuition when painting.
Many people that I know do not trust their intuition. I strongly believe that intuition is one of the keys that can help everyone be more successful. You can build trust in your intuition by allowing it to make minor decisions. For example, you can let your intuition decide which photo to paint next, Then let your intuition choose what palette to use.
You can trust your intuition to make more and more decisions about your painting or other areas of interest. I also listen to my intuition when travelling and it has led me to some unforgettable memories.
If you're not sure if you have intuition or not sure what that feeling is? It’s a "knowing" or at the very least a gentle persuasion that something is off, or awesome, or needs our attention. It’s subtle and doesn’t clamor for attention, which is why it’s easily missed. To trust your intuition, calm your inside and listen to your mind.
Here is the latest demo painting for my class at the Kanata Art Club. This was my first painting of coins and what better place to start then the discontinued Canadian pennies. I'm calling this one "A Penny For Your Thoughts".
 |
| A Penny For You Thoughts - 16" X 12" |
Next week we start painting to old Ball jars.
In the past couple of weeks, I've been working on a large painting of quilts. Quilts used to be full of memories. Our grandmothers made them from garments that no longer fit. I have a quilt made by my grandmother. It has remnants of a blue velvet dress that I had when I was extremely young. There is an old wool blanket on the inside which makes this quilt very heavy and warm. My husband also has a couple of quilts that his mother made.
Here is the progress of this painting.
 |
| Work in progress |
Warmest wishes for a joyful and Easter Sunday!
Danielle
