Busy, busy busy!

It is that time of year again when there is too much to do and not enough time. Most of last week I was writing up some history notes on artists that used to belong to the Creston Art Club. The local Arts Council and the Focus on Youth committee are putting on a display this week: Artists in our Community - Past, Present and Future. I offered to collect and take charge of paintings by a number of artists, hence the history notes. Here are some photos of the show.

I had also volunteered to do a demo at the show based on the workshop I took last year that was sponsored in part by the Creston Arts Council. Although I did the workshop in acrylics I decided to do the demo in watercolours. I ended up having the grade 8 art class come and watch me for about 45 minutes. The demo was on Colour Contrast and I choose to do Value and Colour (hue). Here are the paintings I did.

BTW I painted these upside-down and holding my painting boards up so the students could sit while they watched me. The drawing were done ahead of time. It was an interesting experience!

I have also been busy in the garden, my little greenhouse, taking in some art for the museum gift shop, helping my husband with some tree removal etc. etc. etc. And I still have things on my to do list - like I said - busy, busy, busy.

Too Much Happening!

There is just too much happening in my life right now! This time of year is often busy between art activities, yard work and my bedding plants but this year there seems to be more going on than usual.

First, I have been getting things organized for the Trade Show at the end of the week. I wanted to add some more scenes (the Foggy Building pictures) to my Watercolour Painting Parties and that meant painting some - lol. I also needed to make up some posters to use to promote the parties.

I used both Pic Monkey and Canva to make the posters and I am pretty happy with my finished products. I also decided to offer Quilling Parties although I have no idea how many people will be interested.

 And, I needed a poster that helps to explain the whole concept.

  

 

The day after the Trade Show I have to get some paintings ready for a display at Creston's Rec Centre. It is only a four day show but it should be interesting. The arts community is displaying with local children as part of the annual Focus on Youth and this year the theme is Art and Agriculture as part of the Canada 150 Celebrations.

And, the day after Focus on Youth ends, I will be attending a 2 1/2 day watercolour workshop with Canadian artist Graham Flatt - His web site

The following Friday, I will be displaying some of my work at this year's Bird Festival. I am hoping visitors to the festival will be interested in taking home some reminders of their visit as I have quite a few pieces that feature birds.

 And to top it off, I hope to start my Watercolour Painting Parties the same weekend. Am I crazy?

Playing, not Working

I volunteered some time this morning at the Creston Focus on Youth art display. This year is the 30th anniversary of the event which celebrates youth and the arts. Music, dance and other stage displays were held in the high school auditorium and the visual display was at the Community Centre.

)

Most of the art was by the children but this year they invited adults to participate too with paintings, quilts and pottery. It was a wonderful display and very interesting to see what the kids are learning - studying van Gogh or Greek amphora, trees or photography - the list is impressive.

I was supposed to be greeting any visitors and making sure the exhibits were treated with respect but my friend Emmie Roelofse was doing a demo of her  ArtFoamies.

Emmie invited me to play and I got so involved that I sort of forgot why I was there (not completely - lol). Any way this evening I decided to check out some of the YouTube videos that have been made about the product. Here is a really short one that Emmie made - it will give you an idea of what the foamies are all about. ArtFoamies video

Although the population of the Creston Valley is only about 15,000 we are very lucky to have a vibrant arts community. Art is all around me - such a wonderful life!