Back In The Day

I often wonder what other artists were making in the early stages of their art practise, and how that style has developed and evolved. Lots of creatives are self taught, and many I follow studied another major while attending University or College. I myself did not know what style I wanted to focus on while in art school & dabbled in a bit of everything. 

My parents have lived in the same house I grew up in and my mom has kept all of my artwork. Since I moved back to my hometown almost three years ago I've been asked several times, "When are you going to come and get your things out of the basement?" Well today I finally went with an empty trunk to gather some of my old stuff. I didn't take everything, but I thought I would share with you some pieces that I made approximately 17 years ago. When I say that it really seems like so long ago, but I can remember the feelings I had when I created some of these pieces.

I experimented a lot with water colours, I'm not really sure why I chose this medium as no other class mates were into them. Even then I was drawn to the same colours as I frequently use today; blue and green. 

Stacked rectangular compositions were my go to. I was influenced by artist Mark Rothko a lot during this period and his colour blocks. Each individual form was comprised of a few lines, mark making was quite simplistic for me. Adding water to the paint created a tension that I can still remember today. Looking at them now they appear to reference a landscape in some way.

Here my process was more fluid and abstract. I used a straw to push and pull the paint around the surface. The forms appear like sea creatures dancing across the paper.

I liked to work big, details were then created drawing the viewer into the piece.

This installation hung on the wall, the brackets are on the back of these books that I painted from a thrift shop. This was an assignment (not sure the topic), I had the idea that I wanted to have a photo of an angel inside one of the books and travelled to a cemetery in my hometown to find this. For a while I was into discovering unique decorative statues, I even asked my husband to come to a cemetery while we were on holiday in Cuba. These are dated 1999.

This assignment was a self portrait. This is one of a triptych. The first focuses on the eyes. The second on my eyes and nose, and lastly my entire face. I remember that I did quite well on this even though I did the entire assignment the day before it was due.  To be twenty again!

A close up of the crosshatching I used to vary the shades of pencil.

Being a creative has always been part of my life. My child hood was spent drawing and colouring. Today it is no surprise to me that my daughters are finding joy in the same kind of things.

Mid Century House Feature- Laura Browning

I have a love for architecture, interior design and mid century homes. When I have free time away from my artwork, the kids and my new favourite show "Silicon Valley", you can find me online browsing homes of people who live in incredible spaces. Sometimes the eclectic decor choices or artwork get me excited. Or if I'm looking at an issue of Dwell magazine, then it's the clean contemporary lines & the structures themselves that I find the most appealing.

Today I'm so excited to share with you a wonderful space that my new friend Laura lives in with her husband, her adorable son and their family pets. I met Laura through social media and was captivated by every image I saw of her artwork & her home. I have a thing for vintage chairs and love to collect them. Laura paints the most gorgeous oil paintings of iconic designs and retro styles. You will see some of her original work throughout the tour, but she also does prints as well. Check her out at www.laurabrowningart.com

Laura and I chatted on FaceTime a few weeks ago, I loved hearing all the details about their Eichler neighborhood and asked her to share more about how they came about living here. This is what she had to say; 

Lincoln is ready to give us the tour, I told you he was the cutest!

Our California Modern home was built by Joseph Eichler in 1963. Eichler was one of the nation's most influential builders of modern homes during the mid 50’s through mid 60’s.  A typical Eichler features walls of glass, post-and-beam construction, and atriums at the center of the house. 

We initially discovered Eichler homes while driving around the Bay Area trying to decide where we wanted to move.  We were planning a big move from Southern California up to the Bay Area and had flexibility with where we settled.  I’ll never forget the first Eichler we toured: it was a similar model to ours, and as I walked through the front door I could see all the way through the house to the backyard…my jaw dropped.  My husband and I were hooked. 

My jaw is dropping as I look at this view!

The most major project we took on would have to be our floors.  When we moved in our floors were a mix of linoleum, carpet and VCT tiles.  After we had the old flooring removed I spent 30 straight days working myself to the bone grinding down the concrete and patching the holes left by the carpet tacks, cracks, etc.  I then applied a semi-transparent stain to mask the ghosted pattern left behind by the tiles.  5 years later and our floors still look lovely, are super durable and were well worth all the effort. 

We spent over a year actively trying to purchase an Eichler, it was a tough market with lots of competition.  Over time, it became too difficult to drop everything and travel to attend the open houses, so we would ask my parents who live about an hour away to check out any Eichler that came on the market.  This house that we bought was a foreclosure and we actually put an offer on it and got into a little bidding war without even seeing it first.  At the time, it felt crazy and so risky but it has worked out so well for us. 

This photo is taken in the backyard looking into the dining area and atrium.

Another shot from the backyard. Those windows are what every house needs!

The mix of organic materials used complement the sleek mid century style of the home. The original ceiling details are stunning!

Another project I tackled was refinishing the mahogany walls in the living room portion of our house.  Ours were in pretty bad shape, likely not cared for much since the house was built. I see many Eichler homeowners that opt to replace their wood walls so I knew that would be an option, but first, I wanted to see if I could refinish ours and save the time and cost of replacing the wood.  I sanded the old finish off the walls, did some patch work and then coated the wood with some Danish Oil and finished it with wax.  Now they’re soft to the touch, and totally gorgeous. 

The decor in our home is all very significant to us.  We travel a lot (by exchanging our home with other awesome modern homes around the world) and wherever we go I love to pick up pieces that will end up in our house.  Most of the pieces don’t necessarily look like they’re from someplace exotic… a white vase or a simple gray bowl that looks like it could be from anywhere… but I have this very specific memory of where we were when I bought it (and sometimes the crazy effort that went into getting it home!) and that brings us both great joy in our every day lives.  When we need something and haven’t already found it during our travels, I always head to Etsy to find something that has been thoughtfully crafted (and so we can support other artists). 

I would love to visit Laura one day, I can imagine us now sipping cocktails in the atrium while we discuss art and design.

The perfect spot for an afternoon nap.

Lincoln's playroom is furnished with a modern table and chair set, as well as a spot to camp out and get cozy.

I think any guest would be happy waking up to this natural light.

The office and studio space where Laura paints showcases some of her oil paintings and collectibles. "My work is inspired by the classic California dream and timelessness of modern design from the mid 20th century. I focus on luminous color interactions, and iconic shapes that give glimpses of the idyllic California lifestyle."

I mentioned to Laura that I know we would hit it off in person as we have the same art books filling our shelves. I adore the pendant that hangs above her easel & this painting truly captures the California lifestyle that Laura is inspired by.

We have a talented friend & neighbor (redneckmodern.com) who I worked with on a number of projects around our house including new interior wood doors and hardware, new front door. Most impressively the amazing zebra-wood built in desk for my office/studio. 

Her paintings express a combination of texture, light & shadow so well, it's hard to choose a favourite.

The master bedroom with a clear view to the pool. Laura worked so hard to refinish the floors, I'm glad they have not been covered by area rugs.

One of Laura's paintings adds a splash of colour to the neautral palette.

A painting by Philip Barlow is a focal point above this vintage dresser that belonged to Laura's parents.

There was a lot of work to get the house in fully functional condition, so we spent the first few years taking care of all the major issues that surfaced (plumbing leaks, electrical problems, new foam roof, pool leaks, broken pool equipment, etc).  In the past few years, we have finally been able to focus on areas of renovation that we can actually see and appreciate.  There is still a lot of work we have planned (kitchen!) but are able to really enjoy our house as it is now.  

Lincoln's bedroom is a great example of a timeless design that will grow with him. The colourful modern rug softens the space and creates an area for play.

The Pantone book of Colors is wonderful, it makes a great gift. Parents will love it as much as the kids. Who needs a rocking horse when you have an Eames Elephant!

A great chair to curl up and read a bedtime story.

Is it crazy that I'm jealous of a toddler's bedroom. The Eames Hang-It-All hooks are the perfect pop of color on this dark grey wall.

There are 70 other Eichler homes in our neighborhood, and two other Eichler neighborhoods in our city.  The best part of living in an Eichler was a huge surprise to us, but I’ve since heard it’s pretty common in other Eichler hood’s as well.  There is an enormous sense of community here, people that have been brought together by their shared passion for their homes and mid-century design.  Most of our neighbors I consider good friends and spend time with on a regular basis.  One family hosts an open dinner on the first Sunday of every month, other groups get together regularly to hike or craft, or get like aged kids together for play groups. Just last weekend we had a huge block party, and we have yearly celebrations on major holidays like 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  

The atrium in the evening really puts this glass home center stage.

Laura and her husband have done so much work on their home, now they can enjoy this space with family and friends.

I look forward to seeing what direction they choose to go with when they design the kitchen. My husband and I have vacationed in San Francisco, looking forward to our next trip so we can see this beautiful family home in person.

Art Exhibit - Gallery In The Attic

Saturday is the opening reception for my show at The Gallery In The Attic. As I hung the painting's on the walls today I really noticed the character and charm that the space holds. Most galleries have white walls which showcases the artists' work quite nicely, I chose the room that has a feature wall with original brickwork. There are still some white walls, don't get me wrong, I just thought that the brick detail adds a textural quality to my paintings. This reminds me of the influences street art has on my creative process.  What better way to display this collection than in an indoor space that has the same aesthetic? I'm really excited about this body of work and I look forward to sharing more images with you from "Wonderland".

The gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday 12-5 if you are able to stop by.

There are nine paintings in the show. Here is a glimpse at two of my favourites "Casual Party" (30"w x 24"H) and "Make Some Noise" (36"w x 36"h) Isn't the wall amazing!

Do It For The Process

Magic doesn't happen every time I pick up a paint brush, I wish it did. I am like many other artists out there who paint and hope the outcome will be something they are proud of. I haven't made a body of work, or collection in a long time. Every painting I have shared on my website or social media in the past is a creation that stands alone for the most part. Not too much of my work has been repetitive in subject matter.

This brings me to the present day. Several paintings have received adjustments or do overs after I thought they were finished. I have now completed the pieces for the exhibit that I will hang next week and I am very proud of the results. A style and ease has started to take shape and I feel comfortable and confident in my work. I know that I will continue to develop this style as it just feels right for me. 

Of course I want others to enjoy and purchase these pieces, but if nothing comes of it I won't be disappointed. I know I put myself out there and did something that took a lot of my time & creativity. That makes me a happy artist/mom/wife...all of the above.

The other day I got a chance to paint outside which was amazing. Our winter was so long!! My husband took a fun video of me during the process of this piece the previous day. I am almost finished it in this photo.

Artist Crush

Someone recently told me that they had an artist crush on my work. How flattering is that?! I'm far from popular in the art world I realize, it didn't go to my head...don't worry. You know Pinterest, well I once made a board I titled Artists I love. Instead of you looking for hours at random recipes you'll never make, I thought I would save you the trouble & post a few favourites here. Some of these artists have been on my radar for awhile, others are newer to me since joining social media.  

If I won the lottery, some originals by these folks would be added to our art collection.

Paul Davies' paintings are mid century dreams. The colour palettes he uses are so unexpected and perfect in every way. He is Australian which makes me love him more. I have found so many creative artists and designers who are from down under. Check him out on Instagram @pauldaviesartist

I've been reading the blog of this talented artist Michelle Armas for so many years I feel like I know her; she is so down to earth. When she first acknowledged my work on Instagram, I told my husband that she was really awesome & funny!! If you have the chance, listen to some of her interviews online, they won't disappoint. She keeps it real & tells it how it is, and we both like Arrested Development so I know we'd hit it off in person. I feel like everyone knows who she is already, but if you don't check her out www.michellearmas.com

Looking at the body of work that painter Jessica Hess has produced, made it very difficult to choose one image to share with you. Her landscapes make me do a double take, they are so realistic to a photograph. I love grafiti art & she captures every detail with her brushstrokes. You need to see what else she has created. Go to www.jessicahess.com

I am fascinated by the paintings of Guy Yanai. His linear brushstrokes have such precision & his colour combinations are not on my typical go to list. His collection of mid century homes are beautiful, complete with sprinklers! Check out his work at www.guy-yanai.com

Surfaces

When you hear this word you think of texture. Is the surface smooth, rough, bumpy...I could go on. As an artist I see ordinary things/objects every day & find inspiration in them. Lately I've been carrying my camera with me when I go for a walk, or driving to work with it beside me. I'm that person who will pull over on the side of the road & start taking pictures of random things. When I paint I love adding multiple layers of paint to the canvas. The texture is what I'm drawn to the most lately. Yes the colour and composition play important roles in the final piece, but the layers get me excited. I thought I would show you some images that are an example of this.

I often walk my dog by this garage. The faded mint green paint and the chipped aluminum is eye candy to me. 

This is on a large scale wall downtown that has graffiti on it. I always drive by and recently decided to get out of my car and take a closer look. The actual images that were painted did nothing for me, but the fact that the paint also went onto this piece of wood were delightful.

I was doing errands one morning and spotted this large dumpster behind a secondhand shop. I pulled my car into the parking lot and grabbed my phone to take some photos. The old metal reminds me of my trip to Cuba and all the colourful buildings. A man opened the door expecting a donation and found me. I told him I was an artist before he could say anything. Instead of him acting weird his response was "Do you have some photos of your art I can see." This interaction & that dumpster made my morning. It might seem small, but it's the truth!

I need to tell you that this photo has not been edited to alter the colour. Those bricks are AMAZING!! When I got out of my car and saw this building with those drips of paint, I instantly became giddy.

I was driving in the country on my way to work and I stopped to capture this photo. The side of this house was so textured, the cement was starting to deteriorate. I'm not sure if someone actually lived there.

I got rear ended a few weeks ago and my van needed a new bumper. The day I pulled into the parking lot at the body shop this wall was in front of me. I snapped a quick photo on my phone & then went inside. This pattern is so retro and if you didn't already know I enjoy anything mid century. The architecture of the building and the furnishings inside were from the 70's. The front desk was walnut strips with olive green formica. Even though the whole experience of being in a car accident sucked, at least I smiled every time I pulled up.

The green shutters on this house are in need of a new coat of paint...but the green is what caught my eye.

That baby blue and the mix of horizontal and vertical lines is perfect.

Artspace Gala

I'm very excited to be participating in this annual community event in town. This evening will be lots of fun and I look forward to meeting other local artists whose work I admire. The kids are having a sleep over... date night!

This 8x 10" photograph on wood panel with resin is one of my pieces that I have submitted.

"Islands" is a 12x12" acrylic painting on canvas that is also available in the 50/50 draw.

I went to the preview evening last week and snapped a few photos of the space to show you how many submissions they actually received. I was informed that this year has been the best yet, what a great artistic community!

A large selection of paintings, drawings and photography.

Another gallery wall.

How fun is that modern still life? I love the graphic punch of black and white.  The two pieces on the bottom right are by my friend Lucky Jackson. We have several of her pieces already in our home. 

This is one of her pieces I bought as a gift for my husband at Christmas. Who doesn't love Biggie? 

These are the details folks. If you are local come support Artspace & say hello!

Artist Spotlight + A Giveaway!

I'm excited to share this fun interview I did for an amazing design blog called "Room for Tuesday." We have also included a giveaway for an original painting of mine. The contest rules are all stated at the end of the interview. Good Luck!

http://roomfortuesday.com/artist-spotlight-holly-young-a-giveaway/

I've been experimenting painting on wood panel, turns out I really enjoy this medium. This original 8x10" piece titled "Who You Are" would look great on your wall!

Uniquely Women Post

After our home was featured on Apartment Therapy a few months ago, Nicole asked me if I would be interested in doing a post for her blog Uniquely Women. If you want to know my secrets on: finding great vintage pieces, keeping all our girls stuff tidy & organized, as well as adding original artwork into your space. Then read my interview!

http://uniquelywomen.net/mid-century-vintage-home-tour/

These cupboards are hiding books, toys, games & camera equipment. Thank you to the previous home owners for ditching the fireplace and replacing it with built-ins!

Highlights of the week

I have a lot of things to chat about...where to start? On Instagram I recently joined a group of artists who do artist pen pal exchanges. We are to mail something handmade that is small maybe 4"x4" along with a note. I received my package the other day all the way from New Zealand! The artist Helen Dean made me a wonderful abstract painting. 

The colours are lovely & it looks perfect in this simple white frame.

I've been painting a lot lately. While creating this new body of work I've discovered a few things. My youngest daughter is very interested in gems, geodes, and rainbows. These images keep repeating themselves in my paintings, without premeditation. A relative recently bought them some FANCY crayons & before they lose their shape I took a quick photo.

The brand is Kid Made Modern if you are interested.

The sun has finally come out in Ontario & Spring is in full effect. The chalk is back & rainbows are where it's at.

I've been teaching a lot more art classes lately which is keeping me busy. This set up is in a local restaurant in town.

If you are local, stop by & say hello at Burrow on Hunter St. in Peterborough Ont. Wednesday April 20th they are hosting a Meet the Artist event from 5-7pm. Drinks & treats will be provided! I've made some new pieces on wood panel that will be the perfect gift for Mother's Day. 

All of these original pieces are 8x10" & will be available at the event for a promotional price of $60. After this date they will be regular $75. Don't miss out!

I just finished this painting right before I wrote this post. It has been on my easel all week & feels so good to finally have it complete. In the next few weeks there will be 3 giveaways I am taking part in. Yes I said 3!! If you love my art then start following me on Instagram so you don't miss out on these contests!

Mid Century House Feature

If you read my previous post on Pittsburgh then you know that I have an interest in architecture. One of my favourite styles is mid-century design. I've worked in several furniture stores that sold classic styles such as Eames & Bertoia. If I was to choose my dream home, it would not be a mansion with a triple car garage. My taste leads me to a horizontal home with angular features such as a slanted roof and a car port. Think "Brady Bunch" exterior with a "Mad Men" interior.

Social Media has allowed me to start online friendships with people who live all over the world. On Instagram for example, I often check to see who likes or comments on my artwork. Perhaps they have similar interests and tastes?  A few weeks ago I came across Audrey, a free lance writer living in Seattle. After browsing through her photos, I was drawn to her design choices and her stunning home.  I'm not a shy person and if I lived near her I would invite myself to see it in person...it's that good! I asked her if she would be willing to share some photos on my blog and she was up for it.

As I look outside & see snow falling onto the ground, I will just close my eyes and picture myself in her dreamy yard.

Audrey and her husband are DIY professionals in my opinion. They have already tackled the exterior, modernizing it with black paint and building the most amazing upper/lower decks and fences. They are currently finishing renovations on the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and backyard. Busy I know...and she is also home schooling their two sons. I asked her to share a bit about the house and this is what she had to say:

This looks like it's out of an issue of Dwell magazine! Her husband has incredible carpentry skills.

Those angles get me excited!

"We moved into our home two years ago. We had been searching for our home for almost a full year after looking, while we were renting. We really wanted a mid century modern home, specifically a Burrows home. He was a well known contractor in the 1950's who had moved to Seattle from California. He had absorbed the styles of Eichler, Neutra, and Alexander and wanted to build homes like that in the Northwest. After searching the slim active listings, we found our dream home built in 1958 by John Burrows."

The details such as the wood ceiling & brick work surrounding the fireplace are original.

For $20 Audrey purchased this 4x8 piece of Douglas Fir from a local Lumbar Yard & created this simple mantle.

"The home owners were retiring and wanting to move out of state. I immediately contacted them by email and waited on pins and needles until I heard from them the next day! Our style is eclectic. I tends towards mid century and Scandinavian modern, with a dash of bohemian thrown in."

This corner is full of texture. Her Fiddle- leaf fig is thriving in this natural light...I'm jealous! 

I can't pick my favourite element in this room, the puppy...the light fixtures...the wall of windows...or the view into the yard? It's all so good!!!

This hallway leads you to the bedrooms. Audrey recently painted this cross on the wall & wasn't sure if her husband would like it. He came home from work & helped her measure to make sure it was perfect. True DIY love people! 

This area of the kitchen has already been renovated. Don't we all wish we could look out those stunning windows while we did the dishes.

Open shelving & a black and white colour scheme add to the modern kitchen.

I had to include this photo as the view out that window is breath-taking. 

I hope that Audrey will share more of her home with us in 6 months or so, to see what projects have been crossed off the list. I'm excited to see what those bathrooms are going to look like as we also want to re-do ours.  I haven't been to Seattle, but if I go please note I will be stopping by for a tea.

8 Weeks...

From today I will be hanging my first solo exhibit in a local Gallery in town. I have been thinking about displaying a body of work for a while. Committing to a date is a step in the right direction. Today I wanted to share a glimpse into my studio & some pieces I've been working on. Maybe some of these paintings will make it into the show; maybe not. The experimentation and creative process is the true gratification. I don't know if anyone will connect with my work or if any of it will actually find a permanent home. 

This journey I'm on keeps getting better every day. Each little step is leading me in the right direction. I don't think too far ahead. I do make lists of what I hope to accomplish in a day. Maybe studio time will happen, or perhaps my family and doing errands will fill the hours while I am awake. I have been teaching more painting classes lately which has been quite enjoyable. It is nice to interact with other creatives & hear their personal stories. Balancing life is sometimes a juggling act. I find I am a better mother & wife if I take time for myself. Painting is what I often need to balance myself out. I try to stay in the moment while I'm in my studio as I know my time is limited. When I have time to relax in the evening with my husband, you can often find us watching Netflix. Lately we have enjoyed several documentaries on artists/musicians that I have found quite inspiring. "Montage of Heck Kurt Cobain", "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" & "Amy" (Amy Winehouse). It's fascinating to see how others work & what drives them to create, if you are looking for something to watch check them out.

Detail of a larger painting I recently finished. In this section I layered multiple colours & scratched details in creating lines and shapes. I tried to stick to a neutral palette of black & white...however my love of colour found its way in.

Another detail from a piece which has yet to be named. The diamond shape appears multiple times.

A little closer to the opening night I will share more details about the date & location of the show. If you are local come check it out & say hi! 

Pittsburgh

 I just won a contest from our local library, and when I picked up my gift basket it was filled with a variety of books. I instantly thought of writing this blog post when I read the title on this one. My husband and I took a road trip 8 years ago before we became parents, and it is one of my favourite holidays to date.

I haven't read it yet, I'm excited see what other destinations I can add to my bucket list. Falling Water is not included but I think it is a must see!

When my husband and I told our friends and co-workers we were planning on driving to Pittsburgh for a holiday, everyone asked if we were visiting family. The main highlight of the trip was to see Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water" but we also wanted to see another smaller residential home he designed named "Kentuck Knob". We both love architecture and design & were excited to see these landmarks in real life. Books are great but you cannot imagine what it is really like to step onto the grounds at Falling Water & see the structure and how it was built amongst its natural environment. Our photos are not professional; but they show you some of our favourite elements.

This view is like nothing you will ever see

The tour of the home was quite informative, there were a lot of built in pieces of furniture in the space I do remember that.

This staircase leads to the water...a swim perhaps?

The home was built around the waterfall, I can't even imagine living here it is so stunning!

This gives you a better perspective of how the design was integrated into nature.

This is "Kentuck Knob" another one of Wright's designs, complete with a sculpture garden on the grounds.

Attention to detail is all I have to say...amazing!

The windows open to the pond & wonderful patio filled with sculptures.

This is me on the grounds. Doesn't this just make you want to run in a field & sing like Julie Andrews?

I think we took 20 photos of this from every angle possible. I chose just one...you're welcome.

This is a section of the Berlin Wall, it was amazing in person!

I LOVE this photo & had it blown up a few years ago. It hangs on the gallery wall in our living room.

I love street art & graffiti, these colours make me very happy!

One of Pittsburgh's famous yellow bridges

My husband also enjoys walking around museums and galleries... lucky me! This place was great & needs to be on your to do list. It took me a long time to chose a print but I'm happy I didn't leave empty handed. I love colour & Warhol does it so well.

 As we were driving through the country side to go to the "famous houses" we passed by an ice cream shop & I made my husband take my photo under the rainbow. Not sure if I was channeling my inner love for Rainbow Brite, but it makes me happy every time I see it.

I'm sure Pittsburgh has more to see and do since we last visited. Do yourself a favour & consider it while planning your next vacation. We also visited the Zoo which would be a great place to take our kids if we ever go back. We have hundreds of cute animal photos, I tried to stick to design & architecture. One of the best things about a road trip is finding new inspiration and looking at your surroundings with a new perspective. Relax & take it all in. Photos are a great way to help document and highlight your favourite parts.

Highlights of the week

My girls started their March Break last Friday. On Saturday I took a road trip by myself to visit friends of mine that live near our old house in Burlington. Before I became a mother, I never knew how lucky I was to have quiet time to myself whenever I needed it. This trip allowed me to put myself first which honestly, doesn't happen for me as much as it should. I enjoyed meals out & stayed up past my usual bedtime. I'm such a rebel!

You know it's a special occasion if my nails are painted. They are usually covered in paint! I let them dry while I was on the highway. I stopped into a local bookstore & browsed one of my favourite home decor magazines when I got to Burlington. My nails even match! I got the colour in my stocking...I guess Santa's up on his trends!

I had the best time at lunch with these lovely ladies whom I met through Instagram. I have discovered this supportive community & I was excited to actually meet some of my online friends in real life! We are all artists with kids & had lots to chat about.  We will be collaborating on a Mother's Day giveaway soon, so if you are not following me on IG get at it!

I am a member at a local Art Gallery in town & I finally set a date for my first solo exhibit last week! ( Insert happy face here) I will post more details in May but, if you are local, save the date. My opening reception will be on Saturday June 4th at 7:00pm. This is a detail of a larger painting I just completed. It is the first painting I have made for the show...loving the purple and green combination. Come on Spring!!

I have some of my artwork for sale at a beautiful shop in town called Burrow. The owner Meg asked me if I would paint some wooden Easter Eggs for her and this is what I came up with. She loved the Christmas ornaments I had made & wanted a similar look. Last night I sat & painted them. I kept telling my husband I was having so much fun. I had barely painted all week as the girls were off of school, I needed to get creative.

My Favourite Things

I adore photographs of landscapes that are pretty simple & have telephone/hydro poles in them. It's all about the composition folks. The following photos are all pieces of art that are in our home.

I purchased this photograph on canvas for myself as a Birthday gift a few years ago. I discovered Nadine through Etsy. Her work is breathtaking and the photos almost look like paintings. They are muted & somewhat blurry which I find intriguing. Check her out at www.walterhelenaphotography.com

This black & white photograph is a portrait of my grandparents. My husband surprised me & had it blown up from the original copy. To say I love it would be an understatement! The placement of the poles in the background adds to the street scene behind them.

This image was taken on a holiday. The muted tones & movement created by shooting from a moving vehicle are my favourite parts.

If you would like to see where any of these pieces of art are displayed in our home, check out my blog post a few weeks ago from the Apartment Therapy House Tour.

The Making Of...

I started this painting early last week and thought I would try and document myself painting it for you to see. On Instagram, I often see artists posting a quick video that shows them creating. For me this painting did not happen quickly. I worked on it a few hours a day for an an entire week. I finished it last night before my husband & I went out on a date.  An hour before this, I still wasn't happy with the final piece. As an artist I spend a lot of time just looking at a painting. Paintings move from my studio in the basement up to our living room where I can pass by them hung on the wall. This allows me to see what sections I think are working & where improvements could be made.  This post is full of photos, I hope you enjoy seeing how I work.

When I started making marks I thought it was going to turn into an abstract landscape. I had never done one before & was looking forward to it.

I started to create layers with shades of blue, mimicking water & movement.

I added more green & blue paint, let it dry & then had fun with various shades of spray paint. I used white, dark green, pink & royal blue. At this point I really liked what direction the painting was headed.

My palette knife was used a lot adding white, teal green & a moss green. I started to think the painting was appearing like a satellite view on the weather network. Not the kind of landscape I was going for!

I began to add more white paint thinking I could transform it somehow.

After the white dried, I continued to use my palette knife & layer on grey & royal blue.

This day was a breakthrough for me as I approached the painting with a fresh set of eyes. I decided I would go for it & cover up lots of sections with mint green. Sometimes this is hard to do for me as I already have a favourite part of the painting. I really like the dark green drips from the spray paint & didn't want to cover them. Guess what? They are now gone & I'm ok with it!

This is a detail shot. For me taking off layers off the paint after I have added them is an important process. The texture created in the blue shapes on the left allows you to see this. I use a damp rag & rub off paint before it is fully dry.

Another detail shot. I asked my husband what he thought of it so far, he said he could see the Chesire Cat. I decided at this point to title the painting "Wonderland". I often name my paintings after titles of songs I was listening to while creating them. This name just felt right. My oldest daughter came & sat behind me as I painted. Her thoughts were "Wow mom...you really like green". I said to her "Is that a bad thing?" Her reply was "Yes". 

I brought the painting up to our bedroom & stared at it while folding laundry. I had tried several times before to flip it upside down to see if I preferred it better this way. Today I decided I did. The small pink squares on the bottom are not heavy & I was feeling the composition now. I was excited to go back & work on it more, now that I had a new perspective.

Sorry this one's a bit blurry. I have now began to tone down some of the mint green with white. This really excites me & I know that the piece is almost complete!

A detail of the finished piece. I love the bits of yellow that mixed with pink to make a lovely shade of orange. I have always been drawn to circles & squares, you will find some amongst the shapes in this painting.

The final painting "Wonderland" 20x20" Mixed Media on Canvas. Sold.

Apartment Therapy House Tour

Two years ago I received Lisa Congdon's book "Art Inc." for my birthday. Last year I began to re-read it as I started the process of making my website. One of her suggestions was to write down your goals & hang them as a daily reminder. I hung my list on the bulletin board in my art studio & as 2016 approached I was happy with my accomplishments so far.

This list has helped me grow as an artist & achieve personal fulfillment as well. If you have read any of my previous posts or follow me on instagram you already know that I love design, mid century style & home decor magazines. One of my goals was just crossed off the list & I'm happy to share it with you! I have been reading Apartment Therapy and browsing the house tours they post for a long time...I don't even know how many years. I sent a few photos in before Christmas & waited to hear back. A photographer contacted us & arrived a few weeks later to shoot our home. I'm a typical Virgo & love a deadline. I knew all of the little things I kept putting off were going to have to happen before the day arrived. Our Thrift Shop dining chairs got new black seats however, they all didn't get painted as it was freezing cold outside & I am not crazy! The Swissted posters that had been taped to the wall at our front door finally got the piece of acrylic mounted on top of them. Lastly my youngest daughter Kinley got her big girl room. When we moved in two years ago I painted it white & she got things passed down from her older sister. I finally chose a paint colour with her, painted the walls & ceiling, got her headboard recovered in a neutral fabric & had a seat made for her rattan chair. She would always say her chair was so comfy before as she sat on her stuffed animals, I think it's a bit nicer on her bottom now.

Our living room. Photo by Lauren Kolyn

I look forward to sharing more personal experiences with you on the blog every week. Today I hope that some of you thought to yourself, "hey, my house could be featured too". If you are passionate about something what are you waiting for? Make it happen!

Check out the tour at Apartment Therapy here. 

A few minutes to myself

I am a pretty low maintenance gal & a trip to the hair salon isn't top priority on my calendar. Since I live in Ontario & our winters our COLD!!! I usually wear a toque every time I leave my house. It's tricky with bangs once I have hat head, they really look awful for the rest of the day. One evening last week I found a few hours to sit & relax while my hair was being cut & coloured. I usually don't take a lot of time to read magazines that aren't the home decor ones that I have monthly subscriptions to. The pile that sat next to my chair was amazing & my hair dresser could tell I was excited about the one I was looking at as he was cutting away.

This is the March 2016 issue of Elle Canada a fashion magazine that I got to bring home with me

I am not into fashion trends & usually this type of magazine doesn't catch my attention. I had just read online about an artist named Shantell Martins & her upcoming exhibit in Toronto. This issue has a great interview with her. I follow the design work of Christine Dovey & her Elle Canada Closet project has a great feature as well. The one thing that I was surprised by was how some of the images triggered ideas & memories in my mind of artwork & colour palettes. I am inspired by things I see on a daily basis & this few hours to myself that evening really got ideas flowing.

I used to do a lot of watercolour while in University & nowadays don't use the medium very often. These pages were inspiration for this quick piece.

I love to use cool colours like green & blue, I find them very comforting.

I created this painting a while ago & the dark blue section has always been my favourite section of the painting. To me it has a warmth & distressed feel of your favourite pair of denim jeans.

I think that I may have to browse more fashion ads & magazines. Great ideas are often born when least expected.

Let me work it...

I read something the other day about an artist I admire. She posted a photo of a painting on social media that she had reworked & turned into a new painting. I also do this & thought I might share with you a few pieces that got new life after a few months of sitting around in my studio. At the time I made them I was happy enough the with final result, but after looking at the canvases for a while they just didn't feel quite right.

This painting got reworked and now looks like the piece below

This 10x10" painting titled Comfortable & is sold.

When this painting was created I was never happy with the pink on the top layer, the below painting is it in a new life.

This 8x8" painting titled Palm Springs is a burst of colour & energy. I am so happy I took a chance & added the neon spray paint. It is available in my online shop.

I made this piece & imagined it in a boy's nursery. I always want my work to be versatile and I just wasn't feeling it with this painting. Below is the new & improved version.

This 10x10" painting titled Electric Feel is full of life & was inspired by street art. It is now sold.

As an artist I am still trying to find that groove in my style of painting. I approach each canvas with a fresh set of eyes & look forward to the path it will lead me. Some of you may have liked the before image better than my end result. That's fine, everyone has their own opinion & taste. I personally believe that for my work to be successful I have to love every piece I create. If I wouldn't hang it in my own space then how can I expect a potential customer to fall in love with it & begin an honest relationship with me as an artist.

Think Outside the Box

If you have looked at any of my previous posts you will see that my husband & I have a large collection of artwork in our home. I wanted to share my thoughts on how this was achieved & where you can start looking for art for your own space.

I have found that I have always connected with creative people. If you have a friend, neighbour or co-worker who enjoys photography & takes a pretty good photo ask to see more of their work. They may take some great shots that they would most likely be humbled to share with you if you just asked nicely. A friend of our's, who we met while seated together at a wedding reception, is a lady with many talents. She is a talented musician and a hobby of hers is photography. I asked her for a few images & she emailed them to me. She was also willing to change the size of the jpeg if needed as we enlarged one photo to 4'x 4'. 

The small square is a photo of hers that I mounted on a wood block, you don't need to use a frame all the time. It was quick an easy as I purchased the wood panel from a local craft store and painted it white. The photograph leaning behind it is a signed piece that I found at the Salvation Army for $8. There were 3 different photos in a set as they all had the same frame & matting. This is the only one I purchased & I didn't even have to reframe it which is great. 

I love to check out yard sales as well. Old postcards, photographs, maps, stamps, the collections people have are endless. If you like it, buy it & then figure out how it can be best displayed in your home.

This painting made me smile as soon as I saw it. I am not normally into traditional still lifes or delicate images like this but for $6 what did I have to lose? It now hangs in my daughter's bedroom.

This is an inexpensive way to display something you love. This is a section of a tea towel I purchased as a souvenir from a holiday. It didn't absorb well so I never used it in the kitchen to begin with. A collection of these hoops with different fabric scraps would look great arranged together. I also once cut up an old t-shirt that had a cute saying on it & put it in a hoop. Instant art that is safe to hang in a nursery or above a child's bed. There is no glass & heavy frame in case it falls off the wall while your little ones are playing or jumping on the bed.

The Polka Dot Print is a page of a kids book my daughter no longer looks at. Calendars also have fantastic designs & illustrations worthy of framing. The photograph is a thrift shop deal for $3. Travel photos look great blown up and printed in black & white. The frame was changed to a simple Ikea one & it has always hung on the gallery wall in our living room. I have a thing for vintage chairs & it was love at first sight.

If you have children they most likely have a favourite toy or love to collect things. Legos, action figures & stuffed animals have the potential to make some interesting & affordable art for kids rooms. Or if you are a grown-up who adores Star Wars, keep the art for your office or television room.

My sister passed this on to my girls a few years ago & I snapped a few photos. I think it would be a great addition to many gallery walls.

Vintage toys such as this telephone are graphic & colourful. I photographed this one I received from my Grandma a few years ago.

If you are a creative person & have a friend who is as well see if they are willing to trade with you. My girlfriend did this painting for me & I made her one in return. Maybe you do embroidery, sew or make wall hangings. Someone would love to have a unique hand made item, you just have to ask I'm sure you will find a few willing participants to swap with especially during the holidays. This is a photograph another girlfriend took, she focus's mainly on newborn's so she gave me the jpeg of this for free. I just had to get it printed & framed. It sits on our kitchen counter & I love looking at it.

You may think this signed & numbered print was purchased at an expensive home decor store as it is on trend with colours for 2016. However it was found at a local consignment shop for under $10. I kept it in the original black frame as it was in great condition.

Of course I would love it if you purchased artwork from small businesses like mine but, reality is that it can get expensive if you are trying to start a collection or fill multiple walls in your space. My rule is that if you can afford it & love it, buy it! You will find a space for it even if you are unsure where you will put it at the time of the purchase. Nowadays, anyone can take a half-decent photo with the use of a cell phone & add a filter on it to make it look unique. Have fun experimenting, you may capture an image that you want to display in your home.