December 15th, 10 days to Christmas....

GREETINGS everyone! What a day! After temperatures of -32C, a Chinook wind has blessed us with +1C this afternoon. I swear I can hear all outdoor creatures sighing a breath of relief! In the meantime, I am continuing with my Christmas card writing, and buying the odd gift. I haven't been able to use my car (I'm afraid it's seen better days and will be "retired" soon.) A social week is coming up, starting Thursday. I am excited to be going to see John Wort Hannam, and two other musicians, perform here at Carlson's on Macleod. Twilight is playing in town, and despite some people's dislike of this movie, I may just go because I feel like seeing a movie! I am hoping to also catch up on homework for some courses I am involved with. One that has finished that I took on-line (loved it. Misty Mawn is an awesome teacher!) The other is a course with Sharon Williams. Sadly the weather has kept me, and half the class, away from attending the last two sessions! We will return to class again in January. And now, I am off to the local coffee shop to meet a friend. Merry Christmas dear readers, .... and let me know what you are up to! Cheers, Annie

A Creative Wellspring Has Burst!

Wow! Three letters that don't really express how incredible I feel right now! I began an on-line course with Misty Mawn on Saturday, November 14, 2009 (Painting Layers) and let's just say, ..... something finally clicked!

I have been playing with mixed media for about 6 years now, but things just didn't fall into place in a manner that I was satisfied with. Suddenly, something has broken through, and thanks to Misty's "teaching style", and timing, I suppose, I am beginning to feel so much more comfortable with this "layer" work. I have been doing variations of layering with my watercolours, but the transparency does not yield the same results as acrylic.

Misty has also introduced us to so many other things. Polyvore, for example. I just uploaded one of the collages that she suggested we might try to play with. It is a good exercise in design. She, of course, is a design pro! Did I say she was amazing?

If you google her, Misty Mawn, you will find all sorts of amazing links about her.

OK, it's 1:38 am. Since the weekend course began, I've been getting to bed at 2:00 and 3:00 AM!!!!

Gotta go! Get CREATING EVERYONE!

It's Fall!!! A Time to invest in the great indoors....

Here it is, November 2nd, 2009. I cannot believe all of the exciting things I have lined up for this month! I am teaching a one-day course in Edmonton, for the Edmonton Calligraphy Guild on "Beautiful Backgrounds". And for my birthday, I registered for Misty Mawn's first on-line course - "Painted Layers"!!! I am soooooo excited! It starts on November 13th and goes for a month. I love her work so very much. Her blog, which I have followed for some years, inspires me. I feel like she's a kindred creative spirit. You can check out her blog at: http://www.mistymawn.typepad.com/

Well, I just wanted to see if anyone is still out there! (Sam,..... can you reach me?)

Wishing you all a lovely day tomorrow.

Hugs,

Annie

PS. Here's a favourite quote - Native american saying

"We have not inherited the earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children."

Walk softly .....

June - Summer Days

The days are so lovely and long that I find myself getting up early (4:44 am this morning, in fact.)

I have a few new things that came into the studio in the last week and I thought I would show them off!

Euan Hanchard of Serrano Studios has brought in a new cutting board, using purple heart, bloodwood and maple.  It is a great item for food presentation, let alone using it as a cheese board or cutting board.  The retail price for this item is $150.00.

Euan also created a wall treasure box, using the praire rose as inspiration.  This piece is called "Rose".

I also have been indulging in painting the flowers that are blooming so beautifully in my garden.  I'll post some of those images in my next blog!

Hope summer is everything you hoped it would be!

Annie

June..... The lilacs are out and the garden is in full springtime bloom....

I absolutely love this time of year in Alberta.  The perennial garden is in full bloom right now, the birds are singing and I just want to be up 24 hours a day and miss nothing!

Spring madness.  Life is sometimes like that.  You just want to do it all, take it all in, and before you know it you are extended beyond reason.  You miss out on sleep, don't necessarily eat well, start getting cranky, (and the worst for me is fuzzy-brained!!!!) and start not seeing the beauty and the balance in nature.

And so today, try to be balanced.  Remember to choose wisely what you dedicate your time and your life to.  We can't do it all, see it all, be it all, try as we might!

Wishing you serenity amidst the chaos of your beautiful life!

Hugs,

Annie

Snow, wind, chilly......I thought it was spring!

Old-man winter is still strong, it seems. My friend keeps saying as he gets weaker and weaker, spring takes over.
OK,... I'm waiting with bated breath. Bring it on!...... please!

Despite snow squalls today, and a strong chilly wind, the day had its moments. I had a great visit with friends at coffee this morning, and I just got back from watching a movie in our local theatre with Herb. It was a great way to pass time. I feel like I'm "resting" to get ready for the next two weeks. There's lots happening on the schedule.

I think tomorrow will be a studio day again. I'd like to spend some time painting. I can't wait for the flowers to bloom here. Seeing Misty Mawn's blog, ( http://www.mistymawn.typepad.com/ )I was just loving the blooming trees in a rural setting. (sigh.....) Those images made me yearn to be in Victoria, or somewhere where they have "blooming" things thriving!

And on that note, I will celebrate what we do have..... Here's a photo from Easter Day, the "before dinner walk" with Dave Leslie, Herb and the dogs!

Wishing each of you a wonderful day!

How Can It Be April Already?!!!!

Happy Easter Week! I can't believe that I have not posted since February! A lot has happened since then. I don't know where to begin! Today I enjoyed spending the afternoon doing a Professional Development teaching session with some High School Art Teachers in Calgary. Larissa asked if I could do a demonstration for some of her colleagues. It was wonderful to share some techniques with kindred spirits....
In the meantime, I also have to get my studio ready for a course I am teaching in less than two weeks, and then this coming weekend, I have a whole bunch of people coming over for the photo shoot with Julie Jenkins. This show will be "Faces of High River II". I think we'll have a wonderful turnout.

Today I observed the last video for Pam Carriker's Class, Shades of Grey. This is the second class I've taken with Pam on-line, and I so enjoy learning new ways to use mediums I've worked with for a few years! Great fun! Thank you to Pam for sharing her love of journalling with us through the vehicle of on-line classes. A big thank you also goes out to Gail Schmidt for creating Creative Workshops. Gail hosts a number of courses through this site, and I just know I will be signing up for another one in the future. If you are unfamiliar with Creative Workshops, why not hop over to her site now: http://creativeworkshops.ning.com/

OK, I think I'll close this entry for now, and continue tomorrow! It's nice to be back!!!

Annie

What's New?

Oh! How can it already by February 9th? There's been so much going on, but I would say that one of the most exciting things to have happened this year is discovering Pam Carriker's on-line course! Here we are on the last week, Week 5. How can that be? I am going to miss the anticipation I had for Sundays! Why? Because that's when I could look forward to spending some more time with Guru teacher, Pam. She's a talented lady, a gifted teacher and a gentle soul. I would love to take her next class in March, "Shades of Grey", but we'll see where I am and what's going on in my life. That same week I want to find a way (and boy, miracles need to happen), to get to Victoria!!!!!

This week will be spent getting ready for the big gallery show, "The Kiss." I have lots of work to take down, and more to hang. I need to make price tags, etc., etc., etc., let alone post a newsletter! I could use "Miss Friday" in my life. Jay said this morning that he was learning the fine art of delegating. I have no one to delegate to but myself! Oh well, ONE THING AT A TIME. Focus. Pace. It'll get done!

And now, off to spend some time journalling! I've just posted my pages to Flickr for the class, but I am NOT happy with them. Oh well. I have learned a lot! And that's the blessing in this whole journey called life. Have a wonderful day everyone! Hugs, Annie

The New Year is Flying...

Charles Rennie Mackintosh and His Lovely wife Margaret

http://www.crmsociety.com/margaretmacdonald.aspx
(This is a link about Margaret)

http://www.crmsociety.com/crmackintosh.aspx
(This is a link about Charles)

Charles says:

"Margaret is half if not three-quarters of all my work," and "Margaret has genius, I have only talent."

What an incredibly talented couple!

If you google either of their names and images, you will see a lot of the architechture, paintings, etc., that these two are responsible for creating. And if you EVER go to Glasgow, in Scotland, please check out the Mackintosh School of the Arts, the Tea Rooms he designed, etc.!!!

Enjoy!

What an Inspiring Day...

Today I began week 2 of Pam Carriker's Class, Visual Journalism 101. This is collage week. Oh, this is a tough one for me. As I explained in the kafe klatsch room on the workshop site, collage is a challenge because I worry and fret trying to find the right image, and before I know it hours have passed, I haven't found anything, my energy is totally shut-down,.... enter PROCRASTINATION.

So, today I thought I would go on-line and be re-inspired by images of one of my all time favourite artist, and his wife. Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Their rose images have always been one of my favourites. And I am a big admirer of both of their watercolour paintings.

Today I found a picture of both of them, with a quote Charles wrote about Margaret. Beautiful. I'd seen this before, but I knew when I saw it that I wanted to share with you on my blog. Enjoy!

It's January 18th!!!! 2009!!!! How can that be?!!!!!

Happy New year everyone!  I can't believe that 1/2 the month has already zoomed by.  I have been wonderfully occupied with an on-line course with Pam Carriker entitled "Visual Journalism 101", hosted at the following link:
http://creativeworkshops.ning.com/groups
Talk about inspirational! I have journalled for a couple of decades now, but it's always been with watercolours and mixed media. The acrylics, finally, are working for me, thanks to one major instruction! Let the layers dry in between applications. I love the glowly look I am getting!!! Last night I decided to create a quick single-signature art journal, and I must say that I am pretty pleased with the results!
If anyone out there is thinking of taking creative on-line courses, you WANT to visit this website (CREATIVE WORKSHOPS), at the above link!

Happy creating everyone!
Hugs,

Annie