Self Learning

I was overjoyed to get some frames from Veronica. It was timely with our coming show on Saturday November 7th.
Of course we got chatting about art and somehow onto the subject of self learning. She loves to read and so learns a lot that way. I love to glean from wherever I can, too. Looking at art, reading about artists and what others say about art; searching the internet or even watching a little painting on the TV. I did take art in high school and correspondence courses but most of what I know has been self taught. When we were homeschooling the children one of the experts said it not so important the method you use or if they follow the grade system exactly but to teach them to be life-long self-learners. That is the key to success in any area of our lives. Education does not end at the steps of high school or university. It is only the beginning. Many successful people are self-taught individuals. To always be learning about your craft is one of life’s greatest joys.
One of the things that I did recently was to sign up for Robert Genn’s newsletter; very inspiring and motivating for me.

Christmas Art Show with AIRDRIE 7

Hey, I am enjoying getting ready for another show with "Airdrie 7." It should be so fun hanging out and seeing what's new. I learn something interesting everytime I am with fellow artists. There is a connection that is so different from my other relationships. Learning something from each encounter gets me motivated with my own art.

Come on out...

Saturday

Nov 7, 2009

10am - 4pm

">44 Sprucegrove Crescent SE">

Impacting Creativity

I am realizing that to creatively impact my world has been a goal of mine since I was a teen. Recently, I was asked to join “Airdrie 7” similar to “The Group of 7” which was a famous Canadian group of Artists from the earlier part of the 20th century. They mostly depicted the Canadian landscape in a post-impressionistic style. Rhea Warholik commented, at our first meeting, that there was a Harris in the Group of 7 and we have a Harris of the “Airdrie 7” (which happens to be me).
Lawren Harris describes art with this quote: “a realm of life between our mundane world and the world of the spirit.” I really believe that art connects to our spirit in ways that nothing else can. It is for our whole being to experience. Our eyes take it in as our soul and spirit respond. If the artist has painted from their spirit and what is in their heart then the viewer will sense it. That is my main goal.

The Great Exchange

I traded this painting of mine for one of her's. She choose it because she liked how it was flat paint at the top and more textured at the bottom.

Inspiration and the Great Exchange

I love how I get inspiration from other artists. Veronica Funk and I decided to exchange paintings. She now has one of my paintings and I have her little tea cup painting. It goes so nice in my house. Sometimes I just stop and look at it.

I am Getting Ready for the Nov 7th Show and Sale

Airdire 7 Art Show and Sale.

November 7, 2009

10 AM to 4PM

44 Sprucegrove Crescent SE

Airdrie, Alberta

Airdrie Centennial Art Show

What a beautiful day for the Airdrie Centennial Celebrations. And what a good Art Show we had for some great artists in Airdrie! I was tired by the end but happy that I went. It was fun and great to see some of my friends stop by.

Airdrie Centennial Homecoming Weeekend September 10-13

Airdrie Centennial Homecoming Weekend
Celebrating 100 years of history, Community, and Opportunity. I will be there with Airdrie 7 a local group of artists along with other Artisans on "Present Day" Sunday Sept 13, 11-4

For more info: http://www.airdrie.ca/cent/events.cfm
Location: Nose Creek Park

Come see some of my latest paintings

"Airdrie Garden"

I AM GETTING INTO THE CREATIVE GROOVE

I am getting into the creative groove

or getting groovy creative;

I don't know which

but I am excited about the fall

and what it will bring.

There is going to be a couple of shows.

I just want to paint,

paint

and paint!

My First Sketchcrawl "Find a Moment"

A great cappuccino in hand... now what!

Hummm...what to draw?

...well, maybe I will draw my coffee cup!

Oh, the lady sitting at the table next to us has been sitting very still while she is reading paper. Maybe I could do a cartoon of her leaning on a big coffee cup.

After adding in some palm trees which weren't really there but gave the feeling of rest and relaxation, a huge banana emerged, a french press then a bird.

I replaced the Starbucks logo with 5 BUCK because that is what you usually pay. (I learned that from my friends Dan and Maryanne.)

Starbucks is our little luxury!

A Canadian 5 dollar bill appeared too because after all we are in Canada!

Anyways... when I brought it home my daughter said, "It kind of looks a little like Where's Waldo." So, I snuck in words here and there that depicted "The Coffee Shop Experience." And I called it "Find a Moment" because we all need to find a moment to relax with coffee.

I decided to dedicate this little painting to the gracious manager, Ilja, and her staff at Airdrie Starbucks on Main Street just across from Staples! Thanks so much for making me feel welcome and cared for.

And thanks Cheryl for arranging the Sketchcrawl. It was great to hang out with new friends and art buddies. http://www.sketchcrawl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=3940

I look forward to the next one. Apparently the Sketchcrawl is done about every 3 months.

And Thanks to Kyle,

Karen and all the great staff at Starbucks

in Airdrie at the Dickson Crossings location;

3 Stonegate Drive.

Your thoughtfulness and helpful service has sure made our life easier.