Art for feast and forage under the HUNTER moon

Thought I would share with you the 6 completed mixed medium paintings I will have for my upcoming exhibit at Copper Fox Gallery in Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia. I will be sure to take photos of the exhibit where you'll be able to view both mine and ceramic artist Tracy Horsman's work. Until then, thanks for looking! :)

You can view titles, sizes, prices and how to purchase on the Lala & Gleen Facebook page. I hope to have all of these details up before the opening on Friday, September 30th.

Feast and Forage Under the Hunter Moon

You are cordially invited to an exhibit by two artists based on foraging for food and inspiration in and around the Acadian Forest of Nova Scotia which surrounds our homes.

New Pieces and upcoming Art show

Since my last exhibit BICYCLE, I have been doing a bit of gardening as a little break before I start my next intensive studio time ~ painting and felting for an upcoming Art & Craft show in Toronto at the Distillery District (July 30th, 31st and August 1st). Of course this gardening project has been very much a weather permitting type of break....so on the rainy days I have been working away in the studio. Here are two of my most recent paintings (continuing the theme of animals on bicycles).

Slow Rider
Acrylic, Pastel and Pencil on Wood Panel
24" x 24"
Price $550

This piece was inspired by a friend who works with seals. Grey Seals can be found throughout various coastal communities in Nova Scotia. I once had the opportunity to swim near them in the wild.

Please do drop by if you are in the area (Distillery District in Toronto) on July 30th, 31st and August 1st. I look forward to seeing you and also meeting those I have yet to have the pleasure to meet. :)

Another person's treasure.....

Every year the surrounding municipality (and province) has one day (in the spring and fall) where residents are allowed to put large appliances, furniture, and boxes of non-toxic, unwanted items on the curbside for garbage pickup. Lots of households opt to toss their goods to the curb a few days before actual pickup day. This gives other people the opportunity to check out the goods and bring them home if they'd like. It really is a great way to reuse and reduce the amounts of items going to the dump. This sort of exchange offers many opportunities in all kinds of ways. It provides people with much wanted items that they simply have not been able to find or afford. It also gives people new ways to look at things by creating projects ~ like painting an old wooden chair or piecing many dresser shelves together to create a dynamic and unique new bookshelf. It's all about divergent thinking (as my friend Tracy would say).

One of my favourite finds is a vintage Remington typewriter which now resides in my studio and provides me with entertainment, thoughts on bygone eras and the quality of goods of those eras. I simply can't walk by it without contemplating how much longer things would have taken compared to our "plugged~in lifestyle" of today.

I am embracing the idea of the Slow Movement in all aspects of life ~ from food, to travel, to lifestyle. I adore the old one speed, back pedal bicycles, handmade bread making and the  clickety~clack sounds from punching the keys on a typewriter. My focus for my next body of work will most certainly derive inspiration from the very things that may have been moved to the way side because they take too long, are not efficient or simply say "old".

Bring on the home infused tonics, garden grown tomatoes and vintage tunes from old record players. I still love my computer and the access to today's modern ammenities, but there is something about the quality and quirky features of yesterday's inventions.

Let's all do our part to reuse something we have found ~ whether in the backs of our closets or on the roadside. I highly recommend the film Wasteland if you need any inspiration.

Happy dumpster diving, roadside recycling and closet creativity!!! :)

Forest Exploration with my dog

Every day my dog and I go on a daily jaunt through the Acadian forest which surrounds our home. We listen to the bird songs, call of the owls and occasional coyotes while watching the various flora grow and fade away each season. It is on these daily jaunts where I figure out solutions to problems, discover something new in nature, work on getting over my fear of snakes and of course enjoy the incredible happiness of my dog. Her tail is like a butterfly that never stops moving - even if we've walked on the same trail 364 previous days throughout the year. She is an inspiration for my very being and teaches me to enjoy each and every day and the moment for what it is. She's even a muse for some of my artwork.

Spring Snake (harmless yet still sends my adrenalin a go-go). To get over this silly fear, I have decided to just get right in there and discover the beauty of snakes through a camera lens.

My pooch enjoying the ponds which have developed under the trees which were uprooted in the storm we had this past November.

One of the latest paintings I have created for an upcoming solo show at Harvest Gallery to be held at the end of May.

www.harvestgallery.ca

Solo Exhibit at Harvest Gallery

One opening done, and now working on the next project - a solo exhibit to open at the end of May 2011 at Harvest Gallery in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. More details to follow at a later date. Until then, here's a little sample of what you will find at the exhibit (inspired by bicycles, tricycles and maybe even a unicycle).

Artist Collective SEVEN

My artist collective SEVEN recently opened an exhibit at the Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. We are all proud of our work that we are presenting for this show titled EXCHANGE/UDVEKSLING. If you have a chance to check out the show, it's up until May 1st, 2011. If you are unable to make it and would like to read what the arts report, Elissa Barnard, who writes for the Chronicle Herald (Nova Scotia's Newspaper) has to say, then here's your chance. *Enjoy
http://thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1238802.html

Time Flies

Wow! What can I say except that time has flown by without me realizing that I need to spend time on my blog. It was a very busy summer and now fall continues with that trend. I am thankful for the many commissions that have come my way, and have also found time to play in a friends pottery studio quite recently. Thank you to those you believe in me and my creations :)

Although it has been a busy year, it has also been a challenging one. I was without a sewing machine to make my stitched creations for five months - yikes! Also, the recession certainly has had an impact on sales and new projects that I had hoped to go forth with. This time has however made me re-think some decisions and perhaps has even forced me to delve even deeper into the creative think tank. So, I guess it hasn't been all bad. :)

These days I have been taking lots of photographs of mushrooms that exist in the forest which surrounds my home. I have also been inspired by the film Exit Through the Gift Shop in that I am back to screenprinting using primitive methods which are much more environmentally friendly. I have also taken my designs into the woods and have left impressions on the trees which have fallen or will fall in the near future. It's a great way to add a bit more character to the forest which is full of mystery and whimsy. Through this I feel like I too am a bit of a streetscape artist although my vista is within the forest realms.

Life is truly grand with all of its' ebbs and flows. It is the journey of such experiences which allow us to learn, evolve and fulfill many creative ideas. Thank you world for that :)

You know it's Spring When....

The Forsythia are finally in bloom and it's a great celebration of spring and the glorious colours to come. This time of year is one of my favourites for the very reason of peeking in the garden to see what is growing. The garlic is already 4" in height and i'm excited for the many lavender plants which will add a lovely colour and flavour to the homemade ice cream here at the home of Lala & Gleen.

I am so looking forward to getting outside and photographing the glorious flora and fauna found around my home......and for such elements to show up in my own painted and felted pieces.

Happy spring everyone!!! Get out there and enjoy the sunshine, the fresh air and all of the wonderful things spring has to offer :)

New Pieces...

Thought i'd post a couple of pieces that I have been working on this winter....

First a triptych titled "Even Playing Field" (Acrylic, pastel and pencil on wood panel) Each panel is 8" x 8". The lower image is "Spring Chorus Line" inspired by the many sounds of the birds that came out to sing their songs during a few warm days this March. I used the same mediums to create my pieces. Spring Chorus Line is 20" x 20" on wood panel.

I'm getting ready to begin a medium switch in my studio - from painting to needle felting. This involves cleaning up the whole studio, and moving the new materials in. I will most likely be spending the next couple of weeks focused on creating pieces for galleries and upcoming shows (of which I will try to post at a later date). Thanks for looking :)

Acrylic, Oil Pastel and Graphite Pencil

on wood panel (36"h x 48"w)

Birds of a Feather

This winter, the paint is flying around the studio as I work on many different sized pieces. I am working on a large body of works (4' x 5') as well as smaller pieces (3' x 3'). I have lots of panels lined up (various sizes) and my hope is to create a series of works during the winter months so that I can concentrate on exhibits during the warmer months. So far, it really has been a perfect winter to be in the studio - the first winter where I feel like the ideas are flowing and the desire to create is strong.

Birds of a Feather

Acrylic, pastel, pencil and spray paint

on wood panel

3' x 3'

Finally....

I finally have a new website. I have been yearning for a new site in which I can update any time with any information. You can view it by going to http//:www.lalaandgleen.com.

If you have any suggestions or ideas regarding this site, please do let me know. I will be continuing to update it and improving upon it. Hope you enjoy looking. :)

Ladybug

Ah....summertime. This time of year is truly wonderful with all of the splendid colours of flowers blooming, the sounds of birds chirping merrily all day long....and of course some of the bugs like ladybugs which are always fascinating to watch.

This one in particular was getting ready to take-off while I had my camera in my other hand.  

Now to play in the gardens again to see what else I may find :)

Flora found at the home of Lala & Gleen

I LOVE spring ~ watching the garden grow and the flora and fauna in the woodlands that surrounds my home. It happens every year....and every year I am amazed at the beauty and sheer capability of mother nature to show off the many colours, textures, smells and sounds!!! It's exciting really ~ especially if you just stop to take it all in :)

The glorious chives ~ one of the first things to flower in my herb garden. It's always so fun to go outside with scissors in hand and cut them so I can use them in a fresh spring salad!! Life is a glorious thing.

These are the beautiful wild orchids (or Ladyslippers as we call them in Nova Scotia) that I find as I walk through the woodland trails in June. They are everywhere and each one has its own unique markings. The flowers peek up from the ferns while walking or biking along the trails. They are stunning!!! 

Uncommon Common ARt (Project #2)

This sculptural tree bower was a collaboration with myself and my lovely neighbours. We created this piece around a cluster of trees already in existance which also had a little stump in the middle ~ perfect to stand on!!!

We started by wrapping the trees with chicken wire, and then used locally grown cut saplings to create a basket structure. We hand wove and tied beautifully coloured wools from a local fibre artist. We also added old man's beard, feathers and greenery to fill it out.

If you are in the Wolfville area (of Nova Scotia) and would like to see this in person, pick up a local map called Uncommon Common Art 2009. These maps will be ready and availble in June. Hope you have a chance to see what our Annapolis Valley artists have been up to with their art creations for public spaces. Enjoy*

Uncommon Common ARt

"Uncommon Common Art is a comunity-based environmental art project in which artists are asked to create an original art piece in nature that in some way asks us to stop and pay attention. Whether on private or public property, all art locations are accessible to the public."

I LOVE this project!!! This is the second year for this project that takes place in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

I am working on collaborations with a number of friends, artists, and neighbours. It's truly an exciting way to create art with lots of creative minds by using what you have or can find in nature. The pieces I am collaborating on will feature as part of  the bicycle trails beside my house. The trails are fun to bike and walk but by adding art with the already existing flora and fauna ~ wow, what a wonderful way to celebrate the world in which we live!!!!  :)

Stay tuned to the many creations by various artists from this part of the world by visiting www.ValleyArts.ca. This project will be up and running by June.

*Enjoy

Latest Painting

My latest painting created for an exhibit at Acadia University Art Gallery. The exhibit is called Large/small and is created by Visual Arts Nova Scotia for the Regional Artists of the Annapolis Valley. This piece is 4' x 5' and was created using acrylic, pastel and pencil. The piece will be framed and set up for proper hanging. I am so looking forward to this exciting exhibit and to find out what all the other artists of the region have created!!!

To find out further info, go to the Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=96640885352&ref=mf

and

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wolfville-NS/Acadia-University-Art-Gallery/95064121286?ref=ts

Newest Paintings by Lala

Since i've returned home from a very inspiring workshop in New Mexico, i've had the chance to experiment with the techniques i've learned and have actually created some new pieces. I am very excited about this new direction for my work. The process is such a refreshing change from what I have taught myself about painting and what I have read about other approaches or philosophies of painting. I truly love the organic nature of this process. Thanks Jesse for such a fantastic workshop!!

Night Sky 20" x 20" (Acrylic, Pastel and Charcoal on wood panel)

Dream Catcher 16" x 20" (Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on wood panel)

Featured Artist of the Month ~ Love, Me Boutique

Just wanted to share with you a recent interview that Chara of Love, Me Boutique (in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) did on me and my business (Lala & Gleen):

http://lovemeboutique.wordpress.com/artist-at-a-glance-october/

 If you ever have a chance to visit this area, be sure to stop by the boutique to check out their fabulous hand-made and utterly creative pieces that they carry by Canadian artists. (www.lovemeboutique.ca)