you can see all of my paintings at www.DominiqueHurley.com
New Painting:
Here’s one of the little paintings I created this weekend.
“Sky Dancer” – 9″ x 12″ – acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required) – SOLD
Working the thick layers of fluid acrylics by blowing through a straw felt like infusing life into painting. Movement, energy, abundance, and gratitude.
I’m back in the studio this morning for a 3-day painting blitz. I love those!!!
I never shared here this little painting that came out of the last one.
Caméo – – 12″ x 12″ – acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required).
Back to the Classroom:
On Monday, I start a 5-week teaching English Second Language (ESL) contract at the university (in place of a teacher on maternity leave). Part of me is already mourning the end of this chapter as a full-time artist, but part of me also welcomes what’s coming. I’ve just always found transitions and change challenging … despite my constant practice. Still, I’m looking forward to discovering what gifts I have to share this time in the classroom, and what I too will learn from my students and the experience.
The Only Thing Constant is Change Itself:
One thing I can say for sure is that there is movement happening in my life (inside & out). Things are definitely not stagnant. My mixed feelings this week have given me much food for thought – and I continue to ask the Universe my questions and listen for answers.
Sharing My Art: Great Exposure
On many levels, I have felt so blessed to have had the opportunity lately to share my art – bringing my brand of love & beauty into the lives of those open to receive it.
Eternal Time Witnesses – SOLD – 12″ x 36″- Mixed media: acrylics, tar gel, labradorite, mica on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required). Labradorite: a powerful protector, a Stone of Magic, enhances mental and intuitive abilities, brings out the best in people, assists communication with other realms. I was gifted this labradorite directly by the one who harvested iit from the ground here in Newfoundland. Along with generations of trees represented in this painting, this stone holds within it the memories and energies of time.
Festivity – SOLD – 12″ x 16″- Acrylics & granular gel on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required)
Two Sides to Every Story:
Despite all this wonderful exposure and soul fulfillment, there’s another voice calling my attention this week. My business mind keeps kicking in asking how I might convert some of those views into customers for the many paintings I’ve got out there waiting for homes. How do I earn a more sustainable income from my art? This is a natural question for any entrepreneur. How to do it lovingly is my bigger question. Perhaps I need to keep thinking outside the box like I did to finance my year overseas… So many questions… I know that asking them, however, is already part of the answer.
I Keep On Learning: NLAC Social Media Series
Yesterday, I walked to the LSPU Hall downtown to attend the last of ten Social Media Workshops put on by the Newfoundland and Labrador Art Council. It was nice to see the mustard clapboard house beside it- I had rented it for my first month in NL in 2011.
So many have said that the social media site Pintrest is a good way to sell art. It took me so long to join Facebook, however, and I feel like I already spend enough of my days at the computer, so I’ve resisted adding to that. Nothing new there… The workshop was great though, and I now plan on watching the other nine online – a great resource, not only for artists. There’s so much to learn and implement. Being a professional artist definitely requires as much or more time spent on the business side than the creative side.
After the workshop, I enjoyed another hour’s walk, this time in the torrential rain. Most of it was along the river that passes through my backyard – a deserted trail laden with golden leaves. Truly beautiful! The bit of my walk that was by the side of the road, however, was pretty dramatic, with big trucks sometimes sending waves of water twice as high as my head. Luckily, I was never under one of those. Still, I got home pretty wet. My Gortex jacket and plastic rain pants did quite well, but my Gortex-lined hiking boots aren’t as waterproof as they used to be. Oh well. I dried off, ate, and spent the evening covered up with blankets watching movies. Perfect.
Making a Choice:
So – which voice am I going to listen to? The scared voice of scarcity and fear, or the trusting voice of love, abundance, and soul purpose? Both co-exist so strongly within me at varying times. As my wonderful housemate Orinda says, it’s a moment-by-moment choice of which one to focus on. This is all part of my journey, and sharing it with you helps me to make the choice that’s obviously more aligned with my Higher Self. Thanks.
Now back to painting! Yay!
*Would you like to learn the intuitive painting process? It’s all here. Give it a try and have fun!
It is with great pleasure that I provide this summary of the “Les mains dans l’art” (Hands On Art) workshop that I taught across the province of Newfoundland & Labrador thanks to the Réseau Culturel de la Fédération Francophone de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (FFTNL) and Heritage Canada. My hope is that it will not only serve as a reminder for all the teachers and participants, so that they can continue their multi-layered journey into the magical world of acrylic paint, but also inspire some of you to try out this avenue of intuitive creative expression. Ready to paint?
** Voulez-vous apprendre à peinturer d’une façon intuitive? Allez-y! Amusez-vous!
C’est avec grand plaisir que j’offre ici ce résumé de l’atelier “Les Mains dans l’art” que j’ai facilité à travers la province, grâce au Réseau Culturel de la Fédération francophone de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (FFTNL) et de Patrimoine Canada. J’espère qu’il servira autant comme rappel pour mes étudiants et leurs enseignants que comme inspiration et guide pour ceux d’entre vous qui veulent essayer cette voie d’expression créative intuitive. Êtes-vous prêts?
***
* BACKGROUND / ** CONTEXTE:
* I have been painting in this style with acrylics since the 1980s, but this step-by-step teaching methodology was inspired by the teachings of the old Masters (as taught to me at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art) and by fellow artist Flora Bowley.
** Quoique je peins dans ce genre depuis les années 1980s, cette méthodologie pédagogique, étape-par-étape, a été inspirée à la fois par les enseignements des Maîtres anciens (tel qu’enseigné au Vienna Academy of Visionary Art) et de l’artiste Flora Bowley.
***
* MATERIALS NEEDED / ** MATÉRIEL NÉCESSAIRE:
* Note: The FFTNL has prepared a French vocabulary list for the arts (with English translations) that you can find here.
* Notez: La FFTNL à préparé un petit lexique des arts que vous pouvez trouver ici.
***
* THE STEPS /** LES ÉTAPES:
* This workshop is about both technique and creative exploration – a process of letting go in a non-judgmental space of experimentation. There are no mistakes here. Everything is a step towards what will be. I have divided these instructions into easy steps for the development of your own unique acrylic universe. You’ll be transforming your canvas with every layer, which in turn will inspire what to do next. Once you’re comfortable with the steps and principles, you can change the order, skip steps, etc. Welcome to the world of intuitive painting!
** Cet atelier est à la fois techniques de peinture acrylique et exploration créative – un processus de libération dans un espace de non-jugement et d’expérimentation. Il n’y a pas d’erreur ici. Tout est un pas de plus vers ce qui sera. Les instructions sont divisées en étapes faciles pour le développement de votre propre univers acrylique. Votre toile se transformera avec chaque couche, qui par la suite inspirera la prochaine étape. Une fois comfortable avec les étapes et les principes, vous pouvez changer l’ordre, sauter des étapes, etc. Bienvenue au monde de la peinture intuitive!
***
* Step 1: WARM COLOURS
Use warm colours to create a base coat in any manner you like and with any tools you like (blindfolded, with hands, dry brush, wet on wet, etc.). I gave my groups only 5 minutes to use all their warm colours and try all their starter tools to help loosen them up.
**1ière Étape : COULEURS CHAUDES
Utilisez des couleurs chaudes pour créer une couche de base de n’importe quelle manière et avec les outils que vous aimez (les yeux bandés , pinceaux sec, les mains, avec un vaporisateur d’eau, etc.). Je n’ai donné à mes groupes que 5 minutes pour aider à les réchauffer: toutes les couleurs chaudes avec tous leurs premiers outils.
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* Step 2 : COOL COLOURS
Once the first layer is completely dry, use cool colours to create as many kinds of marks and designs on top. Be creative in finding natural or man-made mark-making tools (sponge, comb, leaves, various paintbrushes, bottle caps, stamps, etc.). I gave students 10-20 seconds to play with each toy before passing it to their neighbour on the right.
** 2ième Étape: COULEURS FROIDES
Une fois la première couche est complètement sèche, utilisez des couleurs froides pour créer autant de types de marques expressives et de motifs par dessus les couleurs chaudes. Soyez créatif pour trouver des outils naturels ou artificiels (éponge, peigne, feuilles d’arbre, différents pinceaux, capuchon de bouteille, des estampes, etc.). Mes étudiants n’ont eu que 10-20 secondes par outil avant de le passer à leur voisin de droite.
***
* Repeat Steps 1-2 as often as you like. Wait until each layer is completely dry, or you will create muddy colours.
** Répétez les étapes 1-2 autant de fois que vous le souhaitez. Attendez que chaque couche soit complètement sèche, sinon, le résultat sera des couleurs boueuses.
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* Step 3: : CONTRAST
Use white and black (side by side for increased visual intensity) to add more marks or designs if you want to stay abstract, or to start building your subject if one is already calling you. If you prefer a more realistic look, you can use all shades of white, grey, and black to build a three dimensional effect on your figures or in your landscapes, etc.
** 3ième Étape: CONTRASTE
Utiliser du blanc et du noir (côte à côte pour un plus grand contraste) pour ajouter plus de marques expressives ou motifs si vous voulez rester abstrait, ou commencer à développer votre sujet si vous en avez déjà une idée. Si vous préférez une peinture plus réaliste, utilisez toutes les nuances de blanc, de gris, et de noir pour peindre une image plus dimensionnelle.
***
* Step 4: GLAZE OR WASH
(Note : Depending on time, I sometimes explained Step 4 before Step 3 during my workshop tour)
Add a unifying glaze by using a tiny bit of one colour and a small puddle of water or acrylic glazing liquid (more stable, but longer to dry). Test on a corner to see if the colour is too thin or too intense. Think: do you want your overall look to be warm or cool? As the glaze/wash is transparent, it will render some colours underneath more neutral (cool ones if you’re using a warm glaze or warm one if you’re using a cool glaze).
** 4ième Étape : GLACIS OU LAVIS
(Notez : Lors de ma tournée provinciale, surtout en fonction du temps , j’ai parfois expliqué l’étape 4 avant l’étape 3)
Ajouter un lavis ou glacis pour harmoniser les couleurs. Utilisez un tout petit peu d’une couleur et beaucoup d’eau ou de medium à glacis acrylique (plus stable, mais plus lent à sécher) . Essayez sur un coin pour voir si la couleur est trop faible ou trop intense. Pensez: voulez-vous que votre toile finale soit chaude ou froide? Comme le lavis est transparent, il va rendre certaines couleurs plus neutres (les froides si vous utilisez un glacis de couleur chaude ou les chaudes un si vous utilisez un glacis de couleur froide).
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* Step 5 : KEEP ON LAYERING
Keep layering with black & white and colour. Apply various glazes on specific sections (tiny bit of colour and water or acrylic glazing liquid) or straight paint, especially on the whites. Any colour you add on top of white will be brighter, more vibrant. So whether going for glazes or full-on paint, it’s better to put white underneath if you want the colours to pop.
Repeat any step as you feel moved to. Spend time looking at your canvas. Explore and develop what is already taking shape there. You might even want to use this as a background for a collage – use all you have ever learned and go from there.
** 5ième Étape: CONTINUEZ LES COUCHES
Continuez avec le blanc, le noir, et les couleurs. Appliquez des glacis de maintes couleurs sur des sections spécifiques (tout petit peu de couleur avec de l’eau ou medium de glacis acrylique) ou de la peinture pure, surtout sur les blancs. Toute couleur que vous ajouterez par dessus le blanc sera plus radiante et intense. Donc, il est préférable que l’évolution de votre toile se fasse avec maintes couches de blanc avec soit glacis sur des sections spécifiques ou couleurs pures.
Répétez toutes les étapes aussi souvent que vous le souhaitez. Passez du temps à regarder votre toile. Explorez et developpez ce qui se dessine déjà. Ceci pourrait aussi être un arrière plan pour un collage ou autre technique – tout ce que vous avez déjà appris.
***
* ENJOY!
Play and have fun! There are no mistakes, just learning. The beauty with acrylic paint is that you can keep adding layer after layer until you are perfectly happy with what you’ve created. It dries quickly. Be gentle with yourself, knowing that each layer is part of the evolution. It is not rare for me to think a painting was more appealing 5 layers back … I just keep on going, embracing the mystery and listening to both my heart and my painting. Where you go with this will be totally up to you – find your own unique voice and enjoy the process!
P.S. If you want to dive deeper, Flora Bowley has a wonderful online intuitive painting course I’m affiliated with. Click here to learn more.
** AMUSEZ-VOUS!
Jouez et amusez-vous! Il n’y a pas d’erreur, que de l’apprentissage. La beauté de la peinture acrylique est que vous pouvez continuer à ajouter couche après couche jusqu’à ce que vous soyez parfaitement satisfait avec ce que vous avez créé. Soyez gentils avec vous-même, et rappelez-vous que chaque couche fait partie de l’évolution. Il m’arrive de penser qu’une peinture était plus attrayante 5 couches auparavant … je continue à accueillir le mystère et j’écoute à la fois à mon cœur et ma peinture. Je vous invite à développer votre propre voix artistique en explorant et en ajoutant à ce processus, tout en vous amusant!
***
* EXAMPLES:
Here are examples of some of my finished paintings created with this multi-layered technique. The « before » shots are of backgrounds created by multiple repetitions of all the steps, not necessarily in this order. The « after » shots are what happened once I « heard » what the painting wanted to become (something that sometimes doesn’t happen until 10-15 layers in). It’s about trusting the flow and enjoying yourself. You’ll find you will feel freer about jumping around and mixing steps the more experienced you become, the more comfortable with mixing colours you are, and the bigger your canvas. This is only the beginning!
** EXEMPLES:
Voici quelques exemples de mes œuvres créés avec cette technique. Les photos “avant” sont d’arrière-plans crées suivant les étapes 1-5, pas nécessairement dans cet ordre. Les photos “après” sont le résultat final lorsque j’ai compris ce que la toile voulait devenir (ce qui parfois ne se produit pas jusqu’à 10-15 couches plus tard). Il s’agit de faire confiance au processus et de s’amuser. Vous pourrez être plus libre de sauter des étapes et de les mélanger lorsque vous gagnerez en expérience, vous serez à l’aise avec les couleurs, et votre toile sera plus grande. Ce n’est qu’un début! 
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* WORKSHOP TOUR:
To see the full blog post from each location, click on the group name.
** LA TOURNÉE:
Pour voir l’article descriptif complet pour chaque emplacement de ma tournée, cliquez sur le nom du groupe.
1) L’ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE: Grand’Terre (Mainland), Péninsule Port-au-Port Peninsula (Terre-Neuve / Newfoundland)
2) L’ÉCOLE NOTRE-DAME-DU-CAP: Cap Saint-Georges, Péninsule Port-au-Port Peninsula (Terre-Neuve / Newfoundland)
3) L’ASSOCIATION RÉGIONALE DE LA CÔTE OUEST (ARCO): Grand’Terre (Mainland), Péninsule de Port-au-Port Peninsula (Terre-Neuve / Newfoundland)
4) L’ASSOCIATION FRANCOPHONE DU LABRADOR (AFL): Labrador City/Wabush (Labrador)
5) CENTRE ÉDUCATIF L’ENVOL: Labrador City / Wabush (Labrador)
6) L’ÉCOLE BORÉALE: Happy Valley – Goose Bay (Labrador)
7) L’ÉCOLE DES GRANDS-VENTS, Saint Jean / St. John’s (Terre-Neuve / Newfoundland)
***
8) FESTIVAL DU VENT– Saint Jean / St. John’s (Terre-Neuve / Newfoundland)
I got back from my cross-province workshop tour on Friday. I have 2 “Les Mains dans l’art” workshops left here in St. John’s, one on Wednesday morning at l’École des Grands-Vents and the other, open to the public for free, in late November during the Festival des vents. If you’re familiar with French, you’ll notice that both these names includes a reference to Newfoundland’s winds. Well, I’m glad to report that Hurricane Gonzalo didn’t hit us hard, at least not where I live. During the heavy rains and wind of the last 2 days, I was in my beloved studio painting in preparation for some upcoming group exhibitions. The river in the backyard was half way up the hill when I woke up this morning, but it’s on its way back down again, and we’ve since had sunshine and unseasonal warm weather.
The 3 paintings for next weekend’s Art Association of Newfoundland & Labrador Fall Exhibit and Sale were finished before I left for my workshop tour. I just hadn’t photographed them yet. If you’re in St. John’s, I hope you’ll join me and the many other artists displaying at the Arts & Culture Centre October 24 (6-9pm reception), 25 and 26. Free admission. I’ll definitely be there on Friday evening. Please share this information. Thanks.
Here are the 3 new paintings I’ll have on display/ for sale during that exhibition (or before if you can’t wait).
1. “Seabird” – 12″ x 12″ – SOLD, acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required).
This beauty’s hair is flying in the NL winds, lifting her into a state of freedom and elation as she turns her eyes upwards to the skies, one with all that is.
2. “Mirage” – 24″ x 36″ , acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required). – SOLD
The subtle energies emerging from the background simply asked for me to bring this tree to life. This is quite a new look for my work, even if it’s easy to recognize it’s mine. I can see the influence of my time studying in Vienna with this one.
3. “I AM” – 24″ x 36″ , acrylics & tar gel on gallery-wrapped canvas (no framing required).- SOLD
You might recognize this imagery from 2 other pieces I’ve worked on this season: “Exaltation” and “The Astral Drum“. I felt called to explore the theme and imagery even further as it continues to emanate from my soul, but this time in 3-D, using clear tar gel for texture, leaving the background layers visible while the Universe keeps evolving.
Our second day in class went even more smoothly than the first! We had access to the room early and had everything set up by the time our nine Grade 5 & 6 students arrived at the Notre Dame du Cap school in Cape St. George. That meant that we got through the warm, cool, black & white, and glazing layers. Students even had half an hour of free time to repeat whatever steps they felt moved to as they added to their layers. The results? Wow! They then shared what they had learned and which aspects of their painting or the creative process that they enjoyed the most. To end the morning, we were invited to join the whole school in the gym for their Thanksgiving lunch. I’ve so much to be grateful for and today was definitely a part of that. Thanks to Leslie Quennehen for taking all these photos for the FFTNL and sharing them with me.
After our morning, we headed out to visit more of the peninsula. I’ll have lots more photos of that to share with you later, but there’s something new and unexpected happening right now … I’ll fill you in later on that too. All is very well indeed!
I couldn’t show you pictures of these drums before my project partner saw them live, so now that I’m done and she’s seen them, you get the full show & tell! Please comment below to let us know which you prefer and why.
Katie Power of Alive Adventures asked me earlier this summer if I would be interested in painting drums that she could sell to her clientele. She’s an inspired and inspiring woman who is really making a difference in our community. She’s also been a fan of my work for a few years. As this project brought two of my loves together – painting and drumming – I didn’t hesitate to say “Yes!” Drum circles, both of the community and shamanic kind, were an integral part of my life during the five years I lived in Saskatoon. When I moved to St. John’s in 2011, I was thrilled to learn of Katie’s work and am now happy to be collaborating with her. I trust that these five unique hand-painted drums will enrich the drumming experience of those who choose them as well as enhance the beauty of their environment. If you’re interested in them, contact Katie.
The Communion Drum by Dominique Hurley
This drum is infused with the spirit of communion: between the self and Higher Self, between the conscious and subconscious, between Humanity and Nature, between yourself and your Creator – between all that is in Oneness. This is represented in the faces gazing at each other and in the spiraling flow of their hair uniting them. This drum is also about balance, represented here in the roots and branches of the tree of life and in the double spiral repeated three times- both Celtic symbol of balance. I used a little metallic gold paint so that the drum would catch the light within you and your surroundings, no matter what the lighting conditions are.
2. The Astral Drum: SOLD
The Astral Drum by Dominique Hurley – SOLD
The woman on this drum has again been stylized in a manner that represents humans as both physical and energetic / spiritual presences. She is standing on the crescent moon, a symbol of new beginnings and the transformation of dreams into reality. The moon itself is a symbol of the deep, intuitive, subtle, and feminine energies in our lives. Reaching up in exaltation, her heart-shaped hands are framed by the sun, a cosmic power representing vitality, clarity, action, and resonating with masculine energy. This drum is about the inner and outer influences in our lives – whether these be spiritual, planetary, or environmental. The orbs represent both the planetary movement and its influence on our lives and the presence of seen and unseen helpers on our life’s journey. It is also about our own personal commitment to love, growth, and making the choices that are right for us. The many light-filled spirals represent evolution, personal growth, surrender, letting go, awareness of the whole, union with cosmic energies, and natural progress. Again, the use of both metallic and interference paints gives this drum different appearances at different angles and in different lighting conditions.
3. The Destiny Drum: SOLD
The Destiny Drum by Dominique Hurley – SOLD
The horse is an ancient symbol with a multitude of meanings in various cultures. I have chosen to paint it on this Destiny Drum because it is an emblem of life-force and the four elements. It is also a symbol of power, grace, beauty, nobility, strength, longevity, and wisdom – all necessary in the co-creation of our destinies. While I was painting this drum, I felt deeply attuned with certain aspects of my Fire Horse energies (in Chinese astrology, that of those born between January 21, 1966 and February 8, 1967 or January 25, 1906 and February 12 1907). Much is said about this sign – both with great enthusiasm and dire warning. Painting this drum called me to read about the Fire Horse again and to reflect on how we are all predisposed to certain destinies by the circumstances of our birth, but that with awareness and Guidance, destiny is really a co-creation, not inevitable fact. Indeed, our destiny is shaped by vision and choice and enhanced by being in tune with both our strengths and our weaknesses. It is also best shaped by loving what is and moving from that space. In other words, we may be influenced by intricate underlying factors (represented here by 8 hours worth of zentangle patterns in white on turquoise that I glazed in magenta), but there’s more to it than that. I have represented this here with the phoenix, a mythical bird that sets itself on fire and re-creates itself from the ashes. It is a symbol of life, rebirth, renewal, power, transformation, clarity, strength, and creativity. Both the horse and the phoenix face the future, inviting you to embrace their energies within you.
4. The Vision Drum: SOLD
The Vision Drum by Dominique Hurley – SOLD
This drum also has a very rich deep voice that is sure to ground those that play/hear it. Being grounded, I find, is a necessary factor in connecting us to both our True Selves and to an overall vision for our lives. This is what this drum is all about. The hawk, one of my childhood totem animals, was often sent off on its winged missions to fly above the myriad of details (represented here by 6 hours of zentangle patterns in the background) to see the bigger picture. Indeed, we often are so caught up with our noses stuck in what’s right in front of us that we can’t see the beauty of the tapestry we are weaving with our lives. It’s all about the forest for the trees. It’s all about that deep inner knowing that all we are and all we do is leading us down the path to something we currently can’t see. This drum’s imagery calls us to both love the mystery and connect to a higher vision. It’s about faith, trust, and listening for that hawk’s cry as its clarity of vision leads and reassures us. This drum is also about being like the tree – solidly rooted and reaching for the heavens, perfect in who and what we are as we naturally and inevitably grow on our path to our Highest Good.
5. The Gratitude Drum: SOLD
The Gratitude Drum by Dominique Hurley – SOLD
The woman dancing in bliss on this drum is facing the Heavens in gratitude for all forms of abundance in her life. The spirit of appreciation that courses through both her physical and energy bodies (represented in my stylization of the figure) in turn attracts a continued shower of love and blessings from the Universe. These orbs of light also represent Divine presence – be it angels, universal energy, the Holy Spirit, etc. Through the yin yang symbol, this drum is also about the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things. Indeed, it is about the complementary forces within the Wholeness of our Selves and the world we live in. It is also about opening up to both giving and receiving. As such, this imagery is about the perfect harmonic balance of all that is. The use of both metallic and interference paints gives this drum different appearances at different angles and in different lighting conditions. It has a very deep rich voice, aligned with deep gratitude.
Here’s a note from Katie:
Alive Inspired Drums…The first time I ever experienced a Native Frame Drum was when I was at my first evening of Community Drum Circle Facilitation Course in Calgary with my teacher Judy Atkinson and she came around to welcome each of us who had arrived to become certified in connecting and inspiring community through drumming. As she walked around the room beating the drum I felt a deep connection, the sound of the drum was penetrating and powerful, as she came close to me and my heart I felt a warm energy and a ray of sunshine enter my soul. I left that weekend with a hand painted frame drum to bring this beautiful energy to Newfoundland.I was inspired this past year to want to bring these beautifully painted inspiring and powerful drums to people who have been wanting them at our drum circles and other events. I knew Dominique was the perfect artist to express Aliveness and pure inspiration as her work has always brought this out for me.We are so excited to share these drums with you and look forward to meeting the new owners of these originally painted and blessed drums.www.aliveadventures.ca and http://www.facebook.com/aliveadventures .These drums can be used for healing purposes, teaching, recreational use at drum circles or music circles, or even on display in your home spreading energy and light. “***
Yes, I’ve been accused of being a little obsessive with my projects… I have a new and very interesting one to tell you about in a few days, but when I realized that there were still a few blank walls at Soothe Spa for my exhibition “Art To Soothe”, I embarked on another painting marathon to create these five new pieces before the Open House. What bliss! For these, I delved back into my love of textures, using various gels and mediums to create the desired feel or shimmer, according to what each piece was calling for.
You can see these and most of the paintings I have for sale at the upcoming Open House at Soothe Spa in downtown St. John’s. It’s on Wednesday, October 1st from 4-9pm. Please tell your friends. You can read an earlier post about the Open House (with photos of my set-up).
Here are my new pieces:
1. “The Colours of My Soul” – 24″ x 36″ – SOLD (acrylics, granular gel, mica, blue topaz on gallery-wrapped canvas. No framing necessary.) I’ve mentioned it before – I love trees and see so many parallels and links between trees and humans. The mica on this colourful piece infuses it and its environment with love & compassion. Blue topaz is all about the relationship with our Creator, relationships in general – and helps with soothing/calming, the throat chakra, the rising of our vibratory rate, truth, honesty, openness, and forgiveness. It also helps you discover your own inner riches. Does it speak to you?
2. “Silver Thaw” – 18″ x 24″ + hst (acrylics & glass beads on gallery-wrapped canvas. No framing necessary.) The glass beads on this piece infuses it with light; when you walk by it, it shimmers and changes – reflecting inner and outer moods. “Silver thaw” is another expression for “silver frost” or “glitter ice” – that thick shiny ice that covers each blade of grass and twig if the weather is just right for it. Imagine this one on a coloured wall.
3. “When Dragons Sigh” – 12″ x 36″ + hst (acrylics & tar gel on gallery-wrapped canvas. No framing required.). I stopped counting the layers on this one. Just as I thought the next layer would finish it, I felt inspired to try something new. Are the first layers totally hidden? I doubt it – all that has gone into it has had its effect on what you see now. On a less philosophical note, I’m very glad I always check Google after I am inspired to name my paintings. My original idea was to call this “Dragon’s breath”, but when I looked it up, I was shocked to find out that it had many awful definitions in the urban dictionary, the mildest being “To have breath that of which smells as if one has licked the butthole of a dead skunk for several hundred years.”… the others can’t be repeated here… As I said, I’m glad I checked. “When Dragons Sigh” is more poetic anyway…
4. “I See You” – 24″ x 36″ – +hst (acrylics, pumice, blue topaz on gallery-wrapped canvas – does not require framing). I watched “Avatar” again last week with a couple of friends and was as moved by the beauty as I was the first time. More so, however, I was moved again by the characters’ greeting “I see you” and so was my housemate, who recommended this name for this painting. “I see you” represents being seen, accepted, and loved – as above so below – through the depths, textures, colours and fruit of our very beingness. It’s about connection to Self and all that is. On a technical note, I’m so grateful for de-humidifiers as this would have taken weeks to dry otherwise, its’ so thick. The blue topaz on this piece are very subtle and can only be seen in certain lights and at certain angles, but they certainly affect the energy of the piece (see #1 above for their metaphysical properties). The pumice helps us rise above our challenges by giving us the insights necessary to move forward.
5. “Time of Transitions” – 15″ x 30″ – (acrylics & tar gel on gallery-wrapped canvas. No framing necessary). This is one I started a while back, but was waiting for it to let me know what it wanted to become. Here, I’m showing you the the before (several layers of acrylics) and the after (with tar gel and more layers of acrylics). You can really see how earlier layers influence the final piece – creating depth, texture, and intrigue. This is a time of accelerated growth and change – not only in nature, but in humanity’s consciousness – the name refers to both.
It has been such a pleasure to spend so much time painting in the last month. I really feel like I’m integrating all I’ve learned into my own unique way of creating with acrylics.
I’m no longer spending all my time cross-legged on the floor, however, like I had been all summer. The body talked, and I’m listening. As soon as I finish this blog, I’ll be going walking for a few hours before dinner at friends’. This marks the end of another chapter in the studio. I’ve completed all but one of these canvases, and that one has asked that I wait a little longer before it tells me what it would like to become. It may join the others at the exhibition I’ll be setting up tomorrow at Soothe Spa in downtown St. John’s, but not just yet. You’ve already seen quite a few in previous blog posts, but here are the others.
Go to my shop to see all available originals and reproductions.
Trees:
I’ve been painting stylized representations of trees for years – I gave a presentation on their symbolism during the opening of my exhibition “Treedom” at Eastern Edge Gallery back in 2013. They continue to call me – both in the nature around me and in my studio.
1- The Forest For the Trees – 9″ x 12″ (acrylics & glass beads on canvas)
2. Sweet Harmony – 12″ x 16″ (acrylics & granular gel on canvas)
3. Passion Tree – 9″ x 12″ (acrylics & glass beads on canvas)
4. On the Forest Floor – 12″ x 36″ (acrylics, tar gel, gold & pearl mica, a stone (can’t remember what it is, but it could be ocean jasper) on canvas
This next one won’t actually be a part of the show. It was commissioned, and I delivered it this week to a very happy customer. It’s called “When Agape and Sophia Meet”. She had wanted a cherry blossom tree infused with love and wisdom. Agape is the Greek concept for unconditional love and Sophia is the goddess of wisdom.
Abstract
In addition to my trees, Face Series, and Angel Series, I have this one bubbly abstract piece. Meet “Happy Place” – 9″ x 12″ (acrylics & granular gel on canvas) – it makes me smile each time I see it – layers and layers of bubbles and happiness.
Go to my shop to see all available originals and reproductions.
It will feel good to get all these babies out of the studio and on display for people to enjoy and purchase. I may not be a clean freak, but I don’t enjoy clutter, and I find I am not inspired to create new paintings when there are 25 finished ones on the walls and floors all around me. It’s the same with my desk or other areas – I love clutter-free areas and a clutter-free life. Yay!
Oh, I almost forgot. My business cards arrived in the mail this week. Love them! 23 different images of pieces of my paintings. I created them and had them printed at Moo online – very easy process. They have half-sized cards like I chose, but also standard and square ones and a whole lot more. Here’s a link if you’re interested in creating your own – if you use this referral link, we both get a discount on our orders. They deliver internationally.
Glad I listened:
Even before I moved back to Canada my left brain wanted to get into action mode in terms of lining up shows, getting business cards, etc. etc. My right intuitive brain, however, kept calmly saying – nah, not yet. Relax. Enjoy. Just be and just paint. Since my art will likely represent the bulk of my income this year, I was both surprised and curious at this guidance. I’m so glad I listened! Instead of forcing things to happen, it left space for my upcoming cross-province art workshop tour, these new cards with some of my new paintings on them, and this show at Soothe that came to be with ease and grace. It also gave me time to simply paint without being goal or deadline oriented, at least until this week. That was nice.
Next week I’ve got another very cool project to work on, but I’ll tell you about that later.
Oh – one more thing. I’m one of the speakers at MoMondays this Monday at the Uptown Bar & Grill (193 Kenmount Rd.). If you’re in St. John’s and would like an inspirational evening, come check it out. $20 at the door. There are MoMondays across Canada and the States if the concept interests you – real people, real stories, real inspiration.
I just spent this beautiful sunny morning under a garbage bag, with a shower cap, 2 pairs of gloves, face mask and glasses … sweating. This is truly the less fun part of my job, but I believe in protecting my artwork from UV rays, dust, etc, so I use professional archival varnish. It’s just something that needs to be done and the weather was perfect for it.
Just a couple of days ago, someone was saying how nice it was for me to have a job in which I can spend the day playing. So very true! But there’s hard work and health risks to being a professional artist too. For example, in the past month, I’ve learned that sitting crossed-legged on the floor (my favourite painting position) for 12 hours a day several days in a row, just isn’t good for me. Sigh. So I’m correcting that both in the studio and through great care from a couple of very talented health practitioners – Chery Fenk at Embrace Wellness (great therapeutic massage) and Roberta Hammond (acupuncture treatments) at Active-Health Chiropractic. I’ve learned my lesson – it’s great to play, but I need to watch my posture and move around more. I sometimes don’t bring my water down to the studio with me, so that I have to go up when I’m thirsty. I also dance my way to the sink every time I need to wash my brushes. This morning, after getting out of my spray-varnish outfit, I headed down to the river in my back yard, stood in it for 20 minutes, singing to the Heavens, dancing, and visualizing the breeze and water washing everything out of me that doesn’t serve my Highest Good. I took the time to admire the trees and water around me and even did a few yoga stretches, turning downstream as a reminder that everything we want in life is downstream (one of my favourite lessons by Abraham Hicks). Now that’s putting play and wonder back into what had been a toxic task.
So now on to what I really wanted to share. Here are 3 paintings in my Angel Series. I’ll include the first one I already showed you, so that all 3 are together in one post.
Go to my shop to see all available originals and reproductions.
1. “Guardian Angel” – (12″ x 24″) – Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas
It’s an homage to my and all guardian angels. Their presence has been truly felt in my life, and to them, I am grateful. There are several layers of paint and glazes on this painting, as well as evidence of the Mischtechnik I learned in Vienna (albeit in acrylics instead of oils). Another of my goals while studying overseas was to develop my own style of drawing figures – I am really enjoying continuing that process.
2. “Angel Of Mine” –(12″ x 24″) – Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas
This one was created with the same stencil I designed for the one above, but facing the other way. I can just envision them in the same room, on each side of someone’s bed. What’s very different to this one is the background – the glass bead pattern that catches the light at certain angles and totally disappears at others.
3. “Watch Over Me” – (12″ x 24″) – Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas
This long-haired floating guardian and guide is simply what she is – an angel. With all the washes, glazes and metallics, she looks very different in different lights. I’m so happy to be painting with my 3-D paint again as well as with my abundant collection of professional acrylic colours by Golden Paints. I also use deep edged gallery-wrapped canvas, so they don’t require framing.
Which do you prefer?
Go to my shop to see all available originals and reproductions.
“Maiden Voyage” -12″ x 12″- SOLD. Prints available.
At night, when I dream of trying out various haircuts, I know I’m gearing up for some major changes in my life. This is true for many in their a-wakening state too. If you look up “hair symbolism” on Google, you’ll find a lot on the subject (I couldn’t pick just one site to link to).
In this “Faces Series” (which I’m sure I’ll continue to explore), I am using my figures’ long hair blowing in the wind to express a movement upward and forward into inner and outer worlds beckoning for discovery. Feel free to comment on the symbolism that each inspires in you.
Go to my shop to see all available originals and reproductions.
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Go to my shop to see all available originals and reproductions.
