As you may have noticed, writing in my blog is not at the top of my list these days. The hits on my site have dropped considerably because of it, so I really need to get on here and at least say something once in awhile.

The Kitty Coleman Art and Bloom Festival went well despite the weather. I managed to cover the cost of my booth, the fuel to get there and a little extra which I promptly spent on more supplies. The feedback from people was very interesting. Many of them said that my art was calming, with a Zen like quality. That is the first time I had ever had so many people with the same comments. I am glad, because that is what I try to convey in my paintings.

Another thing the festival showed me is that I have to get some poster type prints done up of my best paintings. I have chosen a few, based on how the art cards sell. I will need these when I am at the Moss Street Paint In, in Victoria on July 17th. I am also getting into the habit again of painting small “warm ups” or “studies” which I will be selling at a reasonable price. Much like the daily paintings I was doing, but even better.

Here I was thinking that my garden was going to take up my painting time. The weather has been so cold it hasn’t been a problem! I am thinking of knitting little sweaters for the brave little beans that sprouted and the pepper plants though! What a lousy spring so far.

Lately I have decided that I really like painting “Plein Aire”. I am thrilled by the results I am getting lately. I need to get a pair of those gloves with the fingers sticking out. I did buy a big floppy sun hat today though, being in an optimistic mood.

Here are the next 3 paintings of my 50 series. The garden scenes were at Kitty Coleman over the long weekend. I peeked through the wire fence in behind my tent, set up my easel and painted on site. The other painting is one that I am working on large right now. We will see how it turns out. I am leaving the little shed out in the large painting, and maybe placing a person somewhere. I am not sure yet.

Oh! And another thing, my painting 50-1 “Spanish Bottle and Marbles” was juried into the Vancouver FCA still life show. YAY!

I am tying up all the loose ends, getting prepared for the 3 day Kitty Coleman Festival in Comox. The weather looks a little miserable right now. I exhibited at this festival back in 2005 and hated it because it was cold and miserable the whole weekend. I have been told that every year since then it has been beautiful. Hmmm....The box my tent came in says it is waterproof. The weather channel says it is going to clear up. I says I hope so!

The Deep Bay Dock I painted while at the Harbour Festival May 1st of this year. I could see the dock from in between the display tents.

My artist friend Denise Macdonald and I went painting last week. We stood at the viewpoint above the Denman Island Ferry terminal. It was a wonderful day and one of my feet got sunburned. Just one. I managed to get these two studies done, and then refined them at home. The large version which I named "Of Beauty and Fragility", is being donated to the BCSGA for their Comox Valley Shellfish Festival in June. The name I chose to express my heavy heart for the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a long ways away mile wise, but close to home in heartfelt sadness.

We have been presented with a huge wake up call.

I have had people asking me whether I have left the country or not. No, I am still here and fighting with all the things in life that interrupt my painting time. I attempted to paint some pears and grapes the last two days, and I seem to have forgotten how to paint fruit. It is crazy! I dont know why. But I managed to almost finish 3 larger paintings. One is for the Sooke Fine Arts Show, and I still have to come up with two more. It is a juried show, so I will keep you posted as to whether or not I am in this year. Last year was the first time I had entered and my painting was juried in. Very exciting.

I am also trying to get some work together for a juried summer show at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. I have never been so busy with my art before. So with that, I will go! I have things to do.

Just a quick overview of what I am up to this summer, I may add a couple more yet. UPCOMING:

Magnolia Gallery Spring group show, opening thursday May 20th 2010 7-9, runs until June 15th 2010. Cumberland

Kitty Coleman Art and Bloom Festival May 22nd to the 24th 2010. 6183 Whittaker Road, Courtenay BC

Bowhorn Bay Country Garden Tour, Qualicum Bay, June 13th 2010 info http://sites.google.com/site/communityclubweb/garden-tour-2010

Arrowsmith Chapter Summer Juried Show, June 1st to 26th 2010. 133 Mcmillan street, Parksville BC

Moss Street paint in 2010, July 17th Moss Street Victoria BC

Comox Originals Only, August 7th and 8th 2010 Comox Marina Park.