Belmont Art in the Park 2010

Busy, Busy, Busy. Both the joy and the curse of show season is how busy a person can get if they (I'm) not careful.

Joy, in that it's great to have so many opportunities to choose from. Curse, in that it's easy to over do.

Last weekend was a classic example of over do. In my own defense, one of the 3 shows had been re-scheduled. I really didn't book to do 3 in one weekend. Lucky for me I have a great and supportive family so Dear Hubby did the dog show, Mom helped at the First Friday, and I did my street portraits in Port. Lest you think I'm complaining, let me assure you that hectic though it was, it was a blast!

This weekend is the Belmont Art in The Park. Belmont Community park -201 Ceasar Rd- is a lovely spot. It's a popular place for wedding photos, in fact a wedding party is coming in right after we pack up to have their photos taken there.

The list of artists keeps getting longer and more interesting. I'm sure you'll love it!

Bev and Howard here is the early stage portrait. It's funny how putting it on the computer screen lets me see what needs fixing. I just keep chiseling away at it.

of plants and paint

The last few weeks, and the next few, have been totally nuts. Every week/weekend something has been happening and will be. The Appreciation Of the Arts, then the St Thomas Studio tour which-btw- was much better than last years studio tour for us, due to a better location and better weather.

This week and weekend is the Belmont Horticultural society's plant sale. We've become know for the quality of our plant sale, with lots of perennials, some annuals, and edibles it's not to be missed. If you or someone you know is a plant lover send them to Belmont, we're right on the main road, across from Westminster Mutual. Thursday, and Friday 3-6pm, and Saturday 9-12 or until the plants are gone... which ever comes first! Say Hi, I'll be there. Catherine calls me 'Queen of the Horts (soft 't'), which only means that when the elections came up last year I didn't know enough to say NO, and now I'll pres, 'cause I just needed another job... snarkcasim.

The Dorchester Artist Network show is coming up next weekend May 28-29-30, at the Dorchester On Thames Golf Club, Hamilton Rd just East of Dorchester mill pond.

There will be all kinds of great art, from sculpture, to painting, to jewelry, and pottery. There is bound to be something to please everyone.

These paintings are done by an amazing gentleman named Rod Fuller, whom I am privileged to know. Rod is an inspiration. Come to the gala Friday 6-9pm to meet him and you'll understand why I say that.

Dorchester show, studio gallery

The Dorchester Artist Network Show was a big hit in it's new location and new time. In the past we've always had the show in the community center, in the fall. This 'improved' show had a totally different look, and feel.
Kudos to the show committee and Sharon V. in particular for all of their hard work. The website will have pictures and a show report very soon.
Next on the agenda is the Port Stanley show, Art on the Green in Wortley Village, closely followed by the Belmont Art In The Park, all in the shows side bar.
The Art in the Park is Catherine's and mine brainchild. This will be our second year and it is looking to be an even better event than last year, which was a success by anyone's standards.
I've been hard at work on so many projects that I don't want to list them all here... that would be really boring! One though is my 'studio gallery', see the pic below. There are just a couple of small wrinkles to iron out yet, then I'll be ready for company. Call ahead and I'll have the coffee on!
The Peaceable Kingdom will hopefully be done this week, then I'll post it for you. The small mixed media above is called 'Knocking' . I used a couple of kinds of handmade paper in it. They reminded me of bark. The Downy woodpecker is a regular at my feeders, particularly when I put out peanuts and/or peanut butter. Downy's like many woodpeckers are suffering from man's tendency to groom the landscape, dead/dying tree? cut it down! and yet so many creatures from bats to bugs find their home and food sources in them. If you've got a dead tree unless it is a true safety hazard, consider leaving it up. Be kind to the earth,

Port Stanley Display

'Thank a Pollinator' is steaming along, I've decided on a layout, and am working on the back board. The effect I'm after for the back board is very subtle, I'm not sure that you'll be able to see it on the Internet, but once I'm happy with it I will post it, and we'll see.
I hung 7 pieces in the Port Stanley Library on Monday, one of them is 'In Praise of Weeds', along with 'Emergence', 'Stitching The Moon To The Sky', 'Small Frog-Big Noise', 'Gran's garden', 'Dancer in Green', and 'Trance Dancer'.

A couple of friends, Joe and Moe are having a show April 4th and 5th, 12 noon to 7 pm each day at 225 Gray St. London. contact joe_pruim@yahoo.ca for details. These young men are very talented, rising stars, go check 'em out! Also
The Art of Collage – is opening Sunday March 1st to March 22nd at the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre featuring the art of Pat Gibson, Anne Hamilton, Heather MacIntosh, Linda Rapai, and Susan Shurish.
Meet me at the Station – is opening Friday March 13th and running through until April 10th a Station Arts Centre in Tillsonburg – solo show by Richard Hodges.

Joe Preston’s Office (M.P. for Elgin)– is currently displaying the art of Diane Dobson – the office is open weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

There is a Workshop put on by the Port Stanley Guild:
Hilda Markson Gray – watercolour/collage techniques: May 16th. Please contact Mary Louise White to sign up for this workshop! mary_louise_white@yahoo.ca

And a workshop by Diane Dobson 6-week painting workshop (medium of your choice) at Portside Gallery on Wednesday afternoons (1:30 am – 3:30 am) from March 25th – April 29th. The cost is $80.00.

Watercolour Workshop – Heather Keating is offering a one-day watercolour workshop March 28th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at STEPAC. The fee is $30.00 and there is a limit of 12 people

Whew!!! lots going on!

Catherine and I are also getting the Belmont Art In The Park set up, it looks like Sunday June 28th is the day to mark on your calendar, Dorchester and Area Artist Network will also, hopefully be adding a spring show and sale to our yearly agenda, more details to follow.

2 down 5 to go Art Shows

Actually if you include the charity auction that should be 3 down.


After s week of obsessing about the weather, (my co-workers were getting a bit tired of the weather net work) and going over and over my list's, the Art In The Park went off without a hitch. The weather was perfect, and a good time was had by all.


Artists are funny, we all sit around telling each other that it's O.K. if we don't sell anything, it's good exposure... people have to see your name 5 times before they buy... who needs money anyway ha ha ha... etc etc, and then if someone sells something, it's happy dances all around. Most of us had a happy dance, and the rest had some great exposure.


The painting I sold had been to a couple of art fairs, I'd taken the subject from a composit of photos of my son and his dog. the woman who bought it thought it looked just like her son and his dog. so we were both happy, and that's what it's all about. Here are some photos of the event:


my tent

Catherine Craig and Trevor Shearing's tent with Judy Ross's in the background

















Scot White's and Jerry Potma's















Heather Keating's tentThe Horticultural Societies refreshment tent with Patricia Foster-Couture's tent in the background. My apologies if I miss spelt any one's name. Apologies also to Joey Ianni and Ethal Mitrovic there seems to be a limit on the number of pics per post. I have some new art to show you too, but that will have to wait until the next time. TTFN