The Important Things

As I've been getting my business taxes ready to go to the accountant, I've been mentally composing a post about record keeping, but something more important intervened.

My grand kids.

It's March break here in Ontario, the kids are off school, which makes it prime sleepover at gramma's time.

They are small for such a short time, creating memories with them is one of the most important things we can do. Both for our selves and for them. 

Adults can learn so much from spending time with our precious little ones. There is nothing like seeing the world through the eyes of a child (or two). Their perspective is different, and their focus laser like. 

As artists we learn to turn on that kind of intense seeing, other characteristics we need to nurture are:

Finding the joy in little things. If it makes you smile, share the feeling with your art. 

Learn by experimenting, muck about, make a mess, try something eles, ask what if???? And have fun. 

Ask lots of question of the people you respect. If your not sure you understand, ask again. 

Have confidence believe that someone will love you. Be proud of your work and show it to everyone.  Accept compliments and when you find that special mentor hang onto their every word, soak up what they want to teach you-special mentors are I think, a topic for their own post. Suffice to say they're rare and precious. 

Never lose your enthusiasm and if you find yourself getting cranky, have a nap a snack and a cuddle. It's amazing how much better the world will look then. 

Get outside and be active every chance you can. Stagnancy comes from sitting too long. 

Be persistent, success rarely comes on the first try. 

Have fun, play, and be the artist you are ment to be. 

Sentinel, painting in progress

The working title for this painting is Sentinel.

It's the second painting taken from some of my SC sketches. 

This is at a very early stage, first layers of both texture, and glazes are down, with many more of each to come.

And here it is done.

Beach Sentinal: 8x10, gazed acrylic  Sold

Lessons From The Beach, part 3,

What People Watching Taught Me

At the risk of sounding like another 'stop and smell the roses' post, I'd like to tell you a little story.

One day dog and I were walking the beach, there were herons and egrets fishing the shallows, with a host of other shore birds. Dolphins were playing in the bay, while an eagle soared overhead. Predictably I was rubbernecking, gawking, trying to soak it all in. 

I realized that several people had passed by, not pausing or looking. A gentleman with another dog approached and as our dogs greeted each other we chatted, I asked did you see the dolphins? 

No, he didn't, the eagle?  No. The green heron perched in the tree he'd just passed? No. 

As artists, we see. 

We see, and I believe that in part it is our job, our duty to show the average unseeing persons the beauty and wonder of our world through our art. A friend calls unseeing average persons muggles. Harry Potter fans will recognize muggles as non magical folk. 

Artists, we have a powerful magic, use it.  The unseeing can't learn to hold dear, and wondrous, what they can't see. 

I believe that this applies to everything that we deem worth of brush time.

Deborah Tilley paints wonderful craggy faces that tell stories of lives full of hardship, Candy McManiman paints the ubiquitous Canada Goose clothed in beautiful colour and elegant line,  Kit Cutting, dogs- especially senior dogs with gentle souls, love visible in every stroke of her brush. 

I could go on, these are only a very few of the magical artists opening our eyes to what is around us. 

 Artists keep seeing, keep creating. The world needs us. 

First Day of Spring Alzheimer's Art

We had lots of fun this week doing Japanese inspired cherry blossom art in my long term care facilities. 

My sweeties had a great time and the art they made was stunning!

Awsome class with my buds at Highveiw

We had a great 'Art With Robin' session yesterday at Highveiw Long Term Care (terrific facility).

With St Patties day around the corner, I based our project around 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' sheet music, doing a combo monoprint/collage. 

I get such a kick out of working with my Alzheimer's sweeties, they are so in the moment and pure, all superfuge has been stripped away, if this horrable disease has an up side...that's it.

I love that moment when we put the finishing touch on our project and their eyes light up with pride of accomplishment, yes folks that need for validated worth is still there, and terribly important.