Honey Bee

Since I started drawing Endangered Animals, there has been a decline. In the first few months of drawing and researching them, the Black Rhino was declared extinct. Not even a year later, and the news continues to reel in with desolate results. A report came out today : Honeybee Death Rate is Currently too High for Survival of the Species - See more at: http://livefreelivenatural.com/honeybee-death-rate-currently-high-survival-species-crucial-food/#sthash.tecvPGbj.dpufI will leave it to the scientists to share the importance and viability of the Honey Bee, but as an eco-warrior and artist who does research and keep account of the connection to our brilliant planet, I can tell you beyond needing these creatures that they are absolutely remarkable. .... not only regarding the jobs they naturally and selflessly fulfill, but in their every detail that I have studied at magnification. Such magnificence should be marvelled, respected and loved. At the time I included the Honey Bee into my Endangered Species series, I had a feeling they were too small, and too easily ignored, and I was worried from the beginning.Sad days are ahead folks ...the human condition is proving that we are capable of standing by and allowing such an important living creature to vanish. We are such a destructive species. We have a history of waiting until it is far too late.If it is any inspiration, I do think that many care about many creatures as small as the Honey Bee, and wish every day that we all came together to act, and not allow such heart sick situations to ever happen. Yet with Corporate corruption and deceit, our future seems pretty bleak. Instead of choosing to stop using poisons that we knew damn well were harmful to them - KILLING them - as of now, there will be a change greater than we ever could have imagined because bees are a very important species.  And we let them go.They say you never know what you had until it's gone. Truth is, we knew exactly what we had... we just thought we would never lose it, we took it for granted while we had it, combined with Corporations having control over the demise of our future for their current pocket book. And so perhaps we deserve whatever sad future will be without Honey Bees.

Spirit Quest art book available to order

There's still time to take advantage of the special pre-launch 35% saving on "Spirit Quest" and receive a copy signed! In "Spirit Quest poems, paintings and charcoal drawings create verbal and visual images of mountains and mountain experiences reproduced in the highest fine-art quality.The same discount will be available at The Word Is Wild Literary Festival this weekend - June 6th & 7th, 2014 in Manooth, Ontario. Whether you order or buy a book or not, stop by the book table and introduce yourself to author Bob Mackenzie!Poet and reviewer John Ambury writes:

"Not infrequently, a visual artist and a writer produce a collaboration, where the art and the text complement each other. Usually this works reasonably well, sometimes very well."Rarely — very rarely — a partnership comes about that is so far beyond that as to be in a whole different class. So it is with Spirit Quest. Much more than a mere joint project, it reflects the coming together of two quite different individuals who found that their quests are similar, and poured their passions into this cooperative volume."Spirit Quest is wonderfully engaging, dramatic and moving. It is the more so for being real and unpretentious. Do not miss this opportunity to experience the powerful synergy created by two of Canada’s most outstanding contemporary artists coming together for the first time."

Spirit Quest pre-order special

For more details or to order your copy, send an e-mail to bob@communication.ca today. 

Drawing Inspiration from Nature

Drawing inspiration from Nature with Sharlena WoodDRAW 8017-7014June 25-27, 2014 from 9am-4pmAn enchanting exploration of charcoal, drawing fundamentals and surface grounds.Drawing inspiration from trees and the many textures and patterns in nature, we’ll openup a world of possibilities with the process of abstraction, mixed media layering andintuitive drawing. Create dream-like works of the beautiful world around us - an inspiringjourney for the traveller, plein air artist and nature-lover!There are 7 spots still available! Contact Loyalist College, Belleville ON (613-969-7900 or toll free 1-866-344-9944)

Spirit Quest • Fine Art & Poetry Book

 We received the press copy of SPIRIT QUEST today! How excited could an artist be, after months of work, the final result is PERFECT! We are delighted! Book launch in the works, but it's green light for pre-sales :: click the following link to preview pages of the book and place your order today!

Spirit Quest by Bob MacKenzie and Sharlena Wood

Spirit Quest

poems by Bob MacKenziepaintings and charcoal drawings by Sharlena Wood

In Canada’s Rocky Mountains and the ranges to the west, toward the Pacific coast, there is a palpable spirit that’s impossible to resist.  In these places, one cannot help but feel the presence of a greater power that need not be named.  Those who travel here return changed to the far places from whence they came.  Some never return.  Enthralled by the beauty and power of these mountains, they settle in for the remainder of their lives.  Though it hadn’t been their plan, others return again and again.  Those born in their shadow carry in their hearts the mountain spirit and never forget, no matter where their lives may take them.  The poems in this book explore a boy’s experience of this spirit as recalled a half-century later by the man he had become.  Created by an artist who has also been among these mountains and felt their spirit around her, the accompanying images express her own experience of these places.

Charcoal Drawing Workshop • A Study of Trees

Yesterday was a full sold out class at Kingston Wallack's Art Store for Charcoal Drawing • A Study of Trees. I love when there is a high turnout for drawing lessons, because often it seems to be what artists say they want or need, but when it comes down to it painting lessons usually win out. I understand completely, but since my true love is messy charcoal drawing, it's a warm feeling to be in a room full of kindred spirits that share a passion for drawing, and trees! ◕ ‿ ◕

I am so proud of all the artists who came with zest for learning, getting really messy and creating exceptional works in a short afternoon class. Their dedication to understanding new experimental techniques with charcoal powder and using brushes and erasers was impressive and made my heart sing! As they embraced the meditative and spiritual zen that drawing offers, my spirit filled with happiness and joy. It was a fantastic and memorable drawing experience, and I can't wait to do it again!

Two workshops are coming up at Loyalist this June that apply this charcoal drawing technique to different subject matter:

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM NATURELoyalist College, Belleville ON (613-969-7900 or toll free 1-866-344-9944)June 25-27, 2014 from 9am-4pm*almost full! Register now!*

ANIMAL PORTRAITSLoyalist College, Belleville ON (613-969-7900 or toll free 1-866-344-9944)June 28-29, 2014 from 9am-4pm

Last Spring workshop booking at Wallack's in Kingston :

EXPRESSIONISTIC LANDSCAPES • ACRYLIC PAINTINGWALLACKS • 290 Princess St, Kingston ON (613-549-5806)April 19th, 2014 from 1-4pm

Wise Ears

 Prints available at Fine Art America • http://fineartamerica.com/featured/owl-wise-ears-sharlena-wood.html

Burrowing Owl

Burrowing OwlPopulation - fewer than 1000 pairs estimated in CanadaCharcoal on Paper 9"x12" • Prints available hereThe burrowing owl, distinguished by its very long legs and short tail, is one of the smallest owl species. It gets its name from nesting in burrows dug by animals such as ground squirrels, badgers and prairie dogs. Burrowing owls are also known as “Howdy Owls” because of their habit of bobbing up and down in a bowing motion, a behaviour that likely allows them to determine distance from multiple viewpoints. Young owls in the nest make a rattling sound similar to rattlesnakes to ward off predators.Burrowing owls were historically found in the grasslands of central and southwestern Canada, central and southern United States and Mexico, and South America. In Canada, the burrowing owl has virtually disappeared from Manitoba and British Columbia. Throughout their remaining range, they exist in greatly diminished numbers in isolated fragments. Fewer than 1,000 pairs are thought to exist in Canada.

I love Glazing with Acrylics

Glazing is by far my favourite technique. Glazing with any paints - Acrylics, Oils or Watercolours - is magical.  However, acrylics do allow for a slightly different approach with the technique as with some unique results - from the range of pigments and mediums available, to the permanency, control and speed (although even acrylics test my patience sometimes!) that produces extraordinary luminous layers.I will use any kind of Polymer Medium as I find there is little shift in viscosity from a specifically marketed 'Glazing Medium' to a 'Polymer Medium' (sometimes I add a little water if thinner is preferable). Using a medium instead of water only is important as it maintains the integrity of the paint, adhesion, and permanency between layers - all of which offers more control, from smoother brushstroke applications, to the forgiving 'wipe-off' of an area or a layer, as well as choice in the sheen and finish (I use gloss as it is best for highest chroma and clarity).One of my favourite acrylic mediums can be seen drying in the second step of this process image - Dry Media Ground/Pastel Ground - where I decided the trees would be drawn in with charcoal and soft pastel (consistent with much of my work). It's an invaluable medium when using acrylics when I wish to bring in dry media, and can apply it selectively.My colour palette for this piece consisted mostly of transparent pigments using Liquid/Fluid Acrylics: Quinacridone Violet, Quinacridone Magenta, Indian Yellow and Interference Violet, along with Paynes Grey (Opaque). The secret weapon for the suns glow is a base of 'Liquid Mirror' - an (Opaque) acrylic colour that looks and acts like platinum, so the results when glazing with transparent colours over top is much like painting on a mirror. I also dig using Semi-Opaque and Opaque colours as well, either using a lot of medium (I'm just mindful about the shift in colour as it dries) or as is to cover certain areas.Glazing always tickles my curiosity and wonder - as layers gently build up there are awe inspired moments when brushstrokes and shapes melt, colours shift and magic happens!