A kaleidoscope of butterflies

Hi loves ♥️ I hope this finds you well and taking good care.

With all 2020 classes and workshop bookings canceled and many venues closing their doors permanently, the path in front of me has zig-zagged into a dream come true 'artist-at-home residency' opportunity!

In this new life chapter, I will be focused on creating artwork for online sales and future Gallery shows, booking specialty workshops/retreats next year, and aim to get back into private tutoring by this September 2020. Stay tuned!

The range of emotions is vast, and I’ve got a kaleidoscope of butterflies in my stomach. Beyond the disappointments and acceptance of big changes, I fear the common struggles of freelancing and managing a fine art business in an uncertain economy. Yet going along for this ride with all the feels also includes feeling loved, supported, grateful, inspired, and excited for a new challenge that will test the strength of my wings.

Sending love and comfort out to you all, every single day you show up with courage and move forward despite your fears.

Happy summer! ️ Stay strong, stay in touch, stay safe xx

A gift from Jack for tutoring him in Schoology Grade 7 (English, French, Math, Science and Geography) during Covid-19

“It seems to me that the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back. If I can relax, fear relaxes, too.
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— Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

"Dearest Fear:
Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip. I understand you'll be joining us because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life and that you take your job very seriously. Apparently, your job is to induce complete panic whenever I'm about to do anything interesting, and may I just say, you are superb at your job. So by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There's plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us so make yourself at home, but understand this: Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way. I recognize that you are part of this family so I will never exclude you from our activities, but still - your suggestions will never be followed. You're allowed to have a seat and you're allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote. You're not allowed to touch the road maps, you're not allowed to suggest detours. You're not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you're not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive."

A love letter to students

I see you in the forest, in the sunlight and through the trees .... I miss you. I love you. I’m holding you in my heart, now and always. 

Memories of your brilliant smiles, laughter, and excitement to create continue to fill my heart with so much joy! The warm hugs, silly gestures and sounds we each made walking into the classroom because we greatly missed each other since the last time. Little 'ah-ha' moments of discovery and sharing with each other, knowing we are surrounded by unconditional love and support. There are only a few rules ... 1. wear an apron if you sit in the front row of my demos 2. be filled with curiosity, awe and wonder, and open to all possibilities 3. think and speak of yourself with kindness and positivity. 4. Respect and honour your individuality ... your amazing, unique and natural way of mark-making/seeing/thinking. 5. Always learning!

Trust and remember this…. We will fill a room with laughter, and create together, once again. Of course, we don't know what we don't know right now, but as always, I remain hopeful, positive and determined. 

Gallery 121 Art Show

I’m honoured to be participating as a guest artist at Gallery 121 featured with member artist Barry Argyle. I'd love to see you at the opening, so swing by or plan a lovely autumn road trip to check out our latest works!

Gallery 121 • 48 Bridge Street East Belleville, Ontario, Canada

Show opening • Saturday, Sept 14th, 2019 from 2 - 4pm

Show runs from September 10 until October 19, 2019

Creative Confidence & Tech Tips for Creating!

““It takes vision and courage to create - it takes faith and courage to prove.” ”

— Owen D. Young

FireFox Acrylic on Birch - 16"x20" (Loyalist Acrylic Confidence workshop demo)

When I have an idea, I start gathering reference photography. Sometimes I use photoshop to tweak, hybrid and create some new visual. It could simply be cropping images or exaggerating the colour/contrast. The result will be a lot of research and an image that feels right for a drawing/painting composition. Once desire creates that tension (aka. I NEED to create this into reality), I put out materials that I feel will support the vision ...

Yet even though I choose materials based on what I know they are and can do, I often don't know exactly what the outcome will be. This experimental attitude, that every piece I create is a step forward into an unknown and evolving conversation, I believe that because I am open to this reality is part of why my art often works out. The other part is a mixture of believing I could possibly do it combined with all that curiosity and excitement .... I won't know unless I try and just DO IT!

Self-confidence grows every time you keep a promise to yourself” —Asha Dornfest

The 'FireFox' painting above is a demo from my last Loyalist workshop, Acrylic Confidence: The Bold Basics'. My lesson plan was no different for teaching as it would be for my own work. I chose a reference that I was excited to create, despite any intimidations or challenges. There were of course a few hurdles I knew I'd have to climb (and lead the way for others) but I had a plan and a desire.... From there, the tension naturally overwhelmed the fear. The awe, wonder and excitement trumped any doubt and risk. This is courage at it's best.

A lot of the artists who took this class were first time painters. Many were almost finished a 16"x20" painting after working hard for 2 days. So proud!!!! They are now all POSSIBILITARIANS as they experienced first hand what can happen when you challenge yourself to try something you didn't think you could ever do!

“Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks on great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself.” -Cicero

I promised to nurture that courage. Of course, there are many ingredients that make up courage - aside to the willingness to be open, authenticity, trusting inevitable progress, and work really hard - I provided material knowledge and preliminary thought into a plan (although we we open! we made a lot of decisions and experimented based on brilliant ideas that came up as we went along), communicated and took it slow - a journey we took step by step together. Check out how they all took it from there and soared high! Their work is inspiring, and very much proof that spirit can be nurtured. xoxo

Patience, trust, persistence! - claudia jean mccabe

Tech Tips for creating - start to finish!

• Use standard sizes of supports right from the start, to ease the costs of potential framing.

• Always photograph work as soon as you think it's 'finished', before framing and any kind of varnishing. It's a great way to reassure that decision, and if you use a good camera, it can go right into the archive.

• Always paint the edges of canvas and cradled panels. I'll use a neutral colour that can often be found within the art which helps ground the work. My go-to's are payne's grey, carbon black and sometimes gold (which is semi-opaque and requires a couple layers).

• Practice a signature regardless of media. If it's mixed media, I'll use a carbon pencil. When using paint, I choose a neutral colour similar to painting the edges or a couple shades darker or a lighter tint than the colour in the area I want to sign.

• I used to flip flop - sometimes signing on the back, sometimes on the front, but after working in framing and realizing that the back get covered most of the time, I have started making an effort to sign on the front regardless of texture, medium ect.

• Sign work on the front 1" in from all edges, no matter the support (ie. paper or panel), as both a mat or a frame naturally covers 1/4" of all edges. This is VERY IMPORTANT! If you take that into account, your signature will always look proportionate within the whole space and you won't run the risk of your signature looking cut off.

• In regards to varnishing Acrylic art: There is too much controversy over this, and until more research is done, I won't be buying any specific varnish product. If anything, I will use a regular Polymer Medium to unify the sheen.

• In regards to varnishing Mixed Media art: I have always and only ever used the tried & true Krylon Crystal Clear spray varnish, which is designed for all media. I shake the can well and spray many light misty veil layers only to set the media and never with the intention of creating a thick shellac-like barrier. This delicate approach still often changes the media, especially darkening lighter colours, and I accept that 100%. I'll go back in to sharpen if needed, but it's possibly why I use extreme high contrast to begin with (omg I just realized that!!!)

• If you are wiring a canvas yourself, use d-ring hooks and appropriate wire. Here's a great article, and if ever in doubt, any frame shop can do it for a reasonable price.

• Choose a framer you trust! Framing has a unique approach to design, and when done right, it will heighten the quality of your work and most importantly, protect it. I often recycle old frames, or buy them on sale, yet I replace components with acid-free matting and UV protective glass, with spacers for mixed media work. Expect to spend no less than $100 for custom framing, and build that into your cost if you are selling.

• If you ever want/need framing advice, or have ?'s, I'm happy to help :)

The Sounds of Spring

Art is a form of love. Art is the ultimate gift. Art heals life. -Robert Genn

Here's to the Spring we await & we know is around the corner (even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes). Acrylic, Charcoal & Soft Pastel - 11"x15" (sold)

Life is happening ...

When a new year begins, it always seems like a blur.

We've accomplished a lot, even if we don't feel like we have. Somehow, amazingly, reality hits us around the spring. Time changes - we look forward to more ... and maybe, it's also good to look back a little.

I have a little chart that I've been updating since 2009. A simple excel file - one column for each year (what I've done). Then an ever changing column for what's upcoming (for clarity), and one for dreams (the almighty bucket dream list!). I can look back and see all the wondrous things I have accomplished ... also, look forward.

This year, I just updated all the amazing new things! -- The 'Try It, You'll Like It' weekend workshops at Visual Arts Mississauga in February; Luc Sculpture teaser workshops in Feb & Mar, and the latest awesomeness at The Japanese Paper Place feat. PanPastels & Washi with 'Birds of a Feather'.

I dig the idea of accounting memorable moments (mostly good, and sometimes, not ((yes, I do include rejections and efforts lost!))). It's all motivating and inspiring. It's a tool that works for me ... since time does fly by - I never want to forget how lucky and alive I truly am. ♥

BIRDS OF A FEATHER • JAPANESE PAPER PLACE & PAN PASTELS

Fall & Winter Workshops 2016

Upcoming awesomeness!

VISUAL ARTS MISSISSAUGA

Art FUNdamentals •10 wks WEDNESDAY EVENINGS  Oct 5, 2016 - Dec 7, 2016 Time: 5:00 PM -6:30 PM, Level: Ages 8-9 *Link to register

Art FUNdamentals at VAM is a fun and progressive course comprised of over 600 lessons making up a 7 year program. Children never repeat the same lesson twice! Working at their own pace, students are encouraged to slow down and watch their imaginations speed up while developing and practicing new skills. Students work in small peer groups and investigate drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking and much more while connecting the dots through art history, the principles of art and design and art practices from around the globe.

Teen Portfolio Prep-Secondary School•11 wks WEDNESDAY EVENINGS Oct 5 2016 - Dec 14, 2016 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Level: Grade 11+ *Link to register

Specialized courses designed for students who plan to apply to a visual arts program at the secondary or post-secondary level. Along with the opportunity to develop new portfolio pieces, students will be coached on presentation, critique and interview skills. Each student will participate in a private mock-interview and portfolio critique. Currently in Grade 8 and applying for Fall 2017 entry to Secondary School Visual Arts Programs. Emphasis is on preparing portfolio-ready work that meets the requirements of regional arts program in Peel District, Dufferin Peel Catholic District and Toronto District School Boards. Materials included. Students should bring a sketchbook and expect some weekly homework.

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Acrylic Confidence - The Bold Basics • WorkshopPart 1- 5 weeks, THURSDAY MORNINGS October 6 to November 3, 9 am to 12 pm *Link to registerPart 2 - 5 weeks, THURSDAY MORNINGS November 10 to December 8th, 9 am to 12 pm *Link to register

Discover the essential techniques you need to paint confidently with acrylics! Understand the technical properties of acrylic paints and mediums, fundamental design, colour and value, and how the right tools and tips all work together to help you achieve astonishing results. Key techniques will explore traditional and experimental approaches to painting with this forgiving, versatile medium, giving you a new understanding of the myriad ways you can use acrylics to create anything that catches your imagination. Benefit from demonstrations, advice and personal guidance for beautifully completed paintings that combine knowledge and skill with the joy of painting!

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Creative CardsSaturday December 10th 2016 - 9am-4pm

Get ready for the holiday season! Express creativity, joy & gratitude while continuing to improve your painting skills and learning a variety of interesting techniques to expand your ability to create with mixed media. Using acrylics, drawing tools, and collage elements in combination with tips for stylish presentation, this festive card designing workshop welcomes all ages and all levels of experience, inspiring a wide variety of ideas for making your greetings this year extra special.