Nooks and crannies

A constellation mural for a baby’s room

The past few years have flown by, with creative adventures including: a dive into culinary arts; developing online museum exhibits; writing secret messages at a restaurant; setting up food growing spaces; honing hand lettering; and most recently – this fun constellation mural for a baby’s room! With an eye to getting back into the studio soon, I am appreciative for the opportunities to enjoy other creative outlets in the meantime. Creativity comes in many forms and hides in the nooks and crannies (of life, in houses, and even at brew pubs).

Milk paint artworks

Love, love, love it. Working with milk paint, that is. Initially used for painting hand lettered signs, I have fallen in love (can you tell?) with this medium.  There is always an element of surprise after painting, layering and sanding. Once oil has been added as a top coat, the painting comes alive. I am pumped that this biodegradable, non-toxic paint is made by Canadian company Homestead House Paint Co.  It comes as a pigment powder, and I add water and mix it at the studio. Here is a sampling of my milk paint artwork, which is currently hanging at the Wiarton branch library (solo show) and Southampton Art Gallery (“Feast for the Eyes” group show) this April.

“Move”, milk paint and oil on reclaimed wood, 2016

“Rence Lake Sunset,” milk paint on wood, 2016.

“Three grumps,” Milk paint and oil on reclaimed wood, 2016

“Restore”, “Move”, “Forest Beckons.” Milk paint and oil on wood, 2016

“Tree Story,” “Burst II,” Triple Trees.” Milk paint on wood, 2016

 

 

Pigs and Monkeys

A Gathering Call.

In response to an art show centered on the Year of the Monkey, I painted a campfire. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2016 is the year of the Fire Monkey. As a person born in a year of the Pig, I read that this is a year for me (and all the others in our shared 12 year cycle) to connect with people; to forge and strengthen social ties. The image of a campfire evokes a gathering place where people forge bonds while sharing laughter, vulnerability and musings. Soon it’ll be time to rise to the challenge and see what gatherings I can join or create, but for now I’m still enjoying the cozy comforts of winter at home!

A Gathering Call, milk paint on wood with hemp oil, 13.5 x 16″, 2016.

A Winter Reprieve

Here is a happy little painting worthy of a smile from Bob Ross. A blue sky for those of us currently living in a snow-filled world. I usually like snow. When I’m running late and I have to shovel, I don’t always feel that way, but HOW AWESOME is the experience of snowshoeing through a forest of spruce trees piled high with fluffy white mounds? (Very. The Answer is Very.) Either way, sometimes people like to be reminded of sunnier times without the white stuff, so here is a visual reminder of a pre-winter world.

Made by Hand Media

This December I fulfilled a promise to myself. I launched my wee online shop for handmade signs! I’ll be adding more over the coming weeks: signs for both home and business use. Custom orders are welcomed, and I look forward to experimenting with milk paint as an image-based painting medium, too. I want to be kind to the land I live upon, and drinking water from a well makes me think twice about what I am putting back, so I intend to put only biodegradable products down my drain. Beyond that, milk paint has such interesting properties, and I love using non-toxic oil to coat the wood afterwards! See the new sister website at madebyhandmedia.ca

Back in the zone / thanks, hat.

After several months’ hiatus, the dust has finally been whisked away from my paint brushes. The home studio is alive and well! Sometimes all a person needs is a deadline to force her back into painting. (See Grey County Artists to find out which show, specifically, forced this change). I enjoy painting. I want to paint. I want to make things. All. of. the. time. So what is the deal with the wait? It seems like a procrastination of sorts, and there are many theories on why people do this.

“Nestled” – acrylic on panel, 24 x 24″, 2015

But by committing to a group art show months in advance, without any new paintings completed, I was throwing my hat over the fence, so to speak. I love moving through life and remembering to do this every now and again. It’s a good way to give Future Allison a nudge in the direction that calls.

Of course an art show is a small example of how this hat-throwing-over-fences analogy can be used to make change in one’s life, but the principle is still the same: commit to something you want to do in order to force change instead of waiting to be moved enough by inspiration or confidence. I’m not describing the analogy as eloquently as it deserves, but this blog has a pleasant piece about it.

So – over which fence will you throw your hat? I can’t wait to do more cap tossing.

Art Sale!

Sarah and I have decided to say goodbye to the studio space. It has been SO NICE to have the space for a year, but it’s time to change things up. (Buying a house means less money and more space to get messy!)

So, the math:

1 art studio divided by 2 people + 12 months of having brushes and paints out = ART SALE! (I think it actually equals “6”, but whatever).

I’m going to get some numbers and dimensions up on the site soon for any folks who want to scope things out first. If you’re in the Owen Sound vicinity but not prepared to make a purchase, stop by for some no-pressure refreshments and to say hi, regardless!

Sunday Nov. 16, 1-4 pm drop-in. Upstairs studio at Santa Fe Gallery: 828 Third Ave. East, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

Sarah’s website, as a reminder: http://sarahslater.wordpress.com/

Early morning solo paddle. Acrylic on canvas, 10 x 10, 2014 (GIFT)

Morning beach Lake Superior. Oil on canvas.

Safe home. Oil on panel, 2 x 3 feet, 2014.