fierce believer

She's fierce! I started this piece last winter and it only recently seemed like the right moment to complete her. I'm really happy with what poured out of me and feel totally connected to this fierce believer. I hope you connect with her too.

Here's a peek at the evolution:

 

xo

Papergirl Exhibit

The Papergirl Vancouver exhibit was fab! I loved wandering around, under and through all the diverse art strung through the space on a line, and it was neat to see my pieces mixed in amongst the others. I truly love the generosity in sharing art that this project embodies, and I love how all the art felt equal, without the hierarchy often felt in galleries. Doodles next to polished works, playful splashes of colour next to intricate paintings. It was warm and welcoming and very human. Thanks to the Papergirl team for putting it all together. Your energy was contagious!

 Me with artist and friend Melissa Thorpe.

The ride out to deliver the art is August 24th. Papergirls and boys will be giving the gift of art to complete strangers along Metro Vancouver bike routes. Could be the perfect day for a picnic or a refreshing stroll I'd say.

Oh what fun to participate in something like this. I'm so glad I did, and I truly hope that whoever finds my art prints in their hands loves them.

p.s. the exhibit has been extended to Thursday Aug 22, at the Roundhouse. Drop in if you can. You can also see all of the pieces from the exhibit on the Papergirl Flickr Feed. And check out the international Papergirl flickr feed too - Papergirl is all over the world, and is fantastic.

begin

Begin. A new piece.

So much love went into this work. I created patterned papers and carved custom art stamps for the background. I pushed my comfort zone and evolved from the dark haired women I usually like to paint. I see this piece as a marker of a key moment in my journey.

It's titled begin, which is one of two words guiding my life right now. I am nudging myself to step into the arena and begin things I'm scared of; things that overwhelm me; journeys that are necessary; opportunities that are ripe and waiting. To trust I have everything within to guide the way, and that it will be what it's meant to be.

At the other end of the spectrum, my other word is finish. I have a knack for littering my life with unfinished things, so right now I am pushing myself to tie up loose ends and put the finishing touches on things. Begin and finish. So simple.

Here are a few photos of the evolution of this piece:

 

Here's to beginning, 

xo

 

Camping + Sketching + Carving

Camping at the lake has proven to be a favourite creative setting. Nature has a way of calming and igniting me at the same time. I sketched and carved my heart out. So many beautiful shapes and lines emerged. I'm simply in love with carving stamps.

 

xo

Art Journaling

Starting an art journal has been a life changer for me. I am a journal keeper by nature, but words alone have never had the same weight for me as visual language. When I started putting words and imagery together on paper my soul soothed, my mind came alive, and the joy of expressing myself was heightened. Here are a few pages from my art journal this year - a year of growth, passion, uncertainty, and newfound confidence.

 

artfully yours,