This past weekend I participated in a "Pop Up Gallery", in Kamloops.  It was all in all a great weekend and a good opportunity to show my work and to learn.  One of the nice things that happens when you show your work is you get a lot of people coming by and complementing your work.  The ones who don't care for it, either walk past or don't say anything.  This means that you get quite a lot of positive and none or very little negative.  I don't know about you, but that always makes me feel good.  :)

I did learn a lot about set up for displaying my work.  I learned that I need some lighting, and I learned that zap straps are the best thing in the world for setting up your grid wall.  I learned that people really like to purchase cards and magnets.  So, when Art in the Park rolls around on Canada Day this year, I will be better prepared.  

I also go to meet 2 women who are members of the FCA-TSNC.  This is the Thompson Shuswap Nicola Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists.  They were both lovely people, and I really enjoyed being able to spend the weekend with them and getting to know them.  I'm now not quite as nervous about the big chapter meeting this Thursday as I was before.  

One more thing.... this is my latest painting... "Fresh".  

I finished this painting last week after re-doing a large section in the middle that I was just not happy with.  I like how it was turned out.  Sometimes it is a struggle to capture what is in my mind, on a canvas.  I really like painting places I would like to be.  I see myself on the path in this painting.... a gentle breeze is blowing and the flowers are everywhere I look.  

Another thing I did a couple weeks ago was join the FCA (Federation of Canadian Artists).  There are different levels of membership in this organization and the first level is the "Supporting Member", which I now am.  The next level is an "Active Member".  This level requires that you be juried in.  This means that a "Signature or Associate Member" takes a look at your body of work and makes a decision as to whether or not you are ready for this next level.  This is a bit scary for me.  My desire is to become an Active Member as this opens the door to more shows and events, which is something I would like to do.  I think I will set this as a goal for myself..... that a year from now, I will be an active member. 

 My first FCA meeting (Thompson Nicola Shuswap Chapter) is May 29th.  I'm looking forward to meeting some fellow artists and getting some solid advice about taking the next step.  I'm also slightly terrified because we are to bring some of our work to be critiqued.  Apparently this is what happens at these meetings plus a demo.  Getting critiqued can be tough.... and I'm not very tough.  I hope that there is a large amount of kindness in this group and that the critique is honest.... but kind and supportive.  I have my fingers crossed, and I am trying to thicken my skin.  :)

Old Friend.... for me this is about the certainty or constant(ness) of this tree.  The landscape can change, the seasons, time passes but this tree remains.  This tree speaks to me, and in a way gives me comfort.  There is a knowing in this tree, a steadiness.  I won't say anymore about it because I can communicate better with paint.   :)

This was quite a busy week!  I'm back from Penticton and was able to bring home 4 of my originals and several prints on both canvas and fine art paper.  Now, they are at the frame store getting the finishing touches.

The prints on canvas are stretched onto the appropriate sized frame, and the prints on paper are mounted onto foam board.  I am learning so much about the world of art.  

I am getting all of these prints and cards ready for 2 big events in the next couple months.  The first event is part of the Kamloops Spring Festival and is a "Pop Up Gallery" located at 448 Victoria Street.  I will be there May 22, 4-8pm, and May 23, 24th from 10-4 both days.  There will be 12 artists at this sight and we are all hoping for a good turn out.

Upcoming as well is Art in the Park, July 1st at Riverside Park in Kamloops, The City of Merritt Art Walk (July), and The City of Williams Lake Art Walk (August).  I am looking forward to all of these events and will hopefully have even more paintings by then.  

"Dandelions".... this is a painting I did approximately a year ago.  I was playing around with acrylic paint and using rubbing alcohol to create an interesting background.  Where I dripped the alcohol, the paint dispersed and it left little round shapes that reminded me of dandelion fluff.  Out of that, came the idea for this painting.  

I was able to borrow it back from the lovely lady who purchased it and i am taking it down to Penticton (along with 3 new paintings),  to get photographed, and to get some prints made.  Two of my siblings have requested prints.  

I'm excited about all the upcoming events.... Pop-Up Gallery in Kamloops, Art in the Park (also in Kamloops), the Sunday Farmer's Market in Sun Peaks, Art Walk in Merritt and also in Williams Lake.  I hope I have time to paint.  Sometimes I'm feeling like my thoughts are scattered in too many directions....I like the focused feeling I experience when I paint.  I'm able to totally tune out the world.  It is very peaceful.  However, I am going to look at the busy-ness of the next week as a chance to get inspired further.  The drive down to Kelowna/Penticton alone is inspiring, and while I'm in Kelowna I can check out some galleries.  Then when I get back to Sun Peaks...... I can paint again.  :)