Lots of excitement this weekend in Kamloops, BC.  Two shows have their opening this weekend, and I am excited to have 3 paintings in one show and 1 in another.  

The first event is the Thompson, Nicola, Shuswap Chapter of the FCA's 10th annual show.  The opening reception is Friday the 19th from 7-9pm.  This show features artists who are members of this chapter of the FCA, and there is some wonderful work to see.  What is especially exciting for me is that 2 of my paintings made it into the "juror's choice" category, and are eligible for award.  For me, honestly.. just getting into that category is HUGE.  I really hope I see some familiar faces on Friday.  

I will also be doing a demo of my painting on Saturday the 20th in the afternoon, as well as on Thursday the 25th, also in the afternoon.  I'm actually not nervous about that at all... just looking forward to it.  The painting on your left, is the one I will be working on at the demos.

The second event is the Kamloops Art Gallery's 26th Annual Art Auction.  I have one painting in this show which runs from September 20th - October 4th.  The opening reception is on the 20th at 6:30pm.  This show winds up with a gala evening and auction on the 4th of October.  

Sometimes, when a painting or drawing does not measure up to the image I have in my mind, I can get discouraged.  I was thinking about this while watching the trees outside my window this morning.  I continued to think about this as I was in the shower.... that seems to be where I do my best thinking.  :)  

What happens for me when I'm struggling with a painting, is that I start to doubt myself, my ability, my talent... and ultimately my identity as an artist.  

So Liz.... what does it mean to be an artist.   For me... being an artist means that I see things differently, or in a unique way.... and I am in a state of unrest until I am able to share them on canvas.  The artist part of me is in my mind, and my soul, my breath .... the art is what I share.  When I struggle to share what I see, and the struggle causes me unrest.... should I doubt myself... NO.   I think possibly that art, or being an artist is more about the vision, the thought, the living breathing energy, than the product.  

Having said that.... it is kind of nice to sell a painting now and then so that I am able to purchase more fuel in the form of paints, brushes, canvas... etc..  :)

The sketch.... was done a few years ago, and was meant to just ease all my thoughts at that time.  I look at it now, and I can see that it is so much who I am.  There is worry, joy, imagination, comfort, anxiety, hope, history, love and longing all there.  

In the past, when I've done a painting in acrylic and ink, I've usually started with a white canvas.  A while ago, however, I decided to try painting the canvas a different colour before I started my process of drawing the picture, and then adding the finished colours.  Most of the time, I will use a blue, or green/yellow for the underpainting.  

Note:
(This is a different technique than what I do with my straight acrylic paintings.... with those I paint the entire canvas a mix of black/gesso/purple/blue... and then once that is dry, I draw my painting with chalk, and then paint it... leaving the lines showing around the colour.)

The painting I'm working on now is acrylic and ink.  I decided to try a "dulled" orange as my underpainting.  My reasoning was that I was going to put a lot of blue in the painting, and I was going to use some oranges, rusts, and reds as well.  I thought orange would be a good choice because it would complement the blue, and it would help the oranges "pop".  

For the most part, I think it is working but I find myself struggling with the orange as I am painting.  What I mean is... it is not as easy to keep focused on what I want the big tree to look like.... i keep getting distracted by the fact that it is a huge orange tree still.  So it is making me uncomfortable.    Sometimes it is hard to look past what it looks like to see what you want it to look like.  I guess I would find it easier to look past a blue, green, or even gray tree ..... the orange is just bugging me, but in a strangely, weirdly good way.  :)  The more I look at it, the more fascinated I am with it.  Hey..... i guess I kind of sound like an artist.  :)