Some Wonder, This Week

I have been reading a lot of poetry lately. I found this great book on line that was edited by James Crews, “The Wonder of Small Things : poems of peace and renewal”. He has a whole series of titles and they really are beautifully selected and include a reflective guide and writing prompts. So lovely and also, I found, very inspiring to me.

Words have always inspired me and I often include quotes and or poems along side my work. When I first started my blog over a decade ago, I would often write poems for a painting I had just completed. I have always worked backwards in a way. I paint and then I reflect on what I was thinking while I was painting. I do not do preliminary drawings but rather listen to the painting and let it progress in a natural sort of way. Reading words and then creating something from those words absolutely freezes my creative juices. As much as I have always loved the idea of illustration or being an illustrator I don’t think my process allows that to ever be a realistic possibility.

Anyway, an ongoing theme in my life has been trying to stay in the moment and really see the world around me at the present. I am a worrier and that really makes appreciating now a chanllenge. I am always thinking the future or reliving the past. I know I am not alone and so I decided to share this poem (and my painting along side) to perhaps help you too be inspired to really stop, breathe and take in where you are in the world right now.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Maria

Some Wonder

10”x20” mix media painting on wood. This painting is available HERE

The Listening Bridge

Ingrid Groff-Madoff

When you come to the listening bridge,

you must be still there long enough

for the squirrels to sense you are no harm;

for the birds to break their silence with singing

and the fluttering of wings; and for you,

and everything around you, to stop holding its breath.

And so, sit. Rest a while.

Give some wonder to the moss and purple violets.

Turn toward the sun and feel it warm your face.

Notice the rippling current of the spring-fed stream.

Allow a sense of softness to splash and filter in.

Trade the weight of all your seriousness

for the lightness of surrender—

by which I mean  faith in a Presence

lovingly wiser than your self.

Remain quiet  and listen

for what the voice born of stillness

might say: perhaps, simply:

Love. Carry on. Practice  kindness.

Have affection for this day.

From James Crews book The Wonder Of Small Things

The Soul That Sees Beauty

9”x12” painting on rag paper. Available HERE

“The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone. “

Johann Wolfgang Von Gocethe

This one I started last week and have been letting sit for a bit. I am trying my best to keep it black and white but am adding a little bit of sparkle with gold acrylic inks. I look forward to working on her again soon.

I did this girl a little while back and she is still waiting for her forever home.

All The Small Wonders

4”x4” on wood.

"All the wonders you seek are within yourself."

Thomas Browne

Available HERE

This Week, Chocolate Cake, Rupert Takes to Bed ,Esther and Scarlett

Getting closer and closer to Christmas. This time of year, I always feel like I am running out of time. It is a hard time of year to enjoy, I’ll be honest. My anxiety always gets the better of me. I did have fun baking this chocolate cake and making sugared cranberries and rosemary. It turned out so pretty and I will definitely be doing this again!

Made this chocolate cake (by Donna Hay) a little more festive with the addition of sugared cranberries and rosemary. Pretty AND Delicious!

This painting (below) is of Rupert in his bed in the living room. It’s actually a communal bed that he shares with Rosie, but never at the same time (haha). They take turns and rotate their sleeping between the carpet, couch and chairs. It’s all very dignified, and rather out of character. No fighting, no bickering, just two dogs living their best life.

Rupert In His Bed, SOLD

Another painting of Esther on my window sill. She wasn’t really pleased with me taking her photo. Not sure why but I think I caught her in all of her disgruntled glory, haha.

Esther At The Window, 4”x4” mix media painting, AVAILABLE HERE

This is a little painting of Scarlett when she had her long hair. It was very thick, a lot of work and I know she felt much lighter when she got it cut, but it was a beautiful. Trying to stay loose on such a small canvas is hard!

Knowing when you’re done is even harder.

Looking Back, 4”x4” mix media painting, AVAILABLE HERE

This Week, Jade Cat, Dogs and an Ink Demo

This week was busy so I didn’t get much done in the studio but did work on these little pieces.

I have owned this 50’s deco lamp for close to 30 years and have always wanted to paint it. It is the sweetest thing but doesn’t have a striped lampshade, I added that. This little painting is done on mixmedia board. I love working on this board as it doesn’t need to be taped down to stop buckling, meaning I can paint right to the edge. This one just needs to be framed by you.

Jade Cat Lamp and Stripes, 8”x10” Available Here

Worked on this girl in the feathered coat again this week. Last week I did a similar one in my sketchbook.

Feather Coat, DM for availability

Waiting For Dinner could alternatively be called Waiting For Breakfast. Rosie likes her food but Rupert lives for food. He even has a special pineapple dish to slow him down while he is eating. He is still an extremely fast eater. Rosie spins for her dinner which really is rather cute.

Waiting For Dinner, SOLD

I bought two inks online and thought I’d share them with you. They really are lovely inks and although the red ink, Dracula, stole my heart because of it’s iridescent qualities, Robin Crusoe is really beautiful once dry.

This Week, Rupert Makes An Appearance

Hello everyone, I hope you have had a nice week. I can’t believe how nice the weather is here in Edmonton. It is so warm for this time of year, and no snow yet. I am making the most of it and enjoying my long weekend walks with Chris and not worrying about slipping on ice.

In 2019 a lovely pup was born on a farm in Alberta. This pup made his way to our house in late January of 2020. Rupert was a love but we didn’t realize what a nervous dog he was or could not know how the covid lockdown would affect him as he developed. At this point, we definitely had a dog with special needs. He is terrified of all dogs and it takes him a fair bit to warm up to people. We love him but life is difficult with such a reactive dog, We have spent so much money on trying to help him, short of medication. The irony is that he has helped my oldest daughter, Imogen, so much with her anxiety. He is love and he is loved.

Rupert

I snapped a shot of Rupert in our living room and thought it would make a delightful painting. It had all the things I love and, I feel, make my home a place of comfort. The orange chairs were from my Mother in law and are over 50 years old. I covered them with a fabric I found in Ikea ages ago. I had bought it not knowing where I was going to use it but I had to have it. When I was opening my little gallery shop, I wanted unique chairs for people to be able to sit and look at the walls of art and chat with me. Not being able to afford new chairs, I was forced to think more economically and creatively. I am so glad because these chairs turned out amazing and became the gallery’s focal point. They are seriously my favourite piece of furniture and I have now claimed them for our living room in our new house.

Rupert in the Living Room, 11”x14” mix media painting available HERE

Esther on the Sill, 5”x5” SOLD

South Window, 5”x7” SOLD

Rupert in the Ling Room, (study) SOLD

Playing in my sketchbook NFS

“Esther on the Window Sill” SOLD

I have been getting so much encouragement on the new direction I am taking with my art. I appreciate it. Trying new things is scary and I am so happy that people are enjoying these small paintings as much as I am enjoying creating them!

Thanks again and have a great week!

Maria

Today is The Day! Registration For Let's Face It 2024 OPEN

TOday is the day, Monday Oct 16

Registration opens at 10AM Pacific Time!

First 1000 sign ups will get the course for $109!  After that, early bird price of $129 will go into effect through December 4th.

As you know,  LET’S FACE IT is a course created and hosted by Kara Bullock. It is for anyone that wants to practice creating portraits and figurative art.  Each week in 2024, you will receive one new lesson from one of our fabulous artists!  These lessons are created to inspire you and expose you to different ways of drawing/painting the face and figure.  We all know that there is not a one size fits all way to learn. Together, we want to share with you our strategies, tips, and techniques that we use in order to create our portrait and figurative artwork hoping you will find something that works for you to help you continue on your journey of creating portraits. Not only will you leave this course feeling more confident in your skills, but also with a whole new community of art friends that will keep supporting you from here on out!  Many have said that the LFI community is the most encouraging and supportive that they have ever been a part of! We hope to see you there! 

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ALSO

Check out my online auction that is happening right now!

AUCTION STARTS TOMORROW OCT 15

I am so happy to say that the online solo auction starts tomorrow Oct 15 and will run until Oct 17. If you would like to join us, click on the link below!

A little about the Auction paintings

There was a time, when the girls were young, that I would paint in the loft (their playroom). The girls would be beside me, playing dress up and make-believe, and their play infused my work with their dreams, their imaginary world and their adventures. At the same time, my knowledge that this was fleeting, that this was just a blink of an eye, such a special time but momentary made me sad. That melancholy has always played so prominently in my paintings, never quite allowing me to be completely lost in the moment. That melancholy that always holds me back from complete happiness (if there is even such a thing). The ying/yang, that walking the fence of joy and sadness is, perhaps, what has made my work more intriguing. They could so easily have been chocolate box paintings but my hope is that the juxtaposition of joy and sadness draws the viewer in a little deeper, beneath the surface, through all those layers of mix-media to the core of the matter. What are they thinking? What are they feeling? What does their world look/feel like? We humans are forever striving for happiness, peace, love, and yet, knowing that those times are always transformative, always shifting and moving from the mundane to the extraordinary to the tragic and back again. That is what makes life so precious, I know, but lately I have been feeling more of the sadness than the joy. My girls are growing and life is changing faster than I feel comfortable with. My muses are harder to pin down, they aren't as present in my daily life as they used to be.  I am forced to look outside the little world I have created and I am learning to find beauty and inspiration there but it is difficult for me. I am having to recreate my process, look at things differently and it is uncomfortable and sometimes painful but nonetheless I continue to paint beautiful things, if only to make more beauty in this world that can be so harsh and unforgiving.

Thank you for being here. I appreciate you all so much and your support keeps me inspired and motivated to keep creating. 


With love,


Maria


See previous post to view all of the paintings/reproductions that will be in the AUCTION

Next up! Don’t forget that registration for Let’s Face It 2024 starts tomorrow!

Upcoming Solo Auction Oct 15-17

I am so happy to be back with Stephanie Gagos to do a solo show. The following paintings will be available to bid on starting Oct.15. The auction will close Oct 17. I have created 17 originals and 15 mounted OOAK fine art reproductions for this event. I hope you can come and join us for this very special event!

Click HERE for more information

ORIGINALS

I Am Tomorrow

16”x20” mix media painting on wood

Butterfly Vase And Poppies

8”x36” mix media painting on wood.

Give All To The Present

12”x26” mix media painting on wood.

Koi on Golden Pond

24”x24” mix media painting on gold canvas.

Queen of The Night

8”x10” mix media on art board.

If Only

12”x18” mix media painting on wood.

Feathers

Mix media painting on paper

Little Red Cap

Mix media painting on paper.

Orange Pekoe

16”x20” mix media painting on wood.

Pink Poppy on Gold

12”x12” mix media painting on gold canvas.

Sister Ties

mix media painting on paper.

Start Where You Are

12”x16” mix media painting on wood.

Summer Sunset

9”x12” mix media painting on gold canvas.

Technicolor Koi

12”x12” mix media painting on gold..

Tied To Your Love

3”x18” mix media painting on wood.

Blessings

mix media painting on paper.

Red Poppy Girl

mix media painting on paper.

REPRODUCTIONS

Awaken You Dreams

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Bittersweet Memories

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Claire De Lune

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Peace Amidst The Storm

OOAK Fine art reproduction

It Takes Courage

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Keep Hope In Your Heart

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Love Is The Thread

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Roots and Wings

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Temporary Poppies

OOAK Fine art reproduction

The Enchanted Night Garden

OOAK Fine art reproduction

The Fragile Thread That Binds Us

OOAK Fine art reproduction

This Chicken Is A Star

OOAK Fine art reproduction

This Girl Has Roots

OOAK Fine art reproduction

Uplift Her Spirit

OOAK Fine art reproduction

We’re In This Together

OOAK Fine art reproduction

DATE TO REMEMBER! OCT 16 LFI 2024 REGISTRATION OPENS!

Remember to USE MY SPECIAL LINK! (It’s how I get paid).

Go to previous post for more information on this year long course!

Paint Your Heart and Soul 2024 Pre-registration Now Open!

I'm very excited to let you know that the pre-registration for the most amazing year long course Paint Your Heart and Soul 2024 is now open, and the limited Early Bird spots are selling like hot cakes!

Better than ever, with all brand new lessons, you don't want to miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from over 40 amazing artists, for one affordable price! 

Don't wait for better time to start your creative journey, because there is always "other things in life", act now:
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Beginners are welcome; course starts January 3; we offer unlimited life long access and downloadable content.
 

PYHaS2024 includes:

♥ over 40 ARTIST INSTRUCTORS!

♥ Over 50 BRAND NEW VIDEO LESSONS (most likely around 60 lessons!)

♥ opportunity to participate in the STUDENTS SHOW

♥ GIVEAWAYS at the end of the year!

♥ A password protected CLASSROOM on my website

♥  PYHaS2023 students WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Bonus:

♥   Option to join a private group on FB for students and instructors only, with supportive, friendly and inspiring  Art Community 

♥  For INSTAGRAM users – an opportunity for students to be featured on our Instagram account. We also have a hashtag  for students’ work to inspire each other.

LEARN, GET INSPIRED AND HAVE FUN!

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What The World Needs Now ... "Kindness" June 6-7 Auction

I love the theme for this auction: “What the world needs now”.  Of course, what first came to mind was ‘love’. The lyrics to the famous Burt Bacharach/Hal David song instantly popped into my head but the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if love was just too general and if I dug down a little further, it was kindness that was lacking in the world right now. From the people on the street, in the post office or grocery store to the comment section on FB, instagram or TikTok, we  humans are greatly lacking in kindness. What does kindness cost us? How hard is it to smile at the cashier, say good morning to a fellow walker or be compassionate toward someone that is down on their luck? These examples of kindness are at the most base level, they cost us absolutely nothing. To show compassion to our fellow man can not only spread kindness throughout the world but can also feed our own soul. So, in the end, it isn’t even a selfless  act for it not only costs us nothing, we actually benefit from being kind. 

Love,

Maria 


Please join me and The Heartful Soul Auction artists June 6-7, 2023 at 12 eastern for Part 1 of this very special auction. Go HERE to take part.

Kind Hearts are the Gardens

Title: Kind Hearts are the Gardens

Size: 12”x18” ORIGINAL , mixed media painting wood.  The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red. This painting is ready to hang.

Kind hearts are the gardens,

Kind thoughts are the roots,

Kind words are the flowers,

Kind deeds are the fruits. 

Take care of your garden

And keep out the weeds,

Fill it with sunshine

Kind words and kind deeds.


HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW


The Smallest Act of Kindness


Size: 16” diameter  ORIGINAL , mixed media painting wood.  The sides are .5” deep and are painted black. This painting is ready to hang.

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. – Oscar Wilde 




 Asking The World For More Kindness


9”x12” ORIGINAL , mixed media painting rag paper. This painting is flat and will need to be matted and framed by you.

“If we are asking for the world to be kind, we must first ask what are we doing to add more kindness to the world. If we are asking for the world to be more loving, we must first ask what are we doing to add more love to the world. We are the vessels for the things we seek.” 

— Joél Leon




Be Kind

 6”x13.5” ORIGINAL , mixed media painting on rag paper. This painting is flat and will need to be matted and framed by you.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” 
― Ian MacLaren



Silver Lining

 9”x12” ORIGINAL , mixed media painting wood.  The sides are 1.5” deep and are a continuum of the painting. This painting is ready to hang.

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle Onassis



Second Day OF the Auction

Here is the link to the online auction

These pieces are up in the auction and are still available to bid on. I’d love to see you there. They will be ending tomorrow March 16.

Fine Art Reproductions To Be Auctioned

We start the auction in just a couple of days! March 14 to be exact. My last post was all about the originals that are going to be in the show but I wanted to share the fine art reproductions that I will have available. These reproductions are all made by me personally and are hand embellished and ready to hang! How many posters do you own that are still sitting in a tube waiting to be framed? These mounted reproductions are ready to hang, no framing required! Instant art for your walls.

Please join me for this online event. For more info, just click this link!

Become Who You Are

12”x16” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red.

Butterflies and Stars

8”x16” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted black.

Determined

8”x16” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red.

Faith

14”x16” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red.

Find Peace Amidst The Storm

14” diameter fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are .5” deep and are painted black

Golden Dreams

12” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are .5” deep and are painted black

Lifted By Your Love

16”x 20”fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red

Peace Is A Fragile THing

12”x16”fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red

Pink Peonies And Blue Poppies

16”x16”fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red.

This Chicken Is A STAR

12”X12” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red.

Time Will Tell

8” x16” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red.

True Hope

12”x16” fine are reproduction on wood. The sides are 1.5” deep and are painted red.

Holiday Auction November 8-9

I’m so happy to be settling into my new studio space and starting to paint again! I missed you guys and I have missed creating so much! It has been a long year: selling our house of 17 years, buying a new house and setting up a new studio. I am so glad that we decided to go ahead and make the move but it has been a huge distraction for me (this is the longest that I have been away from painting in over a decade). It has been hard to get the wheel turning again once you’ve stopped for awhile. Like I have said many times, ‘Inspiration finds us when we are working’, so in order to get working, I gave myself a deadline… or rather, OLGA did HAHA! SO, I am back, slowly but surly, and I am participating in The Holiday Auction with Heartful Soul Artist Collective. My day will be November 8-9. I hope you will be there to support me and all of the fellow artists that are also participating.

The following original paintings will be in The Holiday Auction

I have been thinking a lot about how we can sometimes poison our own dreams with doubts, fears and paying way too much attention to those negative voices in our heads. Having many goals and dreams can almost make us more vulnerable. It seems the more ambitions we can gives self doubt a better chance to hit us with their poisonous pill. In this painting, as with most of my art, I am trying to work through what it is going on in my life and the lives of the people I am closest to. I find this process healing and it can also help me understand my feelings, all the while putting something of beauty back into the world. It is like sucking in the negativity of the world and putting something positive in its place.


“Perfect and Poisonous” will be available in the Holiday Auction on November 8-9. Follow the link to participate.

“Faith and Courage” will be available in the Holiday Auction on November 8-9. Follow the link to participate.

“Awaken Your Dreams” (Look within) will be available in the Holiday Auction on November 8-9. Follow the link to participate.

“Find Calm”will be available in the Holiday Auction on November 8-9. Follow the link to participate.

“Love Is The Thread” will be available in the Holiday Auction on November 8-9. Follow the link to participate.

“Yellow Koi” will be available in the Holiday Auction on November 8-9. Follow the link to participate.