Endless Longing - Solo Art Exhibit Opens now, Opening Reception Sat. Nov. 7th 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

"Birthing a Song", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 14 x 26, 2009

"Open the Window..." , Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 18 x 18, 2009

"Taking Flight", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 14 x 26, 2009

"My Heart has become a bird", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 17 1/2 x 22, 2009

Well the hard work of painting endlessly for the last few months has come to its birthing day...the opening of my first solo show, "Endless Longing" began today, Monday Nov. 2nd and will come down on Nov. 28th. The opening reception is this Sat. Nov. 7th 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Whitestone Gallery, 80 Norfolk St. Guelph. Hope to see you there....

I thoroughly enjoyed this process and loved creating with the imagery of women and butterflies and weaving in Rumi's poetry. I share a few of the images here for you...Overall I was able to finish 14 new pieces and am showing 22 pieces all together.

Halloween 2009 - Gone are those Princess days..here comes the goth looking dead bride days !

Here is Maya with some friends on Halloween nite....Dead Bride Maya...where did those princess days go....how quickly they grow....what great costumes they all have eh?

Hope everyone had a great Halloween?

More images from Gladstone Opening....

Amy Zhang's work above....

Lucy Kovaliv's work above

Amy Zhang's work above...

Whitney Taylor's work above...

Supria Karmakar's work above...

Whitney Taylor and Supria Karmakar's work above...

Fall is a buzz of activity.....still trying to take it all in and enjoy the moments....

It has been such a buzzing time of activity..with lots to enjoy ....I am trying to savour every moment..I can't believe however, how fast the fall seems to be speeding by...so instead I try to pause each day and enjoy the moments....

Here are some photos of a recent 5 week encaustic program I taught at Globe Studios in Kitchener over Sept/Oct.

I enjoyed this process and time with the students, loved the excitement they felt in trying the new techniques....

I attended the Gladstone Hotel opening this past friday, a group show with three other artists, Lucy Kovaliv, Amy Zhang and Whitney Taylor. The group exhibit will be running all week from October 23rd to Oct. 29th. We had a great turn out at the reception, even if there was a rough start up,...since due the stormy weather...Gladstone Hotel had a blackout for the first 45 minutes or so of the opening. More to come on this opening soon.

Studio Tour Continues this weekend! Also gearing up for my first solo show in November!

"The Journey Awakens the Soul", 30 x 24, Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 2009.

I have been preparing for my first ever solo show, which is upcoming in November, at the Whitestone Gallery in Guelph. Coming up with a title of the show was a process of soul searching in itself; the essence of the show is about our connection to soul, more specifically to the journey of awakening...the awakening within, to our true selves. I have decided to use the feminine figure and the inclusion of exotic butterflies and bugs, birds and bees in these pieces. As each of these symbolize for me birth, transition, change, growth and beauty, all of which is what I am reflecting on in life these days and coming to accept this place I am in now...However, even in this place of acceptance, there are still moments of endless longing ..The endless longing for peace, connection to the soul, to keep waking up to the universe and to the gifts my creative muse graces me with when I am listening and truly feeling. So this show is titled: "Endless Longing", inspired by the writings of the great sufi poet, Rumi, who writes so many verses that resonate deeply with me on this journey of awakening. Such as, " The Key is the flutter of the Heart's Wings and its endless longing" ~ Rumi

You are all invited to the opening reception, to visit with me, on Sat. November 7th 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Whitestone Gallery, 80 Norfolk St. Guelph, ON. Not only is this my first solo exhibit, it is also the first time I have received an exhibition grant for this upcoming show from the Ontario Arts Council. I am grateful for the recommendation and the assistance. Thanks to Grimsby Public Art Gallery for their recommendation of my proposal.

Also the Elora-Fergus Studio Tour continues this weekend, Oct. 3rd and 4th 10 - 5, I will be in my studio happy to meet and chat with you, if you are around for a visit.

Elora Fergus Studio Tour 2009 Begins this weekend! Come for an artist date!

The Elora-Fergus Studio tour opens this weekend, Sat. and Sun. Sept. 26th and 27th for two weekends...ending next weekend Oct. 3rd and 4th 10 - 5 each day. Over 30 artists are opening their studios during this time, it is a free event and a great way to get inspiration and spend an artist date with yourself or friends and family.

I have new work using exotic butterflies that I am excited about showing...photos of my new work will come shortly.... when I get a chance to get them photographed. If you are around town, come for a visit, mingle and chat. Looking forward to seeing you. I will have various pieces for show and sale, from small to larger sizes and some encaustic cards.

The first encaustic card making workshop at Wise Daughters in Toronto, on Sunday Oct. 25th is sold out and a second date has been added for Sunday Dec. 6th...if you are interested in attending this second session, connect with Mary at Wise Daughters. 416-761-1555.

New Altered Book - Window to the Soul

Front Cover, Window to the Soul, Encaustic Mixed Media Altered Book, 2009

First Inside page, Window to the Soul, Encaustic Mixed Media Altered Book, 2009

Final page, shadow box, Window to the Soul, Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 2009

This is a book I recently completed for an upcoming show, unfortunately, it was not accepted...but I still love it and wanted to share it with you all...I am truly enjoying the encaustic mixed media collage with the altered book medium. I guess you win some and loose some..this is the nature of being a full-time artist..and the rejections are a reality..makes us stronger and for me anyway, finding joy in what I do regardless is truly the essence of the journey. A strong reminder in the intentions behind our creative souls...enjoy your creativity.