It's a New Year!

HaPpy New YeAr!

Well, 2011 was fantastic! There were a few glitches here and there, but over-all it was one of the best years I've had in awhile... and the best year yet for my art. Why is that, you ask? Well, I really felt like things took off in many ways. The highlight for sure was being part of the International Women Celebrate! collaboration and having my painting "In My Aura" sent down east to be in the show celebrating the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. (You can read about it here, here, and here and search my blog to find more.) That was huge... and to top it off I met four blog friends at that show. That experience goes down not only as a highlight for the year, but as a highlight in my life.

 In My Aura

24 x 24"

acrylic and oil on cradled panel

In 2011 I was excited to be invited to submit paintings to 2 high profile art auctions. I was also invited to be part of two art shows, the first of which led me to challenge myself to create 30 paintings in 30 days (a small attempt to see what Daily Painting might be like). I took a class and began drawing again, I opened a gallery on Daily Paintworks (click the button at the top of the right side column to view), I started a Facebook Fanpage for my art, and I painted lots... including two of the biggest canvases I have ever done (30 x 48")! It was an exciting year and I can hardly wait to see what happens in 2012. It such an invigorating feeling (at my age) to feel like the possibilities are endless; like things are just beginning.

Here are some of my personal favorites from 2011:

 Kindness and Joy: Life on The Prairies

48 x 30"

oil on canvas

Somewhere In My Dreams

6x6"

oil on board

Little Big Sky

6x6"

oil on board

Ripple Effect

18 x 24"

acrylic on canvas

Deer Trail Through Wolf Willow

24 x 24"

oil on canvas

Haze

10 x 10"

oil on canvas

 Patchwork Prairie

6x6" 

oil on board

Field of Blues

8 x 8"

oil on board

Go Gently

48 x 30"

acrylic on canvas

This is going to be a great year! What will we all do? It's a blank canvas waiting to be painted and we can create whatever we want. In every area of our lives we can make choices that benefit our families, communities and ultimately, the world. Let's use our individual power for good, not evil! Even if it is something as simple as making a painting, sculpture, drawing, wood turning, fibre art or collage that makes a stranger smile.

And once again, may there be peace on earth.