Sunday, January 1, 2012

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, hereand 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.

5 comments:

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

Happy New Year Nicki! Congrats on a fabulous 2011. ; )
~Monika in Saskatoon

Anonymous said...

what a grafter you are Nicki!
wishing you more success in 2012 and may you create more and more beautiful paintings:)

Nicki said...

Thank you Monika! All the best to you in the New Year.

Nicki



I wish you a wonderful new year Rahina. Your portraits are becoming more and more profound. It has been a thrill to watch your development.

Nicki
P.S. What does grafter mean? :0)

Kim Rempel said...

Hi Nicki! Just doing some long over-due catching up. What a great post. It's a worthwhile exercise to take stock of years past. It's impressive! I am a little bit in love with "somewhere in my Dreams". Beautiful, dramatic and mysterious!

Nicki said...

Hi Kim... glad you are here catching up... I'm sure you didn't mind being distracted by France though!!! :)

"Somewhere In My Dreams" turned out well- that was done late on a Friday night at the studio when I was having some "me" time.

Looking forward to more chats with you in the new year!

Nicki