Latest

Aug
05
A Brush with Life - Issue #110 Art Is Long

A Brush with Life - Issue #110 Art Is Long

During this past couple of weeks I have been watching interviews with American art critic Jerry Saltz and reading his fascinating small, perfect summer reading book HOW TO BE AN ARTIST. Born in 1951 Chicago, Jerry Saltz now lives outside of New York City and was a Pulitzer Prize winner in 2018. Salt
11 min read
Jul
22
A Brush with Life - Issue #109 Deep Shadows in Midsummer

A Brush with Life - Issue #109 Deep Shadows in Midsummer

Our island mornings quickly turn into sun-bleached transparencies roughly visible between the deep swallowing shadows of midsummer. I am not fond of this heavily squint-worthy time of year. Even our southwest coast cool weather this spring and summer doesn’t limit the effects from the angle of our J
13 min read
Jul
08
A Brush with Life - Issue #108 Just Breathe

A Brush with Life - Issue #108 Just Breathe

There has been this rolling over-and-under ease between work and rest these past two weeks. My mantra has been - just breathe. I am waiting and preparing for a turn in the tide that usually flows through my artist’s work life. This year’s summer lull as I wait for the Gallery Pod leaves my energy so
9 min read
Jun
24
A Brush with Life - Issue #107 Loafing Around

A Brush with Life - Issue #107 Loafing Around

The creative genius hidden in idle loafing around should never be underestimated. The art of doing next-to-nothing is a practice that deserves to be well honed, revered and celebrated. This is what I tell myself. I am truly not very good at loafing even though I practice several times a week. I will
7 min read
Jun
10
A Brush with Life - Issue #106 Hints of Summer and New Painting

A Brush with Life - Issue #106 Hints of Summer and New Painting

The southwest coast and much of British Columbia has been having a hard time warming up and dying out. We are at least a couple of weeks behind recent years. However, the wild flowers have flourished and it is still pleasant out as long as you keep your sweater on or at with you. I shall evidence ev
13 min read
May
28
A Brush with Life - Issue #105 Artist Road Trip - part two

A Brush with Life - Issue #105 Artist Road Trip - part two

We have never had an issue where two weeks of artist adventures requires that it be broken into two parts. But there is always a first for everything. If you haven’t read part one that arrived at the usual time on Friday morning in your inbox, you might want to start there. Or, if you are a person t
13 min read
May
27
A Brush with Life - Issue #104 Artist Road Trip - part one

A Brush with Life - Issue #104 Artist Road Trip - part one

Artist road trips are likely when work most seems like play in a slow and meaningful way. We left Mayne Island on Wednesday morning May 11th and by Wednesday May 25th had slow travelled 3,520 km, delivered two paintings to art collectors in Lethbridge Alberta, completed two plein air painting sketch
9 min read
May
13
A Brush with Life - Issue #103 Mixing Things Up and Still Mixing

A Brush with Life - Issue #103 Mixing Things Up and Still Mixing

There are times when the only way to make something work is to mix up stray bits until something comes together in a cohesive formation. This is what the past two weeks have been like for the new ISLAND TIME ART room and the home studio… except things haven’t quite come together yet. In fact, I thre
8 min read
Apr
29
A Brush with Life - Issue #102 Art Studio Organizing

A Brush with Life - Issue #102 Art Studio Organizing

The edges are painted on the last of the commissioned paintings and now it is time to work on getting more of the edges done on the red line series and deciding where to focus my painting next. This is a perfect time to do some studio organizing. Besides, a freelance writer and photographer has come
7 min read
Apr
15
A Brush with Life - Issue #101 OPEN - ISLAND TIME ART

A Brush with Life - Issue #101 OPEN - ISLAND TIME ART

We would be fibbing if we said there was anything happening over the past two weeks except doing a long list of tasks both in getting the physical space and the online and social media connections in place for opening ISLAND TIME ART. And we did it! With the Made on Mayne Spring Studio Tour starting
7 min read