Northern Flickers

NORTHERN FLICKERS - 11 x 15 - $450

Aren’t they great!! This pair of Flickers, well I think it is the same ones all the time, came to our bird feeder most of the winter. They were the highlight of our day. (I know we need to get a life but really, aren’t they something?) We first saw the male hanging upside down off our little suet feeder trying to get what he could and then pretty soon he brought a friend with him. It was so neat how first one would feed than the other; each taking a turn waiting patiently on the branches nearby. When they were done, off they would go. Sometimes we would only see them once a day and other times they were back several times. The other little birds would just perch on the trees and chirp away until they were done. It was like royalty had come to town and they needed to be taken care of first. We thought they were huge birds because all we were seeing was chickadees and juncos and then one day the crows came by and we realized they were not such big fish in the pond after all. Still we were happy to see them in ‘our pond’. The lady at Riefel Bird Sanctuary says they will head up to higher ground soon so we won’t see them for the summer but we will sure look forward to their return in the fall.

Kona - The Baby

KONA - THE BABY 5.5 x 6.5 Sold

Little Kona is finished and ready to be framed. She performed well at the drawing class giving everyone an idea how to work with both light and dark colors without using a background. She also provided lots of entertainment as she is so sweet. Her sister Sierra, has been ever so happy to have her come into their home. The two of them play all the time and Sierra also looks out for her where ever they go.

My next project is a pair of Northern Flickers that were feeding at our bird feeder all winter. They certainly caught our eye as they have very distinctive markings and were so much bigger than all the other birds. Their favorite thing was to hang upside on the little feeder and gorge on the suet. Needless to say we were replenishing it often.

WIP: Kona – The Baby

Yes, we have a new grandpuppy in the family; Kona, a sister for Sierra, our other grandpuppy. (See Post for January 4, 2011) She is a Tibetan Pomeranian, like her sister, great looking dogs and smart as a whip. Of course I have to draw her!! We were puppy sitting last week so I took lots of pictures of the two dogs. On Monday, I was teaching a class on drawing animals at My Art Corner in Burnaby and I thought little Kona would be a great subject. She has lovely colored fur lots of darks and white so good opportunities to show working with both. We had a great class, the time just fly we were all so focused on our work. Now I am anxious to finish her as she is coming along so well.
Our first day as Artist in Residence, yesterday, went very well. Things started off quiet at first and Becky and I wondered if that was going to be the order of the day but then people started to arrive. We had two very persistent artists from Maple Ridge that persevered and found their way after we sent out invitations with the wrong address on them (We sent out corrections yesterday afternoon so hopefully everyone knows for next week). They had brought a variety of pieces of work for critiquing and then we had a very productive conversation on pricing artwork. Others arrived to talk about art, brought books and pictures to share and things just took off from there. Before we knew it, we were packing up and our morning was gone.

Here Comes Trouble - On Its Way

HERE COMES TROUBLE - 9.5 x 12.5 -$350
Things have been moving and shaking these days and I feel a real buzz happening in my Art World. I finished my picture Here Comes Trouble just in time to enter it in the artSpacific juried show in Delta. I am happy to report he got in and is already off to the show. The show is at the Delta Firehall of Arts and runs from March 15 to April 15. It is a great show so stop by if you have a moment.
Meanwhile I have been busy meeting with the Surrey Arts Council and I am happy to announce that Becky McMahon and myself will be starting a Visual Artist in Residence program at the new Newton Cultural Center starting Tuesday, March 22 - June 14, 2011. We will be there from 10-12 each Tuesday, to talk about art, critique work, mentor and demo our mediums. This is free to anyone that wants to stop by. Plans are also underway for us to run lessons and workshops. A really high point from all of this was when we had photo shoots with both of the local papers in one afternoon. How to feel valued!! There is already a Writer in Residence and a Theatre and Drama Person in Residence at the cultural center so bringing us on board really rounds out the program.

The Ups and Downs of the Art World

KEEPING WATCH - 3 x 3 - SOLD

The first picture to sell, are we surprised?!

Well my exciting art weekend is over; it was a whirlwind of fun and adventure. Saturday was the reception day for my show “A Walk on the Wild Side . . Or Not! featuring Margaret Mah and myself. We were set up and ready before 1 pm with such anticipation. Things were quiet, we waited, two ladies arrived and of course we pounced on them, settled and pulled back. We waited a bit more and then they came. We had people pouring into our little gallery, talking, looking and yes buying. Then in the middle of it all the photographer arrived from the paper and we had a photo op (that really makes you feel important). It was great fun.
Margaret and Me with our pictures

On Sunday, I had my marketing workshop for artists, and it was a full house as well. We had a really productive day, the synergy produced by such an event is amazing. I am not bragging when I say everyone left just bubbling with new ideas and goals for the future. I find that each time I have run the workshop we all feel empowered, there is just no other way to describe it. I know to from previous sessions that this empowerment not only shows up in the marketing skills of the artists but in their work as well.
Well those were the “Up’s” of the weekend and of course you are wondering what could possibly be the “Down’s”. Well my application for Signature status did not go forward. There was 38 of us that applied and 11 were accepted. I have comfort in the fact that I am in good company. I must admit I am not too down; I am pleased that my work has got to the level that I can apply and as Arnold Schwarzenegger said “I’ll Be Back!”
PS. I just got my official call from the Federation and I missed by 2 votes!! I am must admit that made my day. I know that I am on the right track and next time I will be there. Have a good day.

A Really Big Day

A Case of Curiosity - 10 x 14 SOLD

Pictures Gone and Fingers Crossed!!
Today was a really big day for Art by Wendy, I had two major events. First thing this morning I was off to deliver my pictures for my application for Signature Status in the Federation of Canadian Artists. My picture “A Case of Curiosity” was one of my originals from my group. You need to submit 10 digital images and then 3 originals from that group of 10. The jurying will be done on Sunday so I will have my fingers crossed all weekend.
Margaret with her load, where to begin!
After we left Granville Island Steve and I motored over to Burnaby to the Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Ave. Today was the day to hang the show “A Walk on the Wild Side . . Or Not!!” (a 2-person show) featuring myself and Margaret Mah. Our show is a walk with a twist. Margaret images are a real contrast to my realistic birds, animals and landscapes. It makes for a very interesting and dynamic combo. The reception is this Saturday, March 5, 2-4pm. The show runs to March 26. On the last day of the show March 26, I will be doing a drawing demo from 1-3pm . So as you can see, it was a really BIG DAY today!

Lots of excitement as the pictures get loaded up!