I've been searching...

...through my photo files recently in an effort to pare down the hundreds of photos.  It's truly astounding how many floral pieces I've done over the years.

I've collaged them,

drawn them in pencil,

coloured them in chalk pastel,

sculpted them with acrylic medium,

created them from wine and beer bottle caps,

 crafted them from hand-painted papers,

turned them into altered books,

photographed and printed them on dryer sheets before adding them to a painting,

and created entire mountain ranges from them.

I'm fascinated by the number of paintings I've done that incorporate flowers (and I've kept record of some three hundred of them apparently), especially given that I'm so averse to the actual concept of getting my hands dirty in real soil.  I leave that up to my husband, John, who is so fond of gardening he's starts to resemble the dark rich colour of his favourite tomatoes in the summer.  

I suspect that the floral form is an instant connection to my beloved mandalas, the sacred circle.  I hope you'll tell me what your recurring themes are in the comment area below.  What is it that you return to again and again? How does it connect the dots for you in your life?

They flit, they float...

...and they fly all around me.  Dryer sheets, that is, and I'm determined to make a dint in my stash of them.

I've been painting them for years, since they make perfect mop-ups for left-over paint.  This last while I've been experimenting with using them to make three-dimensional vases, and having fun honing my beading/buttoning skills.

I've spray glued them to Gelli-printed papers, which gives them yet another dimension,

and apparently I couldn't get myself to stop.

It's just that they are so lovely, and will make great background texture in hand-crafted greeting cards.

One needs to get up close to see the texture over top of the print underneath...I'm endlessly fascinated.

This one was so colourful that I placed it on a plain white paper instead of over a print - still lovely.

And the best part of my week?  I got a fabulous package from a favourite on-line artist friend.  Over on the Google+ site Creating and Sharing Mixed Media Art, we've been doing an Artist Trading Card exchange, and these fabulous cards came from Shelby Pizarro.  You can find her blog here for more deliciousness.  This first ATC is just so ethereal - beautiful.

I'm crazy about Venice, so this one just pleases me no end.

And look at the pile of fun that came with them.  Coincidentally, I'm working on a journal right now that incorporates fortune cookie slips - however did you know, Shelby?

Added to that is the fabulous group of papers - more playtime ahead, I can see!

I hope your week has been just as fun and at least as colourful.  Do tell in the comments below - I'd love to hear what you're up to.

It was so much...

...fun that I'd like to do it all over again!

The opening of  'Students. Teacher. Play.',,,

last week at Centre 64 was wonderful.  With a host of attendees, dozens of mixed media artworks, a dozen artists and incredible refreshments, how could it have been anything else?

At the entrance - that stunning painting on the right is 'Alice in Wonderland' by Alice Saltiel

Here's Lynne Mizera with her Graffiti Roses

Judy Walker (l) and Gerry Forget (r), two of the artists

Alice Saltiel with her Alice in Wonderland

Judy Dahl with her Shifting Sands

Laura Leeder with her lovely stylized florals

Some of my work in the upstairs gallery

I'm toasting the opening (and the guests) in front of Midnight Garden V (yup - I think it's the last Midnight Garden - maybe)  Photo by Judy Dahl

Doesn't this spread look amazing?  The volunteers at Centre 64 did a terrific job.  Between this, the wine and the punch, there was nothing lacking at all!

The appies were amazing - photo by Alice Saltiel

Thanks to those of you who made a trip (short or long) to attend - it would be hard to express how much it was appreciated.  If you've not yet seen the show, it's open until September 24 - well worth the look!

NB.  All uncredited photos by John Dinn, unless I've really goofed up on my notes!

Show me...

...we all want to see it, right?

Well, this month you'll get your chance when the show 'Students. Teacher. Play.'  runs at Centre 64 in Kimberley.  With fourteen artists participating, you know it's going to be eclectic and energizing.

All participants are students who've participated in my playshops over the past years, and have taken the mixed media bug for their own.  The thirteen artists, Alice Saltiel, Alison Bjorkman, Anne Fetterley, Darcy Wanuk, Gerry Forget, Judy Dahl, Judy Walker, Laura Leeder, Louise Olinger, Lynne Mizera, Meg Nicks, Sue Pighin and myself have all caught the virus, and you'll see the following (and much more):

Peacock Paradise © Alice Saltiel

Graffiti Chair © Alison Bjorkman

The Gelli Girls © Darcy Wanuck

Shifting Sands © Judy Dahl

Bird Cage Dune Primrose © Judy Walker

Marsala Vintage Rose © Laura Leeder

Falling Leaves © Louise Olinger

Graffiti Roses © Lynne Mizera

Flying Was So Much Easier Then © Meg Nicks

Birthday? Nailed It:  A 'Pinterest-Perfect' Parody  © Win Dinn

Do please come and meet the artists, view the show, and spend a playful afternoon on Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 2 - 4 pm.  We'd love to meet you there!