Something old...

and something new today, although as for the rest of the saying, I've got nothing.

At the Dinn household, we're cleaning out cracks and crannies in preparation for a garage sale later this month, and I stumbled across one the of the first mixed media pieces I did, at a time when I knew absolutely nothing about mixed media.  It was fun to unearth this one, and even now I l like the feel of it.

Reach for the Soul  14 x 11 Mixed Media  by Win Dinn (ca. ?)

It's interesting to compare it to a piece I recently finished - still using papers, strong colours and with a hand-made stamp (cut from a halved cork) added to the mix.

Roadside Crosses  12 x 12 Mixed Media by Win Dinn

 I'll be taking a break from this blog for about a week as I organize myself for a demo at Fisher Peak Gallery in Cranbrook, BC, this Friday at 11 am.  From there, I'm travelling to Claresholm, AB, where we'll rock the town with a mixed media workshop. It's been organized on the Claresholm end by my good friend, Alice Saltiel-Marshall, and I'm so looking forward to visiting with her amidst the chaos of the workshop.

Along with a fun weekend, I have some other good news to share this week - I'm delighted to say that on Facebook, Sue Fitzmaurice of Trying God's Patience has added some of my paintings to her wonderful works.  Sue is the accomplished author of Angels in the Architecture, as well as having the best page I've yet found on FB (TGP).    

Spring and Easter

What could be more hopeful than that combination?  We've been experiencing non-spring like weather here, so today's sunshine is a welcome treat.

Because my morning walk actually felt like a new, warm season, I thought I'd show you one of my recent pieces celebrating this part of the year.

Thinking Spring  Mixed media by Win Dinn

I was going to wait to post it until I had it matted and framed, because I'm going to do something a little different with it.  I intent to coat the mat with acrylic and possibly some paint, and then frame it without glass once it's done - just another way to play.  However, if I waited we could be into summer, so you get it now, and may get it again, especially if my 'Artist Brain' gets into the act!

And if spring is here, can summer be far behind?

Summer Blooms  Mixed Media (Private Collection) by Win Dinn

I've been really busy this last week or two, setting up my Facebook Artist page at Win Dinn, Artist.  You can check it out here, and if you enjoy it, please click the 'Like' button.  

I'm wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend, filled with family, friends, sunshine and a sense of renewal.

Good News!

When I walk through the downtown area, I notice the number of businesses who have music and news piped through their speaker systems;  I see televisions and computers in store windows showing 'the latest' on screen.  And I am aware of the vast amount of disaster, difficulty, damage and downright chaos with which we are constantly bombarded.

I wondered what our world would be like if we started to give time and exposure to the more positive things in life:

Good News Network Blaring     Mixed Media by Win Dinn      8 x 10 on board

It may take some time to get the message across so it could be heard and seen clearly, but wouldn't it eventually make a difference?  I'm grateful to my Facebook friends who uplift my spirits daily with their positive / funny / beautiful postings!

If you're wanting to share some optimistic and encouraging parts of your life, please comment here, and/or send me a friend request on Facebook - I'm all for exposing the best things in life!