Sounds like the tagline for a new movie?  Maybe not, but I wanted to share with you MY art story.  It has to do with these two paintings:  

These are two oil paintings I did when I was in Grade 6.  I was twelve.  

 They were for an at-home art project (yes, we actually had an art class each week and an ART teacher - this project, however, was to be done at home).   I got a B.   

I was a very very quiet girl and I avoided conflict.  But I was devastated with a "just" a B.  So I shyly went up to my art teacher and asked "Why did I only get a B?"
His reply,  "Well, they are nice, but anyone can do a paint by number..."

I remember quietly stammering...."But they're NOT..." but his attention had turned to someone else and the moment disappeared.

Something happened to me and art then...being an artist became a silly dream.  I forgot about it for years until I burned out in my computing career.  I started to reflect on my childhood...wondering where some of my FEARS REALLY came from and WHY I couldn't  shake this DESIRE to CREATE...

I told you my art story not to gain sympathy.  I've made peace with that long ago!   I think we all have similar stories.  

I've learned there is this THING that keeps calling me....I once read an article that referred to this thing as a HUNGER...and art making for me is THAT.

So I am making a commitment, a contract with myself this year...to create everyday.  And because I need order and a PLAN, every month I am going to concentrate on a THEME.  I have so many images in my head...I NEED to RELEASE them...satisfy that HUNGER (or FEED it..)

For February...I've picked FLOWERS...I love them, I grow them, I photograph them, Valentine's Day is on the 14th, AND I actually need to learn HOW to paint them...

Stay tuned for more ART, less FEAR and more LEARNING!  And let me know if you can relate to my ART Story and to the HUNGER!

When I think of printmaking I think of Albrecht Durer, the German renaissance artist from the 1400-1500's.  I've always loved his drawings and paintings, but he was prolific in printmaking and etching as well.  Here are two of his woodcuts:

 I'm no printmaking expert but I know a few artists that are and right now at the Lake Country Art Gallery there is a printmaking exhibition by three talented local artists.    http://lakecountryartgallery.blogspot.com/p/current-exhibition.html 
These wonderful artists are Cee Bond, Julie Elliot and Petrina McNeill.   The type of prints they are displaying are called monoprints.   I went to the opening reception this past Saturday and got a look at all the colourful, intriguing works!  Make sure you go check it out!  The show runs until February 25, 2012.

Remember doing linocuts in grade school?? I maimed myself trying to cut the tough linoleum material we had...ouch.   In the fall of 2010 I was reintroduced to this wonderful artmaking technique.  Thanks Louise for hosting and Angelika for inviting me!  The material used now is much more pliable and easier to work with.  I had a ball and found the process was actually relaxing.  Of course you need to remember that what you cut out is the reverse of what will be printed...so you can't relax COMPLETELY!!
Here's a sample of the materials used and a couple linoprints I've made.

I'm back to painting and committing to doing some kind of creative artwork or art activity a day.  One thing that I'm looking at doing with consistency is the Daily PaintWorks Weekly Challenge.  If you click on the link you'll see that this weeks challenge is "Paint your Breakfast".  I posted this painting:

And you can "like" my painting or any of the others and comment as well.  Still life is a great way to practice and learn...painting from life...not photos...

Last post I was curious to know if any of you had a favourite Muppet Character and thanks to those who shared!  While I adore many of the Muppets, I do have a favourite and it is.....

KERMIT!!  I love Kermit and I am very fond of him...AND I was going to take a picture of MY Kermit as I am the proud owner of a Kermit  that I got for Christmas in 1976 from one of my siblings BUT .....HE'S MISSING :-(

I've realised that I am missing a few packed away treasures from my childhood.  I can't seem to locate the box or bag that contained these items.  I sure hope it didn't get left in Texas or somehow got stuck in a box for the Salvation Army.   Sigh...I think I need to go through the unpacked boxes in our garage...

And speaking of boxes...

Honestly, I don't know how she does it....she will play with her tail, rolling around in this cramped place and managing to stay inside it....
And it just so happens that one of my favourite artists, Dreama Tolle Perry, posted this week about "thinking outside the box".  You MUST read her post here!  ENJOY!

I was looking for inspiration and colour to paint and create lately and I literally had this fellow staring me in the face....I really didn't see him sitting on my desk....still don't know how he got there :-) 

And to set the day off with a smile see the appropriate short video!    Enjoy!  Oh and out of curiosity...who's YOUR favourite Muppet/Sesame Street character and WHY?....My next post I'll share mine with you!