New Work - and it's not Spain

I have a show coming up at the Woodside Square Library. Since I had less than a month's notice, I'm including some of the work I showed at the Art of the Danforth and creating 3-4 new pieces. I'm going to show 7 in total, so that's not too bad. I had sent images of the pieces for AofD for my application. I was intending to do more specific archival images for the area of the branch but since it's in a relatively new area of town, this wasn't as easy so I've included one image taken from an archival photo showing a theatre around Yonge and Queen in 1913. The other shows workman not far from the current location of the branch where this will show. The other is a bus from the Toronto-Markham-Stouffville route (the branch is near Markham, yes I'm reaching here!).

I also worked on some shop photos from my trip to Barcelona. They're meant as a possible wedding present for a friend so I'll show them later. Happy Wedding day to them! Hope the weather gets better.

And...Spain

Did this one a few days ago but only getting a chance to post it now. It's based on an image in Tarragona.

Feeling particularly lazy today. I did get some cleaning done so check. Rewashed the hair after getting it cut and starting to feel better about it so check that off the list. Still no grocery shopping done. Guess the humidity and the possibility of a thunderstorm isn't helping. Got to get some artwork done, though, and that I can do indoors and in the cool.

Spain again!

Yes, Spain again. Still working on images but not sure if they will get used. I'm enjoying it, though. I must move onto images needed for a show next month, though.

Here's the main train station in Valencia. It was beautiful inside.

So much to do, so little time.

More Spain

From top down:

Tarragona's Roman amphitheater. Valencia's town square. It's all about the detail in Barcelona as shown with this window. And Montserrat.

Spain!

So did I disappear off the face of the earth? No, not quite. I did go to Spain, though, for a week. It was my second time in Barcelona but this time I was also in Valencia, Tarragona and Montserrat. Expect to see more Spanish subjects in the future. Here's just a taster for now. The top one is from Montserrat and the bottom is a detail from a shop in Las Rambla in Barcelona (an old umbrella shop). Everywhere was just beautiful!

Mother's Day

Well today is the first day that I didn't have to be somewhere or do something for awhile (basically since the last time I blogged) so there was some sleeping in, some reading of the newspaper from yesterday, a good workout at the gym, chores, and now working on my own stuff. Bliss. I'm not ditching my daughterly duties but there was another plan for that. I will wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day here instead and happy birthday to my brother as well.

Creative Monday

Lots happening today. I feel like I can give myself a bit of time today to experiment and be creative. I even got outside to take pictures (not all sitting in front of the computer) although it was my backyard. I thought I would experiment with my macro filter (it's great and so much cheaper than getting a macro lens) with the last of the cherry blossoms and other flowers. I think my neighbours thinks I'm crazy (crouched nearly on top of a hyacinth at one point). Off to work tomorrow!

I think I like the background of my painting. Now to remove all of the masking gunk. And there's a lot!

The fun continues

This time with a turquoise theme.

Got a lot of my chores done today so feeling pretty good.

More fun with Photoshop

I'm loving these actions and brushes that are out there. I have started a painting but it will involve several layers for the background. Until then, here's a photographic creation.

Getting things done on a cloudy Sunday

So, I'm accomplishing what I planned for this weekend so far and I feel a cup of tea coming on and maybe a read. I just started A.S. Byatt's The Children's Book and so far I haven't been able to get past page 10. You really have to persevere with her books at the beginning and then they are a really good read.

Got to see the Art of the Danforth yesterday, more parts of it than planned, but that's okay. Many of my photos made it into the murals at the Greenwood and Woodbine subway stations (I have to check Coxwell). I have to re-tack some of my mats down for my watercolours tomorrow but I have new adhesive for that, which will hopefully work. Had a good walk down to the Beaches area to get that for tomorrow.

The chairs are out of the shed and on the deck but today is not the day to enjoy them. A bit cold and blustery although not wet as promised.

Also worked on sorting out my closet. I feel a purchase may be needed for further organizing. I'm also tossing some stuff. I'll be able to drop it off at a charity box tomorrow on my way to look after my art pieces (I like when you can do many things in one trip).

And I'm getting my computer organized and figuring out some Photoshop things I've been meaning to sit down with for ages now. Above is a result of playing with some free "grunge" brushes (the frame is actually the brush). Fun! On to watercolour painting, hopefully, this evening.

To do list for this weekend including ART OF THE DANFORTH

So what to do this weekend? Well, first and foremost is participating in the Art of the Danforth show at 2035 Danforth Ave (see below for work). I plan to walk along the Danforth from Greenwood to Woodbine and take in the various installations and activities and then there's a media launch to attend.

But besides that... I need to get the deck set up for some serious lounging this summer so the chairs are coming out. I might even get ivy for the camouflaging of the ugly shed. I also have to work on my closet (I couldn't find a shoe yesterday but retrieved today). I must get back to painting (I have some ideas coming from my trip to High Park) and work on photos. Ambitious? Maybe but it sounds like fun too.

Have a great weekend.

*the photo above is one that seems to creep out everyone but it's my desktop photo and I like it. It was taken in Paris near Bastille. I believe the store front was for a dollmaker's or repair shop.

Our own blossoming tree

Every year since we planted this tree for my friend Sandra I look forward to seeing the first blossoms. I sat working by the back doors today and kept catching glimpses of its bright pink blossoms. We thought it was a cherry tree when we first got it but now we think it's peach. The local animals tend to go after the fruit before we can even recognize it. We're going with peach. Although it could also be pear.