Eco-art

I've been thinking lately about how I can make my art practice friendlier to the environment, and most likely my health too.  Some ideas are pretty common sense and just require me to not be lazy.
Here is what I got so far:

-Stop using disposable pallets. I love them for the easy clean up, but really, I could just use the perfectly good wooden one I have. This will make mother earth happy by not throwing dried paint into the landfill, and save me money every time I need new pad of pallet paper.

-Stop using paint thinner. Obvious, I know. I haven't used it much, but have gotten into the habit of cleaning my brushes with it the last few months. The very best brush cleaner I have used is Masters Brush Cleaner. It is a mild, solid soap that works wonders for cleaning oil and acrylic brushes, or even oil paint stains from clothes and carpet. Genius.

-Re-use stretcher frames. My mom will thank me for this. I recently went through a storage room in my parents house, that has become the island of the misfit artwork. There were so many old paintings that I didn't know what to do with (and not worth showing to anybody), so I've been removing the used, crappy canvas and replacing it with fresh stuff. (This is also helping in my quest to save money.) Their is something satisfying about stretching canvas. Reusing frames leads to my next point:

-Re-use old crappy canvas. I've worked in art supply stores for many years and it has turned me into an art supply junkie. There is nothing better than a brand new, fresh, shiny white canvas to indulge my art habit. So, I am dealing with this by gessoing over my old not-worthy stuff and using them again. I've never been a fan of having texture of another painting underneath the current one. But I am dealing... (deep breath) This works for acrylic paintings, but you can't gesso over oil paint. My discard oil canvas are currently being reclaimed and made into an experimental art project. More on that later...

-Brush on varnish instead of spray on. The spray varnish is just too easy, but I'll deal with that too.

-Use recycled paper where I can. Thankfully nowadays there are many choices when it comes to sketchbooks and drawing paper. The Robert Bateman brand sketchbook is a good choice for recycled paper. There are unbleached and hemp paper options too. I guess this one can work into my habit of not finishing sketchbooks because I am swayed by the lovely clean pages of a new, unused sketchbook. (that's the junkie coming out) Now that I think about it, I should gather any scraps of whatever paper I have around and make a new sketchbook. That way there will be an interesting variety of paper to use and I can clean up all the scrap floaty paper I never know what to do with but can't bring myself to throw out.

-Use old rags instead of paper towel. Check.


Like I mentioned, these are all pretty common sensy, but will make a small difference in art material waste.
Any other ideas?

The North

I just returned from a great trip to Yellowknife to meet up with some of my friends from Iqaluit. I spent last year up north, in Iqaluit, NU, teaching art at the Nunavut Arctic College. (Check out my student blog) I met so many talented and interesting people there; it was really a special time and place for me. I feel really fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience all three of Canada's northern capitals. They are not always easy to get to, or a first choice for a vacation spot (as most Canadians want to head south in the winter, not north). But seriously stunning and unique.We had a blast!

Creating handmade recycled glassware at the YK Glass Co-op

A creative solution to recycling issues in the north. 

Dan and I rocking out on the Ice Road

I drove on the lake, Ice Road Trucker style. Yeah!

Fun times with my favorite Iqalummiut

Now it's time to get back to work and get a few more paintings done for my upcoming shows. First up, the Velvet Olive in Red Deer. 

A couple extra added bonuses, I just got accepted to be an artist in residence at the Red Deer College this fall, and I got my first piece if mail at the house in Ponoka: a check from the Bluerock Gallery. Woot!

Earthquake day

When I flipped on the computer this morning, I was horrified to read about the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan. My brother, Les, live in Tokyo. In panic mode, I tried calling my mom, but the line was busy. I checked my voicemail and was so relieved to hear Les' voice saying that he was alright. It's scary and humbling to think about the fragility of this planet that we live on. At the same time I am moved by the immediate help and relief that other countries offer in times of need. We are all human after all and all in this together.
I was finally able to talk to Les a little while ago. He called me on his way to work. He was sad his coffee pot broke. Now back to real life.

The Seafood Market Show

Thank you to all who came down!

Plus, it's fun.

"One has to believe in what one is doing. One has to commit oneself inwardly in order to do a painting. Once obsessed, one ultimately carries it to the point of believing that one might change human beings through paintings. But if one lacks commitment, there is nothing left to do. Then it is best to leave it alone, for basically painting is idiocy"
- Gerhardt Richter



Commission in action



Painting in the dark is useless

Sunny studio day

Today I started working on a commissioned portrait and got going really well until the sun went down. Then the 2 watt bulbs in the house just weren't cutting it any more. I need a lamp. So this evening I was nurturing my new baking hobby by watching "Baking with Julia Child" DVDs I found at the library. Oh man, am I going to give the bakery in town a run for it's money!


Sneak peak of my portrait in progress (taken under crappy fluorescent bulbs)



My string-ed beauties. Aren't they purdy?



Show in Calgary

Back in Calgary today. A few studio mates and I have been hanging up the show for tomorrow night. You'll have to just take my word for it that the show is looking good; I forgot my camera cord back in Ponoks. I'll take some pics at the opening and post them when I get back home. This will be my last show at the Seafood market. Doors open at 6pm 630 7th Ave SE Calgary.

Prada
Oil on Canvas - 8" x  20"

Zulu - Oil on Panel - 24" x 30"

Gus - Oil on Panel - 24" x 30"

Ponoka!

My first loaf of homemade bread from scratch.

Well, I've made the big move to the wee town of Ponoka. My lovely boyfriend, Daniel, invited me to come stay with him since life in Calgary was at its end. I am working on getting my studio set up; just waiting on the giant, heavy desk to make its way in from the garage. More art to come soon!



Dan's 10 pointer