Frida, Trotsky and the CBC

Even though I'm not able to be there, I'm so happy to see the sun shining on the Old Ottawa South Arts and Music Festival... Well, the sun was shining when I started this post. It is late summer after all so we have to expect that that soft breeze blowing may bring a few clouds.

For those of you who are radio addicts like myself, you'll understand my incredible sense of loss over the replacement of several familiar shows and personalities on my beloved national broadcaster CBC 2. It seems the management at CBC Radio have decided that it was time for a radical makeover. I'm sad, no, I'm heartbroken to say that after many years my dial is no longer tuned to CBC 2, at least not Monday to Friday. So my kitchen radio is now set to CBC Radio One. Oh yes, I miss the lovely mix of world, jazz, roots and classical music that once kept me company. But with any luck, CBC One will at least connect me to what is Canada...I hope. And yesterday, thanks to Ottawa Morning I discovered a fabulous photo artist living and working here in Ottawa! Check out Genevieve Thauvette. It was all background chatter until I heard the words "Frida and Trotsky". So, if you're anywhere near Ottawa, visit the Dale Smith Gallery to see her amazing interpretation of the self portrait.

With Frida on my mind again...here's the latest in my "Frida à Klimt" series.




It's called "Moments Remembered" on 16 x 16 in canvas.

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Frida à la Klimt again!

August 24 already! My apologies to those of you who regularly visit my little blog. With the clock ticking towards Cabbagetown Art and Crafts Show, I've been spending long hours at the easel.



This piece is another in my on-going Frida à la Klimt series. I've had this one started since sometime in the mid winter, but just couldn't seem to figure out the deco design until last week. I splurged on this one and used lots of 14K gold leaf from Thailand. It is so delicate and rich; almost buttery in texture.

*All image rights reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Frida at Home

It's late afternoon here in my little studio and I'm already noticing how the days seem to be getting shorter. Summer is so fleeting, especially in a northern climate. We've had a wet summer here, not nearly enough sun, but everything is gloriously green and lush. There's the lightest soft breeze drifting in my window; it's all quite lovely.

I've been working on commissions this week. They're not quite ready to share, but in the meantime, I've received a lovely shot of one of my large "Frida à la Klimt" pieces hung in its new home. Many thanks to Catherine for her patronage and for sharing this photo of Frida in her new home.




All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan

More à la Klimt

I've been putting in long hours on this latest series of à la Klimt paintings. So far, I've done two interpretations of the Madonna and the third one is simply two women. I've done this sort of composition before...I like the impression of comfort and trust the pose seems to create. The women may represent sisters, friends, or even mother and daughter. Whatever the relationship it is one of closeness.



I call this piece "Almost Gold". I've used gold leaf and various liquid gold and metallic paints on a wood box frame. The shot below gives a bit more detail.