Thunderstorms and Festivals

Summer is so short in this part of the world...we wait and we wait and we wait while the winter wind blows and the snow flies and then finally winter ends. But here we are already past the summer solstice and still wondering about our beloved summer weather. We had another thunderstorm today and it doesn't look like it's over yet. Let's hope there's sun and gentle weather for the Cobourg Waterfront Festival. But before all that fun begins, don't forget to have a peek at my Nibblefest entry eBay The auction ends tomorrow night.

So before I call it a night, here are a few of the new paintings I'll be taking to the festival.



This one is called "Can't Catch Them". It's acrylic and collage on 8 x 10 in gallery stretched canvas.



Under The Smiling Moon
size: 12 x 36 in



Princess of Spring
Size: 12 x 24 in

I've stamped little gold Celtic knots along the neck of her gown.

And for the rest, I hope you'll take a browse through my website.

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Never Caught Up!

With less than a week left before the Cobourg Waterfront Festival I'm spending long hours at my paints. I have a number of new pieces all set to take pictures of...if I can dash out during a sunny break from these rain showers that seem to roll in every hour. Perhaps later today.

And I have to tell you about my June Nibblefest entry on eBay. As you may recall, I participate in a art contest once at month with a number of really fine artists. It's a themed contest, this month the theme is "Out of the Mist" and all entries must start at the low opening bid of $0.99. The auction closes on June 27th so you still have lots of time. Have some fun, try a bid or two!



It's another collage piece with lots of glitter and sparkles!

*All image rights reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Home Again

Home again from another show. And this time the weather was just not as co-operative as we had hoped. We had sun, we had shade...and yes we also had thunder and lightening. And the last place I care to be during an electrical storm is in a wooded park under a metal frame tent! We were very happy to pack up and hit the highway home.

And of course it's back to work for me. Here's a little 8 x 10 in canvas, called "Twilight Tricks. It's at auction on eBay and ends in the evening on June 22. I've added a little touch of glitter to Frida's dress and the stars in the sky. These cats have simply worn her out!



*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Dogs and Mermaids

When you are awakened by the sound of your 92 pound dog throwing up on the bedroom rug you know that you should tread lightly on this day...
Matters of doggie bodily functions are left to my ever suffering husband as I have the weakest of stomachs. I can gag at the mere thought of what went on at 6:11 am!
So, I quickly sidestepped the - well, you know what - thinking my skills could be better utilized making coffee and hubby's brown bag lunch. A lovely way to avoid the doggie mess except that in my haste to exit the bedroom, I forgot my glasses, which meant that I was doing everything by touch and sound rather than by sight...the end result being a broken glass and big ol' boo boo on my right hand. I did have a moment of panic, fearing that I might not be able to hold a paint brush for a day or two. But plenty of pressure, cold water and band aids put me back together again.

So with only one sleep before we head to Toronto for the Beaches Arts and Crafts Show I've finished a few more pieces. It's already late and time for bed, so I'll just put a few up here. As always, you can see more on my website.


This one is called "A Fanciful Idea" and is at auction on eBay.



This one is called "The Gentle One".

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan*

The Day After

Well Art In The Park 2008 is now behind us. And it was a glorious weekend. While other parts of Ontario had severe storms we had mostly blue skies over head. It was incredibly hot but heck, we complained all winter about the cold and the snow, so it's time to enjoy summer.

I would have loved to take today day off to clean up my studio and maybe even relax, but there was no time for that with Beaches Art and Crafts Showthis weekend. So it was right back to my easel. And my poor hubby is the steamy hot garage right this minute building a couple more box frames for me...what a great guy.

I finished a couple of pieces to day that I had been started earlier in the year. At least I think they're finished...hmm, maybe tomorrow I'll feel differently....





I took these pics indoors so the quality isn't great. I'll have better outdoor shots tomorrow and add them to my website. And now it's time to clean my brushes and call it a day!

All image rights reserved © Wendy Ryan

Glitter and Art Deco!

I can't be the only one out there old enough to remember "glitter paint kits". I've heard they're quite collectible these days. Back in the 1960's these sparkly paint by number kits were absolutely magical to a little farm girl like I was. And I remember it was the year that I snooped around and found my Mom's Christmas stash. And yes, I ultimately got caught. I do recall that Christmas really wasn't as much fun knowing what I would find under the tree.

Well today's first painting is my own glitter collage painting. It's a sweet little mermaid who has decided to set her basket of fish free! I seem to be on a theme here...yesterday a basket of butterflies and today the fishes...maybe it will make us all more conscious of the need to conserve and take only what we really need...



And for those of you who read my blog, you know that tomorrow is my first summer show, you can find all the info for this and my other shows on my website. And as I mentioned earlier in the week, I've been finishing all the paintings that have been lurking in the corners of my studio. I did pretty well, so thought I'd share them with you too.



This one is called "You Will Remember". It's acrylic on a large 12 x 36 in wooden box frame. The border is done in a sort of faux verdi gris finish. It's a romantic piece I think.



Another romantic woman done in my à la Klimt style in gold and acrylics on 16 x 20 in box frame. It's called "Touch of Romance".



More Klimt influence in this Frida piece. It's a large 18 x 36 in canvas and called "Out of Gold". I've used gold and silver leaf as well as coloured metallic paints.



And finally, one more Frida à la Klimt. I called this one Asian Accents. It's also 18 x 36 in canvas in gold and coloured metallic paints...quite jewel like I think.

And now, I'm off to pack up for the show!

All image rights reserved © Wendy Ryan

A Basket of Butterflies

I'm still finishing those final pieces for Art in the Park.
For those of you who are coming out to the show, my booth location is 15 Central. So there's not much time to write. But here's a little collage piece that will go for auction on eBay tonight.

I've used collage paper, vintage sheet music and acrylic to create "Basket of Butterflies."



*All image rights reserved Wendy Ryan *

Three More Almost Finished

The push to be ready for ART in The Park this weekend continues! I've got to keep this post short as it's already after 8 pm and I'm still working. It's been a cool rainy day and paint is slow to dry but nothing that can't be helped along by a little blast from the hairdryer.

These are three pieces that had been in various states of "started, but not finished" that I'm determined to have ready for the show this weekend.



All image rights reserved Wendy Ryan

Art in The Park Around the Corner!

Last night I looked around at all the paintings that are nicely started, almost finished, and those that should never be finished and soon realized I need some organization and discipline to get my creative life in order. Sometimes there's nothing like a big brush, a can of gesso and a good strong stroke to put things in perspective. Aside from painting over a few canvases, I did make some other small advances today. I finished a couple of small paintings and put the final touches on a small commission that I can't share just yet, 'cause it's a gift.

But there is so much work left to do before my first outdoor show, Art in The Park right here in Ottawa that I'd better dash.



But thought I'd share the little piece that can be shared and get a little more work done before it's time for bed. This piece is a collage and acrylic on 8 x 10 in canvas. It's hard to see, but the crowns are done in a deep metallic gold. It's called "What Dynasty Is This?".

And before I forget, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have subscribed to my humble little blog. Thanks a bunch!

*All image rights reserved Wendy Ryan*

The End of A Beautiful Month

May and June are my favourite months...I love the trees that bloom in early May, the scent of apple blossoms that give way to lilacs as the month travels on. I've had a gorgeous lilac bouquet in the kitchen counter for the past week, but it's now time to toss them in the composter. And finally, it has been warm enough this past week to empty that composter and plant some basil and a few tomato plants. With a small yard and a big do, my vegetable gardening is limited to containers.

May has proven to be a productive time, which is good. With three shows in June, the next month is going to fly. I'm a bit behind in posting pics, but I have updated my website so you can always find my work there. So here are a few from the past little while that I think I missed on my blog.



This one is a collage, acrylic on 8 x 10 in canvas.




And another Frida.



And I call this one "Never Mind The Birdhouse".

*All Image rights reserved Wendy Ryan *

Once A Year

We just arrived home from the yearly pilgrimage to the vet's with a clean bill of health for both doggie and kitty. Once again here it is, the end of a long day, I'm ready for a book and a cup of tea but determined to post a couple of the paintings I've been working on this week. I've stayed mostly in the "little Primitive" mode and have great fun.



This one is on 5 x 7 x 3/4 in wood and is called "Dobeedobeetwo".



Another little one on wood; acrylic and collage paper and it's called Macbeen and Molly. And now it's time to turn this thing off!

Monday Again

Monday again! I started two large paintings and finished a little one...only the little one is really ready to post. So here it is, "Tabitha In the Tulips".

It's painted on 5 x 7 x 3/4 in wood. I love painting on wood!



All image rights reserved Wendy Ryan

Clotheslines and Rain Showers

What a gorgeous day it's been! Everything is so fresh and green and I actually had laundry dry on the clothesline...well, it has been there since yesterday and did get caught in the rain at least four times yesterday. But today it is gloriously dry and smelling that wonderful out door smell!

I've got a couple of new pieces finished, these were scanned rather than photographed so the quality of the pics may not be quite as good but I've missed the sun so they'll have to do.



This one is called "Teddy Time". I listed it at auction on eBay yesterday, already a bid - Yeah!

This little Frida is also for auction on eBay.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of painting Frida...

*All image rights reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Long Gone Weekend

The long weekend behind, the paint brushes are flying!

For those of you who have visited my blog before, you'll remember that on the 20th of the month, I try to participate in Nibblefest, a themed art contest organized by a collection of talented artists on eBay. I started my entry last week, and put the final touches on it last night just in time. Every piece of art entered is listed at $0.99! And yes, it is a gamble for the artist, particularly in these uncertain economic times. But, we do it!

The theme this month is "Jungle Life". When I hear the word "jungle" my imagination always takes me to the work of Henri Rousseau. So, my entry is Frida à la Rousseau.



I called it "Jungle Dreams"...not the most creative of titles, but naming them is always the hardest part for me.

*All Image Rights Reserved Wendy Ryan*

Victoria Day Beckons!

My Victoria Day weekend is starting in one and a half hours! I'm setting down my brushes and putting the lids on all my paints...and I won't pick them up again until Tuesday morning! Yes, I am starting the weekend a day early, but with my June schedule so busy with three shows, I need some time to relax before that busy month begins.

So before I take my little break, thought I'd post a couple of pieces I finished earlier in the week.


"Remember When" is done on 8 x 10 inch gallery wrapped canvas. Since I've recently closed my eBay store, I have it at auction on eBay .



The next piece is a small folk Madonna done on 5 x 7 x 3/4 in wooden block. It's called "Gentle Mary of the Roses" and is also at auction on ebay.

Lakshmi

Busy days as the long weekend approaches. My days are filled building stock for the summer shows and completing commissions. I've just finished one for a very special collector. She gave me the perfect situation, plenty of lead time, and such a reasonable wish list. The subject of the piece is Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, luck, love and beauty, the lotus flower and fertility. The client's suggested palette was perfect, we agreed upon the gold and crystals I love to work with and I was away! I placed the goddess against a background inspired by the beautiful batiks of Indo Asia.



It's a large piece, 12 x 36 inches and absolutely sparkles with Swarovski crystals. Here's a detail shot just to give you an idea.

Return To Frida

It's much too late for me to be coming up with anything to write, so I'll just post my latest painting. It's called "A Small Gesture". It's been awhile since I did a folk Frida.

Every Thing Old Is New Again!

Sometimes, it's a good idea to take a look back at where we've been. When I returned to art full time a few years ago, I discovered the "mini", little pieces of original art bigger than an official "miniature" but still small enough for even the smallest shelf or bit of wall space. My subjects were a bit whimsical, primitive folk I guess...cats and angels and girls. Over the years, I've often strayed, painting bigger and bigger. But this week, faced with my very small studio and my ever growing collection of paintings, I began to paint these little whimsical characters again.



This little piece is 5 x 7 x 3/4 in plywood. It's called Sailor Sally and available on eBay.

Aviator Angel

Saturday morning and it's a bit dreary today...windy and cloudy. A good day for tea and a book on the couch. But I'll be in my studio for most of the day. It's crunch time for a lot of artists I think. It is for me! It's always a struggle to keep the wolf from the door, so I've been offering bargain prices, running sales and auctions with low opening bids on eBay hoping to create some traffic. Sometimes it seems like I'm spread a bit too thin...the hours are long and the pay...well, don't get me started. But I love to paint, so here I am!

I've got a couple of new pieces I've just posted on my website. I found a few old frames in the basement that I painted with my favourite shade of green over a crackle finish. Looks nice and aged. Once yard sale season starts I plan to collect some more old frames...I love the way they finish off a folk piece.



This one is called Aviator Angel. The outside frame dimensions are 15 x 19 inches.

Deadlines and Angels

Well, the à la Klimt painting is still unfinished. Sometimes, I have to set these pieces aside and move on to something else for a day or two. I just couldn't bring myself to concentrate on the itty bitty details today. But of course, I painted, I always paint and I do find solace in painting angels. It's been a hectic couple of weeks, deadlines for the Originals show, tax time, family stuff...it was definitely time this week to attempt to recover with an angel or two.

The first one is still unfinished. I started it on Monday; I've used texture paint to create a raised Celtic braid on her halo and gown. I haven't quite worked out how I'm going to finish it...maybe tomorrow.



The second angel is finished. I've called it "Beautiful Pure". It's acrylic on 12 x 16 in gallery stretched canvas, and is hopefully, peaceful and calm. I've taken a chance and listed it on eBay for a pretty low opening bid...sigh...always a gamble.