International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Today is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

It would have slipped right by me had I not turned on CBC Newsworld just in time to catch an interview with Mia Farrow, who is currently drawing attention to the plight of Haitians following those four recent storms that devastated that tiny country. It's a good day to do something good...even something that may seem too small to matter...

Just take the time to click on the The Hungersite to help provide food to the hungry. It's a fabulous site, well worth the time.


"The campaign to make poverty history-a central moral challenge of our age-cannot remain a task for the few, it must become a calling for the many. On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I urge everyone to join this struggle. Together, we can make real and sufficient progress towards the end of poverty."


United Nations Ex-Secretary-General, Kofi Annan
"Excerpts taken from his message to be delivered on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October 2006".

All this reminds me, it's high time I put a Hungersite widget on my blog...

And yes, in case you're wondering, I do still paint. I've had this one on my little table top easel - almost finished - for the last couple of weeks.



*All Image Rights Reserved Wendy Ryan*

Autumn's Here - Well Almost

Even before the calender tells us it is officially Fall, there's no escaping it, Autumn is undeniably here. Before we close up the ponds for the winter, I thought I'd share one last shot of the gorgeous foliage.



As I made dinner tonight, the radio played the plaintive sounds of Hawksley Workman's "Autumn's Here", the perfect accompaniment to my thoughtful mood.

"...Auntumn's here
It's time to cry now

I think that ghosts like
The cooler weather
When leaves turn colour
They get together
And walk along
These old back roads
Where no one lives
And no one goes
With all their hopes set
On the railway
That never came
So no one stayed
I guess that autumn
Gets you remembering
And the smallest things
Just make you cry...."

~ Hawksley Workman

Canadian Breast Cancer Network Online Auction

Well before another day goes by, I gotta get this link up here! If you like the fun of an auction and would like to also support a worthy cause, you might find something you would like on The Canadian Breast Cancer Network Online Auction

I've donated "Princess of Spring". It's a large 12 x 24 x 1.5 inch acrylic painting on a wooden box frame. It's a pretty romantic piece, an innocent maiden with flowers in her hair set against a teal blue background. There are only five days left so hope you'll have a look and spread the good word.



And of course, there are all kinds of other wonderful items up for auction as well. So have some fun, good luck and bid often!

*all image rights reserved © Wendy ryan*

The Days Are Getting Shorter

Sitting here at my computer this evening, it's only 7:30 and already dark. I'm still clinging stubbornly to sandals and shorts...but it is undeniably autumn.

I finished a couple of large paintings today. They were commissioned by a loyal collector who has been a great supporter. I was really excited about this project. I was going for an early 20th Century kind of feel...sort of channeling the style of Modigliani...
It was a cloudy day today; I took these shots indoors on my easel but I think you can get the idea.





Last week I decided to open my eBay store again. I'm still in the process of stocking my virtual shelves, but I'm getting there and running a number of auctions. I'm starting this angel called "Out of the Blue" at auction tonight. It's mixed media, acrylic, Swarovski crystals and gold leaf on a box frame.



*All Image Rights Reserved Wendy Ryan*

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 *

Old Ottawa South Art and Music Festival

Saturday, Sept 18 is the Old Ottawa South Art and Music Festival. It is a fabulous one day, outdoor event in a leafy, green, neighbourhood park. I've been so looking forward to exhibiting at this show again, but sadly I've hit a snag and won't be able to attend. So, my apologies to everyone in the Ottawa area who might have stopped by. When you return home from the show,after seeing all that amazing art and hearing the fantastic music, I hope you'll take a browse through my website.

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan*

September 11 Remembered

September 11 and impossible not to mark the day in some way. I felt this very pale angel emerging from the darkness was somehow appropriate.

August Over Too Soon

August roared past me like a freight train and here I am, in near disbelief that the calender page has flipped to September. No matter how cool or rainy it may have been, I mourn the end of summer. But of course, there's little time for nostalgia, September is the month of new beginnings and another outdoor show. I'm off tomorrow for my first year at Cabbagetown Art and Crafts. So, if you happen to be in beautiful Toronto for the weekend, drop by and say "Hi!"




*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 *

Back Again

Apologies for these long stretches between posts. I haven't been in my studio as often as I usually am. But I have managed to finish a couple of pieces.



This sweet little Chihuahua is called "Kahlu"; what a great name for a sweet little dog. I did it in acrylics on 5 x 7 in wood for a very nice collector.

The second piece is acrylics and collage paper, another red haired angel.



*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

A Morning Remembered

A few weeks ago I met a lovely young woman who commissioned me to do a painting for her. July was a busy month with shows but at long last her painting is ready. It's called "A Morning Remembered" and was one of those pieces that was a joy to paint.



*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan

Home From Hillside Festival

It always takes a day or two to come down from Hillside Festival. It's one of those special summer festivals full of great music, amazing food and friendly supportive people who stop by my tent and go home with a piece of my art. And if I'm very lucky, I'm blessed with my "Hillside Moment"...that one little treasure that I'll hold in my memory until the next Hillside comes along. And 2008 did not disappoint. This is my 2008 Hillside Moment.

Shortly after six pm on Sunday, just moments after Stuart McLean had taken the stage, the wind blew, the heavens opened, and the rain came down. I can’t remember exactly how many people took refuge in our tent, but we all hung on and prayed that it would hold tight until the storm had passed. The wind was crazy, the rain was pelting down, but it was all over in a matter of moments. The sun came out, the tent cleared, and the show went on…

It soon became time for the Aboriginal Circle to close. As the participants, including eight Tibetan monks turned to face the four corners of the world, singing and drumming, the brightest, most breathtaking rainbow you can imagine arched perfectly above the wigwam.

Everyone was snapping pictures…except me…I never seem to have my camera…but I think I prefer having this one stored away in my memory rather than a photograph...

So now it's time to return to my paints...maybe tomorrow I'll have something new to post...

Madonna Icon Revisited

Sunday night and time to clean my brushes and turn this machine off! I've been working on a few commissions these past few days. One is a gift so of course I can't share it until after the surprise is delivered.
But I can share this one...it's a recreation of one of my previous pieces...a little tweak here and a little tweak there and it's a brand new piece. I've sent a pic off to the collector and they are delighted. This is the best music to my ears.



I loved painting this one...reminds me of pre and early Renaissances. I used lots of texture and gold leaf. Tomorrow, after it's glazed, I'll add a few Swarovski crystals.

*All image rights reserved © Wendy Ryan *

The Garden Pond

Somehow the week has gotten away from me. I started this post last Saturday and the clock ticked away and it remained a draft... But I'm going to go ahead and post it...so for the next paragraph, just pretend it's Saturday.

A glorious weekend off...well, I'll still be painting, but happily, we're not packing up the car for a show! The sun is shining, no sign of rain and even the humidity and mosquitoes seem to have taken bit of a holiday. I don't often share personal photos or stories, I'm not a good photographer, nor a great writer, so the focus of this humble little blog will remain my paintings. But as I so completely enjoyed my morning coffee in the back yard, I thought I'd share a shot of my unkempt garden pond. I made the garden warrior using a hypertufa recipe I found on the interent. I poured the mixture of cement, sand, and peat moss into a plastic pail, caught it before it set and carved it using an old paring knife. He's been guarding the pond for the last four years, surviving even the harshest of winters.


So that was Saturday and now it's Tuesday and I've been painting of course, so I'll share some work with you.



This painting is called "Favourite Friends". It's a collage on gallery wrapped canvas and I've got it up for auction on eBay.

Ive been experimenting with this really cool texture paint I found at the art store. This Frida is definitely Art Deco...a bit industrial, a bit naive, maybe even a bit Nouveau.

It's also for auction on eBay .

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Etude

Back from the Cobourg Waterfront Festival and very happy to have three weeks off before Hillside Festival. I've been so busy with these shows I haven't even had a chance to check out the line up - until tonight. I am so excited! Vinyl Café, Hawksley Workman, Sarah Slean, Cowboy Junkies, Sue Folley, and so many more. It is going to a fantastic weekend! But in the meantime, I've got work to do and bills to pay.

So, the brushes were flying today. I finished this little Frida and have listed it tonight on eBay She's all a-glitter and sitting pretty with her violin and sweet little birds.

I've called this little piece "Etude"...I love music terminology.

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan*

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*