Harvest Moon

To celebrate the beautiful full moon (or nearly) tonight: "Luna of the Lake", oil/cold wax, multiple wood panels, 24" X 22". We have been blessed with a spectacular autumn in Ontario!

Fear of Different Media

Drawing 2 - Threads

Any fears I might have had in changing or adding to my approach to my artwork used to be dismissed as just a reluctance by me to take the time to change. I was too busy, too focussed, too whatever! I think I was perhaps too proud to admit fear. It sounded too much like defeat even before I had begun. It has been many years since I have spent time drawing, just for the joy of it. Not to mention the hope of improving skills, the visual fine tuning, and the many other goals that accompany the act of drawing. Paper and pencil: compact, convenient, lyrical in their use. What a lovely way to spend a half hour perched on a boulder in my woods on a cool, sunny autumn day. No "Fear". Just a full heart and a small smile.

Any other "Fears" e.g. subject matter, style, size, whatever - suddenly seem full of possibilities again. Are "Fears" our friends in disguise?

The Big Draw, 2010

Drawing 1 (c)BarbaraChappelle

One of my "Saturday Gems" is a site that promotes drawing: Campaign for Drawing . October 1-31 is Big Draw Month, apparently around the world - something else I didn't know about! Here's a blurb from the site:

"October 2010 is Big Draw month in twenty countries and on five continents. Launched in 2000, this annual initiative has grown from 180 events in the UK to over 1500 worldwide. The Campaign aims to use drawing to connect visitors with museum and gallery collections, urban and rural spaces – and the wider community – in new and enjoyable ways.
Every Big Draw season offers unlimited scope for those who love to draw and those who think they can’t. "

What an inspiration!

Abstract Art at the Tweed Heritage Museum

Mistral #2, Oil/Cold Wax, 11X14 (c) Barbara Chappelle

A new show will open at the Tweed Heritage Museum this Sat., featuring an eclectic group of abstract artists, and I am delighted to be a part of it. I'll be showing 2 larger works : "To The Beach" and "Misty Vineyard". The Heritage Museum is on the main street of Tweed. Artists will be present at the reception from 2 until 4 pm. You are invited to drop by to view the artworks, and visit and chat with the artists while sharing some treats. Look forward to seeing you there.

Getting Back to Normal?

Our studio tour is over for another year. Wonderful weather and brilliant fall colours made for a perfect weekend for art lovers to tour the Centre and South Hastings County, visiting artists in their studios. We are so appreciative of those who found a special clay piece or painting to take home with them, or to present as a gift to someone else. You know who you are, and we thank you for your continued patronage. It was a joy to share time with you, and in many cases, gardening ideas were exchanged as visitors toured around our overgrown, casual gardens. See you all again next year.

This piece is "Crowsong" mixed media on heavy watercolour paper, 16" X 12".