Artists in Our MIdsts 2012 Open Studio at Laura Jewitt's

This year marked the Artists in our Midsts 20th Anniversary show, both our opening night show downtown at the Roundhouse Community Center in Yaletown and also our 3 day Open Studio Event where I had the honor to show my work at Laura Jewitt's store. 

A HUGE Special Thanks to Jon and Laura at Laura K Jewitt's Jewelry Store on West 10th Ave here in Vancouver for hosting myself and Marion Webber for the AIOM (Artists In Our Midsts) 2012 Open Studio Show and Sale over the May long weekend. What a wonderul experience hanging out with AWESOME people. A Special thanks also to Linda our "drag queen" (!!!) who brought even more customers in, to Bailey for encouraing people to sign up for the draw, and to Marjory for helping to process sales of gift cards, note pads and Little Gems .

And of course to Laura the Marketing Queen - everyone just LOVED your goodie bags. What a great idea. Thank you so much for all your efforts on behalf of Marion and myself!

Looking at the front entrance to the store. Raw Expression original paintings on paper in the corner, the two matching pink 'Romance' pieces each next to the front door. And a portion of Marion's river series, beautiful oil paintings - more to come in the next photos.

Jon keeping an eye out. You can see Mystic Places painting  in the center background - as of now that painting is still available. Click here for a close up view of Mystic Places: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/PureAbstraction.html#16

 Two paintings are seen here, on the left "Breathing Space" (SOLD) and "Leaping into the Unknown" which is still available as of the date of this blog. Click here to see it up close and personal: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/Emerging.html#0

 Marion Webber glowing in the happiness of having sold several large beautiful oil paintings over the course of the weekend. Go Marion!

 One of our 300+ visitors that stopped by over the weekend and enjoyed tea, lemonade and a bunch of treats. Marion's beautiful flowers here in the background.

 Love this center series of Marion's trees, it reminds me of the interior of BC and makes me think of the small of pine needles and that good feeling I have when I'm camping and just being in nature.

 Jon and myself posing in front of Marion's  beautiful artworks.

Raw Expression series up close and accesible. 

 Table display with the AIOM sign out front in viting customers to come on in!

 In front of Laura's store. On the left IBHF ( see this painting up close at: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/PureAbstraction.html#10)

and to the right of the front entrance "Vermont in a Snowstorm" ( this painting up close: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Art_Portfolio/Pages/Emerging.html#2)

 uh oh... Laura... I think you missed that lady!!!!

 Jon hangin' with my yoga girls!

 Jon and myself in front of "Breathing Space" painting. 

 Marion and myself in front of her work.

 Celebrating with champagne at the end! Wonderful weekend. Friends were made. Art sold. Good times enjoyed by all! Thank you so much Jon and Laura!

Fan Mail - it's wonderful to be loved! Thank you!

Once in a while I get an eEmail from a kind stranger who bought a copy of the Little Inspiration Book and o discovered something valuble in it and/or got inspired and wanted to connect with me out of appreciation for putting it out there. Michael Mercy,  living near Toronto, ON, both an actor and writer, currently working on a series of poems  sent me this beautiful poem that I wanted to share with you here on my blog. Michael - Thank you! You can check out Michael's work at: www.warriorpoetwisdom.com.

Random Poem of Kindness

Hi again, my artist friend
It seems it’s been a while
So I just thought I’d send you this
In hopes it brings a smile

I stumbled on your little book
While going through my shelf
And leafed through it and after a
Few pages thought to self:

“I should send this beautiful soul
A note that will remind
Of what an inspiration that
She is and just how kind

And caring and selfless one has
To be to write such text
To help others survive their day
And have strength for the next"

So for all those who drew strength from
Your pages, let me say
Thanks for inspiration, sister
And for you, I pray

The same strength, grace and love to be
Returned to you in spades
I hope your inspiration for
Helping all never fades  :)

The Ultimate Artist Date: New York City

In March this year, I had the priveledge to stay in my friend's apartment in Manhattan for a few days and go and play in New York ! Honestly, there are a zillion guide books and many many of my facebook friends told me what to see, where to go, where to eat, and so many things to do that it could make your head spin. The city alone could do that anyways, minus the lists and suggestions from books and your friends. But for an artist date the goal is to get out to somewhere new, with myself, and preferably with no agenda --- and I have to say that New York City is the ultimate destination to do just this.

So here we go, a few shots from my "New York Artist Date" random wanderings around and exploring. Never been happier. Never have I fell deeper in love with any city. And yes, I want to go back!

Could'nt find a tofu street hot dog ( they have plenty downtown Vancouver) but I couldn't resist snapping this picture as it's definetly part of NY culture these food vendors on the side walk.

This reminded me of all those scenes in movies where the hero or the heroin is stuck in traffic trying to get to the loved one at the last minute!

If I lived here I would for sure have roof top bbq parties

and invite friends over to dine with a city view.

My never ending fascination with brownstone city buidlings - so tall!

Gum or cigarettes anyone? it's all right here on the street corner.

Gotta love these tiny street side stores. super cool.

Times Square.

Times Square, even better at night.

Couldn't resist. I have to say I got super sucked into the tourist " I heart NY" stuff.

I lusted after the shirt, the hat, the magnet... All the stuff I usually avoid when I visit a city, but New York is just so amazing, I wanted to declare my love with souvenirs!

Random artist's work in a retail clothing ship. Could not stop myself for sneaking in and taking a pic. LIked the art better than the clothes at this place! :)

Darn, I wish I could remember the name of this store. It was like a chinese dollar store but the stuff was higher end. More like IKEA meets china town. Super cool trinkets, nick nacks, house wares and more. I could have spent several hours there! ( its in SOHO --- If I recall the name I will post it in the blog comments)

Just love the buildings and architecture and who doesn't enjoy the cobbled streets? Charming!

I think this was some sort of street art but I just kind of whizzed passed it to take a super close up look. I like the idea though - really you can have art anywhere. No need for walls or a gallery, just make it on the street. Why not.

Creative How-to: Wiring the Back of your Finished Painting

I've decided to expand my blog repetoire and add a Creative How-To section for other artist's and my workshop students who'd appreciate the review and/or if we didn't have time to cover a particular element in a workshop. It'll cover all sorts of things such as;

how to start painting with acrylics

how to make acrylic paints emulate oil paints

how to make acrylic paints emulate water colour paints

and more, etc.

My goal will be to write a blog like this on a monthly basis. Enjoy!

This "Creative How-To" blog will be created in conjunction with a youtube video - for those of you who would like to see things happening in motion rather than read them. All youtube videos will be posteed at http://www.youtube.com/debchaneyartist so you can go back again and again and review any materials that is relevent or interesting to you anytime. :) Cool.

To start today I'll be covering how to wire the back of a canvas or panel painting.

Here's what you'll need in terms of tools and hardware:

• Hammer
• 1 nail (any)
• wire cutters
• measuring tape
• 2 small D-rings (size them to your painting edge)
• 2 small screws (OPUS code STPOLY 6)
• Woven picture wire – 4 feet in length
• 4 small clear round bumpers
• Phillips screw driver or Electric screw driver

Step 1. Measure the side of your panel and mark, with a pencil, the place 1/3 down from the top

Step 2. Place the D-ring in its final spot, flat and use your Hammer and nail to make a small hole/dent in preparation for the screw and D-ring.

Step 3. Place the D-ring down on it’s flat/flush side, put screw through it and insert the screw into the wood using your Phillips screw driver or electric. Repeat on other side of panel.

Step 4. Cut the length of wire you need for the panel plus 2 “ extra for each side.

Step 5. Loop the wire through the D-ring once, twice, three times and then back through the loop. Pull tight. Take remaining wire and wrap around itself towards the center of the panel.

Step 5. Pull the wire tight to the other side and repeat the loop knot.

NOTE: You want the wire to tight so that your painting will hug the wall and hang straight.

Step 6. Place the plastic bumper on each four corners of your panel. These help with the painting so that it hugs the wall evenly.

[See Deb wiring the back of a painting on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/debchaneyartist]

A sneak peak inside "Creating Time: Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life"

This week I'd like to introduce you to Artella founder Marney Makridakis' new book: Creating Time: Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life! and offer you a sneak peak inside in support of making time for your creative dream and art making.

No Time? Changing Time Anxiety to Time Artistry

By Marney Makridakis author of Creating Time

When I surveyed fifty-two people about their experiences with time, the results revealed that 90 percent felt “somewhat anxious” to “significantly anxious” about time. What’s even more startling is that these results don’t even seem all that surprising. Stress and worry about time is very much a part of most of our lives. Our modern society makes it acceptable and even expected that we fall into patterns of being worried and stressed about time. While worrying about time seems to be part of our humanity, does it really need to be? What kinds of payoffs are we getting from worrying about time?

It’s helpful to dig deeply to figure out what is at the root of our problems with time. Why do we overschedule ourselves? Why do we want to be so busy? Why are we so consumed with time? Why does it seem so “normal” to worry about time so much? Why is it easier to be caught up in a drama about time than it is to be released from it?

Here are some examples of payoffs that people might receive from worrying or complaining about time:

· Time is a good catchall: if I can complain about being busy, then I don’t have to look at other areas in my life.

· My schedule is wrapped up with my self-esteem. Being “too busy” means that I’m successful.

· I don’t plan things that I might enjoy because it is too scary — it just feels safer to be bored.

· Worrying about time gives me something to talk about with other people.

· Worrying about time is a convenient excuse for not following my dreams.

Once we can identify the payoffs that we get from worrying about time, we can see them for what they are: illusions that keep us from living our true potential. Simply being aware of what we are getting from our time worries allows us to make a different choice: a choice to partner with time, instead of working against it.

We know that time is relative. Einstein proved it over a hundred years ago, and you prove it every time you compare an hour you spend in the dentist’s chair to an hour you spend with a loved one! Time is totally different in these two extremely different situations because of several variables at play, such as emotion, engagement, flow, desire, interest, pain, and pleasure. With so many variables dancing around in every single moment of our lives, we know that time is never constant. Since time is relative, we can use this to our advantage, and choose what our relationship with time will be. Every time we decide how we choose to talk about, measure, and experience time, we are creating a new era of time.

It’s time to finally drop all the archaic views and limitations of time that have held you back from fully embracing the wild beautiful truth: time is not a defined line; it is instead a vibrant, completely moldable, layered, multi-faceted work of art that is in your hands to create and design, each and every day.

Marney K. Makridakis is the author of Creating Time. She founded the Artella online community for creators of all kinds and the print magazine Artella. A popular speaker and workshop leader, she created the ARTbundance approach of self-discovery through art. She lives in Dallas, Texas. Visit her online at http://www.artellaland.com

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Based on the book Creating Time: Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life ©2012 by Marney Makridakis. Published with permission of New World Library http://www.newworldlibrary.com

See a video introduction to the book: http://youtu.be/_VgIj55i-A8

Creating Time: Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life. Published by New World Library (April 2012, www.newworldlibrary.com)
You can visit http://www.artellaland.com/creatingtimebook.html for more information.

Artist's Date: Streets of Philedelphia

An artist's date walking the streets of Philedelphia...

In March I had $400 credit with Air Canada and a deadline to use-it-or-lose-it so to speak towards a flight anywhere. I actually had no clue as to where I wanted to go to. Honestly, I have been so happy/busy in my home studio and settling into life in Vancouver with new friends, the ARC, the great outdoors, fun with my little girl, painting, teaching -- I actually was not inspired to go anywhere! (unusual for me as in the past I have been an avid traveler and adventure seeker!)

Well, With 2 weeks before the air credit expired a friend from Philadelphia serendipitously called and basically said in not so many words; "when the heck are you going to come out and visit?". I booked a ticket right after our talk and finally made it back east in mid March!

Here are some photos snapped along the streets of philedelphia during the first few days of my visit. I was really taken with the brick, lots and lots of brick !! and the beautiful door ways. The streets actually reminded me of London, England. So I spent the first few days of my vacation waling around a lot, writing in my journal and well, that's it....

Doors, streets, bricks and windows were what inspired me these first few days walking around South Philly.

Yes, I love wrought iron and painted doors and red brick with white window trim. So quaint!

All the brick and house styles reminded me of being in London, England!

This image/scene reminds me of one of Natalie Goldberg's paintings.

Didn't really see a whole lot of people riding bikes but I liked this image of the bicycles all lined up parallel to the street.

Beautiful old church.

Inside a cafe, several of which I enjoyed writing my three long hand morning pages. Just loved the old eroded textured walls and - of course - more brick!

Beautiful old buildings. These could definetly inspire paintings!

Yes I'm a sucker for fresh flowers! always !

Love the torquoise and red brick colours together...beautiful.

I love interesting doors and windows.

Another one of hte cafes where I wrote in the morning before walking around. Had some really nice green tea there and met a parking enforcement officer who told me stories of his two little girls and how into playing sports they were. Seems this is a big part of life in Philly - the sports! 

There were these signs everywhere along the street where they would sahre information about a famous person from PHilly and tell you about them.

Most of my walking as in south  Philly area but I made it downtown also.

They are in the backgorund but I love those currogated iron doors with light green blue painted on them in contrast to the brick!