LIVING AN ARTISTIC LIFE

I asked the universe for a' more interesting life', and maybe, just maybe I should have added a few qualifiers!
This is my summer/fall so far...
EXPERIMENTS:
The summer is always the time to try something different. The classes are more relaxed and informal so we tried doing impasto and texture on out paintings.....wow, we went through a ton of acrylic paint! The results were overall positive. I think there is a longer learning curve to this process than I thought. Over working is the biggest problem- colors were more lively if still marbled when applied.
I have travelled to Waterton National Park and followed the Cowboy Trail to Calgary to see the art at the Calgary Stampede. I have so much respect for the REALISTIC ARTIST there. I'll be back next year...the art auction is not to be missed!

I was in floral heaven when I visited Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island with Pearl Der. What a great creative, art filled weekend we had!  From Lavender Farms to cideries we had a great time and wonderful opportunities to experience the beauty of Victoria. ( so much to paint, so little time!)

A few days at home then off to Paris! Well, Ed and I sure found out that Europe is the place for us...a painting everywhere you turned. I couldn't get my camera working fast enough!  I couldn't paint...way to much to absorb and I couldn't sit still and paint and miss what was around the next corner. Ed was a sweetie, he  made it through a manic Louvre visit, D'Orsay pilgrimage and went to Monet's garden without a grumble! We walked miles instead of taking the metro so I could take 200+ photos
of exceptional doorways and cafe/bistro scenes begging to be painted!
We took the high speed train to Bordeaux and continues our wine theme and visited St. Emillion and Medoc. AHHH, the French really know how to live.
We then Flew to Milan for the Italian part of our amazing vacation.
( more next post...)