tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47328467298972829472024-02-18T23:05:48.978-05:00A Creative LifeJoannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-86822671021207076152014-11-17T17:36:00.001-05:002014-11-17T17:36:37.172-05:00New work - finally!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After a busy summer and fall I finally have some time back in my studio! I work in a variety of media and often find myself pondering while working with one media that "gee, this would be easier if I was working with pencils"...and then when I work with pencils find myself thinking I could do it faster with acrylics/oils or.....?<br />
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So, I started a couple of owl studies, just portrait or head shots in preparation of a larger composition that I have planned. I started on the acrylic version first and after I had a bit of momentum going put it aside and began a different pose of the same owl in coloured pencil. <br />
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Here is the acrylic owl as far as I have it finished:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">acrylic painting</td></tr>
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Coming along nicely, albeit very slowly as the feather pattern is a time killer!<br />
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Well, if I think painting the feathers in acrylic is a time killer boy oh boy, the coloured pencil version took forever! Coloured pencil is worked very much like watercolour in that any where there is white or a highlight area you have to avoid putting any colour in as it will muddy the white. So....that meant that all that white feather pattern had to be established by avoiding the section, no matter how tiny, and then filling in the white or light colour pencil. Another approach is to cover everything in white and then put colour over it - which works with a strong pigment like a black pencil but will alter the colour of anything else. The sequence worked out to be a combination of both methods...and as I already said took forever! Probably 50 - 60 hours in total to work it to the level that I am happy with.<br />
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I tend to upload more often to my Facebook page so I did an update on there a week or so ago:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfZn3ph3AdP7L4TLYe17L26PmmcsMAyDcd7i2VLjxMRJdnExXM5tbYIxumScmZ5KVh0lMAhA6WakWlWJRjOdIG8ZU1zx5v-jWjuwvPTFcrdz4FLvJFvo5bf6p_VhpEiTEUQOZziQlbR8/s1600/CP+WIP+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfZn3ph3AdP7L4TLYe17L26PmmcsMAyDcd7i2VLjxMRJdnExXM5tbYIxumScmZ5KVh0lMAhA6WakWlWJRjOdIG8ZU1zx5v-jWjuwvPTFcrdz4FLvJFvo5bf6p_VhpEiTEUQOZziQlbR8/s1600/CP+WIP+owl.jpg" height="400" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coloured pencil</td></tr>
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At the time I wasn't that happy with the paper I had chosen for this piece. I thought the colour was good when I started but once I got some work done it seemed too bland so I posted it on a couple of groups on Facebook and got some opinions...but I had pretty much decided that it needed some colour. The paper is a pastel paper so I got out my pastels and spent an hour or so perking it up and then continued with the mind<br />
numbing feather pattern.<br />
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This was me working on this piece...even the owl himself was yawning!<br />
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Anyway, here it is - just a phone pic because it is snowing and grey outside today, so I will take a better shot when the sun is shining and before let it go to a new home. If anyone is interested in this piece send me a email by clicking on the email button to the right. Click on the piece to view it a bit larger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb9F12-RmA6OF41UaPXUqw0rssGJyRhNnA-IeQ8ts5s0N5MTmIs2nWNWqm4svacTvbyPG_UL2JKTuaWkOj-BIChVOB1Lntu43K0q-VEFrgembLBnWRrnEqr_sfVIxzZ6l3X03A9UmTjc/s1600/Steady+Gaze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb9F12-RmA6OF41UaPXUqw0rssGJyRhNnA-IeQ8ts5s0N5MTmIs2nWNWqm4svacTvbyPG_UL2JKTuaWkOj-BIChVOB1Lntu43K0q-VEFrgembLBnWRrnEqr_sfVIxzZ6l3X03A9UmTjc/s1600/Steady+Gaze.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'STEADY GAZE'<br />coloured pencil on Fabriano paper</td></tr>
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I hope you enjoy "Steady Gaze" and if you are interested in acquiring this piece get in touch!</div>
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-8269932141951152682014-06-12T12:04:00.000-04:002014-06-12T12:04:19.243-04:00Spring Migration 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have posted a selection of photos from spring 2014 on my photography page, most taken at or near Rondeau Provincial Park over the month of May.</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-73259182292740839392014-06-04T22:41:00.000-04:002014-06-09T15:32:36.917-04:00The importance of Originality For a Fair Competition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Why is Originality and the need for complete Originality such a hard concept to grasp? If you are working as an artist or aspire to work as an artist you must understand that originality is everything and that <span style="font-size: large;">your legacy will be <i>dust in the wind</i> unless your work is identifiable as yours and belongs </span><em><span style="font-size: large;">in no part to another</span>.</em><br />
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<b>Or-ig-in-al:</b> belonging or pertaining to the beginning or origin of something, or to a thing at its beginning.
Originality can be distinguished from reproductions, clones, forgeries or derivative works. An original work is one not copied from nor based on the work of others<br />
(compiled from various sources)<br />
<b> Derivative work</b> is the legal term used to define any "creative work" that is created (or derives from) and "copies" major elements of a previously copyrighted <b>"first work" or "underlying work"</b>.<br />
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ANY time you create a piece of art using a reference other than your own (which is the first work) and you do not make <b>very</b> substantive changes (substantial changes mean the <i>new</i> work is easily identified as containing <b>new content</b>, contains <b>significant development</b> in its own right, and expresses the <b>unique demeanour of the artist</b> who made it) then you are creating a derivative work that is <strong>not an original</strong>...it is a <b>reproduction</b> or a <b>copy</b>.<br />
- A derivative work cannot be copyrighted unless it stands alone as a new work and you must prove how and why it stands alone and distinct from the underlying work(s) used.<br />
- A commission cannot be copyrighted by the artist; <i>the person who commissioned you</i> holds the copyright unless they choose to award you that right.<br />
- Copyright is only issued once per unique image <i>no matter what form it takes, no matter what media it is represented in</i>.<br />
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... yes I know people go around sticking the copyright symbol on their art that they have produced from reference material that they “bought the rights” to. Buying the “rights” means you get to copy the reference without impunity and to derive income (royalties) from the copies you make without impunity. Buying the rights does not transfer the protection of copyright to your copies.<br />
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So why is all this so important for any artist but especially a competing artist to understand? This post has been simmering for quite some time, and finally brought to fruition after a very heated and somewhat acidic discussion on an art forum that I have belonged to pretty much since its inception. The moderators of this group have industriously instigated a monthly contest and award prizes in 3 categories. To ensure that the<b> integrity</b> of their contest was maintained the moderators updated the rules to state that all reference material must be<strong> taken</strong> (presuming photographic reference) <strong>by the submitting artist</strong>. The fun started there….but in the end the new rule stands, as it should.<br />
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I read with interest the arguments by those who stated that for "personal reasons" they were unable to "do the work" to gather their own source reference material and thus were only able to create "derivative paintings" from references not their own. They felt that the rule demanding complete originality was impinging on their right to enter the contests and possibly win an award. I thought this was a rather baseless argument - if you are truly an artist you should be able to capture and portray the beauty in anything, no matter how mundane -<span style="font-size: large;"> use your skills, paint what you know and what you have a true life connection to! </span><br />
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In the past I have found my art hanging in a show with work that I recognized as not original and having been painted from mass marketed photo references owned by other artists, published and sold via the internet and other venues. The entry guidelines stipulated “Original work” only. Most artists understand what original means and wouldn't dream of entering into a competition anything that wasn't original. Unfortunately in the world we live in the internet has made it far too easy for a technically capable artist to produce work from found photographic reference material that <span style="font-size: large;">they have <strong>no connection to</strong> other than they saw it, they did what they had to do to acquire it and then they painted a copy of it.</span><br />
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From my point of view, when you enter a contest – any contest where you are <u>competing</u> and are vying for prizes, you fully expect that the <b>standards</b> <b>for entry</b> into the competition will be <u>equal </u>for all who enter. Most artists do enter juried competitions from time to time as a way to increase their exposure as well as their "worth" if they should be so lucky to win an award. When dealing with art where each work is as unique as the artist with the vision who created it, <i><b><span style="font-size: large;">a level playing field</span></b></i> is a hard thing to nail down. Pretty much the only valid starting point <u>has to be</u> that the work is and can be (if required) proved to be original and wholly created from <b>“concept through to completion” </b>by the competing artists.<br />
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I (and all other artists that I know) work hard to get the photographic references that we use to create our art. It takes great skill, a lot of time and a good bit of luck to consistently take good workable photos of birds and wildlife. I personally have spent many years honing my field craft skills, learning as much as I can about DSLR photography and processing, upgrading to better and more expensive photographic equipment and travelling a lot of miles to get my references. In studio I spend hours taking and re-taking photo after photo of a still life set up, the contents of which I have personally sourced and arranged to please me. Then of course there is all the technical work of composing multiple images into one and putting your <em>concept</em> together even before you touch <i>brush to canvas.</i> The result of all of this work is that everything I create is<span style="font-size: large;"> the sum total of <i>me</i></span>, what <em>I </em>saw and experienced, <i>my </i>point of view, <i>my</i> influences, <i>my</i> knowledge and thus, my work is totally<i> original</i>, and I hope as such expresses the unique <i><u>connection</u></i> that only I have with the subject that I am painting. ...why would you do it any other way?<br />
I haven't really entered that many juried shows over my lifetime career but when I do I have a <i>request</i> for the organizers of any show that I may enter in the future…Give me and all artists who understand and strive for originality recognition for <em>all</em><strong> </strong>of our work and please do your best to not allow artwork that is anything less than original to hang in competition with ours….I know it is <i>impossible</i> for
the organizers and jurors to know where the reference material for every piece comes from and the best you can do is spell out on the entry form in <b><span style="font-size: large;">no uncertain terms</span></b> what is allowed and what is not allowed …BUT… when you have proof available that a piece is not original, just remove it, to leave it hanging is not properly honouring every artist who did do the work and a blow to the <i>integrity</i> of your show.<br />
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… I’m not quite sure what show organizers who don't strive for originality would do if the day comes that they get more than one entry painted from the same reference but by different artists…will they allow them to all hang at one time? This must have already happened somewhere, the number of stock photo, image libraries, "paint my photo" sites on the internet is continually growing and no matter how many pictures there are to choose from the same photos seem to get chosen time and again, to be rendered in all media but still recognizable as a copy of the original photograph. I don't sell the rights to my photos but I do get requests, and often the requests are for the same one or 2 over and over.<br />
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Outside of competition? It is none of my business to comment on the integrity of any artist unless it has direct bearing on me and my work. <i><span style="font-size: large;">I have no control over anyone but myself</span>. </i>Of course my opinion would be that if you use reference material that is <u>not your own</u> and especially if that reference is accessible to any artist who may wish to paint it that you should be <u>honest</u> and divulge that information to anyone who may wish to purchase your artwork. As a multiple award winning artist I am certainly not threatened by the practice but I am bothered by the dishonesty, and I do know those that who buy/collect original art are becoming wary of purchasing something that is less than authentic. I can't imagine how angry I would be if I were to hang a painting I love in my home and then find out that it was a copy, and even worse possibly <em>one of many</em> that may exist in various formats<span style="font-size: large;">. Let the purchaser decide if they want to pay your price or not. That is more or less what it boils down to in the end, whether the patron is captivated by your <i><b>concept</b></i> and the <i><b>life experience you have portrayed to the viewer</b></i>…or is it simply your technical ability as a painter of <i><b>things</b></i> that has caught their eye</span>?
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-61960355028168409712014-04-21T21:42:00.001-04:002014-04-21T21:42:23.994-04:00Finished!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't a name for it other than "Hummingbird and Fushia" ...any suggestions?<br />
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-34445014315442751612014-04-21T10:12:00.000-04:002014-04-21T10:12:08.030-04:00Is Spring Finally here?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have been working on this piece bit by bit, warmer temps and a few engagements have kept me out of the studio for a while. I don't really paint a lot of flowers or flowery scenes but I think the winter dragging on and on had me craving some greens and soft colours. I can't remember the type of fushia this is, we had it a number of years ago and I haven't seen one quite the same since. It sure was popular with the hummingbirds, I think our yard was the busiest that year that we have ever had for hummingbirds.</div>
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-6697625508710960902014-03-07T11:32:00.000-05:002014-03-07T11:32:01.121-05:00Wetlands, late afternoon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Another new painting "Wetlands, late afternoon" - Greater Yellow legs</div>
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Both paintings of the Yellow legs and the Heron will be on display at Paint Ontario until the end of March<br /></div>
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-735443897317185192014-02-04T12:40:00.000-05:002014-03-07T11:07:39.222-05:00New Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I didn't have much time in the studio last fall after we returned from Algonquin and what time I did have I was playing with my pastels...still nothing to show for it but I am becoming more comfortable with them, just not sure what style may eventually emerge from my efforts.<br />
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In between shoveling and trying to keep warm I have been working on a few new pieces in acrylic - the first is a small piece that I am teaching in the spring.<br />
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and the next piece just finished.<br />
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and a close up<br />
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I have a couple more pieces that I am working on and hope to have them finished by the end of February!</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-52581530936220090812013-10-25T09:16:00.001-04:002013-10-25T09:16:47.473-04:00Algonquin loons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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...and what would a trip to Algonquin be without a few shots of some Loons. We weren't sure if they would still be around and I was really happy to see a pair of them doodling around in the bay shortly after we arrived. Loons, like all birds, replace their feathers twice a year, and some birds have "2 sets of clothes" and their winter feathers are different from their breeding feathers. This pair of loons spent most of their time preening and pulling out feathers to be replaced by their winter coat which is quite different from what you expect to see. Both of them were quite accommodating to our canoe and let us get quite close to them as long as we didn't do anything alarming. These are full frame shots with no cropping...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loon, winter plumage.</td></tr>
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This loon was well on its way into it's winter feathers, you can see one small feather that has come loose just beside its neck...the water around them was at times littered with floating feathers!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Grandpa Loon"</td></tr>
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This one was more "loony" looking and had barely started it"s moult. I called it Grandpa loon because he/it had a white beard just starting to appear under it's chin. I don't know how long the whole process takes but they really can't fly very well at all during the moult. The other of the pair that was almost finished must have been saying "hurry up" its getting cold out here, we have to leave!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic loon photo</td></tr>
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and this is the quintessential Loon shot. They do this a lot, ruffling and flapping their feathers to get them to dislodge. <br />
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All in all I took quite a few shots of the Loons, some of which will eventually be turned into paintings. We certainly enjoyed our trip to Algonquin, (except for the noisy, ignorant campers) and we really lucked out on the weather ...a huge contrast to what is out the window this morning - cold, wet. sloppy snow covering what is left of my flowers and grey colourless sky. There was a nice little flock of Gold Crowned Kinglets in the tree outside the studio, I expect they will be moving south away from this ugly weather.<br />
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-74871500326616193022013-10-25T08:57:00.000-04:002013-10-25T08:57:25.404-04:00a Busy Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I guess that is what I should have called this blog! Here it is almost the end of October and I finally have a few minutes to share. August went by like a shot, we had our children home from their diplomatic posting and we were busy, busy while they were home as well as playing catch up into September with our usual fall chores. September is canning month for me - tomatoes, chili sauce, salsa and pasta sauce. This year our cucumbers decided to keep on giving, so I had to make pickles (2 kinds) and relish. In between all that chopping, stirring and canning I have the gardening to take care of - at least one trailer load of garden waste goes out, usually two.<br />
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We were rushing the chores a bit in September because I knew that I wouldn't be here much in October!<br />
The first of the month we left for Algonquin Park for some camping, back country canoeing, fishing (for Sandy) and some painting en plein air (for me) The weather was amazing - our neighbours were disgusting - It might have got nasty if we hadn't had the canoe and could escape out onto the lake for most of our trip! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Algonquin morning</td></tr>
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This was the view point from the bay where we were camping the first morning we were there. The sun has such a special quality at this time of year and when it hits one of those gorgeous colourful trees they almost seem to vibrate with colour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEfPAm3svVKOd0BbTOPTSdG3qya-o6Pm81YEojBSu8aVAgMBOCpYZnL25ykOTxd0Js-t9bZ-AxdEmor83nJAaozY-i6dNEeGCczwgLZGX2Lfe4p8kIul0iPSuExQxbwVH4EPN9WC37ms/s1600/blog194-algonquin-colours-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEfPAm3svVKOd0BbTOPTSdG3qya-o6Pm81YEojBSu8aVAgMBOCpYZnL25ykOTxd0Js-t9bZ-AxdEmor83nJAaozY-i6dNEeGCczwgLZGX2Lfe4p8kIul0iPSuExQxbwVH4EPN9WC37ms/s320/blog194-algonquin-colours-3.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparkles</td></tr>
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This is a bit closer to where I was standing - I don't think the camera can really do justice to the sparkle of the sunshine on the water, it was like the brightest of diamonds.<br />
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The purples in this shot really struck me - since I started experimenting with pastels I have been making a very conscious effort to really look at colour. I already consider myself a fairly skilled observer (kind of have to be to paint realism) but now I am really looking at the colours of the landscape and assessing a name, a value, a hue to what I see - and isn't fall the perfect time to undertake such an exercise!<br />
This was taken from the canoe somewhere out on the lake, I had to take 2 cameras with me so that I could capture beautiful scenes like this as well as be ready with the big lens if any wildlife appeared....and I had to do my share of the paddling as well! If you notice the water has a bit of "texture" to it in this protected cove...but down the lake, oh my! there were waves and white caps 12" to 18" high! That was a real work out, at one point heading right into it I didn't think we were making any headway at all but we kept at it, putting in along the shore when we were tired and called it a really good day when we made it back to camp.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birches</td></tr>
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I took this at one of those spots we stopped for a rest, it had a lovely sand beach, the sun was warm and we were sheltered from the wind. There was a walking trail just up a hill that led to the "Booth rock" which was a popular hike for many who wanted to see the fall colours from an elevated vista.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Ferns</td></tr>
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The next morning dawned once again very sunny and warm and this time dead calm. We decided that we would head up the Madawaska river into Whitefish lake. It was so pleasant to glide along in calm water and just enjoy what was around us. I kept hoping for a moose or fox or even a raccoon to pop out of the brush but no luck on that. These ferns caught my eye - so colourful when they turn from their summer green to the rusty brown, oranges, yellows (burnt sienna, umbers, ochres, lt. sap green) of fall.<br />
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I had fun with reflections!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdYz6Mh2KoMdaETpYWLv_nq0J-r5CKMuBFvuYUoVEuDeSRTt3tsvsJQVuOE1JP7_7Kfahed5yBcF8qEERfU7vCQuzhOt3TCKwfmVe0PWRhJx4q0rVp90CaypKwaDyRByDL8u3D7yWXRo/s1600/blog198-algonquin-colours--reflection1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdYz6Mh2KoMdaETpYWLv_nq0J-r5CKMuBFvuYUoVEuDeSRTt3tsvsJQVuOE1JP7_7Kfahed5yBcF8qEERfU7vCQuzhOt3TCKwfmVe0PWRhJx4q0rVp90CaypKwaDyRByDL8u3D7yWXRo/s320/blog198-algonquin-colours--reflection1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look again...</td></tr>
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No...this isn't up side down, there are a few tiny ripples there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieCi_aYvpiA0EQJYQOj0fkXqbg6MxWS1EAPHMGjLGdbcpNXzfLWNiy0sBe-Cf5qO0VSnqZcTyuipVS1vmwmtxU6ajaR573WE_k9xFwSd-GiRotq1tw43XBYTpCgk3IhdJbdvoqZr1wHU/s1600/blog199---algonquin-reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieCi_aYvpiA0EQJYQOj0fkXqbg6MxWS1EAPHMGjLGdbcpNXzfLWNiy0sBe-Cf5qO0VSnqZcTyuipVS1vmwmtxU6ajaR573WE_k9xFwSd-GiRotq1tw43XBYTpCgk3IhdJbdvoqZr1wHU/s320/blog199---algonquin-reflections.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Algonquin - Madawaska river</td></tr>
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And this shot has to be my favorite of the trip, and there isn't even a lot of fall colour in it but I just like it - the over all colour, the composition and especially the reflections of the clouds in the water - you can't see that texture up in the sky on a sunny day!<br />
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Next post - a few more shots from Algonquin.<br />
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-82133275425109341632013-08-30T12:33:00.000-04:002013-08-30T12:33:34.177-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmf_bWxW-JN1gBpf_pPTAIB8qYS-EoJ4nr2aK1N4LCmkdhUa3E2RKgep5BseresVOr6i7mYXUgucrht__61iJ-KkfVIqRfPl4epMKnMQiTHHV0e6t1J9N_yzYqZiVklokkI-dFxvcZBI/s1600/blog188--pastels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmf_bWxW-JN1gBpf_pPTAIB8qYS-EoJ4nr2aK1N4LCmkdhUa3E2RKgep5BseresVOr6i7mYXUgucrht__61iJ-KkfVIqRfPl4epMKnMQiTHHV0e6t1J9N_yzYqZiVklokkI-dFxvcZBI/s320/blog188--pastels.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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Aren't they lovely! Stopped by a couple of yard sales earlier in the summer and found these - all jumbled together in a ziploc bag, totally covered in grey dust so that I could barely tell what colour they were....but for the HUGE outlay of.........................10¢.................yes that's right, just one thin dime for all that colour and possibility!<br />
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I have to confess that up to this acquisition I was not a fan of soft pastels - too messy and I didn't really know what I was to do with them after a lifetime of mixing paint on a palette, but since I have been working extensively with coloured pencils I have learned a thing or 2. It took me a couple of hours to clean them all - I started with a good shake in a tub of rice but that didn't seem to see much results when they were sooooo dirty, so I ended up wiping each one down with a paper towel. I have no idea what brand or what quality they are, some are harder than others, some are very soft and smooth but for starting out and having some fun they are all that I need.<br />
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What I need now is some reference material to work from...almost all of my photography is close-up shots of flora and fauna and I certainly could learn to render those with pastel as many do but mmm.....I would really like to be able to loosen up once in a while from the uptight precision that I normally paint and just go with the flow on something different - maybe balance the uptight side of my brain with a looser, softer approach and play with a few landscapes.<br />
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I'm going to have to start carrying 2 cameras with me when I am out and about - one for any birds, bugs and butterflies that are going my way and another to capture some nice scenic views!<br />
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....another confession....I spent some time on-line studying the work of a few pastel artists who's work I admire and I did attempt a copy of one of their pieces - just to see if I liked it and could render something even "similar" to their work. You know what...I had FUN and my attempt wasn't half bad if I say so myself, in fact I can't wait to see it framed up and hanging on my wall! I won't show it to you, it was just for me as an experimental piece. However, I will definitely be looking for a few nice places to either work en plein air or to get some scenic pics to work from. After working so close up for so long I am now craving a wider, more expansive view point...at least some of the time :-)<br />
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Stay tuned!<br />
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-76660785858609209912013-08-27T13:16:00.001-04:002013-08-27T13:18:02.155-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDjt8WtcAQ-AkxqtF2I1sL0K-Ygz6DyhyWGzWNVOL-toncoxfabvnq4I0cL_J6OZ6ZCaeiHDa68n5CNuwzL2HnwDL4czihdwt6xWSHjO__jtfX9C9SmVVcrEq5xvUQruA-Tn-ic9CrNQ/s1600/blog140-Canadian+coins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDjt8WtcAQ-AkxqtF2I1sL0K-Ygz6DyhyWGzWNVOL-toncoxfabvnq4I0cL_J6OZ6ZCaeiHDa68n5CNuwzL2HnwDL4czihdwt6xWSHjO__jtfX9C9SmVVcrEq5xvUQruA-Tn-ic9CrNQ/s320/blog140-Canadian+coins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian coins</td></tr>
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The September issue of Colored Pencil Magazine has been released and - <i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Canadian coins </span></b></i>- has been included in the special Canadian edition! The editor found the piece through my membership with CPAL on Facebook and sent me a request which unfortunately ended up in my "other" message folder. I rarely remember to look in that file ( I know some don't even know it exists) so when she didn't get a reply she thankfully took the time to track me down last minute. They actually used the piece twice, once on the index page and again in the gallery of work by Canadian <u>coloured</u> pencil artists. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much Colored Pencil Magazine!</span><br />
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here is a link to preview and purchase the September issue:<br />
<a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/617711">http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/617711</a></div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-34718119964834164242013-08-26T16:08:00.002-04:002013-08-26T16:42:19.253-04:00just a few photos from the summer <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As usual it has been an extremely busy summer for me and I haven't had any time in the studio at all. I usually have the camera fairly close by when I am working in the garden or when we are out camping and have quite a few pics to sort through. I seem to have better luck finding the time to get things posted on my Facebook pages when I am busy so it is past time for me to get things updated here in blog land.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwftkRmr_2w/Uhu9aB9NCJI/AAAAAAAAAgY/i9Rd9Ka5s4w/s1600/blog185-anemones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwftkRmr_2w/Uhu9aB9NCJI/AAAAAAAAAgY/i9Rd9Ka5s4w/s320/blog185-anemones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...and you know that summer is starting to draw to a close when the anemones start to flower!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8TKdm0-SKg/Uhu8R2MKHkI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/u3zJdHFK8gI/s1600/blog186-red-spotted-purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8TKdm0-SKg/Uhu8R2MKHkI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/u3zJdHFK8gI/s320/blog186-red-spotted-purple.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-spotted purple butterfly</td></tr>
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Butterflies in the garden have been few and far between this year, we have just had our first Monarch feeding on some flowers in the last few days. We usually have a few of the "Admiral" variety around throughout the season, this one has a few scratches and a chunk missing from his underwing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spider web </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaB6tFld_EzIe3WWHDx2OEIh3bFuxrGg1TLYHUCc0Fu5WVNRJ5ZjlsObg5F0pwu5pmT9ZE4Nh4ehXBd6OQUz5F5F5UqeouiVIYvFvJcWkXIiutMlBXaaAZkbg7RRdCcxYdRSqkLcfLmk/s1600/blog185-pink-gerbera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaB6tFld_EzIe3WWHDx2OEIh3bFuxrGg1TLYHUCc0Fu5WVNRJ5ZjlsObg5F0pwu5pmT9ZE4Nh4ehXBd6OQUz5F5F5UqeouiVIYvFvJcWkXIiutMlBXaaAZkbg7RRdCcxYdRSqkLcfLmk/s320/blog185-pink-gerbera.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a pretty pink Gerbera daisy in the morning light</td></tr>
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3 photos from early June<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8oDoGoo3Ql8/Uhu5C_oO7MI/AAAAAAAAAfg/0EevhonDgz8/s1600/blog182-swallowtail-butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8oDoGoo3Ql8/Uhu5C_oO7MI/AAAAAAAAAfg/0EevhonDgz8/s320/blog182-swallowtail-butterfly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swallowtail butterfly on lilac</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQuG6cByplILyqX31f0fdD2Fn2UUVmik_UYd5HAWnsmSG3xlCVdHFd09EblWZy1rygUNau50XRcFzrNpdqkiSNBU-lvJCljdms8L_MkqzHvvdIrjUUBu9sHkbTyOFIsPryfXijQsprBg/s1600/blog183-Hummingbird-moth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQuG6cByplILyqX31f0fdD2Fn2UUVmik_UYd5HAWnsmSG3xlCVdHFd09EblWZy1rygUNau50XRcFzrNpdqkiSNBU-lvJCljdms8L_MkqzHvvdIrjUUBu9sHkbTyOFIsPryfXijQsprBg/s320/blog183-Hummingbird-moth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Clearwing hummingbird moth</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4jnbSAUXvdaW-jLKnqPYlljklfUZvReYO5RLdLyu-ing79A8qjjYjZD0W3AlJPvQxS0jAkUgd84J0CXESDiFXgaEGM-fZoqTznlBC9M47V8BjvjU8_U05rhPqnYLct8-1RQsAbwH6-k/s1600/blog184-dragonfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4jnbSAUXvdaW-jLKnqPYlljklfUZvReYO5RLdLyu-ing79A8qjjYjZD0W3AlJPvQxS0jAkUgd84J0CXESDiFXgaEGM-fZoqTznlBC9M47V8BjvjU8_U05rhPqnYLct8-1RQsAbwH6-k/s320/blog184-dragonfly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meadowhawk? maybe....I'm not up on my dragonflies<br /></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW0CgG5-JxWzrPfyXeSRdFhnBnHp_CQJ1b3K0WUhCK99EUJh4mX90PUlkuknLczu5L0btZN7q-E1_V3JOXpaX9EsprM6_5u9dbumYuXdk5ae7e80yO_GygXar-bLr2eH0gTANxoKqWp4/s1600/blog177-eagle-shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW0CgG5-JxWzrPfyXeSRdFhnBnHp_CQJ1b3K0WUhCK99EUJh4mX90PUlkuknLczu5L0btZN7q-E1_V3JOXpaX9EsprM6_5u9dbumYuXdk5ae7e80yO_GygXar-bLr2eH0gTANxoKqWp4/s320/blog177-eagle-shower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In June we visited the Mountsberg raptor centre and I was able to take some really nice closeups of a variety of captive birds. All of the birds at Mountsberg have a reason for being there, mostly due to an injury of some sort. It was a hot sunny day when we were there and the 3 yr old bald eagle was really enjoying his shower. </div>
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Please visit my Photography page for more pics of the birds at Mountsberg.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqnex8mV4SA/Uhuy9ZCPO9I/AAAAAAAAAe4/M1y4aER3a7s/s1600/blog180-white-rabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqnex8mV4SA/Uhuy9ZCPO9I/AAAAAAAAAe4/M1y4aER3a7s/s320/blog180-white-rabbit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They also have a small farm with a variety of rather tame animals as well as a lake for fishing/swimming and picnicking and some very nice walking trails as well. </div>
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-12794077540549542302013-06-13T14:37:00.000-04:002013-06-13T14:41:28.112-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, since my last post I have been from the extreme southwest of our province, up into the Bruce Peninsula and a few other places in between looking for the lovely little birds that spend their winters in the Caribbean, Central and South America and then fly thousands of miles north into the Canadian Boreal Forest and even as far as the northern Tundra to mate, nest and raise their young before turning around and flying all the way back to their winter homes.<br />
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Many of these little things are no bigger than a mouse, although much more brightly coloured when they arrive in their breeding plumage. When they return to the south some of them will have changed into a more subdued colour scheme and are much more confusing to identify.<br />
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Warblers are very tiny and very quick little birds, always on the move through the branches looking for spiders, caterpillars and other bugs that we can't even see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paEPGL610hE/UboHgrIy50I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/l2JdqO64hz4/s1600/blog170-baybreastedwarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paEPGL610hE/UboHgrIy50I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/l2JdqO64hz4/s320/blog170-baybreastedwarbler.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay Breasted Warbler</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This year I was hoping to find and photograph a Bay-Breasted Warbler as I didn't have even an identifying photo of one. As luck would have it - and trust me when birding you need lots of luck - we saw Bay Breasted warblers very often this spring!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNK7xZCWpCcPtaKVk4I9GYxthRSt9hSS2WcE1wDHlDTiEYxKrgr1lu_ev-qaRxmQ_1QISWGYzU5_6vNlP2rww6Gs03V7oxlOOTX16nmSoDCZjt9SMfpAM5xvcd8Ng-HhJxBRINldnT4/s1600/blog172---Chesnutsidedwarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNK7xZCWpCcPtaKVk4I9GYxthRSt9hSS2WcE1wDHlDTiEYxKrgr1lu_ev-qaRxmQ_1QISWGYzU5_6vNlP2rww6Gs03V7oxlOOTX16nmSoDCZjt9SMfpAM5xvcd8Ng-HhJxBRINldnT4/s320/blog172---Chesnutsidedwarbler.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut sided Warbler</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I also wanted some better pics of a Chestnut sided warbler and again hit the jackpot - I have a few really nice pics that I will be using as reference for a painting eventually. This shot I thought was cute with the warbler framed by the leaves.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJDzBcRYB52SzGFAixs2ZuPDnsltj-dxqCA8PyQmDexSQao4GtKxdunBszwHiAlkpXSWzHKsrNzrgyJ0JQP0wUJgG9THAtX0AW2Ie58W3RZ8m8VbIsYRyqsDcSYlEoV_PXoIsV3gVf0s/s1600/blog175---yellowwarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJDzBcRYB52SzGFAixs2ZuPDnsltj-dxqCA8PyQmDexSQao4GtKxdunBszwHiAlkpXSWzHKsrNzrgyJ0JQP0wUJgG9THAtX0AW2Ie58W3RZ8m8VbIsYRyqsDcSYlEoV_PXoIsV3gVf0s/s320/blog175---yellowwarbler.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow warbler</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We didn't see as many Yellow warblers as we have in some years but there were still enough to get a few good pics of them- these happy little guys are still my favorites I think.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO2USOb1T_pV6eOQ7MYllvuRsmwksUzZOv1uPk7TGceVOX5hMqAV7rrjZbjzxJDlRkgNpMCHaAw_JCjWGIsNWpAZsPkC0L0Z-kupsTx6-QjaZ5MmaQB3_0nwoqqicKlZwjBiT8fBoe2k/s1600/blog163---black-and-white-warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO2USOb1T_pV6eOQ7MYllvuRsmwksUzZOv1uPk7TGceVOX5hMqAV7rrjZbjzxJDlRkgNpMCHaAw_JCjWGIsNWpAZsPkC0L0Z-kupsTx6-QjaZ5MmaQB3_0nwoqqicKlZwjBiT8fBoe2k/s320/blog163---black-and-white-warbler.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and White warbler</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">and there were quite a few Black and White warblers this year as well - they make their way up and down tree trunks much like a Nuthatch or creeper behaves.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKmwT6MqPrZ6di1n3qaANidBUVf8lKi9Tcz51lKtNsJHcD62124XrWmtqEALkGEeE_HrPEqr713FX2-j_NNkolkxmUI4S5h6S6h_Z0Nw3QPtAga7Okv5Y_04GmCLeFgFbmfOi4LEP-Q0/s1600/blog173---Phoebe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKmwT6MqPrZ6di1n3qaANidBUVf8lKi9Tcz51lKtNsJHcD62124XrWmtqEALkGEeE_HrPEqr713FX2-j_NNkolkxmUI4S5h6S6h_Z0Nw3QPtAga7Okv5Y_04GmCLeFgFbmfOi4LEP-Q0/s320/blog173---Phoebe.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Phoebe - a Flycatcher</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Along with the warblers come the Flycatcher and Vireos. These usually tend to be a bit larger than the warblers and much less colourful - which makes them much harder to identify! Some you can only tell what they are by learning their call and behaviour, they move just as fast as the warblers and once they get up in the trees with even small new leaves on the branches they are very hard to pick out. I am learning the easy ones but most just confuse me!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQor2aa6w2Y3eyXoniD9IocGuK9WGaFTKs11BQ-0PNsxhmyL7Mv0yAymvgBS7GXVK1E_NDw1EhWG0Ns7Ap-Z_wydDkvP0TQtNd_iVZR__BSgYlkZIjTzdWM7uZ6fcZorywNus40__mN4/s1600/blog166---blue-headed-vireo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQor2aa6w2Y3eyXoniD9IocGuK9WGaFTKs11BQ-0PNsxhmyL7Mv0yAymvgBS7GXVK1E_NDw1EhWG0Ns7Ap-Z_wydDkvP0TQtNd_iVZR__BSgYlkZIjTzdWM7uZ6fcZorywNus40__mN4/s320/blog166---blue-headed-vireo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Headed Vireo</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> Next time I will share a few more pics of warblers etc and also a few shots I got of some captive raptors at a raptor show that I attended. Although we are having a really slow start to summer weather, a day here and a day there separated by rain and cool temps the flora and fauna are still doing their "thing" so I have some nice butterfly and flower pics to share as well.</span></div>
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Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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J</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-32975108314655193772013-05-21T15:23:00.002-04:002013-05-21T15:23:28.665-04:00Blue cup and Green grapes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-020vixYbIpE/UZvJSZYy-QI/AAAAAAAAAc4/kUVqRelUWDo/s1600/blog169-grapes4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-020vixYbIpE/UZvJSZYy-QI/AAAAAAAAAc4/kUVqRelUWDo/s320/blog169-grapes4.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue cup and green grapes</td></tr>
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...I guess I better show you the finished piece before I start uploading some pics from spring migration!</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-21013946771751412432013-04-28T14:08:00.000-04:002013-04-28T14:08:39.422-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcTOS2B3-HkGYA_TZ95JAfbJ0kWVaSNF251fT6b_OmuaS0Xr7CExxqnXqxKP5bsqaRGh1lbWg4WGDL-3bdqmX3SLctOlWehWT3ElATLZ7gaFWl4wAHC4B43IedGl0x0TbPmMuxEGpqMM/s1600/blog168---grapes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcTOS2B3-HkGYA_TZ95JAfbJ0kWVaSNF251fT6b_OmuaS0Xr7CExxqnXqxKP5bsqaRGh1lbWg4WGDL-3bdqmX3SLctOlWehWT3ElATLZ7gaFWl4wAHC4B43IedGl0x0TbPmMuxEGpqMM/s320/blog168---grapes3.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grapes stage 3</td></tr>
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I have finished 3 of the grapes and started the layering process on the background</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-13154923106618903312013-04-28T12:17:00.001-04:002013-04-28T12:17:43.619-04:00Spring Migration is just about here!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have a few new pics on my photography page for you! I teach at C2C convention this coming Friday and then I will be out of the studio for most of the next month walking the trails during spring migration. Mother Nature is dragging her heals kicking and screaming out of winter this year but the birdies are slowly returning regardless of the cool temps and snowy days we are still having. I put my Oriole feeder out yesterday - my records show that they had already arrived by this time the last few years so any day now I am sure they will be sitting in the apple tree.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv_xWg8GyJ4/UX1HWoJXLoI/AAAAAAAAAb8/JTsvxJ4knmg/s1600/blog165---duel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv_xWg8GyJ4/UX1HWoJXLoI/AAAAAAAAAb8/JTsvxJ4knmg/s320/blog165---duel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-60070802237359656162013-04-19T11:30:00.001-04:002013-04-19T11:37:54.707-04:00Icy Interlude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As it seems to usually go, life gets in the way of your best plans. A week ago today we were carefully stepping over and around our yard surveying the results of an ice storm. Although we suffered some pretty severe damage to the old maple trees that ring our property...and a large limb through the roof of our cargo trailer, we consider ourselves lucky, considering that there are some homes to the north of us that went without power for almost 5 days due to the toppling of a whole row of hydro poles.<br />
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Needless to say, we were up all night so the lack of sleep plus the unexpected yard work has put me behind in the studio....I have spent some time on the grapes project and will probably get it finished sometime today!</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-25460317304297751482013-04-08T14:15:00.000-04:002013-04-08T14:25:13.960-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB2gEJowbNCj3e18ycXJF112tN77Q4eZ_pTgP84O85kfdI1LOAgoHA6hU12PROg3C73dX7oKq9Zf0S2Adco13VgRzCYYFMYdy5LBUKcGajtGVYjaiFgKl2XIOAYv2RNX9Uu_jqQtzpww/s1600/blog161---grapes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB2gEJowbNCj3e18ycXJF112tN77Q4eZ_pTgP84O85kfdI1LOAgoHA6hU12PROg3C73dX7oKq9Zf0S2Adco13VgRzCYYFMYdy5LBUKcGajtGVYjaiFgKl2XIOAYv2RNX9Uu_jqQtzpww/s320/blog161---grapes2.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grapes stage 2</td></tr>
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I have continued to reinforce the colour sequence on the grapes, added some reflected colour on the cup and a darker value in the shadows as well as first layer of cast shadow on the 2 grapes sitting outside the cup. I think I will start on the background now, it is difficult to judge values without having a full range to work with....I hope there is enough cover on the grapes to keep them clean once I start using the darker pigments on the background!</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-38803003395727749102013-04-07T14:59:00.001-04:002013-04-07T14:59:25.190-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq6gJH0fKPU/UWG_iFwUROI/AAAAAAAAAaw/JzPHRcMBoYo/s1600/blog160-grapes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq6gJH0fKPU/UWG_iFwUROI/AAAAAAAAAaw/JzPHRcMBoYo/s320/blog160-grapes1.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grapes stage 1</td></tr>
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Here is the first stage - 2nd attempt. I have a nasty head cold and trying to make decisions about sequencing is difficult with a fuddled head and a drippy nose....The only thing to do is start over when this happens, you can't fix or hide mistakes when you are attempting realism, discipline and a very critical eye is required throughout the whole process.<br />
...good thing the paper has 2 sides!<br />
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-12309004128967214722013-04-06T10:29:00.001-04:002013-04-06T10:29:05.738-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkDYy-edHJ36VLEeI_QyfGQ_HLp5x_2cyPTjyigyQCj17UTz5APWYfYQwL_VDQWTO9M__4YZchx_LVfmnCoJ9qMDSyQEVp9rijHMD-RdP9ddtZb-yEKg_IfVko85ixsNBXtKNFeuDcUA/s1600/blog159---grapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkDYy-edHJ36VLEeI_QyfGQ_HLp5x_2cyPTjyigyQCj17UTz5APWYfYQwL_VDQWTO9M__4YZchx_LVfmnCoJ9qMDSyQEVp9rijHMD-RdP9ddtZb-yEKg_IfVko85ixsNBXtKNFeuDcUA/s320/blog159---grapes.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo reference for blue cup with grapes </td></tr>
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Working in coloured pencil today, gearing up for my class on Photo-realism techniques at C2C next month! I'll be back later with some photo updates as this piece progresses.</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-25424721280415313582013-03-31T12:23:00.002-04:002013-04-01T18:31:37.259-04:00a new Gluten free recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-34728553509065560872013-03-23T15:21:00.000-04:002013-04-01T18:32:18.845-04:00Free Bunny pin cushion pattern and tutorial <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hop on over to my sewing page to find the bunny...and don't forget to have a look around and leave a comment!</div>
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Thanks everyone!</div>
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Joann</div>
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-68490513615371756412013-03-21T16:16:00.001-04:002013-03-22T09:46:34.031-04:00Studio Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6CSC1yAWGWUUUOrJgtJxgK8ro_sfpIa8bzPA8W4wp7ARxC2ACiRsPsTFLURf79PjtSr6xlrEyUwjT-X9xwdTmSOiI0V4T9ADi2OC1zCPrPpoTUEemGdEz2z4EOweGsfQskxDt1s-u1A/s1600/blog154--studio-tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6CSC1yAWGWUUUOrJgtJxgK8ro_sfpIa8bzPA8W4wp7ARxC2ACiRsPsTFLURf79PjtSr6xlrEyUwjT-X9xwdTmSOiI0V4T9ADi2OC1zCPrPpoTUEemGdEz2z4EOweGsfQskxDt1s-u1A/s320/blog154--studio-tour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
some pictures of my studio over on my studio page</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-22032039495067966402013-03-20T17:39:00.002-04:002013-03-21T16:07:01.538-04:00Pages Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Crackle top Ginger snaps recipe on my Gluten free page<br />
Some older works in my Portfolio<br />
Classes update<br />
Something new on my sewing page</div>
Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732846729897282947.post-76970716726609940852013-03-12T15:23:00.002-04:002013-03-12T16:21:27.392-04:00New Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjzrO-hKlF0KABZRHGy5b3bdWxZzMlKWcqZrYiFGC27a2fTAVBUkFMr-xAPrkxRbQ4Yd8yPAFqOzXGV3OkAE6IbKX93C4arXabR0jGAbszhrqFuPxqwL7CF8t9-kzX4b84WLmC-0RYnM/s1600/blog138-Thicket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjzrO-hKlF0KABZRHGy5b3bdWxZzMlKWcqZrYiFGC27a2fTAVBUkFMr-xAPrkxRbQ4Yd8yPAFqOzXGV3OkAE6IbKX93C4arXabR0jGAbszhrqFuPxqwL7CF8t9-kzX4b84WLmC-0RYnM/s320/blog138-Thicket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Thicket</b><i> - American Tree Sparrow</i></div>
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<i>currently exhibiting at Paint Ontario</i></div>
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<i>Lambton Heritage Museum, Grand Bend Ontario</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwK5QLqscZ7HjmT69R_-U1VIwCc3s5x4Jvn0HQM22OXWmpcdE8skKzNX6xg6qzQk0i6aYy9WndDuRf_ouAcKy1k6mlNcS5BFCSo7P-aqA9T4cAch1Et84Fx0CmXHj17sH4flBDqX0HlE/s1600/blog139-Titmouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwK5QLqscZ7HjmT69R_-U1VIwCc3s5x4Jvn0HQM22OXWmpcdE8skKzNX6xg6qzQk0i6aYy9WndDuRf_ouAcKy1k6mlNcS5BFCSo7P-aqA9T4cAch1Et84Fx0CmXHj17sH4flBDqX0HlE/s320/blog139-Titmouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Titmouse </b><i>- Plum Blossoms</i></div>
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<i>acrylic on panel</i></div>
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<i>Currently exhibiting at "Paint Ontario"</i></div>
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<i>Lambton Heritage Museum, Grand Bend Ontario</i></div>
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<i>if you are interested in either of these paintings please visit Paint Ontario from</i></div>
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<i>March 9th to March 31st 2013</i></div>
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<i>or email me for information</i></div>
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Joannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08489642925410197679noreply@blogger.com0