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The Empress Room

Walking through the Empress after painting on the lawn got the old artistic juices flowing. The light coming in through the gigantic windows, the wonderful white and black uniforms of the staff, the guests milling around amongst the glorious patterns of the upholstery and wall coverings are going to provide me with material for dozens of paintings. I can't wait to be in the environment full time. The painting that I am working on is in its infancy - just a sneak preview.

Plein Air at the Empress

Well - today the sun came out!!! And so did the artists! Our day started at midday and I packed up close to 5 - so it was a long day, but very enjoyable.  Initially somewhat daunted by the architectural character of the environment, I found subject matter that inspired me - the other artists on the lawn - and - when that was taken as far as I could, my husband sat for a portrait. Lots of interesting people to talk to and other artists to meet, plus yummy lunch boxes provided by the Empress.

Artishow Plein Air Event Empress Hotel June 26th

Tomorrow June 26th I will be attending this event on the lawns of the beautiful Empress Hotel in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The event will have many Victoria area artists in attendance painting outdoors in the hopefully fine weather we expect to have. The hours will be from noon to six. Hope to see you there.

Artist in Residence Fairmont Empress

Thrilling news! I have been appointed Artist in Residence at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria from mid-August until mid-November. The Empress is one of the grand old CPR hotels, a Victoria landmark, and definitely the ultimate experience for a tourist in the city. This is a great honour and an opportunity for me to expose my art to the visiting public. I shall be painting in the studio/gallery located in the atrium above the registration area most days of the week, so, if you are around in the the late summer or fall, please drop by, enjoy the ambiance and check out my work. This great photo was taken by Benjamin Madison



My Studio Nymph!

Sculpture in fired clay 18"

This was the little figure on the deck of my studio welcoming visitors last weekend. I still feel a novice when it comes to sculpture and so much can go wrong in their creation that I feel very lucky when something survives the process.

Studio Tour June 11 and 12

A couple of photos from last weekend. The rain held off - which allowed for paintings and sculpture to be sprinkled around the garden. A good number of visitors came by and I sold a few pieces - what more could you ask!

Great Blue Heron

oil on canvas 30″ x 20″

Another variation on the heron theme – gave it a lot more drama and more detail in the setting. These birds are all around us, an ever-present reminder of the pterodactyls that dominated the shoreline in pre-historic times. I love them – as long as they’re not taking the fish out of the pond!!

Studio Tour June 11 and 12

oil on canvas 20″ x 30″

These Coast Guard vessels are stationed at Patricia Bay, just a mile or two away from here. The evening light and the still water made this scene a symphony in purples, blues, golds and pinks. This will be one of several marine scenes featured in my studio for the tour show this weekend. I hope the weather will cooperate and we shall have lots of visitors.