July has come to an end.  Such a hot month here in Ontario ... haha - too hot for my liking!!  While Wylan and I have been sheltering in the AC, I've had lots of time for creative work.  I finished my 'card-a-day' July challenge. Here are photos of the cards.  If you are interested in purchasing, most cards are $12 with free shipping (click here to purchase).

Prints of Cards: They are coming! I'm working on developing some prints of my cards; these will likely come as sets.  Stay tuned for details!  I will share when they are available on my website, facebook, and instagram.  

Each day in August I'll be making a new pattern.  What is the purpose of these patterns? 
A repeating pattern can be put on fabric, mugs, stationary, tea towels ... the sky is the limit! I'm going to try to make some 'mock-ups' to showcase what the pattern can be used for.   

I've been dabbling in bringing together my dietetic work and my art.  I am what is called a weight-inclusive dietitian.  While this term encompasses many things - one tenant is the belief that there is natural diversity when it comes to body size.  Just like shoe size, we all are meant to have different body sizes.  

I shared the below illustration on my social media and had a great response! I had numerous requests for prints.  Be sure, I am trying to figure out the best way to make prints and will let you know when they are available.   

talk soon,

Kathy

This July I have started a daily card painting challenge - a card a day.  Here are some photos for the first 10 days!  These are all hand-painted originals.  I've had some people ask if I will make prints of some of the cards.  The answer is 'hopefully' ... more details to follow. 

ExI've been trying something new these days .... digital illustration and surface pattern design.   What is surface pattern design?  Here is an explanation

"Surface pattern design is artwork that I create specifically to be applied as surface decoration. This could include patterns, illustrations, hand-lettering, and artwork in all sorts of styles, as long as they're made to enhance the appearance or functionality of a product" From http://blog.cottonandflax.com/2019/06/what-is-surface-pattern-design/ 

​Here are a couple examples of my work thus far... 

I'm participating in an online course called "Leverage your Art" through Stacie Bloomfield. This weeks assignment was to create some a word illustration. Here's my end result. I'm pretty proud! Here is my commentary that goes with the art.... 

What would it be like to live in a culture that didn’t fear fatness? 

How do you feel when you hear the word “fat”? 

While the term “fat” is often considered an insult or a bad word – this is a cultural interpretation. The term “fat” can also be used as a neutral descriptor – just like words such as tall, short, brown hair, etc. There is a growing movement of activists and scholars who are reclaiming the word “fat” in an attempt to strip it of it’s negative stereotypes. As a registered dietitian who lives in a larger body, I firmly believe that the word “fat” is NOT a bad word. I know and have seen the harm caused to people in larger bodies due to weight stigma and discrimination. In truth, our worth as individuals in not determined by our body size. All bodies, including fat bodies, deserve respect, accessibility, and justice. 

Want to learn more?
I highly recommend Virgie Tovar’s TED talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZnsamRfxtY) and her book “You have the right to remain fat” (https://www.feministpress.org/…/you-have-the-right-to-remai…)

I wanted to share the rest of the rocks from May.  Hope you enjoy.  

Stay tuned ... 

After stepping back from art over the past couple years,, I have recently started dabbling with some painting again.  But I'm not painting canvases - I'm painting rocks! My mom, sister and I have all been painting some rocks as a way to spread some positivity during this difficulty time (COVID-19 pandemic).  Here are my first 18 rocks! You can follow me daily on facebook or instagram..  

Well - we made it.  Day 30.  

Today's painting features a cowboy cookout.  I attended this cookout at the Stephen Quiller workshop at the 4UR Ranch in Colorado.   This was a pretty challenging painting - and there is definitely room to improve the faces of the people.  But - letting go of perfectionism - it is good enough.  

Tomorrow I will share an image featuring all 30 paintings!! 

I want to send a bit thank you to all who followed me.  Your comments and encouragement are received with great gratitude.  For anyone who commented on this blog - unfortunately I can't seem to reply to comments.  But please know, I really appreciated the support.  

Till tomorrow,
​Kathy

A few years ago I attended an artists workshop at a ranch in the Colorado mountains (the teacher was Stephen Quiller).  We would take these lovely early morning hikes and at the end of our hike one day, we came across one of the workshop students out doing some early morning sketching.  It truly was an inspiring landscape there!

Till tomorrow,
Kathy 

Sunshine & Uma.  Oil on Canvas, 7x5 inches.  

Today's painting captures two young lads, hanging out at the Fanshawe Pioneer Village Agriculture Festival. 

I was pretty happy with how this painting turned out.  I might even say that I am starting to like painting people (although not ready for head portraits yet!). 

Still tomorrow,
​Kathy

Today's painting features a lovely little goat named Beanie.  This lovely lady lives at Full Circle Ranch.

If you live in the London area - Full Circle Ranch is hosting glow stick goat yoga tomorrow - Wed Sept 27!  How cool does that sound!!  If you are interested in checking it out - click here for all the details!

Till tomorrow, 
​Kathy

Today's painting features a sweet moment I caught during my visit to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.  This little donkey goes by the name of Gemini - and here is her story (taken from the DSC website):

"Gemini is one of four adorable grey-brown Miniature donkeys who have lived together as a family for all of their lives. Peter (born in 1991) and Katy (born in 1991) are the parents of Marci (born in 1994) and Gemini (born in 1995). They resided on a farm on Saltspring Island, British Columbia, where they lived contentedly and received the best of care.By Autumn, 2000, however, their caretaker realized that his advancing age would soon prevent him from continuing to be able to care for the donkeys. He had long been aware of The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada and so he made the request that his little family be moved to the DSC.
In late summer, 2001, the four donkeys were transported by trailer across Canada from Saltspring to the Sanctuary Farm outside Guelph. This long journey was made over a five-day period in order that the donkeys could rest well each night. During that time, their former caretaker flew to Ontario so he could ensure they arrived safe and sound. 
Today Gemini lives with Marci in the Jennet and gentle geldings paddock at the Sanctuary Farm."
.This painting will be donated to the Donkey Sanctuary!
Till Tomorrow,
Kathy

Today's painting features my awesome niece Aelwen being her free spirited self.  I used a photo from Easter in which she was running around in her fancy dress and rubber boots, blowing bubbles.  If only we could all be this free and un-self conscious.  

Till Tomorrow, 
Kathy

Zeus is strutting his stuff!  

Today's painting features Zeus, another handsome fellow from the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (DSC)- Zeus.  Here is his bio (taken from the DSC's website):

"Zeus a grey-dun miniature donkey who was born in Southern Ontario. In the summer of 2016 he was relinquished to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (DSC) because of frequent biting and other behaviours he had learned as a foal who was weaned too quickly.

A donkey mother plays a vital part in teaching her offspring how to behave. Zeus was never taught how to properly interact with other donkeys as well as humans, which led to some undesirable behaviour that made it difficult for his owner to handle him.

It is our hope that with consistent and constant training by our barn staff Zeus will learn how to get along with donkeys and people alike and will be able to lead a happy life in harmony with everyone at the DSC.

Zeus is very affectionate – on his terms – and is extremely curious."

http://thedonkeysanctuary.ca/our-donkeys/zeus 

Till Tomorrow,
​Kathy 

I love this girl!  One of my favourite paintings so far in the challenge.   I think the painting says it all.  I may consider doing a larger version of this piece in the near future. 

Till Tomorrow,
Kathy

Today's painting is my second attempt at painting the Jury House from Fanshawe Pioneer Village.  
To see my first attempt, click here (including the story of the Jury House).  

Till Tomorrow,
Kathy

For today's painting, I am taking a break from my oil paintings, and instead - sharing a small watercolour sketch.  This is a scene I painted in the parking lot of Trissa's Family Restaurant on Dundas Street (near the Trails End Market).

For any of my artist friends - if you are interested in watercolour/gouche sketching - I'd highly recommend Nathan Fowke's Landscape Sketching in Watercolor and Gouache.  This online course is available through Schoolism (I am doing the auditing stream).  

Till Tomorrow,
Kathy

Sweet Cora the Donkey is having a little Roll. 

Curious about why do Donkey's roll??
(credit to the Donkey Sanctuary for this information)

- Rolling helps groom/scratch hard-to-reach areas
- Dust provides great insulation, protecting donkeys from both hot and cold conditions - especially in their natural dessert environment
- 80% of donkey rolling occurs in a spot where another equine has rolled.  Depositing scent over the body may be a function of rolling.  

Here is the Donkey Sanctuary's bio on Cora:

"Born in 2008, Cora is a grey dun, small standard donkey. She was admitted to The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada in November, 2012 with another donkey named Jace, and a miniature pony named Honey. Cora, Jace and Honey were part of a petting zoo located in Southwestern Ontario and the owners felt the DSC would be a more appropriate home.

Despite being at capacity, the DSC made room available for Cora and Jace, and Honey was taken in by Wind Dancer Pony Rescue Foundation. 

Cora’s keen curiosity and friendliness soon made her a favourite among staff and volunteers, and she enjoys living with our main herd with our other jennies and gentle geldings."

~ Donkey Sanctuary of Canada
​
Till Tomorrow,
​Kathy

Meet Archie!  Archie the donkey lives at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, which is located near Guelph, Ontario.  

I visited the Sanctuary a few weeks ago and was very moved by my the experience there.  According to their website: "Since 1992, The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada has been a refuge for donkeys, mules and hinnies who have been neglected or abused, or who can no longer be cared for by their owners."  

The Sanctuary is very well run and very educational.  The donkey's receive exceptional care. I would highly recommend visiting if you live in the area.  To learn more, check out their website (the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada).  

​One of the neat things the organization does, is allow people to sponsor a donkey from the farm.  The money from donations and sponsorship goes towards feed,  hay,  vet care, farrier care, stall bedding, etc.   The website has a bio for each donkey at the farm.

As today's painting features Archie, I thought I would share his bio.  

Archie is a grey dun standard donkey who was born in 1996. He came from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario with two other donkeys, Betty and Veronica. Archie had resided in the same loving home for 20 years. However, his previous owner moved farms and was finding it difficult to care for the donkeys in the new setting. Archie was well loved by the owern's grandchildren - who regularly groomed and cared for him.  Archie is settling in well and is very sweet to handle. He is very curious and loves to be patted on open days over the fence."
(Click here to link to Archie's Bio)

Till tomorrow,
Kathy

PS - stay tuned for a few more donkey paintings during this challenge!

Attempt # 3 at painting people this month.  This scenes features my dad and my bro chatting at the dairy farm. 

Perhaps this painting is better viewed from afar? Final painting aside, I did really enjoy the process of painting this one.  

What do you think matters more (either in life or art) - the process or the final product?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Till tomorrow,
Kathy

Day 15!  Half way there... only 15 paintings to go.  Today's painting features a young bull from my parent's farm.  Handsome little fellow!

Till tomorrow,
​Kathy

Today's painting is a studio work in which I used both a photograph and a plein air study for my reference. This painting illustrates why it is so important for landscape artists to work from life (at least some of the time).   As you can see below - the reference photo's colours are quite dull and boring. I used my painted study for value and colour reference - which I think really helped make this painting a success. 

This sweet little goat wants to make sure everyone finds the goat yoga class at Full Circle Ranch!
If you live in the London or St. Thomas area (in Ontario, Canada) check out Full Circle's Facebook page to find out more about attending a Goat Yoga class!  I can vouch, you will have an amazing time (as long as you like goats; if you aren't a goat lover, perhaps consider a regular yoga class).  

This painting features my 2 nephews and my niece (from left to right, Ronan, Aelwen, Lachlan).  These 3 little kids are definitely bonafide country kids.  They love tractors, wagons, and puddles!  :

Till Tomorrow, 
​Kathy

Today's painting is a plein air piece I painted during a paint-out with the London Plein Air Group depicts the Jury House at Fanshawe Pioneer Village.  As I have mentioned previously, I LOVE Fanshawe's Pioneer Village.  I have a season pass and visit on nearly a weekly basis (either to paint, or to take my dog Wylan on walks). 

Here is the history behind this old farm house (quoted directly from the Fanshawe Pioneer Village Website): 

"Original Building: Lobo Township, c. 1888

The Second Generation - The Jury Farmstead is representative of a second generation farm at the turn of the 20th century.

Boyhood home of Wilfrid Jury, the founder of Fanshawe Pioneer Village. It is an excellent 1888 example of a typical Ontario farmhouse.
​
The Jury house was built on Lot 12 Concession 2 of Lobo Township and is the childhood home of Wilfrid Jury, the founding curator of Fanshawe Pioneer Village. William Jury Jr., built this home in 1888 for his son Amos on the occasion of his marriage to Charlotte Julia “Jewel” Alder, the daughter of the weaver Thomas Alder. The house was occupied by the Jury family until Amos’ death in 1964. The farmhouse was rented to various tenants before it was sold in 1968 to Murray Manson. When Manson donated the house to Fanshawe Pioneer Village in 1973, the building had to be cut in two with a chain saw and the roof removed in order to transport it."

(credit Fanshawe Pioneer Village for History of the Jury House).