Hi all,

After much contemplation, I have decided to put my painting challenge on hold till October 19.  My dad recently had a pretty major surgery and I have been helping out with his recovery.  For my own self-care,  I have decided to take the next month off from the challenge.  I am still committed to completing the remaining 12 painting and will share these with you Oct 19 till 30th. 

I would greatly appreciate everyone sending out well-wishes for my dad's recovery from surgery.  Thanks,

Kathy

Today's painting features my family farm, Argyle Farms, located just outside of St. Marys. 
Interesting fact: my dad has lived here his entire life!

I have many memories growing up here!  Here are my top 5:

1. I was engaged young.  Reg was my favourite dog growing up; at age 5 I went through a phase where I wanted to marry him!

2. On Christmas morning, we were not allowed to open gifts until the barn chores were complete.  To fend off snoopy children, my parents actually had to lock the door to the living room that housed the tree and gifts. 

3.  I was in the 4H calf club for a few years around grades 6-8.  While I was very good at socializing and snuggling with my calf, I did not shine when it came to the actual training.

4. My favourite doll growing up was a Cabbage Patch Kid named Pauline.  I once gave her (and myself) a very chic hair cut in which I cut our bangs down to the scalp.  I thought it was very fashionable... but my mom and hairdresser Cheryl disagreed. 

5.  Some of my newest memories from the farm include those with my niece and nephews - Lachlan, Aelwen, and Ronan.  Three strong little MacKays!

Bests,
Kathy

Today's painting features a scenic view from atop the Sarnia Bridge.  I particularly enjoyed the foggy background, which reminded me of the following quote I like:

"Sometimes we need the fog to remind ourselves that all of life is not black and white."
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

TRIVIA ANSWER:
For anyone who looked at the trivia question yesterday - What did it cost to build the St. Marys Opera House?  Answer: $22,000

Today’s painting features a heritage building, the St. Marys Opera House. 

To be honest, prior to writing this blog post, I knew very little about the history of the building.  My most vivid memory is from my own childhood, when I would buy candy and magazines from M&M Variety Store (I particularly loved Cat Fancy).

Having the chance to dig back in the history, here is what I learned:

Back in the 1870’s, the St. Mary’s chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (an altruistic & social fraternity) needed a new meeting place; and it was this need that resulted in the construction of the St. Mary’s Opera House, built in 1879-80.  The final building was stunning, made of limestone in a Gothic Revival style. 

After it’s construction, this was the “place to be” and supported a thriving social scene in St. Marys.  The second floor housed a concert hall that put on a various performances including Shakespearean plays, musical comedies, political rallies, etc.   The first floor was dedicated to stores while the third floor held a meeting room for the Odd Fellows.

Despite it’s initial success, by 1904, the Opera House faced financial problems.  Ultimately is was sold first to Church and Watt ltd (a harness making company), and later to G. Carter and Son (a milling company).  It remained a flour mill until 1973. It underwent restoration in 1987, and today the first floor is dedicated to stores/shops and the upper floors to apartments.

TRIVIA:  How much did it cost to build the Opera House?

A) $15,000
B) $22,000 
C) $78,000 
D) $102,000

Comment below with your answer!

** answer will be included with tomorrows blog post.  

Today's painting depicts a lovely view of St. Marys across the Thames River.  The old opera house and Victoria bridge can be seen here.  

The reflections in this painting got me thinking about how the process of creating art results in self-reflection.  This self-reflection is particularly magnified during a 30-day challenge.  

Here are 3 things I have noticed about myself during this challenge

1. I often have a hard time starting a new painting.  The blank white canvas can be pretty intimidating. 
2. Once I get started on a painting, I am often able to drop into a state of "flow" where I am completely focused and engaged in the process.  Check out this great TED talk on the topic of flow.
3. The more I paint, the more I see like an artist.  Particularly, I have noticed I am slowly becoming more skilled at seeing shapes, values, and colour.  The science nerd in me likes to look at this through the concept of "neuroplasticity".  Specifcally, the more I practise seeing & creating paintings, the more efficiently my brain will become wired for these skills.  Ultimately, the better I will be able to paint!  I look forward to this life-long process. 

Till tomorrow, 
Kathy

Today's painting depicts the Grand Trunk Trail in early morning. This section of trail spans the Sarnia Bridge, a historic bridge dating back to 1858.  Originally the bridge was part of a train line headed west towards Sarnia, Ontario.  While no longer an active railway - the bridge was part of a revitalization to create St. Mary's beautiful Grand Trunk Trail. 

I approached this painting with the goal of simplicity.  Starting with a black gessoed canvas, I only used 3 pigments for this painting... cadmium orange, ultramarine blue, and titanium white.  Hope you like it.

Paintings are not like children... you can like some more than others.  And I have to say - I really like this one.  I'm very happy with the colours and the composition.  Today's painting depicts another view of the Victoria Bridge in downtown St. Marys (also featured on day 1 of the challenge).  

For this painting I used Golden OPEN acrylics, which are a slower drying acrylic paint.  My painting from "day 7" was the first time I used the OPEN acrylics.. and I think I'm in love.  I can more easily work in an alla prima (wet into wet) approach... which I am finding gives a more fresh, loose look.  I have been using a very limited palette (didn't want to buy too many tubes in case I didn't like the paints).  I am currently using titanium white, naphthol red, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, and hansa yellow. 


Till tomorrow,
Kathy

It's early morning... the water is flowing over the falls.  The sun is coming up, and the sky is softly lit with orange.  There is contrasting hints of orange and blue in the water.  These were the elements that inspired me to paint today's painting.

The ViaRail train is pulling into the St. Marys train station!  I captured this view from the bridge on Queen Street - above the train station.   This train was en route to Toronto. 

For my local followers, I'm curious ... what is your favourite thing about St. Marys?
Comment below to let me know!

Today's painting depicts a St. Marys icon... the town hall!

 This historic building, built in 1891, is very recognizable, and a true St. Marys landmark.  Designed by architect George Gunlock, it was built from local limestone with red sandstone accents.  Check out Canada's Historic Places website for more information on the history of this building.  

Today's painting is dedicated to a very special friend, Woody.  The painting captures him taking a stroll down the Grand Trunk Trail in St. Marys. 

Woody wasn't just a Jack Russell Terrier... he was a member of the family (he belonged to my sister Amy and my parents). 

Sadly he passed away a little over a week ago.  While he will be greatly missed, he leaves behind many special memories.  Here are my 5 top memories of Woody:

1. Sharing ice cream cones together (literally, we licked from the same cone.  Hope this doesn't gross anyone out!)
2. The way he licked my sister Amy's face.  He loved her so much that somethings I worried he'd lick her face raw
3. My mom and I doing photo shoots of Woody and Wylan (my dog) .... for the Christmas calendar
4. His love for his stuffed bunny.  Maybe it was a love-hate relationship.  I can't count how may times my mom sewed that bunny back together after a play session.  
5. How happy he made my family! 

My painting today features MacPherson Arts & Crafts store.  Located in a historic limestone building - this is where I bought my first painting supplies back in elementary and high school. 

I even took a one-day oil painting workshop here.  I remember leaving the store... I was so proud of my painting.  Then WOOSH....  a gust of wind blew the painting against my pants. While the painting was salvageable, the pants had a new permanent stain.  Since then... I have many more clothes decorated with paint spatters and smears;  everyone of them worth it!

Till tomorrow,
Kathy

I know this train station well.  Back in my university days, I often took the ViaRail train back and forth between St. Marys and Guelph.  And let me tell you -- I LOVE taking the train.... I find it very relaxing.  I prefer a quiet trip where I can put my earphones in, turn on a good audiobook or podcast, and sit back and relax.  

My favourite thing in this piece is the morning light... and I have to admit, I was pretty happy with how the final painting captured this light. 

See you tomorrow!
Kathy

Till next time,
Kathy

Art plays an important role throughout history - and for St. Marys, this is no exception.

Did you know the earliest reference to the name "St. Marys" is found on a watercolour painting by artist (and surgeon) George R. Dartnell... dating back to 1842 (from the book "Historic St. Marys" by Larry Pfaff).  

Dartnell's watercolour painting is the first known view of St. Marys.  According to Pfaff, the painting entitled "new settlement of St. Marys at the falls on the Thames 21 Oct 1842", "showed the piers of the first bridge across the Thames, the original Ingersoll grist mill, the first log house, and the virgin forest extending right to the bands of the river".

I bet anyone from St. Marys folks will recognize this view!  

The painting features Little Falls with the Sarnia bridge in the background.  This painting was inspired by a photo that my mom took for me (her and my dad were very helpful in taking reference photos for the challenge.  Hats off you mom and dad). 

Today's painting features one of the quarries in St. Marys (not the swimming one).  Despite my best efforts, I am not sure to the origin of the ruins seen here.  Chatting with my parents, our best guess was it had something to do with the cement plant. 

To my St. Marys followers... do you know where this is?  
Do you know what these ruins used to be? 
 If so, comment below and let me know.  


From those of you not from St. Marys and area... you may be wondering...

Where in the world is St. Marys.  I have included this little map for your.

Till tomorrow... Kathy

Well... it's finally here.  Day 1 of my 30-day challenge.   This month will be all things St. Mary's... there will be paintings, a few facts, and a bit of history.  

Welcome.  Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Today's painting features the historic Victoria Bridge... a stone, 4-arched bridge across the Thames River. I painted this from a reference photo I took this summer.  I've always love the beautiful flower baskets that decorate the bridge in the summer. 

This painting will be unique for the challenge... This one was painted in watercolour.  Likely all the remaining paintings will be done in acrylics!  Stay tuned. 

One more thing... while I will be offering almost all the paintings this month for purchase, todays painting is not for sale.  Rather, it will raffled off to email subscribers!