roots and wings....

Its been a very interesting fall....lots of change, and apparently change means growth. I have to agree with that on many levels. The growth has been sometimes emotional and challenging. I defined myself as a mother for the last 16 years and that was my main priority. I am still a mother however my children are growing, maturing and spreading their wings. This is a beautiful and painful experience all at once. My husband and I have done a good job raising them, roots and wings my husband would always say....roots and wings. 

I am now an artist more hours of the day than an active mother. I love my new identity. I love that I can devote hours upon hours of time to my art. It makes me happy, it gives me joy. I go to bed looking forward to picking up that paint brush, its my passion. I feel grateful to have spent so many hours with my boys as a stay at home mom. I put my heart and soul into them and I am as equally grateful to spend my hours nurturing my creativity these days. 

paintings for moyaboya

Today I got back to work on a group of monochromatic florals Im working on for Moyaboya in Creemore. I cannot wait to get up there with my girlfriends to do a little shopping and visit Senka.

Tag Art Gallery Group Exhibit.....

Starting October 17th I will be exhibiting at Tag Art Gallery in St. Catharines ON. Very much looking forward to having my work in my home town.

empty nest.....

Biggest change in my life.....my kids are gone. They are playing hockey at Ridley College, 16 yrs old ( twins ) and they have flown the coop. I am so happy for my boys simply because they are so happy. Also means their mama can paint all day everyday to help pay for tuition.....xoxoxoxox

is it fall of 2012 already????

Ok.....this may sound incredibly insane but I have been that busy. I'm not going to get into the details of my life....maybe its not that I've been too busy. Maybe I have just had my priorities tossed up in the air lately and they have fallen in a different pattern. I have all of a sudden floated to the top of that priority list and its starting to make sense and feel good. So I will get back to blogging about my life as an artist again because this life has become for front and center. Feels good......

lone birch...

This painting was a struggle, however it turned out to be one of my favorite paintings in the end. Thanks to Sherry for forcing me to come back and finish it even when Id given up. She was right, it took me one hour to complete and I felt so completely satisfied with the results. I think it will go to the gallery in Collingwood later this summer and hopefully someone falls in love with it.

janes was a success

Last Sunday was my 3rd annual show, hosted by Jane and David Thompson. It was a great success, with a portion of the procedes going to the Mark Preece Family House. I am so grateful to all the folks that attended and look forward to next year! My next exhibit will be the beyond the valley tour this fall, dates to be posted on my website www.michelleguitard.net

beyond the valley tour!!!

The tour in Dundas was a great success this past weekend, dont forget to come to my exhibit June 13th ( details on my website ) www.michelleguitard.net under exhibits. Lots of folks passed through and commented on both Stephanies, and my work. I always enjoy the tour for many reasons, the people that come to see my work are always so encouraging and inspiring. I also love to see my tour buddies!!! Elaine, Louise, Anne, Stephanie, we all have so much fun together, looking forward to the fall tour in Oct. Above is a purple tulip I exhibited, it will also be at Janes show in 2 weeks.

more and more flowers.....

Im posting the pink peony but I also need to post the tulips.....Ive been painting flowers everyday and very much enjoying it. I will continue to paint flowers until I just cant paint no more!!!! As long as they continue to inspire me I will be seeking out beautiful photos to create on canvas. Just a few more weeks until the Dundas tour so need to paint lots. Looking forward to it!!!!

computer troubles.....

Okay so heres the deal......laptop crashed, lost information, purchased new laptop, learning new programs, trying to find old information....soooo annoying. So that has been the highlight of my last few weeks, not to mention the twins. Yes, my 14 yr old boys play both rep hockey and soccer therefore April is our overlap month and its a nightmare. Did I mention my husband is doing a full time MBA and travels often with his job????? Any-hoo.... that has been my life for the last while and its a tad busy. Oh! Im also moving again in 2 mths....good lord. All of that aside, life is awesome!!!!!! I finished this last painting for the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour 2010. Please come see my work, Ive started these florals and Im very excited about them. May 29-May30 ( Saturday and Sunday ) 10am-5pm both days. Go to my website and look at the exhibits page for upcoming shows!!!!! www.michelleguitard.net looking forward to seeing you.

new laptop

stressed the last few days without my computer, bought a new one today. Did not lose info, will transfer photos etc from the old hard drive......I cannot live without a computer, just cant. Boys are out tonight, husband is home tomorrow night FINALLY.........

new tulip painting

The Dundas Valley Tour is just around the corner. This is another floral I plan to exhibit at the show. I'm excited about these tulips as Ive done others but this one seems to have the movement I like in flowers. Tulips often lack movement so I stay away from them although they are one of my favorite flowers to have in a vase at home. I am glad I found a photo ( actually its a photo from one of Stephanie's coasters!!! So I borrowed it ) That's right, was over for a visit, put my drink down on a coaster she had on her table and asked if I could take it home as I thought it would make for a great painting. Starting another painting today, not sure what sort of flower I will choose, but I have hundreds of photos in a file to choose from, will keep you posted!!!

spring has sprung...

Easter is all wrapped up and the boys are back to school. I have started a canvas of tulips, will post that today. We had an amazing weekend, celebrating both Easter and the boys bday. Time to get back at it and paint, paint paint. Looking forward to talking to the girls in Clarksburg today to see how the Easter event went and what the response was to the flower paintings I shipped for the exhibit.

boys 14th bday...

The boys celebrated their 14th bday this weekend with good friends and family. We missed not having dad around but made up for it with non stop excitement! My boys are 14! !

finished....

So this is the end result of the flower. I love this painting its very delicate and smooth. I do not like the quaility of the image, the colour is off and the hues are much deeper. Oh well good enough.

the beginnings of another flower...

Okay, I took this pic a few weeks ago when I started this painting. Since this was shot Ive completed the painting so will post that today as well. Its a nice painting and heading to Collingwood gallery today.

new week....

Did I mention I want this kitchen for my new house? Its the same model, 1940s ranch and this is the end result with a kitchen reno I found online. Its lovely. I watched a reno today on Design Inc and it was the same style kitchen, limited space but functional and beautiful.

March br is done. New week begins, with driving my friends John and Joyce. Hes quite ill so this little job may go away soon, however I welcome that as I have so much painting to do for the exhibits this spring. Its been a great job, Ive enjoyed their company and insight on being old. They are wonderful people, blessed to know them.

painting by emily carr

Id forgotten how much emily carrs work had influenced my early work. I loved her paintings and the way she captured nature and movement. Her paintings were so spiritual. There are many things from my past that inspired me that I would like to revisit. I remember reading her biography and loving her the way she moved the brush over the canvas. Beautiful.

spring

March break is slowing winding down. The weather has been fantastic this week and Im so looking forward to the first day of spring and warmer days ahead. Starting another flower today, already have the photograph ready for reference. Will post as it evolves.

white flower done....

Im so happy to complete the white flower ( my second flower ) Its march break, kids are here, company here and I still found time to finish yiipppeee!