Pearl Ellis Gallery

Another gallery exhibition comes to an end. As some of you already know fellow artist Nanci Cook and I had a joint exhibition of work at the Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox. The show came down yesterday.

I would like to thank Sheila and Bob Pollock plus all their wonderful volunteers for their help with the exhibition. The Pearl Ellis Gallery is a volunteer run gallery. Without their help there would not be a gallery.

When you have an exhibition at the Pearl Ellis Gallery their promotional package is top-notch. It started with our bios displayed on the Pearl Ellis Gallery's Website. Next along came Shaw Cable to interview both Nanci and myself. Posters were made and distributed throughout the Comox / Courtenay area. On top of that, three local publications carried the biography and show information. Of course we also did our own promotion and mailings. (see blog "Getting Ready for a Show", Feb. 16)

On the opening day I had folks coming up to me and said "I saw that painting in the newspaper", which was really neat to hear. Some had seen the announcement on Shaw Cable as well.

It was a Great Show. BIG thanx to Nanci for sharing the space and the work. Not to mention I sold a couple of pieces plus more folks now know about us in the Comox / Courtenay area. That my friends, is priceless!

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

Reel Tranquility

This painting was inspired by a photograph taken of a fly-fisherman enjoying his day at Nile Creek in Bowser.

I started worked on it during one of my paint days at TOSH (The Old School House) in Qualicum Beach.

People come and go in the gift shop, looking at jewelery, pottery and nifty art to either take home as a souvenir of their stay in Qualicum, or to buy for themselves.

One particular couple were in the shop, the wife content on looking at every single item, while the husband was dragging behind. Obviously he would have rather been anywhere else. They were just about to leave when the wife said "Oh, I just want to look at one more thing."

He shuffled his way over to see what I was doing, and with excitement said "Oh, you're painting a fly-fisherman". Well let me tell you, his mood totally changed. For the next 20 minutes he passionately told me the merits and pleasure one gets out of tying their own flies.

Funny thing is his wife was now ready to leave and she practically had to drag him out of there.
Art is in the eye of the beholder!

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

Painting at TOSH

Every second Tuesday is my resident artist day at TOSH - The Old School House in Qualicum Beach. I have my own table, easel and corner in the gift shop where I can paint.

A couple people have asked me in the last two days - "Do you like painting at TOSH?" And I quickly answered "Yes".

Here are a few of the reasons:

- it gives me a fresh day, away from the home office, away from my computer and emails where I can just have fun and throw some paint around

- I have two wonderful volunteer ladies that I work with in the gift shop, which always makes for interesting conversations

- I am immersed in a beautiful creative environment all day. I take breaks and wander through the back studios where the other resident artists are hard at "Play". Plus there is always wonderful exhibitions upstairs in the galleries where I can have a cup of tea and look at some more inspiring work.

- I get to chat to people from all over the world who are visiting our beautiful Qualicum Beach. We talk about the weather, about art, about their homeland ...

- I get to hand out a few Island Arts Magazines, which is always fun

- I usually have a lunch date lined up with one of my friends

- and on top of all that, I usually get a good start or a finish to one of my paintings

So, Hell yes, I love my painting days at TOSH. My next scheduled paint day is March 23rd - come by and say "Hi".

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

Spring Thaw

Goodbye my friend! Enjoy your new home.

"Spring Thaw", 20 x 16" acrylic on canvas

This is an acrylic painting that I started a few years back when I was still living in the Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan. Look familiar?

After a harsh and long winter, it is glorious to see the first signs of spring; the lakes starting to thaw, the snow vanishing on the tops of the hills ...

Today I sent this painting to a gallery in Regina. How ironic that I painted it in Saskatchewan, moved it out to BC and now it is returning to the prairies.

"From the Prairies ... to the West Coast ... and back again."

Till Next Time ... Susan