Saturday 9 November 2013

Just call me square

The Visual arts centre of Montreal or really Westmount, has a fundraiser called the square affair.  (If you want to live in Westmount - Brian Mulroney's house is for sale.  He is our former Prime Minister.  It is just a small shack).
They gave out a square panel to 300 artists.   I could not paint on the surface - I felt just like when I  worked in watercolour - petrified in case I made a mistake. Instead I made 3 different plywood paintings and chose one. The dog won - the one on the right.  He's a good Dane not a great one.


I had to figure out a way to make it look like I did this on purpose. I am grateful to my husband who does all the framing work. We put a border on the inside, well he did but it was my idea.  I hope they accept this.

A very good Dane
  

Friday 8 November 2013

Call Me

Drat those church ladies.  I don't want to use stronger language because they are really nice women, but I get suckered in every time by their estate garage sales.  I am addicted to them -  my husband is addicted, my daughter is addicted and even my son partakes.  I am sure my dog would like them too but we need room in the car in case we buy something really big.  They sell the entire contents of a house and the prices are fair.   This Saturday was a miserable weekend and yet they had a full house.
The owner had a vending machine business and had 4 vending machines in the garage and even one in his kitchen - installed.  There was a giant coin counter that went for $175.00 and I can't imagine why anyone would buy it but someone did.   Each time I go to one of these events,  I swear I am just looking  - right.  I bought 2 things, okay 4.  My husband bought 2 things.  My excuse is that I am looking for things to paint. I have no idea why he buys the things he does - I am not quite sure that we needed another printer but the fax machine is a different story.

The telephoned called out to me - buy me - so I did.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Twas the Month before Christmas

I was in a  show organized by the amazing Audrey Riley.  We were only allowed to enter the venue the night before at 9:00 o'clock exactly and I mean exactly.  They wouldn't let us in an a minute before.  Wouldn't you know there was a huge wind storm in Montreal and power was out all over the city and of course in the building we were to set up.  Everyone pitched in bringing flashlights and we managed to set up the tables in the dark.  Audrey kept apologizing but I thought it was a bonding experience.  The next morning power was back and the show was on.  I didn't sell anything but I painted a lot for this show, got new business cards and updated my website.

I had lots of beautiful comments that went to my head and the potential for a couple of commissions.  I also gave out Halloween candy but I am not responsible for any cavities.  It was fun and I learnt something about these types of shows - you will not sell $300 dollar paintings at these events - it is better to bring small ones that people will buy as impulse buys or little gifts.  Live and learn.