Day 13 January 28

I actually had to go to a job interview today... Its a dry time for artists out there, so if you can, do support them. It was interesting actually- I haven't been to a formal 'job' interview in a few years and I was almost having an out of body experience in there, and of course thinking about what I was going to paint today. The subject for today is nothing exciting but it is a very, very important part of my life- the indispensable studio coffee mug.

Day 12 Jan 27

Just to clarify in case anyone was wondering, lobster is not a staple of an artist's diet. I was lucky enough to be treated to a sea food feats last night at Rodney's Oyster House in Toronto.
I just couldn't resist saving the beautiful remnants of the lobster tail.
The waiter put it in a doggy bag for me.
mmmmm

Day 11 Jan 26

It looks like after a few years of doing nothing but art related work I am finally going to have to bite the bullet and get a job. The thought comes with some relief. Maybe this way I will finally know where my rent is coming from!
The only problem-- I am qualified for painting and serving coffee. So it may just have to be one of these two.
Anywho- today's painting- my lunch. I saved half of my egg salad bagel just for this purpose. Much to my chagrin however the egg salad made its way out of the paper bag and into the unsuspecting items in my purse...
All worth it.

Day 10 Jan 25

Hammer Head.

I painted it now I am going to go use it.

DAY 9 JAN 24

I found this old juggling ball in one of the many neglected nooks in my studio. Somehow taking it out from behind the couch and lighting it with my spotlight made it quite beautiful and somewhat nostalgic. There was something appealing to me about the burst of plastic filling coming straight out of the top like a geyser.

The first time I went to the circus was last year, so I can't say it reminds me of my childhood. However over the last couple of years, for some strange reason or other, I have developed an unhealthy interest in sideshows and the circus... If you have not seen the movie "FUR" with Robert Downey Junior and Nicole Kidman- Go Get It!

Enjoy!

Day 8 Jan 23

In the studio bright and early today. Today's painting is of a left over piece of brie cheese, which one of my studio mates was kind enough to lend me. Painting food items is becoming a strange ritual. There is something about the act of painting the thing you are consuming- it disappears soon after it is painted and one is left with satisfied hunger and a little painting. Just a random thought!

Day 7 JAN 22

Ok -technically this post has crossed over to the January 23 boundary, but if it makes any difference my mind was occupied with making caramel, whipping meringue and stirring custard.
As for the painting I think its only appropriate that it is of a plate of butter.

I spent most of the day in my studio today. It felt great to have a full day. I managed to paint a gresaille fabric and of course my daily canvas. I will be posting photos of my other works as they come along.

DAY 6 (January 21)

I am sitting in the kitchen after a long day of meetings, teaching, painting and a lecture waiting for the mashed potatoes. I am finding that all my seemingly innumerable daily tasks become relegated to the background as I try to squeeze in my daily canvas.

I listened to a lecture outlining the installations at last year's Nuit Blanche. After two hours of high- flauntin' art speak, I must say the mundane seems more and more appealing to me. I am content with my banana.

Day 5 January 20

My studio space, (surprise surprise) is in an old industrial building. Having spend most of the morning running around I arrived without the usual 'object-in- my- purse' to paint. I found instead a lot of old, rusted, over painted and otherwise aged fixtures: pipes, wires, light switches, outlets, mysterious holes in the walls-- beautiful things. Some of these things are easily older than I am, and somehow this was a comforting thought.

On a separate note...

I send an e-mail about my blog to my mailing list and have been receiving e-mails and phone calls all day. It has been amazing. Many of you, I haven't spoken to or seen in years and it was quite encouraging to receive your thoughts and good wishes! Thanks!

DAY 4 (January 19)

Took a walk to Kensington Market this morning in search of my daily subject. The three varieties of hot peppers I got my hands on earned me an impressed look by the woman behind the counter. I did not tell her I had no plans for consuming them.
I actually don't mind the Market early in the morning when its just me and the quirky shop keepers.

I remembered reading Pipi Longstockings when I was a kid and my favorite part was when she went 'thing finding'. I kind of feel like I am partaking in my own version of 'thing- finding'. I am after all a proud hoarder of 'neat stuff' and it just makes sense that I get to paint them.

Day 3 (January 18)

Port Glass and Pipe, oil on canvas on panel, 6"x6"

I am completely enamored with painting glass. I spend a couple of hours lost in the infinite little reflections and refractions that change with the tilt of your head. My favorite part of this little still life is the orange colors- I used W&N Cadmium Scarlett, the closest thing out there to pure vermilion. It also makes amazing flesh tones!
All in all today has been an artistically productive day. I managed to take some reference photos for a series of figurative paintings I am planning. My friend was kind enough to not only pose for the paintings but to also make me a delicious dinner(thanks Megan!).

DAY 2 (January 17th)

I went to teach my usual Sunday art class this morning with an egg holder and a boiled egg waiting patiently at the bottom of my purse. It made fumbling for my wallet a little more interesting than usual. I am finding myself thinking ahead about what I am going to paint the following day. I have tomorrow's project in front of me right now but I am not telling.

Day 1(Sort of)

Well, there is certainly no shortage of daily painting blogs out there.
I guess when it comes to original ideas what you see here would hardly qualify as one.

This is how it all began:
I was working in my studio on a portrait painting(this being my main aesthetic interest). After a few months of having to use photographic references due to lack of real live people who were willing to sit thanklessly for hours, I began to loose interest in what I was doing. There was always informaiton missing, I was always struggling and compromising, and for someone who was trained to pain from life this was frustrating.

A few days ago I took an apple from my boyfriend's place with the clear intention of painting it at my studio that afternoon. I arrived, turned on the lights and started painting on a small panel I had laying around. I was in heaven! As I finished the apple I took a bite out and painted it again. By the time I got to the core I wanted to paint that too-- So I did.

That night I couldn't fall asleep. I kept picturing all the mundane but beautiful things I could paint. The next day I was at it again. I painted my medium jar and my instant coffee...
So I made the decision simply not to stop!

I am officially starting the blog TODAY- January, 16th 2010 and this is officially the first post!

I hope you enjoy my paintings.