For this year's show, artists have painted a round canvas with floral designs, colours and patterns that are in the style of the embroidery on the Ukrainian national costumes. 100% of the proceeds of these artworks will go directly to local Ukraine refugee families. The round paintings will be displayed on the stage of the Red Barn Art's Centre in Sicamous, B.C. Please come and enjoy the wonderful local art and crafts (hours below). The fundraising painting that I painted is below. There will be around 16 for sale by different artists as well as the regular annual Art Show and Sale. Come and enjoy the air conditioning while enjoying this years art and craft show. I will be there Wednesday night 7-9pm (meet the artist open house), Thursday June 30 and Friday July 1, make sure you say hi.

I enjoyed a beautiful day painting along side the Rail Trail during the plein air event organized by the Vernon Community Arts Center and sponsored by Opus Arts Supply. Painting anywhere along the Rail Trail between Lake Country/Oyama to Coldstream/Vernon. My lovely sister Shannon met me for the beginning and we enjoyed our lunch after the first painting, then I moved onto Keluki Bay area for the next two.
​The wind-up was held at the Vernon Arts Center with drinks, snacks and judging. A final chance to meet more artists, talk shop and share our experiences. It was wonderful to meet artists of all ages and abilities! I would highly recommend to put this on your calendar for next year. There were no fees or rules, just bring your supplies out and enjoy the ever changing views.

I managed to get three plein air pieces done. The first two were painted in oil, 10" x 8", 8" x 10" and the final 5" x 7" with an Elegant Writer calligraphy pen and water. The spots are small bugs. I've already marked my calendar to watch for it next year! Hope to see you there.

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The water colour painting below is part of a fund raising initiative "The Ukrainian Refugee Fundraiser Through Art" at the Enderby Arts Centre at 617 Cliff Avenue. This fundraiser will be on display and sold during the month of June. My painting depicts a crow flying away with a national costume head dress following other crows. The crows on the line with their backs to the viewer behaving like there is nothing unusual happening (the world's initial response). A group of crows is called a "murder". All proceeds are donated.

I also used my drawing for a fund raiser in Sicamous, B.C. I painted this one in acrylic on a very large board, 4 feet x 4 feet, sealed for exterior use. This is part of the Communities In Bloom initiative. It is designed to hang on the outside of a building or fence. If interested in purchasing it, please contact Eagle Valley Arts Council. 

Last Friday I took out my plein air gear at the Brush and Palette Club meeting to get reacquainted. It had been over a year since I had the whole kit out and my oil paints were sealed shut. I found soaking the lids in hot water worked best and finally got them all open. I was surprised as I usually put Vaseline around the rim then put the lids on and have no problem. Well I used up all my painting time just getting myself organized. Today was another opportunity to give it a try but deep dark rain clouds were looming so I thought I would try painting flowers outside. It felt great!! My friend Ev showed up with a house gift and as we laid on the grass, we had some fun with the camera, what a wonderful way to spend some of the afternoon.

Pre-covid I was lucky enough to spend a wonderful day painting outdoors in an event that welcomed all artists of all ages and abilities to create along the Rail Trail between Cold Stream (near Vernon) and Lake Country. My sister Shannon accompanied me with a wagon filled with chairs, lunch, drinks and my art supplies and off we went. Lots of people walked and biked by, some stopping to chat and share encouragement. It was a really fun day as we enjoyed each other's company, Shannon finally had a day off to sit and read while I happily painted away.
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Paintings were then on display at the Vernon Art's Centre for a couple of weeks, what fun!! I am certainly planning on going again and hope Shannon can join me. It was certainly a surprise to see a photo of myself on this year's advertisement! If you are in the area (biking, walking or participating), hopefully you will find me to say hello!