I was to host on September 24 in the Courtyard Gallery in Enderby B.C. I arrived to find the power turned off for the whole town (planned outage). It took me a little while to figure it out and I finally came across a couple people next door who let me know. First of all, the drive from Sicamous was beautiful and peaceful and I thoroughly enjoyed the splendor and with little traffic.
I was celebrating my birthday that day and had made mini cupcakes to share with gallery visitors; neighbours and my husband enjoyed them instead. I posted on Facebook and Instagram as I had written a blog and told friends and family I would be there and now was not. As well, my sister Shannon and my Mom were going to drive up to surprise me so glad I posted that I wasn't going to be there.
Another Courtyard Gallery artist, Cynthia Langford had left a message on my phone the previous day but due to my phone notifications being accidentally turned off, I missed that key piece of info (thanks Cynthia!!).
A beautiful afternoon hike with my husband and the stunning lake and Sicamous views was another wonderful way to celebrate! Thank you to those we had planned on celebrating with me!!
Below is another painting sold at the Courtyard Gallery in Enderby and views from our hike.

"Sunshine Welcome"
Plein Air, Oil, 10" x 8"    SOLD

I am going to be the host this Saturday September 24 from 10am until 4pm and would love to see you. I am also the Featured Artist for the month of September and have the full wall when you come in of my paintings, unframed art and frameable greeting cards. It is exciting to see my "painting" face on the Courtyard Gallery website under "Exhibition" tab. ​https://courtyardgallery.ca/#exhibit

Finally digging out my plein air paints and set up in the spring, I painted a scene of a decorative mailbox and the flowers around it in the flower garden. I did not do any thinking about the design, just wanted to paint. When I was done, I was happy with the experience but not the painting, sigh. While on my shelf drying, it continually annoyed me with the extremely poor composition but I loved the colours.

​Finally a thought came to continue with the flowers that drew me to the scene to begin with. I am so much happier with this painting (bottom) and love the contrast of the warm earth tones and the cool blues.

"Spring Fling" - flinging the paint!
8" x 10" Oil on canvas board
​#20020922

These were painted in my homemade 5" x 7" watercolour sketch book on our Vancouver Island holiday. The views were excitingly fresh and new to me along with the colours. A new positive traveling experience always seem brighter and exciting. I sketched the scenes around me and even had time to sketch while awaiting our lunch at a lakeside pub. The final paintings were at the ferry in Powell River awaiting our ferry and even a sketch of the man ahead of me. I thought his hair was fascinating and he sat still while looking out the window. For that sketch, I used a black Elegant Marker calligraphy pen and added water with a water brush, what fun!

I am grateful (and doing a happy dance!) to be the Featured Artist for the month of September at the Courtyard Gallery in Enderby, B.C. As you go in, the large blue wall contains my paintings and below it are some unframed works and greeting cards. It really is an overwhelming feelings to see a body of work together. I also have a few pieces in the regular area of the gallery. The poster below has been posted around town as well as emailed to all members. Please check it out. I will be hosting in the gallery on September 7 and 24 this month.

The photo below is of my paintings and artist statement on the wall. Yup, still doing the happy dance!!! Please come and see my work and all the other artists beautiful paintings, glass work, fibre art, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, cards and more.