In spring of 2023 I knew I wanted to create a colourful sky painting. I wanted it loose, flowing, joyful. I didn’t care if the colours were exaggerated, not quite realistic.

I chose a 24 x 8″ canvas & went at it. I felt free. . . unrestrained. I liked the finished work, hung it near my desk and admired it. For a while. For a very short while.

Then it started to bug me. Something wasn’t quite right. The sky worked but the raspberry pink “fields” in the foreground were off somehow.

I studied the work for about two years, afraid to touch it until I knew what needed doing to bring it alive.

Then, driving about in spring of 2026, while admiring the very tidy rows of burgeoning greenery in farmers fields, the answer hit me. I needed contrast in colours & lines!

I “planted” my own tidy rows in the field with a few shades of green & yellow, reflected some of the yellow in the sky, darkened the mountains & Painted Sky came alive.

The updated painting sold in August. Whoo & hoo!

It’s an odd feeling, suspending judgement &/or control, to give oneself over to directions from another, a guru.

Recently I did that, following a workshop by Jenny Nelson on shapes. Starting with three of the same shape – triangles in my case – I worked in a limited palette of phthalo green, magenta, black, white & a smidge of benzimidazolone yellow medium.

I followed the action list, which had directions such as:

• Add a few different values inside your shapes
• Add an additional part to 2 of the shapes
• Add pure white. Add pure black
• Add 4 straight lines somewhere.

There are 12 other directions on that list. Remarkably, the exercise produced some interesting paper sketches. And this acrylic work, Frantic Donuts.

The trio of circles in the mid-left section inspired the name. I felt the circumstances of the work’s production warranted a catchy title.

I also used Woody pencils, Posca acrylic pens & palette knives & turned the work several times to find the most interesting orientation.

Friend Lynne A. also followed the workshop & created interesting works based on circles. We’ll try to find intriguing titles for her work too.

The exercise reminded me we can often benefit from learning or re-learning; stepping away from our comfort zone can reap rewards; the community of creatives is a large and generous one.

Further to the past year of painter’s block, I recently read a book review discussing a Two-week reset, “a challenge to take on before we’ve worked on our creative blocks”. It suggests working in small increments (you eat an elephant one bite at a time!) Also not allowing judgement or editing. With the holiday break & nothing to lose, I dove in

I started in a sketchbook (see below), first with a trad floral sketch (1). Next day I tried to capture the layout of words on a large and a small board as thumbnails (2) for a vague idea I had. I knew it would be titled Sesquipedalian. I was interested in using the small terms – Big Words – to describe the title. I considered how words might be lost in the effects of colours, shapes, design – yet still be there (3 & 4).

On Day 5 I worked on colour choices. It was interesting to slow down, develop ideas & still have time to think, rethink and adjust, while maintaining interest.

And next day I started painting, simply & in small bites. I had time to adjust, no pressure to finish. One day I realized I wanted a subtle 3D effect for the letters. Another, I knew big words had to be inscribed on those large format small words. Looking at this work could be an immersive experience.

A few adjustments & Sesquipedalian was almost done. Added a touch of teal, painted the sides in lively green, writing big words on in grey.

A little more than two weeks to conceive & paint a work that kept me interested, intrigued, amused: slowing down while raising my interest & commitment. Paradisiacal!

I grabbed a Posca pen to draw the view of my studio window from my desk. Quick, small, alive! Then filled in with acrylic & InkTense Blocks.

Rough, immediate and, dare I say, charming?

Affordable Art $ale
23Aug2025
Glengarry Pioneer Museum (GPM)
1645 County Rd. 30, Dunvegan 
10:00 – 14:00

(Re)discover the joy of collecting art. 

Original contemporary artworks, priced to appeal. Eleven artists on site (including me!)

You can help us clear space in our studios as we sell odd works from series, do some studio cleaning, etc.  

Add zing to your home or consider a gift for someone - Christmas is just four months away.

Coffee & cookies, conversations with artists, fresh air and art, art, art. Rain or shine in the Williams’ Pavilion beside the Schoolhouse, where the Collectif's Annual Show is also happening. Save at the Affordable Art $ale.

[Image thanks to Peggy, Marco & Pixabay.]

I’ve mentioned (too often?) the extended period of questioning process, topic, style. I’m now renaming this Mindfulness. Moving slower; thinking but trying to not over-intellectualize.

A result is this small, almost portrait. I focussed on letting go of control, working stroke to stroke and – hopefully – not overworking.

I’m happy with the sense of character and painterliness. We’ll see what comes next.

Three things I’d like to share with you.

One. The five-week Creativity Workshop (mentioned in the last blog) was a delight to lead. Eighteen folks moved out of their comfort zones, splashed colours around & came up with intriguing works. In the photo below, folks share their responses in fascinating diversity to a curious prompt at the last class.

Prompt: On large paper, with large brush, collage, pastels, pens, any colours arrange:
- 3 squares
- 2 rectangles
- 4 triangles, a variety
- 17 lines
- a wash in 3 layers
- wet on wet
- wet on dry.

Some pedagogical pointers: bringing home-baking to class. It helps people relax!

Two. Because these folks were so free, I freed up a little too in my studio. Here is a small, simple-seeming floral on layers and layers of painting that took months to finish.

Three. I heard a psychologist on the radio recently speak about successfully setting & meeting goals. Articulate and share. The sharing makes one accountable.

Okay.

I’m going to shift out of my painter’s block by creating a series of smaller works – I think colourful landscapes – as fearlessly as my creativity students. There, I’ve said it. And published it!

Watch this spot in coming months for colourful works or an interesting treatise on eating crow!

With spring comes the promise of colour.

I’ll be leading a five-week exploration of creativity in April. You can bet we’ll be pushing colour around. Also shapes, contrasts, composition. Prepping for the class has got my mojo humming, with three or four canvases on the go – whoo hoo!

Spring also opens the exhibition season. The BIG Show returns 11-12 April. Original works by more than 34 artists. Mix & mingle at the complimentary wine & cheese Friday and/or kick back with artists over coffee on Saturday. Mark your calendar NOW!

So many festivals of light. From Diwali to Hanukkah to Christmas, the festive season is upon us.

However you mark our northern switch to winter or the reverse in the southern hemisphere – wishing you creative times, grand conversations and good food shared with good people.

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Following years of (frustration &) abandoned festive images, I’ve finally finished an image for a new Christmas card, Cool Yule.

Just for fun, here are the previous cards.

Calm thinking and good health for 2025! Happy holidays.

On 14 September the tent will be up in Mill Square, Alexandria, ON packed with cakes, pies, bread, cookies & fresh coffee for the annual bake sale – rain or shine.  Goodies created by our artists – see you there!