So many things!

So, before I delve into my Thing-a-Week, I want to thank everyone who left comments for me over at artuponrequest.ca. As of 7:44pm Sunday, Feb.20, I was sitting at third place -- which would be enough for me to be chosen for the billboard campaign, since the organizers have decided to choose three pieces of art, instead of two.

But, I'm not holding my breath. Studies show that oxygen is actually a fundamental part of brain health and with so much on my plate, I need every brain cell I can get. So, tomorrow I'll deliver the verdict on the competition.

On with this week's thing!

Bubbles 3, 22 x 30", acrylic on canvas

For now, I'm calling this one 'Bubbles 3,' but that may change (it's a bit lack-lustre). The idea for the piece came from the goalie of my partner's hockey team, who noted that she loved Bubbles, but would have preferred a piece without the woman, and only bubbles.

So, on Saturday, I grabbed a brand-new, 22X30" gallery wrapped canvas, peeled back the plastic to reveal the delicious smell of pine and virgin canvas, and got to work!

It was actually quite a productive week, in terms of painting. I also painted a brand-new triptych ("Ready for Spring") for a silent auction for a non-profit organization called Camp fYrefly. I've actually been donating art to the group for the last three years.

In addition to the triptych, I donated another piece called Body of Water.

This week was actually a double-whammy in terms of silent auctions: I donated another piece, Tree Birth, to the Parkland Institute (a University of Alberta research institute and an editing client of mine).

Ready for Spring, three 8 x 10" cavas panels, acrylic

Each year, I give regular financial contributions to the Edmonton Humane Society and Plan Canada. I wish I could give to more organizations, so in lieu of cash, I donate artwork to be sold at fundraisers.

However, with a few art events coming up in the next few months, I'll have to be a bit more cautious with my inventory. At the end of May, I'll be showing my work at the Night of Artists (NOA) magazine launch, and I'll be attending Expressionz Cafe in April. I'll post more information about these events closer to the date.

Anyway, that seems like more than enough for a Sunday night blog post (I think it's time I start writing twice a week)! Onwards and upwards.

As usual, check out my blog buddy Mike Kendrick's Thing-a-Week. He's a talented guy and, after having a chance to finally meet him in person on Friday, I can confidently attest to his conversational skills, too! We both worked at the U of A student newspaper, the Gateway, but in different years. So, while we knew of each other and connected via Facebook, we didn't really "meet" until two days ago.

Alright! I'm officially gone! Thanks for reading!

Thing(s)-a-week: 'Gettin' er done' edition

The trouble with being creative, is that the to-do list is always getting longer. Even on my most productive weeks, I'm crossing off as many items as I'm adding!

This week, for instance, a couple of paintings were hardly off the easel before ideas for new paintings were popping into my head. I've been poring over art books for inspiration for weeks and the ideas have been percolating.

On Friday, I met with my lovely web designer to talk about redevelopment for both of my sites (inkslingermedia.com & crawshawcreative.com), and thanks to some great ideas she had, I've got a bunch of prep work to do (including upgrading a paypal account, creating images especially for the site, etc.).

My brain was already full when I headed to a Night of Artists (NOA) meeting on Saturday afternoon at Expressionz Cafe. Now, I've got a small tile to paint for a large mural project, an invitation list to compile, and other prep work to do in advance of the NOA magazine launch event on May 26 & 27, and the actual NOA event this fall (stay tuned for the deets!).

But, here's what I did get done -- two paintings, 12x16 each, acrylic on canvas.  Both are actually revamped paintings. I'd been quite unhappy with them and left them sitting in my basement storage room for a few months.

I still haven't finished the large painting I began a couple of weeks ago, but it's on my ever-growing to-do list! On top of some painting goals for the week, I've got a couple of illustration assignments on the go. 

Well, onwards and upwards! Time to tackle that list.

As always, don't forget to read my blog buddy Mike Kendrick's Thing-a-Week.

Thing-a-week: Yogini and her loyal dog

One day this week, I grabbed my sketchpad and pen, and hopped into bed early. I had children's illustrations on the brain when I when I sketched this one.

One of my goals in the next six months is to put together a number a portfolio of kid-friendly illustrations. I'd love to illustrate children's books and magazines one day, and I figure my whimsical style might be a good fit. The first step is putting together a portfolio to send off to prospective publishers and art directors -- and perhaps some agents. I'm reading all I can, and chatting with illustrators, to figure out how to wedge my foot in the door.

Like any new creative pursuit, there's lots to figure out.