Author: Cheryl

LgMntMem200

Secret Recipe

Cheryl
I’m in love. Sorry, no sordid details, the object of my deep affection is colour. Colour mesmerizes me. Colour energizes me. If I think about the colour orange, I feel more alive. Colour can sooth me. A grayed teal blue makes me calm. Since it made such a great blog title, I will share my secret recipe for a grayed teal blue colour with you fellow painters – it’s phthalo blue plus burnt sienna plus white. It’s a good one – enjoy! Call me fickle, but I think I love all colours. Yellow dances, red leaps and shouts for joy. These associations run deep within me and no doubt strongly affect my painting. Do you have a favourite colour? You could tell us in the comments below, and even share your favourite colour recipe if you feel so inclined. And this week’s survey is about colour too. You can vote on your favourite colour – surveys are always anonymous and just for fun. Thanks! 
GoatT

Getting Unstuffed for Christmas

Cheryl 4 Comments
I read it somewhere, and thought it was a great phrase. We likely have too much stuff. Could we get unstuffed for Christmas this year? Here are some ideas… I loved a daughter in law’s suggestion of goodies for the adults instead of gifts. We all make or buy a dozen of our favourite treats, then put them into bags for each adult to take home one of each. Another thing I thought of, and this is embarrassing, I have 2 extra coats in my closet that I haven’t worn in over a year. By golly, I need to get those off to the Goodwill Store! What about taking people to a concert, theatre production, art gallery, or even a movie instead of more stuff? You’ve probably also heard of World Vision and their wonderful program of buying a goat or pig or chickens for a family living in poverty. What a great gift idea! Here’s a link to check this out…World Vision Gift Catalogue. The local food banks also need donations. What non perishables do you have in the cupboard that could be passed on? I am quite sure I’ve barely scratched the surface of this concept. So now I’m turning it over to you. What ideas do you have for getting unstuffed for Christmas? I’ll be looking for your comments – right after I get back from Goodwill. 
Leav2T

Finding Creative Space

Cheryl 3 Comments
I’m betting you are busy. Not just a little, but crazy busy. It’s the way our world runs these days – fast! How do we get off, slow down, make a creative space? I’m talking about 30 minutes to an hour of lovely creative time a day. I don’t have all the answers, I struggle too. But here are a few things that help me to find some creative space. 1. Recognize that everything else will benefit, yup, even go better, if you take some time to refresh your spirit by being creative.2. Acknowledge that most of what we do in non work hours doesn’t have such huge urgency that it can’t wait an hour. Or even a day. If you don’t tidy up before Great Aunt Bertha gets there, the world will carry on, quite oblivious. And so likely will Aunt Bertha.3. Stand still. Breathe deep. And then make a list. Figure out what you must do, and what can wait. Writing things down can be a great way to have a brief closure on the “to do” (or as I like to call it, “do do”) list. 4. Go Create. Because no one else can create in the same unique way that you do. End of story.  Those are my thoughts. What are yours? Share with us what things help you pull away from crazy busyness and find a creative space in your world. 
LgOnceAV250

Website – Live!

Cheryl 3 Comments
Welcome to my new website and blog! Paintings, contests, surveys, featured art students, art course info, tips and techniques – and more. I hope you will enjoy what this site has to offer. The blog appears on the homepage. What’s this blog about? This is where I write about creativity and how to be more creative. I share painting tips and techniques. There will be links to art websites. You will also find some favourite quotes here, about art and about life. The category ‘Outside the Box’ is a catch all for topics that don’t fit into the other ones. A lot of what I write will be art focused. Some of my writing will share my experiences as a full time artist/art instructor, and hey, some will be about life! Because – art happens, and life happens. The technical difficulties with the for sale and sold galleries have been fixed! If you couldn’t see images there before, you should be able to now. Yay Wilf! New blog posts happen most weekdays, Monday through Friday. Here’s the thing. I also hope that this blog will be about you. How? I’m hoping for comments – lots of them! I’m hoping you will find the content often worth sharing with your friends too – on Facebook, on Twitter, or anywhere at all. So today my request is, take a look around and tell me what you think. Tell me, over all impressions, your favourite parts, if something doesn’t work for you. Whatever your thoughts are, I’m hoping to hear from you. Enjoy! 
FP013T

Famous Painting: Previous Winners

Cheryl
Here are our previous contest winners. Click on any thumbnail to see the entire painting! Artist: Salvador DaliPainting: Persistence of MemoryClose Date: June 30, 2012Winner: Kathie Wright Artist: Gustav KlimtPainting: The KissClose Date: May 31, 2012Winner: Cheryl Cashman Artist: Johannes VermeerPainting: Girl with a Pearl EarringClose Date: April 30, 2012Winner: Connie Mabb Artist: Lawren HarrisPainting: From the North Shore Lake SuperiorClose Date: Mar 31, 2012Winner: Lynne Tomlinson Artist: Claude MonetPainting: Woman with Parasol/La Promenade/Madam Monet & SonClose Date: Feb 29, 2012Winner: Scott Smith Artist: Vincent van GoghPainting: Starry NightClose Date: Jan 31, 2012Winner: Linda Summers Posey Artist: Edgar DegasPainting: The Dance Class (La Classe de Danse)Close Date: Dec 31, 2011Winner: Alexis Chadwick  
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Mary Ellen Young

Cheryl
How long have you been painting? I’ve been painting since I retired 20 years ago. I’ve been studying with Cheryl for about 15 years. What type of paint do you like to work in? Acrylics are my favourite because of the versatility. If I’m not happy with the results, I can always gesso over it. What inspires you to be creative? Nature, and classes with other people always increase my creativity. Do you have a favourite subject? Landscapes and flowers are favourites Do you have any favourite artists? Our Canadian Group of Seven and Stephen Quiller. How does painting affect your life? Painting allows me to express my inner soul. It appears to bring happiness to others as well.     Paintings by Mary Ellen Young  
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Lynne Pinchin

Cheryl
How long have you been painting? 6 years – all with Cheryl O What type of paint do you like to work in? I work in both acrylic and watercolour paint. What inspires you to be creative? I wanted to try something new and different. I am a sports fanatic, and painting is very different! Do you have a favourite subject? I am definitely a landscape painter. I love painting beaches, clouds, and peaceful scenes. What inspires you to be creative? Place that I have been, or places that my family has been – they share their photos with me. Do you have any favourite artists? Our Canadian Group of Seven. How does painting affect your life? This is a great question! Painting has added a totally new dimension to my life! It has opened up so many new interests, and friendships. I now notice things that I never thought I would faintly pay attention to. I can’t wait to steal time to sit and paint, or find new inspirations to paint. I love Cheryl’s attitude and credit her talents for inspiring me to learn to paint, to improve, and enjoy art. Her classes are so welcoming and just positive all the time. See more of Lynne’s artwork on her website, link below.  She also works in stained glass! LYNNE PINCHIN – WEBSITE   Paintings by Lynne Pinchin 
CarolM

Carol Meredith

Cheryl
How long have you been painting? I have had a life long affection for all things creative. My father was an excellent oil painter in his retirement and he provided lots of inspiration and encouragement. I started ‘seriously’ taking painting lessons after a chance conversation, about 6 years ago, with artist Barbara McKnight. As she painted in Bayfield at the Sail and Canvas Festival, she shared her own artistic journey with me and I jumped in. I started taking classes with Cheryl O about 5 years ago. What type of paint do you like to work in? I have tried various media but always come back to my favourite … watercolours! I love the challenge of a media that offers such a narrow opportunity for correction but promises such lovely reward it you ‘think it through’. Also I love the magical things that happen when beautiful colours are dropped onto wet paper. What inspires you to be creative? Whether it is watching a painting demonstration or just admiring the work of others, I find I can’t wait to get my brushes out and begin! How does painting affect your life? Author Martha Beck wrote about creativity and compared it to yoga. She said yoga makes your body flexible and responsive so it can adapt to any stress. Painting is the psychological equivalent for the soul … painting stretches and strengthens! I love that hours can pass when you are painting and it feels like mere minutes. Another lovely benefit is that you meet the most delightful and interesting people in classes and art groups. (Gallery Painting Group, and Brush & Palette Club.) After a week together this summer at Cheryl’s Wet & Wild Class, four of us continue to get together for lunch and to art talk. Carol can be contacted at: [email protected]     Paintings by Carol Meredith