doodling my way from dark to light...

I am on the verge of creating some new work, probably continuing on the theme of motherhood or home life or something familiar and real right now. They say "paint what you know." Well, what I know right now is a big pregnant belly and three busy kids.

But first. I have to get over my real aggravation with Kathleen Wynne's sabatoge of the family. The sneaky, subtle and subversive attacks on the very thing that takes up all my time and energy--I'm so done with it. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, maybe you don't live in Ontario. Sigh...anyway...

No one wants artwork that oozes bitterness hanging in their home--much less do I need a reminder of that on my easel. Plus, whining under the pressure doesn't seem overly honourable. There must be a helpful way to think through the reasons why family life is beautiful, important, valuable. The honest truth is, right now I often have trouble seeing it myself. Maybe that's why people call this stage being "in the trenches" of motherhood.

SO.

Until that gets processed into something positive...

I thought I'd catch up on the blog.

This spring I had a wonderful opportunity to create a commissioned piece for a friend. Doesn't this just lighten the mood :) It was a joy to paint!

Portrait of a young boy, Waterton National Park, Alberta.
18 x 24" Acrylic Painting on wood panel.

I began by selecting the photo below out of a handful of excellent options. Then I felt I needed some inspiration as far as the colour palette and brushwork went, so I kept this image of a Monet painting beside me almost the whole time.

One of the reference photos I worked with, alongside a painting by Monet.

Maybe you can see how my painting was influenced by this.

Detail of Acrylic Painting.

Following this painting, I was busy with three weeks of Art Camp--too. much. fun! A separate blog post about that is in the works.

One final quick thing to show you. Recently, Flagship Gallery launched a new website which shows off a lot more artwork than the old site. You can also buy prints and originals, and support this fantastic group of artists I am blessed to call friends! Here's a look at the page showcasing some of my work. 

www.flagshipgallery.com

Thanks for reading!

LS

Art Camp registration is Open!

As I sit and type, I have three little kids playing (and getting along!!) around me, and about 15 multicoloured hair bows placed meticulously all around my head. Fifteen. What a life, haha!

I'm sure there are a lot of weird "working-from-home" stories, maybe you have one to share too :) Since I'm on this tangent, I may as well commit and show you this video from 2012:

Needless to say, this girl has been waiting to be old enough for Art Camp for a loooong time. She has been messing around with paint almost as long as she's been alive. This is her "I can't wait for Art Camp!!" smile :)

For all the rest of you eager artists, young and old, join me for a week this summer in Aldershot. I love teaching all the six year olds ;) but I also love the older classes and every age in between! You can find details and registration here: www.artandmusicstudio.com/artcamp

I have some solid updating and art-showing-off to do on this blog....that will have to come another time.

Until then!

LS

The time has come...

...to say hello, world. For precisely one month, October 9 to November 7th, I am waving a giant hello to the world down at Flagship Gallery with a solo exhibition called "Look, child". This likely won't happen for quite a few more years, so come see it while it's up.

I missed making the announcement about the opening reception here... sorry about that. I was busy painting until about 12 hours before the opening night, and even then my infamous yellow toolbox of paints was reluctantly tucked in the back room right before I did my hair. But don't worry, you didn't miss the wine because I discovered we're not licensed for that. Aw, shucks. (This world has become too strict for me.)

Right now there are twenty-some-odd paintings and drawings on display at 237 James Street North. Begged and borrowed from friends, family and former clients. There are a few for sale though, so please ask if you see something that catches your eye.

There is work from the past 10 years or so, including a drawing series called "Grace" which I did while still a student at Redeemer. It's surprising to me how readily people open up about their perspectives on deeply personal things. The drawings encouraged many responses that I thought were very revealing, and I was grateful to have these interactions!

"Grace"
Charcoal on Stonehenge, giglee prints each 18"x20" $950
Copyright Lisa Smouter

The show is up until the first Saturday in November. Consider stopping in or get in touch with me to meet up at Flagship if you prefer.

Left: "Sleeping Spirit Awakened" Acrylic and Liquitex pouring medium, 36x60"  $1800
Top Right: "Sandwiches are Beautiful" Acrylic, 24x24"  $425
Bottom Right: "Moving ahead, feeling behind" Acrylic, 24x24"  $425

These were the most recent paintings I did--painting basically every day for 2 or 3 months.... I hope it is an encouragement to others. Thematically these came out of the most recent paintings I did called "Your Kingdom Come" and "Child of the King", both exploring ideas and realities about the Kingdom of God. By the time I was done working on those two more metaphorical works (see below), I was ready for some tangible representations of what Christians often call "kingdom work".

Left: "Your Kingdom Come: tear another strip off me" Chalk pastel, 16x20" Prints available
Right: "Child of the King" Acrylic and Liquitex pouring medium, 14x18"  $425

Thanks for stopping by!

LS

And a Pundit on Motherhood Three!

Try singing that to the tune "and a partridge in a pear tree"... Christmas must be approaching... But YES! Kiddo number three has safely arrived, wisely keeping quiet except to be fed or changed, not causing unnecessary strife or chaos in the house. What a cute little man. (I really need a new family photo now!)  Introducing Caleb, little brother to Anne and Josie, born just a couple weeks ago. He was a little guy.... WAS. If we all gained weight like he does we'd be perfectly snowball shaped by Christmas. How timely.

Speaking of timely, I have done some speed drawing in preparation for the season of gift-giving. Well, not actually--more like staying up all night drawing....since I'm up anyways. It only seems like speed drawing to my "shoemaker" husband who apparently married a magical and talented "elf". Baby Caleb will have the sound of pencils dancing on paper forever ingrained in his subconsience.

Here are some images of my latest work:

Wonderfully Made, pencil drawing on Stonehenge, 5x7"
Copyright 2013 Lisa Smouter
Original for sale through Flagship Gallery. Prints available.

This drawing combines my curiosity about ultrasounds and babies in utero with a more classical way of drawing. I referenced the figure of the baby from an old Leonardo da Vinci drawing--his drawings of babies in utero are incredible!

Expectation, pencil drawing on Stonehenge, 5x7"
Copyright 2013 Lisa Smouter
Original for sale through Flagship Gallery. Prints available.

This was the image that essentially started the series. I hope the image feels genuine and sincere, rather than sentimental.

Mother and Child: First Moments, pencil drawing on Stonehenge, 5x7"
Copyright 2013 Lisa Smouter
Original for sale through Flagship Gallery. Prints available.

This is the last one of the series, for now anyways. Although two portraits are visible I think it still has a fairly universal way about it, that it could be almost any mother and child. This is such a special moment--the first minutes together after a child is born. 

The Christmas show at Flagship Gallery will open on November 22nd, featuring mostly smaller and affordable artwork from all the artists. These three drawings will be on display then as well, and prints will be available on request. 

One last thing, for anyone excited or passionate about what Flagship Gallery is doing for our community, please express your support! Whether through prayer, time or money, this gallery needs your love! Come visit the gallery, check out the classes we're offering, and consider donating to this artist-run gallery. 

Blessings,

LS

Flagship: Under the Big Red Awning...

Some photos from last week, before and after completion of 237 James Street North.

Top: a few good men, comtemplating how to tackle the gallery facade.
Bottom Right: Visionary and head of the Semaphore Fellowship, James Tughan,
catching some fresh air on opening night.

The kiddos on Flagship's opening night.

The gallery is open Wednesday to Friday from 12-5pm, and Saturday from 11-5. Hope you can stop by for a visit sometime! The member's show--which anyone in attendance last Friday night can attest to is FANTASTIC-- is showing until June 26th. I have one piece on display, and plan to have some new work to show next time. 

Art Crawl is this Friday night, so we'll be open LATE along with the rest of the galleries on the street---I think around 11pm.

Cheers,

LS

For and by the kids

A while ago I started singing this little poem I made up:

I'm a Mom by day,
A Painter by night,
My hubby does the dishes,
And the family's alright.

Then we got a dishwasher. 

Painting time is in short supply here, especially since my latest project is a very large acrylic--and the paint dries by the time I'm done changing a diaper :)

So here's a little chalk drawing I did last week in between daily tasks.....

Little Baby Curls (Josie Amanda)
Chalk Drawing on Stonehenge, approx 4 x 6"

I'm thinking of doing a gallery style wall in my girls' room, along with this beautifully mysterious painting done by my daughter Anne: 

Eclipse, by Anne Smouter
Acrylic paint and Crayon on Canvas board, 9 x 12"

....This has me dreaming about the summertime, and Art Camp!!....hmmm....

Till next time!

Cheerful Beginnings

Hello out there!

I hope you all enjoyed some festivities these past couple weeks! Around here, we've had our fair share of celebrations, as well as some significant reasons for reflection on life. So, knowing I'm not alone in that, I thought I'd post a few pictures to spread some cheer. I looked around my house and found a few things I thought might brighten your day and mine. Enjoy!

"Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"
Oil on Canvas, 18 x 24"  Copyright 2011 Lisa Smouter
Limited edition prints available in various sizes.

And now, here's a little something I made for a little fan of the Disney movie "Tangled" -- I think there are quite a few little girls out there who will recognize this image of Rapunzel and the floating lights.

Born to be...

I'm blaming it on all the thought-provoking things I listened to while painting--this particular blog post isn't all fluff. Just warnin' ya :)

But first, I thought I'd give you a complete look at the finished painting for my sister. The Alumni show at Redeemer is all wrapped up--to my chagrin, there was no guest book so I have no idea who, if anyone, went to check it out!

Completed painting of Italy, Cinque-Terre (Manarola)
Oil on Canvas, 24x30"
Copyright 2012 Lisa Smouter

This will most likely be my last painting I blog about for the year 2012, but I do have some crafty stuff and a couple whimsical paintings on the go right now :) This Italy painting was a joy to work on, and I could do it (mostly) in complete confidence--but whimsical, imaginitive things...well...I think it's probably good for the soul to let loose and say "I have NO idea what I'm doing!!" If I eventually sum up the courage, I'll show you some of those pieces. For now, I feel very strongly that my 2 year old daughter is doing a better job of it than I.

times, they are a changin'

I realize this is not a forum for bragging about my kids, but...

Many former students have been asking about Art Camp for this year, and I'm hoping that if I post a photo of my little girls, you will better understand why I'm choosing not to do Art Camp this summer.

This summer I'll be happily embracing my role as a full-time mom and giving the studio a break. I will miss Art Camp as much as the rest of you, and it already feels strange not having a head full of planning and preparation for the summer. Please, take advantage of your time this summer and make lots of art! Keep in touch--I'd love to know what you're working on.