May to July, 2007
Flying in 2007
So yet again, I am still haven’t given up on my “Flying Free” series quite yet! The past few months have been quite interesting using different shapes and sizes of canvases. Yet, I manage to still pull off my use of circles and squares, but with different ideas and use of a colourful palette.
From “A Tribute to the 80s” to “Good Timing, Bad Timing”, each painting has a story and theme. “Another Rainy Day” was to depict the many wet, and rainy days we had here in May/June! Notice that ‘Hide & Seek’ is a 2 panel piece which can be displayed horizontally or vertically, both giving a different effect to the viewer. “Check Me Out” was something I wanted to experiment with the foreground and background, with a mix of colour, spacing, and design.
“Circular Connections” was the first painting that I have created on a round canvas. I had great difficulty trying to create a design that suited a circular surface, but managed to somewhat do alright with this one. I’m not too proud of it, but again, it’s all about trial and error, and experimentation!
Here are the 6 paintings which I have produced.
Marbles, Swirls and Birds
I was looking through a magazine one day during my lunch break at work, and found a very inspiring and interesting image of a lady draped in a flowing fabric that was patterned with a design that had so much movement and contrast; I was immediately pulled in to wanting to use that idea into my own creations. I sketched and rendered some drawings and ideas of how I could use this pattern and idea into paintings and I came up with a few designs:
The sketches eventually were turned into paintings which have become a new series on their own. I have integrated the ‘Flying Free’ series also into it to create a combination look. Some paintings because of the circular canvas give the illusion of a glass bead marble, while others have an influence of the Japanese culture or depict a story.
My most recent painting, “A Touch of Asian Swirls” was an experiment using paint and Japanese ‘washi’ (rice paper), and origami paper, a collage type of design, but still sticking with the series of the marble patter and bird images. All the other paintings were done strictly with acrylics.
Please take a look at my newest creations!
January to April, 2007
HAPPY 2007!!
Yes, another NEW YEAR has begun!! 2006 was quite the busy year, though I didn’t have that much time for my artistic creations, I had my moments of spontaneous outbursts of creativity!! I hope that 2007 will bring my lots of inspiration, and I hope to put up some new ideas and experiment with different mediums.
Here is a reflection of some of my doodles that I did between September 2006 and April 2007. They consist of silly themes of rain, eyes, circles, squiggles and designs/patterns; they don’t really make sense, and they don’t have to because I didn’t intend them to make sense! I find that doodling is a great processing of the brain, therapy and fun to do (a no-brainer somewhat). Doodling relaxes my mind and doesn’t restrict me from making mistakes and since it’s my ‘private’ and ‘secret’ sketchbook, I don’t have to ‘care’ about what others think or will say about my doodles. However, I thought I’d share with you some of my doodles, so you can see what kinds of things run though my head. Don’t call me crazy, because I know I’m not a Van Gogh, but my drawings are quite abstract I have to admit! Ok, enjoy!
Operation Afghanistan - TLC
Started in November 2006, Operation Afghanistan-TLC supports our brave Canadian troops who are deployed in Afghanistan. My dear friend Claire Riley is taking part long with the caring Canadians - friends, acquaintances & strangers - who put together small TLC gift packages for the soldiers, which they call it "fostering." She also sought the participation of elementary school students who write letters and cards, and create drawings. There have been two shipments of 40 packages sent so far. Claire’s sister is a sergeant in the Canadian Forces and she provides her with the individual names which make the operation even more personal.
“The thank you letters, cards & e-mail received from these soldiers are heartfelt. They truly appreciate the demonstration of support. Regardless of one's political opinion about this NATO mission, I tell everyone, the only objective of Operation Afghanistan - TLC is to recognize these courageous men and women for their service to our country. And for this third rotation of troops, TLC packages will be leaving for Kandahar on March 20th for 50 soldiers!”- Claire Riley
“Dear Caroline,
I'm wondering if you'd consider providing a copy of one of your terrific, upbeat, happy creative designs so that I may make simple paper copies with words of well-wishes from you, the artist, for a safe tour of duty inscribed on the same printed copy. It would be just super, especially since your work is so very special. I imagine the joy your artwork would bring to these soldiers.”-Claire Riley
“Dear Caroline;
Thanks so much for your heartfelt consideration and generous spirit. Know that your beautiful painting will bring much joy to our troops.”- Claire Riley
Cloverdale Library Exhibition 2007
I am happy to announce yet again, to be displaying my paintings at the Cloverdale Library for 3 months (April 1- June 30, 2007). If anyone is ever in the Cloverdale area during that time, please come by and check out my paintings! Here is a sneak peak of the display on the second floor of the library.
November and December, 2006
I’ve been having outbursts of creativity this month (November) that I even created my Christmas cards super early and was pretty much ahead of the game! I’ve been successful the past couple of months selling my paintings and rock paintings to friends and co-workers and it has boosted my energy level to create that much more!
My newest paintings have a combination of the old and new ideas from the past. I am slowly trying to change my palette and mix some earth tones with bright colours to give a more retro, sixties look.
With “Underground World” I added some browns and neutral colours to create more of a calming atmosphere, using the idea of ‘underground’ and the colour of dirt, hoping it works well as a composition too.
The addition of hands was just for fun, but it adds something new to my paintings. The hands were the starting point, the spark that led me to paint all the other ones that you see on this update.
And speaking of Christmas cards, here is this year’s design that I have sent all my family and friends to enjoy! Merry Christmas and I’ll see you Next Year!!! 2007, here I come!
September and October , 2006
So summer has gone and passed us by once again!! But autumn is here to stay (for now!)
I’ve been experimenting with painting on driftwood this year, something new, and different, that brought out a new side of my creativity. Though I’ve only painted a few, they were extremely fun to do and I hope to make some more 3D art in the near future! The three that I have created are as follows: ‘Strawberry Rock Band”.... “The Sneaky Snaky Rain”….and “Wandering Eyes in 3D” Enjoy!
BOO!! Did I scare you? NO? Oh Pooh……………….hehehe….yes this Halloween I was Winnie the Pooh! I went to work like that (I work at the front office of a high school so it’s encouraged that we dress up for the kids!). I felt like I was treated like one of those walking mascots at Disneyland! I had students wanting to take pictures with me all day long at work!! It was embarrassing being called ‘cute’ and ‘adorable’ by students 10 years younger than me!! All in all, Halloween was a Booostive day!
