Another year over....

2011 is quickly coming to a close, only a few weeks left! Another year has flown by again. It has been a wonderful year of painting, and exhibits, and seeing old friends/artists, and of course meeting and making new friends. I have had the great pleasure of spending some wonderful days with very talented and kind hearted artists and gaining new perspectives and insights into myself and my artwork.

I have explored Encaustic painting this year, and have fallen in love with this medium. Acrylic is and always will be my first love, but Encaustic painting has a magical feel to it and it is such a different approach to creating a piece of work, that it offers a wonderful creative release. I have been fortunate enough to offer a few workshops in my home studio showcasing this technique and look forward to offering some more in the New Year.

I would just like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those who visited exhibits that I was part of, and to offer many thanks to all those who purchased my paintings. I am always so very grateful to have a piece of my work chosen and added to someones life, and as always, I am looking forward to another creative year with many new paintings to showcase at up-coming events.

There will be a new list of exhibits for 2012 published shortly, and I look forward to exhibiting my artwork again.

I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to all for a very happy, healthy, prosperous, and magical New Year to come.

Peace, Robbin

Upcoming Shows for 2011

The following is a list of upcoming shows that I have applied too, for consideration to participate in for 2011.
Some have yet to be confirmed as to whether or not I have been accepted, as the selections have not all been completed yet. They are all juried art shows. The list will be updated and added to as more events become available. These are all wonderful art exhibits/shows and well worth visiting.

If you'd like more information or directions to any events, please contact me at innerspiritartworks_byrobbin@yahoo.com, Thank you!


ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON
Sunday February 27th until Sunday May 15th 2011
Group Show featuring work by members of the Women's Art Association of Hamilton
Opening reception Sunday February 27th 2011 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
I have had a painting chosen to be included in this exhibit


25th ANNUAL PELHAM ART FESTIVAL
Friday May 6th , 7:oopm to 10:00pm
Saturday May 7th and Sunday May 8th 2011 11:00am to 5:00pm
Pelham Arena 210 Haist Street,
Fonthill, Ontario

SOLO EXHIBITION
West Towne Bar & Grill, Locke Street
Hamilton Ontario
For the month of June

9th ANNUAL ART IN THE YARD
Elora Centre for the Arts 10:00am to 5:00pm both days
July 9th and 10th 2011
75 Melville Street
Elora Ontario


ART IN THE PARK
Monday August 1st, 2011 10:oo am to 5:00pm
Coronation Park, Lakeshore Road (between 3rd & 4th Line)
Oakville Ontario

GRIMSBY FESTIVAL OF ART
Saturday September 10th 2011 9:00am to 5:00pm
Nelles Blvd
Grimsby Ontario


ART AMONG FRIENDS
September 24th and 25th 2011
Elliot Lake Ontario


20th ANNUAL VINELAND THANKSGIVING ARTFEST
October 8th, 9th and 10th 2011 10:00am to 5:00pm all days
Vineland Public School
4057 Victoria Ave, Vineland Ontario


EAST PLAINS UNITED CHURCH
Saturday November 5th 2011 9:30am to 4:00pm
Burlington Ontario

I will also be hosting an OPEN HOUSE showcasing my artwork and my sons
photography work in the fall, most likely mid November. The dates will be determined shortly and posted thereafter. Thank you

December 2010

Another exciting year is drawing to a close, and it has been a bit of a roller coaster ride! The exhibits/shows are winding down and I am looking forward to a few quiet months to just re-group and re-energize.

I hit a low point about half way through the summer and just couldn't seem to get out of it. I think I just got over-whelmed and over stimulated with ideas and ended up "shutting down" because I couldn't seem to find a real direction. I am working on it and working it out (through my art) and I am excited about new pieces that I am developing for the new year ahead.

I had the great luck to purchase a printer from an artist and her husband (good friends of mine) and I have decided to start making some prints of my artwork. I haven't really had the chance yet to learn how to use it, but I am excited about the opportunities that this piece of technology has to offer.

I would just like to extend my gratitude to all those who visited various exhibitions that I was part of, and to say thank you for all your kind words and encouragement. And to those who purchased some of my work, thank you, thank you again from the bottom of my heart, for the honour of having a painting of mine chosen to be hung in your home.

Warmest wishes and sincere gratitude to all, and best wishes for a wonderful 2011!
Cheers, and Peace, Robbin

Upcoming Shows, 2010

The show lineup for 2010 has started to get organized, and I will add new show dates as they become available.

If you would like to contact me, or need more information, please do so by the following email
innerspiritartworks_byrobbin@yahoo.com


April 1st - 30th Solo Exhibition
West Town Bar and Grill,
Locke Street, Hamilton, Ontario

**********************************************************************************

**********************************************************************************

Niagara-on-the-Lake Artistry in the Park
July 1st 2nd 3rd 2010
Queens Royal Park
NOTL, Ontario

**********************************************************************************
Collin Edwards Gallery
Solo Exhibition
July 8th to July 25th 2010
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Cloyne, Ontario

*********************************************************************************

Elora Art in the Yard
July 10th - 11th, 2010
Elora Centre for the Arts
75 Melville Street
Elora, Ontario

**********************************************************************************

Bon Echo Provincial Park Annual Summer Art Show
July 23rd 24th 25th 2010
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Cloyne, Ontario.

**********************************************************************************

Oakville Art in the Park
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Oakville, Ontario

**********************************************************************************
Grimsby Art Show and Sale
Celebrating 43 years!
Saturday September 11 2010
9:00am-5:00pm
Located on Nelles Blvd (Exit QEW at Casablanca Blvd or Christie Street)
Grimsby Ontario,
www. grimsby-festival-arts.com
*********************************************************************************
Vineland Thanksgiving Artfest
October 9th 10th 11th 2010
10:00am to 5:00pm
Vineland Public School
4057 Victoria Ave.
Vineland Ontario

*********************************************************************************

As the end of the year draws near...

I can't beleive that it's the middle of November already, and that I haven't had a moment to write any new ideas or comments on my blog in almost 5 months! It's always been one of those things that I kept meaning to get too, but something that kept getting pushed back down to the bottom of the list. So here goes then!

It was a very different sort of summer this year and not just because of the weather (which was wild and scarey at a few of the shows!!). I did seven this time around and it was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. Some shows I did extremely well, while others I didn't sell anything really. It seemed that the few shows that were a combination of art and craft together just did not work well for me at all. And also not for most of the other participating artists either. But even so, I had the great fortune to meet so many wonderful artists over the last few months that I consider all the shows to be a success in that respect. Art shows offer artists the opportunity to meet each other, and exchange ideas, technique tips, and also show information, so they are an exceptional way to network.

The general feeling this year though, was that attendance was way down at almost every show, and some seasoned artists even said that this has been the worst year they have ever had in terms of sales and commissions. The advantage for me is that I am so new to this that I don't really have much to compare it too. I actually sold more paintings this year than last, but I only did 4 shows in 2008, as compared to the 7 this year, so that right there gave me an advantage. I guess the one great thing about starting this new carrer in a recession is that for me, it can only get better!

Applications for the 2010 shows are already surfacing, and arriving in my mailbox and I'm already getting excited (and a little overwhelmed) about next year! I've been pouring through my sketchbooks, and photographs, for ideas for next years paintings. I am still so intrigued by old stairways and doorways, as well as old windows, and since I don't have any of those paintings left, it appears that people really like them too, and I need to do some more! New ideas are rushing forward and I have started some already, and hope to have some new and exciting pieces to show in the spring.

Although this may not have been a banner year for anyone really, because of the recession, I still feel so lucky to have been able to show my work and sell a few pieces along the way. It has been hard for most people, and even devastating for some, but the fact that people still came out to the shows and made a point of stopping to chat, even though buying a painting from me or any other artist just wasn't a possibility this year, they still always had kind words of encouragement, and took a moment to appreciate some of the beautiful work that was being shown at these great art shows. And I hope that by doing so, their spirits were lifted a bit and they left the shows feeling a little better and brighter after taking an hour or two to just be surrounded by beautiful things and kind people. I can't speak for other artists, but I do know that I am so thankful that people took the time to visit the shows.

I'd like to also just take a moment to offer my sincere gratitude to all the wonderful people that did purchase some of my paintings and cards over this past year, and to say how truly grateful I am to you all. There is no greater compliment to an artist than to have someone love a painting that much that they want to own it and have it in their home. So, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I am looking forward to a great new year of showing my work and meeting new people, and hopefully seeing old faces too. I know it's a little early for new years wishes, but I probably won't get back into this blog again until after Christmas, so may I please say to anyone who visits my site, that I wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and a new year full of wonder and great things.

Peace,
Robbin

As show dates and times become available for 2010, I will be posting them on this blog.
If you wish to contact me you can do so at innerspiritartworks_byrobbin@yahoo.com

Three Days until my first show.......

I am now officially in panic mode!! I have just three days left until my first show in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and I am so excited and nervous about it at the same time! It seems like just yesterday it was cold and (dare I say it "snowing"!) outside. And I was thinking, that there's lot's of time to get ready. Well time as we all know , has a way of getting away from us, and now I am down to the wire.

I started packing everything up, and making a list so I don't forget anything, and I am a great list maker. Unfortunately, I seem to lose my lists, and it makes me mental!! I don't know how I do it, where they go, or why they disappear, but they do..... Only to show up weeks later,(months even) after the planned event that the list was made for in the first place!

So now, with several partial lists in hand, I am trying to get myself ready for this show. I hope I haven't forgotten anything (like the TABLE I forgot last summer!!!), Oh and I just remembered that I need to get change too from the bank, so before I forget to write that down on my list, I should probably do that now, and head back to painting some more. Wish me luck, and fingers crossed for good weather, but just in case, I better put "bring umbrella" on my list too!

A complete list of upcoming Art Shows and Events can be
found by scrolling down through the site a little farther.
I hope you have a moment to check some of these events out,
Thank you

If you wish to contact me, you can do so at innerspiritartworks_byrobbin@yahoo.com

Showing Artworks

I was glancing at my calendar yesterday and suddenly realized that my first show of the year is in 8 weeks, in Niagara-on-the Lake! I could feel the panic rising up inside of me, because I started thinking "ONLY 8 WEEKS AWAY? BUT I'M NOT READY, I HAVE ALL THESE PAINTINGS TO FINISH, AND NEW ONES TO START.......and what if no one likes them when I'm done, and what if, what if, what if....." and I spent the better part of the rest of my day in panic mode about not being ready! It was pretty awful.

I decided to go far a walk (actually two walks, because my dogs are each about a hundred pounds, and because I need to use a cane to walk, and don't do that very fast, I have to take them one at a time!). But that not only makes me get outside and get moving, it sure helps to get rid of some of the "noise" in my head. Once I get going, it's quite lovely to just walk. I used to walk everywhere, and for hours with my dogs before I became partly dissabled, and I missed it immensley when I couldn't walk for quite a while.

I live in a very,very old neighbourhood, with tree lined streets, that have a vast and various assortment of houses, all different shapes, sizes, colours, and some that are quite old and quirky (like mine!). But it makes the walks interesting, and I love to see the changes these properties go through as the seasons change. My dogs love it too. One of them is 10, and isn't moving as fast as he used too (which makes it easy for me!), and he wants to smell EVERYTHING. But that gives me a chance to really look around, and see things that I may not have noticed before, because I walked by too fast. It gives me a chance to perhaps see something that is an inspiration for a future painting, or an element that could be added to make a work in progress a better composition.

It also helps me realize that we all seem to live our lives in "fast forward" most of the time, and don't get to just stop and be "quiet", and see or hear the world around us. I live in the middle of the city, with buses, and cars, ambulances and trucks racing all over the place, but surpisingly it's quiet, once I'm a block away from the main roads. It's wonderful. There's not a whole lot of any noise, except maybe the birds singing, ( and that's beautiful) or the occasional lawn mower going a block or two away. Being "quiet" and just letting your mind wander is a wonderful luxury, and I am getting better at doing that, and getting better at appreciating it when I do. It's amazing how much stuff can get trapped in your mind and get you so bogged down that you can't see or hear, or accomplish much of anything.

I realized after both my walks, just how much energy I wasted on thinking that I wouldn't be ready for the show, or good enough, or accepted, or any other negative thing that popped into my head while I was panicking. WHAT a WASTE of time! It's hard not to get caught up in it, but I am so glad that I have these two big wonderful dogs that make get outside and get myself together. I also realized after a while that I will be ready, that I'm sure my work won't be awful, and that everything will be just fine (for now!!!)
Anyway I better get painting , got to get ready!

Upcoming shows are listed further down in this site.

If you would like to contact me, you can do so at innerspiritartworks_byrobbin@yahoo.com