The inspiration for this image was the Provencale village of Gordes. Although the buildings of Gordes do sprawl across the hillside, they’re built from neutral colored stone with pale weathered terra cotta tiles. They’re nothing like the bright colors you see here.
One of the things that painting has taught me is that you don’t have to stick with what you see or what you know. You don’t have to be locked in to ‘do this-don’t do that’ rules.
You can step out in new directions, color outside the lines, and things will be okay! Or, surprise, even better than okay!
Your Thoughts:
What lines and rules might be holding you back?
Where could you step around, hop over, or slide under a line to add more freedom and energy to your world?
News Notes:
Add Spark To Your Next Conference
I’ve just booked another keynote and follow up session on the topic of Rekindling Spark – Navigating Malaise for a spring 2017 provincial conference of nurses. This topic is hitting home for many different people in many different walks of life. The experience of ‘rusting out’, feeling ‘meh, bleh, blah’ seems to know no boundaries.
I’d love to bring my strategies for dealing with this issue to your professional association, too. Do keep that possibility in mind and pass the idea along to those in charge of professional development activities for your association. This link gives an overview.
Plein Air Show
During the month of September, you can see samples of the work of various Saskatoon artists who share an interest in painting in the great outdoors – including three pieces by yours truly. You’ll find the show gracing the gallery walls at HUES Art Supply, 1818 Lorne Ave here in Saskatoon.
PAUSE – 16.07 – Simple Pleasures
March 16, 2016
Reflection: When my dear Aunt Eileen moved from her large home in Edmonton into a small assisted living apartment here in Saskatoon, I took her a small bouquet of flowers – just a couple of blossoms in a tiny glass vase.
She loved that vase and it held a place of honor on the coffee table in her new living room.
On my regular visits I brought fresh blossoms to replace the ones that were past their prime.
That vase and its flowers were a Small Treasure that delivered a Simple Pleasure.
I learned the value of small but wonderful from my parents. Each year my father made a pilgrimage to the patch of prairie where he knew the first blooms of spring would appear. Each year he placed a small bowl of fuzzy purple crocuses on the kitchen table – a gift to Mom from Dad and Mother Nature.
As spring turned into summer, and the flowers in the garden burst into bloom, my mother regularly harvested handfuls of blossoms (nasturtiums, calendula, poppies, pansies).
She placed these nosegays and posies in small vases scattered on counters, shelves and window ledges throughout the house. More small treasures that delivered simple pleasure!
Ever wonder how a painting moves from inspiration to finished work?
Here’s a behind the scenes look at the progression of a recent painting titled Field Trees. (more…)
Your Final Pauseworks Postcard Pick Of The Week
August 27, 2014
Here it is! The last of nine chances in the 2014 ‘Summer Sketchbook Special’ to own a piece of original art at a sizzling price of just $49 (plus applicable taxes and $10 for shipping).
Parisian Window is number nine in the series of Pauseworks Postcards.
Each 4” x 6” postcard features the Pauseworks Studio 2014 postmark in an upper corner.
Each will be surface mounted on a coordinating 6” x 8” mat board ready for framing or display as is.
To claim your PW Postcard, just send me an email with the words ‘I’ll Take It’ in the subject line.
The first reader to call dibs on each week’s mini masterpiece takes it. Enjoy … and may the early bird snag the sketch.
BTW – if another early bird beats you to the draw, and you’d like to order a print or prefer something in a larger size, here’s the link to make that happen: Parisian Window
Note: Only the original bears the PW Studio stamp.
Here it is! The eighth of nine chances in the 2014 ‘Summer Sketchbook Special’ to own a piece of original art at a sizzling price of just $49 (plus applicable taxes and $10 for shipping).
Each 4” x 6” postcard features the Pauseworks Studio 2014 postmark in an upper corner.
Each will be surface mounted on a coordinating 6” x 8” mat board ready for framing or display as is.
To claim your PW Postcard, just send me an email with the words ‘I’ll Take It’ in the subject line.
The first reader to call dibs on each week’s mini masterpiece takes it. Enjoy … and may the early bird snag the sketch.
BTW – if another early bird beats you to the draw, and you’d like to order a print or prefer something in a larger size, here’s the link to make that happen: Cafe Du Centre – Paris.
Note: Only the original bears the PW Studio stamp.
Here it is! The seventh of nine chances in the 2014 ‘Summer Sketchbook Special’ to own a piece of original art at a sizzling price of just $49 (plus applicable taxes and $10 for shipping).
Idaho Barn is number seven in the series of Pauseworks Postcards.
Each 4” x 6” postcard features the Pauseworks Studio 2014 postmark in an upper corner.
Each will be surface mounted on a coordinating 6” x 8” mat board ready for framing or display as is.
To claim your PW Postcard, just send me an email with the words ‘I’ll Take It’ in the subject line.
The first reader to call dibs on each week’s mini masterpiece takes it. Enjoy … and may the early bird snag the sketch.
BTW – if another early bird beats you to the draw, and you’d like to order a print or prefer something in a larger size, here’s the link to make that happen: Idaho Barn.
Note: Only the original bears the PW Studio stamp.
This summer, a number of my original watercolors are on show and for sale at Cheryl Tuck Tallon’s Black Spruce Gallery. The Gallery is located in Lake Country north of Prince Albert, SK. You’ll find it on highway #2 at Northside.
Cheryl Tuck Tallon & Pat
When I was vacationing in that area for a week in July, I stopped in at the studio to visit with Cheryl. While I was there took a few photos and thought I’d share them with you. (more…)
Your Sixth Pauseworks Postcard Pick Of The Week
August 6, 2014
Here it is! The sixth of nine chances in the 2014 ‘Summer Sketchbook Special’ to own a piece of original art at a sizzling price of just $49 (plus applicable taxes and $10 for shipping).
Each 4” x 6” postcard features the Pauseworks Studio 2014 postmark in an upper corner.
Each will be surface mounted on a coordinating 6” x 8” mat board ready for framing or display as is.
To claim your PW Postcard, just send me an email with the words ‘I’ll Take It’ in the subject line.
The first reader to call dibs on each week’s mini masterpiece takes it. Enjoy … and may the early bird snag the sketch.
BTW – if another early bird beats you to the draw, and you’d like to order a print or prefer something in a larger size, here’s the link to make that happen: Quai Aux Fleurs – Paris.
Note: Only the original bears the PW Studio stamp.
Here it is! The fifth of nine chances in the 2014 ‘Summer Sketchbook Special’ to own a piece of original art at a sizzling price of just $49 (plus applicable taxes and $10 for shipping).
Each 4” x 6” postcard features the Pauseworks Studio 2014 postmark in an upper corner.
Each will be surface mounted on a coordinating 6” x 8” mat board ready for framing or display as is.
To claim your PW Postcard, just send me an email with the words ‘I’ll Take It’ in the subject line.
The first reader to call dibs on each week’s mini masterpiece takes it. Enjoy … and may the early bird snag the sketch.
BTW – if another early bird beats you to the draw, and you’d like to order a print or prefer something in a larger size, here’s the link to make that happen: Backroads of Vermont.
Note: Only the original bears the PW Studio stamp.
Here it is! The fourth of nine chances in the 2014 ‘Summer Sketchbook Special’ to own a piece of original art at a sizzling price of just $49 (plus applicable taxes and $10 for shipping).
Each 4” x 6” postcard features the Pauseworks Studio 2014 postmark in an upper corner.
Each will be surface mounted on a coordinating 6” x 8” mat board ready for framing or display as is.
To claim your PW Postcard, just send me an email with the words ‘I’ll Take It’ in the subject line.
The first reader to call dibs on each week’s mini masterpiece takes it. Enjoy … and may the early bird snag the sketch.
BTW – if another early bird beats you to the draw, and you’d like to order a print or prefer something in a larger size, here’s the link to make that happen: What’s Behind That Door?
Note: Only the original bears the PW Studio stamp.
