"ART GIVEAWAY

This post really contains none of my regular musings.
I am interrupting my not-so-regularly posting to bring you all, my special followers, a special offer and a bit of change for me.
Since my long studio reno/ painting and adoption of Oliver, my painting hiatus has been a bit long.
Now, my first thing getting back in business was to check with some of my readers/friends about my newsletters...and guess what? they are not getting  any of my new posts at all from blogger!!! Not unusual.
Now, I need to ask all of you already registered with BLOGGER'S NEWSLETTER to go to my WEBSITE'S NEWSLETTER and re-register there again. I promised is working.
My way of apologising is to offer a $50 Coupon Prize GiveAway towards any available painting. Yes, even the Bad Boys! Specially now I have FREE SHIPPING in CANADA and the USA.
The winner will be randomly selected from the subscribers list.
Every time somebody subscribes, the name will be put in a box.
And every that same person leaves a comment on a post, the name will be entered again with every comment.
The winner will be announced Monday July 1st before noon.

"OLIVER"- Our New Pet

In psychology, procrastination refers to the act of replacing more urgent actions with tasks less urgent, or doing something from which one derives enjoyment, and thus putting off impending tasks to a later time. In accordance with Freud, the pleasure principle may be responsible for procrastination; humans prefer avoiding negative emotions, and delaying a stressful task.

So, I have a label I can hide behind now. It's not me to blame for the lack of posts, it's the "psychological disorder" of "chronic procrastination" which I suffer from to blame.

I knew all along that it wasn't my fault and wikipedia has proven me right.
My new distraction and much enjoyable excuse: Our new Chocolate Lab, "Oliver", a much greater pleasure than cleaning and re-organizing my whole studio (after the reno)

Yes, we adopted him last week!

 After having him for almost four years, his previous family abandoned this beautiful, affectionate and gentle Labrador after one epileptic seizure.

Epilepsy in dogs can be controled with medication, nutrition and loving care.

I have being outdoors with Coco and Oliver whenever possible, walking the trails in the woods, letting them swim in the river (still kind of coolish) and playing in the yard.

Here are some pics of both of my Labs:

OLIVER:

OLIVER & COCO:



STUDIO RENOVATION

It has been a few years since I built my studio. Some walls are all full of holes, chips and paint from past workshops and picture hanging.
 Time to do some repairs, de-clutter and re-paint.
Right now all the furniture, tables, etc are in the middle covered with plastic while the work is been done.
It feels kind of funny not having all the material to create ready and available. No painting for a while. Two paintings, started last week, are almost finished. Hopefully will post them this week. 

And "TAX TIME" is here to, on top of everything!
Because like it or not, we have to pay taxes. The trouble is that understanding taxation requires more than a genius mind.
Even Albert Einstein admitted: "The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax."

STOP CRITICISM AND START CREATING

The other day I was reading an artist's blog. He is always putting down or criticizing other artists about their "poor art".

Looks like he has too much time on his hand.

So...I have to give my opinion somehow.

Like Shane Gibson said:

"If you have time to judge other people, you have way too much time on your hands. Get off your ass and do something meaningful."

Constructive critique is important. It helps us to grow, and it is part of the learning process. It also needs to serve a purpose.

I cannot help but wonder where the purpose of his critiques are. The artists in question are never addressed, the critique just thrown out there... to all of us?

I start to wonder if there is an element of either jealousy or trying to make himself look better, which ultimately just makes him look bad.

Let’s not waste our time on petty things like that. Better to spend time on advancing your artistic skills.  Apart from that, it is spending time with negativity. It really helps no one.

The old saying: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" holds some truth.

Anyway, he was writing, in this particular post, about spending too much time alone in his studio in isolation causing him to have a breakdown and not being able to paint for a while.

Which reminds me of what  Rollo May said:

“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone"

KEEP INSPIRED

Today I found I can keep inspired by...Google!!!

The Google Art Project is fantastic. It gives you access to collections in galleries around the world. Every day, from the comfort of your desk, you can visit a new gallery,  check out a new and exciting artist or re-visit your old favourites.

Make sure to put it on yur favorites bar.

 

BOSTON TRAGEDY

So sorry to hear the news of the very sad end to the Boston Marathon yesterday.

My heart goes out to everyone affected by this senseless destruction. What a tragic day for the American people.

I don't comprehend such a hateful and cowardly act of terror.

God bless America.

"BEAK GRAFFITI XIX"- Whimsical Raven Painting- Mixed Media on approx. 10 x 10 x 1.3/4 inch Cradle Artist's Wooden Panel

© Cristina Del Sol

Visit my Website to see all my Animal paintings.

Sides are painted all around. It can be hang as-is, does not require glass or frame. It can also sit on a shelf on its own.

Check my other "Beak Graffiti" paintings.

Bad Boy goes with caligraphic lines and learns to write his initial this time. Big progress and kind of poetic.

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.” - Rumi

"DUSK ON THE HILLS"- Mixed Media on approx. 30 x 40 x 1.3/4 inch Cradle Artist's Wooden Panel

© Cristina Del Sol

Sides painted all around. It can be hang as-is, does not require glass or frame. Signature is on sides.

See the "LANDSCAPE" Collection on my Website.

Any large body of water can haunt us with its mysterious beauty especially at sunset and dusk. The view of the Ottawa river and the Gatineau Hills across from my studio not only provides most of the inspiration for my new abstracted landscapes by conjures dreams and inspires my creativity in general.

The sunset on the opposite side to the Gatineau Hills creates a redish glow on the shore and hills somedays. The memory of this iconic view is always with me. 

WINDY AND FREEZING STORM IN ONTARIO

Wow! We are having a huge winter storm that started late last night.

 I hope is the last one.

Days like today is better to stay in front of the fire place and cuddle up with your dog and cats.

 The wind howls. The fire crackles. The precipitation can't make up its mind. One minute it's freezing rain, the next it's a hard rain and the next it's snow, drifting everywhere. 

The bird feeders are getting all frozen up and the poor birdies line up along the patio's railing, their feathers in complete disarray, shivering. Glaring at me...so out I go to put more seeds and peanuts. 

There is something about the wind howling down the chimney and the house so toasty warm from the fire, a great movie to watch and the feeling that all is well within your home.

Not going to my studio today.

Maybe some sketches will be a nice practice.

"RED FIELDS II"- Mixed Media on approx 24 x 30 x 1.3/4 inch Gallery Wrap Canvas

© Cristina Del Sol

Sides painted all around. It can be hang as-is, does not require glass or frame. Signature is on sides.

Visit the "LANDSCAPE" Collection on my Website.

Weathered layers were applied, expressing the opposing dynamic of building up and wearing away.  Applying paint, scraping off, reapplying, scratching, polishing, is deliberately like the processes in nature that creates natural erosion.

A wonderful poem inspired me:

"RED"

by Eugene Field (An American writer, best known for his children's poetry and humorous essays)

ANY color, so long as it's red,

Is the color that suits me best,

Though I will allow there is much to be said

For yellow and green and the rest;

But the feeble tints which some affect

In the things they make or buy

Have never--I say it with all respect--

Appealed to my critical eye.

There's that in red that warmeth the blood,

And quickeneth a man within,

And bringeth to speedy and perfect bud

The germs of original sin;

So, though I'm properly born and bred,

I'll own, with a certain zest,

That any color, so long as it's red,

Is the color that suits me best.

For where is a color that can compare

With the blush of a buxom lass;

Or where such warmth as of the hair

Of the genuine white horse class?

And, lo! reflected within this cup

Of cheery Bordeaux I see

What inspiration girdeth me up,--

Yes, red is the color for me!

Through acres and acres of art I've strayed

In Italy, Germany, France;

On many a picture a master has made

I've squandered a passing glance:

Marines I hate, madonnas and

Those Dutch freaks I detest;

But the peerless daubs of my native land,--

They're red, and I like them best.

'Tis little I care how folk deride,--

I'm backed by the West, at least;

And we are free to say that we can't abide

The tastes that obtain down East;

And we're mighty proud to have it said

That here in the versatile West

Most any color, so long as it's red,

Is the color that suits us best.