Flying down highway 16. The snow is melting, the sun is warm - hello spring.

So I attended a digital marketing class for Smithers Art Gallery last week. It was a great reminder of the importance of posting (or blogging - I don't love the word 'blog') and keeping my site 'fresh'. I always have fantastic intention to write here but I always fail to follow through. This course was the kick in the pants I needed to create 'content'. The facilitator suggested that our posts offer you (the reader) advice, information or something to keep you interested. Hmmmmmm... Does what I have to offer interest you? My paintings?!! Hopefully! I adore reading autobiographies and personal posts from others but I've never had the courage to get too personal. The fear of exposure has always kept me from it. I may get there one day but for now I will provide visual content in the form of my paintings, my creative processes, art and written content on what inspires me. Well, here goes:

Recently, I've felt creatively confused. I spent October and November painting like a mad woman for Wintergold (an artisan fair) and One of a Kind: A Christmas Gift Shop at Smithers Art Gallery. I had clear direction - painting wild animals in oil paints on wood. They sold well. Much to my surprise, though, this led into painting a ton of custom ordered pet portraits on small 2.25" x 3" wood ornaments. Now that the orders are wrapping up, I've been trying to work out in my head what I want my next series of paintings to be. Landscapes (again), animals (more?!), townscapes, portraits... abstract?! Ack!! To the point that I'm driving myself crazy! So I painted this fox last week for Smithers Art Gallery's members show. This didn't move me any closer to figuring out what I'm going to do next but it did get me painting. And I enjoyed it! I'm thinking creative play is in order and allow the rest to follow. 
Let art rule...
peace xo
michelle

fox #2
10x8 inches, oil on wood
​available now at Smithers Art Gallery