Living in Vancouver, I wasn’t particularly excited about the Olympics coming to our city, especially with all of the subsequent cuts to arts funding (slashed by 92%) and the serious lack of affordable housing. (And when I say “affordable housing”, I mean reasonable for middle class families with 2 working parents. The homeless problem is a whole separate issue.) It’s a beautiful city, but also the most expensive city in the world. We also have the highest Canadian rate of child poverty for 6 years running. It seems crazy to host what amounts to basically a big sporting event plus after party in the face of these serious issues. That being said, once it actually got here? It was hard not to be swept up in the fun.

My mister and I couldn’t afford tickets for most of the events, but we did get to attend one hockey game (not USA or Canada!) and one of the medal ceremonies, which was great. Mike Robertson was presented with the silver medal for snowboard cross that night – extra nice to see a Canadian on the podium. They made each night into a cultural event featuring one of the provinces, so there were lots of performances and music, and then the band Barenaked Ladies wrapped it up. A good time was had by all.

Well, sort of good. The last couple of weeks have been crazy exhausting & not just because of the Olympics. I’ve had a nasty cold for the last 18 days. Seriously – 18 days. It’s not like I’m bedridden, but I’ve got a sinus bug that means I’m constantly snorting Dristan, coughing loudly (& phlegm-ily) & generally grossing people out.

I’m also in the midst of the biggest painting deadline of my career – I have my first solo show opening April 9th. It’s at the Massey Theatre and Plaskett Gallery in New Westminster, which means a lot of space to fill. I tend to paint on the small side – canvases that are easy for me to ship – so this is a tremendous undertaking in a very short period of time. I have two canvases going right now and find myself getting more and more stressed by the day. Painting? Not something you can rush!

If I’m prepping for a craft market and have a bunch of Scrabble tile pendants to make, I can power through a cold or flu bug by taking lots of cold meds, drinking coffee & staying up late. Unfortunately creativity can’t be forced like that, at least for me.

To top it all off, the universe decided it would be extra funny if I fell down the stairs too. I was carrying the white dog outside (she’s getting old & starting to have trouble with the stairs), in my pajamas & slippers (ha!). Our backyard has a deck with a bunch of wooden steps leading down to the yard and since it’s in Vancouver, the steps are always slick with rain. After a while, the raindrops give way to a slimy green…stuff. I don’t know what it is exactly, but if you think about rocks near the ocean, that’s the stuff I’m talking about. I’d say it’s algae, but it seems weird for algae to be growing on my back steps. Anyway…slippery as hell.

I hit the bottom step, my feet slipped out from under me and, just like in a cartoon, the dog shot up in the air, my slippers flew off and landed in the middle of the yard, and I landed flat on my back. On the stairs. YOWTCH!!!

I’m a mess of bruises and got wicked whiplash in my neck, but fortunately nothing else was hurt, including the dog. I lay there for a few moments wondering if I had broken my back since, you know, I LANDED ON THE STAIRS. Motherjumper.

Fortunately I did recover in time to celebrate the gold medal hockey game and venture into the belly of the beast – Robson and Granville. It was so wall to wall people that it took us close to 30 minutes just to walk the 12 feet to get around the corner on Granville. There were so many people pushed up against each other that you literally could. not. move. It was insane! I’ve been to really packed concerts like that where everyone was pushing to get closer to the stage, but this was *outside*. Crazy!

Everyone was well-behaved (that I saw), so there was plenty of high-fiving going on, but no trampling. This was a very good thing, indeed. With that many people, you just need one jackass to throw a rock or start a fight and the whole scene erupts into chaos. I’m sure the VPD will be happy to bid farewell to the Olympics. And I’m happy to get back to painting. And not falling down stairs.

Sunday, February 21st, 2010
Heritage Hall
3102 Main Street @ 15th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
11 am – 5 pm

Don’t worry folks! I haven’t been swept up in Olympic madness (though I have been enjoying seeing so many visitors from all over the world in my city), I’ve just been locked out of my blog for the past few days. I noticed it was loading really slowly & sometimes timing out all together, so I tried to do a database upgrade & then everything went kaplooey. Yes, that *is* the technical term.

It seems to be back on track now though & just in time for my first market of 2010 – Blim Community Market this Sunday. They’re moving to a new, bigger venue right on Main Street and I can’t wait to catch up with my fellow artists and crafters. There will be 48 vendors ranging from fashion to vintage finds and records to art to jewelry, all with a focus on promoting creative production in our community. Click here to see the full list of vendors.

And don’t forget to come on an empty stomach! Open Sesame is catering the event and they make some of the best Japanese concoctions I’ve ever had, at any price. Seriously amazing food.

I’m hoping I’ll have time to properly scan and print some of my new paintings (ahem…Alice in Wonderland), but the clock is ticking. I will definitely have a selection of lockets and pendants, stickers, postcards and maybe an original or two. See you there!

I had such a fab time at both of my shows on Saturday that I pretty much took all of Sunday off to recover. And to watch the Superbowl, of course! I couldn’t care less about football, but fair’s fair. My mister accompanied me to artsy fartsy schtuff, so I had to return the favor & watch some football. Fortunately we invited some friends over AND my mister made chilli, so I can’t complain.

On to the shows! First up – Hot One Inch Action:

I submitted Murray (print here) as my button design and was so tickled when I saw the way he’d turned out. I kept a bunch, traded for a few of my other faves and had an all around awesome night.

Next up we headed over to Box Studios for the Heart On show. It was also super packed with over 250 people through the door. I got to chat wtih some of my favorite local artists, but unfortunately my photos are awful. It’s a fairly dark venue – perfect for dancing & general merryment, less perfect for snapping non-blurry photos of artwork. Using the flash with artwork is almost worse than blurry, so…meh. Sorry!

So much fun! I’ve got a bunch more shows coming up this spring, which means I need to get back to painting now, but I’ll be posting more details soon. In the meantime, here’s a hint: follow the white rabbit.

have 2 shows coming up this weekend & they both happen to fall on the same night.  I may have to swap the cocktails for energy drinks, but it should be a blast. First up – the button show:

Saturday February 6, 2010
doors @ 8pm
W2 Culture + Media House – 112 W Hastings
Vancouver, BC

My button design was selected as one of the medalists in this new round of Hot 1 Inch Action. There will be 50 different artists represented & for $5, you get a bag with 5 random buttons. I love this idea! You can buy specific buttons, so if you really have your heart set on a certain one, you have to get social & start swapping. Fun!

Next up, my girl MJ is hosting another fab art show/party with a romantic theme – The Heart On. The last show (The Wee Show) was packed & I was delighted by the quality of the art & the all-around awesomeness of the people I met. Normally I don’t do so well at hot, loud, crowded events, but the artists & attendees were such a friendly bunch that I could’ve partied all night. Which reminds me…wear comfortable shoes!

Saturday February 6, 2010
Doors 9pm
Box Studios (1622 Franklin Street)
$8 | at the door

I still have to find frames for the 2 new paintings I have in this show, so I’d better hop to it!

Craft show season is winding down, my lovelies! My final show of the year is this Sunday, December 20th at Blim. I’m hoping I’ll get a chance to do some of my own Christmas shopping at this one. And gobble up some of the yummy food that Open Sesame will be cooking too.

Blim Community Market
Sunday, December 20th
Cambrian Welsh Hall
215 W 17th Ave (@ Main St)
11 to 5 pm

Of course, you can order my work from my Etsy shop year round.

After Sunday I’ll be able to pack away all of my craft show stuff until March, which means there will be massive cleaning, organizing & finally Christmas decorating. Oh and cookie baking! Just in the nick of time too. The mister’s folks are arriving on the 24th. Eep!

What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

This weekend is the very last Portobello West market of 2009. It’s a 2 day affair running both Saturday and Sunday, so I’ve had Santa’s workshop kicked into high gear all week prepping for what will (hopefully) be one of the busiest markets of the year. If you’re in the Vancouver area, please drop by and say hello!

Rocky Mountaineer Train Station

1755 Cottrell Street

December 12th and 13th

noon to 6 pm

A few of my favorite fellow vendors:

Catalyst Reaction

Thyrza’s adorable plantscapes & terrariums

Stunning one of a kind jewelry from Bueno Style

See you there!

I’m taking part in a group show opening this Friday at the Jem Gallery here in Vancouver. It promises to be great fun with a “Naughty, Not Nice” theme and art that is cash & carry, just in time for your xxxmas shopping. Heehee!

Since my girls tend to be more cute than sexy, it was an interesting challenge. I knew right away I wanted to paint a strong female icon, and give her the Cagey Bee treatment, of course. It ended up being a lot trickier than I would’ve guessed. I settled on the ultimate pin-up, Bettie Page, and sketch after sketch, it just didn’t quite work. She had rather deep set eyes (a lot like my own) and trying to capture a sultry gaze and the proportions of her face while making her eyes three times their regular size…well, let’s just say I have a lot of pages in the recycle bin.

In the end, I’m really happy with the way she turned out. I’m not sure if she’s instantly recognizable as Bettie, but I think she captures Bettie’s sassy spirit. I’ll be coating her with varnish tonight and then she’s off to the gallery. If you’re in downtown Vancouver, go take a peek!

I’ve been a busy little bee getting prepped and making new pretty things for my first 3 day market. So much to share, but it will have to wait because the market starts today! If you’re in the Vancouver area, please do drop by to say hello.

There’s going to be a kids zone set up with activities for the kiddies, face painting, music and entertainment, a book sale and poinsettia sale, plus a concession with yummy baked goods. And me!

November 20th, 21st and 22nd
Britannia Christmas Craft Fair
Britannia Secondary School ~ 1001 Cotton Drive (off Commercial Drive)
Friday ~ 3:00 pm–8:00 pm
Saturday ~ 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Sunday ~ 10:00 am–5:00 pm

I had a fabulous time at the Art SEA event at the Vancouver Aquarium last night. The organizer, Monika Bilchar, did a great job bringing together totally diverse artists in a beautiful space. I met so many wonderful people and much fun was had by all.

The only downside was that being an aquarium and all, it didn’t exactly have gallery lighting. The middle atrium part and one wing were well lit, but the area I was in, the entrance to the Tropical Zone, was really dark.

I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to snap any pics of the rest of the space (or art) because my camera batteries died, oh about 7 pictures in. I was particularly bummed because the octopus was out! Every time I go to the aquarium that pesky cephalopod is hiding and I can barely see a tentacle, but last night he was stuck to the glass. Awesome.

I kept waiting for a painting to get knocked over while someone tried to peer around and into the tanks. And no, I didn’t knock anything over!

I was rocking my favorite vintage dress that is finally getting that thrift store stank out of it. I’ve soaked it in the bathtub, tried it in the dryer with fabric softener sheets (which almost killed it), hung it outside…that faint moth ball-y smell remains. Wearing it seems to be the only thing doing the trick. It’s about 95% gone now. And so cute!

I had four paintings framed for this event, including the Crow Keeper up above. I want to shoot better pics of them without the harsh flash, but even so…wow. What a difference a frame makes! I’d really love to frame all of my paintings. It’s tough though; a frame can cost as much (or more) than the art itself and I don’t get any kind of wholesale deals since I have no need to buy them in huge quantities. One day!

I hate to start off another blog post talking about how busy I am (I mean really…how dull), so I’ll just say this – don’t let me sign up for anything else for a good long while. All of the events I’ve taken part in have been great, but my urge to retreat to my studio nest is growing stronger by the minute. Fortunately my next event happens to be a super fun one happening at one of my favorite spots in Vancouver.

ART SEA

The last couple of days have had me running around the city tracking down frames and display easels for a Saturday night show at the Vancouver Aquarium. It’s going to be off the hook! (Sorry. Couldn’t resist the bad pun!)

I’m super excited to be part of Art SEA 2009 with an amazing location, great company and 25% of all proceeds going to an awesome charity – Arts Umbrella. It’s going to be a blast and if you’re a local, you can grab your tickets from Club Zone now or get them at the door.

But with 217 craft shows coming up over the next 2 months (OK…maybe it’s more like 8, but still!) I’m kind of missing just painting. You know, painting for the sake of painting without a holiday or particular show in mind. I miss pushing the paint around and letting one of my characters emerge. We’re getting lonely here and the gang definitely needs some fresh blood.

January, you’re looking mighty fine.