cords, threads... and loose ends

lullaby

2012-02-29T14:52:00.013-07:00

early morning birds of a feather

sit high in the tree tops

gathering their thoughts

haggling from limb to limb

looking for unsuspecting victims

the fragile grey bough traces the crisp air

sing a song that echoes throughout the sky

fly away...

guess who's coming to dinner...

2012-02-22T13:29:00.006-07:00

my owl design on a plate. here is the first of my designs that will grace a plate. i am sure my other designs will serve up well. - jw

three tulips

2012-02-17T10:33:00.003-07:00

here is the lovely little tulip bud vase i have painted. simple but sweet. -jw

little blue bird

2012-02-09T09:27:00.004-07:00

most recently i started painting on ceramics. i have painted my artwork on vases, tiles and plates. the little blue bird trinket box is the latest and ever so cute! painting on canvas and painting on ceramics are two different things. i had to reverse some of my thinking on how to approach drawing and painting with ceramics. with a canvas i feel i have more control. ceramics less so... drawing, painting, the number of coats of paint and once it hits the kiln equals accepting what is handed to you when you pick it up. all of this continues to be a learning experience for me and something i am enjoying quite a bit. -jw

2012-02-03T14:35:00.007-07:00

my poetry reading went very well and i enjoyed reading at Greenwoods' new location. very cosy and intimate. the weather has warmed up. my art is no longer up at Cha Island Tea Co. it was up for four months, i think that's a pretty good length of time. i will venture along the Ave and see where else i may hang my art. i am also working on some new designs/paintings for this years artwalk. i have been painting ceramics too! many projects are on the go. no wonder it feels like spring is here! - jw

when the weather is like this...

2012-01-26T10:55:00.004-07:00

i tend to spend it in the kitchen, baking and cooking many things. so today i will be focused on my poetry. i have a poetry reading this Sunday and i need to select the ones i will be sharing. - jw

2012-01-13T14:41:00.004-07:00

she always met

with reassurances

a connection

mostly

it was for her

the truth subsiding

settling down

mind over matter

until it swelled

ballooned

outstretched arms

the warm glow of burning out

faded

my creativity flows down many avenues

2012-01-06T09:07:00.004-07:00

hi everyone! you may have noticed i started posting about the many cookbooks i collect. considering that this blog is more for my poetry and art, it got me thinking. so i started a new blog to share my luv of cookbooks, recipes, kitchen gadgets etc. called The Half Cut Cook

still in the tweaking stages and forging ahead this new blog is a very natural choice for me... i luv to create in the kitchen. i will not be abandoning this blog. i do still create outside of the kitchen. if you would like to follow or swing by please do so. it would be very much appreciated and who knows eventually i may post a cooking video or two! all the best in 2012 to you all!

cheers

Summerdown

2011-12-19T12:06:00.004-07:00

steaming cup

absorbing vapours

lingering

transcending upwards

tingling

being

minty Summerdown

frosty

2011-12-08T13:39:00.005-07:00

icicles

bare trees

brown grass

frozen leaves

clouds of exhaust

crisp air

cups of tea

please note

2011-11-30T21:26:00.003-07:00

due to some technical difficulties i had to do some re-tooling on my blog. essentially i had to re-add myself as an author. so if you note any problems please let me know. thank you!

cookbooks are plenty

2011-11-18T14:40:00.004-07:00

adding to my ever growing collection of cookbooks. the St. Michael/Marks & Spencers Chocolate Cooking 1984; first publication, is pure fun! most Canadians will recognize and recall the namesake... days gone by when one would shop at Marks & Sparks. the Betty Crocker Cookbook Special Edition adds to my Betty Crocker collection. many of the favourite recipes from the 1960's edition have been updated and mildly transformed. denoting "low-fat" recipes with substitutions and additions. i made the Lemon Poppyseed Cake. even though it was yummy, i enjoyed every morsel, it needed a bit more lemon flavour for my liking. last but not least the Noble Spud,1985; first publication, paying homage to the king of white starch. loads of potato recipes to cosy up to!

2011-11-10T12:37:00.006-07:00

2011-11-04T11:02:00.002-06:00

flinching

fluttering

fleeting

pecking

the feeding frenzy

amongst falling leaves

and dead trees

one step ahead

2011-10-14T10:24:00.003-06:00

leaves tumble

multiply

tumbleweeds of gold and crimson

chasing dreams

crunching underfoot

shall we run with them?

my fifteen minutes of fame for thirty-one days...

2011-10-07T14:48:00.008-06:00

for the month of October my artwork will be on display at the Cha Island Tea Co. if you are in the area stop by to enjoy a relaxing drink, the jammin' music and the artwork.

perhaps i need a flag

2011-09-30T10:41:00.005-06:00

still in the process... however i have managed to get my studio in the attic up and going. painting most of this week away. it is cozy and has a great view. making it easy for me to paint and write. granting me more creative freedom. a place to claim so to speak. my room, a room of one's own.

more cookbook finds

2011-09-26T13:42:00.003-06:00

the other day i dashed to an antique shop and unexpectedly saw they had a very small book section. someone obviously knew that i would find these two gems to add to my Betty Crocker collection. when it rains it pours and why Betty Crocker? haven't a clue. i am just going with it! the Betty Crocker Cookbook (1971; ninth printing) looks like a possible reprint of the 1960's Betty Crocker New Picture Cookbook that was my mothers that she then gave to me. minus all the whimsical drawings and largely over saturated colour photos. this edition shown in the above photo is a bit beat up around the edges but a must have nonetheless. the Betty Crocker Cake and Frosting Mix Cookbook (1966; first printing, first edition). is a lovely little dessert book with suggestions for many tantalizing sweets to be served on occasion and after dinner.

down at the Goodwill

2011-09-22T13:01:00.011-06:00

the other day i decided to go to Goodwill and have a browse around. in an off room i discovered bookshelves stuffed with loads of books. looking through shelf after shelf i found the cookery shelf and i planted myself there for about... forty-five minutes. diligently leafing through each cookbook. i bought six books in total. to add to my Betty Crocker collection i bought Betty Crocker's Cooky Book (1979; twenty-fifth printing) and Hamburger Cookbook (1973; second printing). i was waffling on the Hamburger Cookbook, i don't eat hamburger. so i bought it solely to add to my growing Betty Crocker collection. after all it was pretty inexpensive. the New Joys of Jell-O (1975; third edition) had me reminiscing about some of those desserts i ate as a kid. the photos are right out of the 60's/70's! one even looks inspired by the Beatles Yellow Submarine. perhaps i will fancy making a Jell-O inspired dessert the next time i am invited to dinner.

i have been forever searching for a fudge recipe and a fudge recipe that works! my mum would make fudge all the time when i was growing up. hers always turned out and she made it seem so easy! the 100 Sweet & Candies book (1983; first printing) has many fudge recipes for anyone to drool over. so i will have another go and satisfy my semi sweet tooth. the Cook Not Mad or Rational Cookery Canada's First Cookbook (1973; second edition) reminded me of the Mrs. Beeton's Cookery cookbook i own. A History of the World in 6 Glasses reads more like a novel. the author brings world history to light with these six beverages - beer, wine, spirits, coffee and tea! just thought it might be an interesting read on a cold winters night.

109th

2011-09-09T13:45:00.003-06:00

the scent

sweet nectar

honeysuckle sweet

tantalizing the senses

wafting through

an aromatic breeze

summer appeared

again

hastily trailing off

faintly disappearing

behind

my back

2011-08-29T11:13:00.002-06:00

more dragonflies

less wind

fewer clouds

more open blue skies

more sunshine

more laughter

longer days

August has slipped by...

let it be

2011-08-18T10:15:00.005-06:00

water rushing

noise of jack hammers

the red crane towering

high in the sky

voices prevail

over the steady stream

flowing traffic

glass reflects the sky

metal beams the sun

dancing at the corner of my eye

the breeze relentless and

i will eat the brazil nuts

red dragonfly

2011-08-09T14:19:00.003-06:00

silently soaking up the sun

in the blades of grass

the sun blazing your vibrant red hue

perched and pebbles of sand

tiny reflective grains of glass

wings burnished bronze tissue paper

subdued stain glass windows

beam after beam

through the dreamcatchers weave

sifting dreams in the afternoon

2011-07-28T12:18:00.002-06:00

when there

is little left

you stare

deep down

into the cup

into the remains

sifting

shifting

empty reflection

blank... goes the canvas

2011-07-21T16:30:00.007-06:00

i was doing some spring cleaning the other day and found all these blank canvases. it seems as though i had been stock piling... not entirely true. i had good intentions and i still have good intentions to paint each and every one. the ideas are flowing although my creativity keeps getting side tracked. i have a feeling that will change soon.

POP!

2011-07-15T13:04:00.011-06:00

went to the Andy Warhol exhibit at the AGA yesterday with friends. it was a fantastic display of Warhols works. really enjoyed his early works with watercolour. they even had his wigs on display. on the fourth floor was the interactive exhibit Silver Clouds. a room filled with silver pillows to which you got to bump and toss in the air. at first they were just balloons but after awhile when you were watching them float and collide things seemed to transform... disappear and other things were emerging. well at least it was for me. simple yet deep!

after awhile you felt as though you could float...

"i like boring things" - Andy Warhol

self portrait number 1

and self portrait number 2

away

2011-07-14T14:29:00.003-06:00

the

sound of silence

deafening

hum... churn... burn...

like a hammer

knocking on the door

heavy footsteps

dragging their weight

faintly the heartbeats

only the churn... the burn

the silence humming

lulling

imploding your thoughts

2011-07-06T13:17:00.006-06:00

i met a girl

who found a pearl necklace

in an empty jam jar

beautiful was the necklace

pretty was the girl

i would like to live at that house

grey

2011-06-30T14:31:00.007-06:00

the persistent rain falls

glistening on the window

nourishing the gutters

rapid patterns stream

subdued reflections

repetitious rhythms

2011-06-24T10:40:00.003-06:00

what is actually happening and what we project are two different things.

hush

2011-06-23T13:53:00.005-06:00

the bird in the cage

sings sweetly after midnight

if let out

she will exquisitely fly away

following the moonlight

dashing through the rain

spreading her wings

finding her way home

2011-06-16T12:01:00.005-06:00

that afternoon

sitting

sipping coffee

enjoying the sun

the swarming street

the fuse of people

buildings mingled together

perched in a chair

cobblestones underfoot

the glare of the glass tabletop

your reflection

overshadowing the coffee cup

the spoon resting

with a milky caffeine pool

settling in the shallow niche of the stainless steel

turning cold

becoming stale

like the conversation

gnomes and fairies

2011-06-10T11:54:00.005-06:00

gather round, chanting songs of mayhem and merriment

bringing spirited magic as we sleep

pineapple but no coconut

2011-06-01T15:32:00.004-06:00

persistently fragrant lilacs

fill the summer nights air

sweet abundant nectar

the remaining sunshine

swings towering shadows

what he said

what she said

soon the sunset

will blaze a trail across the sky

in a haze slower than

a shooting star falling

towards him

towards her

walking along

2011-05-27T15:33:00.003-06:00

blooming trees

the scent

wafting

riding the wind

carefree

a sudden rush

tantalizing the senses

lingering

petals scattered along the path

randomly tumbling

2011-05-25T10:13:00.004-06:00

decomposing

flower beds

soil overturned

resting with the flowers

speckled colours

happiness blooms

forgiveness is buried

2011-05-19T12:06:00.005-06:00

i don't really know what my obsession is with trees. i just have one! i do think that trees reflect ourselves. we are like trees, our lives are like trees. we grow... we become. life is fruitful... a cycle, sometimes a vicious cycle. rings that count the years... the fingerprints and footprints we leave behind. solid with many purposes. giving and taking. shedding... growing. they give oxygen. we breathe oxygen. both life sources are connected. intertwined branches.

2011-05-13T10:57:00.005-06:00

a promise made

upon a tarnished crown

holds the seed of tomorrow

beneath the ground

this painting was finished just after the royal wedding... yes i spared my sleep and stayed up to watch the occasion with a pot of earl grey tea and crumpets. if you remember i did a series of charcoals that i dubbed "holding court" and i really wanted to put one to canvas. with a few modifications the king looks more somber. i hope he doesn't lose his crown. who knows maybe a queen will follow.

2011-05-04T13:40:00.003-06:00

hide your eyes away

it will bring nothing

veiled eyes hang heavy

shadowed by the mind

contrived thoughts burn

deep in wounds

with scars leaving a trail behind

brief episodes of being interrupted

2011-04-28T13:37:00.003-06:00

the sun hides behind the grey clouds

the feeling of being closer to the ceiling

growing, a long way from home

stretching in an attempt to reach the sky

to sit and have tea with the giants

while angels suffer in the name of luv

go for a walk

and smell the roses

the roses haven't bloomed

they are a tightly locked bud

flowers don't wither with sunlight

they wither with time

pressed between the book's pages

only to be forgotten

until it rains

daydreaming...

2011-04-27T12:37:00.002-06:00

is all you can do under blue skies and sunshine

2011-04-21T10:00:00.002-06:00

yesterday i picked up my copy of the annual Stroll anthology. my poem "pushing the undercurrent" is featured on page 101.

i don't know who she is...

2011-04-20T10:48:00.003-06:00

but she's fantastic! this drawing is a departure from what i "normal" do. i wanted to try something different and this is how she turned out.

2011-04-14T15:29:00.002-06:00

we say that we won't forget but we do

it stays with yesterday and settles

like a seed nestled under the ground

waiting to bloom

but if there is no rain

and if there is no sun

then it remains resting

in the first and last place

2011-04-07T01:54:00.004-06:00

spring catches and clings to everything

the snow is melting

creating riveting rivers to the sewer

hitting the bottom of the drain

damp surfaces darken the concrete

showing no restraint

flowing underneath the city

fresh air floats above us

tangled in our breath

shuffling our feet

we are comfortable with the nothingness

antiquing we will go!

2011-03-31T14:14:00.008-06:00

today was a good day to go visit the antique store. this shop is absolutely a treasure trove of mazes and hidden gems. there are two floors and it is covered from floor to ceiling with anything and everything you can possibly imagine existing at one point. it is all housed in one big building. of coarse they have books so i found myself gravitating towards them. digging through their cookery sections that i found scattered throughout the first floor, i came upon these three lovely little finds. i must say i luv collecting cookbooks.

the Betty Crocker Hostess Cookbook, first edition,1967 is a wonderful addition to my already Betty Crocker New Picture Cookbook, 1962. do not let the cover fool you, A Taste of Yorkshire In Food and In Pictures by Theodora Fitzgibbon looks charming and regional, rightfully so but the depressing black and white photographs inside just adds that bit of bleakness that solidifies each age old recipe. finally Better Living Thru Good Cooking with Prudential Wares: A Book of Patricia Prudence Tested Recipes, 1959 has all the look and feel of Betty Crocker pre Betty Crocker. the pictures have that over colourized and slightly unappetizing look. one wonders if the recipes were indeed tested at all. that being said i am very pleased with my purchases and look forward to adding these books and recipes to my collection.

2011-03-24T15:45:00.003-06:00

capture an essence

magnify a desire

mystical proportions

chants to be carried off to sea

will float cursive depths

before tea

silent snowflakes falling

2011-03-18T10:57:00.004-06:00

foot prints

fading

into the snow

where do they lead?

where do they go?

down the lane

and

around the bend

run rabbit run

don't meet your

untimely end

for the luck of the Irish

2011-03-17T19:49:00.005-06:00

as the revellers started revelling. i was tucked away cooking dinner. tofu stir-fry. chopped all the vegetables, turned to the stove and turned back to the cutting board. the vegetables were just laying there waiting. the day being St. Patrick's Day i stood staring at the veggies and thought, hmmm... green, white and orange. really wasn't going to do an Irish theme post but there it was. no green beer for me. i enjoyed a glass of red wine as i read Oscar Wilde!

2011-03-11T08:41:00.003-07:00

closeness

rolls down the cheek

into the abyss

of the lips

breaking the barricade

a salty tension

the tongue wants to taste

gliding

underneath the lip

curving

to the cusp of the chin

promiscuously

waiting to descend

briefly

2011-03-03T10:16:00.005-07:00

the ice

is pebbled with rocks

and

pitted with holes

littered

with dirt

and

ground by stones

nothing grows

when stagnate

waiting

to decompose

2011-02-25T13:52:00.003-07:00

i built a paper boat

to sail to you

but

there wasn't any water

a few days past

then it rained

and rained

washing

the paper boat away...

a burst of colour

2011-02-23T12:00:00.006-07:00

everything is white. everything is cold. the wind cuts. sometimes there is sunshine and sometimes there is blue skies. vivid green and a vibrant palette. a gentle breeze.

2011-02-17T10:06:00.006-07:00

she said

that only she can carry the icicles

and

that only she can keep them warm

by holding

them close to her heart

and i said

don't hold them too close

or they will melt

a note to cupid

2011-02-16T09:38:00.003-07:00

why

do you always

aim for the heart

does luv not grow

in other places?

thoughts to process

2011-02-10T13:18:00.005-07:00

movement can amplify an emotion

cultivate a mood

putting forth a motion

thoughts trespass

furthering the movement

furthering the motion

until emotions surface

emotions can guide movement

motions propose

a burst of enlightenment

a crushing painstaking non existent state

the movement

brings motion

transforming to emotion

moving forward

even when you are standing still

there is movement

one...

2011-02-02T10:28:00.003-07:00

... lonely sheep

2011-01-26T12:02:00.005-07:00

Napoleon's war

2011-01-20T12:04:00.005-07:00

about a year ago i read my poetry at Greenwoods and my blog post about that reading was titled "Churchill's got my back." the reason... when i got up to read there was a book display and standing there facing toward the audience was a book on Churchill. his face staring out in that famous Churchill stare. so i couldn't help but think as i read that Churchill had my back throughout my reading.

well this past Sunday i read at Greenwoods again and again i read in front of the book display and this time there was a book on Napoleon staring out towards the audience. of coarse i mentioned to the audience how the last time Churchill showed up and now Napoleon and that i am not sure if i am progressing or digressing... which got a round of laughs. my reading went very well. i had a good set filled with three other women. it certainly was a great afternoon. very inspiring and you just never know who might show up!

poetry reading

2011-01-13T11:51:00.005-07:00

this week i have been gearing up for my poetry reading at Greenwoods Books this Sunday at 2. i'll be sharing the stage with other fellow poets from the Stroll of Poets. it will be great to listen to the other poets and read my current poetry as well. should be a great afternoon!

a tree for every season

2011-01-12T09:41:00.004-07:00

2011-01-05T12:00:00.010-07:00

disappearing

familiar

fading

comfort

uprooting

growing

uplifting

myself

2010-12-31T15:46:00.002-07:00

winter fairies

fall asleep

under the evening star

dreamy restless thoughts

do keep

warm in

deep dark indigo nights

guided by winter's lavender moon

cosy winter winds whisper

spring will be here soon

2010-12-15T09:47:00.002-07:00

just want to have a little fun and paint something slightly nonsensical so to speak. baaaaaa

mister owl has landed

2010-12-14T12:19:00.005-07:00

i was waiting for this little gem to show up... the blue owl. all the other characters came as a bonus from the fabulous shop of Cozy Studio. she has many wonderful things for you to adore and when you get the chance swing by her shop.

flowing

2010-12-08T11:52:00.003-07:00

ice crystals form

from elongated

solid clouds

up towards the sky

circling the air

swirling around

i listen

i don't see

your words

2010-12-02T09:32:00.006-07:00

i enjoy watching birds. watching their movements. adoring their curious habits. trying to decode their conversations.

before it fades...

2010-11-25T13:24:00.004-07:00

where did the green grass go?

2010-11-18T10:26:00.005-07:00

yesterday was the first snowfall. as breathtaking as it can be it also poses a question...

where did the green grass go?

the winter fairies took it

they hid it under

a blanket of snow

Mr. Frost carefully

places thin icy films

to and fro

delicately hanging

from roof tops

where did the green grass go?

the winter fairies took it

they hid it under

a blanket of snow

listen to

the cold

winter wind blow

pine trees nestle

huddle in rows

where did the green grass go?

the winter fairies took it

they hid it under

a blanket of snow

2010-11-12T08:53:00.004-07:00

he put you in a jar. like he always does with the butterflies. the killing jar. he wants you to stay behind glass not permanently pressed between the pages of a book. a few drops of water fall from the perforated holes in the lid. cruel? perhaps not... not for a flower. a butterfly maybe. you can see the butterfly's life fluttering before your eyes. when you find beauty. harness it. preserve it.

he watched you stand tall in the sun, bow to the wind and drink the rain. through the many admirers you spoke. spoke to him. silently. day after day. now... no more pelting rain, hot tired sun or violent wind to tarnish you. the risk of being stepped on by the wicked... eventually pulling until you gave way. he has become like them. selfish. taking your innocence.

a foul mood. one's foul play. deserted now, wilting in your own self pity. stagnate water evaporates from the makeshift hothouse. the killing jar. the distant sun illuminates everything and spares nothing. fading to a lifeless form of colour. soft. withered. hushed. speak your silence then fall apart.

a who and a howl

2010-11-04T09:34:00.010-06:00

the other night while trying to get to sleep i heard a sound outside my window. at first i could not place the one note sound that repeated three times. short but to the point. it sounded like an ow... oof... woo. no a... who! who? excited i sat up in bed to extend my ear... concentrating through the dim light i swear it was an owl. it wouldn't be the first time i have heard an owl in the neighbourhood. so i sat still admiring the sound only to realize upon further listening that it was no owl but a neighbours dog! who let's their dog howl well past one in the morning... apparently they do! judging from the depths of the sound i can only imagine the size of their dog. if it's the one i am thinking of let's just say my nickname for that dog is... bear dog! this charcoal was inspired by my first impressions i had the other night.

2010-10-29T08:45:00.004-06:00

the pawn

2010-10-21T13:15:00.005-06:00

while i am in the sharing mood. here are the first attempts of some of those charcoal drawings. the queen went through minor facelifts whereas the jack was a bit of an overhaul. scroll down and you can view all of the final charcoals.

2010-10-21T10:10:00.003-06:00

this past series of charcoals came from these drawings. i have received some wonderful comments regarding my "holding court" series. it's very rare i post my rough sketches and as you can see i am still doing it on lined paper with a pen.

2010-10-20T10:31:00.001-06:00

the jester

2010-10-19T08:53:00.002-06:00

the queen

2010-10-14T10:25:00.002-06:00

the jack

2010-10-08T09:15:00.007-06:00

the king's laurels rest in his crown

a birds nest with a view

to be frowned upon

by those with calculating eyes

a pawn

the jester

a queen

by his side

all eyes

drawn like swords

daggers reap

perched

kneeling before his feet

2010-10-05T12:06:00.003-06:00

yesterday rainy. today sunny.

my fascination with trees will always grow.

mysterious lady portraits 2

2010-09-28T08:34:00.004-06:00

charcoal on 11x14 sketch paper

2010-09-21T09:54:00.003-06:00

these two drawings i did with beet juice mixed with vinegar. when you first apply the beet juice it is a bright fuchsia, then it changes into a dark dusty rose, then a light dusty rose with hints of ochre. it reminds me of when you pick a flower and how bright and lively it is at first and then over time it fades. both seem to share a similar process.

2010-09-15T10:16:00.003-06:00

it lies resting

buried beneath, under moist layers

growing stronger

pulsating

shining, brighter than any star

i want to catch it

harness it

sow it with my two hands

back beneath the ground from which it grew

there it will lie

waiting for me, fresh as spring dew

2010-09-08T14:03:00.002-06:00

stars stare

glare

faintly

undecidedly

move heavenly

escaping with the night

falling

hounds calling

vivaciously aligning

after midnight

2010-09-03T10:39:00.007-06:00

the air

crisp

my breath

floats

fog

skimming the air

ghostly shadows

a thin film

a mylar trace

my hands inside my pockets

disguise what has seeped

into my bones

2010-09-01T11:33:00.006-06:00

a crow is playing

in a pine tree

fly away and be

a black spot mixed in with green

deeper and deeper

flapping it's wings

i do not think

the crow knows how things can be

i do not think

it ever tried to see

that is doesn't take a pine needle

to prick you until you bleed

no show

2010-08-31T08:06:00.003-06:00

due to certain last minute unforeseen circumstances i will not be hanging my artwork at Steeps in September. it is unfortunate but a lack of professionalism, on their part, has made this decision for me. i am closing this door so another may open.

for all of you who i met at the Art Walk this season, i know how excited you were to see my art and support me. not to worry! it is a big small world out there and this city offers many venues to hang my art. thank you for your understanding and continued support.

peace, luv and light! *wink*

swarming over the horzion

2010-08-27T16:21:00.004-06:00

the butterflies. one by one. fly into the window. it reminds me of scenes from Hitchcock's movie the Birds. those determined birds. flapping their determined wings and their piercing eyes. that told everything. but...

they didn't warn us that a storm was coming.

they didn't warn us that death was on it's way.

so one by one. going astray. the butterflies try. determined tiny birds from the corner of my eye. the sound of little pings hitting up against the window pane. flapping. fluttering sunlight. the reflection on the glass. holds traces of an unattainable infinite sky.

"P"

2010-08-24T10:18:00.008-06:00

... when all else fails, shed a tear

Buddha

2010-08-18T11:11:00.003-06:00

this is my current painting. finished. i know so far i have barely posted this month. i do not like to post for the sake of just posting anything. considering that my blog is about my art and my writing i think it is understandable. i have quite a few things on the go right now. so my time and energy is being pulled in all directions. perhaps me painting this Buddha is very suiting... reminding me to breathe.

acrylic on canvas. 24x24

2010-08-11T14:23:00.007-06:00

early morning. the sun is rising. her head cocked to one side as she glances downward. the cob webs hang from her face. morning dew glistens like a prism from the refined sunlight. time has worn through her angelic structure. cold as a stone. in her stillness, the sensation of moss slithers up her neck stretching to her cheek. she can breathe. her breath would be but a whisper. forming wispy clouds. that float in the air. holding her words. gently. like the waves in her hair and delicate like her soft defined lips. that remain eroding under the elements.

2010-08-05T10:23:00.004-06:00

water filters through my hands

like a sieve sifting sand

that sinks rather than floats

to the bottom

rest in peace secret antidotes

ripples cast waves

that wash over my reflection

like a tidal wave rising soon to christen

the curtain of clouds hiding the rain

the light fading

slipping

swirling down the drain

high voltage

2010-08-03T10:46:00.003-06:00

this painting will be shipped off to England soon. my friend Stu has inspired this painting. he suggested that i do thunderstorm clouds. i absolutely luv thunderstorms, lightning and rain! even though thunderclouds are very impressive it is the lightning that has me in awe. a beautiful striking force. we can be like lightning. electrical sparks... currents that run within us and between us. sending life in all directions. connecting us to one another and to nature.

so when i said i was taking a break from painting, i knew it wasn't going to last very long. August is painting frenzy month for me.

2010-07-29T11:45:00.004-06:00

for those of you who don't know, i have a thing for trees. this sketch i did in charcoal. it isn't quite finished but i thought i would share it with you anyways.

open the garden gate

2010-07-27T13:23:00.005-06:00

brown bird, brown bird

hopping on the fence

i can not give to something

which doesn't want to exist

how many times will luv follow

me down the garden path

until i see a lovely flower

that makes me sigh and

quickly i wander back

soldier on...

2010-07-21T10:01:00.005-06:00

this was my first year involved in the Art Walk. i was literally thrown into it. i had roughly three weeks to prepare. regardless i just dove right in and went with it. it was fabulous to connect with other artists and chat with all who stopped by. i received some great feedback.

a friend asked me if i was sad to see my pieces go. i said, "no. i think it's bittersweet. yes, i worked hard painting, each and every canvas. each piece has a special place. but i am thrilled they are being enjoyed by others. they are much better with them than me. the pieces are taking on a whole new life."

when asked if i was going to paint on Monday i said "no, i think i will take some time off from painting, instead i will write and monkey around with GarageBand." but in typical JAQ fashion by mid afternoon on Monday i was already tackling a new canvas.

this whole experience has been positive for me and a bit of an achievement as well. looking forward to September where i will be hanging my art at Steeps Tea House in Old Glenora. from there who knows. by then it's fall and the Stroll's Poetry Reading series will have kicked in. Edmonton has such a great arts community!

Art Walk 2010

2010-07-20T12:29:00.014-06:00

DAY ONE: rain

from the moment i got up until it was time for me to pack up and leave. it rained! steady and hard at times. discouraged... yes! because i had strep throat. determined... yes! because i had strep throat.

i sat for seven hours in the rain. met a few artists. one even told me i was brave for setting up under such conditions. well it did say rain or shine. oddly enough people stopped and chatted. asking me about my art and poetry. possibly they felt a little sad that i endured such conditions. still it was nice to have those moments. one guy had a heavy accent, he was from Cornwall and he was telling me all about his adventures in Jasper. he had some pretty interesting tales! one was where he went down a crevasse and i am amazed he is standing there telling me this story! so i guess my cold numb fingers pale in comparison.

this was my view. it was comforting to know that i was not entirely alone. my friend Robin was across the street at her booth. we would wave every now and again and call each other on our cell phones.

DAY TWO: sunburnt

ahhh... the warmth was very comforting after yesterday and so were the people that stopped by my booth. there were lots of people out enjoying the Ave. i met and chatted with so many people. i sold a few pieces. one piece was bought by my friend, local indie director/producer/writer, Ben Babchishin. Ben is currently working on a documentary with Bill Bourne called For the Record featuring... Bill Bourne. i did not realize just how hot it was. i got a wicked sunburn on my left side. i did get some sketching done in-between questions.

here is Ben and the piece that caught his eye! thanks for your support Ben!

one of my tiniest fans. everywhere i go a lady bug follows. good luck i suppose.

DAY THREE: blue skies

my sunburn was making this a painful day for me but i managed. my voice was still in smoky jazz mode but with loads of people on the Ave it was easy to forget these facts. i saw a guy walking a three legged dog and he had a snake around his neck. this was my last day of the Art Walk. more friends dropped by. time flew by and by two in the afternoon i sold some more pieces. i want to thank all who stopped by "my negative space" it was great meeting you. my family who helped me set up and brought me lunch... that i didn't want to eat... sometimes i think eating is an inconvenience. my friends for all their support.

THANK YOU!

shadow play

2010-07-15T11:40:00.003-06:00

i luv to listen to Beethoven...

acrylic on canvas, 18x24 June 2010 by JAQ

four more days until...

2010-07-13T08:05:00.006-06:00

Art Walk!

since the beginning of July i have been preoccupied with preparing myself, feverishly painting for this years art walk. i am a first time participant so i do not know what to expect. nervous... i say a reluctant yes!

for three days, 10-5 each day, i will be showcasing my art on Whyte Avenue. meeting other artists and the curious art patrons that are attracted to one of this city's major outdoor festival. if you are in need of something to do this weekend pop by Whyte Ave and check out all the amazing local art, buy some amazing art, stop and chat or just say hi! see you there. *wink*

my poetry vignettes

2010-07-07T10:36:00.006-06:00

vignettes [vin 'yet] : a brief evocative description, account or episode

i have written a few poems which i like to call vignettes. i give you the first two...

waiting

never satisfies the hunger

only mind being put over matter

until you find yourself hungry again

starving

staring at an empty plate

draw a line

draw a line in the sand

you nor i may not cross

unless the tide comes in

the tide is low today

play your best hand

2010-07-05T11:15:00.005-06:00

a hypocrite

a self loathing lump

your kryptonite

a critical mass

of your own error

a queen

who is ruled

by her unloyal subjects

the punch drunks

the fool strums

his over confident guitar

to the tune

of your unsuspecting ear

a snake charmer

charming only to a hare