2020 the year of Covid19. 

A year of change; fear; panic; riots; & isolation to name just a few.
We did not see it coming, at least I did not.

What started as a year filled with promise and endless possibilities, became a year of mask; sanitizers; hoarding; horror; & limitations.

Quarantined indefinitely throughout the spring. Companies closed; working from home when possible; layoffs; loss of income and revenue; worst of all loss of lives.

Unbelievably riots for perceived slights, racial or otherwise; causing even more hardships for struggling businesses. Endless protests over infringement of rights, losing sight of the end goal. Saving lives.

I could go on and on. I wont. I am sure the history books will have an accounting of all that has happened this year. 

Personally, I wore my mask. I sanitized. I respected others space and health, having no idea whom I would encounter that could be compromised or not. I myself am at risk, not to mention my husband and son.

My life went on.

Where I am going with this ramble of a blog is that even when the world is in shambles, you don't have to completely shut down. You can work towards your goals; your dreams; without fear ruling your life. 

There has been risks taken with all precautions and my major highlight of this past year was that I pursued my dream. 

Being fortunate enough to have taken a airbrush course in the past with Dru Blair, I so very much wanted to do that again. To overcome my irrational fear of failure; to learn or relearn what I had forgotten; and to understand the mechanics of my airbrush and compressor.

Well my dream was realized.

October of this year I went to Blair, South Carolina to participate in a Monochromatic Portrait workshop. It was beyond definition, simply amazing.

I loved going; learning; meeting other artists; absorbing the atmosphere of positivity in such an abnormal world otherwise. 

Stay safe.
Mask up.
Social Distance as necessary.
But more importantly...
Love... 
Dream....
Live......

Love to you my friends,
Angela 
​xo

Note:   Dru Blair is a world renown photorealism artist and teacher. I have been truly blessed to be able to take instruction from him and even more so to call him and his family, my friends.

https://fb.watch/298hP_U6tf/

Life amazes me.
Its that simple.

We each follow our path, perhaps make a turn or slight adjustment here or there, but really aren't we following the same routine day in day out?
Get up.
Get ready.
Go to work.
Do our thing.... 
Come home to our loved ones...
Repeat.

But what happens when you interrupt that pattern? When you do a 180* turn with little or no notice?
What happens when you follow your heart and not your head?

I can tell you. 
You either fall flat on your face or fly.
In art you would end up creating an abstract, hoping for a bit of realism.
Well for a while I definitely had an abstract going on, but I managed to master my brush and though it is still a work in progress, we are definitely on route for a masterpiece. 

​I know its been a long time since I last wrote. I have neglected myself and you my friends and audience.
​
My life could be a script for a television series, if only I could be played by a brilliant, gorgeous actress. LOL wouldn't that be something. Ha not happening!

Let us just say that I decided to do something no one thought I would. Leave my safe secure home and friends, to help a man I happened to love. So what some may say?

​But I went across the continent to another country in order to help him while he underwent a double transplant surgery. I didn't know if I would be gone a month or six. I certainly had no idea I would decide to make it permanent, but that is what we did.

There is a lot of in-between to add, and I will do so in the next few postings.
Suffice to say, follow your heart. It will allow you to create your true masterpiece.

We all have things we have to do in our busy day to day lives.
Things or people we stress over.
Stick it notes, lists and what-haves to remind us of what we have to do and when it needs to be done.
What about the things we put aside as we deal with the must-dos; the chores; the items we deem more important than....
How does all this leave you feeling?
Think about it.
I am sure we all feel overwhelmed at times, but mainly tired.
Tiredness can increase our reluctance to deal and or enjoy those activities we put aside. We all know it as procrastination.
Let me tell you its a killer of enjoyment.
I love to paint, to create.
But I find I put it off. More due to the daunting list of things I do have to accomplish. For some reason I feel I cant do something I enjoy if I have things left undone. Do you feel that way?
What do you do to overcome that?
Cause to tell the truth we can all accomplish more if we allow ourselves time to do the things we do.
Don't let Procrastination Kill Your Creativity.

Happy Painting :)
Angela xo

Art has been an enjoyment in my life.
A blessing.
Surprisingly it has become the backbone of my survival.
When my world entered an alternate dimension 2 1/2 years ago, the only thing I had that was the same was my art, students and friends.
I left a marriage with my clothes, art supplies, a dresser and a shelf.
Zero money in fact I had to borrow to hire a lawyer. 
I continue to fight through lawyers for what is mine by law.
In the meantime one must survive. How do you do that? I am not one to sit in a corner and cry much to the dismay of my first set of lawyers. I was given two hands and a mind for a reason. I was given the gift of being able to paint.
So that is what I have done. It keeps my head above water and a smile on my face. 
Granted I have had to find other means of income as well, but this is my sanity. My saving grace is to be able to paint. To be able to teach.
I have been so very grateful to those who want to be taught by me and who teach me so much in return. 
Each of you touch my life whether you are a student, a friend, a family member, or someone persuing this by pure chance. 
Enjoy art in all forms, it truly is life.

Some of my students work are seen below. 
​

Wow! Life really can throw you for a loop.
I was put into a martini shaker and definitely shaken not stirred. 
My life as I have known it is over.

But do I stay in a depression and whoa is me attitude?
Been there done that.
Where has it gotten me?
NOT where I want to be thats for sure.
So Onwards and upwards. It is a big, bright, beautiful world out there and I am so very ready to meet it with open arms and a smile.
HELLO WORLD! 

The one constant I have had in this time is my art. Have I painted, no not really as I find it is tied to my emotions more than i thought, but I am ready to start again. This tells me I am healing. But I have had my Students and my Art friends, they have kept me focused and together in so many ways. I love them dearly. 

I am ready to Paint! I am ready to live and love life.
Enjoy what you have today my friends. .. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. ..

Hugs,
Angela
xx

HAPPY HAPPY DAY!
I am über excited to let you in on my latest news.
With much pleasure and appreciation I am exhibiting my work at Eaglesmed Wellness Centre (www.eaglesmed.ca) for your viewing pleasure and sale.
Thank you so much to the wonderful staff and owners for this opportunity.
I know it will be a success.
Hugs to you all!
Angela

A New Yeah!

Yes you read that right. It may be a new year, but let's just make that a new YEAH!

Have to stay on the positive side of things as life throws us way to much crap otherwise. I have so many things happening good and bad that if I actually made a list the bad would probably outweigh the good and who needs that!

Like to think I am more of a 'glass half full' than 'empty' kind of a person. I hope you find that too and enjoy all the positives in your life.

I happily finished my Best Buds painting and am almost finished my latest piece as well. I have even started drawing out another so I can keep on rolling with my paintbrush. Yeah!

I will post them as I go. The one that is almost finished, I may as well wait till its done as you may not be able to tell so much between the finishing touches, but I will. LOL!

Eagerly awaiting to hear if I am in or not for the Stampede Art  Gallery. I would be ubber excited if I am, but I will take it just fine if I am not. It is time I start approaching galleries. I have to get over my fear of rejection and just ask. Yeah!

My Painting Friends are amazing and I am so Happy to be painting with them. Will ask if I can share their masterpieces with you  in a future post. Yeah!

My hand is healing and I am so happy to be able to free it from the splint a little more often. This way I hopefully will not lose as much mobility and that which I did lose I will quickly regain. This will allow me to paint that much more! Yeah!

I broke my treadmill but the happy news is I am getting an even better one. LOL! Yes I do have to wait for it to arrive, but I am excited! Yeah!

Well those are a few Yeahs! And good ones at that. I do ask that you add my DH (Dear Husband) to your 'get well' lists as he is very ill and in a huge amount of pain at present. 

Thanks my friends!
Hugs,
Angela

Hello My friends!
The Christmas celebrations are fast approaching! Are you ready? I know i am not!
However I will not let that slow me down. I will greet it with grace and dignity, along with a healthy dose of humbleness.
LOL! Me be humble? I am not so sure on that!
I have been having my head filled with all sorts of lovely compliments lately.
KEEP THEM COMING! LOL!
Just kidding. I thank those of you who have kind things to say and those who keep me on the path and grounded.
I finished my latest painting "BEST BUDS".  I  am a little in love with it myself and am enjoying the view above my fireplace for now. I will give a sneak peak below before I post it to the site officially.
Now another bump in the road so to speak is that I have injured my hand. I have been taking Boxing classes and ended up with pulled tendons and sprained muscles. I am to rest my hand and not do anything. Of course here I am typing away. I will try not to ramble on and on.
Hoping I heal as I have paintings I wish to paint.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season and all the joys of Christmas.
Hugs,
Angela

Hello my friends!
I have been busy doing a little of this and a little of that. 
I know, I know.  No excuse! I should of been logging on and keeping you up to date.
Hoping this finds you well and painting a bit yourself.
Have been playing with palette knife paintings as well as working on a couple pieces in my favourite style.  I should be done something soon, just have to find the time!
Our son left for University, so instead of using that time for painting, we went and got ourselves a puppy. Probably not our smartest move, but hey a loveable bundle!
My plan is to get back on here and do some updates as well as show you my progress on my latest piece.
Have a fantastic day and keep on painting!
Hugs,
Angela