I am fascinated by how art can be so emotional, so challenging, demanding of time and mind and creating art is much the same!  I am also fascinated how much I keep learning each day just from trying to be an artist and learn about other artists!

The other day I came across a comment that if you paint, your soul needs art and that's how it expresses itself.  I definitely found that statement made sense to me - the subconscious, the spirit of oneself, coming out through visual art or whatever art form is the spirit within you.

So that brings me to "Muse" and to the great morning last Friday at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island.  The Arts Avenue magazine is out for the Fall and the POTE exhibition is on display currently at the gallery.  I was one of the many volunteers who came together to stuff and glue the envelopes with the magazines for the mailout.  I met artists Zoya, Anna, Marian, Linda, Barb and even another Vancouver Sketch Club Member Judith happily underway making sure the Arts Avenue magazine is sent to over 2000 members of the Federation of Canadian Artists.  I also found out that one of the new submissions will be paintings to do with your artist's Muse.  That brought up all sorts of discussion between myself, Artist Barbara Cardaro and Stefanie Steinwendtner Admin Assistant at FCA about what is Muse to an artist.  I encourage you to go the "artists.ca" website and look at the details of submission for November 1st, 2015.  I also encourage you to look up Barb and her course at the Federation for September 14th on art journaling - it just might capture the illusive muse we are sometimes searching for.

As I am madly trying to get ready for the Artful Reflections show on September 23rd at the Coach House at Hycroft, I of course am always distracted with everything possible.  Today was no different, but so fun and enlightening.  I have passed by several times now, a sculpture that is located between Quebec and National St. near the end of False Creek.  I have not had the opportunity to look closely at the signage that is now posted there, but I have noticed the Bear Paw print that appears as possibly the signature on a large tree trunk beneath several various sized crushed cars that sit atop this beautiful but dead, tree trunk.  I have also walked along the nearby sea wall at dusk and have seen the glowing headlights from the top car - eerily beaming into the distance.  It fascinates me and of course, slips my mind, once I have moved on from the location. However, today at the HSBC building Atrium, there was a miniature version of the same sculpture, along with more paintings and other sculptures and..... the binder with information of the artist - Marcus Bowcott.  Finally a name of the artist and a name for the sculpture "Trans am Totem"!

Late tonite, I had a chance to view Marcus's website and facebook page and I encourage you to look! http://marcusbowcott.com/ there is so much of his concept of Vancouver, and changes in culture/city that are very interesting.  Although the exhibit is up already, the opening night is in September.  Now I can look on this sculpture and better understand what the artist was thinking and the process that he went through to create it!

Of course, now I need to get myself focused and produce some more work to have at the next show....now where is my Muse when I need it......

Friday night again and just last Sunday Harmony Arts Festival in West Vancouver had a great send off with Tina Turner.  The Group Exhibition was a great success, although hindered by a painting stolen Sunday at 5:45 from the exhibition. See the North Shore news for details.

http://www.nsnews.com/news/west-vancouver-s-harmony-arts-festival-marred-by-art-heist-1.2028098

ARTBEAT self guided tours went well and I was able to sell two paintings at BJ's Fashions.  The Saturday afternoon, some of the artists did a demo outside the businesses as part of the self guided tour.

Harmony Grand Prix of Plein Air was eventful as the group that attended the event from 10am to 1pm was not sure that rain would not affect the painting happening around Ambleside.  Alfonso Tejada, Ruth Payne, and staff as well as representatives from Harmony and Opus did a fabulous job with coffee and muffins to wake us up and a great spread afterwards for the judging.  I setup on 15th street and painted the Sotheby's realty building and Cafe Crema.  My vivid and detailed watercolour garnished 2nd prize and a wonderful gift card from Opus! http:www.opusartsupplies.com

This week has been catch up and preparing for the next grand prix - Gibsons paint out Sept 11, 12,13 and Stevenstons Grand Prix Sept 19th as well as a show I will be exhibiting in on Sept 23rd at the Coach House at Hycroft Manor, 1489 McRae Ave. in Vancouver.

This weekend I'm taking an Acrylic's course through Pheonixcoastalart in Richmond with acclaimed acrylic and pastel painter Andrew McDermott. http://www.mcdermott-art.com  I'm excited to be participating in this as Andrew is the past president of the Federation of Canadian Artists.  I am keen to get some more knowledge of acrylic painting and this is an intense 2 day course.  I'll follow-up with more soon.

I participated with the Vancouver Sketch club on Wednesday and had an enjoyable afternoon sketching near the Shadbolt Center and taking in a little of the Burnaby Heritage Park - a real flash to the past.  The next sketch club meeting is at Jericho Park next week wednesday - maybe we'll catch a glimpse of that Whale that was swimming near Stanley Park and Dundarave!

The Group Exhibition at Harmony Arts festival has been drawing a great crowd! Six or more paintings have sold and 100 prints of the cover for the 25th anniversary are also available - a last minute item.  The Harmony staff - Yeh Katie! and the volunteers are wonderful.  The exhibition has been placed on gallery walls that were created just for the event.  They are on the path to the pier - so really easy to see and enjoy.  This is my third year participating in this event and I love meeting the people and the other artists that are part of the exhibition.

ART BEAT all around West Vancouver is well under way.  Detailed information is available at the info booths.  The tour has been cancelled on Saturday due to lack of interest, but please take a self guided walking tour.  My paintings are in BJ's fashions in Dundarave and Naina and all the staff would love you to say "Hi".  You can recognize the ART BEAT/ Harmony logos in the various businesses as well as the exciting and dynamic works of art appearing in placed you wouldn't expect.

The 8th plein air challenge is Saturday morning at the Art Speak tent.  I've been a participant for the last 4 years and can't wait to try again.  The cost is $35 and you can still sign up at the Ferry Building Gallery.  9am is coffee and muffins and 10am is the start time.  You need to bring all your own gear and a frame - if your item needs framing.  There will be judging after 1pm and usually a public vote as well.  Everyone is welcome to wander around the grounds and see all the painters madly working on their pieces.  Afterwards the art will be for sale.  Prizes are awarded as well.

I will be instagramming and twittering away on Saturday if not before - so keep an eye out!