It's getting hectic! One more gallery show to take down, another to put up with the Vancouver Sketch Club at the Richmond Gateway theatre and then it's off to England.

This year I am aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth travelling from Southampton around the Med with a themed cruise - the 50th Anniversary of the QE2.  There are some great lead up reviews of the anticipated events onboard.  Trivia, balls, talks, dinners; all in the spirit of the past ocean liner that is berthed currently in Dubai.

I have been scouring material about the QE2 to find out interesting tidbits like colors, special locations, decor memories that I can add into my demonstrations.  It's always very fun to put together my instruction for my classes. 9 days total at sea, so that will mean 18 classes - 2 hrs each - twice a day.  Lots to encounter, lots to explore and great reference photos to use along the way as I have photos from some of the same destinations from last year.  

I have started assembling my want list of materials and then see how much weight all of it will be. I am looking forward to tweeting and sending along social media updates as much as i can, so stayed tuned!

Don't forget, I will be instructing fall watercolor classes through the West Vancouver arts and rec program.  There are only a few places left if you are interested.  My web page in the section " about the artist" has further information.  I have not provided an indepth material list as we will use what everyone currently has and explore creativity and new things over the days of the course.  Most important is good paper...that has quite an impact on how the piece will come alive. And of course, there be lots of things to talk about from my recent trip.

Here we are again. August 4th and the beginning of the Harmony Arts Festival in West Vancouver.  I hav 4 pieces of art on display and for sale at BJs Fastions 2463 Marine Drive, Dundarave, West Vancouver.  This display will be up until the end of the Festival and will remain up until August 18th.  I will be demonstrating watercolor on Saturday August 5th from 3 to 5pm.  My other demos outside of the store will be August 9th 1 to 3 and August 12 2 to 4.  You can win a $200 shopping spree if you take a photo with one of the business locations and posters:

http://adba.ca/whats-on/

As part of Harmony, I have signed up to compete in the Grand Prix of Plein Air - this is the 10th Aniversary.  Saturday - August 5th, I will be near the Ferry Building to once again find a location that is interesting and paint for 3 hours.  I love this event.  I have made it into the winners circle twice and have sold a few of the paintings as well. It will definitely be tomorrow with the change in weather - blue skies will not be an option.   https://www.harmonyarts.ca

This weekend is the finish of the Divercity show at the Deer Lake Gallery.  It comes down tomorrow at 4pm.  Still time to see it tomorrow from 10 to 4pm.

There is still time to vote for people's choice online from the Paint the Town in White Rock July 22nd, #37 is my contribution.  Here's the link:

http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5976b0a5e4b0f4bf26f2effa

And finally, the west vancouver arts and rec fall/winter catalogue is out.  I have 3 classes of watercolor that are available from October onward.  Here's the link to the classes.  

https://westvancouverrec.ca/fall-winter/adults-19-years/arts-and-culture-visual-arts/painting/watercolour-w-sonia-mocnik

https://westvancouverrec.ca/fall-winter/adults-19-years/arts-and-culture-visual-arts/painting/expressive-watercolours-w-sonia

Happy Painting everyone!