Givng You Hopes And Desire For April
‘Hopes and Desires’ is this months giveaway. It is a fine art reproduction of my original. Printed on bamboo paper with archival inks and mounted on a 3″x4″ wood stretcher. (VALUE $25 on ETSY)
So recently I watched the 2001 German movie ‘Mostly Martha’. I have seen it before but not since I have had children. I had forgotten how sad it was, even though it is billed as a romantic comedy. I found myself literally sobbing for the eight year old girl in the movie. I guess that is what becoming a mother will do to you, it is unbearable to watch children suffer. Not that it was bearable before I had children but now, I literally feel physical pain in my heart when I hear about a child suffering.
Besides that, because , that is not what I wanted to talk about, this movie was a foodie movie. Martha is a OCC head chef in an upscale restaurant in Germany. The way she talks about food and the process of making it is just brilliant. I love watching the FOOD channel , I collect cookbooks and EPICURIOUS is my favorite APP on my iphone, so this movie really thrilled me.
Do you have a movie that has thrilled you like this? Taken something that you have a passion for and made it part of the characters’ life or the background through out the movie? OR has a book made you feel this way?
ALSO
If you have anymore foodie movies or books for me, please share. I am having a craving for them…
AND THEN…
I’ll put you name down for the draw at the end of the month and you might just win
your
HOPES AND DESIRES….
Lost In Your Dreams ( A Work In Progress)
This is a 18″x14″ mixed media painting in wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted red.
This painting is SOLD
This painting is not a work in progress. It is complete. Our subject, however, just may be a work in progress, just as we all are. Living our lives on a day-to-day to basis. Doing the best we can.
I had a lot of things going around my head as I painted this one. I was thinking about how when we are young, we sometimes give up our authentic selves in order to be accepted in a group, or perhaps by a love interest. Sometimes we try so hard to become what we feel we need to be, we totally lose sight of who we really are. We try to blend in, to fit, to please, not realizing that, being untrue to who we really are will never lead to happiness.
As a mother of two young girls, intellectually, I realize that helping my children to have self-confidence and self-respect is crucial. Emotionally, however, I find it difficult when they question everything that I tell them and make choices that I would not make. If I don’t let them make their own choices about these small things at this young age, how are they going to have the skills to make good descion when the stake are higher? If I expect them to bend to my way, all of the time, why would I expect that they wouldn’t bend to other people as well?
It is like walking a tightrope, trying to raise children that are considerate and respectful but also have their own ideas and purpose.
These are the titles that I wrote down as I painted this one:
Falling Into You
Becoming You
Becoming Me
I Become You
You Become Me
Blending In
Falling Into Me
Lost In Your Dreams
Lost In You
Don’t Forget You
Harlequin’s Yellow Birds
This is a 14″x18″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5 ” deep and are red.
This painting is SOLD
Art Gallery Of Alberta
MY SMALL BLOCK FINE ART REPRODUCTIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT
THE ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA GALLERY SHOP
BUY ONE AND SUPPORT ME AND THE ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA …IT IS A WIN, WIN!
March Give Away…
I am missing my spring of days gone by. Snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils … the only flowers in my life right now are the ones that I am painting. January and February have been bitter this year. It is always about this time of year that I really start to miss the season of ‘spring’. Knowing that it is a good few months away isn’t helpful. I shaved my legs and painted my toenails the other day in hope that they may see the light of day soon but alas, I know that this is ridiculous folly on my part. I truly hate my winter coat and boots right now.
I have chosen this reproduction to give away for march.. The subject is more ‘summer’ than ‘spring’ but the colour palette is very ‘springlike’ to me.
So my question to you is, what is your favorite thing about this season? Maybe I can live vicariously through all of you …
Just write you answer in the comment section of this post and I will put your name down for a draw at the end of the month.
The Girl With The Red Ribbon
This is a 6.25″x4.25″ mixed media piece on 100% rag paper.
Available on Etsy
Wonderland
This is a 9″x12″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted red.
This painting is SOLD
Happy Valentine’s day, I hope that you are all having a great day. Remember to enter this month’s give away.
maria@mariapacewynters.com
I Can See My Dreams
(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW)
This is a18″x 36″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas. The sides are 2″ deep and are painted deep turquoise with some added butterflies and flower motif.
This painting is $1250 + shipping and is available HERE. It is being displayed at The Highlevel Diner currently.
**************************************************************************
My dreams are just
there
In sight
Yet
slightly different than I imagined
Maybe better
I can see them
Like my breath
on the coldest day
Beautiful
Hopes And Desires
This is a 18″x14″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas.
This painting is available HERE.
We have all experienced dream crushers in our life. Those people that think it is their job to inform us that are dreams are impractical or unrealistic. Growing up working for my parents at their small Inn in Victoria, I met many people, strangers really , the felt that it was up to them to tell me that my desire to be an artist was just plain silly.
‘Art is hobby’ one couple told my sixteen year old self as I poured them coffee for breakfast.
It is amazing to me, when I think back, at how many people told me this. It got to the point that I stopped telling people what I was studying or what my goals were.
Their comments did not changed my desire to be an artist but they did make me feel that it was perhaps a hopeless dream. After all, how do you BECOME an artist? Sure you can go to college and university but let me tell you a little secret, it is not much different there. My professors may have well been those people that I served at sixteen. They were actually teaching us that being an artist for a living was a crazy idea and not only THAT, but if you did manage to make an living as an artist, it must mean that you have sold out.
HUH?
It is no surprise that I remained confused about my desire to be an artist for a very long time. Until I turned forty, actually.
What changed when I turned forty? I was able to turn off those dream crusher voices in my head and realize that the way to become an artist is to create art. As often as possible. End of story. There is no great mystery here. Maybe I am not making as much money as some one with a ‘real job’ but holey moley, I am doing something that I LOVE TO DO.
There is value in that.
There is joy in that.
There is something so SACRED about that.
The thing that makes me so crazy is that, as a parent, I work so hard to cultivate and encourage my children’s dreams and yet one person can come along and destroy it all with a few ‘helpful’ words. So remember, next time a young person tells you what they want to do with their life, just listen, bite your tongue if you have to. Don’t be a dream crusher, be a dream cultivator. *************************************************************************************************
The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.
-Robert Kiyosak
Desire is half of life; indifference is half of death.
-Kahlil Gibran
It is a miserable state of mind to have few things to desire and many things to fear.
-Francis Bacon, Viscount St Albans
Dream Me Up
This is a 6″x36″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas. The the sides are 1.5″ are gold leaf and turquoise.
This painting is available HERE.
I am setting up at the Highlevel Diner tomorrow morning. My paintings will be there for the next three months so drop by and take a look.
AND
While you are in line to get a table, you can pick up Mosaic magazine, I am the featured artist.
TOOT, TOOT.
Awaking Dreams
This is a 8″x10″mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5 and are painted red.
This painting is available HERE.
“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
~ Henry Van Dyke
Technicolour Dreams
This is a 6″x8″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted red.
This painting is available HERE.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Lovely Dreamer
This is a 6″x8″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted red.
This painting is $80 and is available HERE.
“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
Shel Silverstein
I love my children so much. They are my dreams. When I look at them I can’t help but thinking that ‘anything’ truly can be. Thanks Mr. Silverstein for encouraging children to dream.
Freeing
This is a 6″x12″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted turquoise.
This painting is $90 and is available HERE.
On ‘Freeing’:
I have to say, I have always felt that wearing men’s ware as a women is not only incredibly sexy but very freeing as well. I am not sure that men feel this way but I have always loved stars that have opted to go this route. Think Katherine Hepburn, Diane Keaton, Marlene Dietrich and even Madonna. I guess I just really like the fact that you don’t have to be showing all that much skin and still have amazing sex appeal. It is kind of empowering. Like I said, not sure if the guys actually like it. I remember going to a school dance dressed up as Charlie Chaplin and I can tell you, I didn’t dance at all that evening. Perhaps a mustache on a woman is never that sexy and, in retrospect, going to a dance at an all boys school and dressed up as a ‘boy’ is probably not the greatest idea I’ve ever had, even if it was Halloween.
MATISSE FOR INSPIRATION:
This Saturday we had our first art lesson in the loft. Having just all seen the local art gallery’s exhibit of Matisse, I decided that this would be an excellent jumping off point.
Here is what the girls’ created.
( Scarlett was a little creative with the blue eyeshadow before we even got started!)
Meg, signs her creation.
I think they all did a wonderful job!
The Moody Dreamer
This is a 4″x6″ mixed media painting. The sides are painted turquoise and .75″ deep.
This painting is $55 and is available HERE.
Scarlett is not the best at getting up in the morning. She is moody to say the least. She comes by it honestly. I am not a morning person. She was special helper at preschool today which was great because it gives me something to wake her with.
“Scarlett, time to get up! Remember, you are special helper today!”
She literally FLEW out of bed!
I need to have one of these motivators every morning, it made life so much easier!
My Red Crown and Cape
This is a 6″x8″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are painted red and are 1.5″ deep.
This painting is $80 and is available HERE.
Yesterday, Scarlett was telling me what her day at preschool was like.
SCARLETT: We went to the gym and I played super hero with Atticus … no, actually, Atticus was a super villain, not a super hero.
ME: Oh, what was his super villain powers?
Scarlett: (Looking at me with much pity and disbelief) He didn’t TELL me.
ME: Oh right. Well, what was your super power?
SCARLETT: ( standing up and putting her right arm in the air) CLEANING!
ME: Now that IS a good super power.
(Here is hoping that this super hero comes for a visit to our house because I am pretty sure her arch-nemesis is living here!)
I love the way kids play super hero. My girls have had their moments, but the desire to be a princess is always stronger. I think that the cape is more of a boy thing. I remember a long time ago, before I even had kids, knowing a woman who had a boy who would not leave his house without his cape. I love that.
You Have My Heart
This is a 6″x12″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5″ and painted red.
This painting is $120 and is available HERE.
Looking on with love.
Who has her heart?
Daddy of course!
This weekend I had a birthday and what a nice present, I had two wonderful artists post my art on their beautiful blogs!
Please take a look:
Onward…
This is a 6″x8″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas. The canvas is 1.5″ deep and is painted RED.
This painting is $80 and is available HERE.
Two more days of 42…onward to 43. YIKES! How is that possible???
maria@mariapacewynters.com
The Plaid Pierrot
This is a 6″x6″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted turquoise.
This painting is $65 and is available HERE.
Enter January give away.
First Give Away Of 2011- Marvel, Dream
I like the question idea from the last give away. We all have a lot to be grateful for, that is clear.
I’ve been thinking about what my January topic should be. I was going to ask what your resolutions for the new year are or what you want from this upcoming year but instead, I am going to ask for a name of a book or movie that has inspired or effected you in some way.( Or Perhaps, it just made you feel warm inside. ) I have been watching the TV lately and everything seems so glum and dismal and I don’t don’t want to start the year off like that. Let’s exchange inspiring and uplifting books/movies to one another. Wouldn’t that be fun?
My first offer is non fiction:
“The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Read it, do it and change your life.
My second offer is fiction:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Just such a great story. I could read it again and again.
My Movie recommendations is:
Alice by Woody Allen. This movie is such a wonderful fairy tale and a real reminder that living authentically is the only way.
I will offer up some more as the month goes on.
I’d love to hear from you and if I do, your name could be drawn at the end of the month to win a 5″x6″ OOAK reproduction on canvas of the below painting.
Write your suggestion(s) in the comment section of this post. I am really looking forward this!
‘Marvel, Dream’
Deep In The Night Garden
This is a 10″x10″ mixed media painting in wood. The sides are 1″ and are painted red.
This painting is $110 and SOLD
The day before yesterday, Turner Classic Movies played ‘Pride And Prejudice’ starring Greer Garson. I couldn’t take my eyes of the HATS! They were all so elaborate but what really struck me was the amazing black and white Tim Burton stripes! They were a delight to my senses and I just had to paint one of these divinely beautiful ‘stripey’ hats!
This is what I was thinking as I did this painting:
Deep In The Night Garden
She thinks so deeply for someone so young
The world’s troubles painfully worn behind her eyes
She would rather walk in the air of the night garden, her eyes wide open
Than be tucked in bed, her eyes shut tight
Asleep, she can no longer control where her mind wanders
Asleep, she must go where her dreams take her
Not where she dreams to be taken
She would prefer to walk deep into the night garden
Eyes wide open
Looking Beyond
This is a 6″x6″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted turquoise.
This painting is $70 and is available HERE.
The week after Christmas is a time when we look back at the year that has just passed. The media are filled with these type of memory stories.
Best movie of the year.
Person of the year.
TCM’s remembrance montage.
And so on…
This year was a good year. We are all healthy and happy. But boy, did it ever fly by. I really can’t believe how fast it went! My three-year old turned four and grew up over night. My six-year-old turned seven and turned into a long-necked, beautiful ballerina. My husband wrote a whole musical which was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. My mother had her knee replaced, pretty much a life changing experience for her and those around her. And me, I had several shows, magazine features and surpassed 130 thousand hits on my blog. This is huge for someone who, only three short years ago, painted very infrequently and only for her families viewing pleasure.
I can only imagine (dream) what this upcoming year has in store for me.
Here is to looking beyond.
Dreams are set in motion everyday by taking tiny baby steps.
Cheers everyone, thanks for making my dreams come true and for your ongoing support. You allow me to be an artist, something I have dreamt about being since I was a little girl.
So grateful to you all…. speaking of which, don’t forget to enter the give away for December. There are only a few days left.
maria@mariapacewynters.com
ETSY SALE and Felt And Lace
This is a 11″x14″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas. This painting is 1.5″ deep and is painted red on the sides.
This painting is $225 and is available HERE.
OK fist ever, sale on etsy. 15% off of all ORIGINAL PAINTINGS. You can use etsy’s new COUPON system. The code word is ‘BLACK’ because this sale is good now until MIDNIGHT (mountain time) FRIDAY 26th (Black Friday).
maria@mariapacewynters.com
The Shadow Of A Hat
This is a 6″x6″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted red,
This painting is $65 and is available HERE.
This is another nameless mug shot from 1900. This one is from my home town of Victoria, so I have actually walked the same streets she walked … well, not exactly.
maria@mariapacewynters.com
