Work or play, it's hard to tell.

I'm off to work at my part time job at Apple Art Works.  I feel guilty calling it work when I enjoy it so much.  I'm training a new person today.  It's such a pleasure when the person is there because they want to be out around the art and the patrons and not because it's the only job they could find.

Water Lily l

12"x12" mixed medium

SOLD

I decided to attach a picture of a waterlily I painted a couple years ago.  It was so perfect I had to paint it close up.  Hope you enjoy.

Fine art auction

140hours Live from NY art auctions started at 9pm est. Go see my painting as well as all the others.

http://www.140hours.com/haitian%20relief/pages/bonnieheather.htm

Art Auction getting close.

All of the proceeds from the painting I posted on the 24th. will be going to help the people in Haiti.  To all the other artists out there who read my blog, this is a wonderful opportunity to use your gift to help others. 140hours.com 
The bidding on my "Morning's Glory" will start at $125.00 US.  The price in a gallery would be $595.00 CDN.  There will be many other fantastic opportunities at the auction so don't forget to check it out.  The auction starts on January 29th.

My painting is entered in a New York Online Auction.

Morning's Glory

12"h x 24"w

acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

I just entered the above painting in the New York based auction: 140 Hours of Fame.  The World's 1st Art Auction with TWEETBID® technology.  Being a known artist has added an exciting new dimension to my already interesting life.  Getting to know fellow artists around the globe is an unexpected blessing.

Painting: Okanagan Picnic Spot 3

What a beautiful day!  We have blue skies and sunshine.  The birds are singing.  What a great day to paint.

Today is the Grand opening celebration for the Lake Country Art Gallery.  I'm so pleased to have had my painting, Silence..., chosen for the first show.  If you live close enough, come on over.  It starts at four and runs until seven.

Okanagan Picnic Spot 3

6"x8" oil on stretched canvas

SOLD

Today's picture is the third and last painting from my series Okanagan picnic spots.

Welcome all my new followers.

I seem to be having a glitch in my google friend connect. Every time I try to send a message to a new follower, I end up joining my own site instead. Soooo, if you did recently join my google friend connect, WELCOME. I am very pleased to have you on board.

This morning I was listening to an audio podcast where Geoffrey Gorman mentioned that an artist should try and create one museum piece each year.  I'm working on that piece now.  It's a three part series with the name: (I'm still debating this) "Life's Journey".  I attached the first piece I painted, (part two) in an earlier blog.  I've now completed the second piece which is part one of the series.  I'm sure when all three parts are done, there will need to be some tweeking to help them flow together but here are the two for now. Please note that the photo's make them look different colours but they were created with the same pallet.  I'm hoping many of you will relate times in your lives to the different parts of my series.

"Okanagan Picnic Spot 2"

6"x8"oil on stretched canvas

SOLD

The Okanagan Valley where I live is having one of it's best winters.   Lots of snow for the skiers but clear roads for us valley bottom dwellers.  The hint of spring, though it's still far off, energizes me and calls me to the easel.  I hope all of you, my blog visitors, have an amazing day full of wonderful accomplishments.

Today I'm including another picture I painted of our pretty valley in the summer time.

Painting: Okanagan Picnic Spot 1

"Okanagan Picnic Spot 1" 6"x8"oil, SOLD

I've got a few days of long shifts to put in at the gallery I work at, so today I'm just posting a picture of another painting I did of the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada.  Have a good weekend.

Added my painting as the blog header.

It worked!  I was able to put one of my paintings in the blog header.  The view is from the bridge in a place called Grinrod.  There is a Riverside Inn beside the bridge and they graciously display the painting for sale. It was a beautiful quiet day and the birds were gliding together over the water.  I'm so glad I was able to capture just a glimpse of that wonderful moment.  I named it Tranquil Waters.

Coffee and art, a great combination.

"Silence..."

24"x20" acrylic/oil gallery wrapped canvas

Available at Lake Country Art Gallery

Hi folks, thanks for visiting my blog.  This morning my husband and I went to the new coffee house in the community of Lake Country, where we live.  What a treat to see Dave Watland's art displayed throughout the shop.  I really appreciate it when a business supports local artists this way.  Attached to the coffee shop will be our new community art gallery.  I'm attaching the painting I've submitted for the opening show.  If you have a chance to come this way, take a few moments and drop in, if not, then take a break from the studio and visit your own local gallery or business that hosts an artist.

Painting: Peaceful Place

I look at my art and see my heart.  I'm amazed this has happened.  Even though I've heard several artists claim their art was a reflection of themselves, I thought it was something I would have to work at, something I hadn't yet achieved.  I think social networking on the web and reading many different artist's blogs has shown me how my art is very uniquely me.  Just like when I look at another artist's work and get a glimpse of their personality, I can now look at mine and see.... me!

"Peaceful Place" 16"X20" oil  available

The painting I'm attaching today is a reflection of the peace I have in my soul as well as the longing I have to linger in this place.

Do you ever feel frustrated with your lack of ability?

The world outside my window is white and has a dreamlike quality.  All I can do is enjoy the moment and take a picture to help preserve the memory.  As far as painting the scene, I could never do it justice.  The result would be a mere hint of the beautiful creation that is here for me to enjoy, for this moment in time.

A work of art is the trace of a magnificent struggle.  Robert Henri
"A work of art is the trace of a magnificent struggle."

I hope you're enjoying this moment,
Sincerely,
Bonnie Heather

Beautiful British Columbia Canada

"VIEW POINT" 12"X24" acrylic  SOLD

I entered the community of bloggers a week ago.  Not knowing exactly how things worked, I joined twitter, linking and created two blog spots.  Needless to say, my housework suffered.  I thought my art would too but blogging about painting has encouraged me to get back at it after the long holiday.  The most exciting thing for me has been the bloggers that have reached across cyberspace and left comments.  How wonderful!  I know right now that those folks are only acquaintances, but because of our shared interest in art and this free and informative way of communicating, I believe many will become friends.

I think pictures are the most fun on a blog so today I'm adding a shot of the second painting I sold.  It's the view from a picnic spot in Central British Columbia, Canada.  This is such a beautiful Province.

Pushing through the cloud

I'm having trouble getting motivated with my art.  Also being a writer, I've had this before.  I look across the room, think about what I should do next to create the feel I want in my current project and go blank.  I know the rules, they're the same as with writing:  sit butt on chair and start.. start anything.  If I was writing, I would just type a few random thoughts and then focus in on the topic I'm writing about and usually a light bulb turns on and I'm back on track... and away I go into the story.   Ok, how can I turn this into a way to get back to painting..... Sit butt in chair, ( I usually paint sitting)  I don't want to doodle on my painting so  maybe if I play with some colour on my palette.  I love mixing colour, trying to make something new and exciting.  Maybe if I mix something new to go on my current project...

Well I think it's working,  I haven't left my computer and I feel drawn to my palette.  What if I could mix up a brand new colour?   Gotta go!  I'll try to check in tomorrow and tell you about my progress with my painting.

Does anyone else feel like there isn't enough time in the day?

I didn't make very many goals. (sigh) I tried to leave things open and easy. (sigh)  So why is it so hard to fit everything in?  Most things I want to accomplish are fun and I really do want to do them.... but... it's almost dark out and there's still lots to do.  I guess it would be best if I made myself a cup of coffee and quit blogging... but I'll be back as soon as I finish the next project.  Talk to you soon. Bonnie Heather

The New Year has begun!!!

I hope sleeping in 'til nine isn't a sign that I'm going to have a lazy year.  The snow is drifting down outside my window, I have my coffee close at hand and life is good.  My anticipation for this coming year is almost tangible.

What do I want to accomplish this year???  Lots of personal stuff like losing weight, etc. I won't bore you with, but on a professional level, that's where you can help keep me on track.

I want to paint every day, even if it's just for a few minutes.  My studio has taken over the diningroom, so I won't be neglecting my sweet husband, Hugh.  What I tend to neglect is my art.  It just sits there and taunts me.  So, I would appreciate it, if once in a while, one of you would ask in the comment box, "Have you painted today?"

I especially want to post here at least every other day.  I'm hoping I can get to know some of you.  I haven't figured out how to make this a truly interactive site yet, but I'll be watching some of my favourite blogs like;  Last Cup of Coffee, and Different Strokes from Different Folks and Carol Nelson's Fine Art blog for ideas.

The other thing I want to do this year is finish the novel I'm writing.  I'm working on the third edit.  This will still take some time since I'm short about twenty thousand words to make it the size I want.  I would love to say I will publish it this year but that may only be a dream.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  There... I said it.  Now I have to keep my word and work at it regularly.  This self motivation thing is hard.

Anyway dear friends and followers,  I hope that all of you have a wonderful year.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13