Blog
December 23, 2011
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my family, friends and customers. Thank you for your interest in my art and support. It means a lot to me.
Kerstin
October 13, 2011
The rainy day is a perfect excuse to catch up on the administrative and marketing part of business. I have to say that I really enjoyed those last couple of sunny days. Tuesday, our group of painting buddies finally went out painting together. It was the first time since last winter and it was really great to see everyone. We captured the beautiful fall scenery at Petrie Island, which was quite the busy place that day. I guess everyone wanted to make the most out of those last warm days for this year. In the afternoon we encountered the students of one of our friend's watercolour class setting up outdoors.
My adult painting courses have started at the beginning of October. This fall, I teach a group of people at our church and also a private student.
For November, I have a kids' class planned which will be held at the Clarence-Rockland Arts and Culture Centre. We will be looking at the different styles of famous painters.
While I am writing this, I realize that I have not mentioned so far the very sad news of the closure of "Galerie de la Rive" at the end of September 2011. I would like to thank all my family, friends and clients who supported our organization and me through all those years. We decided that it was time for everyone of us to spread their wings in different directions. Good luck to all my fellow artists. I really enjoyed the collaboration with so many talented individuals, I learned a lot and made some really good friends.
The KAM 7 Show at the Atrium Gallery in Ottawa, which I was part of was very much appreciated by the public. We got many good reviews in our guest book which was nice to see.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Today started without rain. Helene, Janis and I drove with Deborah and Francoise to Chemin Robinson where we did two paintings. However, we had to stop midway with the second painting as it started to rain heavily. John had joined us at this point while Francoise had left. To dry off we decided to go to a café in Sutton. We had just parked the cars when the sun peaked through.
While the others decided to call it a day, Janis and I looked at each other and could not resist the temptation to do another painting. We decided on a small forest scene.
It was mild enough to paint without a jacket and we were able to see some bits of blue sky for a while. We were late for "Happy Hour" and the show of all the paintings but it was worth it.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Janis, Helene and I arrived Friday afternoon at Sutton to meet up with the rest of the Plein Air Ensemble at the Auberge Schweizer. Most of the drive to the beautiful countryside was sunny. When we arrived I immediately went on a walk to get some views of the mountains and the gorgeous fall colours. What a good decision as we had pouring rain today.
Saturday morning, Helene, Janis and I went scouting out places to paint but we hardly made it to Duncan when it started pouring. Therefore, we went to Sutton and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee or in my case tea to warm ourselves up. In the afternoon we went to the oil studio and started work from reference photos. I started an acrylic painting of Spirit, one of my friends' dog.
Saturday night, three participants offered to be models for portrait drawing. It was challenging but fun. We were accompanied by some of our musically talented artist friends.
Today, the day started without rain although the forecast was again calling for lots of rain. Helene, Janis and I decided to stay close and went only up the hill from our inn. We had hardly started when they rain set in. We kept painting under our umbrellas but went for coffee/tea when the rain just kept coming down harder and harder. In the afternoon we spent the the time again in the oil studio where I finished "Spirit" as well as a painting of a sunset -- a very productive afternoon.
As tomorrow is our last painting day we all hope for a day without rain. If we didn't see the sun on arrival we would almost believe the sun never comes here.
September 25, 2011
The last two days I took part in the Glebe Fine Art Show at the Glebe Community Centre.
What a gorgeous building! I sold paintings and had many great talks with the visitors. Everyone was so appreciative of the art we all displayed: what a variety in mediums, styles and subjects.
I caught up with some friends and got to know many new people. Everyone -- both fellow artists and visitors -- were so friendly. I am sure I will register again next year.
Thank you to everyone who came out. I appreciate the wonderful feedback.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Another beautiful day -- too bad we have to leave but after one week of painting, I am ready to go back to my normal routine. Except for the day I cooked, I was out every day from before 9am to 5 -- 5:30pm.
We said good-bye to Anne and her husband after taking the traditional group picture and going through Anne's left over stuff from her little boutique which she closed for this year to work on illustrating a book about Kamouraska. I will definitely get a copy of it once it is published.
We agreed unanimously to come back next year. There is still so much to see. With the scenes changing so fast in front of your eyes, you can even go back to some sites you already went to paint a completely different picture.
Now, after a stop at the famous German bakery "Niemand", we are on our way home.
Friday, September 16, 2011
First Helene, Janis and I went to the waterfall west of St. Pascal. It was a sheltered spot and the sun warmed us up so I could even take off the coat. After lunch under the spray of the waterfall, we went to St. Roch-des-Aulnaies where it was so windy that I had to hold down my board to prevent it from taking off. Very challenging! Today I used the palette knife for the waterfall painting and the second painting at St. Roch.
Tonight Maria is taking us out to the "La Co-sette" Restaurant. What a great end to a wonderful week!
We were joined by Anne, the owner of the beach house, and her husband for dinner which was nice as we usually do not have a lot of time to chat with her. Later they came by to admire the fruits of this week's work.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Today, it has rained the whole day. Half of our group decided to stay in the house and paint indoors while the rest went outside but spent the day painting in their cars. That's not for me: I would be too nervous to splash paint and would also feel restricted.
I worked on my "Lansdown" painting and started a painting of one of my friend's dogs. It felt good. I haven't painted any animals since last fall.
Now we are all waiting for Bill's famous dinner: Spaghetti with his special tomato sauce, salad and loads of desserts. He went to the German bakery which has just delicious breads and backed goods, got ice cream and fruits. If we come again, we should ask him to cook at the beginning of the week as I assume, we will have lots of leftovers.
September 14, 2011
Another gorgeous day awaits us. The sun was already shining early in the morning. I guess all the rain came down during the evening and night.
Today Janis, Helene and I went again to St. Denis. First we went to a new development on one of the Monadnocks near Cap au Diable. The view over the fields was fantastic but we wanted to paint water and the waterside was hardly visible through the trees. What a shame that all this beautiful landscape will be destroyed for new houses.
We took some photos and continued west along the shore towards the lookout onto Pointe St. Denis. There we spent the whole day painting. Although the sun came peeking out once in a while, it was cold enough for gloves and scarf. We were visited by a neighbour who took photos of us and some tourists from Montreal. I finished two paintings before I had to go to the house to prepare dinner: a pasta vegetable casserole followed by peach plum compote and pound cake.
September 13, 2011
The day started out just gorgeous with sunshine and no wind at all. Janis and I went up one of the hills to Route Mississipi painting the view over the fields towards the river -- a place we had checked out on our first day in Kamouraska.
Around lunch we decided to go to St. Denis but unfortunately the rain caught up with us, so we decided to go back to the house to have lunch. In the afternoon the sun came back out and I decided to paint the scene for the driveway as Janis had to prepare tonight's dinner.
Once the rain came again, I worked for about an hour and a half on my Lansdown painting.
Now it is happy hour again and wonderful smells come from the kitchen. Everyone talks about the day they had, where they went painting and where they found interesting places to paint.
September 12, 2011
Our KAM 7 Group is again in Kamouraska. We arrived Saturday on a warm an sunny day. Janis and I went immediately for a walk along the shore to soak in the amazing landscape.
Yesterday, was another sunny day. It was quite warm but the wind made it really hard to set up our painting equipment. It took us two hours to find a spot where we were slightly sheltered. We found a spot overlooking a pumpkin field with a view of the river and the mountain in the background.
After lunch at the beach house, we decided to paint the the scenery at the back of the house. It was challenging. The wind had even picked up and was just blowing us around.
Today, after hauling winds throughout the nights, it is still extremely windy. Too windy to paint outside - at least for now. It is supposed to lose intensity by noon. Hopefully!
For now we have a relaxed breakfast and discuss our options for nice painting spots that everyone has discovered.
When we went out for painting shortly after 9am, it was still very windy and cloudy. Hélène lead us to Cap Taché where we first painted the river panorama and then the town and the church.
In the afternoon, we went to a Monadnock, where Janis and I painted the rocks rising out of the water while bathing in the sun. What a wonderful day!
Now we are looking forward to a wonderful meal prepared by Hélène: Lasagna with salad, cake and poached pears.
Every night one of us prepares dinner. So we already had a great Paleo turkey vegetable dish with potatoes, turnip and red beets followed by blueberry pie, Tortière with salad and fruits with chocolate sauce and mocha yogurt. You could not eat better at a restaurant.
The evenings we spend talking, some of us are knitting or felting.
May 30, 2011
June will be a busy month for me with all kinds of personal events going on as well as the vernissage of the new exhibition at Galerie de la Rive, June 5, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm, the new exhibition at the Queenswood Villa Retirement Home starting June 2, 2011 and my participation in the Promenade Arteast exhibition from June 30 to August 23, 2011 at the Shenkman Arts Centre, 255 Centrum Blvd. Orléans.
As my children are at home during the summer, June is also the last productive month until the beginning of September. Therefore, I would like to try to finish a couple of painting that have been looking at me for a while.
In August, I will offer a childen's workshop at Galerie de la Rive because everyone had such a great time during the spring course. For more information please go to "teaching".
Have a wonderful summer,
Kerstin
May 3, 2011
I received my schedule for the Tulip Festival:
May 6, 10 am - 2 pm, Major's Hill Park
May 16, 10 am - 2pm, Commissioner's Park (at Dow's Lake)
If the weather is nice, why don't you drop by? I will be painting with my friends Janis and Helene.
April 28, 2011
Wow, I did not realize that it has been three months since I posted my last blog.
During the last three months I gave my first painting course - an introduction into watercolour, acrylic and oil. My students and I had so much fun. I was amazed at their talent and enthusiasm. All of them want to continue painting which is just wonderful. I feel blessed that I was able to share my passion with them.
As I didn't have much time for painting, I spent the time finishing works I had started months and sometimes years earlier. I have to admit that it was so much harder the more time had passed between the initial start and the finish. Especially for plein air work it is just easier for me to finish a painting when the memory of the place is still relatively fresh - even though I take pictures to have a reference. The photos never replace the actual landscape in front of you.
I am happy to let you know that I have been accepted as official painter of the Tulip Festival again. I just hope the weather will cooperate. What a crazy spring we have had so far!
During the last couple of months, I spent a lot of time creating cards from my paintings for my on-line store at www.GreetingCardUniverse.com. I offer now more than 50 different cards, some with text some blank. However, you can change the text to your needs. Ordering is very easy, and the shipment comes within two weeks.
At the moment, I am getting ready for the next show at "Galerie de la Rive" which will start at the end of May. It's time to put the winter paintings aside and start fresh. I am looking forward to more plein air painting. During the winter I only went out once with my painting buddies.
Have a wonderful spring!
January 26, 2011
I am very happy to announce that my painting "Masquerade" has been accepted into the juried Arteast Exhibition "A Night at the Theatre". Very exciting. The show runs from February 17 to March 22, 2011 in the Trinity Art Gallery located in the Shenkman Arts Centre, Orleans. The vernissage will be on February 20, 2011 from 1pm to 3pm. You can find a photo of the painting in my portrait gallery.
January 6, 2011
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.
I would like to thank you for all your support and feedback. It really means a lot to me.
I have been so busy with so many things that I didn't even have time to write my blog for the last couple of months. Unfortunate, a lot of the time was not used for painting. For those of you who have not heard the news yet, Galerie de la Rive has moved to a new location in Rockland. The decision to move meant a lot of work for the board of the gallery but it was worth it. I was very proud when I saw our sign in front of the new location. Our new home is in the Arts and Culture Centre, 1500 Park Avenue Rockland where you can visit the new exhibition until February 20. On December 5, 2010 we had our vernissage which coincided with the inauguration of the Arts and Culture Centre.
Today I delivered my paintings to the Galerie Old Chelsea, where I am taking part in the Plein Air Ensemble Panache 6, starting tomorrow until January 26, 2011. The vernissage is on Sunday, January 9, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm. I was very excited when I saw that two of my paintings were used for the invitation.
Well, I am ready to pick up the brushes again. I plan to enter a juried exhibition at the end of January and the next show at Galerie de la Rive arrives rather fast. Time to finish some paintings and start some new ones. Please check my gallery pages to see the latest landscape and animal paintings.
I also would like to mention that I am offering painting classes now at Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex and at Galerie de la Rive. Please click here for more information.
September 19, 2010
Janis and I arrived at home safely, leaving the rest of the group behind. Our friends will stay for another week but we had to go back to our families with young kids.
On Friday, we had a wonderful last day of painting in Kamouraska where we spent the whole day at the riverside at the end of Route Beaulieu in Kamouraska. I managed to do one acrylic and two oil paintings of the scenery. As the weather was still so nice in the evening, I went for a walk through the town of Kamouraska shooting photos of the beautiful houses and the church. The following sunset was just unbelievable.If we had paint it the way we saw it, nobody would have believed it to be real.
On the drive back home, we stopped in St.-Roch-des-Aulnaies and St.-Jean-Port-Joli, two little picturesque towns.I hope we will go back another year. There is still so much to see and paint.
September 16, 2010
I had a very productive day today. I went with Janis and Hélène just south of Kamouraska to the mountain side. At first it was chilly but as soon as the sun came out it was just wonderful. Unfortunately, the road was just parallel to the highway so it was very loud -- especially when a couple of truck drivers started honking at the side of three blond ladies painting in the fields.
After lunch we painted a small farmhouse that looked just tiny next to the big Monadnock. We were lucky that some of the fall colour have appeared within the last couple of days. Later in the afternoon, Janis and I went to St. Germain where we painted the riverside sitting in front of the little lighthouse to be sheltered from the cold wind.
Yesterday, we went to Rivière-du-Loup to get some wool as I had already finished sewing my teddy bear Monday night. As I am always doing some sewing, cross-stitching or knitting while I watch TV or just sit talking with friends, I was desperate to find something to do. We had already tried unsuccessfully to find a store close to Kamouraska the day before, so we took the highway east, did our shopping and drove back west on the "Route des Navigateurs" where we stopped at the "Park au Grève" to paint the riverside. The view was so beautiful that we spend the whole day at the same side.
As it was my turn to cook, we had to head to the house in the early afternoon. Each of us cooks one evening including appetizer, main meal and dessert. This way you can fully concentrate on painting the rest of the week. It's just wonderful, and you try a lot of different dishes that you might not have tried before.
Tomorrow will be Janis' and my last day here. All the others are staying for another week but as we still have small children, one week is already a challenge to organize and quite a treat for us. I am actually happy to go home to my family although I have had a wonderful time with my painting buddies. It is great to spend time with people who have the same interests and understand your passion.
September 14, 2010
Today started out with sunshine and we were all excited to get outside. However, only minutes into our drive to Rivière-Ouelle the rain started again. Hélène, Janis and I kept going to look for a good painting spot and finally found it when we followed the "Chemin de la Pointe" until the end. It was so peaceful and there was so much to paint: the views of the St. Lawrence and the fields all around. We started painting the shore of the St. Lawrence while the occasional raindrop still fell but then the sun came out and it got so warm we took our coats off and were painting in T-Shirts. We stayed there the whole day and just stopped for lunch. I managed to start two paintings in oil I am quite happy with.
September 13, 2010
Today is the third day of our painting trip. My friend Janis and I left Ottawa on the beautiful sunny Saturday. In Kamouraska it was also sunny but a lot colder. We went for a walk immediately to breath in the fresh seaside air. We had a wonderful dinner and great conversations.
Sunday started out sunny but very breezy. I could have used my gloves, but was definitely glad to wear my winter coat and scarf. In the morning I painted an old shed in the hills. In the afternoon, we went to the river bank and made a quick sketch. As the wind made it really hard to paint anymore, we went on a hike in the park "Les Sept Chutes" (Seven Waterfalls) in St. Pascal which we discovered while looking for spots to paint. Beautiful! Unfortunately, the path is too steep to bring your painting equipment up.
Today was a rainy day. At first it looked like we could still go outside to paint but the moment we wanted to leave, it started to rain heavily. A couple of us went shopping while the others (me included) decided to put our stuff up in the winter garden to work from reference photos.
Fittingly for the time of year, I started a painting of huge pumpkins. I took the photo last year at the Cumberland Heritage Museum. I made good progress, and I am quite happy with the day but I still hope we will have better weather tomorrow. If you have driven that far to paint the wonderful countryside, you want to go outside and paint.
September 9, 2010It has been a while since I have updated my blog but there was not much going on during the summer. I spent a couple of weeks in Germany to visit family and friends. I took lots of pictures as reference material for new paintings. However, from all the photos I take only very few will end up as being the basis for a painting. Often the subject does not look nearly as interesting anymore as it seemed at the time when I took the picture.
Now that my children are back in school and the studio is freshly reorganized it is time to get out the paints again. Therefore, I am glad I have the opportunity to go with some painting buddies to Kamouraska again. We will leave Saturday, and I am sure we will have a great time. I will keep you updated.
There are also some other exciting news I would like to share with you: I was given the opportunity to offer a beginners class for painting and kids' art through the City of Ottawa. Courses are held at the Bob MacQuarrie R. C. on Youville Drive in Orleans starting the week of September 20, 2010.
June 9, 2010
I am very happy to report that my painting "Fall at Beckett's Creek" won the Viewers' Choice Award at the Galerie de la Rive summer show. Thank you to everyone who voted for my painting.
June 4, 2010
I was so busy in May that I did not even have time to write my blog. I just realized I did not even have time to upload any new paintings and the blogs from February until April.
In May I participated in the Tulip Festival. I was at the Commissioners Park at Dow�s Lake the very first day of the festival and the tulips were just breathtaking. A photo of me painting "Queen of the Night" even ended up on the "Le Droit" website. While I was painting a lady asked me whether her granddaughter could just hold my brush and paint a little bit on my painting so she could take a picture. I was not very amused and declined. However, most people were very appreciative of my paintings which was nice.
The second time I painted at Major's Hill Parkat the on May 19. At this point it was hard to find some tulips that were still well enough preserved to be painted.
Apart from the Tulip Festival, I was busy getting my paintings ready for the new exhibition at "Galerie de la Rive". The biggest challenge was my painting "Fall at Beckett's Creek", a 30" x 40" painting - my biggest so far. I really enjoyed painting so large.
If you have time I can only recommend the new exhibition at "Galerie de la Rive" to you which will be on display until November 7, 2010. There are some wonderful paintings and photographs in the exhibition. If you have time this Sunday, come out and join us for the vernissage from 1pm to 4pm.
Tomorrow, I will go to Gallery Old Chelsea for its 20 year anniversary where I will be participating in their paint-out. I have become a guest artist of the gallery in February.
Yesterday, I dropped off some paintings at the Queenswood Villa, 370 Kennedy Lane, Orleans. The vernissage for the show will be on June 10, 2010 from 6.30pm to 7:30pm.
Well, school is almost over which means hardly any time for painting for me for the next two months. I hope you will have a wonderful summer.
See you in the fall,
Kerstin
April 18, 2010
Tuesday was the Ottawa Art Association Award Show. I spent a pleasant evening among artist friends. I had finished my painting "Dog on Guard" just the day before the hanging. Like most of the times. Although I did not win a prize I am quite happy with the painting. It will be in the Ottawa Little Theatre until May 15, 2010.
Wednesday I spent a fantastic day at Petrie Island. It was so warm that we could take off our jackets. The light green of the trees was just beautiful. I enjoyed listening to the sounds of the birds while I was painting. I had a hard time leaving. It was just wonderful to be outside.
Yesterday was the painting demonstration at "Galerie de la Rive". I was happy to see a lot of painters come by to see our artwork. I had fun painting with our group and started two paintings: one of a sunset over Petrie Island and one of a pair of cows (a birthday present for my son).
April 2, 2010
We were so busy in Charlevoix that I did not have time to write more about my trip.
We were able to spend one full day outside. The temperatures went up but without the sun and a high humidity it felt bone-chilling cold. Janis and I went to Port-au-Persil where we met others from the group who had all followed the recommendations from some artists who had been there the day before. I was cold the whole day and did not enjoy the painting as usual. When we finally packed up at the end of the day the sun came out.
On the following day, our last painting day, we woke up to heavy wet snow. Janis and I decided to go back to the studio where I decided on the same view I had done on the first day. It was just amazing to see how fast the fog moved in and out of the area several days during the day. Around midday we went on a stroll through the town of Des Ã?â?°boulements. We ran into others who had the same idea but also into some artists who had gone out despite of the weather: One painting from the inside of his car, and the other in his customized army tent. That's dedication to plein air painting! We went back to the studio where I decided to work from a photograph I took during my stay in Kamouraska in the fall.
Later in the evening we had the "show and tell": The energy and diversity of all the paintings amazes me every time. I love to see how other painters looked and interpreted the sites I saw and painted.
It was another great painting trip with all the challenges the weather has to offer. I had a wonderful time with the group of painters. Everyone was very welcoming, and then we were lucky again to have the members of "Work in Progress" with us who entertained us almost every evening.
March 27, 2010
Since yesterday I am in Charlevoix with the Plein Air Painting Ensemble. The weather for the drive could not have been better: sunshine all the way. However, looks were deceiving. When we arrived in the afternoon the temperature was -- 18 degrees Celsius. My friend Janis and I decided to go on a little stroll anyway. Not that easy with the steep elevations and the brutally cold wind!
During the "wine and cheese" gathering we got to meet all the artists participating in this spring trip. Many of them have come for years. The group actually celebrates its 20 year anniversary.
Following the excellent the four course menu some of our also very musically talented artists performed for us for the rest of the evening.
Today we woke up to -24 degrees Celsius. Too cold for me to paint outside. Janis and I decided to spend the morning painting with some of the other less adventurous painters in the oil painters' studio.
I suspect many of the others painted from the inside of their cars as it was just brutally cold. After lunch Janis and I went out to do some scouting before we decided to give it a try to paint plein air at Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. It was cold but I am satisfied with the result. It's something to work with.
As Janis had problems with her paints and brushes freezing we decided to do a little sightseeing in Baie-Saint-Paul. It is just unbelievable how many art galleries we saw: Every third house seems to house an art gallery. However, there was not a single painting I really would have liked to buy.
Now we are off to today's "wine and cheese". Let's hear how the others were doing. I am quite happy with the two paintings I have started. The first one was done from inside but also looking over the beautiful Saint Lawrence River.
February 21, 2010
Today is the hanging of the new show at Galerie de la Rive which will run until May 30, 2010. As I am on my way from a weekend in Toronto where I visited the "King Tut" exhibition at the AGO and the opera "Carmen" I will have to hang my paintings tomorrow. The grand opening celebration for the exhibition will be next Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. For more information please contact me or go to www.GaleriedelaRive.ca.
Having had not much opportunity to paint for the last three months I even had to take a couple of days off work to finish my paintings for the exhibition. At least I am almost ready now.
I also received very positive news from "Gallery Old Chelsea" were I was accepted as one of their guest artists. Super.
Now it is only one more months until the painting trip with the Plein Air painting group to Charlevoix. I am really looking forward to it, especially as I have not painted outside since early fall.
February 8, 2010
I spent an inspiring weekend at the Arteast/Golden workshop held by Andrea Warren. It was so much fun to experiment with all the great materials Golden has to offer. Now I have tons of new ideas. I just wish I had more time to paint.
February 1, 2010
Yesterday was the vernissage of our Kamouraska Show at Gallery Old Chelsea which runs until February 17, 2010. Each of us has a section of the room. The exhibition looks great. It is amazing how differently each of us interpreted what we saw. At the same time you feel like going back to these amazing landscapes to paint some more. Well, we have to wait until September when we will be going back for another time. Most of the group will go for two weeks but my friend Janis and I have to head back after one week as we both still have kids at home. I do not mind at all as I would miss my family too much otherwise anyway.
We were lucky with the weather and had lots of visitors which is a very good sign. Sure, we would all like to sell a painting but it already is very encouraging to all of us when people tell us how much they enjoy our paintings.
Hélène, one of my painting buddies was relieved that this was the last vernissage in a while and hoped she would finally have more time to paint. Well, she completely blocked out the fact that the next vernissage will be already in four weeks at Galerie de la Rive in Rockland. So we better grab our brushes and get painting. At least I do only have half of the paintings I need for the new show.
Next weekend, however, I am going to a GOLDEN paints workshop. I always wanted to try their large variety of acrylic mediums but so far I have never found the time. I hope it will be a very playful workshop giving me lots of ideas for further projects.
January 12, 2010
The Plein Air Ensemble has a show at the Gallery Old Chelsea which runs until January27, 2010. I participate with two paintings. The vernissage was last Sunday, and it was wonderful to see many of the artists from the group and the paintings resulting from the trip. The Jazz group "A Work in Progress" provided the great background music. They are getting better and better.
I have already registered for the next trip to Charlevoix at the end of March. I can hardly wait to go after I missed the fall trip.
I will also participate in the following show at the Gallery Old Chelsea for the "Kamouraska Group" . The vernissage will be January 31, 2010 from 1pm to 4pm.
January 4, 2010
Happy New Year to you. I hope you all had wonderful holidays with happy memories, good food, wonderful walks in the fresh snow and certainly lots of great art gifts. I got a big canvas and a book about the multitude of possibilities acrylic paints offer. I can hardly wait to get my paints out again. I got really inspired to try some new mediums and techniques.
December was so busy with all kinds of events that I hardly found time to paint. Today I had to get some of the tasks for the Ottawa Art Association Website done but tomorrow is reserved for painting.
I just hope that our group of painting buddies will get outside soon. The white landscape looks just unbelievable especially when the sun shines. A couple of warmer days would be nice, however.
I wish you all a year full of exciting opportunities, fun creating and playing with your favourite or new mediums.
All the best,
Kerstin
November 17, 2009I am too excited to go to bed yet. Tonight was the "Ottawa Art Association Fall Awards Show" at the Ottawa Little Theatre. It was a very nice evening spent talking with friends and getting to know other members while enjoying the excellent art and the delicious food. The voting for the favourite picture of each category was certainly tough.
For me the big finale came, however, when President Sharon McKenna announced my painting "His Majesty Ringo I" as the winner of the "Mixed Media" category. I am so happy about all the wonderful comments I got.
Thank you for all the support,
Kerstin
November 14, 2009
Today I will bring my latest painting to a friend of mine who will take it tomorrow morning to the Ottawa Little Theatre for the Ottawa Art Association Fall Award Show. It is a painting of a Bernese Mountain Dog called Ringo who joins my friend Rebecca and I regularly on the walks through the fields. He is a very gentle but proud dog which I captured in my painting. Therefore, I gave the painting the title "His Majesty, Ringo I".
Last week, I had to have all my paintings finished for the new hanging at "Galerie de la Rive" in Rockland. As I wanted to hang mostly new works I was quite busy during the week before the hanging, especially as I had been so occupied with work and my children's activities that I had done hardly anything except during my stay in Kamouraska. Being so under pressure to finish my paintings and succeeding gave me quite a rush. Did I mention that I was still busy attaching the hardware, naming and pricing my works in the early hours of the day of the hanging? I really have to make sure that I find time to paint daily, even if it is only for an hour. However, looking at my schedule until the rest of the year it will be hard to realize. I will try anyway.
I hope you will have a chance to see the new show which will run until February 21, 2010. I put up 12 works, 10 of them new. With a couple of new, well-known artists in the gallery the show looks fabulous again. We will do a painting demonstration December 5 from 10am to 4pm, and the vernissage is December 6, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm. There will be free portraits, door prizes, a silent auction, and music. Since September 2009 one of our artists is also sitting at the gallery from 10am to 4pm every Friday to Sunday.
I also put some of my works into exhibitions at Queenswood Villa in Orléans, and the Orléans and Gloucester Libraries.
Enjoy the nice mild weather and get outside,
Kerstin
October 11, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving! It is a very windy and cold day here in Canada's capital: You certainly have to dress warm to enjoy the occasional sun peaking through the dark clouds. It is probably one of the last days you can see the colours in the trees, even though the colours this year are not as great as in other years.
I went painting twice since my return from Kamouraska -- both times to Petrie Island. The first time it was raining but I found shelter in one of the observation posts. Last Thursday, however, the weather was fantastic. I painted with my friends Bob and Janis. At lunch time we were able to enjoy our lunch in the warm sunshine.
Now I have to get painting. The next hanging at "Galerie de la Rive" is on November 8, 2009, and I hardly have any finished paintings to show. However, the two Petrie Island paintings are almost finished.
The paintings I finished in Kamouraska will probably go into a show at Galerie Old Chelsea at the beginning of 2010 which means I cannot put them into the "Galerie de la Rive" show which will run until February 28, 2010.
I would also like to finish a painting to participate in the "Ottawa Art Association" November Awards Show at the Ottawa Little Theatre on King Edward Street.
At the moment I have paintings in the Arteast exhibitions at the Cumberland, Orléans, and North Gloucester libraries as well as the Arteast Art and Photo Exhibition at Queenswood Villa in Orléans.
The current show at "Galerie de la Rive" is on until November 8, 2009.
I hope you enjoy browsing through my website. Please feel free to leave your comments in my online guest book.
I am looking forward to hearing from you,
Kerstin
September 18, 2009
Today is a rainy day, and it does not look like it will clear up. We will have to set up indoors. I am so glad we were out every day so far from early morning to supper time.
Tuesday was a very cold and windy day. We went into a small street with a private lot on a humongous rock. It was the first day to wear a scarf and gloves. Janis and I decided to warm up at the house for lunch, and went to a community room in a light house in St.-Germain for the afternoon where we were sheltered from the wind. We both did a wonderful study of the community around the church.
I felt so invigorated that I went for a long walk along the waterfront once we were back at the house. It was just wonderful.
Wednesday we went again to the rocky lot. As it was Janis' turn to cook we went shopping around lunch time. Back at the house we had a lovely lunch in the yard. It was very warm. Afterwards we went back to the rocky lot where we stayed until sunset. The colours were just unbelievable. I painted four scenes, and was quite happy with the outcome. The paintings are far from finished but have potential.
In the evening we were first treated to an amazing sunset, and then to Janis' coconut curry, and apple-raspberry crumble.
Yesterday, we went west to Roch-des-Aulnaies. The rocks in the park were unbelievable. We stayed there the whole day. I dared to do my second 16"x20" painting. I had a lot of trouble with the grass colour but after doing two other paintings I could finally fix the problem. The funny thing is that it took me hours to do the first painting but only minutes to do the second which I prefer to the first one. The third one was just some playing around with the painting knife. Let's see if I can turn it into a painting at one point.
As it was my turn to cook, I was glad I picked something easy: pasta with pesto and vegetables in cream sauce.
As painting is really exhausting we seem to go to bed earlier every day. Some of us are already in bed before 9pm. Well, we work hard.
Today, as soon as it stops raining so hard I will get my art supplies from the car but at the moment it is raining heavily. I wish I had not left my rain boots in the car. So far, we are testing the heavenly goods Bill got from the local German bakery, looking through art magazines.
September. 14, 2009
I am in Kamouraska with six painting buddies. We left in a caravan of three cars from Hawkesbury Saturday morning after my friend Janis had picked me up at my house. This time I decided to travel light, and left my oil paints at home.
The drive up was great due to the wonderful weather. We were all equipped with walkie-talkies and could communicate. We arrived just in time for moving into the rented house. The lovely old house is right at the waterfront. There is even a room for painting inside for a rainy day. I share the a room on the second floor with Janis.
Aside from the painting it will be a real vacation from housework. Everyone just has to cook supper ones, and we do the dishes together. The first night it was Sharon's turn. We had salmon with lots of vegetables. Delicious. Yesterday, we had a traditional "Tourtière" from Hélène. Today Leslie will treat us with a roast. Well, so far my report sounds like the description of a culinary trip but you are quite hungry after a whole day of painting outside.
As the weather was so nice and warm when we arrived we took the opportunity to take some pictures along the waterside.
Yesterday, it rained in the morning. So we had a really relaxed breakfast before Janis, Sharon, Bill, and I went first to Saint-Denis and then to Rivière-Ouelle to paint. The landscape is just phenomenal. Clouds and water are changing so fast that it is a challenge to capture the beauty.
Today, Sharon, Janis, Bill, and I painted at the banks of the St. Laurent close to St. Germain. I am not sure why but I felt really tense and rushed, not enjoying the morning too much. Maybe it was because I used a 16"x20" canvas which was too ambitious for the fast changing scene. The more frustrated I got the more I struggled with my painting. When it started raining I was almost relieved. Janis and I went back to the house where we met Hélène and Maria. When it stopped raining we went back out together to paint some fields just east of Kamouraska. I had a lovely time until it started raining again. As it was already late afternoon we just called it a day.
August 25, 2009
School is going to start in a week. Although I missed not being able to paint during the summer I am still not ready to send my kids back to school. Somehow the summer felt really short -- possibly because of the less than favourite weather.
Last weekend we had a very successful vernissage at the "Galerie de la Rive". We were not sure how many people would show up due to the summer season but were pleasantly surprised which is great because we still put a lot of work into organizing the event. I was so happy that some of my friends came again to show their support. That means a lot to me.
In less than three weeks I will leave for my painting trip to Kamouraska. I am very excited. Hopefully, we will have great weather but I am sure we will have fun anyway. As I will participate in the "Colours in Colour" event in Vanier on September 27, 2009 I hope I will have some new work ready.
I will definitely keep you updated.
Enjoy the rest of the summer,
Kerstin
July 1, 2009
Happy Canada Day!I have just used the holiday to update my website with my newest paintings.
Sunday, July 5, 2009 I will be at the "Galerie de la Rive" for a painting demonstration.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 is the changeover at the Orléans and the Gloucester Libraries. I will put one painting in each of the libraries as it is good to keep up your presence but with my next solo show coming up I have to make sure to have enough paintings available that look harmonious together. Thursday, July 9, 2009 is the beginning of the new exhibition at the "Queenswood Villa" in Orléans. I have already registered two flower paintings for that exhibition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the vernissage on July 16, 2009.
Enjoy the warm weather,
Kerstin
June 24, 2009
I hope this will be profitable both for the restaurant and for us artists. What could be better than looking at some beautiful art while enjoying your meals.
Enjoy,
Kerstin
June 23, 2009
If I have a chance I will probably paint again during the Cumberland Village Garden Tour on July 12, 2009. I will keep you updated.
Yesterday, we hung the paintings for the new exhibition at "Galerie de la Rive" which will be on view until November 8, 2009. We will have painting demonstrations on July 5, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm, and August 22, 2009 from 10am to 4pm. The vernissage is scheduled for August 23, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm.
Everyone did another great job creating new works. I had so many events in my kids' calenders that I was still finishing my last painting the morning of the hanging. I am sure glad I paint mostly in acrylics.
Have you seen the new tab on my website? Now you can not only write me an email but also sign my guest book.
I am looking forward to hearing from you,
Kerstin
June 1, 2009
I exchanged paintings at the Ottawa Little Theatre, and Café Resonance in Navan. On June 22, we will also put on the new exhibition at Galerie de la Rive. I hope I will have enough paintings as I also have to finish a commission of my husband's grandmother.
With the school vacation coming up it will be hard to fit in some painting time but I will try hard to keep going because you really get rusty when you do not practice continually.
Enjoy the warmer temperatures with nature blooming everywhere,
Kerstin
May 1, 2009
Today was the first day of the Ottawa Tulip Festival. It is my first year as one of their official artists. Yesterday my fellow artist friends Janis, Hélène, Sharon, and I went to deliver our paintings to the pavillon near Dow's Lake. Today we painted in Mayor Hill's Park , and on Wednesday next week we will be painting at Dow's Lake. I was a little nervous as it was the first time I was painting in a high traffic area. However, it went very well. First of all it is always fun to paint with the "paintng buddies", secondly everyone who approached me was very friendly and supportive. I am sure next week will be even better as most of the tulips need a couple more sunny days to bloom.
I am also very happy that I finished my first commission outside of the family on time, and to the satisfaction of my client.
My exhibition at the Blackburn Hamlet Library is still on until the end of the month. My painting "French Hill Schoolhouse" did not win any of the prizes at the Ottawa Art Association Awards night but a got a couple of compliments for it. It you have a chance to make it to the Ottawa Little Theatre on Kind Eduard Street in Ottawa, have a look at the many fantastic works of the members of the Ottawa Art Association.
It is very fascinating to watch the fast changes of nature at this time of the year, and to get out and paint.
Take the time and admire nature,
Kerstin
April 7, 2009
Today it was time to go home again. It was sad to leave as I made some really nice new friends. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging. I can hardly wait till the next painting trip.
Yesterday the day started promising. Therefore, we went back to the fields we had painted the day before in the afternoon. It was amazing to see how the colours had changed compared to the day before.
We eagerly set up to paint. However, about an hour later a snow storm hit us out of the blue. In a couple of minutes all the colours were gone, and we were left with a white mysterious landscape. At first we tried to spite nature by putting up umbrellas to prevent the wet snow flakes from hitting the canvas and palette. However, the wind shifted constantly so that we finally had to give up. I started lifting up the paint from the canvas instead of putting it on as oils do not work to good on water.
We were also soaked from the wet snow, even through snow pants. There was only one thing we could do: go back to the resort. Helene and Janis were already in our cottage when I came back, and we painted in our cottage for the rest of the day. John and Deborah came over to chat. We had a great afternoon.
At night was the big "Show and Tell". Everyone was encouraged to show some of his/her work. It was just amazing what everyone had accomplished whether it was indoors or outdoors. It was also very interesting to see how other artists saw places we had also been too.
Later John's painting that he did during his demonstration was raffled off. I would love to have one of his paintings but did not win. There is always a next time.
The last highlight of my day was listening to the jazz band "A Work In Progress" who had already played at the Galerie de la Rive vernissage. What a treat!
The trip was a big success even with the bad weather. I learned a lot about what is helpful when you are painting outside in extreme weather conditions, profited from the experience of the established artists, and made new friends.
It was a very new experience for me to be the youngest of the group as I was the oldest child in my family, as well as in school. I have to admit I like being the "junior" for a change.
I like to thank the organizers Mette, Deborah, and Malcolm for putting together such a great opportunity for artists to get together, and all the fellow artists for their warm welcome.
I am sure hooked now.
On the way home I drove with Janis. As we still had snow and rain we did not stop to paint but only took some pictures of some of the picturesque spots we passed on the way. I definitely have enough material for a year if I wanted to make use of all my photos. I am sure I will come back to the Petite Rouge Region.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend,
Kerstin
April 5, 2008
After a very rainy day yesterday, we woke up to light snow. The temperatures had dropped quite a bit and it was very windy. Nevertheless, I decided to go out with Bob. A couple of other painters joined us as we put up our easels at a near swamp. We stayed there until noon although it was very cold, even in extra layers of winter clothes. We had 1 degree Celsius -- with the wind it was probably closer to minus 10 degrees. It took me a long time to finish my sketch as there was so much to see in the swamp, and you really had to simplify and cut back to the basic shapes.
After a hot tea in a small diner we looked for a new spot. Having done a lot of water paintings in the last couple of days we all decided to look for a pastoral view. We found a really nice area with great colours. It is amazing how much colour you can find in nature even at the beginning of spring when the trees are still without their leaves. I have to admit that I see so much more colours in nature since I paint regularly. I guess I just pay more attention to everything I see.
We painted from 9.30am to almost 5pm. I am quite tired tonight but I definitely cannot miss the gift exchange that will happen around 8pm. I have already heard so much about it from previous years that I am quite curious.
Kerstin
April 4, 2009
It's pouring rain outside. I am in Petite Rouge with the Plein Air Ensemble. I don't think we will get a chance to go painting outside today. I will stay at the residence and paint as the thought of painting the dreary scene from inside a car does not really appeal to me. I am glad I brought some material to paint inside.
Yesterday, however, we were very lucky. Bob, a fellowartist, picked me up for the painting trip, and after unloading the car we went directly to search for a good painting spot. We both managed to get two paintings done before the rain set in. The first one took me a couple of hours, the second one I did in fifteen minutes, and it is almost finished.
Later on we had "Happy Hour" where I met all the other participating artists. I knew about half of them already. I am very happy as I am in a cottage with my painting buddies Janis, Helene, and Tricia, and have the luxury to have a single room.
After dinner we had a presentation from Golden Paints on their Acrylics products. It was a great presentation but I assume that all the painters who have never worked in acrylics were quite overwhelmed as it was a lot of information to digest.
After the demonstration we even got a goody bag to try out their new Golden Open Acrylics line.
Just the right thing for a rainy day.
I am very excited to finally try the new line especially after I saw all the neat things you can play with.
Keep on playing -- it is so much fun,
Kerstin
April 1, 2009
A very exciting weekend lies behind me. We had a two day event at Galerie de la Rive to celebrate the new exhibition. Saturday half of the artists did their painting and photography demonstrations. It was great to see that so many people were interested in the way we produce our works of art. I was especially happy to see some former neighbours, members from my church, and a good friend of mine. Jean-Pierre, one of our photographers took lots of pictures and videotaped us. Soon you will be able to see the result on our Galerie de la Rive website (www.GaleriedelaRive.ca).
Sunday was just phenomenal. The gallery was full of people, including some of the participants of our school contest, the jazz band "A Work In Progress" and Olaf Krassnitzky who did free portraits Saturday and Sunday made the event even more memorable. I am sure everyone had a good time. I definitely enjoy talking with the visitors and fellow artists. It feels great to hear their comments about the gallery and the paintings. It is definitely worth all the hard work we put into putting the gallery into the spotlight.
However, the excitement did not stop there as I hang my first solo show Monday morning at the Blackburn Hamlet Library. It looks very good. I would like to say a big thank you to the great help of the Arteast coordinators Lynda and Thelma. However, just before the hanging I ran into a big problem as I had left the framing of my latest painting to the last minute realizing that the standard frame was indeed not standard but a tenth of an inch too small. In slight panic I had to find a new frame at a store within minutes before I had to be at the library. I was very happy that the sales person was very helpful, and quickly put wire on the frame. I had all the hardware with me but preferred not to have to do this work at the library. The exhibition will be on until the end of May. I would love to hear from you if you have a chance to see it.
In two days I will go on my first painting trip with some of my regular painting buddies as well as some other established artists of the Ottawa area. I am very excited as I was just invited to participate at the beginning of March. Most of my things are already packed as two of my friends will take them already up tomorrow. I will follow with another friend Friday.
To be prepared for all kinds of situations I will take both my acrylic and oil paints. Shopping for all the extra stuff I will probably need if we will be painting for five straight days was already an adventure. I felt like most kids who enter a "Toys'R'Us".
I will definitely keep you updated once I return from the trip.
Enjoy the first warm spring days,
Kerstin
March 3, 2009
While I am writing this it is bitterly cold outside. Hard to believe that spring will start in less than three weeks.