New Name - The Crimson Brush

Thought I would change things up a bit. I am going with a new name for a new blog, website and business. The Crimson Brush will be getting all these things soon. I will be putting up all my future and some of my present art work there. I am continuing to work on my paintings for the artwalk that is coming up in July. So much to do!! I am excited about my latest work and will be posting it on my new blog site soon.

Painting: "Sacral Chakra"

Second painting - "Sacral Chakra"

This is the second installment of my Chakra painting series. The Sacral Chakra is situated two inches below the navel and two inches into the pelvis. The qualities that define the second chakra: well-being, sexuality, sensuality, pleasure and abundance. The life issues are to know that who you are and what you do are enough; to have enough rest, food, exercise, fun and money. To not link self-worth with what you do or have; to create healthy boundaries to protect your vital life force.

The Sacral chakra asks the question: How are you relating to the world around you? The birth of relationships, creativity, and life defines how one is relating with their world. The sacral chakra's element is water and it's symbol is a pyramid. I used these symbols to bring forth feelings of tranquility, strength, and spiritual connectedness. The ocean is symbolic for the creation of life, as all life begins with water, and the sand and seashell texture is symbolic for the imperfect ways in which we relate with our world. A common theme throughout my artwork is that imperfections are beautiful, and that we are connected through our diversity.

First of many..."Root Chakra"

Information on what I am painting

I am, as I mentioned before, going to be in the Whyte Avenue Art Walk that is in July. I have had to write out an artist statement and will include that here. I am painting Chakras, Mandalas and the like for the Art Walk. Here are the descriptions:

Chakras: The chakras are spiritual and psychic energy centers in the human body, visualized as wheels or lotuses. They play a large role in gaining spiritual awareness and in physical and mental health.

Mandalas: The mandala represents the process of assimilating important elements in life that are often still unconscious although almost at the surface of the awareness. The mandala is an expression of the microcosm that plays itself out inside a person. It discloses itself in shapes, symbols, and colours, and in their combined context. The mandala works like a focal point, like a lens that is focused on what is inside, reflecting whatever is playing itself out in the psyche at a certain point. In doing so, the mandala is a reflection of the soul.

My artist statement: Along with acrylic paints, I incorporate textural imperfections as a metaphor to honor the beauty in the scars of our lives. My style is based on symbolism and is expressed through abstract and figurative compositions. At the moment my work is focusing on emotional healing and spirituality.

Will close off this post and will next upload the latest painting..."Root Chakra".

What I do....

A little exercise I made up for myself. I wanted to try and see if I could desribe what I do when I am painting...in one word sentences.

I PAINT

I gather
I look
I ponder
I listen
I lift
I dip
I swirl
I adjust
I deepen
I lighten
I separate
I combine
I tear
I glue
I rinse
I look
I ponder
I dream
I wander
I return
I scowl
I cry
I adjust
I laugh
I paint.

New Poem: Carefree Days

I still remember
Those care-free days,
Of hotdog lunches
And grade school plays
Of TAG.... YOU’RE IT!
And the suns’ bright rays.

When no one had phones
That took all their attention,
No texting or Twittering,
And did I mention?
That we played outside
Until the darkness came.
The way it is now,
Who is to blame?

Gadgets and lap-tops
And a thing called Wii,
You don’t really need
That college degree!
And if you spend hours
Playing that "War Craft" game,
Then your "edumacation",
Will be very lame!

Put down those Ipods
And Iphones and such,
Talk to someone in person,
Or is that too much?
Connecting with a friend
On a more human plane,
Will bring you more joy,
And that joy will remain!


D. Langlois

Birthday Poem for Danielle

My daughter recently turned 21. This is the picture of her before going out on her big night with her boyfriend. I wrote this poem for Danielle.

Blue searching blue,
Eyes pouring in and saying...
"Open up and speak,
Please tell me what's in your heart.

"Golden highlights dance,
Moving to the rapid rhythm,
Of the lively music,
Your spirit is lighter than air.

Orange mixed with pink,
Warmth emanates from your soul.
Tender loving hands
Move gracefully over the being.

Colours of the rainbow,
Light the air around you.
Twenty-one years of living,
Show others how it's done.

Poem: Solution

I don't have the solution to your problem,
Although you may think I am brilliant.
I really am not...well, not in the conventional way.
It's just that I am focused on my own situation
And that takes up all of my time and energy.

I have to do laundry and groceries and such,
Life of a mother and wife is too much,
We work and we cook and we try to find time,
For a little bit of me and a little bit of rhyme.

No, I don't have the solution to your problem,
Although I think you are brilliant and
You could probably just figure it out on your own.
It's just that I am focused on my own situation,
And that takes up all my time and energy.

Poem: Affirmation (Dedicated to my daughter Danielle)

A vision is rising up,
It's true north, strong and free.
Colours dotting the fertile ground,
Canvas first white, then black.
Then coming alive with voices,
They are coming from the back.
And are whispering...
But soon are shouting!
Red! Violet! Spring Green!
Do it now! Feel it now!
No one can tell me no,
Not even I can stomp on my dream.
Believe in yourself, says a healer.
Positive affirmations,
Your future is now.

Don't know what I was thinking...

If life wasn't totally unpredictable, and I was three people instead of just one...and a tired one at that, I would be putting up an order form for my cards. Instead, I have come to the realization that yes, I am just one person...and I don't have 8 pairs of hands. I would have loved to made many, many cards too, on top of painting, but it's just not going to happen. I have to be realistic. So far this year has been beyond frustrating for trying to get painting done. Having tried to make my kitchen into an art studio was a good first step. However, I didn't think of the problem that it IS a kitchen...and we don't live in a huge mansion..we live in an apartment. So...comings and goings of my dear wonderful daughter and husband (who has TWO businesses...and does a lot of his work around the kitchen area)...has kyboshed that idea. I have now moved my painting items back into the bedroom but have my desk placed in the kitchen corner. It looks great..and thanks to Paul for the idea.

My next step is to paint, paint, paint. Sorry to those who were likely expecting a handmade card...definitely made with love. It's just not going to happen. I was trying to do one yesterday...and unfortunately for this perfectionist...it just wasn't good enough. I therefore wasted...yes wasted...5 hours trying to make it look just right. I looked at the work I had done...and wondered why am I trying to make myself crazy? Just for the hell of it? No...I am not going to do things any longer that take me away from my true love...painting. Anyway, since I plan on being in the Art Walk again this year, this is my plan. Hopefully 20 paintings done by July. Yikes! lol Hopefully it will happen. I will try to remain positive.

Just to let you in on a bit of the plan...my first series of paintings are going to be based on the seven Chakras. Will go more into that in my next posting.

two birthday cards with poems

Did a couple of birthday cards for people recently. The first one is for my 'VERY BEST' husband, and the other is for my sister-in-law...both who have birthdays *right* after Christmas! Poems are with the appropriate card.

Poem:

THE VERY BEST

I absolutely mean it when I say you are the best,

You work so hard both day and night,

You rarely get to rest.

Both programmer and handyman - your talent is so vast,

You get to build a program or,

A bookshelf - very fast!

This year should be a great one you deserve it more than most,

Grand day to you my own true love,

To you I raise a toast!