Bessie

Do you recall at the beginning of the year I said I had two goals for 2012? One of them was to paint four 36” x 48” canvases.  Well, I just finished the second of the four. The more I’m thinking about it, and after completing two I think three may be good! I started this second painting on February 28^th and it has taken me a long time to finish.

I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning and headed into the studio early and was determined that today, Friday, was the day! My hubby came by with a bubble tea - I love those black tapioca bubbles. He gave me a few critiques while sipping his bubble tea, I made some changes, put my signature on, and voila, she is finished!

I have to tell you that I found the photo to paint from on the internet. It belongs to Johan Peijnenburg, from NiO Photography.  I emailed Johan to ask if he was ok with me using his photo for a painting, he thought about it, gave me the ok, and the end result is finally here…Bessie!

Johan has some gorgeous photos on his website. I recommend going to check them out. His photos will inspire you!

~ Sharka ~

Hoppy Easter!!!

Here we are, Easter time, once again...

I made some Easter cards to give away. They were lots of fun and it was a great way to use up some 'scraps', if that's what you want to call it. 

The bunnies were made using paper punches and my Cricut machine. Border punches were used for the fancy edges and the noses were cut by hand! 

When you open the card, what has the bunny found down the rabbit hole?... an individual tea bag (Chocolate Mint) and a Ghirardelli chocolate square.

The tiny bunny is working all day long

Decorating Easter eggs while humming a song

He is having so much fun making eggs for you and me

And small chocolate bunnies that he gives away free

But when he is finished he'll bring them your way

In a big coloured basket upon Easter day!

I hope you all have a basketful of Easter and Springtime Smiles!

~ Sharka

What is Tole Painting?

 Eighteen years ago I used to walk by a shop on 4th Avenue (in Vancouver) and stop and stare in the window. On one of those stops I decided to try my hand at Tole Painting and found something I loved!

'What is Tole'? That's the first question most people ask… The word Tole comes from French meaning lacquered or enameled metal-ware. It also means a table or board.

As years went by Tole Painting was referred to as Decorative Painting… “a diverse art form utilizing a variety of techniques and media to decorate functional and non-functional surfaces”. Tole painting is the general term historically used to describe decorative painting on tin surfaces, but today we paint on any surface including wood, glass, fabric and canvas”.

Tole or Decorative Painting is by no means a “new” thing”.

Tole painting tends to work with 3-dimensional objects rather than canvas. Objects can be made of different materials but the most common today is wood (pine) and MDF (medium density fibre board).

Tole painters tend to paint traditional folk art styles from various parts of the world and in a stylized manner. Flowers are a favourite, while birds, animals, whimsical and themed subjects are also common.

 

You may ask… “Is Tole Painting a craft or art?” It is often called a craft simply because of the way it is taught and/or learned – technique-oriented. Anyone can learn and it doesn’t require previous training, artistic experience or special talent. Those who attend classes/workshops will paint projects the teacher has created and different projects are created for different skill levels.

When teaching, students are instructed step-by-step as they learn the different skills related with the project. Most of the time, students copy the teacher’s creations.

As skills and techniques are learned and advanced, tole painters become more confident and the creative process develops. Playing with colours, modifying the designs, attempting freehand drawing, designing simple projects on their own, letting go of using patterns, tracings and instructions and get into teaching… like me! At this point it becomes art.

I taught Tole Painting for about 13 years – five years for a retail shop, then through my home-studio for eight years. I also volunteered one day a week at a senior centre for 4-5 years. I decided to stop teaching until this January when one of my ‘students’ asked if I would think about teaching again?

To make a long story short - I’m back teaching Tole Painting and the passion is still there. Not only am I teaching my student of 13 years, her 15 year-old son is also learning as well!!!! ~ Sharka

For Tea Lovers!

When I saw Kathryn’s Ustream show this past Thursday… it was about making a booklet tea bag holder… I knew I wanted to make one. Following Kathryn’s excellent instructions, below is my completed project.

 

I think these would be wonderful for a hostess gift, thank you gift, Easter surprises or something for our wonderful mom’s on Mother’s Day!

When I made my first one I made a few mistakes as it was a little complicated. I think with the next ones will be easier. There are different templates on the internet to make smaller holders, but I really love Kathryn’s design!

Good night… I’m going to make my favourite cup of tea! ~ Sharka

Opening Reception

The Opening Reception was "Bold and Beautiful"!!! If you missed it you can go and see the exhibition at CityScape Community Art Space which runs until April, 7, 2012.

Here are some photos of the evening...

  

 

Thanks for stopping by today! ~ Sharka

Bold and Beautiful

   

The North Vancouver Community Arts Council issued a call for artists for their upcoming exhibition “Bold and Beautiful”. I submitted two of my paintings – Tulips and Prosperity – Prosperity was accepted! Eighteen artists will be featured. Along with me, my studio neighbor and artist friend Anne Gudrun was also accepted.


“This inspiring exhibition celebrates the seasonal rebirth and renewal of spring. Through the powerful use of colour, light and intriguing compositions, eighteen artists revel in the timeless muse of flowers and their sensual beauty through bold and beautiful paintings.”

The Opening Reception is Thursday, March 8^th, from 7-9pm. 
Hope to see you there!!! ~ Sharka

Mr. Big ???

MR. BIG is finally hanging up on my studio wall and he looks like a charmer!!! But now, my husband and I keep thinking, how can a male cow be so big? We think it's a dairy cow and so that would mean female? Then why does Mr. Big have horns???

The word 'cow' specifically refers to one sex-FEMALE. But we often mistakenly use the word cow no matter what the sex, age or breed they are. There's a whole world of 'bovines' I knew nothing about until now!!!  

So my next question is; Can female cows have horns? Answers.com states that almost all breeds are born with buds, the ability to grow horns that are almost always removed at a young age. Sometimes farmers allow them to grow horns, depending on what breed they're raising. 

To make this long story short, I believe I have painted a female cow with horns and named her MR. BIG but I'm sticking with it because I like the name! ~ Sharka