doodad girl

44th Annual PMAA Show.

2011-11-02T15:39:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to be contacted to do an interview for the Tri Cities News regarding the upcoming 44th Annual PMAA Art show in Port Moody this weekend. I have 4 pieces in the show...
Take a look...

http://www.tricitynews.com/entertainment/133014173.html

Happy Fall everyone!

Exposure

2011-09-24T22:32:00.000-07:00

I was recently contacted by the owner of a local Home Decor store called "Chartreuse Living" to join many other local artists to display my artwork. The store has, among other things, an eclectic array of imported colourful furniture pieces, beautiful blown glass, unique and earthy decor and some great photography and paintings by local artists. It is a different avenue for me to take with my art as I am used to the small gallery setting with an invited and very directed crowd of viewers.
I am very excited to have my art in such a heavily travelled area and to have so many new eyes and minds taking in my art and the art of my fellow local artists. I am looking forward to the feedback.

Chartreuse Living is located across from Thrifty's on Brew Street in Port Moody.

Summer's over!

2011-09-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

Summer was here...I loved every hot sweaty moment...every blinding wake up, every icey cold slurpie, every martini on a patio (though these were very few and far between)...I loved it while it was here...but it's gone now. Now comes the true season of joy...the season of cool nights, beautiful colours, layered knits and stylized ensembles. It's Fall...ahhhhhh. I feel like I am home now, I made it through summer. I'm here, and this is my season.
I had the summer off...off "film" that is, and with family...with life and with me. I spent my time "off" camping, enjoying family, thinking, sleeping, reading...thinking...thinking...ohhh to have the space and time to think...this is where great things happen. Time to think is time to restore, time to change, time to make ideas happen.
I had a few days in the studio...my new wonderful studio...It is mine and it is always there, waiting for me to create and I love it. As little time as i spend there now, eventually it will be my full time gig, and I love that it is there...

I spent many days working on a painting.I wanted to take the time I don't typically take.I spent days on the detail...with in the detail I felt calm and connected...I didn't know where to stop though. This painting is documented before I went too far with the detail...this is where I loved it, after this I got carried away...(thank god I photoed it )

This experiment of patience and in detail was soon followed by frustration and confusion.

In speaking about this dilemma with my partner, I decided to approch my next works with nothing more than my "feeling of the moment".

This is how my next painting came to be...

Humpback whales...I watched a great documentary on PBS...it stayed with me...in my sub-concious...and this is what came out of me...This felt good...it felt free...it felt like me. I followed this feeling over the next two days and this is waht came of it all...

A day at the studio...

2011-04-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the 12th annual Port Moody Art Walk Exhibition and it was my first, in my new studio space. It is great to be a part of the community of artists that occupy the Eslanade Artist Studios. I was inspired by their artwork and ideas and I'm looking forward to getting into my space to create. I have many ideas swirling around in my head and can't wait to expose them to canvas.

F O C U S

2011-01-27T16:18:00.000-08:00

"The Long Road Home" mixed media on board 8x10

I have been contemplating time once again. It is such an important factor in our lives and becomes more prevalently so when you have so little of it. It's like water or food, or a public washroom when you are travelling through Thailand. You never really notice it's absence, or appreciate it to it's fullest value until it becomes a longing...a desire...a need.

Like all of these wonderful revelations that come with time, age and wisdom...I wonder why, when I had so much time on my hands, why wasn't I creating more? What was filling this time? Well at first thought, I'd have to say sleep was up at the top of the list, but what else? I can think of many things I would do when I had time...cooking, watching TV, cleaning, organizing the utensil drawer. All of these things, as mundane as they are, filled my days without much thought or focus. Then I came to the conclusion that the true key to having success with whatever it is you truly want out of life is focus. Time, though it is essential, is not always obtainable so we need to use whatever tools we can to continue on with our true desire and aid in the achievement of our destiny...focus!

Just a thought...

The Nest...

2010-11-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

"Untitled" 8x10 - Acrylic on board

I'm feeling some balance in my life this past week...finally rested, errands are taken care of. The blistering cold outside is bringing such appreciation to the warmth and comfort of being inside. I have always put a lot of time and attention into making my home a place to retreat to. Here, I rejuvenate my soul and find balance.
I have a few pieces on the go right now, this one I did one night while feeling warm and cozy in my "nest" while the snow fell outside my window. Every time I look at it I feel warmth and I wonder where this place is, other than inside my own mind...

Bert Flynn Park - Public Art

2010-11-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

The City of Port Moody installed my art. I was invited to speak before City Council at one of thier monthy meetings. I spoke of the importance of Public Art to our communities and I spoke of ny inspiration for this piece. I was honoured that this group of people wanted to hear about what they are approving to represent our community and that my piece had been chosen to do this. Port Moody is the "City of the Arts" and, as the Public arts coordinator told me, they are trying to live up to their name.

I went to Bert Flynn Park in Port Moody to see the finished product. I don't know what I was expecting to see, but I was really happy when I rounded the corner on the trail...it is 4 feet high by 6 feet wide and it's bright red colour popped out of the forest like a beacon in the night.

My Inspiration for this piece was, as many of my recent artworks are, the incredible beauty of my surroundings here in Port Moody. I am always exploring nature and it's ever changing presence, it's durability and vulnerability...and it's relationship to man made structure, humanity, and our durability and vulnerability. We need each other to survive. In this particular painting I reversed the obvious...the trees, which are usually such a beautiful backdrop for the city are portrayed in black and white which contrasts the seemingly "blooming" city.

I've read this quote by Jean Corot/ Painter/ 1859...it was written on a corner of one of his sketchbooks:

"One must interpret nature with naivete and according to one’s personal feelings, with complete detachment from what one knows of the old and contemporary masters. In that way only will you be able to inspire. There are people who are quite gifted but who do not want to use the gifts that were given to them. Such people make me think of a billiard player to whom a complaisant partner would always offer beautiful set-ups that he would not take advantage of. It seems to me, were I to be the player’s opponent, I would end up telling him: “Since that’s the way it is, I will not give you anymore of those!” Instead of God, I would get my revenge on the miserable fools who waste their natural gifts by changing their heart into cork.”

Food for thought...

My First Public Art

2010-10-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

I found out through the PMAA ( Port Moody Art Association) that the City of Port Moody was looking for artists to submit works for a vinyl wrap to be used on an electrical box which is placed at the entrance to a park in the Tri-Cities. I submitted and was very happy to hear that they had chosen my work.
I've always really liked the idea of using these metal boxes that pop up on many roads around our communities as a "canvas' " for art. I've seen many of them with photographs of flowers, trees and other nature scenes, but I am really excited at the prospect of using these to show other forms of art...2D, ... 3D, and what ever else we can create and communicate with. To display it on these outdoor, public boxes is a new exciting way to have another avenue open to artists to show their work.

"Rose Coloured Glasses"
mixed media on board
8x10

mixed bag of thoughts...

2010-09-24T22:06:00.001-07:00

I found a feather...it was so beautiful. Bright orange on one side and black as night on the other. I just kept looking at it...wondering what the bird who was missing it looked like. I was and still am amazed at the beauty nature gives us...I wonder why, and I wonder how....

...An accumulation of thoughts form the past...and the moment of creation.

"I HAVE AN IDEA"

12X12 charcoal and acrylic on wood panel

Deepest Sleep of sleeps...

2010-09-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

I had the very deepest of deep sleeps last night. I've been very busy lately, and I have been thinking about my challenge of life a lot lately...time. Time, the most precious commodity to be had. You can't bank it, you can't retrieve it if it's lost...it's just gone.

So, back to my dilemma of wanting more time. Time with my family, time to sleep, time to create. I came to the realization that my life is just busy right now and I'd have to think of a way to work around the inevitable instead of trying to obtain something that I had no power over obtaining. I gave my brain a big "free pass". Work on those things that need doing in the immediate future and leave those things that can wait until when ever. Who cares if the dishes are dirty, as long as there's food to dirty them with! Yes those are monster dust bunnies on floor...go outside for a walk and you won't have to look at them!

OK, honestly...I have to work on it, but I released a lot of stress yesterday by letting go of the many feelings of "have to". I had a great sleep and woke feeling refreshed and ready for the day. What more could you ask for on a Thursday morning.

Resting, thinking, breathing...Working with what you have...

2010-07-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

I was hanging around last weekend...looking through some old sketches I had done in life drawing classes long past. I had the urge to be creative. My wonderful partner endured my scrutinous eye...while he wrote, I sketched him...with my most loved medium...charcole, I decided to add some life to those black and white drawing old and new...C OL O U R !! What a lovely treat. It was so wonderful to be so free with the hand and not care what the outcome would reveal.
I have been reading, enjoying the moments of summer...lying under the beautiful tree in our front yard, feeling the scattering of heat and shadow supplied by the ever present sun...thank God summer is upon us.

I'm paying attention Universe!!

2010-06-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

The Mixer show was a success. The room was grand. The turnout was tremendous. Though I didn't sell anything, I had a lot of positive feedback.

This was a very challenging show for me to follow through with for various reasons, most of which had nothing to do with art. Lately I've been very deliberately nurturing my right brain...lots of rest, reading great books, listening to and being present with friends and family, & absorbing at the beauty around me. I've had no agenda but to enjoy the moments.

Recent events have challenged me and taught me. I'm paying attention Universe!! I feel that this has put me on my way to a new stage of my artistic career. I'm thinking, about different process', different purpose and a different path, a path that is organic in it's destination.

Awareness creates and ever changing life.

I look forward to painting again. Soon.

The day has arrived...

2010-05-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Today's the day of "Spring Mixer". Looking forward to a great turnout. Looking forward to exposing my pieces to thoughtful eyes and minds.

The garden...deep Inside.

2010-04-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

I worked on this piece for weeks...it's little. It's 12 inches square, and it consumed me for weeks. I had fun with it, I hated it, I like it, I loved it...it has taken many transformations, and now, I can live with it. I feel that this piece is the link to where my future and present connect, as an artist... with many stops in between.
I look at it and I don't know where it came from, but I understand it. I wish someone else created it so I could look at it with anonymity.
Moving forward...

"Peace"

2010-02-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

I've taken some time over the past weeks to sketch fruit. I've enjoyed the great colours and subtle textures they encompass.
I have an upcoming group show in the spring and I am examining form, line and colour...I find that rough sketching is a great way to do this as it really allows freedom of flow and movement for me. I'm not sure if this will be one of the pieces I put in the upcoming show, but I enjoyed making it and was quite happy with the end result.
I chose apples because of thier symbolic meaning for the Chinese culture..."peace". Seemed like a good place to start.

"Peace" 24x24
Arcrylic/ Mixed Media on Canvas

It's all apples and oranges...

2010-01-26T21:48:00.000-08:00

I attended one of my first art group drawing workshops recently. A lovely group of fellow artists all got together to stare at a thoughtfully placed grouping of "still life"... in this instance, citrus fruit. There were a few grumbles from the crowd...how boring the subject matter was etc., but after all, it was "still life". I happily picked up my charcoal pencils, and reminded myself of the "rules" of drawing...long past forgotten in art classes gone by...and I just went for it. I had a great time and I am so thrilled to have this group of people to meet with each week so we can all enjoy a few apples and oranges.

I see you ... a poem.

2010-01-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

I see you

All I know to be I’ve seen
I look, I think, I learn…I hide,
my mind, not my body.
So please continue, speak softly in her ear,
Love her like tomorrow is gone
I’m here, I see, I love…
just like you.

Leesa Hanna

Ode to the rain...

2009-11-29T20:50:00.001-08:00

As the 4th week of too much rain pounds the sidewalks, I found it inspired my most recently completed piece. There's a lot going on here as you can see. I worked on it for many weeks and it has taken many layers and transformations along the way.

I am still very attached to the connection between man made structures and nature co-existing. I have really enjoyed exploring this connection and I suspect I will continue to do so through out my life...and the trees...well those are always one of my favorite subjects.

I've already got the next canvas up...blank...staring at me...

"Through the Trees" 24x24 inches

mixed media, acrylic on canvas

The Old Mill

2009-10-08T11:49:00.001-07:00

Ahhh Fall....my favorite time of year is upon us once again. As Spring does for some people, I always feel a coming of renewal in Fall. The changing colours, climate, and the crispness in the air. It makes me feel aware and alert of everything around me.

I was down at the "Old Mill" the the other day. It's about 2 km from my house along Shore Line Parks shores. It was a working Mill in the late 1800's and burnt don in 1906. There are remnants of the mills history littered along the shoreline. The natural habitat has embraced this man made rubble and created a very unique site of colour, haphazard architecture and form. The shore here is inundated with birds, fish, crabs, and seals...natures perfect ecosystem. There are jellyfish over a foot in diameter carelessly fluttering through the water.

An old brick half buried in the sand reads only a portion of what was originally printed on it, and tells the destiny of this site "...burn in canada...".

Enjoy this special, beautiful time of year.

I'm loving this medium!

2009-10-01T11:41:00.001-07:00

I've spent the past couple of weeks thinking, creating and pondering art...in between Momming and the other daily stuff! I have been interested in Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Picasso and other great artists from the 19th and 20th century. I love their fearless use of colour and abstract lines to conjure up feelings with just a glance at their works.

I have found great joy and anticipation in creating this painting and am working on a couple more at present. This painting was inspired by my love of trees and the collation between nature, industry, & their forced unity. The canvas measures 48" x 48", and untitled...for now.

F I R E !

2009-06-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I spent many hours thinking about what I wanted to portray for the "Fire" show for the Burnaby Arts Council. I haven't worked with Acrylics in a long time...and as I sat out in my beautiful garden painting my 1st piece...it just dryed too fast! I over worked the layers and just wasn't happy with the outcome. The following weekend, as the rain fell, I sat at my easel...brushes in hand, colours mixed...I knew I had to work fast if I wanted to achieve the look I was going for. I decided to collage with one of my favorite subjects...trees. I placed the images on my panel and so the process began. Less than 1 hour later, I was happily sitting in front of my finished work. I signed it and am ready to deliver. Whew.

"Demise & Rebirth" 12x12 Acrylic on Wood Panel

In the garden...

2009-06-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

I spent some time in the garden this past weekend. My sweetie does a fantastic job of keeping everything well hydrated and cared for, and I am reaping the rewards. I had a perfect weekend. An awesome balance of family time, sleep, and appreciation for life, art and love.

I just can't stop photographing the florals! They are so layered with colour, shape and texture. The perfect subject.

2009-05-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

looking for inspiration...

2009-05-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have an upcoming show. It's organized by the Burnaby Arts Council and will be shown at Deer Lake Gallery in Burnaby.

My piece will be one of many 12"x12" ‘Art Projects in Support of the 2009 World Police & Fire Games‘. All of the art works have to have something to do with "fire". It can be literal or just reflective of a thought or feeling associated with fire. I love the idea of this show and I am really looking forward to seeing the vast outcome of all of the artists involved. It is fascinating to me, the great differences people see and feel in what can literally be viewed as the same thing.

I have not decided on the fate of my 12x12 panel yet...still looking for inspiration and time!

Sweet Inspiration

I long for you my sweet inspiration
Misplaced amidst the daily confusion.
I withdraw to thoughts of you and I
Harmonious and free,
As though a ravenous strength has devoured
My anxious self and ascended me to all I can be.

The air cools, the dreary brightens
My solitaire self no longer frightens.
Adaptation of lament to creation
How I long for you my sweet inspiration.

Leesa Hanna

desiderata

2009-05-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for there will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And what ever your labors and inspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

the beginning...

2009-05-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to start documenting my progress into my lifelong dream to become a full time artist. I've made many baby steps over the past 20years, but the steps are getting alot bigger and I'm looking forward to every positive movement towards making this dream a reality. So this is me cutting the ribbon and popping the champagne ( notice I'm not breaking the bottle...blasphemy!)