Sometimes things just take time… a lot of time! Started January of 2020. Ended Summer of 2024. Four and a half years ago, I responded to a call to artist from LAC about a designing a medal for the Ontario Summer Games to be held in London ON. I had never designed a medal before. I started with taking a walk by the river for some contemplation. Next up, was some research on medal designs through out the years. What did we do before the internet? The reading and observing other designs gives a bit of context and more confidence in what I think I can do and what I want to do. Next up, sketch out some designs in my sketchbook. Next up, narrow down the ideas and execute a finished drawing. Submit. Wait. One of the hardest parts for me was the write up about my design. I know what I want to say, back getting the right words takes me more time than it should. Because there was a short timeline, it was not much of a wait. They picked my design. That was early February 2020. Then, as we all know, everything shut down, due to the COVID-19. Everything was cancelled. Stay at home.
Fast forward four years, it’s now January 2024. The world is basically back to normal. A message comes from LAC, with the news that the Ontario summer games are ago here in London, and my design will be used for the medal. Spring is coming and so is the #ONEweek100people 2024 challenge!
Our book is available at various locations across London. And excited to announce that our book will soon (before Father's Day, in case you are looking for a unique gift for your father) be available at Chapter Indigo North London!! (Richmond Centre, 86 Fanshawe, London, Ontario)
It's been a long time since the release of the books "Barhopping into History, London Ontario" and "Hopping into History, London's Old East Village" by my author friend Kym Wolfe, and myself. It has to be the right project. There are so many craft breweries here in London ON and they each have history and character and awesome craft beer. We are systematically making our way to all of them: testing, talking, observing, taking photos, and interviewing owners and brewmasters.
Starting into my 5th month of creating original greeting cards in support or Humane Society London Middlesex. This month - more dogs, more cats, maybe some rabbits and maybe even a potbelly pig...
Draw every day.... a practice I enjoy and encourage artists to do. Starting in May, I drew human faces daily in my sketchbook. But, one month (31 faces) was enough! Beginning in June, I switched to a daily dog. I had a bundle of greeting cards with a matching envelope and I created an original hand-drawn greeting card of a dog every day for the month of June. Enjoyed it, so I have continued into July. My plan is to sell these greeting cards and give 10% of the retail sales price to Humane Society London & Middlesex. As of yesterday, I have completed 35 original cards and will do today's #dailydog shortly. My normal size home portrait is approximately 4 x 6 inches, matted to 8 x 10 inches, which is small. But these are even smaller and I am calling them my "mini" home portraits. They are approximately 2 x 4 inches, matted to 5 x 7 inches. Based on the size they are much more simplified than a regular home portrait.
The Ontario COVID-19 "stay at home" order, which started January 14, 2021 is giving me more time to try new things. I am still going to work but evenings and weekends I am doing more artwork and enjoying this time very much! At home by myself in the studio, the joy of being an introvert. Another benefit: using up small pieces of paper and matt board.
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