Jennifer Ashley Children's Charity

...Love this charity....it's so worthwhile.  The average family receiving support from JACC have a combined income of $20,000.00...these are families with high medical expenses to care for a physically disabled and/or ailing child.  JACC is there when all other forms of subsidies, tax credits, assistance and support are exhausted.  Thank God for JACC!

This year's theme is Italy...so I painted a beautiful scene from a vineyard that Nick and I stayed at on our trip to Sicily, Italy.
 

Spadafora Estates....a boutique winery....delicious wines on a romantic estate overlooking the vines.  The owner treated us to a private tour of the vines...and tasting that involved consuming 4 bottles of wine over dinner that he prepared for us personally....followed by a short stagger to the winery itself where we discussed the process, vats, filtering, barrelling, aging, etc.  He then selected 2 unlabelled bottles that we later learned were on their way to market.....which we joyfully consumed.  Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Italy.....there's not place like it.....what an incredible experience!! 

From time to time I've see their wines in the vintages section of the LCBO.....the perfect paring to a beautiful piece of art!

My 2012 Spring Show opens March 6

This is an exciting group show that features works by Volunteers and Staff of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Opening Tuesday March 6th....with opening reception on Thursday March 8th.....I'm very excited to feature two of my landscapes in this show.

The Hangman Gallery is at 756 Queen Street East in Leslieville surrounded by fabulous restaurants , shops and cafes.

Artful Living....

Mid November I had a fabulous time teaching an Encaustic Workshop at Stouffville High for the Grade 11 and 12 Sr. Art Students.

The event was written up in the Stouffville Studio Tour Blog.....go to http://stouffvillestudiotour.blogspot.com/ for all the fun details :)

Donating to JACC

Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity.....such a worthwhile cause and excellent way to support children with severe health problems...and the families who love them and carry the financial burdon.

For the last 3 years I have participated in the artist's segment of the fundraiser....painting paddles and stools there were auctioned off. This year I've donated a 12 x 12 painting on board to go with their James Bond theme....Shaken, Not Stirred. At a $200.00 value...the painting turned out great....and I know it will raise more than list price.

I have to tell you...last year we attended the event for the first time....it was fabulous....and we bid on lots of stuff. I won a gorgous chaffing dish...worth twice what I've paid....and a two day trip for two a the Muskoka Riverside Inn. Well our trip for two turned into a trip for 3...no surprise. The Muskoka's never disappoint...and we enjoyed the snowshoeing at Arrowhead Park....on the most heavenly day...amazing scenery...worth painting. Also snowboarding at Hidden Valley....a hidden gem. Lastly a little bowling topped off the trip!

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

March 20th - Toronto ON -Official show openning at Art Square Gallary - for the Markham Group of Artist's exhibit called Breaking Boundaries. In attendance were numerous Markham artist including Wendy LaValle, Valerie Ashton, Lynn Ross to name a few along with many fans, friends and patrons of the Gallery.

Show closes in Toronto on March 28th...and moves to The Hospitality Loft in the Markville Mall (next to Toys R Us) until April 7th.

Enjoy!!

Sooooo Exciiiiiiiiiiiited!!!!!

I'm so excited.....my work was juried today and accepted into a fabulous show called Breaking Boundaries......an exhibit architected by The Markham Group of Artist....and running from March 14 -28....at Art Square Gallery in Toronto!

OOOh-la-la....there are some talented artist in this group...Uptown is coming Downtown...and you won't be disappointed!!!!

My work that's in the show........

The works were juried by Denis Cliff....a well know Canadian Abstract Artist and Professor of Art at the Toronto School of Arts, Flemming College and currently Haliburton School of Arts. Denis took 2 hours to jury the show...and then another 2 hours to provide specific and indepth feedback on all rejected and selected works of art.

For mine....his comments were...."these landscapes are very different.....what they have is an emotional content....a feeling about a place - the colour and everything about it is dissolving, it's all very mysterious and airy - you just want to go to these places....like an Eden...a place where you want to spend all your time." - Denis Cliffe

Although I didn't spend a single second with the man....he nailed the objective of my work in an instant....and selected it for the show......I'M SOOOOOOOOOO EXCIIIIIIIIIIIIITED!!!!

For more details about the show Breaking Boundaries, go to:

http://www.greenartsgallery.com/

http://www.markhamartists.org/

Preview the show here:

http://markhamartists.org/show/breaking_boundaries

Spring Fever

I've got it....what about you? Longer days....warmer temps....snow melting...and so is my WAX!

I've been having lots of fun working in my studio experimenting with new designs, colour schemes....studying abstract expressionism....and basically exploring creative ideas.

A childhood memory has sparked my latest painting spree.........when I was in Grade 6 my school went to the AGO and we were asked to select a painting, study it and write an essay. I choose a Mark Rothko and stunned my teacher with an indepth interpretation. Since then I've been a big fan...and of Ad Reinhardt too...another great Colour Field artist. Simplified colour palettes, elimination of all associations and references are the hallmarks of this style.

So with that influence...here's a preview of what looks to be an emerging new series...

Big, Bold & Weighty....saturated colours....lots of texture....thick with wax...really brings focus to the medium.

"Art is Art. Everything else is everything else.".... Ad Reinhardt