I feel like life is reviving itself: Days are getting longer, we’ve had more sun and some mild temps. Things are moving, and getting done. Feeling good.
Be warned: I’ve been busy covering a lot of ground, this is like four blogs in one!
ART CONTEST WINNER
First things first: Thank you to everyone who participated in the “Sharing The Love: Spring Equinox” art contest. There were some beautiful Canadian photos shared, and the winner is Carol-Lynn Mills (one lucky woman- I just finished a large custom piece for her, and now she’s won the custom mini-painting)!
This is her photo of Hopewell Rocks, when she drove out east and traveled through New Brunswick. What a perfect Canadian Landmark to be painted, cannot wait to get started!
LITTLE LIBRARY PROJECT
This volunteer project surfaced towards the end of 2016. I had the perfect vision for it, before I saw the actual “little library.” The original plan was to paint it like a 3D map of Canada- but the cedar shingle roof destroyed that vision instantly. So had to start brainstorming some new ideas. I really wanted to stay with my Canadian theme, but without it being too patriotic (visions of red and white, maple leafs, flags… not my thing). I love our land: Canadian wilderness, our natural resources, and the vast landscapes.
I decided instead of doing a map, I would focus on the 4 directions (North, East, South and West), with some sort of icon or landmark for that part of our Country. North would be Aurora Borealis; South will be the Great Lakes; East the rocky shores and light house; West the Rocky Mountains.
This is still a work in progress (will paint a compass on the roof, draw the outline of the Great Lakes on the glass door, and improve that mountain), but after sitting on it for five months, it feels good to have it going!
CUSTOM WORK
2017 has had me busy with custom art! This is my new favourite, inspired by the original “Surf” paintings, but modified to fit a tight kitchen space!
Next on the list is this Canadian Prairies “Sinking” Church (Saskatchewan?). Such a cool photo, I’m excited to transfer this into a painting.
OTHER BUSINESS
During the March Break I took a trip to Toronto, and had an incredibly powerful visit with my wise-old-soul-cousin Jessica. She’s been self-employed as a successful life-style photographer for over 15 years, and she had a lot of wisdom and ideas to share that certainly inspired me (below: photo credit and logo credit go to her).
Over the last few years I have kept my art separate from my yoga business. However, between 2006 and 2010 I had my own studio space that I ran as a yoga AND art studio. It was a creative hub for the community. Jessica reminded me of this, and suggested I start collaborating the two businesses again. Since she planted that seed, there’s been so many other ideas growing.
Check out my fresh, new and improved, yoga blog: The Gentle Way of Hatha (also note the new ART tab there). You can find me on Instagram too, sharing photo moments of art, yoga and life.
Friends- Spring is here. Start planting some seeds to grow in your life, love, and passions! It’s time to revive.
Jennifer Anne Burke 