These barns are a bit bigger than I usually paint. Each canvas measures 16″x16″.
Category: Art
Finding Balance
My biggest challenge in motherhood so far has been finding that ever elusive life-work balance. In my perfect world I would have a few days of doing this…
followed by some lovely days like this…
The hard part is not feeling a little resentful (for not having time to work) when I’m doing this…
or not feeling really guilty (for not being with my kids) when I’m doing this.
It’s especially difficult in times like this when my girls are having a hard time. I know things will work out. If we are patient and easy on ourselves, the perfect balance will come.
quiet, alone
The kindest of people thought of me to be their studio-sitter this summer.
You know that feeling of not realizing how much you miss something that you haven’t had in so long?
That’s what I’m feeling right now… plus the pure bliss of having a quiet space to be alone and work.
It’s so good!
some recent paintings
One for a new little baby in Ottawa,
and one for a cute local family.
island poems
The Island Poems Show is up and open at the Guild. It runs from now until April 30th.
The poem I had to work from was a beautiful poem by Jane Ledwell about water. There was a line in her poem that I couldn’t get out of mind, about how water sings in frozen snow… this piece developed from there.
(I’ve been asked to share the poem… not sure why I didnt think of that!)
*Here’s it is*
Spring, Water
desert vision, mirage of trembling water;
the mind wavers words – in the mouth clings water.
see you bathe your earthen eyes in cloud-sprung light;
the sunlight flashes, from your lash springs water.
those ocean-minded crabs move backwards, headlong;
across the sand the frothing wave slings water.
a season breaks and melts in welters of mud;
trapped deep inside white winter snow sings water.
feet puddle-splashed, face to the rain, my child oh –
oh world of love and breath, make all things water.
squeezing it all in…
I’m busy getting ready to leave for 5 days. I’m trying to squeeze as much I can into these last couple of days.
Like:
one on one time with this sweet girl…
getting as many cuddles as I can from this little monkey …
desperately trying to finish this piece for an upcoming show. … my hands hurt from all the stitching!
family portrait
I just finished this family portrait for a friend of my sister’s who just got married. She has a little budgie that is always on her head (so cute) and had a pet duck that passed away. My sister told me she still tears up talking when she talks about him.
I’m going to bring it to her when I go visit her in Montreal later this week. I’m going to meet my new little niece and nephew! So excited to hold those new little babies, but also feeling some anxiety about leaving my little babes for longer than I’ve ever been away from them…
Little Peeks
Here’s a little peek at the back of a fabric piece I’m working on for the upcoming “this town is small” collaborative island poems show. I find myself photographing the backs of fabric pieces just as much as the fronts.
Want to see what’s in my purse?
slow going
I just finished this for a little girl just born in Vancouver.
Work ‘s been slow going in these parts. I’ve had my girl home with me for almost 2 weeks. Her school was closed due to mould. She starts tomorrow at a new school, where her 11 year old cousin also goes… she’s pretty excited about that!
more barns
Been painting more barns…
matching big foots
One of my gifts to the girls this Christmas were matching Bigfoot tees. Trying to get a picture of them both in them has been a challenge! Ila loves the shirt but wants to wear nothing but “monkey jammies” and Sosi doesn’t like pictures being taken of her lately.
The shirts are beautifully made, I’m really happy with them. You can get yours here.
Happy weekend folks!
recent custom pieces
I’ve been busy making fabric portraits these past couple of weeks. I love working on these more than anything lately. So fun.
Now it’s time to get busy with some last minute Christmas knitting and gift wrapping!
Work in progress…
I’m very much enjoying doing fabric pieces these days. This one just got started. I was very happy to find that lovely round frame at a thrift store last week.
this weekend
I helped Donnalee hang the pieces for the Out of Purgatory Auction on Wednesday. It was a lot of fun. I was so happy to see my piece again, I’m seriosuly thinking of buying it back. It feels like it should be with me.
The auction is going on until Saturday night. Stop by the Guild between 12:00 and 5:00 to make a bid. There is a little final bidding party on Saturday from 7:00-9:00. Hope to see you there.
The Small Fancy this week is pretty fun, the theme is “Stuff Vancouverties/Charlottetownians like“.
Have a great weekend.
works in progress
also on my desk right now… and no matter how I try to organize it, it always ends up looking like this…
This Saturday evening at The Guild there will be a Silent auction of the Out of Purgatory pieces. It will run from 7:00-9:00.
rainy day sweetheart
It’s feeling very Vancouver-y here in Charlottetown these days. Lots of rain…
I’ve been working on some fabric pieces to send off to that lovely city. This one is going to be heading to the Cross.
Also, if you are Vancouver, don’t forget to check out the Jupiter Project’s T-shirt show at Tees.
Lori Joy Smith 
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