"Carousel"

This drawing, a whimsical grouping of horses,done in colored pencil, is one of my favorite pieces.It is the first drawing that I completed after having a baby.I did it during those early months,both wonderful and overwhelming, while trying to find my way as a new mother. I remember sitting at my drawing table while my daughter was napping,listening to her coo as she awakened,thinking,"I can still do this,I can be an artist and a mother!"
That baby is going to be 22 in a few days and her sister is 18. Once again I find myself overwhelmed.I am amazed at how quickly the time has passed. However, I do not mourn for days gone by. Although I enjoyed every minute of being with my children when they were small,I am so awed at what beautiful,strong young women they have become.It is so thrilling to watch them make their way in this world. They are both wise beyond their years and have accomplished so much in their still young lives.Better still is their unyielding passion to make this world a better place.I am proud beyond belief of my daughters and happy to say that 22 years later I am still an artist and a mother.

"Not All Brick Roads Lead To Oz"

As a child, my favorite movie was "The Wizard Of Oz". I can remember watching it on tv over and over again. It was definately part of the inspiration for my new drawing "Not All Brick Roads Lead To Oz". Another inspiration for this drawing is "Harry Potter" or more specifically "Hogwarts". My daughter got me interested in "Harry Potter" and now I am a fan of both the books and the movies. I find myself particularly fascinated with the architecture of "Hogwarts",especially the columns. I have found that these columnar forms have been coming up repeatedly in my last few drawings.

This drawing also deals with the paths we take in life and how sometimes we stray from the beaten path.(symbolized by "Dorothy's foot").I have learned that life is truly a journey with many twists and turns along the way. The path we start out on is often very far from where we end up. We can only hope that life's path allows us to continually grow and create.After that just sit back and enjoy the ride!

'Chess Anyone" (photo)

Here is the photo of one of my latest drawings "Chess Anyone" that I wrote about in my last post.

"Chess Anyone"

I have just finished a new pencil drawing. It is a very detailed piece with a number of columnar shaped structures that in some way resemble giant chess pieces. In fact, I'm titling it "Chess Anyone".(I will post a photo soon.) When I begin a drawing I'm never quite sure where it will end up. Usually something inspires me, which provides the impetus and from there I just go. Each drawing is like a journey into the unknown as I delve into the crevices of my own mind. It unfolds, taking twists and turns as I explore some new detail and the intricacies of light and shadow,which have always fascinated me. I find it interesting that I never plan out my drawings beforehand because in the rest of my life I am a complete control freak! But I guess for me, drawing is my freedom, my peace, where I relax and allow my mind go where it takes me!

Priorities

"It is through creating not possessing that life is revealed"

Vida Dutton Scudder

American writer 1861-1954

I came across this quote awhile ago and have been thoroughly inspired by it. Creating art is my true passion and when I put my pencil to paper, I am truly at peace. I am beyond grateful for the artistic gift that I have been given and want to push myself to the limit. If I am creating I am growing and learning constantly. At the same time that I satisfy my passion I want to use my art to help others. This is why I am doing "awareness frames" for CancerCare Manitoba.

My friend Marcy succumbed to breast cancer 6 years ago. She was one of the bravest people I have ever met and taught me so much about strength, dignity and what really matters . I remember near the end Marcy telling me that her life had become very small. I asked her what she meant by that and she said that she no longer had energy to do much other than sit on her couch and wait for her children to come home from school. Whatever strength she did have was all for them. I was deeply moved by this and told her that she had one of the "biggest" lives I'd ever known. What could be more important than being there for your children, I said. That conversation had a profound impact on my life and I think of it often especially during tough times. I still miss Marcy terribly and am doing my "awareness frames" in her memory.

This is the original pencil drawing that I donated to Cancercare Manitoba for the Guardian Angel Benefit on October 27. It is titled "An Octopus' Garden".



I chose this drawing because the ribbon woven into the leaf makes me think of awareness giving life and the power to grow. I liked the overall theme of the "garden" and the new beginnings that growth can bring.



As always in my drawings, I like to play with the intricacies of light and shadow. I also like to draw the viewer in, thinking they are looking at something realistic,then realizing it is pure fantasy.

awareness frame

Since I lost a close friend to breast cancer 6 years ago I have been passionate about helping the Guardian Angels. I am thrilled to be doing a limited edition hand painted " Awareness frame".

The frame is selling for $50 and 50% of that will go to the Angels at Cancercare Manitoba. I will be happy to do it in custom colours and personalize if so desired.

We have all been touched by this horrific disease and together we must work to eradicate it.

Mandy