signs of spring

I cannot believe my last entry was just as the frost was approaching, and it is now April! Mind you the frost has not quite yet disappeared yet, so it seems even the seasons are late this year.
I have been so busy this winter that not a moment was found to write......so here is what is new.
I was very excited this January to have the opportunity to photograph the advertising campaign for Diane's Lingerie, they are celebrating their 25th anniversary on South Granville and the images
will be used in major newspapers, magazines, transit, a direct mail catalogue and on their website.
It was a bit of a departure for me, and yet working with beautiful women & sumptuous textiles in a graceful home with exquisite interiors, I was also completely in my element.
We created some very lovely evocative images.

In February I retreated to Salt Spring Island for a week to paint and be at one with the quietude of nature. I had the pleasure of my friends gorgeous modern home perched high on a bluff,
and painted as the snow fell silently like a curtain between myself and the sea.
I took care of their animals...[ donkeys, sheep, chickens, cats & dogs to be exact ] collected warm fresh eggs in the morning and found deer antlers along my mossy morning walks.
I also produced many new works in this tranquil setting, a creative outpouring of slightly new imagery.

One of these paintings, ' a hundred drifting moons has passed ' was part of a group show ART VERSUS POETRY at the Snap Gallery in March.
I was scheduled to have a solo show at the Snap Gallery for May 1st and had been creating a new body of work with this in mind, looking forward to working with Barry in his spacious
venue to showcase my larger works, but due to sudden unfortunate circumstances regarding Snap Gallery I will no longer be proceeding with this exhibit.

The result of this is [ in addition to approximately 20 other works ] I have 11 new paintings in my gallery/boutique since the New Year available for viewing.
Yes, we are running out of wall space but fortunately the work continues to be very well received and 4 paintings destined for that show have already sold.

I also have recently found some great antique garden treasures while road tripping to Seattle and the shop is looking very zen and soulful with my new earthy paintings.
New design opportunities have also opened up for me and I am anticipating creating some new textile and ceramic lines for a Canadian based home decor line.
I have just recently completed shooting and styling the online and print catalogue for this company as well, so it has been very busy with my commercial photography indeed.
Upcoming photo features will be running in both Western Living and Western Living Condo in the next few months, and a large painting of mine owned by television personality Susie Wall
is currently featured in an editorial in the April issue of Canadian House and Home.

Looking forward to ambient weather so I can get out with my camera again just for me! As I write, the shy sun has finally made an appearance...........
aahhh, I finally got my moment, and captured these signs of spring on a beautiful balmy saturday evening, crocuses in bloom, wild rabbits burrowing in the brambles, a glorious magnolia placed in the grass by a passerby