How “Saida” got her title.

29×21 inches, painted in the early 90’s.  I was exhibiting a lot at the time, at Granville Island in Vancouver. This beautiful woman just came out on the paper. I used some lovely pearl paint in the fan. When I look at the picture I can feel the line made to create her curvaceous back. She is so sensual! The paper used was so lovely too. It just drank the paint up perfectly, to get the effect I was after.

Soon after completing this painting, here is what occurred.

A woman who I had met at Granville Island Market called me. She said, “I’m right around the corner from you. Can I come over?” This was before I had my studio. I of course said, “Yes! Come right over.” My hubby and son and I who had been watching a movie, and eating junk food in our pajamas in our completely messy house, scrambled as fast as we possibly could to clean up the house, get dressed, pull the art out of the closet, and make it look like an instant art studio in less than ten minutes. Whew. She knocked. I elegantly answered the door. It looked like we were open for business, and everything was as it should be. Kyle and Jack disappeared into another area of the house. And entered a lovely  woman, and her two friends.  I greeted them, and I think my mouth may have fallen open and my look may have been that of extreme surprise. For here she was. The lady in my painting. I said, “You have to see this painting I just made.” I went and got it. Oh, she did love it. I said “I don’t know how, but this is a painting of you! ” She agreed. I told her that I would like to name the painting after her, which I did.  I never saw her again. She purchased a few items, and gave me a few wonderful tips on where I could promote my work. Lovely and supportive.  Some people have so much presence. She is one of those people, and it was an honour to meet her. I know she also felt honoured to have the painting named after her. My daughter in law Catherine later purchased this painting.  I love that she loves my art.

Little Woman

only 12×6 inches, acrylic and beads. This tiny painting was inspired by the large painting “Woman” and was painted for an exhibit of miniatures I had at St Lawrence Market.

This is a very current painting. I’m very proud of it! It’s small and has a small story. I was looking at “Woman” that hangs in my hallway, and happened to have a canvas that was much smaller and the same shape, and went “hmmmmmm” I think I’ll make a small similar painting.  Oh, great, there is a little space between the stretcher bars to do some beading. Perfect. I went and found the perfect beads in my bead drawer, and proceeded.

I am also on a mission to create a gift line of paintings with Priscilla.The problem with a gift line is that it’s hard to keep up with the demand.  Once people fall in love, those little paintings get consumed pretty quickly. (I am almost out, and need to make more) Now, this is inspiring a story.  I have a passion for miniatures. When I first started out as an artist in Vancouver, I sold my art almost exclusively door to door. I also set up a few paintings on the street in Gas Town. That was tough because there were bums who would “help me” set up, and want money, and they were aggressive. I didn’t like that part. I was so willing to do whatever it took.  I just wanted people to see my work, and I didn’t care in the least if the art community was liking it or not. My passion for getting my art out there was just as strong as my passion to paint, and my biggest joy was and still is, when someone really appreciated a painting or card or embroidery and I made hundreds of wonderful friends , and sold enough work to keep me going. I had a fantasy that I would one day create a miniature art gallery. The fantasy was for a doll house sized gallery. Beautiful with brick walls to hang the paintings, and the actual miniatures would be hanging in this doll house gallery, making it look as though the paintings were huge, in the tiny building.  I would have little “people” positioned inside the doll house gallery, looking at the paintings. The front would be opened, of course so the real people could see what was in there.  It would be two levels, and each little painting would have its own little gallery light over it. (Miniature of course) and there would be a couple of tall skinny windows with really beautiful drapes held open with miniature cords and tassels.  I can imagine “Little Woman” hanging in there. She would look like  she was huge in the gallery, with the tiny people looking at her. LOL I never did do it. Perhaps I still should!

I still think it’s a great idea!

http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=1082016

Paradise

40×30 inches, acrylic on canvas. I had been living in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, and became very ill, having lost people whom I loved dearly.  This is the story of this painting. Many people have heard the condensed version, which is ” I moved from New York, to Vancouver, and it was so pretty there, I decided to make this painting and call it Paradise”. You are getting the in-depth details.

My husband at the time this was all happening was with me, but not. I don’t know how to describe the disconnect we had. I was falling fast, and I guess he just couldn’t conceive of my pain. I was sick with grief and couldn’t eat. I became anorexic. I went from about 135 pounds,  to 75 pounds in a two-year period.

My beautiful and wonderful sister helped me get to Vancouver. I will never forget our arrival. My youngest Priscilla who was straddled across me on the plane, threw up all over my dress. What a position to be in! It happened just as we were landing. I had only Angela (her older sister) to help me. She was five years old, and completely grossed out by it!  It was like she could not believe this. How could she be there with the barf?!! and after living in Hells Kitchen for over a decade, I wasn’t about to hand Priscilla over to a stranger, while I changed my clothes. (Which, by the way, were in my suitcase, that I had to go and collect from the baggage area)  After the plane landed, we ran into a bathroom, and I cleaned my dress as much as I could, while Angela sat with her sister, and gagged. Then I attended to Priscilla. Angela was completely traumatized by the entire affair! Then I went and got our suitcase, and then back to the bathroom to get changed.

We must have taken an extra long time to come out of the gates where my sister Susy was waiting for us. I was so happy to see her, and she was devastated to see me. I  must have looked like a holocaust victim or something. All skin and bones.  She smiled, we hugged, and started off to my parents’ house in Kitsilano. (A lovely section of Vancouver, close to the beach). As we drove through the streets, lined with big beautiful trees, Angela was very impressed. “Mom, is this a National Park?” She was looking out of the window . When we arrived my parents were thrilled to see us. Angela was enjoying all the attention, and was very amused by my Dad. She sat on the couch and said `Grandpa, your gonzo mushuganah!`(I don’t know if I spelled that right. I think it’s Yiddish. He was so-o-o-o- excited to meet his Grand daughter Priscilla, who looked very much like my Mom, who she was named after.  He already met Angela, but this was his first time meeting Priscilla. She, on the other hand, took one look at this big, excited, strange man and started screaming at the top of her lungs, refusing to go into the house for about two hours.

My parents rented us a basement apartment that we called the bubble gum house. It was bright pink inside. Priscilla thought she was in Barbie Princess paradise. I did have it re-painted (against Priscilla’s miniature protests). It was a bit too bright pink for me. We were in  Kitsilano, walking distance to the beach. It was all the healing and loving, and many days at the beach that allowed me to start to bounce back. My third husband Carl finally joined me and we rented a house.  I was almost back to health and happiness but still, very skinny, and just starting to get over things.  I was able to get some spiritual counseling in Los Angeles, and this really helped me get my health back, and my spirits back. I was feeling very alive and wonderful, and it was after this spiritual counseling that I realized I wanted to paint. I had Scientology Assists and these were so amazing. I was able to get back in communication with my body, and I started to just steadily gain back my health.  And then the counseling on top of that. I felt like a whole person again!

All of these experiences are in this painting. The journey from noisy, concrete  New York, to laid back, green and beautiful Vancouver,  the love for my children, my recovery, the love and help of my family and the absolute beauty of where I was, after I was recovered.

That’s the full story behind the painting. This painting belongs to John and Lisa Bell. A lovely and wonderful home.

www.ArtCardsWanted.com/card.cfm?ID=21450

Woman

48x24x2 inches, painted on the sides, this is simply my celebration of our strength, our beauty and our nurturing natures.   I was delighted when I created this painting. I have heard artists on award shows, who say “And I thank God for this” and I heard a story, (I don’t know how accurate it is) that Michael Jackson called someone he was working with at 3:00 in the morning, to tell him about a song he just realized, and the guy said “Michael, It’s 3:00 in the morning. Tell me tomorrow. And Michael said “God gave me this song, and I have to act on it now or he’ll give it to Prince” I understand that.  Sometimes art is simply Devine inspiration. You just sit in front of a canvas and what occurs, occurs.  She is still for sale, and currently graces the hallway of my home.  Currently I am experimenting with an on line auction I’ve created in my face book page. (Woman is in it) If you’d like to check that out, the link is here.  It’s a curious thing.  I try to entice people to buy my paintings, and then I am afraid they will!! LOL  The solution of course is to paint more!

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