I just came back from a very busy and productive trip to the Lower Mainland in British Colombia. I’d been watching the road reports all week hoping that winter wouldn’t rear it’s ugly head and I am happy to report, the roads were great.  While the main reason to go to the coast was to visit some family, the trip itself was timed so that I could do two demonstrations at the Opus Art Supply Store in Langley.

 Saturday morning I did a demonstration on how to plan and execute a live painting and I basically showed the participants how you can lead your viewers down rabbit trails and all the ways that viewers fill in the gaps when you start and finish a piece right before their eyes.

 For the Sunday morning demo, I walked participants through all the tools and steps required for basic printmaking as well as ways you can use that skill for a variety of applications. That was fun because after we were finished I took a bunch of the viewers on a field trip to the printmaking aisle (my favorite at Opus) and we checked out all different options for tools and supplies. Shopping vicariously is always a treat.

 One really special moment for me was being able to chat with some early arrivals about the pieces I had on display at the store. Somehow the topic of my Teacup series came up and I shared about how I used that series to work through grief. I had a few ladies come back afterwards to share how they also connected art and grieving. It was a moment I was grateful to be a part of.

 Now I am back into the local swing of things, I will be putting my focus back onto the Intersection Art Project and preparing for my upcoming Christmas Events:

Nov. 5th - 13th Christmas in the Country, Leighton Art Centre – I have a selection of hand pulled prints and paintings available. See more info here. 

Nov. 19th - Card Making Workshop, Leighton Art Centre – Using basic printmaking techniques, students will explore the versatility of using linocut to create cards and other gift items. Everyone will leave with a selection of handmade cards and their own stamps. Sign up for it here.

Nov. 25th/26th - AKCS Christmas Market, Airdrie – A full selection of my paintings, hand pulled prints, cards and textiles will be available for sale at this amazing little Christmas Market. I will be on site for the entire event demonstrating with my tabletop letterpress. More market information can be found here.

Some of you might not know, but I am a Langley, BC girl. I grew up in the Lower Mainland and graduated from Langley Fine Arts School. When I had the opportunity to do some demos at the Opus Art Supplies store there, I jumped at the chance!

I also have a long history with Opus. I remember taking the bus all the way into Granville Island as a teenager and just being absolutely overwhelmed with the selection of art supplies available. I used to save my money up to make this trek and come home with mysterious bottles and packages filled with deep coloured pigments and tools that I couldn't wait to learn how to use. 

I still feel that way. I've been making a little list for ages of all the things I cannot wait to bring home with me this weekend.! 

If you are in the Lower Mainland, I'd LOVE to see you at these demos! They are free to attend but you do need to register, so please feel free to call or email the Opus Langley location to get your name on the list. 

These are the two demonstrations I will be doing: 

Storytelling Through Live Painting
Sat, October 22, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Art and a show: Learn the intricacies of choreographing a live painting!

Join painter, Michelle Wiebe, as she demonstrates how to engage an audience by choreographing a live painting from start to finish. She will walk participants through the process of preparing and painting work that will keep viewers riveted while they watch the art unfold before their eyes.
Important aspects covered will be: how to best use paints and brushes within a tight time frame for maximum audience impact. Attendees will learn skills to help them take their paintings out of the studio and into the spotlight.

Making a Good Impression - Printmaking for Art, Cards, and Fabric 
Sun, October 23, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Start creating one of a kind gifts, stamps, prints, and patterns with the skill of block printing!
Artist, Michelle Wiebe will walk participants through the ancient art of printmaking. During this fast paced demo she will share some of the history, tools and processes involved in pulling one of a kind linocut prints.
Utilizing the versatile skill of block printing she will show you how you produce gallery quality prints, stamp patterns onto fabric as well how to make beautiful, one of a kind cards and gifts.
Attendees will learn how with a few simple tools they can create an impressive variety of handmade items.

Space is limited and registration is required.
Please visit Opus Langley or contact them at 604‑533‑0601 to register.

There was a time where a lot of my work came from private commissions, my favorite pieces were usually of people's pets. A friend of mine recently contacted me to have a piece done in memory of her sweet greyhound that had just passed away. Paintings like this are always bittersweet - on one hand it is great to be able to bring a photo memory to life but on the other, you realize your work will be part of the grieving process for the owner. Still, that is a privilege to walk with someone in this way. 

While I was capturing this dog's likeness, I couldn't help but notice features that are shared by my own dog, Ivy. She is a Husky/Greyhound mix and there are sculptural details that can only come from a dog that is bred to be sleek and fast. So much fun! 

While things are gearing up in the studio for a busy couple of weeks, I have kept aside a couple small commission spaces in my schedule if any of you are thinking of having a piece made for Christmas. Please allow two weeks from the time of booking to mailing. If there is a completed piece you've seen on this site or social media that you are interested in, I can mail those any time up the deadlines. Mailing deadlines for regular parcels through Canada Post are: 

 Overseas (Europe) - October 28th 
 United States - December 12th
 Canada - December 12th

Feel free to send me a message if you would like a quote, want a completed piece or have any questions!

 There is something about moving that just creeps into every aspect of your existence. This blog post has been delayed for over a week because all sorts of other, unrelated delays have piled up. Oh well, things are starting to smooth out in the studio!

 After taking a scheduled break from the Intersection Art Project for July and August, I hit the ground running in September. With some careful planning, I was able to meet with the New Covenant Alliance Church in Calgary. Their name is a little like a brown paper bag... kind of standard and non-descript. However, when you open that bag, you can see that inside is a rich tapestry bursting with colour and texture.  When asked what made their church unique, their pastor told me it’s how energetic and passionate their people worship through singing and dancing.

 While their preaching is done in English, this church has strong ties to the Arabic speaking community in Calgary. A lot of what they do is geared towards breaking through cultural boundaries to unite people within the community. Many of these people are immigrants or children of immigrants who are forming their identity outside of the cultural landscape of their ancestors. They do a lot of this using the universal language: food. This is a community that likes to share meals together, be hospitable and generous.
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 This piece is called Freedom Dance – it is meant to embody the idea of passionate worship. The broken chains represent breaking free from old lives and cultural boundaries. I wanted to capture movement with the frenetic line work. It was complicated but fun to paint this piece, that in itself felt a bit like a dance.