Behind Closed Doors

oil on canvas
250cm x 99 cm

Here is the finished (okay, I've done a couple more touch ups since this picture was taken) version of the painting of Linda. There are a few things I would do differently if I was to do this painting over but on a whole I think it's pretty good for the first painting this year. The one I'm working on will have more of the elements that I would have liked to have put in this one. I guess that's why I am still in school.

A Very Good Week

This has been a very good week for me on the artistic front. Some of these accomplishments may seem small in the grand scheme of things to some but for me they are the reasons that being here, in Florence and going back to school are so worth while. I could never look back in regret. I don't think I have ever been so happy and my understanding each little thing and it's importance is what makes it so wonderful.

Right now in Waterloo Ontario all of my work is hanging in fancy restaurant that just openned up before I left. Its seemed like a good option for storing my work while I'm over here. Right away I sold one of my very old paintings, Blues Man, and yesterday Lance finished the sale of theis self portrait on mylar. What makes it so great for me is that it is one of my recent works. It tells me that not only what I am doing is the right thing but that working in large format does not have to be a deterent if the right people see it. I am very happy this week.

Whodun?t

Today I wrote the school to ask about how the Whodun?t auction went this year. I had Lance send in a piece I had completed last year during my Materials and Process class taught by Professor Michéle White. It's a picture of me done in oils on stained paper. They liked it so much that they put it in the opening night gala, that people pay $125 to get into. During the evening they can bid on the work selected to be sold that night is bid on and can bring any price. The rest of the work is sold over the weekend and everything goes for $75. My piece sold for $260 which is thrilling because it is only the size of a postcard and when it was done it was as a study more than anything. The school also asked me if they could use the image in their promotional package that was ogoing out to all the newspapers etc. Of course I said yes and because of this they used my image on Breakfast Television as well as in an article in the Toronto Star. I'm very happy.

Sunday night Din Din

When we first arrived here in Florence, my roomates and I decided to start taking turns cooking dinner once a week. One week it's Lindsay and I and the next it's Erin and Linda. Here are some pictures taken a few weeks back when it was our turn to cook (Lindsay and I). The menu for the night was stuffed artichokes and polenta and fried zucinni...yum yum. Tonight is Sunday again and the meal will be a surpise for us since it isn't our turn to cook.

Latest Encaustic

Here's a picture of the encaustic I've done here so far. I hope to have at least one more finished for our show in 3 weeks. This one is of Linda, again wearing that Phantom of the Opera mask I bought here. I liked the way in the picture that the mask disappeared into the background.

More Siena

All of these pictures (except the one of Erin) were taken in the city center where the hold horse races a few times a year. The races are between different families and it's very competetive as well as very dangerous for the horses. Each race horses end up being put down as a result. These races have been going on for years and years and animal rights groups in Europe would like to see them stopped. The open space is also a place to hang out and meet people. The group picture I took is of my roomies, Erin, Lindsay and Linda and the other two girls are Erin's friends who are also studing here Claudia and Angela. The picture of Erin is one taken from the look out. The other group picture is D9, Yang, Tyler, Christie and Yi with Paulette and her friend standing talking to them.

More Siena

I've been taking a lot more pictures of people these days. As well I get pictures from my roomates. The one of me standing...where I look like I'm about to burst into a song...well Lindsay took it and she thought it's a good funny one so I'm posting it. It was a beautiful day there...I'd like to make it back.

Siena

Here are some pictures taken in Siena. It's a beautiful city but that isn't new here in Italy. One of the ones I'd like to live in except it seems very touristy. Again...nothing new in Italy I guess. The picture of my roomates and I is my favourite. It's taken on the remains of a huge church that was never completed because it started collapsing down the hill. At the top of the wall you can lookj out over the whole city. It was spectacular.

Halloween Party

The party was fun. All the roomates of D9 dressed up as Yi. It was quite comical and they all seemed to have fun. The real Yi, had a few too many as you can see in the one picture with her head between her knees. She went to bed pretty soon after we arrived. It was a nice night out and I love getting dressed up.

Getting Ready for Halloween

For Halloween this year D9 had a party at their home. This is a hot of me getting ready for the night out. Not a very attractive picture but it was a fun costume to put together.

Rainboots in Venice

This is a picture of Linda and I while we were in Venice taken by my roomate. I thought it was a good one showing our lovely rainboots. I LOVED Venice!!