KARLENE BLAND FINE ART - MY BLOG

Meet the Artists at Heritage Mississauga...

11/19/2024

I am part of @saugapleinairgroup , a collective of artists who gather to paint on location. Our artistic activities centre around appreciating the beauty of mother nature and engaging with the local community. This exhibition showcases some of our artwork. Join us at the reception this evening and view the many pieces capturing the beauty of our beloved city, Mississauga.

Sponsored by @heritagemississauga
Entrance to Heritage Mississauga is on Sir Johns Homestead.

OPENING RECEPTION AND ARTISTS MEET UP:

19th November🔥
6:00-9:00pm

Exhibition dates:
NOV-19-2024 TO JAN-16-2025
9:00AM - 4:00PM
TUESDAY-FRIDAY

Painting Sunflowers...

9/16/2024

Painting sunflowers on a foggy day which meant sunflowers weren't quite as perky...
But still a sensory charged day for me...
Chatting with passers-by, seeing friends and I got to paint sunflowers for the first time!!
Something I had always wanted to do when I drove by sunflower fields in France but didn't get a chance to ...
Can you spot the funny faces? 😆
Thank you to @mississauga.arts and @mylakeviewvillage for the privilege. 🙏🏼
Hope you are having a great start to your week, dear friends. 🥰 🌻 ☀️
#mississaugaartscouncil #lakeviewvillage #pleinairpainter #paintingonlocation #pleinairmag #sunflowerpainting #acrylicpainter

Gathering of Friends...

8/22/2024

SOLD
"Gathering Of Friends", 30"x 40"

Diane saw my painting in the corridor going in and out of her office..
" Every time I saw it, it made me so happy"

She was going to contact me but then her parents' health conditions worsened...

They passed within a short time of each other...
A few months later, she finally had the mind space to give me a call to purchase the painting from me...
Email from Diane, I was happy to read:
"I wanted to show you the result, I got your artwork framed.
It is beautiful, and I feel so grateful that I get to look at it every day! It brings me so much joy!"

I wonder if the 3 birds to her, represent her parents and her, forever together in a happy memory surrounded by prolific nature..
Just like the old times when she was with her beloved Mom & Dad...
Our parents in the end, when we are lucky, become our best friends too.

Glad we got a chance ...

7/22/2024

Painting With Seniors Friends...
I asked where Margo is...
The staff took a big stride towards me to speak in a lowered voice: "She will be receiving MAID(medical assistance in dying) tomorrow"
I couldn't hide how shocked I was: "But she was just painting happily with me at a Paint & Sip Party 2 weeks ago..she was energetic and excited, chatty and focused..why MAID now? May I go see her?"
Staff, to my surprise, agreed: " Come, let me take you to her room"
I hesitated and held back for a moment: " I am not sure I can hold it together.."
But I knew I would regret not seeing her...
She was lying on the couch covered with a blanket despite the summer temperature...
She opened her eyes to greet me..
"Hey, Margo..I just came to see if you'll come downstairs to paint.." mustering up a smile
"Not today, Hon.." struggling a smile back.." I love my horse painting though"
"You make sure you keep painting cos you enjoy it so much! You get to keep on doing what you love in heaven.." I clumsily said
" I sure will"

Margo had only recently picked up painting in her 80's..
She bounced into class with energetic enthusiasm, a contagious cheeryness and a need for speed to complete her painting...

This is a muscle I am forced to exercise over the years...
I can let my tears drop but to let go my senior painting friends when they make a transition ...
RIP Margo, ty for showing me how you lived a life with no regrets 🥰

Hope you're enjoying a good day, dear friends..for everyday is a Gift. 🥰

A stroll by the water's edge...

7/2/2024

Forecast may be for hot weather...
But it is always noticeably cooler/ colder by the water ...
Learned this lesson before but still got caught without a jacket...

A Mom came by with a baby in short sleeves in a stroller ...
Mommy caught in the same predicament..
A brilliant sun can be deceiving

HOPE YOU ENJOYED A LOVELY CANADA DAY WEEKEND, dear friends! I feel over the moon blessed to be living in Canada! I am betting you do too!

#paintingonlocation #pleinairartists #tranquilitybythewater #pleinairmag #summerwalker

At Home at Bronte..

6/5/2024

Delivered my "Bird Songs" hand painted Muskoka Chair for Bronte Harbour, At Home In Bronte Project...
Tricky at times assembling the chair...
But satisfying to have it finished...

May you find many moments of communing with nature and loved ones...
May you watch the sun rise and sun downs by the water with gladness in your hearts...
May your weariness from a hard day melt away...
As you take time to just sit and be... 🥰 🌸 ☀️
@brontebia @bumoutdoorca Bronte B.I.A. Bronte Events

#bumoutdoor.ca #bronteharbour #brontebia #handpaintedfurniture #muskokachairs #birdsongs

Launched into painting outside season...

5/16/2024

Have been painting in the studio or car since last fall...
To plunge myself into painting outside leaving the comforts of warmth and controlled conditions...
I decided to accept the invitation to paint at the Joshua Creek Heritage Centre

The sun played hide and seek with the clouds all day...
During which I had to load and unload my jacket a couple of times...
Thankfully the forecast for rain held off ...
But the wind picked up with surprising speed playfully chasing our hair, rags and paper..

Surrounded though by such pretty spring flowers and friendly faces...
So glad I made it a date to go participate... I now have been officially launched into plein air painting season again! 😄

Enjoy the ever warming up season, dear friends! 🥰 🌷 ☀️

#plein #paintingonlocation #holbeinacrylics #pleinairpainter #landscapepainting

Morning Song....

5/6/2024

SOLDAs I slowly emerge from slumberland..
The softness and warmth of my bed locks me in ...
I try to remember what I am to do this new day..
A smorgasbord of things...nothing yet too compelling.. flashes across my brain....
But when the cheery chirps of your morning song seep into my awakeness..
I remember I have a tune to dance to...
An exciting life to taste and experience...
Tasks to be completed..both the purposeful and the mundane..
All while dancing in syn to the tune...
Whistling in my heart and my head
Hope you enjoying a lovely Spring Day, dear friends!
impressionisticart #paintinglive #everythingflowers #loveflower #colorpassionjoy #paintingflorals #paintingwhiteflowers #acrylicpainter #holbeinacrylicpaints #inspirationfromnature #inspirationfromflowers #loveofflowers #yellowbird #butterfly_n_flower

Pet portrait commissions...

4/20/2024

SOLD
Commissioned paintings of beloved pet, Ruby, as gifts for his Mom...
The first time I did some paintings of her other beloved pets was years ago..
Thank you for trusting me again to memorialize the memory of a special furry friend which gave your Mom years of joy and pleasure.
Have a restful, peaceful weekend, dear friends
#dog #dogs #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #pets #petportrait #petportraitartist #portrait #animalart #dogart #furryart

I am experiencing "The Blues" today...

3/13/2024

Wanted to practise sketching some buildings
But a series of vehicles were in the way...
I could repark but being lazy I decided to include the vehicles...
Which..sigh became more of a sketch of vehicles...
But wait! Do I see something that is electrifyingly blue in my scene?
YAY! I got to test my free Faber Castell set of 'The Blues" at last!
Made a color chart of "The Blues"
THANK YOU, #FABER-CASTELL! 🙏🏼 🥰 ☀️
#fabercastellbrushpens #fabercastellartistpittpens #uskto #usktoronto #urbansketcher #carsketching #holbeinacrylic #holbeinbrush #strathmorewatercolorsketchbook #sketchingonlocation #theblues