Representational paintings done by Canadian artist Tessa Stanley. Landscapes, portraits and more
EXCITING TIMES! I will be adding my art and beadwork to the fabulous art / craft selection found at the Fernie Arts Co-op. I have been doing layouts of paintings to see what will fit. I am also going to try setting up my tent at the Fernie Mountain Market in July as well as at the Whyte Avenue Art Walk in Edmonton, July 12th. I’ve been busy painting and beading in anticipation.
Spring and summer have been enjoyably busy so far, with gardening, painting and sewing. I am psyching up for a festival in August, where I get to put up my tent and sell my wares. Lots of family and friends are arriving soon for some much anticipated visiting and shenanigans. Time flys by!
I have been fairly busy preparing for an upcoming Beading / Baby Moccasin making workshop that I will be teaching – thank you to the Elk Valley Metis Association for providing funding for the workshop!
Prior to Christmas I also managed to create a few paintings, mostly from my fabulous trip to Haida Gwaii. One has already been sold. A new painting is on the easel, but it is LARGE, so may be some time before it is finished.
Having Metis status, I finally accomplished a bucket list item and recently learned how to bead and sew a proper pair of mukluks and some moccasins. I had watched both of my Grandmothers create many beautiful handmade items, but never thought to sit down with them to learn in my ‘youth’.
Well, recently I received an extraordinary ‘gift’. Beads, porcupine quills, leather and other items, inherited from my Grandmother and Great-great Grandmother. There were some gorgeous examples of their craft / art skill as well, which I have pictured below. I am so inspired by their skill that I am itching to start beading again. Painting may once again be set aside for a time while I finish a couple of beading projects I had started.
Every now and then I find life happens and I prioritize family and other aspects of my life – ignoring my art to some degree. The past year or so this has happened somewhat regularly, with family health, moves, etc taking precedence. No apologies really, but I have missed painting on a regular basis.
This last month, I and the spousal unit took a vacation to the west coast in our van. It was wonderful and I kept a journal as I do on most trips. Below are some of the sketches from the journey. With winter coming, some of the photos and sketches are bound to turn into a painting or two.
Spring and summer have always been a busy time & this year has been far busier than usual. With a move, landscaping, gardening, visitors and camping trips, very little time was dedicated to painting. Today – finally – I have put a nice dent in a painting I had started a couple of months ago. Here’s a step by step of the painting process so far.
The underpainting – using burnt Sienna to draw in
Into the colour now and getting a gradation in the sky
More colour and lots of stepping back to see if I am digging the drawing and if the values (light and darks) are correct. I already see some areas I need to adjust once the sky is dry, but overall things are going well.
I have been a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists ( https://artists.ca ) for several years now. I am also a Chapter member in Edmonton and 2 of my pieces will be on display at the Edmonton Chapter show starting May 13, 2023. There will also be a lot of other very talented artists – so come down and spend an hour checking out some beautiful art!