Closing the two year loop

Well that’s it, the casts finally came off my feet this afternoon !!

 

I forgot to mention that my absence was due to this setback : foot surgery (on both feet)  and recuperation… Again, 4th surgery in 2 years. But I closed the 2 year loop from Oct.21st 2014 to Oct 24th 2016. Here it is ! Done with surgeries Never without a third and all that… It is finished !

 

I really thought freedom was to start on October 24th but not really, I had to buy 2 more contraptions that I have to wear 24/7 for the next few weeks and I can’t get into normal shoes before the next 2-3 weeks. I still have sutures that will eventually fall off and I must not take long showers. Only really short but it still feels good.

 

I must do physio 3 X a day for the next weeks but I can do it here, she explained everything to me the surgeon. I admire her and will follow her instruction religiously.

 

So I cannot start bursting outside or dance or run or paint. Yes, I painting, I could do I suppose, but recuperation seems far more important for my body right now and I am so close to my goal!

 

Can’t wait to resume my life and my art again!

 

Site web Suzanne Bélair

www.facebook.com/SuzanneBelairArtist

Enviroart par Suzanne Belair en Français

Advertisements

Read Full Post »

Travelling through the Maritimes

Been travelling through the Maritimes for a few weeks visiting and looking for art galleries and museums.

There has not been that much time to just walk and enjoy local art though.

What I found in Nova Scotia is that most local art is folk art. Galleries that define themselves as showing “Fine art” can comprise anything from paintings, to tole painting to photographs and a lot of giclées and reproductions. On the famous Cabot Trail, one said “Fine art gallery” even sold chocolates. We found this disappointing.

We found a really fun gallery in Petite Rivière, The Painted saltbox, owned and run by two artists Tom Alway and Peter Blais. This gallery and garden are worth the stop. The two owners are not only talented but so much fun to talk with. They seem to truly enjoy what they are doing and sharing their “joie de vivre”. The gallery displays their originals as well as various size reproductions of their own art. A very upbeat and happy place to visit.

In PEI, we found a nice gallery in the French River area, that of Tony Diodati.

This two floors gallery includes the artist studio and his art was quite interesting, comprising his own brightly coloured PEI scenes and reproductions.

Our trip continues…Tomorrow, we are moving from Shediac to St-Léonard for the Symposium Rendez-vous des Artistes in which I am a participating artist.
We are setting up tomorrow and the event runs from Friday 19^th to Sunday 21^st.
That should be a lot of fun with nightly activities for artists and visitors alike.

To see the program click here: http://www.rendezvousdesartistes.com/programmation/

 

http://Suzannebelair.com

www.facebook.com/SuzanneBelairArtist

http://enviroartfr.wordpress.com

 

Read Full Post »

Circuit des Arts Memphremagog, 2nd Day

Tomorrow, third day of the Circuit des Arts Memphremagog !

 

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to meet us and discover the artworks of  area artists!

What beautiful encounters during these last two days ! Thanks to those who travel to our studios, encourage us and give us a reason to continue!!

I feel very blessed !

Suzanne

http://Suzannebelair.com

www.facebook.com/SuzanneBelairArtist

https://enviroart.wordpress.com

Read Full Post »

Painting of the week: UN GOÛT DE PRINTEMPS (A taste of spring)

Finally, a bit of time yesterday to write and paint, even slipped in a lunch with a friend I had not seen in a while. Very enjoyable.

©2016 Suzanne Belair

I started this painting before the move to my new studio and I wanted to express the soft colors of spring we were waiting for. The awakening of nature that always speaks to us.

It is not finished but I felt like sharing some of the steps with you.

 

To be followed…

 

© 2016 Suzanne Belair

 

Suzannebelair.com

www.facebook.com/SuzanneBelairArtist

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

Painting of the week: Clivia- The Strength of Africa- 2 – Painting tip

What a difference a week and some hours can do for a painting..

Clivia- the Strenght of Africa
©2016 Suzanne Belair
Oil on canvas 12 X 12 in

Clivia-The strenght of Africa
©2016 Suzanne Belair
Huile sur toile 12 X 12
(Unfinished)

What a difference a week and some hours can do for a painting.

 

I was not happy with this painting since I posted it.

 

I felt it was missing contrast and depth. I decided to rework it last week and am so happy with it now. Notice the difference between the two paintings.

 

Value contrast is really important in any artwork. The best way to see if your painting has enough contrast is to view it in black and white or squint while looking at it. If you cannot make out the subject, then you have a value contrast problem.

 

Basically, when we have a high contrast in values, the objects appear closer and when the contrast is low, they appear farther. By increasing some value contrast in some areas, some flowers come forward and the umbel looks closer than the leaves. It brings three dimensions to the two-dimension canvas.
Contrast also gives us information about the type of light we are looking at. High contrast means we are looking at something in bright light while low contrast means distance, a diffused or hazy light. This becomes more obvious in landscapes.

 

To complete this painting, I not only increased the contrast but also used glazes to bring the colours out and re-define each petal.

 

To find out more about Clivia plant, click here.

 

http://www.suzannebelair.com

www.facebook.com/SuzanneBelairArtist

Read Full Post »

Painting of the week: Clivia- The Strength of Africa

Clivia-The strenght of Africa
©2016 Suzanne Belair
Huile sur toile 12 X 12
(Unfinished)

I belong to a Society of Horticulture and Ecology and we meet every second Wednesday of each month. We usually get to listen to very interesting speakers that present us with horticulture innovations or ways to improve our gardening. At the end of the evening, there is always a draw for some plants that generous donators are kind enough to provide.

 

Last year, I was lucky enough to get a wonderful Clivia. It has flowered twice already and its flowers are wonderful and last a long time.

 

Clivia’s common name is Natal lily of bush lily. It is an herbaceous plant that stays green all-year-round even in its natural habitat. The flowers grow in umbels on a stalk above the evergreen foliage and colors range from yellow to red, including orange.

 

In its natural environment, they are found only in South Africa and Swaziland (a republic of Southern Africa). Except for one species, they are forest undergrowth plants, adapted to low light.

 

Flowering time varies but mine flowers in winter starting at the end of December right through the month of January. Such lasting beauty in the middle of winter!

 

I reworked this painting giving also an important painting tip. You can see it here.

 

 

http://www.suzannebelair.com

www.facebook.com/SuzanneBelairArtist

 

Read Full Post »

Gratitude !

WOW !  Yesterday was my Eight year Anniversary Achievement from WordPress!

Fougères rousses
©2015 Suzanne Bélair
Acrylique et encres sur canevas 10 X 10 po

Who would have thought ! This blog started as a statement for environment, nature, conservation, happiness and life. Throughout the years, I have included more and more of my art but the same concerns still inhabit me even if I am sometimes too short on time to write about them.

As I am preparing to celebrate Christmas with my family, I want to say, “THANK YOU” to each and everyone of you for every word you read, for your likes, for every comment you typed. I want to sincerely thank you for being there.

Suzanne

www.suzannebelair.com

En français: http://enviroartfr.wordpress.com

Read Full Post »