Wait a minute, this isn’t a glamorous bohemian lifestyle!

I could blame it on the weather, or on what has been scientifically calculated as the most depressing time of the year, but I have been wondering more and more why I seem to be in a constant state of preparing for the next step that will finally mean I can relax, draw, paint, and see my friends and family. When I started my current job a year ago, I thought I would have plenty of time to dedicate to painting, drawing, and trying to convince strangers that looking at my paintings and drawings is worthwhile. In reality, I have collected three jobs and night classes twice a week. I feel as if I am doing many things decently rather than doing a few things as well as I can. I wish I could pare down and keep only the parts I enjoy, but those aren’t the parts that buy the groceries and pay the rent. Although I am not sure anyone reads this besides my Mom, if you have an opinion, click on comments and let me know! Am I crazy here? Does anybody even read this blog? Should I quit my job and start pawning my shoes for canvases? Should I have taken an MBA? Should I increase readership by posting similar, self-pitying drivel in future?

As I tidied up some old posts, I accidentally deleted the original post of the paintings below! I am very proud of the fact that Jeff, the chef at Aurora Bistro, commissioned this triptych for his restaurant. This piece, Nodding Onion, has been on display since September and, according to Jeff, is getting good feedback. Aurora is participating in Dine Out Vancouver until Feb. 3/08. This is a great opportunity to have a deelicious meal and check out these three canvases in all their blueness.

This little piece is called Rainy Day and was commissioned by a former coworker who was looking for a gift for soon-to-be niece or nephew. It’s a watercolour and measures 6.75″ square. I figured I should try and turn Vancouver weather from frustration to inspiration.

This is a watercolour botanical illustration I painted for my Grandma as a Christmas present. I’m not sure what kind of flower it is, but it was growing in the front yard. If you have any idea, please let me know!

Now that all the presents have been opened, I can show you the set of finger puppets I made for Josh’s nephew.





Naturally, from left to right we have our cat Ambrose, a yeti, the Monkey King, an octopus and a luchadore. Josh wrote a fantastic story in rhyming couplets to make sense of the randomness.