Start at the Beginning

My First Painting

Going back to school has been an adventure. Some of it thrilling, some of it as fun as shovelling s**t up hill!

Dealing with some of the students involves a lesson in patience I am sure St. Peter would fail. I had to deal with one such child the other day who pouted like a two year old. Considering I raised two kids of my own I am familiar with the behaviour, I just never thought I would have to watch a childish display from a 20 year old who has aspirations of becoming a vet.

Need some people skills there darling cause trust me, those dairy farmers will make mince meat out of your attitude if you cross your arms, close your eyes and shake your head when they disagree with you!

I suppose we all have to start somewhere. When I first started painting I was in such a hurry to get to the final outcome. I was 9 when I painted the above horse. I couldn't relax and enjoy the process. I did not want to waste time with the background and the bridle was no wheres near as important as the ears and eyes!! Now that I am older I am realizing some of the best moments come from the process and the outcome is somewhat of a let down because now you are all done and have to find a new challenge.

Maybe that little girl in pre vet will learn this before long and start accepting that working with others is a joy and not a chore because if she doesn't, she will have a REALLY short career in Veterinary Medicine!

As I enter the homestretch of this semester my posts seem to be becoming rarer. I am not getting any painting done but I have been able to use my photographic skills to capture some of what consumes my life right now!

This was my Chem lab this week where we tested solutions to try and determine the amount of copper in a sample. As you can see it was at least a pretty lab to do!! As to how accurate our results are, well, that is what weekends are for! I am such a nerd! LOL

I also received extremely good news yesterday. I applied for a NSERC USRA award which is given to top students ath the college (actually it is a National event). It was created to encourage students to consider furthering their education in the world of science and research. I was one of only 7 students to be selected and guess what? I get to spend the summer researching a topic that is near and dear to me...wool!! I am looking forward to it and you know there will be blogs to follow!!

Mylie (3/4 Blueface Leicester x Clun forest ewe)

Sweetpea (3/4 Blueface x Clun Forest ewe)

Cherry and Binkie (Purebred Clun Forest ewe lambs)

Binkie Bouncing!

Things have been busy here. All our ewes have lambed out and as you can see they result is very entertaining!

School is trudging along well but I must admit I will be glad for it to be finished this term. Holding down two jobs, family commitments and maintaining an 80 + average have me more than a little tired. I am not sure what is in sheep milk but I may have to siphon off a bit to put a little bounce in my step!!

Going Strong 2'x3' Oil Portrait

Here is the final image of the previous painting. It turned out really well and I actually have this one hanging in my house! I had a friend come over last night and she wanted to see the studio so off we went.

I was sternly lectured about the fact that the majority of my paintings lay face down on the floor, years worth of work, and she was less than impressed with me. It's been a while since I was lectured and the sad thing was she was not done there.

Then she asked why I wasn't with a Gallery. I told her that several years ago I approached a Gallery in my hometown who promptly told me I needed to go take art lessons.

"And you let the word of some backwoods bumpkin gallery in nowhere lands stop you?"

Oooppps. I didn't need to go back to school to figure out she was a little cross with me!

I guess I might have to work on that one!!

In Progress

I have been one busy lady. It seems my every waking moment and thought is consumed with all things school related.

I finally took a break and snuck back into the studio to work on this piece. It is now finished but I wanted to show a few of the steps. People generally seem to believe that a painting is "created" in one step. Even the steps between the beginning and what you now see are many but as an artist I happen to think each brush stroke is important.

I guess I take that attitude into everything I do, hence my currant fascination with completing my degree!

First Chick

Nankin Chick - Fullerton farm First

It must be spring or else our Bantams got it wrong! Regardless of what the Groundhog says today I know winter is coming to an end. Our Nankin and Japanese (a co joint affair) hens hatched out this little darling last week. Connor snapped these shots of her (If I did my feather sexing right!) and now she is bombing around her nursery imitating her moms and having a great time.

Precious

Precious 7x5 Oil Portrait Private Collection

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope 2012 brings many exciting and wonderful new opportunities to you. I am optimistic for the new year and praying almost daily that my favorite ewe, (pictured above) gives me ewe lambs this year.

She is a Purebred Rideau Arcott ewe that I bought from a former employer because she was slated to become freezer lamb. She has such a wonderful personality and is perfectly kid/people friendly that I had to bring her home. She has given me five ram lambs and I am desperately hoping for a ewe lamb this spring.

Here's hoping all our dreams and wishes come true!