Puppet Tree

When my kids were young we had a pole hanging from the ceiling with puppets and hats all over it. I came across a sketch and once again had fun in photoshop. It's like watercolour with lots of room to play and make changes. Doesn't replace watercolour, just adds another avenue of fun.

The sketch:

Thinking arctic

We seem to have a January thaw happening and since I love snow my mind goes north. I came across a sketch done years ago outside Povungnituk (as it was known then) and played with it in photoshop.

More studies of my cat

Cat on my desk

Cat on my desk as I work. Comforting.

So, after not getting anywhere with my work I decided to go for a walk and get fresh air. Then what do I do?... I look out my doors, see the shadows on the snow and the urn peeking out behind the beds and there goes the walk! But at least I have the sketch. Now, if I can still get out the door, there is still some light by the river....

Happy January Everyone. With Christmas Survival days out of the way it is back to work. I make a point of starting each year with a visit to a gallery or museum and this year it was the AGO. My spots to hit: the Berninis, the Van Dyke, Sargent, the mini carvings and the boats. This year I did it with Dr. Rick Pottruff who followed the AGO visit with a part of his 'Strange City Tour: Toronto' in which he reveals, just as in NYC a part of the city and galleries previously unknown (at least to me).

School starts next week and with the talk of Strike it makes me sick to think of what this is going to do to students.In 2010 there should be a better way than confrontation. But perhaps that is becoming more and more the way of the world.

On that note, and because I truly do love January and winter I leave you with this: a card I did for my niece.