December deals

Hey all! check it out, amongst other works, this entire 'August 11' series is on sale 20% off for the month of December.

busy busy, but full of love.

finally, there are words.

It has been a busy season, life is busy, busy with work, busy at home, busy in my mind, busy school for me and school for Luke is busy, we are coming to the closing of his Masters, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and we are excited for a new season. It has been a long trek for him, but he is almost done and finishing strong.

I have been taking a photography class that I ABSOLUTELY adore and after 12 weeks it is coming to a close next week. I have learned and and gained so much invaluable information. I am blown away with the fullness I feel creatively. a new way to express all that i have pent up. I have so many ideas and i am excited.

My little man is growing, i can't believe he is nearly 2 already. my little man is turning into a little boy. He is so sweet and caring, he loves to explore and share and he just blows my mind. And of course like any other almost 2 year old he is individuating, learning his own boundaries, and testing ours. I am learning. every day is new but in the end, i could just stare at him for hours. He just makes me melt.

And who knew you could melt so much with another one! yup! We are preggers again! Today I saw our little one in an ultrasound. I don't know if I didn't realize it was real or what but I just saw him/her, their sweet little lips and swoopy nose, round little head and round cheeks and I just melted. Hello little one. Oh my. I am in love. all over again. They are mine. Its almost different this time b/c I know and understand the intense beautiful love for a child, my child. its amazing. I am full of love right now. i am smiling. Its been months of feeling anxious, stressed, emotional, grumpy. and right now, i am just full of love.

i haven't written in some time, i just don't have anything to write!

Art with Heart: A Night on the Town

Art with Heart is an incredible organization run by friend and fellow artist Sheri Gundry.   They have great events to help raise money through auctioning art to support many different charities. Their 2nd Annual 'A night on the Town' gala is coming up on October 28th and this year I have been asked to be apart of it. It is an event to raise money to support the arts programs in Durham. I think this is so important, so of course I wanted to be involved! The gala event for 2011 will include dinner & drinks, live jazz and blues with the Heather Luckhart Collective, M/C Celebrity Chef Christian Pritchard, Comedy Improv Show with Secondy City Veterans Neil Crone & Kevin Franks, Art Show & Auction by talented local artists.  Table sponsorship $500 for table of 8 with full tax receipt. Individual tickets available through sponsorship or by request at $65 each. Contact Jacquie 905-666-0158 or Sheri 905-430-7339. So if you love art and want to have a great night while supporting a great cause, come on out!


When: Friday, October 28 · 6:30pm - 11:30pm

Event dress: semi formal, 20's - 30's period ware appropriate

Where: Quality Hotel and Conference Centre

1011 Bloor Street East

Oshawa, ON

I'm published!!!!

This was a personal goal for me this year, i had no idea how it would happen but I wanted to be published. It was to my great excitement when my dad asked me to illustrate a book I have been urging him to write for years. I was honoured to paint the cover and draw, along with another artist, Nancy Young, the illustrations, bringing the Secret place to Life. He has the most unique relationship with God, and this book is an account of a series of visions, the place that the father takes him to The Secret Place. Years ago the shack was published and really got people excited about the possiblilty that relationship with God could be like this. Well... it is. It can be. He wants to spend time with us just like that. My dad has been taken to the secret place for years, afraid to talk about it. He has never read the Shack b/c he never wanted to influence the place that God takes him to. This book isn't a fiction, it is an account of real life events that have happened to my father. He wrote this book with Jesus, it shows how incredible relationship with God is, and a workbook to teach others to hear Gods voice and learn to see your Secret place that God wants to meet you in, as well as sharing the incredible experiences he has had. It is really impactful, special and life changing.






If you would like to read the intro, forward and first chapter for free to see what its all about or for your own copy, email me subject: the secret place to sinnott07@gmail.com  they are $15 CAD + shipping.

' the secret place' - prints available

beautiful increase

"day 47" the beautiful increase 72 x 48

I have been working on this painting for a few weeks now and it is finally finished. funny enough I knew it would be completed on this day.  day 47. Devin came home this day. we have a new addition to our family on this day,  my heart is alive. i am taking flight. I learned to trust this day.

Catch the Fire

I looove conference time, watching lives be changed forever, being filled, growing, God doing some really amazing things,  and it just lights a fire under you all over again. It also gives me some time away from little man and life and just rest in quietness with God. Painting doesn't have time restrictions or interruptions I can just get lost in it with Jesus, completely clear minded and think about nothing else. Which is so great b/c we have so much to talk about right now. 

 Along with A LOT more one of our topics of our conversations: giving. Specifically on both Luke and mine’s hearts, bless us, so we can bless others…. We have been going through a tough time lately, this month taken a real hit, and at the same time, being challenged by God to really follow our hearts to give and trust His provision. How on earth do you make that work? At the same time we have been feeling like it has to be a real significant amount to give or maybe it just doesn’t matter…but not having that big amount to give.. and funny enough having a stronger desire to help others than even myself, b/c as desperate as situations can be, there is always someone that has an even greater need. (it’s pretty complicated in this brain right now..) 

Something happened that broke me this weekend. On Saturday a woman that had been sharing her heart with me earlier in the day, a woman that obviously lived in amazing obedience and trust that God would take care of her (I always really admire people like this), that came to this conference on very little money just trusting in His amazing provision b/c she felt He told her to come, handed me a note while I was setting up to paint for the next session. I opened it up and a few coins fell out into my hand. My heart just broke, I knew she had so little.  I was quickly reminded of the woman that gave only a few pennies into the offering bucket b/c that‘s all she had to give, but she gave out of a giving heart. God pressed into my heart, no matter how little, it is all significant. Don’t be concerned with how it is possible, I am your provider.   Here this woman gave me the little she had. $1.11, in trust, b/c God told her to give it to me.… I want faith like that. 

Since we have been married, we have amazingly survived, off very little, and we never had a doubt that God wouldn’t provide. Why is it so easy now to fall into fear? On Saturday we had LOOOOOOONG talks and i am working though it. I painted 4 pieces on Saturday. I really just felt to stay and paint the whole time. So I sat at the front and painting nearly all day. Just pouring out my heart to him of everything that has been on my mind. With a wave of emotions from heartbreak to Joy, with worship and in intercession i painted and painted and painted and painted. It was a good day. I woke up on Monday with a whole new mind set, feeling good, secure, trusting, loved and just happy.

Here they are, 

‘Bless us’

24 x 36. Gallery canvas,

Newsprint (scripture), acrylic and oil pastel

SOLD

‘So we can bless others” (not sure of the official title on this one yet.)

36 x 40. Gallery canvas

Newsprint (scripture), acrylic and oil pastel

‘DAY 44, Blessings’

20 x 40. Acrylic on Canvas

A woman came to me saying , this painting, its blessings!! Multiplying, coming down, they all look different in many ways, shapes and forms, they never look the same! I liked it, so it stuck.

‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ –Worshipping Hands

18x36  Canvas

Newsprint (scripture), acrylic and oil pastel

I’m pretty sure this one will get the paint over, it didn’t turn out like I hoped so If you want it let me know. I will give you a great deal… Like 50$ (so I can buy a new canvas instead)

newest member of our clan

Since Etnie passed there seems to be a real gap in our hearts. Missing her, wanting Jack to grow up with a dog and continue and encourage his love for animals. I came across this little on yesterday on Kijiji and it was only hours later we were driving to Oshawa to meet her. I heard really clearly meeka in my head and in my heart, i looked it up and it is Japanese, it means 'Lord, Beautiful aroma, beautiful increase" Beautiful increase.... that just felt right. Meet Meeka, she is 8 weeks old, our new little baby.

inspiration

isn't this fabulous? It isn't mine, I wish I could say it was and I also wish I could remember the artists name. dang. credit where credit is due, when I find it I will post it. I just love the combination of visual texture, vibrancy yet still soft and peaceful. Ah! Just stunning. bravo.

Circles and Squares...

for kate, 20 x 40

I got the opportunity to paint with a friend this past week, Trayc Dudgeon, something we have only done a few times before but is always interesting to see what comes about. Circles and Squares... 2 completely different styles forced to come together to create one piece. I originally came across the Concept a few years with a friend and fellow artist Elisabeth Heidinga during a conference - live painting. We challenged ourselves and felt really strongly that we were suppose to work together on the same painting. Some amazing things happened that day and we kinda shocked the church, 2 artist - known as such an individual craft, sharing a canvas, working together. It was a huge message about unity in the church and how God designed us to work as a body and not individuals. Since then I have a great time doing collaborations with other artists. It is such a unique experience. And really amazing freedom to paint and not feel threatened or competition but only as success if you surrender and work together in Unity. On Thursday,Tray and I  paintied into the night, had a great time talking,  catching up, drinking wine and painting and created these 2 pieces for 2 special friends and their 30th Birthdays! Girls I hope it was incredibly special, you both are very wonderful.

For Lindsay, 20 x 40

and by accident they fit together.... now if that doesn't say a whooole lot about using our creativity and how God wants to use us together... I don't know what does.. that is kinda rad. "Day 36"  20 x 80

jack is helping me paint the really big one I am working on now.

His creativity has no limits.

So... here is it 41  days later, i am still painting.. i had a slight pause there but it's back.  My colour pallat has changed again but it is vibrant. Something about this all coming out. it amazing to me the pallat changes over the years. Oranges with the jazz series in to blues and moody beiges and browns, but now reds and yellows and purple and green! I am excited for the vibrancy coming out of me. new life, new beginnings, new  something, over flowing, exploding out of me.  my work is so much about the process of my heart, my mind, my spiritual journey i'm excited to see what this is all maturing into.  I still feel to paint, paint paint paint, paint vomit... let it all out and then look at it and see what you ate for breakfast. (lol grosse) but my point its fast, its flows, it comes out violently, and i just need to get it all out to feel better. My studio is quickly filling and it is wonderful to see life overflowing out of me again..


“well you pick me up and you spun me around and you set my feet on solid ground - Hallelujah! – B/c you’re so good, your soo sooo good”  I have had this stuck in my head for about 3 days. And along with it has come painting! Ahhhh. i really do love painting. I finished up the last (for now) red painting, 'day 23', and continued in the same style and ventured into a new pallat. i get glimpses of what this is all about but i have yet to have the revelation of what it all means. I believe every stroke, every colour, the placement, the movement,  he can speak to you about. And there millions in every painting so how exciting is that, that's a whooole lot of talking and learning and growing.  I am stopping myself from evaluating. from thinking if it is good or not. I have been learning (and it has been an ongoing battle)  that my value is not determined by my work, or # of sales i have. It is my heart. and really that's all that matters.Though I'm still waiting on the big revelation but i get bits and pieces.  A little bit about babies, the womb, intercession, getting down to the beginning, the cellular structure, the basis, trust, rapid multiplication of cells in new life, umm a whole lot of stuff that is connected but not connected, but I assume will come together, but it has led me to a place of hope. Where things are taking off, in flight, there is some kind of release, a new season.

You know as artist we easily get caught up in the "is it good enough?" the thing is, It is not about being good - it is about self. it's about your heart. It is about growth. It is about being true to your heart and letting every part of you flow out in whatever medium it wants to. so it doesn't matter if its good. Just let it go and be secure in you as an artist and let go. Create without judging your self,without fear. Create for healing, for spending time with God, for just expressing the beautiful person that YOU ARE!  I am inspired, I am motivated. I want to create. The past couple years I have been collecting. Books, materials, canvases, different mediums, papers, scratch boards, and printmaking, encaustics, a potters-wheel, clay, photography equipment. It has all been stirring in me to create, but just brewing without action. His creativity is limitless and I think that He wants us to create limitlessly (is that a word? ) so ours should be too! This has been a pretty big internal battle for some time for me.. I have been holding myself back for wayyy to long from doing some things that I absolutely love.

Again there  is so much happening, our situation hasn’t changed but my mindset has this week. We will live. Life will move on and I just have to remember that God is in control.

"DAY 23"24 X 48

In this piece I noticed the changing of shapes, less round and becoming more oval, like wings, fluttering, and the next picture I saw that caused me to pull out a canvas I have been sitting on for a while. A 72” x 48” gallery canvas. I love it. (I would paint this big every time if I had the space to store them.) I began to paint washes and washes and washed, over and over colours layered, I am still going, and I am loving it. I miss painting this big!!! It is about freedom. In that trust, taking flight.  I will post it when it’s done but it is still in progress in painting and in my heart.

replace fear with curiosity

I found this picture and i absolutely love it. it kind of enbodies all of me right now.. You may or may not have known that I am a complete fanatic about photography. viewing GREAT photography feeds me, it somehow just pours into my spirit in a way that somehow not even painting does.  I would fill my walls with stunning photos that take your breath away. I have already started my collection with a stunning photo by Samantha McAndrews a great Barrie photographer, and a few beautiful orchid pieces i have loved for many years by Trayc Dudgeon, a brampton based Photographer.  I cannot wait to continue piecing works together to hang. I envision a wall in my house combined with art and photography and special pieces all over the house. You know I have been selling for a while but I just love art and photography so much I really want to start collecting more of others work. There is something so unique about original art, special, something that you can never replicated and the combination of great photography with original paintings, ahh it just makes my heart sing!

So how does this all to in to replacing fear with curiosity...? Well i finally decided to put away my fear and explore with curiosity and let my heart FREAK'N SING! Since High school I have been incredibly drawn to photography and a strong desire to make photos! Something has been holding me back. Afraid to step on feet, offend people, fear of the equipment, not enough knowledge, etc etc. its been about 15 years.. and  a million reason that I have told myself why I can't. Cautiously I dawdled in helping in some weddings, and did some fun shoots of my own but really didn't get in there. But as a creative person ad locking down even one part of your heart that wants to express itself is self destructive!!  and wanting to explore ALL of my creativity, it is killing me that I have been holding back for so long. So with the encouragement of many wonderful friends and family I picked up my SLR I bought 2.5 years ago and have never learned to completely use properly, and enrolled in a photography class at Sheridan College, part of the photography program there. 2 classes in and I am so excited!!!  I have learned SO much already and actually challenging myself to explore and be curious!!

So i guess this is to all of you that just are making up SO many excuses as to why you aren't trying something you love. Just pick it up and try! what have you got to loose? You are only stopping yourself from growing and learning and expressing your heart and having some great conversations with God! He has SOOO much that He wants to show you and create with you. So Replace your fear of the Unknown with Curiosity and Take off in Flight! 

Art in the Junction

Well it is that time of the year again. The Junction. A GREAT little creative community in Toronto that i love to be apart of and show in each year. Unfortunately this year Junction Arts Festival was canceled, but a local shop owner that I have come to know over the years allowed me to come put up the new series anyways. Last weekend I headed out and brought over my work to hang in this funky little space. If you are in the area, go for a walk have a latte and crema coffee and stop by! The Hair Lounge, The Junction, Toronto.

back to painting.

so after some real crap lately, i decided to pick myself back up and dust off and continue on. Painting.. Man there really is something about this that is really healing for me. Last night a friend of mine came over and we just chilled out with some wine and paint and painted and painted and painted. Pics to post soon. Funny that just putting some paint on a canvas can just make all the difference in the world. Some kind of release that just sets me free. so there is much more to post, 3 new pieces and 1 more almost completed, i am excited to see it's progress coming along and can't wait to see it upon completion! So here i continue on my little journey. life, spirituality, wholeness, growth. and entering a new season of freedom and learning to fly. 

ok so my last post wasn't very uplifting.. I think I am just going through a time of being... pooped' on. Life is kind of upside down. I will choose to see the silver lining. but just needing some life to come forward and burst out of these situations so that i know it's not going to continue raining.

my dog died and my painting came to a hault...

have you ever had a week or month, or season you wish would just Stop? ... you know the kind that are upside down that when you have been kicked to the ground and then get trampled by the stampede of elephants?... the kind that starts with a sick child, sick husband, broken camera, followed by poo and barf all over the house, being ripped off, hurt yourself every chance you can, v8 on the floor by a swatting toddler, spaghetti sauce on the walls, 2 dead pets, a hit and run, financially drowning, busy, exhausting, deflating, defeated, filled with disappointments,  GOD WHERE ARE YOU week?

i'm having one of those....

more paintings... keep spilling out

new works from the new series keep on coming.. I find the transformation of shapes interesting. I am fascinated by the cellular like structure of them.  I felt to name them the each they day how old Devin is the day i painted it. Works will be showing soon in the Junction at a little hair salon I have shown at the past few years called 'the hair lounge', Toronto check it out if you like. I am happy to hear feedback, as I still am unsure what they are all about,  and love that one has sold already!

 day 13
30 x 30 acrylic

 day 14
24 x 48 acrylic 

day 15.. am
16 x 20 acrylic 

 day 15 pm
16 x 20 acrylic  

in progress
10 x 30 acrylic  

and now the big one!!!! 48 x 72

my heart is shaken and my hands can't stop paintin'

i have written so many posts these pasts few weeks, but unable to continue a full thought or maybe too personal to post. My heart aching, from a prayer I prayed 'show me your heart' but then flooded with  an intense amount of emotion for almost every situation I encountered. Up for entire nights, crying and praying for families or situations and eventually being unable to deal and trying to express, and being overwhelmed that I became emotionally constipated, all just stuck inside of me brewing.. Trying to talk to God, paint, do anything to talk, but i just continued to be more and more bunged' up..

Craziness filled my lives with STUFF.   family stuff, friends stuff, work stuff, health issues and scary situations swarming in my brain and in my heart and then one day without expectation, it came to sudden hault. On Aug 11,  8:30 am a call that changed our lives.  he was here.. the tiniest more perfect little guy. My nephew Devin Joshua was born at 29.5 weeks gestation in the NICU, just 3lbs 4oz.  I won't share all of the scary heart-wrenching details that changed me. but here I stood broken. afraid. desperate. nothing else mattered other that asking Jesus to to intervene. to save the life of this little one.

So bottled up, alone and Jack sleeping I began to paint. Paint from my heart paint in worship. paint in prayer, in intercession. Broken, I just began to baul my eyes out and just pour out everything onto this canvas. . All that stirring came started to finally spill over.  as the tears poured so did heart and my brush didn't stop moving. my entire being became a dance of an interceding warrior, dancing with angels, to fight for this little guys life. Strange shapes emerging, a new colour pallet, still insure what any of it meant i didn't care I kept painting. my brain began to sort thoughts, make sense of things, i continued to paint, canvases are filling my studio and here I am 11 days later, and I am still painting. my heart is shaken, my hands can't stop painting. little Devin is getting bigger, growing stronger, he is such a miracle, he is breathing on his own, off the iv, nearly back to his birthweight, blowing everyone away with his progress. He has such divine purpose and calling on his life. Ah. what amazing words have been spoken over him.  God is showing me incredible pictures of the 2 of them, that I can't wait to paint. I thank God he is alive and grateful for everything.


So here we start a new unexpected series... August 11

"Day 1" 48 x 48, acrylic on canvas

"Day 3" 12 x 48, acrylic on canvas - SOLD

"Day 4" 24 x 48, acrylic on canvas

"Day 8" 20 x 20, acrylic on canvas

"Day 11" 30 x 40, acrylic on canvas

teaching time!!

I had an awesome opportunity to teach this week. I had 2 days with 15 awesome students at a bible college in Toronto the School of Worship at Catch the Fire. It sparked in me knowing, really knowing that this is what i want.And I am excited to teach again and hope to get asked back soon!.

the ongoing quest to conquer clutter #2

so i have started to feel overwhelmed by 'stuff'.
my room, my studio, my storage, my closets, bathrooms, garage.. ugggghhh STUFF!! Its everywhere!!! I clean, i tidy, i organize but cannot get a handle on all this stuff. the thought of this house is too small, often runs through my house, but really its this ongoing clutter problem!! my husband thinks there is a little bit of 'hoarder in me. Though I disagree entirely, i must admit i do have a problem with throwing things away. for instance the 8 million back issues of design, art and parenting magazines. And the problem isn't that there is one that  collect, its all of them!! they seem to be hiding in every area you can find.. the studio, the office, bookshelves, my bed, bedside table, under the bed, in the closet in the living room. I am obsessed with design magazines. interior design, DIY, Graphic design, interactive design, photography, fine art magazines (and my new collection, today's parent). Uggghhh!! As much as I love them all and picture my office with tall gorgeous white bookshelves neatly arranged in apple  green matching magazine sleeves, lining my walls behind my L shaped desk, drafting center, neatly organized my month and year, cataloged by subject and style to draw upon inspiration at any point... it just doesn't seem realistic or feasible to keep them around the house until that fabulous studio comes. I don't want to become that woman that gets buried in her ever growing magazine collection that overtakes her entire home and swallows her up. but to part... ahhh it feels so final..

i have been feeling stressed lately. I have been working on a book project that is coming to the end and going to production soon. But it has been tough, not only the stress of deadlines againa nd working as fast as possible, but my house. living in my house is feelign stressful. I feel overrun by toys, and clothes and stuff! And i know how much freer and better I feel when all the extra stuff is gone.  I was reading an article on organization a could of days ago and  it was talking about conquering the area that has set you off into stressful crazy mode to begin with. For me it is my bedroom. I just can't seem to keep that beast of a closet under controll. no matter how much I throw out, it just is alwas bursting from the seams.

.
The last time i did this, I think was when i was preggers with Jack. And God just had sooo much to talk to me about about me, not just clean up my house but clean up my heart. So maybe here we start again. on Sunday some things happened that started to stir my heart and something hasn't been sitting right with me since. Maybe it's time to get some clear answers, spend sometime with Abba. Luke is starting 2 course for his MBA this next course load. it is the first time he's done this. one class and working full time is insane enough i can't imageine what 2 will be like. Pretty much I am husband-less for the next 7 weels. I don't even know what i'm going to do without him. I found myself saying yesterday I need a new project. Well I think I just found one. Operation: Clutter..

The eye of the storm.

 

 I am sitting in my office today with what feels like the entire company whizzing around me. Month End.. it is one of the busiest weeks of the entire season. Everyone is going bananas, shit hitting the fan and splattering in every direction. Right now my office is one of the most stressful, tense environments you have ever felt. This summer is the first summer that I am not working full time as a coordinator. I guess I should add a little bit of background.  Prior to our little man joining our life I worked for a Relocation firm handling the logistics for  Corporate relocations around the Globe. We are the # 1 corporate mover in North America and pretty much the leaders in our field. We are all about perfection, details, expertise because frankly, they are the best and only believe in building a culture of excellence. So when it comes to the end of the month in each summer month – the busiest weekends for moving, all of these company values of excellence + all the stress from your clients (moving is one of the top 5 most stressful experiences in your entire life, I think close to divorce, and clients can be pretty high strung sometimes) anything going wrong is a great recipe for losing your mind. This year is the first, that I don’t have to handle it all!! Because since little man has been born they were so gracious to set me up at the front desk working part time handling admin work for the company and research for our fine arts department. Which is great!  but It’s a strange feeling not being a part of the hussle and bussle of the insanity.  I feel like I’m in a tornado as it swirls around me, but I am in the eye of the storm. Just working away in complete peace as chairs and desks and cars, screams, phones ringing, people running around up and down the stairs, in and out of meetings, scrambling around in the storm surrounding my desk.

I was talking to my mom about this, expressing how strange it felt, to not feel worried or stressed at all and she said you know it’s kind of amazing when you think of it, this is how life is when trusting God, being caught up with the life happening all around and just living in peace, not worried that he has taken care of it all.   

So today I am grateful for the fact that I no longer have such a stressful job that it makes me cry, or in my case go into labour repetitively 3 months early, I’m grateful that I feel at peace that right now even in some uncertainty and what feels frustrating, I know that God is taking care of it all and I that I choose to live centered, trusting Him in the peace of any storm that may come my way.  

kitchen progress 3

well i will FINALLY have my completed beautific backplash by the end of the night (then grouting and sealing but at least it is up!  I am a happy wife. no more tools in my kitchen.

17 MONTHS!!

There aren't even enough words to describe how much joy you bring us. Happy 17 months little man!

The Book Project: The Secret Place

 

I have been working and a little project that I have been loving and can't wait to share... I have been doing the illustrations for a book soon to be released called 'The Secret Place'. Alongside another artist we completed 19 graphite illustrations, some mine, some hers, some a collaboration of us both. But just this week I was asked my the publisher and author to paint the cover!! What was originally going to be photography, they felt that a colour drawn image would relate better to the overall feel and flow better with the illustrations. What an honour!!!!  i quickly jumped and began to work. I prayed asked abba to show me and started painting. 

kitchen progress 2

after a long day of luke trying to sand these freak'n cupboards. i send him to benjamin moore, who's staining specialist tells us. umm if you've been sanding the crap out of these... their not wood.."

SHIT

So now we are figuring out what to do. we took back all our beautiful tile. b/c it doesn't work with our existing cupboards. that super sux. now off to rethink this whole thing...

kitchen progress..

 well, the floors are - bought, the backsplash - bought, the stain for the cupboards -  bought, everything we need to do it - bought...  so WHY is it taking so long!!!??? UGGGHH luke went to town smashing out walls a few weeks back where the backsplash was and in a week dry walled, mudded and tapes new walls all back up. Wonderful husband, next step is the cupboards which we are both going to work on, but right now he is super busy  with school and... well busy me, with art and shows and teaching and illustrating a book,  cleaning house, taking care of baby sanding all those cupboards is the last thing on my list to do. So while on a nap today Luke showed me how to use the hand sander. He is writing exams all day today so it was a good time or me to start the cupboards. Ugggggh!!! after 10 min, 1/2 of a test chair done - sloppy) , I hate it already. How on earth am I going to get through  21 cupboards sanded perfectly? This is hell.  the stain is stubborn, and won't come off easily. i am dreading the next 21 cupboards. I just want this done. any advice is welcomed!!

babies babies babies

everywhere I look I see those round bellies, or teeny tiny little ones. I am filled with giggles and smiles as that intoxicating "new baby" smell fills my nose and makes me gaga. i thought i had it before, a 'yah I could have another one of those' but now the though swarms my mind, taking over every other possible one. it is official,

i've got the itch.

the image interview

Well it is finally out! This was a ton of fun, and I like how it turned out.

The Image Interview: Featuring Heather Sinnott

16 months!!!

My little boy is 16 months old!!!! Jack, you are amazing!!!! you say 30, count em' 30 WORDS!! (my favourites are when you name the animals in your books and the noise they make! like "duck! kak kak", or "lion, roooaaaar" dang. you are a smartie pants, you climb, you paint, you sing, you jump and balance on one foot, you explore, your dancing is the cutest thing I have ever seen. you amaze me with how fast you learn things and how you aren't afraid to just try. Its like we can watch you calculate in your brain how to do something and then conquer it.  You bring so much joy to me and your daddy's life. We love all your games and sillyness, being chased and laughing and jumping and hiding or running around with a towel on your head while you say "peek-boo!" you think everything is hilarious! you love the park, the slide, the swings, the sand and run there as fast as you can as soon as you head out of the front door. and when we leave, you run back! You love to show people your toys, and (so cute) you showing visitors your backyard taking them to all the areas, pointing at the flowers, the grass, your toys.  You are the best.  I really can't wait to spend every moment with you.  I love you Jack! happy 16 months!

2 long years

it has been 2 long years and while with my aunt for a walk through the art store something caught my eye... and finally the wheels started turning. it has finally arrived... the inspiration I have been waiting for... keep watch, i'm excited, its gonna be fun.

The Kitchen Project

ohh my oh my, what excitement for me!! we are starting the kitchen project! Which we think will actually be the first of a few projects around the house. Just to get this place exactly how we want it. I think we have been putting this off for a while b/c we just figured we wouldn't be in this house very long, but the longer we are here, the more we are wanting to enjoy every inch of this place as much as we do our newly renovated backyard.

the kitchen project... Its not that our kitchen is totally offensive or anything, in fact, i really like our cupboards, but we need a new floor, and I have hated the backslash and counter tops since we bought the place. So yesterday on mothers day after receiving some gorgeous flowers, handmade cards from my little guy (those are truly the best) amazing waffles, with fruit and yumminess! I received the gift of 'mary' ohhh thank you luke!! for anyone that doesn't understand what this means, it means the gift of an actual lady named mary. She is a cleaning lady that will come to my house and give it a biiig much needed scrub, from top to bottom for spring cleaning!!! ohhhhhh HAAAAALELUIAH!!!! I need the help so much, it was the best gift i could have ever been given. So I am compiling my list of what needs to be done. Mary I can't wait for you to come...

Anyway back to my kitchen! after all of this wonderfulness, we decided that home depot would be a great place to go just b/c we love home depot, and lowes and rona and great building and decorating projects and the ideas have been flowing for a while... We are going to do a bit of an overhaul. Not crazy like blowing 30,000$ but just changing, tweaking, and alot of DIY!!  Writing this I think I will document it, how fun is that! First we found our floors, easy to install and were on sale! so we bought them. Also after ogling over many backsplashes. we just decided to spoil ourselves and we went for it. ohh the glass mosaic blended with slate, we just love it and decided it was worth the cost for our own wow factor to fall inlove with suuuch a gorgeous kitchen over and over and over again. So we bought a few square feet to look at them in the space and of we LOVE IT!! we are going back today to buy the rest.  I cannot wait to tear out the existing backsplash that I LOATHE!!! this horrible pink ceramic tile with baskets of fruit Carved into every few. BARF.

Next we priced out a new counter, the existing counter is kinda a weird grey, light purple and pink mix, which matches the amazing tile work! (oh joy!) which is almost neutral from a distance.. but why anyone would choose this colour is beyond me, but it's there. it in perfect condition, and Its not terrible unless you look at it and realize what it actually is and I hate it...  so we went to go look at new ones.. but YIKES! I had no idea it would be so costly  to replace your counter, we are looking at alternative options perhaps more cost effective but not quite sure what yet.

Lastly the cupboards. Though I do love my cheery bright kitchen with pale pine cupboards, there is something soo classy and grown up about expresso cupboards, rich but warm colour palate. We have been appreciating this kind of kitchen for years, and though we have been just satisfied with having a kitchen that doesn't look like it's from 1970, we are ready for a change.  we are wanting to perk these cupboards up! They are looking a bit worn and need a reviving anyway!!

This whole project was inspired by Luke's Aunt, who took a nice' house and made it STUNNING just by refinishing all of the wood in her new house. She bought this product by 'sue kay'  makes a type of Gel stain that is the easiest thing I have ever seen and looks amazing!

So here we start our new little project... I needed a project to take my mind of art, not that I am not loving it i just need a bit of a break. Its a new season. I feel like for the past bit we have been in the winter, in hibernation. Yesterday when I was in the garden I found 27 new lily of the valley spikes, breaking through the ground. The way Lily of the valley grows is you can plant a few pips' (or even one) in the ground and over the winter, it's roots run wild under the ground, and then in the spring start to spring up all over the place, they multiply like crazy!! . Surprising you, breaking through the earth. Their flowers, though tiny, spread at an alarming rate and have the sweetest most incredible and strong fragrance.   A few weeks ago I got a picture for a friend of the roots running, moving so quickly through this dry earth, they were growing so fast and large that they were breaking through the dry ground b/c of the speed at which they traveled. Yesterday when looking in my garden, seeing all my little sproutlings, I felt this was for me too but God spoke to me differently about it. it's been a season of hibernating, and through the winter my roots have been rapidly increasing, growing, running wild under the earth, they are starting to sprout up, breaking ground and will grow and blossom in multitudes popping up when i least expected. And though they may be small they are the most  beautiful fragrant flowers their fragrance will  blow in the wind and you can smell it from far away. That they will continue to multiply and bless more and more people.  Of all of this, I don't know where my new kitchen comes in or the house update but maybe it's just a new start, freshness and place to enjoy, a new season. I cannot wait to get going on it!!

World Aids Day

Buy art and donate to an excellent cause! 2 of my pieces will be up for auction,  check it out! 

The University of Western is having a World Aids Day Benefit Concert and Silent Auction on  May 4 & 5, 2011 at the Metropolitan United Church, London ON  Proceeds to be split between  The Escolinha 17 de Setembro, a preschool for AIDS Orphans in Mozambique and University Lab School at the University of Western Ontario. Call 519-661-3699 for ticket information. 2 works will be there available for bidding!
Come support a great cause!

Post Nurtured Baby Show!!

Well the show was good, I was pleasantly surprised that by the end of the afternoon I was approached by a store, telling me they were very interested in my work, loving it and asking me to supply kids art for their Shop!  I am really excited to sell my little illustrations there!  this will be great! So if you are ever in Orangeville, check out 'Wee needs' and 'Nurtured' to find my work!Prints and originals available.

Also I just loved connecting with people, and a great new opportunity and was invited to teach classes at a new arts center opening up there in September, details to be released soon!

Yaaah what a great day!

Nurtured Baby Expo!

Nurtured Baby Expo TOMORROW!! 

Saturday, April 16 · 10:00am - 4:00pm

Monora Park Pavilion

633220 Hwy 10

Orangeville ON

The first annual show spectacular for expectant and new parents!
Local vendors, products and services geared towards expanding families!!

I will be there! Check it out!


~Small entry fee of $2 per adult, half of which will go to charity!


...~ Fashion Show~

~ Demos and workshops!!

~ Fabulous Swag Bags for the first 100 people!! 

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UPDATES!!

I have been a busy bee. 

check what's new! 

1. PROJECTS IN PROCESS

The Hope Project: The Hope Project is something that has been stirring in my heart for about 1.5 years now. As it develops I just get more excited. I hope for it to become a yearly or biyearly event. The Hope Project is a big art show for all artists to donate 1-3 pieces to sell and to raise money for different charities. 

Love for Japan: Is another project that is in my heart, raising money for the recent tragedies in Japan. Works of art will be sold with 1/2 of the proceeds to be donated to Japan.

The Book Project: This project is out of personal interest. I am currently working on illustrating a series of Baby/Toddler Books, will include, counting, ABC, Nursery Rhymes and more as ideas develop. I will be blogging about its progress so follow along!

The Mural Project: This project is still in the works but I am hoping the details will be worked out soon. Along with photographer and artist Trayc Dudgeon we will be redesigning and painting the mural the Playroom for Sick Kids Hospitals’ Ronald McDonald House. I am really excited about it and can’t wait to get to work!

2. UPCOMING SHOWS

Fundraiser/Auction for World Aids Orphans Day, May 7th, 2011 at University of Wester Ontario. 2 pieces showing and up for auctioned.

Artist of the month: Credit Valley Hospital
Maternity/Obstetrics Wing, July 1-31, 2011

Brampton Arts Festival: Artist Vendor, original sales, minis, prints and cards to be sold, live painting in Booth in Downtown Brampton. Come Check it out! July 16th, 2011

Junction Arts Festival: September 2011 More
information to come

Live Painting at Catch the Fire in Toronto, various event and dates.

3. RELEASING NEW NURSERY COLLECTION! to be on the website soon! 

4. RELEASING NEW CARDS AND PRINTS FROM ALL COLLECTIONS

5. FINE ART SERVICES AVAILABLE: 

• Fine art original sales  (available in different styles from Representational to abstract please see my website for examples  www.heathersinnott.com)

• Commissions: looking for something specific?
Or see something you love, but it is already sold or not in the colour you want? I will paint for you a customized piece to suit your wants and  needs.

• Expressively Yours: Personalized original art works: send me a photo you love and I will create an original, unique expressive painting of your little one! Different sizes available.

• Letters to little ones: write a letter to your little one, I will create an original piece with your little one’s name and written letter to them,  incorporating the words you have written. An incredible cherished gift to them for years to come.

• Art Prints: in a variety of different sizes

• Art Greeting Cards: art cards from original pieces blank inside, glossy finish, can be customized for you!

• Personalized Baby name plates (cost per letter)
Individual 5 x 7 letters, designed to your colours and style, tied with satin ribbon for hanging

• Murals: nurseries, kids rooms, playrooms, adult Living spaces.

• Design Services: Birth Announcements, thank you cards, birthday & shower invitations. (Professional services available such as poster design, ads, logo design, portfolio design, brochures etc.)

• Birthday Parties: arts and crafts with your kids!

• Kids - Adult  Art Workshops

 

BLOGGIN ON PAUSE

just WAAAY to busy right now, seems that life has picked up with many awesome art oppertunities, every minute is utilized with painting, designing, planning projects. It is craziness and i AM LOVING IT!!! except that I have been missing a skype friend I talk to often and blogging which are 2 of my favourie things to do.

i think to blog but i don't have a ton to say b/c i have no time to think let alone write!
but I did get to sit down and get to relax in my amazing backyard yesterday with my honey and enjoy the warmth of the sun.. Decked out just premiered this past Thursday and is a Hit! Advertising everywhere!!! Great Reviews and looks like people are really happy with it. which i am really happy about, not only excited about our episode, but more importantly, God just blessing the socks off friends of ours!  I mean, this kinda thing is just so rare. not only such awesome talent but God is just doing so much on each job site. I think those decks just carry His awesome presence and these amazing spaces they build are full of His awesomeness and Grace. Lives WILL BE transformed. Tune in on Thursdays 10 - 11pm Eastern Time on HGTV. or check out them out here.

i have been attending Hot Yoga classes, they blow my mind and body. I have gone down 2 pant sizes. it is rediculous. the best workout ever. and it is peaceful. i think it has been keepingme more balanced, b/c it is time for me to clear my mind and just be alone.

Yesterday I had a documentary style photo shoot with an art publication in Toronto, The Image Interview. It was this photographers personal project, his baby.. to see into the life and beauty of hard working artists, with great character and promote them, what they do and celebrate and appreciate who they are and what they do. It was fun, i love his style, so I can't wait to see the final product. And of course I will post when its up :)

I am still working on finishing up a few commissions, the Hope project, and have a few others under way. Orphans with Aids in Africa (fundraiser and auction in may 4th & 5th at University of Western)  and Love for Japan, the mural project (excited about this!!! for sick kids hospital) and the book project (personal project.. we'll see where it goes..). About a month ago and man prayed for me at church, he simply said, "more dreams, more revelations" since then, it has been exploding. I love it, my mind if overflowing with ideas, and things I can do for others.. pictures, paintings, my brain, my heart is in overdrive and it is flowing and flowing. i am excited to create.

also Nutured Baby show is next weekend in Orangeville. I will have a booth there, check it out if you can, it should be great :)  i have been busy designing promos and give aways, painting, printing, stuffing artists packages, i am a busy girl.

anyway that is the update on me.

BYE!

my space

its not much, but its mine.. its where i create, where i worship, dream, explore my thoughts, my heart. Have many conversations with papa and well.. work!
I don't think i have EVER seen it this clean. kind a nice organized chaos.

moment to myself

I took advantage of the baby's nap today and amidst all of the craziness of the upcoming nurtured show and a few commissions I have underway, I took a moment for me. I'm not sure what is stirring in my heart at the moment but there is something.. life is so busy. and i think it's easy to feel 2nd at times. balancing life, can often feel overwhelming, a young baby, a new family, a busy job, a new business, school, the future.. what's to come. This piece I painted, just for me. i don't know if it's done, it was a moment, it was a thought, it was apart of my heart that needed to be expressed. Its the first time in a while that i painted without putting expectation on myself... and. it felt free. 

its called forget-me-not. 

 

moment to myself

I took advantage of the baby's nap today and amidst all of the craziness of the upcoming nurtured show and a few commissions I have underway, I took a moment for me. I'm not sure what is stirring in my heart at the moment but there is something.. life is so busy. and i think it's easy to feel 2nd at times. balancing life, can often feel overwhelming, a young baby, a new family, a busy job, a new business, school, the future.. what's to come. This piece I painted, just for me. i don't know if it's done, it was a moment, it was a thought, it was apart of my heart that needed to be expressed. Its the first time in a while that i painted without putting expectation on myself... and. it felt free. 

its called forget-me-not.

forget-me-not

Triptych 8 x 8 

acrylic on gallery canvas

All things Baby: Nutured

I have been a very busy bee working away on an upcoming trade show “Nutured” baby show. It is an event put on by some wondering fun WAHM’s (work at home mom’s) and have inspired me to create some really fun things for my booth. Lots of great little baby mini’s and cute illustrations and lots of great things. Now here’s the thing… I am suddenly really inspired by this site a great friend sent me www.ohdeedo.com It has all these really cute nurseries and rooms. Of my goodness I am OBSESSED!! Ohhhh I want beautiful rooms!!!! Not that mine are crap I think I’ve done a good job but these.. this is a whole new world of really awesome, unique, creative interior design!!! On top of this,  I want to make all these cute SUPER cute baby things, the nurseries are just gorgeous and they have suuuch cute things!!!! (and so easy for me to make, or make even cuter) So perhaps there is a new business venture of some sort, making cute baby things. Hmm. I’ll sit on it. Seems it might be a tiny market but maybe it could work. It’s just that not everyone can afford original art. Sales are fine but it would be nice to have something just fun and cute and not so serious that I can make money off of too. So maybe I’ll make up a great etsy shop and sell them.. I have one for my art, I never really got around to knowing how to use it. Perhaps now is the time.