Real art show coming up!

During what I tend to call “the COVID times” I have chosen not to participate much in the virtual world of posting art, writing blog posts, etc.  This whole situation, the virus, unrest, etc., has proven to be very uninspiring for me.  And I felt virtually overwhelmed ;). While I did paint a few new pieces, my soul was not drawn to the studio the way it usually has been.  A few upcoming art shows were cancelled, and it really took the wind out of my sails.  I focused on other time-consuming activities instead! (In contrast, my son has been very creative – he released an EP! – see my previous blog post).

But now that we are opening up, somewhat, I have an actual art show coming up!  I will have two pieces in the “Oxford Studio DETOUR” coming up at the Tillsonburg Station Arts Centre.  It is meant to be a sampling of the participants in the annual Oxford Studio Tour which was cancelled in May 2020 and will be held May 2021 instead.

For more information, please visit the most recent blog post at the OST site.

Here is your invitation to the show:

This weekend! Welcome Back…

Just a reminder – this weekend is our 23rd Annual Studio Tour here in little historic Otterville.  The weather has cooperated to make Otterville look exactly as it does in the image on the postcard. That was not my intention when I designed the postcard!  Sorry folks… but guess what?  The forecast for the weekend is – SUNNY!  So the snow currently present should at least look pretty.  And most of all, you shouldn’t have any trouble driving here!

Once you arrive (here is a map of where I am), if you haven’t acquired a postcard from the multitude of places we’ve all left them, or printed a map from either here or the website, just look for the yellow flags to show you where participating studios are.  There is no admission charge, and each of us will have some postcards available.   Sometimes there are extra places open in town just for the weekend, which is great too, but the yellow flags indicate those who have actually paid for our advertising, so we hope you will definitely visit all those with flags.  You never know what unique and perfect item you might find if you go, or miss if you don’t!

Just click on the image below, and then save and/or print:

Look for the yellow flags!

This is my most recently completed painting.  It’s what some of the countryside around here looked like earlier this fall.  I shared it on social media as soon as it was finished, and had interest from more than one potential buyer.  It has now sold, and they’ve chosen to frame it themselves.  They’ve even been kind enough to leave it with me until after the tour, so that I can have it on display.  Although… I’m not sure where I am actually going to do that, as I have so many other recent paintings and fractals to show you!  It’s been a very creative year.

Three Kilns. Watercolour on Paper. 11×15″. Artist Lianne Todd.  SOLD

 

Welcome Back! or welcome for the first time…

Lianne Todd, Annette Lilley, and Sue Goossens with their creations.

Press release:

Visit the historic village of Otterville for the 23rd annual  ‘Welcome Back to Otterville’ Studio Tour November 16 & 17. Each year, the artists of Otterville open their studio doors to exhibit their original art, photography, art cards and original mixed media pieces as well as bird houses, steel and wood works and unique floral creations. Treat yourself to a quiet day in the countryside and enjoy some hot apple cider or cranberry wassail and homemade cookies while you experience a world of creativity.

Ralph Moore & Sons specialize in birdseed and seed mixtures. They offer a variety of bird-feeders including Droll Yankee, Squirrel Buster, Perky Pet, Pinebush, Going Green, Chapelwood, and some handcrafted by local artists. Stock up on quality bird seed while in their shop.
Rooted in Floral is a new shop in Otterville. Annette Lilley creates original floral designs inspired by nature using dried and artificial products. When in season, flowers, herbs and botanicals from her farm are a favourite for that special event. Rooted in Floral will be open for the Tour and the following Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Christmas. The Shop will be open by appointment as well.
Sean Kilbourne is a millwright by trade and is new on the tour with unique wood and steel pieces. Commissioned by someone to make legs from steel for a live edge piece, he was impressed with the finished product. “I set out to find my own live edge wood so I could play around with different styles of legs. Steel will always be my go to but I have found a way with wood tools. By working with the two combined mediums my knowledge is always increasing.”  Sean will have available some amazing pieces of functional pieces and furniture.

Sue Goossens, Lianne Todd, Linda Hoffman, Marlene Long and Mae Leonard are professional artists compelled to create with completely different styles – artists who welcome you into their home studios to share their passion.
Sue has a large collection of watercolours both on paper and canvas. Landscape, architecture and a few florals! Her subjects represent scenes from northern Ontario, British Columbia and visions from her trips to Scotland and Italy.
Lianne Todd creates vivid watercolours and digital art reflecting nature. She depicts beautiful scenery from her travels and the life within it, as well as abstract-looking fractal ‘scenery’ and ‘life forms’ from her travels through digital ‘realms’ she creates, using vibrant colours on many different kinds of surfaces.
Linda Hoffman paints what is familiar and emotionally connected to her imaginative mind. She works in a variety of mediums and styles.
Trudy Verberne will be sharing Linda’ studio space. She handcrafts unique and meaningful greeting cards.
Mae puts her whole imaginative spirit into her acrylic paintings. Truly unique! Follow the garden path to Mae’s display in her barn in the village.
Marlene (Young) Long has just moved to Otterville and this is her first year on the tour! She previously lived in the Niagara region. She paints landscapes and various other subject matter in oil.

The tour website www.welcomebacktootterville.ca has photos of artists’ work and a map to all the studios. For more information call 519-879-6352.
All are welcome to visit each studio in Otterville on November 16 & 17 from 10am to 5pm. Watch for yellow flags at each location, as these denote participants who have contributed to advertisement of the tour.  A special thank you is extended to the Township of Norwich for their support.

A New Outlet for my Art!

Over on my other blog, at fractaliart.com, I posted yesterday about a new place my art can be purchased from.  Here’s a LINK to the post.  Please have a look!

Mama & Me, the Canadian Artisan Gift Boutique in Clinton, ON.

Meanwhile, don’t forget:  my exhibit ‘Discoveries in the Land of Discoverers’ is still on at Annandale House in Tillsonburg until September 10.

Algarve Coastline. Watercolour on Paper. 15×22″. Artist Lianne Todd.

 

‘Discoveries in the Land of Discoverers’

I will eventually get back to telling you more about my painting travels in Portugal last November. I just want to mention this show as I hung it today (10 pieces are mine) and it’s ready for viewing!

I finished a new painting yesterday, just in time for the show.  It is inspired both by my trip to Quinta da Regaleira, in Sintra, Portugal, and by a book I am reading right now – it dwells a bit on the Grail Romances which I find particularly fascinating.  In fact, the Quinta da Regaleira property’s architecture and structures are partly inspired by alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar, the Rosicrucians, and the Tarot, and many of these have been related strongly to the Grail Romances at times, including in the aforementioned book.  More about Quinta da Regaleira later… (it really captured the imagination) … for now I want you to see the finished painting.

The Stuff of Grail Romances. Watercolour on Gessoed Paper. 15×22″. $500.00. Artist Lianne Todd

You can get a much better impression of it if you actually go to the show, of course!  All of the pieces are ones that have been inspired by Portugal.

It’s at Annandale House (N.H.S), in Tillsonburg, on the second floor, in the gallery there.  Go check it out!

Hours:

Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday (July and August only)	12:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday	1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(Holiday hours may be different)

Address:

Annandale National Historic Site & Museum
30 Tillson Avenue
Tillsonburg, Ontario
N4G 2Z8

Happy Holidays!

It is the time of year we reach out to friends, bring our families closer together if we can, and are extra nice to strangers.  Even if we are remiss in some areas the rest of the year, at least we do it the once!  And what a year it has been.

For me, it has been a good year.  I have painted a number of paintings I am happy with, I am happy to have sold several pieces of my art, I’ve been lucky enough to do some traveling to far away places, I’ve made new friends, and I’ve been able to spend time with several of the special people in my life.  I hope your year has been good too.  But if it hasn’t, remember:  a new year is coming, and when things are bad, they will get better.  They will.

Now I am going to share with you one of the pieces I painted as a result of my trip west.  This was a scene on one of our hikes.  It was in the Valley of the Five Lakes – the same hike I talked about in “A watercolour inspired by this summer’s trip to Jasper“.  This painting is called Fourth Lake, Jasper.  It is amazing how the scenes change along a single hike and depending on the direction you look.

If by any chance you are still gift shopping and you wish to browse my gallery (watercolours and fractal art available!), please know you are welcome – just contact me here or send me a facebook message, or phone me (519-879-9903) (be sure to leave a message if I don’t answer!).  Don’t hesitate to ask for an evening appointment.  If I don’t see you, I wish you all the best this holiday season.

Fourth Lake, Jasper. Watercolour on Paper. 11×15″. Artist Lianne Todd. $295.00

Welcome Back to Otterville

It’s November again and the next couple of weeks will be busy with finishing up paintings, framing, cleaning house, and that sort of thing as I prepare for this year’s studio tour in our little town of Otterville.  Where is Otterville you ask?  We are quite close to  Norwich, Delhi, and Tillsonburg, not far (half an hour) from Woodstock, Ingersoll, Simcoe, and Brantford.  And we are easy enough to get to (about an hour drive) from London, St. Thomas, Stratford, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge,  and Hamilton.

Otterville has changed a little bit since last year – we have some new landscaping by the falls, generously donated by members of the community.  Our beloved corner store, Otterville Variety, closed at the end of summer.  Now we have a new store there which just opened a few days ago – Market by the Falls.  I haven’t even been in there yet but it looks really nice!

Here is our press release for the tour (composed by Shirley Hokke, Sue Goossens and myself).  If you keep scrolling, you’ll find a condensed version of the information and a map of the tour – all contained on our postcards which you’ll find at kind local businesses, libraries, and tourism offices.

Welcome Back Studio Tour Press Release 

The artists of Otterville invite you to experience a full range of unique artistic visions at the 21st Annual ‘Welcome Back to Otterville’ Studio Tour November 18 & 19.  
This year, the artists highlight traditional paintings, original mixed media pieces, photography, art cards and jewelry that represent an artistic vision for the meandering spirit. Functional bird houses, outdoor furniture, and engraved items all encompass a wonderful lead in to the winter holidays.  You will be pleasantly surprised to find diversity, yet warm hospitality, in the historical village of Otterville.  The warm scent of hot apple cider or cranberry wassail brewing, and home baking at some of the studios, adds that extra welcoming touch.

Trudy Verberne creates one-of-a-kind greeting cards often with matching envelopes. She is exhibiting with artist Linda Hoffman. Located just minutes away is Shawn Pinnoy, owner of Stix and Skids, selling up-cycled décor including wreaths, bird houses, barn-board signs and much more.
Ralph Moore & Sons specialize in birdseed and seed mixtures. They offer a variety of bird-feeders including Droll Yankee, Squirrel Buster, Perky Pet, Pinebush, Going Green, Chapelwood, and some handcrafted by local artists.
Nordale Woodworking specializes in the production of solid wood furniture and outdoor poly lawn furniture. (They are not open on Sunday.)
There is a new studio on the tour this year. Tammy Gould does creative laser engraving. She creates gifts on glass, wood, and metal. Custom designs are available.
Jillian and Kaleb Driedger, owners of In Bloom Designs, create handmade bright and earthy jewelry. Their designs feature beautiful gemstones and mixed metals along with exotic and recycled woods.
Sue Goossens, Shirley Hokke, Mae Leonard, Linda Hoffman and Lianne Todd are professional artists compelled to create with completely different styles – artists who welcome you into their home studios to share their passion.
Sue has a large collection of watercolours both on paper and canvas. Landscape, architecture and a few florals!
Shirley paints from her heart in conceptual oils and watercolours.
Mae puts her whole imaginative spirit into her acrylic paintings.
Linda paints with watercolour and oil on canvas and has a unique creative outlook.
Lianne skillfully explores nature’s patterns with vivid watercolours and digital art, in many different and surprising ways.

All are welcome to visit each studio in Otterville on November 18 & 19 from 10am to 5pm. Watch for yellow flags at each location. Maps are available online at www.WelcomeBackToOtterville.ca, or pick up a postcard at local businesses. A special thank you is extended to the Township of Norwich.

Oxford Studio Tour

May 6 & 7 is only two weeks away!  Some of you may have taken the opportunity to drive around the countryside of Oxford County, Ontario in previous years, so you know what a fantastic selection of original art can be found.  You also know how much fun a daytrip or weekend jaunt like this can be if you pair up with a friend or family member, or gather a carload of them.  We have 18 locations featuring 38 artists, and our brochures are available all over the county in libraries, tourist offices, and businesses, as well as at each studio.  Admission is absolutely free, and all you do is follow the maps and the red signs to get to each studio.  Then you just wander in!  The artists will be there to answer any questions you have (we love when you ask questions), and will leave you alone if all you want to do is enjoy the feast for your eyes.

Below is a small sampling of my own art, in case you are new to it.  I paint traditional subject matter with watercolours and I also do fractal art, all on various surfaces.  Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll stop by my open studio/gallery, at the back of my home which is Location #3.  I’m in Otterville, which is a little off the beaten track for many travelers but it’s worth the drive.  I’m easy to find, on Main Street near the historic mill and waterfall.  And my good friends Sue Goossens and Rhonda Franks, whose work I admire very much, are nearby at Location #4, along with Ashley Beecraft.  I’ve never met her but she makes really cool looking ‘misfit beasts’.

See you soon!

Festival of Creativity

Last year was the first year of the Halls Creek Festival of Creativity, and it was a really good experience.  It’s coming up again already this weekend, and I’m looking forward to it very much!

There are a lot of activities for everyone, over 60 artists exhibiting, lots of classes and demos happening, live music playing, delicious food to taste, and even an instrument petting zoo where you can try out all the musical instruments on display.

I will be exhibiting a variety of the art that I have currently available in my home gallery – traditional watercolours, watercolours on alternate surfaces, fractal watercolours, digital fractal original metal prints, even one of the scarves I designed.  I’ll also be painting at my booth – might as well absorb some of that creative energy around me and put it to good use!

Check out the website for details – for some of the workshops you need to sign up ahead of time.  Just a reminder – Ingersoll is only about an hour and a half from downtown Toronto, and only a half hour from London!  Why not make a day of it?