Audrey Hayes Art - Canadian Artist

a la...

Several years ago I met local artist Laura Harris. We talked about the possibility of her doing an art workshop and she said she had tossed around the idea. I love her art and really wanted to learn from her.  Over the years we would see each other, usually at the art store, and she would tell me that she hadn't forgotten about doing a workshop and she really was going to put something together but had been so busy.  

Then finally, last April I got an email, the email.  Laura was ready to have a workshop, a weekend of inspiration, a revelation of her artistic secrets.  I was thrilled.  

So on a warm, sunny summer weekend, myself and 15 other admirers watched and learned and were inspired by Laura.  We spent two days on a 100 acre property out in Metchosin surrounded by mountains, ocean, and golden pastures.

Each morning began with a light breakfast in a beautiful log cabin and outdoor yoga overlooking the ocean.  After an inspirational morning of painting we were nourished with scrumptious west-coast themed lunches made from fresh, organic, local ingredients.  Painting continued in the afternoon and by the end of it we walked away with three paintings.  It was an amazingly creative and inspirational weekend.  

This was one painting I completed after the workshop. My painting...a la Laura, hence the title.

A LA - 24 x 36 - acrylic on canvas

 

Gung Hay Fat Choy!!

QaRt Code

Check out my QR Code.  As I mentioned in my New Year's post, this year I am working on getting my art business seriously up and running and that means I need to update many things like my website and business cards, etc.  By updating, I don't just mean a fresh new look, but I also want to catch up with the times and these days that is technology.  I have been thinking for a while about having a QR Code on my business card.  Once I have created a new card I'll be sure to show you, but for now here is my QR Code.

Once the rain stops and the lighting is better I will take some photos of my most recent paintings and upload them.  Until then...

2012

Wow, how did we get here?  I remember when I was about 11 years old back in 1982 and Prince's 1999 came out.  1999 was so far off it was hard to imagine.  And then, as time works, it was all of a sudden 1999. The threat of Y2K was upon us and, I think, prevented many people from actually partying like it was 1999.  It was crazy to think we were in a new century, a new millenium.  Now here we are, a dozen years in...2012.

My goals for this year are not new.  They are more of a continuation from last year.  

~ I am hoping to run more and continue to get healthier and fitter.  I am going to run the Garden City 10K this year, as opposed to walking it.

~ I am going to focus more on painting and the business of painting and hopefully start producing a proper income from my art.

~ I am going to enjoy my life, my kids, my husband...as I always do.

Welcome 2012!

year in review - 3/3

  

September to December

Here is the final chapter to our great year.

September was back to school for the girls and work for Sean and I.  We were recharged by a great, full summer and I became inspired, for some reason, to start running.  And that is what I have been doing now for almost 4 months, which is unheard of for me.  

For a couple of years now I have wanted to take an abstract art workshop with local artist, Michelle Miller.  Well, I finally got my chance.  It was 8 weeks long, from September to November, and I loved it.  I learned lots of great techniques and I am eager to put my new abstract skills into practice.  

After a busy start to the school year, with art classes in full swing and Fall setting in, I was busier than ever with little time to waste...but that was when I discovered Pinterest.com...and I managed to waste more time than I had.  But I did find a lot of fun stuff on it.  Sean, too, was inspired by many yummy recipes found on Pinterest.  First he tried this cinnamon pull-apart bread which wasn't bad, but he really wanted to try a recipe he'd found in his America's Test Kitchen recipe book for MONKEY BREAD.

This was Sean's Monkey Bread.  It was scrumptious!!  You can find many recipes and pictures of this on Pinterest.

November saw Emmy turn 6 and me turn 40.  Yikes!!  And countless other friends and family grew a year older this month as well.

And finally a busy month of Christmas prep brings us to now.

While the year was busy and fantastic, I didn't paint nearly as much as I needed or wanted to.  Even though I mananged to have three art shows early in the year, a couple of commissions, and several painting sold, painting definitely took a back seat to work this year.  

It has been a great year for our family.  I hope whatever 2011 held for you, 2012 will exceed your expectations.

I wish you a new year full of happiness and good health.  

All the best for 2012.

Until next year...

year in review - 2/3

  May to August

My sister-in-law, Cait and her new husband, Carman at their wedding last May.

 "Artists in Motion" - my 3rd art show of the year.

Food Fest at Fort Rodd Hill - June

Then, the girls, my parents and I were off to Britain for the month of July.  We visited my mom's family in the south of England and my dad's family in Glasgow.

  

One of our favourite moments...spotting this "hairy coo" aka Highland cow.

While we were away, Sean turned 40.

Much anticipated art workshop with local artist, Laura Harris - A two-day art workshop in August, combined with great lunches and a morning yoga session.  {that's my painting to the left, I'll show it to you one of these days}

August was packed full with summer fun, including a week of camping on Thetis Island.
  

A belated anniversary get-a-way downtown at the Ocean Point Hotel.  A perfect weekend topped off by being upgraded to the penthouse suite.  A pretty nice way to end the summer.

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Year in Review finale tomorrow.

year in review - 1/3

January to April

Just some of the many things that took place this past year.  For starters, here is the beginning of the year.

"Boundless" art show last February.

February Snowfall.

Sean and I wearing Silver medals from our very own Canadian Olympic medalists - Simon Whitfield (2x Gold, Silver & Bronze in Triathalon), David Calder (Silver in Rowing), and Scott Frandsen (Silver in Rowing).  We were invited by Dave Calder his "Road to Gold" fundraiser.

Garden City 10K - Clearly not my "road to gold"...I won't tell you my time, but it was pityful...however, I WILL be faster in 2012. 

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Year in Review continuded tomorrow...

... & fabulous!!!

very {p}interesting!

Okay.  I am addicted!  A few months ago I became aware of this fabulous website called Pinterest.  I only went on it once or twice and then forgot all about it.  Then a few weeks ago I stumbled upon it again and...BAM!!...I was hooked. 

It is like a bulletin board where people pin up all the coolest things that can be found on the web.  It is like a magazine where every page is cholk-full of great ideas, amazing finds, unbelievable cuteness.  It makes me want to bake, create, craft, redecorate, get a puppy, cut my hair, and dress cool.   

Not only is it {p}interesting, it is so {p}inspiring.  Give it a chance and you too will waste time like never before.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MY ART:  I am taking an abstract art workshop right now, which I love.  Between this and the workshop that I took in the summer, I have several paintings in the works.  As soon as I have a chance to photograph them I will post what I have been working on.

JUST ME:  As I type this I am counting down the days until I am "over the hill".  In an attempt to not go down [the hill] without a fight, I decided to start running a couple of months ago.  I use the term "running" loosely.  It is more of a very slow jog or perhaps a fast walk in which I jump up and down to make it look as though I am "running".  Nonetheless, I am trying to get in shape.  Unfortuately, that "shape" continues to be that of a pear.  These things take time, I suppose, but I will get there.  

pears via pinterest

Until next time...

lovin' summer lovin'

Sean and I didn't really have a chance to celebrate our 9 year anniversary this summer as we were leaving for Britain the next day.  So we put it off until the end of the summer and did it in style...with the help of several gift cards. Hotel, spa, and dinner were taken care of.  Pretty nice!

It was a beautiful August weekend. We arrived at the Ocean Pointe Resort early and checked in.  Not only we did we have a gift card to cover the hotel, we also had a complimentary upgrade to the best available room.  Well, the best available room that day just so happened to be the PENTHOUSE!!

[this is Sean taking my photo from down below]

[this is looking down from the penthouse] 

[Victoria's beautiful harbour]

The penthouse was pretty sweet.  It had a loft bedroom, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, full living room, dining room...

and of course, a gorgeous view.

That evening we went out for a fabulous dinner at Cafe Brio, thanks to our good friends, K & D. 

There's nothing like a warm summer's eve downtown.

The next morning we had a couple's massage at the spa.  This was our Mother & Father's Day gifts to each other this year.  It was a nice way to finish up our mini vacation. 

It is finally autumn and although it is still warm out, summer seems like a distant memory...but a good one.

Welcome, Fall!

back with a video

I am sure you are tired of seeing the Union Jack when you stop by my little blog.  Thank you to those of you who have kept coming back.  I know...it's been a long time since my last post. 

It has been a very busy summer and I haven't really had the time or energy to blog. But it's time to get back at it and update it already.  

I am hoping this may be my solution to the lack of time for blogging. A video post.  I am hoping to be able to whip these off with some increased frequency.  We'll see.  But I'll give it a try for now.

1st Video blog from audrey hayes on Vimeo.

 

Be back soon.