Brendalee Astells Visual Arts

Day 33/100 and Day 3/30 - the birds are back! I was thinking of the expression, practice makes perfect, and what it really means. These challenges have inspired me to draw and paint something almost everyday...to create a art practice. Like any habit it takes time to become a part of a routine. But what I caution myself against is striving for the perfection I think should happen. Instead I’ve discovered that doing this almost everyday isn’t going to result in perfection instead it has lead to a greater confidence to just do it. Practicing something to do it really well is not a bad thing but if we get so caught up with the focus on perfect we lose can sight of the journey.

Check out Isle of the Arts workshops online! Registration is now open! I’m teaching two workshops. Ink Making: drawing from Nature and Bullet Journaling as part of the Artist Toolkit. https://artsfest.artsgabriola.ca//ink-making-drawing-from/ Check out all the other great workshops available. All the workshops are virtual this year so we can continue to stay safe and look out for each other.

Day 32/100 and Day 2/30 - I know I promised birds but the one I finished today just wasn’t behaving for the camera. So one more of just flowers. I have a feeling that these designs might form the basis for some of my future collections. I can’t believe I just said that! Pinching myself often because it’s just so damn exciting to be embarking on this.

Day 30/100 - wow I’m way behind on my postings. Not going to pressure myself though. Dancing as fast as I can or rather want to. It’s so easy to pile on the expectations and then feel as if we have let ourselves down when it doesn’t go according to plan. Not going to let that happen. My idea was to just enjoy and enjoy I have.

Day 28/100 - I think this image is a good indication of how my mind felt with all the new information I’m taking in. Very full and a little cluttered. It certainly is challenging at times. Learning all the little nuances of a new software program has pushed a few buttons. But I’m loving the challenge of it!

I’m joining the #100dayproject. I’m committing to 10 days at a time so it’s not overwhelming. For the next 10 days I’m going to share the inks and pigments I’ve been cooking up. Today it’s copper oxide that I’ve added baking soda too. It neutralized the vinegar from the original solution and it’s a slightly different colour with a touch more green in it. The yellow is from the first ink I made, yellow pansies. I love the way they interact with each other.

I’ve been saving avocado skins and pits for awhile. There’s a large bag of them in my freezer. Actually it’s a freezer also full of leaves collected last fall but that’s another story. I tried making ink with the pits and skins before and it was...well the pits. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself) Yesterday I tried again and was much happier with the results. And even more exciting, well to me, is I’m starting my online Ink Making course through Maiwa in Vancouver. Can’t wait to share what I learn!

Hand painted original cards. I can write your message and pop it on the mail for you. It may not get there in time for the 25th but the message can be timeless. $9.00 if I mail the card for you $8.00 if you pick it up. If you would like me to write your message, send me a pm with the info and the card you would like.

I have invited Gwen Spinks and Maxx P. Duncalfe to be guest artists until the 24th of December at Silver Bee Studio! We have a wonderful assortment of gifts big... and small, some great stocking stuffers, and Gift Certificates for those hard to shop for people. Only one of us at a time though. Covid friendly shopping...masks required. 11-2 ~ December 20-24th 1969 Clamshell Drive 250-802-8084 if you would like to call for an appointment.