I felt I needed to loosen up a bit. This 24 X 30 piece, entitled Primary, is the  third intuitive work I've done my whole life. And I loved it! It was freeing and didn't take me months to execute. Stay tuned for more!

Just in time for Canada Day! You can find 8 new oil painted Canadian Maple Leaves at Ritchcraft Gallery on Lakeshore Rd., Kelowna. Happy Canada Day, eh?

Duane looks fierce and defiant in this
"Making Faces" portrait. It won third prize in the Thompson Nicola Shushwap
Federation of Canadian Artists Exhibition last month in Kamloops! Way to go Duane!

This year I joined the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists and as an active member, I've contributed to 3 shows already. One show, called "Retro", is online. For that I submitted a graphite drawing (framed) titled "Steam Punk". 

From my "Making Faces" series, I've submitted "Milton", for the "Active Member Exhibition". For the "Artists' Choice" show I submitted "Marion", which surprised me by selling!  Both shows were at the Federation's Gallery on Granville Island in Vancouver.

I wonder if the buyer actually knows Marion, or knows someone with that name?

Making Faces show is being shown at Ritchcraft Gallery on Lakeshore Rd., Kelowna, BC, for the month of January 2018. OpenHouse on Fri., Jan. 12 from 5- 7 PM. Come and have some chuckles. If you are interested, I can do commissions.

The Portrait, "Janet", has been shortlisted in an online art competition. It is a multi-layered contest. The first part is winning online votes from the public. Winners to compete in a juried show in Vancouver. And winners from there go to a show in Miami! Please vote for me (everyday if you can) at WWW.bombayartisan.com. Log in with either Facebook or Google. Type in Janet in the search box, then click on her face to vote. (you do not have to join any membership).

Then mark your calendars for my show, "Making Faces" to be held at the Alternator  Centre for Contemporary Art at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna, BC. Please come to the opening on Oct. 13, at 7:30. Show runs for two weeks, and will display portraits of 25 friends, family, and strangers making faces that eerily show their        personality. This will be a very unique show and will make you laugh out loud!

You haven't heard from me for awhile because I've
been busy helping my 99 year old Mom and  painting goofy portraits. The portraits remind me not to take life so  seriously, and to laugh more.

I'm finishing up my 19th and 20th portrait and have another seven more to go. I've noticed changes in my technique and approach to portrait painting, and that's OK. I believe they are getting better. Having said that, I'm anxious to try a freer style when I continue my learning experience after my exhibition.

So please come out to the Alternator Gallery in the Rotary Centre for the Arts on Friday, October 13th for my opening show, "Making Faces", and tell me what you think.

After my last blog about my Grumpy Selfie, I started thinking what a wonderful thing I had stumbled upon. It was so much fun painting a goofy self-portrait, it must be just as joyful painting a not-so traditional portrait of others. So I started with my Mom,. She's going on 99 and was very keen on my new project, Making Faces. Most people would want a lovely portrait painted, but Mom saw the joy of making fun of oneself and  resulting hilarity. Good on you  Mom!  This show is dedicated to you!

I've never had so much fun painting!  I find myself actually laughing while I'm painting. I also learn so much with each painting I do. I've also had fun approaching strangers and showing them what I am working on. Their faces light up and they become so keen to take part. Very few people decline the offer of having their picture taken.

I'm hoping to have painted at least 30 portraits by October 2017 (show time). It is going to be so much fun to have all the subjects and their friends and family present for the opening! Think of the hilarity and laughter it will produce!

Paintings will be offered for sale for $180 (framed or not) with 20% going to the Kelowna Women's Shelter. If you'd like to be part of this new way of looking at yourself, please send me a clear close-up of yourself and I'll see what I can do! You can email me at jansich@telus.net, or contact me and if you are in my area, I may be able to take a photo of you to use.

Ah, come on. Admit it! You think selfies are pretty vain and self-glorifying, don't you? I've had so many varied responses from this painting. Most just love it because it epitomizes what they really think about selfies. As for me, it was a great subject for a first self-portrait. Nothing too fancy and just downright funny. And imperfect.  That's me.

Yeah! My online store is up and running. All original oil paintings like this little treasure, "Black Tea", 6" X 6" and selling for $75. Perfect for the person on your list who has enough of the real tea cups!