Dabbling in Studio Again

I lovely sunny day outside today, so light was good in the studio. Decided to finish off another little study started it seems ages ago. More for something for my hands to do while I was thinking, actually. I'm in a planning stage for another larger piece, this one will be a portrait of an old friend of mine. I have a blank canvas in front of me, 30x40", still naked. And I'm of a mind to coat it again in its entirety, although I'm not sure of the last success of this. But this little canvas just finished does remind me again how much I hate the rough canvas texture. Sigh. So.

What to do, what to do.

Canadian Open Chess Tournament

Enjoying a long and exciting weekend down at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel showcasing my chess sets at the Canadian Open. Mark Bluvshtein, who holds the distinction of becoming both the youngest Canadian IM and the youngest Canadian GM in history, played with one of my chess sets on Friday night for his Chess Simultaneous Exhibition, where he played 16 other players at once. The man is beyond good. It was very cool.

Oh, and by the way Mark won the match. He did say that the board provided some challenge to him.

Quick picture of the booth, with Roddy and Wendy playing in the background.

Huge thank you to Linda and Jeff, who found the display case for the boards. It's awesome!

Half done and still working on ... will be finished today

Test Driving Website

I've been playing around with an additional set of pages for my website, these ones specifically showcasing the chessboards. Decided to have this trial site via Weebly, located at:

www.hooplechessboards.com

When I'm happy with it, I'll move it over underneath my domain at www.janehoople.com ... really, as soon as I figure out the directions, I'll do that. I think Weebly might be making it difficult, but then that could just be an opinion.

Final Muskoka Chair "ChessMaster"

Taking it outside to varnish, but I'm likely not going to have time to varathane. Will have to coherse someone else into helping with this aspect.  Oh and try not to notice the messy studio area; will look at that after I come back from a few days in Ottawa.

Chair is going to be late ... sigh.

But I'm working on it, I swear. Just finishing the Queen on the back now, then have to varnish. Will have to call Kathleen and ask her when I can deliver it to her ... will need that extra couple of days to finish.

Seat Finished, Starting on Back

Have finished the seat icons, and am now moving on to the Queen on the back of the chair. Actually, I might have to paint the arms now, simply to give the seat a chance to dry before painting the back of the chair.

2011 Muskoka Chair, now working on "GrandMaster"

New Board, small 10x10"

Hmm Mostly Finished

So I'm mostly finished and am just getting to posting now. Still have the white border to finish, but am hestitating as the original plan was to take this on Wednesday to New York with me, so that I could play a few times with my friends down there over the weekend. But if I do paint the border, or niggle any more, it won't be touch dry and I'll have to forget the whole idea. Sigh. Decisions, decisions. It's probably too big to take on a plane anyway, I suppose. And I'm havng a problem deciding what to bring, and I'd need larger pieces if i take this board ... but I've not finished the smaller board that was my second option ...

Doesn't it just annoy one when people waffle? I'm waffling; annoying even myself. I need new shoes to go to NYC anyway, and a really small hairdryer. I should go out into the world, even though I don't really feel like it. It's snowing again, which is kinda pretty I suppose.

Work in Progress

New chessboard currently in progress. Oil on wood, and wasn't able to finsih it this weekend (started yesterday).

Catching up after catching the flu

Yes, just checking in and updating some pics as I'm getting over the flu. Really, it's been quite some time since I've been this sick. And I know that six days is nothing compared to the 3 weeks most people have been out with this one, but for me to be sick this long is weird. And I don't likes it. Still can't sleep though; spent last night sleeping in the chair in my studio because it's the most comfortable spot I could find. Lying down is dismal - just impossible to breathe.

But I got new medicine yesterday evening and today was better. Look, it's 8:00pm and I'm still semi-vertical. I can even read still. Back in the studio plotting again. Definitely on the mend. Looking forward to going to NYC next weekend to visit friends and wander the art shows.

What does one wear at art shows? Do you think anyone cares really?

Another little square for the new "candies and sweets" chessboard in progress ... and

... and the finished clay chessboard. This ones a little different. Haven't really sorted out what I think yet. Still have to take some photos with the pieces on it, that might help sort out thoughts.



New Year, New Project

Working on a couple new chessboards, just because. Actually the sculptural aspect was completed earlier this year (I guess last year now), but I'm just getting to painting it now. And also have started to paint my next one, and am designing the pieces separately in one of my sketchbooks. This one will be based on candy, many different kinds and meanings of candy.

Working on new Chessboard

Was happily playing in a new media this weekend, better clay and this time for the entire chess board. I'm liking the results, although I only really only just started. It's more work than they say; my hands are getting a real workout, and boy does it smell right out of the container. Even the dog left the room. But it's great.

Started a new painting too, this one 60"x30", so now I'll have several things on the go at once. Now I really like this idea.

Will have to wait until next Saturday to get more clay to finish the chessboard, rather pooped about that. But I'm going to get to paint on this half right away anyway.

Recent Chess-related Works at REBAS Cafe, Dundas & Runnymede (Bloor Str West)

Finished Chessboard

Tuesday Ponderings

Why do we paint? Is it to capture images that surround us, whether within or without ourselves? Or is it simply a method of communication, another venue to express ourselves when words fail? Does there really need to be a purpose.

There must be though, a reasoning of sorts, whether or not it is describable in terms relative to a common understanding because I need to paint. I feel a bit lost as I sit and wonder at where to go with my canvases. Do I keep the lines, or let them go. Are the lines there for me, or as part of something relayed to others.