Destanne's Art and Musings

Live Auction in Progress at Midsummer's Eve

2011-07-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Smiles abound at VAG Midsummer's Eve

2011-07-21T05:22:00.000-07:00

Catherine Christensen (Vernon), Camille Clark, Paul Crawford and Glenn Clark (Penticton)

Missing My B(u)oy!

2011-07-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

While yesterday and today have been good days to catch-up (if there is ever such a thing) on correspondence, blogging, etc... in preparation for painting time in the studio - I must say - I am missing my B(u)oy! who's off sailing on a wooden schooner on the coast of Maine. Smooth sailing, love!

Vernon Art Gallery: MIDSUMMER'S EVE of the ARTS 2011 is Tonight!

2011-07-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

I donated an oil painting entitled, STILL WATER BLOOM, 24" x 36" to this fundraiser. I am looking forward to the evening...and have added a midsummer's eve quote for contemplation:

From far, from eve and morning
And yon twelve-winded sky,
The stuff of life to knit me
Blew hither: here am I.
A.E.Housman (1859-1936), British Poet

Destanne and her oil painting, WATER & STONES

2011-07-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

WATER & STONES is in the Penticton Art Gallery permanent collection. It is an honor to be part of this three person exhibit on the theme of water. My thanks go to Director/Curator, Paul Crawford; Art Preparator, Glenn Clark; the Administrative Staff & Board of Directors; and to those of you who take the time to view the exhibition in person and/or read about it and view it virtually.

There are paintings from my MFA research project being shown for the first time in a Canadian exhibition - having only been exhibited previously in Tasmania, Australia. Other pieces have been exhibited at the Fina Gallery, University of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna, BC and at Touchstones: Museum of Art & History in Nelson, BC. Two paintings are in private collections and both are on loan to the PAG for this show.

Water has no taste, no color, no odor, it can not be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself. It fills us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses.
Antoine De Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) Wind, Sand & Stars, 1939

2011-07-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Judith DesBrisay with her painting.

2011-07-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

Brent Bukowski with sculpture installation, FLOW.

Opening Reception of EBB & FLOW at the Penticton Art Gallery

2011-07-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

Pleased to be exhibiting with artists, Judith and Brent, whom I met at the opening reception of the exhibition EBB & FLOW ~ EQUILIBRIUM, curated by Paul Crawford, at the Penticton Art Gallery on Friday, July 15. If you are able, drop by the gallery to see the exhibit - it is featured in the main gallery until September 11.
see www.pentictonartgallery.com for more information

Kalamalka Vertigo

2011-02-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Selected Works from the Embodied Pool Series are paintings which I completed as part of my Master of Fine Art degree research project. This exhibition is hanging in the exhibition space, Kalamalka Vertigo, in the Okanagan College Kalamalka campus until the end of February.

In conjunction with this exhibition, I gave an artist presentation entitled, Life, Art, Nature & Healing, on Thursday, January 27 and I will be presenting again at the Lake Country Art Gallery in Lake Country on Thursday, February 24 at 7pm.

Quiet Light in the Okanagan

2010-12-12T15:07:00.000-08:00

I seem to have lost track of time - it's been just over nine months since my last posting. 2010 has been a very eventful and memorable year both professionally and personally. And on this gray and snowy white afternoon as we near the shortest day of the year, while I am taking a break from working on some winter landscape paintings in my studio, my thoughts drift back to making this painting this past summer and feeling grateful for all of the four seasons in nature and our lives.

Plant Life 1

2010-03-05T20:42:00.001-08:00

Plant Life 1, 2010
acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12"

The air was warm as the sun glazed my body while I ran through Kal Park this morning. Enter Spring. And the lively green shoots that will be popping their heads out of the yellow ochre grasslands soon. My thoughts were on this time of rebirth, earlier this winter, while I played with acrylics in my studio.

Meltdown 4

2010-03-02T12:56:00.001-08:00

This is the last of the Meltdown studio paintings until I have the opportunity experience a polar region directly. The possibility is floating out there!?

Meltdown 4, 2010
oil on board, 12" x 12"

Meltdown 3

2010-02-02T08:19:00.001-08:00

Meltdown 3, 2010
oil on panel, 12" x 12"

I received an e-mail from the Australian Antarctic Division yesterday regarding the application process for their Arts Fellowship Program to Antarctica. Time to stop 'Antarctic dream painting' and find a way to experience 'the largest remaining wilderness on earth' to do a visual art research project on the Meltdown. How is this going to happen?

Meltdown 2

2010-02-01T14:21:00.001-08:00

Meltdown 2, 2010
oil on panel, 12" x 12"

Climate change - global warming - melting ice - it is happening! CBC Ideas in the Afternoon radio program is airing a debate on the question: Is Climate Change mankind's defining crisis? What do you think?

Meltdown 1

2010-01-30T17:30:00.000-08:00

Meltdown 1, 2010
oil on panel, 12" x 12"

From Tasmanian time to Jasper time. I began this painting using a reference: a photograph that I had taken of ice chunks in the tarn at the base of Mt. Edith Cavel in Jasper National Park. In the making of this piece another image from my mind's eye emerges. I go with it and this painting becomes a picture of melting icebergs in ocean waters where the viewer can see a distant horizon. Where am I being drawn to, through my imagery arising from my subconcious, - north or south?

Vortex Rising

2010-01-27T14:06:00.001-08:00

Vortex Rising
oil on canvas, 56" x 35"

Memories from my time in Tasmania have come to mind today. Vortex Rising, was a painting I made, based on a photograph I took of seeing my first funnel cloud. Although, this cloud was inland - I took the creative liberty to place it near a body of water.
Interesting to learn that a funnel cloud that moves over or touches down on water is called a waterspout. And that when a funnel cloud touches earth it becomes a tornado and it's spout is the visible core of a vortex.
Vortex - the symbolic and metaphoric meaning and associated ideas are intriguing - landscape, memory, metaphor, life!
William Blake writes about the vortex in his poem, The Nature of Infinity. He begins writing:
'The nature of Infinity is this: That everything has its own Vortex;...'

The Gift of Giving

2010-01-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

Red Trillium
oil on canvas, 12" x 12"

The green and red decorations from Christmas have been stored away until next year, yet the gift of giving really has no season. Red Trillium (the three petals make me think of the trinity)
hangs in the home of a woman, now friend, who appeared in my life to assist in 'lifting' me up to follow my dream. (See www.thewaveriders.com.) She was one, of numerous other family and friends - and some who did not even know me - in 2009, who sprinkled my life with their generosity. Thank-you for your kindness!
Yesterday I heard this story: A new friend told me about passing by a street musician the other day and hearing him say that it was his birthday the following day. Realizing his situation and that he was probably not going to be receiving even a birthday cake, she went home and with the help of her two teenage daughters and partner, they baked and decorated a cake. What a joyous celebration it was when they surprised him with their simple gift and shared in eating cake together on the street!
One can do no great thing, only small things with Great Love. Mother Theresa

Transformation

2010-01-25T08:44:00.001-08:00

Everything constantly changes - we all know that.
Transformation happens on many levels within and around us. Our final transformation on planet earth is our departure from our loved ones. Yet, we have the assurance, like the unending circular shape, that we never end - only change form. This painting was inspired by my thoughts and prayers for a friend whose mother was preparing to leave this world. Subsequently, I learned later, she passed the day I began.

Live this day like there is no tomorrow and tell someone today that you Love them!

Transformation

oil on canvas, 36" x 36"

On Course

2010-01-24T22:58:00.000-08:00

On Course, 2010
oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

This is my first blog entry in 2010 - ever, for that matter. It is great to start off feeling like I am 'on course'! I began this painting between Christmas and the New Year. And, although - like anyone else - I am not quite sure of exactly what tomorrow will bring or what lies beyond that rock face, I do believe the fog has lifted and the path will be clearer than it was in 2009.