Audrey Hayes Art - Canadian Artist

another show

Today I dropped off two paintings at the LOOK 2011 Arts Exhibition.  This is an annual art show put on by the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria that runs for the month of February and will be showing around 500 art pieces from paintings and fabric art to jewelry and sculpture.

It is showing at the Bay Centre on the bottom floor (next to Esprit).  So if you happen to be downtown between February 4 to March 4 go have a look.  

I wanted to paint two new paintings for the LOOK show, but because I have been working hard to get my paintings ready for my other art show, Boundless, I only had enough time to paint one new, so the other is an old favourite.  

I wasn't expecting to have paintings in two shows so early in the year that run the exact same dates:  February 4 to early March.  I am pretty exited.  Can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds for me.

Have a fabulous Monday!

join me

You're Invited

(click on invitation to enlarge)

I would like to invite you to my first non-juried art show.  We are a group of nine artists, all with very different styles. This is a small works show with a maximum canvas size of 12”.  Although we are bound by size, the possibilities are “Boundless”.  With the diverse styles of each artist, there is sure to be something for everyone’s tastes. 

I will be showing 10 paintings, six new and a few recent favourites.  I’d love you to join us at the Opening Reception at Goward House on Sunday, February 6 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.  But if you can’t make it, all paintings will be on display until March 2.  So feel free to drop by Goward House anytime.

Let me know if you have any questions.  Hope to see you there.

small fish

Are weekends supposed to be busier than weekdays?  Well, this weekend was. But it was all good stuff.  We hosted Easter dinner on Saturday night for the Hayes side of the family.  Thankfully, Sean loves to cook and that translates into good food without me having to lift a finger [until after dinner when I turn into dishwasher]. 

This was Saturday's menu: After a great dinner and a short night's sleep [thanks to the Easter Bunny], we enjoyed two Easter egg hunts and another great dinner at my parents' house.

And, finally, Monday was the opening reception for the Federation of Canadian Artists Spring Art Exhibition.  Of course I went and I have to say, I was pretty excited to see my painting hanging amongst other beautiful pieces.  Some of Victoria's most talented artists are members of the FCA, and although I feel like a small fish, I am pretty honoured to be a part of it.

Here is Cinq Poires hanging out with some award winners.

And here I am looking like through a star at the CAC gallery.

Thanks for joining me.  I enjoyed the experience.  The show will run until April 14.  If you happen to be downtown in the next week, have a wander in and see all the beautiful paintings.  You can also vote for your favourite painting for the People's Choice Award.  I won't beg :)  

Hope you all had a great Easter weekend, too.  Enjoy your short work week.

another show

Well despite the stormy weather, today really has been a good Friday for me. Yesterday I submitted a couple of my paintings to the Federation of Canadian Artists Annual Spring Exhibition.  I got a call today to say that "Cinq Poires" has been accepted into the show.  This was unexpected considering this show attracts many of Victoria's very successful artists.  Needless to say I am pretty excited about it. 

 

The show runs from April 5 to April 14 at the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria's (CACGV) gallery.  There is an opening reception on Monday, April 5 from 2pm to 4pm and the artists will be in attendance.  

I will be at the Opening Reception on Monday.  If you are looking for something to do on your day off, I'd love to see you there.  It will be a great opportunity to see loads of beautiful paintings and meet the artists who created them.  And if you can't make it to the opening, stop in during the next couple of weeks during gallery hours.

Hope you are all having a wonderful extra long weekend.  Happy Easter!

viewers rock!

The "Beginnings" art show came to a close yesterday.  I drove out to the Coast Collective Gallery to pick up my three paintings that had been on display for the past 10 days.  When I arrived, I was congratulated and presented with a blue ribbon.  Cinq Poires won VIEWERS CHOICE.

At the opening reception and throughout the art show, visitors to the gallery were asked to vote for their favourite painting on display.   

 

From over a hundred paintings to choose from, I was obviously shocked to find out that my painting was chosen as the favourite.  As I picked up my painting, the curator mentioned to me that not only had I won, but by a landslide.  How 'bout that?!?!

As I have mentioned before, one of my goals this year was to be in an art show which I have now accomplished, but I had never expected to win an award. This is a total bonus and I am thrilled.  

Thank you, Viewers!  You made my day.

UPDATE ON GIVING:  Just read on Kal's blog that she and a cool company called Uncommon are donating all proceeds from the sell of her Spread Love iPod [Touch/Phone/Blackberry Storm] case to Haiti Relief.  Check out Kal's blog for more info on how to buy. And don't forget she is also selling Sigg bottle and donating proceeds.  Here is a pic from her blog showing you the cool case.

my first

Yesterday was the opening reception for my first ever Art Show.  It was a great experience.  The show was and is being held in two large rooms of this old mansion now known as Coast Collective Gallery.  It overlooks Esquimalt Lagoon and is a lovely venue for the show.  The rooms overlook the lagoon, and the ocean and downtown beyond it.

 

The reception started at 2 pm and it was packed full of people for the whole two hours.  My paintings were hung in great spots.  Cinq Poires was right over the entrance between the two rooms.  It was hard to miss.

   

Starlight was in a prime spot...right across from the food.  It was one of the biggest paintings there so it was impossible to miss.  

  

I received several nice comments from complete strangers and that made my day.  I also overheard some ladies saying nice things about my pears.  Yay!

After non-stop rain for several days it was nice to see the sun shining all day yesterday and as I drove away there was a beautiful pink sunset over the lagoon.  Perfect! 

The "Beginnings" art work will continue to be on display until Sunday, January 24.  

Thank you to everyone who came.  I really appreciate your support and it was great to see you all.  Don't worry if you couldn't make it to this one.  There will be future art shows and I hope you can make it then.  I'll keep you posted.  

After a busy, busy week and an exciting art show, we ended the day with our friends, the Earnshaws, and a fondue dinner...chinoise and chocolate. YUM!

I am looking forward to a less busy, but more productive week.  Have a great week, too.

 

You're Invited

Hi All,

I just wanted to remind you that I have three paintings on display at the "Beginnings" art show at the Coast Collective Gallery from January 14 to 24. I'd also like to invite you again to attend the Opening Reception on Saturday, January 16 between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.  I will be there along with many other emerging artists.  

The address is 3221 Heatherbell Road in Colwood.  The easiest way to get to the Coast Collective Gallery is through Colwood. Drive along Sooke Road for about 2 minutes past Royal Roads.  Turn left onto Metchosin Road.  Stay on Metchosin for about 2 minutes until you come to Lagoon Rd.  Turn left onto Lagoon Rd at the Lagoon corner store.  As you come down the hill turn left on to Heatherbell.  Follow Heatherbell as far as you can go, through the gates.  The driveway will take you right to the gallery.  

Pop in for a quick visit if you can.  I'd love to see you there. Be sure you come and say "hi" to me.

Have a great weekend.  I'll let you know how it goes.

good news

The other day I mentioned I had some good news.  Well, I am moving to Winnipeg!! Joking. As much as I'd like to meet all you lovely people in friendly Manitoba, I don't do well in extreme temperatures.  And -41 degrees Celsius is well below my cold tolerance. But I would love to visit there again one day.

Back to my news...One of the goals that I set for myself this year was to be part of an art show.  Well, I am happy to announce that I have accomplished that goal in less than two weeks into the new year.  I am going to be part of an Art Show...NEXT WEEK!  It is called "Beginnings", an annual art show for emerging, local artists.  It is being held at the Coast Collective Gallery at Esquimalt Lagoon out in Colwood.  

Last week, I submitted three of my paintings and they were all accepted for show.  How cool is that.  Today I took them in to the gallery and they will be on display starting January 14 to 24.  There will be an opening reception next Saturday and all the artists will be in attendance.  I think there are about 40 artists.  I am really looking forward to it.  This will be my first ever Art Show.

The Coast Collective Art Centre is housed in Pendray House (formerly Pacific Centre) as part of Essencia at Esquimalt Lagoon. This development, now in the planning stages, is expected to become one of the most innovative resort community developments in Canada. Nestled between a picturesque migratory bird sanctuary and some of the most spectacular urban forests in North America, Essencia strives to honour the past while building a holistic and sustainable vision for the future.

I will post directions and the invitation next week.  I would love for any and all of you to come.   If you can't make it to this show don't worry, I plan on exhibiting my paintings again soon.  

The whole point of setting goals is to focus on what you want to accomplish. Once those goals have been achieved, set new ones.  I am going to continue submitting my work to future art shows, but I would love to have my own show sometime, too.  That is my new goal.  

I mentioned last month that my art group, South Island Artists, is looking for a venue for an art show this year.  As a group, we submitted out work to Goward House and they have accepted all of us to exhibit next February, 2011 [that is next available date]. It may be a year away, but it will come fast.  So we are going to get started on organizing it while we continue to look for another venue for this year.  

2010 is feeling really good.  Lots of great things on the horizon.  However, I can't exhibit if I don't have any paintings to show.  So I'd best get down to my studio and get my butt in gear.  Let the painting begin.

Have a great weekend!

goals vs resolutions

It is hard to believe it was 10 years ago today that we listened to Prince's 1999 as we waited to see if every computer in the world would crash as the century turned.  Now here we are Y2K+10.

As 2009 draws to a close and I reflect on the past 10 years, it realize it has been an amazing decade full of great achievement.  I graduated from university, became a teacher, got married, bought our first house, had a child, had another child, bought another house, and watched as friends and family members become parents, too.  Wow!  We are lucky people.

I don't really believe in making resolutions.  The word resolution, to me, equals failure.  I prefer the word goals. Last year I set goals for myself and I feel I met those goals.  It was this time last year that I decided to set up this blog.  Although it took until March for me to really get it going, I am now working on my 163^rd post.  My goal for this blog was to expose my art to family, friends, and blogland, who would otherwise never see it. Since then I have sold 3 paintings all because of this little old blog.  It has encouraged me to paint more and lose my insecurities about showing my work.  

For my MIL, Maggie's 65^th 45^th birthday, my FIL bought her "Neighbours".

For this milestone birthday, she asked for my painting.  I was touched by this. It is my most favourite painting.  I have an emotional connection to it and I am happy that I get to see it make someone else happy.

My goals for this coming year are to keep creating and keep blogging.  I hope to have an art show...or two.  I want to lead a healthier life with better foods and more exercise.  I am looking forward to another great year with my happy little family.

I wish you a fun and safe New Year's Eve as I leave you with a few words from fellow Scotsmanperson, the late Rabbie Burns:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Happy Hogmanay, everyone!

dream big

Thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes.  It warmed my heart that people [those who know me and those who don't] took time out of their day to leave a comment.  It really made my day.  It really did.

What else made my birthday?  Of course, eating some a lot of Chocolate Cheese Pie.  But also, getting an iPod Nano Video from my family.  I love it.  It is so cool.  It is so small and light, I can carry it in my purse and capture those moments that you always wish you had on video.

As I get older and head towards to big 4-0, I start to think about where I am in my life and where I want to be.  I have to say, my life as a whole is pretty damn good.  For the next two years I am going to focus on greater success in all areas.  I look forward to seeing my children grow and succeed in their own ways.  I look forward to supporting my husband as he pursues his dreams and finds happiness in his career. I dream of greater success for myself as an artist. And, I look forward to see where these pursuits will take us.  I know it is going to be good.  

What are your dreams for the near future?  Dream big.  I will, too.

Have a peaceful Remembrance Day, everyone.

SOLD!!

Well I did it.  My MIL came today to pick up the painting she had commissioned me to do for my SIL.  So it is official, I have SOLD my first painting.  It feels pretty darn good.

My goal for this blog was to expose my paintings to friends, family and whomever else might want to take a look.  When I first started the blog at the beginning of the year, I stated that my goal for the year was to sell a painting. Now, I can proudly say I have accomplished my first goal.

As promised, here is the finished painting.

24 x 48.   Acrylic on Canvas.

So there you have it.

I want to thank Janice (my MIL) and Lisa (my SIL) for giving me this opportunity and having faith in my work.  It means a lot.  

Now, I have to think about my next goal.  Hmmm, what will it be?

What is your goal for the year?  Make it a good one.

okay. here we go.

I have been trying to get this blog going for almost 2 months now, but I am finding it hard to get it going.  I have already changed the banner 3 times.  I figure I just have to do it.  So. Here we go.

I realize that no one is even reading this blog yet, but I will write in it as if I have a HUGE audience.  

I wanted to create this blog, not only as a journal of my life and art, but as a way to display the paintings I have created and will create.  

I thought if I had a blog about painting, it would encourage me to paint more.

I have a goal.  And I thought if I put it out there, it just might happen.  My goal is to start selling paintings this year.   

So there you have it.  My first real post.  I will try to post often.  Please comment often and let me know you're here.  Please be nice.  I'm can be sensitive sometimes.  I apologize ahead of time for all spelling and grammatical errors that I have or will make. there will be many.

happy Sunday!

aud (that's me)