Spring at last!

It was a long winter, but we are all happy to see the return of the longer, lighter days and with them the leaves and flowers. The world outside my studio is brilliant with greens and all shades of blues and purples as the forest comes alive.

This is such a beautiful time to be outdoors. Every walk is an inspiration and I have to remind myself that the season is short and it is important to get out there and draw before every spectacular stage is past.

Things are growing and changing in my studio too! I just purchased my first press and am excitedly awaiting the arrival of the blankets so I can begin to using it. A huge shout out to Tom Rhodes, of Comox, BC. who built it and was so great to deal with.

If you haven't heard of him check out his website at www.thomaspresses.ca I am happily looking forward to getting reintroduced to other printmaking techniques like etching, mono prints and collographs.

Another new development is my play with 3-d printing:) Not of the high tech sort. I have been creating prints that when cut, folded and glued become three dimensional pieces. So far I have made some small birds such as those in my show 'Unframed', a Downy Woodpecker and most recently a Boreal Owl...and there are still more to come.

Lots of other things are going on now too. A group show 'Black is Gold' continues to hang at Arts Underground until the end of June. This exhibition features prints by a group of Yukon printmakers known as "The Press Gang". Be sure to stop by and check it out.

The gallery is up and running in St Christopher's Anglican Church in Haines Junction. Stop in to see the great selection of locally made art and crafts.

Haines Junction is currently hosting artist and designer Henry Navarro for this year's Junction Artist Residency. Henry and his family will be here until October and it is an exciting opportunity for folks to be inspired by, and participate in, the creation of a body of art work. Henry has loads of expertise in art, design, branding and marketing and is happy to share his knowledge. Expect to find interesting site specific art around the area. Not only is he a fashion designer, he is also a conceptual artist. It is such fun having visiting artists breathe some new life into our arts community!

Plans are coming along for the second annual Augusto! Children's Festival to take place in August. Mark August 11,12 and 13th on your calendar. This year feature performers are the amazing magician Sheldon Casavant and extremely entertaining ventriloquist Kellie Haines. As well, there is a spectacular lineup of entertainers and artists to provide a magical array of workshops and activities to delight everyone from toddlers to twelve year olds. Check out the website at www.augustokids.ca And don't forget, evening performances are for everyone, not just festival goers.

And finally, a reminder that Monika Käte Steputh's studio/gallery is always open and features her own very seductive pottery, some of my prints, the luscious paintings of Yukon artist Alice Park-Spurr and works by other artists and artisans. A trip to her straw bale studio is always such a calming and inspiring experience.

Also, if you are in the neighbourhood, stop by my studio and gallery for a visit. I am always happy to give people a peek into my process and my print drawers.

Have a happy, sunny and restful summer. Get outside and breathe in the beauty of summer and take time to try a bit of sketching or painting!