TAOS Opening

We had a sucessful opening. Archbishop Claude Miller officially opening the exhibit with introductions by Anne Walling -PWRDF, Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies, Heather Plett (CFGB) and myself (with a big smile)

"Never Alone" SOLD

I am pleased that we have sold one of our paintings.

TAOS - "The Art of Sharing" Art Show

Well, I am finally done painting. At least for the time being. I have one to complete for my husband for Christmas. I began it years ago, so who knows if it will be ready this year.

Twleve paintings will be on display at the Kennebecasis Valley Public Library for the month of December. The artwork will get hung tommorrow night and the signage and displays will be up next Saturday.

We have got great plans for a video and powerpoint to show off our efforts and to encourage others to plan their own TAOS event.

I know I will post a note at the end of the show, but I want to thank so wonderful new friends: Rev Marian Lucas-Jefferies who inspired the show and provided great material, Heather Plett - I can't wait to meet such a talented photographer and writer who also provided photos, Carolyn Vanderlip who is unable to attend but also supplied some beautiful photos to work from. Thanks for your work behind the scenes as well. And finally to Anne Walling - a generous and hardworking woman who has put a lot of effort into this event. I don't want to forget my husband who has had so much patience while I would immerse myself in my studio.

Enjoy the show!

Last two paintings to post

This painting is called, "After the Storm" referring to Cyclone Sidr. It destroyed all of Esmile's livestock and home.

The last painting to be displayed at the show is one I painted in watercolour as a gift for Marian. it is called "Bless This Food"

Other completed paintings for show (One more to finish tommorrow)

This is a painting of Rina and there is a heart-wrenching story of how she lost her daughter in Cyclone Sidr. http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/testimonial/583/momin_s_pumpkin.aspx

This painting is called "Never Alone". The name reflects our efforts to provide food to starving people.

"Food for Work" is about how farmers would be paid in food - part of the aid program by Canadian Food Grains Bank.

This painting by Elizabeth Cook is simply called "Home". This was a refugee camp and if you can imagine having your families live in these camps for twenty-years or so - having children born under these conditions, not knowing any other lifestyle?

Still more to post later.

Three more for art show completed

The first painting we called "Farmland". And no, we did not misname it. In this part of Ethiopia, this would be farmland. And it rivels the Grand Canyon for amazing vistas.

This painting is definately my favorite. We called it "Empty Vessels".

This smaller painting was called "Homework". Likely this young girl was about 11 years old. She was carrying a load of fuel - dung. Life is hard for everyone there, but children, especially young girls suffer very hard lives.

Countdown

I was just interviewed by a lovely young woman from the Telegraph Journal - Candice MacLean. She made the process less painful. I wish I could say the same for being photographed. I will just trust Noel Chenier to pick the right photo. Did I mention that I don't like having my picture taken?

Everyone is working very hard on the show. I have three more paintings to complete this weekend. I know, I know. The show does have to be hung on Tuesday and nothing like leaving it to the last. 

Here is the press release:
The Art of Sharing Exhibition and Sale News Release by Anne Walling, PWRDFCoordinator Diocese of Fredericton


Archbishop Claude Miller of the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton will officially open an Art of Sharing exhibition and sale at the Kennebecasis Library on Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund


(PWRDF) and features 10 evocative new paintings by Quispamsis artist Dale Cook. Her works are based on photographs by the Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies, Carolyn Vanderlip and Heather Plett and depict life in African and Asian countries where a stable food supply is often just a dream. The exhibition actually begins on Dec. 1 and remains at the library until the end of the month.

Ms. Cook, who chooses to use her gifts as an artist to help provide food security to vulnerable people in the third world, is inspired by photographs taken in Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. A single painting, sold at silent auction during the Diocesan Synod last June, was the inaugural Art of Sharing event in support of the Canadian FoodGrains Bank (CFGB) through PWRDF. That painting, Silence is not the Answer, was inspired by a photo taken in Ethopia by Ms.


Lucas-Jefferies just two days before war broke out in that country.


Greg Hiltz of All Saints Church in Loch Lomond was the highest bidder on that painting. He and his family felt the painting held such a spiritual quality they donated it to their Saint John church.

Latest works in progress

These paintings are in various states of completion. Please note that two paintings (One of the woman and the village were painted by my daughter Liz Cook.

Rina's painting

I have just a bit more work to do on this painting - a bit of highlights and pattern on the clothing - otherwise, I think this is close to being complete. 16 x 20 Oil

This painting is done as well (I think). It is a bit dark here - the original is lighter. 9 x 12 oil

Farmer

9 x 12 Oil. I painted this on the weekend - still some work to do but I hope I captured a likeness.

Ethiopian mountains

I think I forgot to post this painting before. And I figured out how to incude the copyright note.

revisions

I finally have some colour on her face, but I am not too happy about it yet.

revisions

I did a lot of work to this one - still lots to do.

Revisions

I still need to do some work on the background.

revisions to painting

I did a bit more work on the sky, but i think it is a bit too strong a colour.

Eager to paint

I have been out of town on business and am eager to start painting again. I am glad I had this break because while I was away on conference I did three things that made a difference.

1) I did not turn on the TV

2) I listened to a relaxation CD - instrumental music that was created to help people sleep. But what it did for me was to relieve tension and stress.

3) I spent my spare time reading "The Artist's Way". it asked readers to write "Morning pages" - just scribbles of whatever came to mind. And it taught me a lot. I learned that of all the causes i wanted to support, what meant the most to me was water for all. I care deeply for education, but for many personal reasons, some too emotional for me to express right now, having good, clean and abundant water for all is important. I recommend the book - even if you are not an artist. It is a great tool.

What is PWRDF?

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is the Canadian Anglican agency for development, relief, refugees, and justice. With the support of Anglican parishes across Canada, PWRDF makes financial and human resources available to support our partners' initiatives and to promote knowledgeable actions of solidarity at home and around the world.

Early on in our history, PWRDF recognized the need for Anglicans in Canada to be aware of the underlying causes of poverty and injustice in the world and to come together to act for change. PWRDF seeks to be a part of the outreach and social justice ministry of every parish. In cooperation with other churches and with broader social networks, PWRDF is a part of a wide faith-based social justice community that comes together in educational events, analysis and reflection, campaigns, worship and solidarity.

PWRDF works in partnership with organizations in Canada and throughout the world to support people-centred development that improves the quality of daily life for vulnerable populations, promotes self-reliance, and addresses root causes of poverty and injustice. PWRDF is active in approximately 30 countries, and also accompanies Uprooted People – including victims of disasters, refugees, internally displaced people, and migrant workers. PWRDF partners are drawn from Anglican churches, ecumenical organizations and community-based groups. Partners address the root causes of problems and accompany communities as they move beyond survival into sustainable development.

For more information: http://www.pwrdf.org

Works in progress

These are some of the latest works I have for the show in December. Note - works in progress.

Works in progress

This is where all the work is done - my studio. As you can tell, I paint in the basement - in a lovely room that my husband built for me.