Modern, Folkart, Impressionistic, Surrealist, Fauvist, Illustrative....

I'm always at a loss when someone says what kind of art do you do? What style of painting is it? I really have no idea what to say. I have a few different styles I like to paint in and sometimes they get combined without any real intention to do so. I paint what pleases me and I hope it pleases others. So much depends on my mood. My style is my own:)

Because of the colour and simple themes, people often think folk art. I applied to the Lunenburg Folk Art Festival once and was told, "No, sorry your work is not folk art, we cannot accept it" Ha.So there you have it. Who knows.....

I love colour and strong graphic composition. Most of what I do is off the cuff with no pre-planning. I've only used a reference photo once and that was of the small harbour at Peggy's Cove. Something maybe I should try more of... I do love painting large dramatic skies and landscapes,with the sky dominating. Paintings that take your imagination and thoughts elsewhere:)

So.... what am I painting today? A small girl reading a book with cat cozy by her side and a window with a view.....

Have a creative day xo

Groundhog Day

George's Island in Halifax Harbour....... Amazing how some clouds and a bit of light can transform a familiar scene into something spectacular! This was taken in December. Cold winter light. I guess that applies to most things in life....shine a little light on them and you see something different:)

Day two of February. The Groundhog saw it's shadow today, which actually in my books is a good thing! It means the sun is shining this morning:)

So my day has painting in it.......hope yours has something in it that will bring you closer to your goals.......xo

First day of Celtic Spring!

Happy February1st! 

St Brigid's Day! 

Imbolc! 

First day of Celtic Spring! 

This is the halfway point folks. (sort of....)  We are on the home stretch to Spring:)

Last Day of January!

Point Pleasant Park in Halifax looking out to sea! This is one of the few paintings I have kept for myself:) A view I am very familiar with as many people here in Halifax are.

Winter is moving along. So far so good... not too cold, not too snowy, not too oppressive. Pots of veggie soup, boots left out to dry, and burrowing under warm covers at the end of the day have been par for the course.Trying to get motivated to paint has been hard. Not sure what is happening there! Once started, I enjoy it. (For the most part... as long as the image is shaping up the way I want it too, ha! ) Ive been doing lots of other things biz wise but the meat and potatoes have been pushed to the side for the last couple of months. Beans and potatoes!! I'm a Vegetarian :) Time to get back to the core of my business!!

What do you do to motivate yourself? How do you work towards your goals? What keeps you on track? The eternal questions.Those and many more....
 

Shaking off the Winter Doldrums

January is always a bit of a shock to the system. Once the glow of the holidays wears off and the New Year's Resolutions have  faded, we are left with winter! Always a hard time of year for me. This year I am fighting back. I am extricating  myself from the grips of too much comfort food, too many drinks,  too much Netflix, not enough fresh air and lack of motivation. How you ask?  

I make myself tiny "to do lists"! Each night in my iPhone notes, I write a couple of healthy things to accomplish the next day that are beyond my usual winter slothishness and I set an intention to make sure I do them the next day and voila..... I am getting stuff done. Even something as simple as  "Do a plank", "drink four glasses of water";  they all add up to feeling accomplished and even though they are baby steps they add up.

I am also keeping a mini Daily review/gratitude list in my iPhone notes that I add to every night. I go through my day and choose the three best things. Sometimes it is as simple as that wonderful feeling of falling into bed at the end of the day or speaking to a friend or the way the light looked spilling through a window! You will be more mindful of your day doing this, and will find yourself looking for the good. xo

2016!

New Year, new intentions! Hey how are you? It's been a while. Seems like I say that each time I post :)

I've purchased a domain name and once I've got myself organized, I hope to write much more regularly and have this blog front and centre at ShelaghDuffett.com. 

Easy to say.....we shall see how easy to fulfill!

Hope you are enjoying your January!

BOGO Sale!!

It's that time of year again! BOGO SALE!  

Buy one print or more from my shop and tell me in the "notes to seller", which print or prints you would like me to send to you  for free! Each print purchased gets one for free!!! The SALE ends at midnight on Sunday Sept 6th. Please share this post so everyone can have some fun shopping:) -CLICK HERE to SHOP!---> https://www.etsy.com/shop/AliceinParis Artist: Shelagh Duffett

Hello! Long time no see....

Goodness me it has been such a loooong time! How are you? Hard to believe it has been since February. I used to blog several times a week! I've been busy and switched my efforts to Facebook. Groan. I know....but really it has been a fun time and so easy to do in a flash. I do miss the elegance and substance of a blog post though.

So what have I been up to? Well the usual, ha. Painting and painting and selling at the market and various other venues. We've just come through an extremely hot and humid few weeks. Like tropical Borneo. Don't mind the heat as much as the humidity. Not many good hair days were had:) The painting below is called Tangerine Horizon. (sold)  I've been doing a bit more impressionistic work and enjoying it.

 Here is another one I really love, titled John's Retreat (sold)

I am hoping to pop in here a bit more often, I do miss it, but we shall see:)

Spur of the moment....

I've just had a delicious solo lunch at my fave little restaurant in Halifax, Wild Leek. Thought I would try my hand at posting on my phone! Might enable me to post more frequently:) I have no idea what this will look like on a proper computer. Will have to wait until I get home:)

This was the sunrise from Saturdays market. Bitter. freezing cold day but beautiful. I will only be at the Seaport Market on Saturdays until late Spring. 

A recent painting for you. Amethyst Sky. 

2015

I am still here...... New Year, new resolve.... 
Hope you are all well.