Markham Theater

The BaySide Artisits will be showing at the Markham Theater until June 29, 2009.

BaySide Launch - Painters Hall

Ten out of twelve BaySide members.

More recently I've joined
a group called the BaySide Artists.
http://baysideartists.com/ .
We had our launch on March 21, 2009.

It was a real success and very well attended.
The group sold four paintings, and are
real excited for the future.

Their are twelve members and each member is responsible to be the lead
in one show a year. So there are at least twelve shows a year.

Gallery Acceptance

I've recently been accepted in two galleries. The Art Appreciation Gallery, on 20 Bell Farm Road, Barrie, ON. and The Loft Gallery. 183 Marsh St., Clarksburg, Ontario. http://www.loftgallery.ca/

The above image is available at the Loft Gallery. It is an acrylic on canvas 30" x 40" original. Retailed at $950.00.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!

"Contemplation"

I must admit this is my least favorite time of year. It's cold, muddy and I get aches in my joints. On the bright side my paintings tend to sell better now. I think it's because of all the dull colours outside. People feel better when the flowers start to bloom. At least I know I start to feel better. My oldest son is talking about becoming an animation programmer. I think it's because of his love for video games. lol...Why not he's pretty good at the games, maybe he'll be good at creating them too. I can't wait to see what he'll come up with. Here is one of my newest creations. "Contemplation"

BaySide Artists

"Charmed"

I have been working on making a website for the marketing group I've joined. It took about two weeks to complete. It is now up and running and can be seen at http://baysideartists.com/ . We are having a launch at Painters Hall in Barrie, Ontario during the month of March. Other dates for shows will be added as they are arranged. Here is one of my newest pieces.

Marketing Group

This first post of the year is hopefully good news for the rest of the year. I have joined a marketing group with the Barrie Art Club. There are twelve members, mostly women. We all have different styles and interests in art. Some are new and some are old hands like myself. We hope to share costs and work in promoting and showing our art. I will be helping with the website and booking shows. Others will be making logos. Designing brochures and purchasing advertising. We hope to show all over the world. We have called ourselves the BaySide Artists. I'll add more about our group as time goes by.

Here is my newest work titled "Rebirth"

Bidding then Ditching Ebay!!

Well, I have had my first experience with someone bidding and then ditching ebay. I'm a little frustrated that people can do this. I'm just trying to make a small living and I don't have time to play games with people. It's not right. I put my paintings up for sale because I'm looking for a good home for them. They are my babies and I hope that my buyers will take care of them. I don't ask for a lot. In fact they are on the cheaper side considering the quality I produce. *sigh* it's probably some kid out of school for the holidays and has nothing better to do. Well, I'll chalk this up as experience. I just hope the other bidder will accept my second chance offer.
Here's the painting in question.

"Spring Fling"

Art for December and beyond...

Wow. it's been a while since I've written in my blog. I will have to remind myself to add to it more often. I have decided that I will paint at the Barrie art club on Mondays. It's usually a paint out day but because of the snow and the cold the club stays indoors until spring or goes out on really warm days. I'm usually in the studio everyday and it gets somewhat lonely. I have my dog, but just hearing a voice goes a long way in fufilling my need to socialize and have friends. I just get so caught up in what I'm doing I forget how long I've been away. It's that compulsion to paint I just have to do it, like some kind of addiction of something.. If I stopped it would feel like I've stopped breathing.. I've even woken up in the middle of the night to jot some idea down or even paint a whole painting. It's crazy but it's my whole life.

I have joined a marketing group at the club. We meet for the first time in January. I hope it helps us all sell our paintings. We are all feeling the slow down with the way things are in the market right now. So we plan to pool our resources and show our art together as a group. There are a few shows we plan to enter for the next year. When I know what they are I will post them here and on my website. kramos.com

The club was recently featured on the "A" channel with K.C. Colby. I missed the event but heard it went well. He bought a membership for his mother for Christmas. Can't wait to meet her.

Christmas is next week and I'm feeling pretty relaxed. We didn't buy gifts this year but are happy we will all be together.

I hope all of you will have Happy Holidays!

"Time For Joy"

Seven paintings on Ebay

I have finally settled down and found a place to get back to painting. I have completed seven new artworks. Which I plan to auction off on Ebay. Some are new designs I'm testing out. It has been quite the year. First I was moving then I wasn't. Then I was in limbo not sure what to do. My husband had job offers all over Canada. One even out in Jasper. But he has finally settled for a job close to home. Which I'm totally grateful for.
Now I can get back to what I love the most... *paint* *paint* *paint*... For the next little while I was hoping to get back to painting trees.. I love trees. Especially now that most of them are gone. I hope that maybe seeing how I love them so much it might give someone second thoughts about cutting them down.
I tend to see tree shapes as people. Young and old. Lazy and active. Funny and Sad. Trees can express all kinds of emotion. All of my vacations have been around forests. It's where I love to be.

RECENT WORK

"Nocturnal Weeping"

Back to Work

It has been a very busy and confusing past year. I have put most things on hold the past few months. I have been waiting to see if my husbands job changes will cause us to move to a different location. So far we have stayed put. I was expecting things to be different by now but they have remained in this limbo situation. So I have decided to continue my own affairs without the stress of wondering where I will be next month. Which I can say has really put a damper on any creativity. But I am learning to cope and it will be a huge life lesson I'm sure.
I have already completed two pieces for my abstract collection. Which will be available shortly on E-Bay. Expect things to continue as normal from now on.

WebCam

Some time this week I will be adding a web cam to my website. On most days you will be able to watch and see what new painting I'm working on. I'm hoping I will be on everyday, but I'm sure I will get interrupted by customers needing framing from time to time.
I'm hoping this will help generate more interest in my work. I'm not sure there are too many artists online doing this. I've only found one from searching before.
If all goes well, I will be looking into getting streaming video instead.

David Suzuki

I went to see David Suzuki the other day, and I was awed. The message he is trying to get out to the public may be one of the most important pieces of information I have ever heard. A few times during his speech I was moved to tears.
I have spent the last few days trying to think of a way I could contribute to the environment. Of course I already do what most environmentally conscious individuals do.
During his speech I got all sorts of images in my head, for paintings with pro environment meanings. I think I will concentrate on getting those images on canvas for the next little while.
So far every painting I have put on E-Bay has sold. Most have gotten many bids. With different people and collectors alike. I will have to think long and hard about how many shows I attend this year. If these paintings are in such demand I may not have time to travel anywhere. I have been painting non stop for weeks now, just to keep up.

New Year, New Endeavors

This year is starting to look like a really great year. I have entered the show at Mariposa again, and it sounds like it is going to be an awesome one. Don McLean is to headline Saturday night! I can't wait. I lot of my friends are planning to be there as well. This year should be the best one yet. I've decided to skip the Hamilton shows this year. Sorry to anyone who was hoping to catch me there this year. I will return in the next few years though. I'm just sticking to local shows and maybe hit a few more galleries as well.
I've finally gotten serious about selling on E-Bay. So far it has been paying off. If all goes well, I might not have to do so many shows through the summer. Gary (my husband) will be happy with that, he's been asking for a break for a while now. I need him there to help with setting up and packing down. Not to mention he is a great salesperson. :)-
All in all things are looking up and I'm excited for things to start rolling.
We have had steady business in the frame shop since we started advertising in the local newspaper. Hopefully that will build as well.
I will post more news about shows and such as I get them.
I'm off visiting family today. We've been doing that a lot more lately since we became empty nesters. Which I was surprised to find that I liked all the peace in the house now. With two boys to raise it could get quite active around here. At least the sun is shining, I will probably try to take some photos on the way.

Happy Holidays

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks, I have had barely enough time to sleep. I have changed the look of my website with the help of Andy and Matt. Thanks guys. I had been wanting to change the look for a long time but wasn't sure how with the program I was using. Now it should be easy anytime I want to make something new.
Christmas is just around the corner and I have just mailed out presents today. All others get delivered this weekend.
I am spending Christmas at the kids house this year. I am hoping for a more relaxing day. I usually have everyone here for the day.
I have also spent the last couple of weeks preparing my debut with wholesales. Again thanks Andy, without you this would not be happening at this time. He is a real motivator and seems to know exactly what to do and how to make things happen. I wish him every success. I now have brochures ready to mail out and wholesale pricing all worked out. For anyone interested please contact me. I will be uploading a wholesale pricing section of my website in the next couple of months. But in the meantime I can mail out the orderforms to anyone interested.
Happy Holidays to all..

Testing the waters

I've changed the address of this blog and I'm now hosting it on my own website. So this is a test of sorts.

Art Club Politics

Late last night was the yearly art club meeting for the proposed by-law changes and such. I knew before arriving that things might turn into a brawl. And I wasn't disappointed. The new executive in the club has not been as informative as executives in the past. Which in hind site might have avoided the unnecessary display of emotion which occurred at the meeting. It has recently been brought to the attention of the executive that their charters and by-laws may be illegal and not well thought out or worded. So the the executive has had a lawyer draw up a legal document to correct this problem. Unfortunately some of the wording could be construed many different ways. And there was no lawyer at the meeting last night to allay any fears the members may be having. The biggest being that the club may become exclusive to only artists that show advanced talent. Which has never been the intent of the club since it's creation. This in itself wasn't the cause of people losing their tempers. It was the lack of acknowledgement from the executive. The members would repeatedly complain that they had a problem with the way it was worded. And the executive was unwilling to change anything about the document. Many felt that they were being told they didn't have a choice. But the document has to pass a vote, with the membership before it is legal. Probably the most disappointing thing that occurred last night was when tempers flared and the clubs accountant who was presenting the document had to take all the negative abuse. Her husband found this hard to bear and repeatedly tried to defend her, and had to leave the room many times. In the end though it became to much for him and the meeting was disrupted with him yelling and sounding very angry. Which many took offense to and told him to leave. But many did not realize that he was the accountants husband and that they would leave together. So the meeting abruptly ended. Now the worry is that the accountant may resign because so many were rude and insulting. In my opinion this would be a terrible consequence, because it was in large part the accountants expertise in having a lawyer write up a new document in the first place. Which is very necessary and needs to happen. It just needs to reflect the passion and beliefs of the majority of the members.

Long Summer

Well, I haven't posted in a few months. To be honest I forgot about the blogger. With all the other stuff I've been busy with I guess I'm not surprised.
The summer shows were about the same as last year, which is kinda disappointing because I've doubled in sales every year since I started. I'm hoping I haven't plateaued and this is just a bad year for art sales. (which is the consenses of the other vendors)... On the other hand sales with framing and printing have almost over whelmed me in the past few months. Hence me forgetting to write in my blogger.
On another front my husband has been away in Toronto for an apprenticeship he received from the company he is working for. They are paying his way and his wages while he goes. I'm very proud of him. He is just pleased to become a millwright. But not having him around has been an adjustment to say the least. Oh well, a few more days and he will be back until the next installement of classes.
I'll try to post some pictures next time.

Orillia - Mariposa

I spent the weekend at another one of my annual shows. I was a bit worried this year, because they changed my location to one in the back row. But all turned out well. People still looked for me and found me. I sold 4 original abstracts at the show. Two were the new style with the trees. I'm very excited about this. I have been making pencil sketches for more tree paintings. Though, I think I might change the palette up a bit. I'm glad things went well, this is one of my favorite shows. The music is always good.

Hamilton- It's Your Festival

Had an o.k. weekend at the Hamilton It's Your Festival. The concerts were really good. The weather was hot, but I had electrical hook-up so I could run the A.C. in the trailer. They also allow water hook-up. Sales were a bit down. They had a local frame shop selling, cheap framed posters of top selling artists. Some of them didn't even have glass. People are just so ignorant about quality framing. It was hard, especially because they were right beside me and kept trying to stand in front of my pictures. Really rude. I was a couple hundred down in sales because of it. I'm not sure if I will return next year. But it's hard to give up going back to our home town and visiting family and friends. Oh well! I guess I'll see how the rest of the year goes.

Artists Walk -Blue Mountain Resort

I spent the weekend at one of my annual shows. It's located in a place I feel is very beautiful. It's a vacation spot near Collingwood, Ontario called Blue Mountain Resort. The weather was very hot and muggy and it was Father's Day weekend. Which I always feel guilty about for my husbands sake. But he is always the trouper and didn't grumble too much at having to get up a 6:00 a.m. The weekend wasn't bad, though attendance was down somewhat. I hope it won't be a trend for the rest of the season. I was glad to see old friends and can't wait to see some pictures of another artists' trip to Africa. I'll be back again to this location on August 19th and 20th.

Paint out.

I drove to Copeland Forest yesterday to go on the Barrie Art Clubs monday paintout. Every monday the club arranges different locations to paint/sketch/photograph. I usually bring my camera and sketch book. This monday I was observing one of my friends painting techniques (I want to learn it). When I heard something behind me and I saw a baby porcupine. I scrambled to get my camera out, but only got a butt shot.. So on our way out I remembered that porcupines like to climb trees. Sure enough the little rascal had climbed a tree right next to us and had been watching us all paint. I managed to get a few shots, but this is the one that turned out the best I think.

New Abstract

Here's my latest abstract. I call it "Celebrate"

It's one of my largest acrylic paintings to date.

The dimensions are 36" x 48" on 3/4" gallery

stretched canvas.

Evening Glide

This painting was a huge learning experience for me. I wanted to show movement and reflection in the water, but without reference to the surrounding landscape. This made it very difficult because water doesn't have color, it only reflects the color that surrounds it. When I added reflections in the water of things from the waters edge that were out of sight in my painting it tended not to make sense and didn't look very realistic. So I started my reflections from the ducks and worked my way out. I think I accomplished what I set out to do. It so happens that I've written a short poem to go with it.

Evening Glide
Days light is growing dark and dim,
soon natures night song about to begin,
rippling water slow and calm,
it reflects the passing of days dawn,
together we share the final sigh,
out for a stroll on an evening glide.

Kate Ramos

Barrie Art Club- Landscape Abstraction

Every month the Barrie art club chooses a different theme for their gallery. The members then try to choose a picture they have created that represents that theme. It is then shown for a month in the clubs public gallery. They also have a permanent collection. And a chosen Featured Artist for that month as well. This months' theme was "Landscape Abstraction". And this is the picture I chose to hang. It is a study painting of "Sunset Melody". I have the finished painting for sale on eBay or my website. But this one is the study painting and is not for sale.

Lunch with Matt

After I dropped off my painting I got a chance to see my son. He has recently move from home and I miss him very much. He got a co-op job through Georgian College. He works as an IT Services Technician at Community Care Access Centre in Barrie Ontario. I'm very proud of him.
I try to take him out for lunch or something every once in a while, just to make sure he gets something proper to eat. I know he appreciates it. I would do more if he asked....

Bad light more rain.

It's raining out today..blah!! I can't really do anything, the lighting is all wrong. Besides I've been having sore joints when ever it rains now. I guess a product of old age.. ha!ha! I'm almost finished my newest painting. I've been putting off finishing it because my next show in Collingwood requires a demonstration of the work I do. So I'm planning to bring this one. It usually takes me a couple months to get one this size almost finished. And it always looks better when most of it is filled in already. I hate showing my paintings to early, even to Gary. I never get any positive feedback. I guess I'm the only one who knows or can imagine what it will look like before I'm finished. So this is a preview of my latest work. I have a black panther on an Aztec ruin that I finished a couple of weeks ago. I still need to get it scanned so I can get prints of it ready for my upcomming shows. Other wise I'm pretty much ready for all the excitement.

Found this blogger today.

Found this blogger today and signed up.
Just sitting in the store hoping for more business.
Sold my first painting on Ebay! YaY!! Made $300.00. I hope this works out good, so I won't have to tour the country so much anymore. Gary and I are both tired from all the traveling. He says it wouldn't be so bad if we were doing it full time, but we come back each week so he can go back to work. At least I have the winter off. (so I can paint some more).... Better get back to work..