Scattered

 

"Jitterbug" 24x72in mixedmedia on canvas $3456

Surrounded by scattered bits of tension, I hold a space where peace prevails. Living with tension seems to be the way of the world these days. Wars, weather and politics take their toll on patience. Amid so much negativity a positive outlook becomes more difficult to maintain.

I am thankful we decided to disconnect from news sources and television years ago. We have discovered we learn all we need to know from scattered bits of trusted information without the hype. A lack of hype allows space for reflection and peace of mind. Reflection is a daily routine over drinks before supper when we express our gratitude for the best things our day has brought to us.

“Jitterbug” looks scattered. A collaboration between myself and Doris Charest, we find our spirits renewed in this trusted alliance. Doris began this triptych with smooshing. She handed it over to me for the next steps. A month went by. Incubation time for ideas varies with the challenge. Accidents help. In the end we captured a playful spirit that can be displayed together or individually. We have entered it in the ISEA online competition “Utterly Profound”. Wish us luck!

Information on various events and shows is available on my website.

Celebration

"Celebration/célébration" 12x12in $490

 As a family, we do a lot of celebrating. I often hear the remark: I am so grateful for my family. At one time, celebration clustered in March and November. With the addition of several family members, we expanded to April, July and September. February is getting busy too. The more the merrier!

Collectively we can now join the natural celebration of spring. Finally!! The birds have already started. The ice and snow have melted away and I can walk to the pool again without fear of falling. “Celebration” commemorates this joyous occasion. Nestled in the wild woods just north of Stony Plain, the pond shows signs of open water although the geese still slide as they land. Beavers enlarge the space of open water with their noses and tails. Everything is excited.

With celebration in mind, Doris Charest and I are on our way to Stone’s Throw Café (13019 20 Ave NW Blairmore AB) which opens on the 12 May. Also VASA (25 Sir Winston Churchill Ave St. Albert) is holding their spring show from May 5  to May 30. In the meantime, I still have a solo show in Zyp Art Gallery in Calmar AB until August 3. A few other shows are on the way in June before we enter summer break. You can find more information in the “Events” section on my website.

Joyful

"Joyful/joyeuse" 36x30in $2160

Easter week approaches its finish already! This joyful season set at the equinox as the days lengthen into a very welcome spring, celebrates new life. I think everyone is very tired of snow. I am certainly tired of ice. The pathway to the swimming pool has been invaded again and I am not much good at skating.

A joyful little waterfall

“Joyful” aptly describes this little waterfall adorning a small stream within the Mackenzie King Estate in the Gatineau Hills of Ontario. My husband and I visited the park a very long time ago. A photo takes years to incubate sometimes. While researching new inspiration for my obsession with water, I stumbled upon this old image in my collection. Little streams like this one make my soul sing. So, this painting now numbers among the creations in my series named “Source”.

Balancing act

As an artist, I wish to show my work so I apply to all sorts of different venues. Never certain of acceptance, lately, I have had to refuse one or two. Now I am juggling images wondering if I can avoid double dipping. Committing one image to two different venues does not really display good management. My joyful discovery of Artworks Archive is worth celebrating and I highly recommend it to anyone trying to keep things in order. 

Upcoming exhibitions

“Joyful” will be part of two exhibitions coming up in May and June. In the meantime, Duo (my collaboration with Doris Charest) has a show at the Walterdale Theatre from 15 to 25 April. Anyone who joins us at the reception on 14 April at 6:30pm can also join us for the preview of the latest play “Waiting for the Parade”. So looking forward to that! I also have a solo show at the Zyp Art Gallery in Calmar from 24 April to 31 July this year.

You can find more information in the “Events” section on my website. https://www.karenblanchet.ca

 

Communion

 

"Communion" neomosaic/mixed media on gallery wrap canvas $2025

For the Love of Water

The exhibition “For the Love of Water” opened on 5 February at CAVA (9103 95 Ave Edmonton). It closes on the 28 March.

Abundance

 My relationship with water began in my teens. Living in a country where water is plentiful, I am grateful for the abundance that surrounds us. Just as these children find the stream endlessly amusing, I too appreciate the pleasure water can provide.  Recreation forms a major part of my self-care. Whether I am relaxing in a bubble bath or swimming in the local pool, water provides the setting for peace and renewal.

Scarcer times

I have also lived without abundance. Residing on a boat during my early twenties, I discovered how to live within limits. We prioritized its use to drinking or cooking. As we had neither shower nor laundry facilities, cleanliness took on a different meaning. A basin, a bar of soap and a towel with a cup of water covered the necessities until we docked at a port of call. First on the list were laundry and refilling our five-gallon water containers. Scarcity enhanced respect in our relationship.

Delight

“Communion” centres on relationship. My daughters playing in the stream embody playfulness and ease. As I watched them, I cherished the delight of the moment. The shade and the cool water made it even more pleasurable. The joy we shared bubbled over into laughter and skipping rocks.

Complex relationships

Relationships are not always easy. The brokenness of my work hints at something amiss. When the glaciers disappear and the rivers run dry, I wonder how we will survive without our green lawns. In the meantime, I am thankful for modern plumbing and readily available drinking water. As for our lawn, it must fend for itself.

Shows

Just a reminder: both the CAVA and Artrium shows are coming to an end at the end of this month. New opportunities abound nonetheless. Duo (Doris Charest and Karen Blanchet collaboration) is showing in the Walterdale Theatre from 15 April to officially the 25 April. The Opening is on 14 April along with the preview of the new play to which every one is welcome. Then we are off to Crowsnest Pass and the Stone's Throw Cafe 13019 20 Ave Blairmore AB. Duo will be there from 12 May to the 7 July. 'Source" will be busy for the rest of the year, showing at the Zyp Art Gallery in Calmar AB from 20 April to 3 August and then in October at the Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery. Check out my website for more information.

For the Love of Water

 

"Salty Source/source saline" 40x40in neomosaic on gallery wrap canvas

$3200

All my adolescent and young adult years were spent breathing in the salty air of coastal waters. I love the sea. Moody and unpredictable, the water can soothe the soul as on this sunny day near Sydney, BC, yet it also possesses the power to tear a city apart and sink ships.

A Sejour on Vancouver Island

My parents took up residence on Vancouver Island for a brief while. Still in elementary school I failed to fully appreciate the beauty surrounding us. Here the ocean waters flow from the Arctic, enough to chill the bones. 

Setting sail for Australia

Just before my thirteenth birthday my family set sail on the HMS Iberia bound for Australia. Stopping in Las Angeles we said goodbye to some aunts and uncles we would not see again. Hawaii, still pristine before the fast-food stands arrived, captivated our imaginations as we shopped and waded in its warm waters. A typhoon made the crossing to Japan interesting and nauseous. I first saw poverty in Hong Kong. A memorable birthday celebration onboard preceded our stop in Manila, and eventually we arrived in Perth.

Enjoying the Seashore

Most of the Australian population hugs the ocean shore where people excel at surfing and all water sports. My previously sheltered life allowed me some swimming lessons for which I am most grateful. Swimming is an exercise I continue to enjoy even though I live far from the coast in the middle of a continent. Occasionally I stop doing laps and just lie in the water allowing it to soothe my soul.

Soon to be Seen!

“Salty Source/source saline” is on display along with four other 40x40in canvases from my series on water. CAVA (9103 95 Ave Edmonton AB) offers refreshments at the opening reception on 5^th February between 5pm and 7pm. Would love to see you there. Do check out my "Events" page on my website https://www.karenblanchet.ca for other upcoming shows.

Reflections on Water and the New Year

 

Protective Sleeves

Protective Sleeves

Protective sleeves form part of the shipping and handling of the art world. Moving artwork out into the outside world, away from our studios saves on storage space. It also helps with sales as other people get to see it. Personally, I do not wish to be my own best collector…

Vapour Barrier is Better

In the past, I have used bubble wrap. This practice has several inherent dangers. Eventually the bubbles disappear, especially around corners. Corners take the brunt of moving. In warmer climates than mine the bubbles leave their perfect configuration imbedded in the varnish. Not a serious problem on surfaces loaded with texture, nonetheless, not what the artist ordered!

Sizing up the Strips

A roll of stiff 6mm plastic sheeting used for vapour barriers in house construction proves more durable than bubble wrap. The surface is smooth. And the black labelling can be removed with rubbing alcohol. Bubble wrap still has its uses though. Instead of next to the painting it serves as crucial protection in the middle layer between boxes ready to ship to other cities and the vapour barrier enveloping the painting. Within driving distance, the protective sleeves made from the 6mm plastic provide more than adequate protection.

Placing the centre join

Unfortunately, when I first began constructing protective sleeves, I cut all the 12x12” sizes out instead of starting with the biggest canvases. As a result, I had a lot of left over sheeting that would have done well around the smaller paintings if I had left them for last.

Inside Out

Using the roll as a straight edge, I run a felt pen along the line and cut out the first strip. Pulling the plastic around the painting I mark off the necessary length then use this first piece as my pattern for the rest. I ended up with sixteen 12x12 protective sleeves.

Inserting the Painting

To avoid strain on an edge, I place the join in the middle of one side and use packaging tape to secure the plastic doubling over edge at the open end. The bottom of the protective sleeve receives another length of tape and then I turn the whole thing inside out.

Sliding to the Corner

The purpose of turning out the inside is to leave a clean surface next to the painting. Joins are never perfect and the glue off the tape can damage the work if it comes in contact. Once inside out I placed another strip of tape on the side joint making it more secure and I then insert the painting into the protective sleeve.

Holding Down the Triangle

Slipping the corner of the painting tight to the inside corner of the sleeve I place the final strip of tape holding down the triangle fold and shuffle the painting to the other corner as I finish off the bottom edge. The protective sleeve is now complete. Only one more thing: labelling.

The Label

Should the label need to be changed I can easily remove the label from the protective sleeve then use the sleeve for another painting. I begin with my name followed by the name of the painting, the media, the inventory code and my address. I cover the entire surface of the label with tape to protect it from moisture. Done.

 

You may wish to get an insight into why I do what I do. I recently had an interview with Radio Canada and the footage was released on television on the 7^th December. I do not watch television so I missed it. I used the link below to view it and I found it to be very well put together. The transmission is in French. For those who are interested:

https://ici.tou.tv/connexion/s05e12?lectureauto=1

 

So the year ends. I wish you a very merry Christmas with family and friends. May 2026 be all that you wish it to be.