I was waiting I was waiting

By Chance

That's what John Cage said when Anni Albers asked him how he started to find his way in his work.

 so "Don't worry"

says Anni Albers

Images in this post are of two pieces of art that I have in my house this week that will go back to rightful owners soon.

The stitched piece (Beginning with Time), was loaned for an exhibition in Thunder Bay and the painting of pussy willows with text by Anne Michaels needs some repair.

Perivale Gallery

When we first moved to Manitoulin, I took my paintings over to the Perivale Gallery in Spring Bay to see if   Sheila McMullan would show my work.  She and her husband Bob decided to "try" me the following year.

" But that's Ivan Wheale's gallery" I was told by the locals, naming the most well known (non aboriginal) artist on Manitoulin Island. 

Each spring I produced new paintings and after viewing them propped up against the gallery walls, Sheila and I would discuss art over a glass of wine.  Maybe Sheila would have preferred it if had I continued to paint water colours of my children, but my work changed.  I grew just as the kids have.  Matured.

Sheila, I can still feel your encouraging and determined spirit.  Miss you. xxx

Sheila Florence McMullan  1926 - 2012 

My watercolours in this post were painted in the 90's and showed at the Perivale Gallery.

These images are scanned from slides as the originals are in private collections.