Studio in the Woods - A Dream Fulfilled

I think it was almost two years ago that I started to think about building a small place for me to paint while I was at the cottage. I started out in the garage and I also built a little outdoor platform so I could work outside. I hate being indoors on nice days. But, I always had to move my things to make way for cars and other inconveniences like that. And the garage wasn’t heated in the winter. I started looking into small 10x10 bunkies. But, then I learned I was allowed to build a bigger building. That began the process of finding a site and making sure it was all legal, figuring out a design and choosing a person or company to help me build it.

I have been showing photos of the work in progress, and it is an amazing building that has finally come to be, but this story is mostly about having the courage and belief in yourself to move forward on a project that seems a little crazy and like a gift to myself. Learning that it is OK to go after your dreams even if they don’t make financial sense, has been hard for me. I’m used to putting others’ needs first and to making do. It also means believing that making art is something that I need to do and that it is worthwhile for the joy it can bring to others as well as myself. Many people think of art is thought of as a luxury. And I probably adhere to that view to some degree. But, as with a bouquet of flowers, or a new coat of paint, or a special pillow or blanket, art can bring comfort and enjoyment every day to your life. Having things that speak to you and that you love, is what creates your home, your space. I’ve used that message as part of my slogan - Art that Defines You. I believe people are drawn to the art that resonates with something inside of them. So, this new studio is my space to create good things, and hopefully share them with you. I am very lucky, and I appreciate that I’ve had this wonderful opportunity to fulfill a dream.

I have put together a video of the studio being built as many of you have shown an interest in the building itself. In September 2021, the construction began on my studio and bunkie at my cottage in Muskoka. It was envisioned by myself and my contractor Yuill McGregor of North on Sixty and Yuillbuilt. I had met him when my husband decided to buy a desk made with "live edge" wood from Yuill's mill. I also visited the laneway house he had built behind his Toronto home. That design, his attention to details, the wood finishes, and the functional extras sold me on his work. The project has had its moments being built during COVID with supply chain issues, labour shortages and during a Muskoka winter. And it has been a labour of blood, sweat and tears with many craftsmen contributing to the outcome. The video is a behind the scenes look at some of the construction and the finished product. I’m glad I was part of this challenging process. The video can be found on my website under Media Clips.

Studio in the Woods Begins

I am very excited to see my studio taking shape finally. I’ve been planning this for over a year now. I’ve been impatient to get started at times. But, as with most good things in life, a little patience is helpful. The more you push to get something, the longer it usually takes. This is a lesson I’ve been resisting, but am coming to realize I must learn it.

At the moment, my driveway is dug up. I’m kind of living in a castle with a moat around it. The lake is on one side, and there’s a trench on the other. I don’t go out much. You might call it hunkering down. Living at the cottage without a car (my son drives to work so I’m home and carless during the day), has taught me to slow down even further than I did during the COVID lockdown. Pre-COVID I was always busy, running around, doing errands, going to meetings, feeling I must do things to feel productive. COVID, and now, living in Muskoka, has helped me to be more present and observant. I’m less of a doer. It seems that my doing self, was avoiding my inner self.

Some of this self focus is a little uncomfortable. But, there is also less stress from all that busyness and doing. If you follow me on facebook or instagram, you’ve probably seen my many photos of plants, mushrooms, and landscape photos from Muskoka. You might have watched a “crazy” video of me using a toilet brush to create a painting. These are the gifts I’ve experienced during my “down time” being up north.

I very much appreciate that I have been given the gift of time to spend on my art and to just BE with myself. If this is one of the outcomes of waiting for my studio/bunkie and watching it take shape, then it is definitely worth the wait.

Take care. Hope you have an opportunity today to be with yourself, really see the world around you and have some time to be creative. Oh, and definitely, to have some fun. Check out my IG video if you want a laugh.

Riverdale Artwalk August 20-Sept 3

I turned 65 yesterday, a milestone I’m told. I have a good life. I live in a neighbourhood where I feel connected and valued, I have three sons who are making their way in the world, I have good friends and family and I have some great nieces and nephews I get to watch as they grow and develop. And, I have a passion for painting that I have been able to develop in the last few years. I am lucky to have so many good things in life.

I would like to invite you to join me, to celebrate your own milestones and good fortune. See me in my Booth #39 (I think a number that is 3 x 13 is probably a lucky number) this Saturday and Sunday. I would like to share this passion of mine with you. You will also be able to see the work of 70 other artists who will be so happy to share their work with you. It has been a long time since we have been able to meet outdoors and present our work. Everyone is beyond excited to finally show what they have been working on, mostly in isolation.

I hope you are able to come and share in that joy, optimism and the beauty of an eclectic, talented group of creators.

Cherie Daly Art

The Blank Slate of a New Year

Applying Gesso to Canvas

Starting off fresh. I don’t know if you can tell or not, but I’m pretty excited here. There’s nothing like a fresh coat of gesso on a raw canvas to get you excited about all the possibilities of a new painting. Do new starts get you excited? All the potential of something new is magical.

My son wants to have some of my work. And since he lives in London, UK, it seems that the most sensible thing to do is paint on canvas, roll it up and mail it to him. Otherwise, the shipping costs can be pretty high. So, here I am, getting the canvas ready and thinking about what colors or design might work best in his new place. Will he like it? There is anxiety but also possibility.

I moved back into my studio this week, after an extended time off for the holidays and some time spent up at my cottage surrounded by snow and nature. I don’t know about you, but it takes me a while to transition from one place to another. I have to get comfortable all over again. I have to figure out where things are and get my head into the process again. So I spent a couple hours readying myself, stapling up canvas, organizing my tools and paints before I could even get going. I think I need this time for my mind to sort out where to start and to convince myself that I can do it. Every time you come to a blank slate, it’s a bit daunting. It’s like you’ve never painted before. The imposter syndrome kicks in. You have to push yourself past the insecurities and just get started.

I also wanted to set some goals or some intentions for what to create this year and what to aim for. Just as with personal new year’s resolutions, I need to have some professional ones. I am thinking about a show that I will be in with three other artists in March. I would like to have a series of work to show there. This got me thinking that I need to buy some new surfaces that are similar in size. So off I went on Friday, to the very capable carpenters at Day and Night Woodworking to buy some wooden panels in square sizes. Luckily they allow for personal pick up. So now, I have quite a few new surfaces to fill. It turns out, I also need to order some more paint. COVID rules make this tricky. You need to plan ahead more. Online ordering, wait, then go and pick them up. It can be frustrating, but at least places are operating. I am thankful for this.

Each decision made feels like I’m making progress. My head is actually swimming with ideas. Hopefully, I can calm down and focus and bring forth some new work that I will be happy with. Here’s to a productive new year. Thanks for being part of it.

See the short video below:

New beginnings - What does fall bring for you?

September feels more like the start of the year than January does to me. Memories of a new year at school and the excitement that brings flood in. Each fall, I usually set up a new schedule of my own activities and art classes. I bustle about, almost as excited as the kids. I often set new goals to improve my cooking and to be more adventurous.

This year, is different, but not necessarily in a bad way. Although, there is anxiety as we return to work and school and some of our old activities, there seems to be hope as well. The pandemic is not so new any longer. We’ve adjusted somewhat. We think we know how to manage the risks.

For me, classes are now online and my activities are much reduced. Over the summer, I learned to enjoy a less busy life. I was forced to rely on myself more and to spend more time working alone on my art, without fellow artists to critique and support me. I have been used to working with groups of people, and for me, this was daunting and also freeing. I was able to work from my garage at the cottage, and develop my own routine. Although, it always seems to take me a while to get started on my work, , I seemed to get a lot done, once I settled into my space and my routine.

My art became my purpose and my job and I gave it more of myself. I was surprised at how hours could go by and I forgot to even snack or take a break. I think this is what flow is, and I am grateful to have found it, for a while.

Returning to the City, life seemed to get messy again, more interruptions and distractions and responsibilities crept back in. Now I know that I need to keep that sense of purpose and calmness in my life, whether I’m at home or at the cottage, not just for my art, but also for it.

My cousin posted on Facebook after her summer holiday, “Back to reality!” But, why does our daily life have to be so different than when we are on holiday? Can’t we bring a bit of the holiday attitude back to our daily goings on? Can we simplify? Slow down? Focus on what’s important?

COVID-19 has really put the brakes on many of my old habits and activities. But, it has opened more opportunities with my art work. I did my first commission this summer, which I found daunting but also rewarding. I’ve made a few sales, mostly to friends, and I’ve learned to breathe and let my work develop on its own.

I’ve looked at the work of other artists whom I admire and also at their philosophies. My peers, whom I relate to, also find that ideas come from all around you in daily life, not just in the studio. Ideas take time to gel. Rushing or forcing doesn’t work. Experimenting and pushing your limits is how you learn and get better. I find that I learn a lot about life, through living with and making my art. The lessons are very transferable to the rest of our lives.

I am now in a different rhythm, thanks to the pandemic, and it suits me better than the old one. I hope you have found your own way to adapt and have lessons you can take away from this time, and forward into this new season.