The Everyday Artist

Most of the folks that know my work, know that my subject matter is usually pretty humble pickings. I like to paint everyday trinkets I find in my house, simple flowers, and lots of fruit and vegetables. They make great models – they never fidget or need bathroom breaks. This piece is entitled, 'It's Keen Bein' Green', and today, it's got me thinking. I'm an everyday gal. My day-job pays the bills – I work as a graphic designer for a great magazine called Calgary's Child. But I love to paint. As luck would have it, my natural painting style is 'alla prima' – fancy talk for 'all at once'. Rather than creating layers upon layers like many other artists do, I start and finish a painting in one or two sittings. So that got me thinking too.

Why doesn't this everyday gal paint her everday subjects – well, every day. Usually, I wait and wait until I can finally eek out a half-day in my week, then I scurry to my easel. Believe me, those free half-days are few and far between. And I get sad sometimes because of it. But what if I turn it around? Instead, what if I take an hour. Just an hour, and see what I can create in that amount of time. The pieces will be small for sure. But again, as luck would have it, my 'signature' work is small. Seems like a good fit, so let's try it out.

For the next month, I'll be at my easel everyday. Just 60 minutes. Let's keep in touch and I'll show you what I create.

Sincerely, Cheryl Peddie
The Everyday Artist