New Paintings in my Studio

New Paintings in my Studio, originally uploaded by Melsky.

As you can see, I'm painting again a little bit. It feels good to be back at it, though I am not doing it as much as I would like. It feels good to get back into it.

The large abstract I have worked on some more since this picture was taken. I think it's going to look really nice in our living room.

A substitution

I used to have an old vintage photo here that I got from Flickr. I guess they removed it because it said photo no longer available. So here's one I took on my drive to Canada.

It's weird to remember that drive because I don't drive any more.

Image from 1960 Curtiss ad

Image from 1960 Curtiss ad, originally uploaded by arts enthusiast.

I want this Woman's dress!

Another Substitution

This is another photo where I had used a flickr photo that was deleted. I can't even remember what it was, so here's some flowers:



These are in Los Angeles, a city I don't miss.

I'm doing lousy with my goal of writing in here once a day.

England's Sex Habits

England's Sex Habits, originally uploaded by Paula Wirth.

This one cracked me up.

My Studio Table/Works in progress

My Studio Table/Works in progress, originally uploaded by Melsky.

These paintings are all finished now. I'm having a hard time painting lately. I just cleared all the junk out of my studio and everything is all nice and set up for me. I only have to find the will to paint and be happy painting. It makes me sad, I feel like I am drowning in my lack of artistic productivity. I'm nervous.

24 Hour Cafe

24 Hour Cafe, originally uploaded by Melsky.

This is one of my more recent paintings. I was going to sell it but I liked it so much I decided to keep it.

I felt better from the bronchitis today. I got my studio cleaned up too. I didn't feel like painting though, still not enough energy. I stayed at home all day and Dave went and got my library books for me and did some errands.

I'm better

I'm feeling a lot better today, barely any coughing. I started doing online transcription. I'm barely making any money at this particular gig. I'm getting my skills in shape though and I hope to find some more lucrative opportunities.

I kind of enjoy transcription, it's relaxing. Back when I was a secretary I hoped I would do more of it, and also make powerpoint slide presentations. Those are things I'm good at. But I always ended up at jobs where I had to schedule meetings and set up retreats and things like that. Ugh. Now I am going to try to do that sort of thing online. I know there's got to be tons of people who need transcription done and/or powerpoint.

Random Thoughts for Today

Little Green Cucumbers, originally uploaded by Melsky.

I have bronchitis. Ugh.

I've been in bed so long, I want to get up and do things.

These are my favorite type of cucumbers. Much more tender and tasty than those big watery ones.

It snowed a little today. I guess it's good weather to be home in bed. The cats piled on me today, nice and cozy.

I'm reading the book Mysteries of Ontario. It's a guidebook to weird stuff that has happened here like ghosts and bigfoot.

My husband just finished his new cd. He's very excited and happy about it and warned me that he may take over my computer to print up the inserts sometimes. But I don't mind, I'm glad his CD is done. It's got a photo I took on New Years 2001 of some fireworks on the cover.

I had a chest Xray today and had to walk around in the cold bitter wind between my dr's office and the Xray lab. I probably should have taken a taxi.

I am in the middle of cleaning up my studio and getting back to painting. Now the project has stalled because of sickness. I feel frustrated. I haven't been sick since the end of last winter though so I can't complain too much.

Canadian Kraken Stamp

Canadian Kraken Stamp, originally uploaded by Rushputin.

This is so cool. I can't believe Canada has a stamp of the giant squid.

Hotpoint

Hotpoint, originally uploaded by Umpqua.

Today I found the group Atomic Housewife on Flickr and spent a lot of time looking at old ads and ephemera of the 50s. Very entertaining.

I miss all my old magazines that I have in storage.

Fall Leaves Floral

Fall Leaves Floral, originally uploaded by Melsky.

A favorite floral painting of mine. Acrylic on canvas 8x10.

Maneki Neko Army

Maneki Neko Army, originally uploaded by Melsky.

In a shop window on Dundas Street. These are battery opperated, their hands move up and down which is why they are blurry in the photo.

Abstract Forget Me Nots

Abstract Forget Me Nots, originally uploaded by Melsky.

A very colorful painting.

Cacophany

Cacophany, originally uploaded by Melsky.

This is what I call a waste paper painting. It starts out with me painting backgrounds on 5x7 sheets of paper. I place them on the canvas when I paint and use the canvas to catch the excess paint. That makes a series of right angles and lines in various colors. Then I start filling in areas with various colors, patterns and doodles.

I used to just use paper or cardboard as background paper to paint on. Then it would usually hang around my studio and I'd add to it. It started looking better than the paintings I was actually working on sometimes. So I started using canvas.

Time-worn Paint

Time-worn Paint, originally uploaded by lookin glass.

I love the angles in this, the texture of the old wood and the way the clouds are sweeping across the sky.

water towers and nice light

water towers and nice light, originally uploaded by niznoz.

An amazing light, and it's surprising to see so many water towers in NYC. They seem like something that would have gotten torn down a long time ago.

illum

illum
Originally uploaded by steevil.

Great atmosphere in this photo, it projects a feeling of warmth.

Night Streetcar

Night Streetcar
Originally uploaded by Melsky.

Streetcars are one of the things I love about Toronto. Riding a streetcar always seems more enjoyable than riding a bus.

Missing: My pothead son Brendan

Missing: My pothead son Brendan
Originally uploaded by Melsky.

I saw this on a pole in the annex. The text reads:

2 all my sweet neighbors in The Annex, please don't be alarmed - Brendan's just an irresponsible kid who does this sort of thing all the time (rest assured, he's done this before!) Anyway, on Satureday he went to a house party at Jacob's house. It's Sunday afternoon right now and he still hasn't called home to let me know he's ok, and what his plan is, as we promised before he took off. If anyone knowz Jacob's telephone number, pleeze send me e-letter at my website.

(p.s. Brendan, if you're reading this, I'm sorry to embarrass u, but you drove me to it with your irresponsibility. To any of Bren's neighborhood pals reading this, please mind your own beezwax!! This is between a diztressed father and his son. Thanx!)

Fall in Trinity Bellwoods Park

Fall in Trinity Bellwoods Park
Originally uploaded by Melsky.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors and how cool the weather is after the hot and humid summer. Looking at all the colors I feel inspired to paint. Many of my paintings have falling leaves on them.

Art Storage Boxes

Art Storage Boxes
Originally uploaded by Melsky.

These are recycled boxes covered with acrylic paint and collage. Lately I haven't been concentrating on selling my art so much. I've been making a lot of art for our home instead.

I had been keeping things organized in these shoeboxes and was looking for some more permanent boxes to keep them in. But one night I just started painting the boxes. I like how they turned out.

I painted the table they are on also.

Anti drunk driving storefront

Anti drunk driving storefront
Originally uploaded by Melsky.

This is a very odd building I passed on the streetcar the other day. It reads:
Drunk drivers are Lousy Lovers
Sober Drivers "Puck" much better

Drunk drivers
kiss and neck
wet and sloppy

Sober Drivers do not
Slobber and drool

The building looks like a former convienience store, now perhaps someone's house. It's not a store anymore.

in Toronto

A new blog

This is where I show my artwork and photos, and also other people's artwork and photos. Sometimes I will probably talk about stuff too.

My name is Melsky, I'm an artist from California who somehow ended up in Toronto. Before I lived here I lived in an isolated Mohave desert valley called Wonder Valley. It's been quite a change living right in the middle of a northern city.

I like Toronto

This albino squirrel lives on the grounds of a large mental hospital in Toronto. We used to live close to the hospital and I'm glad we don't any longer. But I miss the squirrels. Mostly I just wanted to put a photo on my blog and this is one I like. First posts in blogs are as akward as first dates.

Enjoying a Walnut, originally uploaded by Melsky.