The Beginning

It was January of 2015 that I decided to move forward by improving my health, my attitude to life, and to find a creative outlet that would not compromise my health. I would like to start at the beginning and share my process which I couldn't do at that time because everything was still so raw. My DH( dear husband) my safety net was gone and no matter how lovely my family and friends were to me there was and still is a great hole in my life.

But I started, I became vegan, I started aquavit and then yoga.
 It was to sit at my laptop, research art materials, and then to play. Amazon.ca became my best friend, you don't have to get dressed, you don't have to drive in the winter, you can be sipping on tea, you don't have to curtail your spending, which was one benefit of being single, and it came in a few days.

There were two artists I really loved and they both worked in watercolours.

                Shirley Trevena and Jean Haines.

Three books in particular:

1. Light and Colour in Watercolour -- Jean Haines
2. Atmospheric Watercolour -- Jean Haines
3. Taking Risks With Watercolour -- Shirley Trevena

Jean has a lightness and a fluidity in her work that is inspiring, I played and practised to my heart's content. Shirley's work reminded me of my fibre work, there were lines like sashing in a quilt. I can't show you any of those pieces, being very self critical they ended up in the garbage.

Now for materials. I started with my sister and niece's extras which really helped me get started and then bought a few of my own at Michael's with a 50% off certificate. I love living in Brockville, everything is so close. Of course right across from Michael's is a Starbuck's, Yum!Yum! Love that coffee even if I have to get decaf. Had to lose that addiction later.

Starting Over at 70.

Well I was going to say good morning but it turns out it is already 12:03. I am finally posting again on my new blog CATHARINABL.blogspot.com. It took me a while to get here, but here I am. For those of you who don't know me a quick blogging history.

In my 50's I started a second career as a quilter and fibre artist, I can't believe that it was almost 20 years ago.During that time I became a member of S.A.Q.A., taught quilting and fibre art, participated in many gallery shows, took many classes from well known artists, went to quilt shows and conferences and generally had a very good time enjoying my passion. I certainly met a lot of amazing people, mostly fabulous women, who enriched my life on a daily basis. My blog from this time, including a lot of fibre tutorials can still be found at Catharinablog.blogspot.com. If you are fibre person , check it out.

Then about seven years ago my dear husband (DH) was diagnosed with cancer and the fight began. He was courageous and brave but lost his battle almost two years ago. At the same time , I became allergic to fibre and could not work in the fibre medium again.

Two big losses in a short time and my life came crashing down around me. I moved to Brockville to be closer to my family and started my healing journey. It took a long time to re-invent my life.
At first I was going to blog about this whole process but everything was just too raw and painful.Now I am ready to share.

Both my grandmothers lived into their 90's so I figure I have about 20 years left to do something else with my life, and I would like to share my process. Through some trial and error I have found that I can work in watercolours. A demanding medium, I signed up for some watercolour classes at St. Lawrence College last summer and met some great teachers. More about that later.

 From this:

To this:
Daisies are still one of my favourite subjects and found with many tries ending up in the garbage that with practice I was able to get what I wanted onto the paper. These are small 4x6 in. pieces of original art which I am selling in card form.

Oh but I do miss the the feel of fabric and fibre between my fingers.