S. Veldstra Art

I wanted to say a special thank you to those who attended our 'Twas the Art Before Christmas Show in St.Thomas. The lighting at the new venue was wonderful and the show looked beautiful. Thanks again to all those who worked so hard to put this show together. Thanks also to our judge, Mr. Al Stewart of The Art Exchange, who fit us into his busy schedule on fairly short notice.

I was priveleged to receive two awards at this show, a first for me. Coyote on the rocks received one of the top five Juror's Choice awards, and Where Water Meets Stone was voted the Peoples' Choice favorite of the show.

Thank you again

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity this fall to meet the artist who has most influenced my art over the years, and whose work motivated me to keep trying to improve, Robert Bateman.

It is time for the St.Thomas-Elgin Artists' Guild's Annual "Twas the Art Before Christmas Show". This year's show will be held on November 6th to 8th, 2009 at the Elgin Labour Temple in St. Thomas Ontario. Here is a sneak preview of the coyote series, some of which will be shown for the first time at the show.

Well summer is upon us and the show season for me at least has slowed down. Time now to just enjoy time with family and friends and get down to some serious painting in preparation for the fall shows. I hope everyone has a great summer filled with whatever makes you happy.

Show season starts next Tuesday with the Photography Show at the St. Thomas Library, with the Dorchester and Area Artists' Network Spring Show three weeks later and the Port Stanley show right after that. I've been painting up a storm in the studio, trying to produce a few more paintings in the brief time that is left.

A quick sneak peek for any who are interested. This is a 8X10 of a Cooper Hawk that I just finished today.

Well something new has been added to this year's calender. The St. Thomas Photographic Guild has invited a group of 23 artists to present their interpretations of some of their members outdoor photography, as a part of their Celebration of Connected Arts on Tuesday May 5th at 7:30pm at the St. Thomas Public Library. It will be an evening of Photography, Art, Music, and Poetry. What more could you want. Please if you can come check it out.

Things are getting very busy. The Dorchester Artists' Network has decided to hold a spring show and sale and I've gotten involved as a member of the planning committee. It should be a really exciting show. We have a new venue at the beautiful Dorchester On Thames Golf Club and have invited students from three of the local high schools to participate in a youth art competition. Organizing it is proving to be a lot of work, but the effort should prove more than worthwhile.

New on the easel currently is a painting of a coyote in a rocky stream bed. It is 16X20, so the largest I have painted since 'Big Kitty'. It has already been a few weeks on the go and will likely keep me busy for a few more. Here's a sneak peek.

Well the miniatures shows are over, and I was very pleased at how they turned out. I will have three pieces going on display at the Dorchester Town Hall for the months of March and April.

The Four Horse Team is finally finished and if you would like to see the final just visit my photo gallery option and look in the paintings category. It turned out quite well if I do say so myself. What is currently on the easel is a painting I call 'Spirit Tree'. The original idea came from a piece I painted for an ATC trade with some fellow artists across Canada and the United States. I liked it so much that I had to create a larger version. It isn't yet finished but I hope you will like it too.

Well the two miniature shows are underway. Tonight was the gala opening of the one at the Art Exchange on Wortley Road in London.  Here is a picture of me and one of my entries. Special congratulations to Vivian who took one of the juror's choice awards for her beautiful textile work.

Anyone interested in checking out all the beautiful entries go to my artist's links page, I have added a link to the gallery. Click on exhibits and the miniatures show. There is some amazing work worth seeing.

The four horse team is progressing at a steady but slow pace. There have been too many other events keeping me busy so that I have not been able to put as much time into it as I would like. Currently I am hosting a class on Wet Canvas on painting sticks and stones which I am enjoying emensely, but it is a lot of work. I'm also participating in an ATC trade with a group of twelve other artists and need to have those ready for mailing by the end of the month.

Just a quick update on the painting of the four horse team of Belgians that I started somewhere back in October or November. Since I finished off the miniatures and the pieces I did for Christmas, it has returned to my easel. I'm trying very hard to not allow any other projects to suplant it again until it is done.