HI Everyone,

I was in New Foundland for 2 weeks end July beginning of August. Three other artists and myself rented a house from Mrs. Squires, she was a potter and her husband George Squires was a painter sculptor and so very much more, he passed away in 2015. He is a Canadian iconic artist , he received the Governor Generals award, as well as a very long list of accolades, his wife runs his gallery in St .John”s. He had an exhibit running at “The Room” from May through September.The Room is the provincial Art Gallery of New Foundland/Labrador. The people of New Foundland are out going ,friendly,and it was not uncommon to hear them call us “my sweetheart” or “my darlin”! I have spent this last year developing a series called “The Canadian “. In this series there are paintings from, Niagara (where I have my studio) Northern Ontario,Manitoba,Saskatchewan, Alberta ,British Columbia & New Foundland/Labrador. We live in a stunningly beautiful country, after taking close to 3,500 photos, it has been an interesting task to sift through them and pull some out and set them aside in my binder all ready to paint.

I also started teaching art this year, I enjoyed every moment. It is very gratifying to be able to pass on knowledge and skill sets to students who are eager to learn.I’m looking forward to extending this activity. My students were all very kind and I have been asked to return. Looking forward to it!

Recently I have had my art accepted into local galleries. Andies Gallery and Boutique ,Port Colborne, Jordan Art Gallery,Jordan, and I have become a member of The Oak Art Gallery in Port Dover! This has been very exciting, each of these areas are different, all are in the Niagara Peninsula.

In December, I showed at Artful Treasures at the Niagara Pumphouse Centre for the Arts,several paintings found new homes and I received a couple of commissions.I loved meeting up with a few friends who were also showing,Pat Paquin and Joe Speck.plus, my area was next to Susan Holly, it was great getting to know her! She does designs her own stain glass designs, each is unique , truly amazing!

Also,I have decided to open up about my non DE plume Sophia Armstrong Coleman, I was advised by a friend and colleague that it would be wise to keep my abstract work separate from my work in realism. I have tried this over the past couple of years. It was becoming more difficult to keep the two separated, so,I have come out and all my recent abstract work now has my name on it rather than Sophia”s logo! Phew! It”s so much easier just being me!All my abstracts are now on my own website and I have closed Sophia”s.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year! 2018 is going to be SPECTACULAR!