Here's to life

The night when Champagne was discovered...
Zina Chmielowski©2009
acrylic

I was driving today and listening to the Jazz FM 91,1 and I caught the part of the song "Here's is to life". I heard this before, but today it really moved me. What a beautiful lyrics! Wonderful arrangement!
Shirley's Horn interpretation is absolutely amazing. I was listening to it quite a few times on
YouTube and decided to order CD. My treat for myself for Christmas...
Thank you Shirley for that...

First storm is here

Striving for...

Zina Chmielowski©2009
Collage created for "Whodunit" organized last month by OCAD

Well... and winter came to Toronto...
I am not very happy about that... Since my fall from the stairs a few weeks ago, I am very aware of danger of slipping... It's a dark and not really optimistic morning....
Hopefully, this will only lasts for today.
That's all I have to say this morning...

One of the Kind

In the Christmas Spirit - acrylic
Zina Chmielowski©2009

I kind of hesitated to visit Christmas show this year... We went with my daughter yesterday, which was the last day. We enjoyed it. As usually a lot of jewelry, hats, clothing and of course food...
As usually, the vendors from Montreal or generally from Quebec had the most interesting, creative and inventive products. After a while we really got tired of seeing so much..., but after tasting and the amazing sweets at the food vendors section, we got energized and finished the show seeing everything! I happy to see a few very interesting visual artists, which is always encouraging... not seeing only crafts...
So, in summary... we were really glad that we went.

60 years of the Don Valley Art Club

Constant change - diptych (sold)

Zina Chmielowski © 2009
Mixed media - acrylic
DVAC Show Fall 2009

I am a member of the Don Valley Art Club. This year DVAC celebrates it's 60th birthday.
The annual Christmas party was held at the beautiful Arts and Letters Club. It was really nice atmosphere. Some members brought their old photos and videos. Some were sharing the good memories. Very interesting and I felt happy to belong to that wonderful artistic community!
Happy Birthday DVAC!!!

The most important thing...

Nostalgic Collage
Mixed media
Zina Chmielowski © 2009

I watched recently "Under the Tuscan Sun" again... Beautiful scenes... would love to go there some day and just Paint... Charming and uplifting story ...
What influences me the most is the phrase said by the Katherine, an eccentric, aging, British actress:
"No matter what happens always keep your childish innocence.
It's the most important thing!"
Wonderful!!!
I need to remember it... We forget that so easily...

Thanks God...

I am so happy that there is no snow on the ground yet.
A month ago I fell on the stairs outside of the place I live and injured by spine. I was rushing to the painting workshop in the morning carrying art supplies and... That was horrible... Pain was excruciating and I could not grasp my breath. Luckily, I had my cell in my pocket and I called 911.
I am better now, but I am terrified of falling again... so slippery winter conditions do not excite me at all...
Thanks for the sunny beautiful weather today.

My First Blog

It is so difficult to start...
I have signed for this site quite a while ago and I was really terrified of composing my first blog.
English is my second language... I was born in Ukraine, former Soviet Union and lived in Poland.
I came to Toronto 27 years ago...
Although, I think that my English skills are not bad... I am still intimidated...
Well... I did it! First few sentences...
Actually, Barbara Muir is the wonderful and original artist, who has inspired me to finally make my move...
She was the speaker at the Don Valley Art Club on last Friday and I think she influenced every member that night.
Please check her blog: http://www.barbaramuirpaints.com.
Alright, talk to you later...