Far Enough Farm on Toronto Island is under threat of being closed down. I grew up visiting this farm often. It is a lovely, magical little spot. A place to connect to animals, see baby lambs in the spring along with baby chicks etc. I have taken my sketchbook and camera there many times. It is a great source for drawing, and capturing the personalities of the animals- and trust me, they have very distinct personalities!

I remember on one visit, Charlie the pig had escaped his pen and was running gleefully around the farm with the farmer gently, but firmly pleading with him to come back. Charlie spotted a big pool of mud and dove in, rolling around in delight. After getting sufficiently dirty, he trotted back to his pen, but not before he looked me straight in the eye, and said 'That was fun", and he almost giggled- I swear.
I hope we can find a way to keep the farm open. Seems like funding cuts always target the wrong things. The farm is an important experience to anyone visiting the Island. Any ideas?

Keeping a sketchbook on the go is one thing I encourage here. For several reasons:

1. This may seem obvious, but training the eyes and the brain to SEE what is in front of you is the key to drawing well. We often think "I'm just not gifted enough to draw well". This is nonsense.

It just takes practise, like any other skill does. By doing a small drawing everyday, you build a 'highway' of neurons in the brain, that gets faster and stronger the more you travel it.

2. Draw what is around you. Simple things you see and use everyday. Your shoe, coffee cup, spoon, a kitchen chair etc. Once you really see it, and draw it, the brain and hand will never forget.

Misconception -we know what something looks like. But until you draw it, you really don't. For example. We all know what a bike looks like. Draw one from memory. Then pull out your bike and really look at it, and draw it again. See what I mean?

3. I get asked what is wrong with just drawing from a photograph?

Answer: Photographs are flat, so you are drawing from a two-dimensional object. The result is a very flat sketch with no depth or form. Draw from real objects. Hint: to start, use common items. Drawing from obscure favorite knickknacks is more difficult.

4. Working with a sketch book leads to new art ideas and builds a reference library of images that can be used in the future for art projects.

Lots of good reasons to start sketching! It is fun too!

Painting Acrylic on canvas

Friendship by Lory MacDonald

Download Brochure

March 3-31 2012

Collingwood Public Library

Drop Artwork off Sat Feb 25 10am to 3pm

or Sunday Feb Feb 26 1pm-3pm

ALL children in the Collingwood and Clearview area are invited to participate in the upcoming Magic of Children in the Arts Show. Download the Brochure for complete information and registration.

Who we are

The Magic of Children in the Arts was started in 1994 by local artist Lory MacDonald. With the help of parent volunteers, and generous support from local businesses and community groups, it evolved into an annual event at the Collingwood Public Library.

Our mission is to inspire and encourage children to create, exhibit and celebrate the arts. The result is a spectacular display of over 300 artworks created by children from our community.

The show is juried by professional artists, and EACH child receives a positive comment and a prize of art materials. The celebration is highlighted by an awards presentation.

A strong partnership exists between us and the arts community, schools, Collingwood Public Library, local businesses, community groups, the Town of Collingwood, Clearview Township, parents and volunteers.

We are a registered charitable organization. All funds raised go towards putting on this great show, and the prizes of art materials. Please consider making a donation to this worthwhile event and arts programming.

So I am encouraging everyone to buy or make ART for Christmas, instead of shopping at the mall. Shop from your favorite Artist, Art & Craft Show, or Gallery. Every sale for an artist is exhilerating and motivating.

This year, I created a Toronto Island Monopoly Game. It was so much fun designing it, figuring out the play, and writing all the community cards. I changed the look, the play and and the names so no copyright issues would be infringed. Everyone loved it at the Christmas Boutique. It was a huge amount work, but so worth it to bring such joy to so many islanders.

The most exciting component added was the Time Travelling Portal. This square allows you to go back in time to Centre Island & Hanlans Point, when it was a thriving part of the Island. You can purchase property there as well. One of the main changes to the play of the game is you do not buy or build houses or hotels. You buy a Lease.

"Stay hungry. Stay foolish." a quote from Steve Jobs

Thank you Steve, for all you gave us.

We have decided to participate in the Sketch Book Project 2012. The deadline to sign up is Oct 31 2011. Our books will be completed by January 31 2012. The books go on tour in April.

All of us are nervous about getting it finished, but if we work on it every week and help motivate each other, it should be a lot of fun.

Here is the link if you want to try it.

http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject/resources