Over netWorked?

Harmony where have you been?

Well, good day! You are probably wondering- where I have been?  Or perhaps you were thinking I had gotten lost? Or maybe fell ill? Or, God forbid kicked the ol'... Well I assure you I am alive and well! Life is good! I am here, there and everywhere! And by everywhere, I mean I have been a busy bee working on promoting my art. In the past month (-ish), I worked on  a grant proposal, prints, cards, and bookmarks to share with you my beloved, reader, fan, cousin,  :) ( I love my family  best supporters a girl could ask for!)

This past month I displayed my work at yet another Kikinahk art show. Also made a "pretty penny" at the Snowflake Tea, a community school craft faire. I worked on my Facebook page, Etsy Page, and now a Society 6 page. Holy Crap!! How many pages do I have!? How many pages are too much? I feel like a page hoarder! Maybe a page pusher!!

I even have a -neglected- Twitter account.(https://twitter.com/harmoniousjb) Honestly, I do not understand Twitter. What is the purpose of twitter? Like really! What is with the short hand?? The @ and # and the "http://tiny...." Trying to understand all the twitter lingo made me use my own, and it goes more like this "WHAT THE F*%K is This F@#*&N SH%T!!!!!!" Twitter does not only frustrate me but it confuses me! Who is; @someguy and @randonperson, who are following me?  Why are conversations between me and my friends hard to follow? I dunno, it just seems too complicated for me. I really do not understand it. It seems random, open,  OK, that's enough about Twitter. It can not be all that bad. Lots of people use it. I am just the only idiot trying to use it! I need a Twitter for dummies handbook, anyone have one?

So what do you have on these pages?  

Well let me tell you. 

Etsy: I started my Etsy Shop On October 28th 2013. Etsy is addictive- beware- when you join Etsy, there are so many beautiful things to look at. But feel free to stalk my store everyday all day! Etsy is an online store for homemade and vintage items. I love so many things on there, too bad there was not an Esty barter system. This way, I can trade my art for other peoples work. If you want to see what i have for sale, Click"Etsy"in the menu above and it will directly take you to my Etsy site. Wanna buy something?  Cause I know you do!   Enter the Coupon code BLOSSOM, and you will get 50% off your purchase until December 31st 2013. Merry Christmas!! I am feeling generous!

Oh Facebook! How I love to hate, and love you!  Live feed updates on my activities will lead you to a chance to win free STUFF!   Get people to like my art page!  I try hard not to be boring :-/  and I try even harder not to fill your news feed with "just stuff" ...(though this could be a partial lie)  Facebook has become the "hub of my endeavours".  Go ahead! Click on the tab above and LIKE me on Facebook, unless of course you were directed here from Facebook, then that would be redundant. In that case, go back to my page and SHARE IT!

Alright, this is a new one-Society6.  I was at a art show this winter and a young man told me about this site; it's NEW, it's HIP,  it carries MY INVENTORY for me and offers some SUPER COOL STUFF.  I have been -slowly- adding new images for your to ordering pleasure.  T-shirts, mugs, pillows, hoodies, Cell Phone cases, Ipod cases, and laptop skins.  (I want the Cell phone case!)

WOW that's COOL! available on society6

7

Well I had posted random things on Facebook about this exhibit I went to see in Regina. The experience for me had left me almost speechless,(its really hard to leave me  completely speechless sometimes, cause I always have something to say!) However this exhibit  left my husband with a chill up his spine.

The Group 7: Was made up in hte 1970's  of  7 first nations artists; Daphne Odjig, Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Joseph Sanchez, Alex Janvier, Eddy Cobiness and Jackson Beardy. These seven over came so much discrimination, They were discriminated against for being first nation, and then even more so discriminated against for being contemporary first nation artists. These 7 did not fall into the typical genre of what main stream 1970's society deemed as Indian art. They created their own genre, and paved the road for future first nation artists. This group created the First Indian Professional Artist Association.

I found most interest in Daphne Odjig. I admire her work and her determination to be recognized as a professional artist in s time that was adversarial to  women let alone first nations women. As the spearhead of the group I thank her for paving the way for us future  contemporary aboriginal artists. Sometimes I loose sight of who I am and where I am going. I loose connection with my inner purpose. When I went to this exhibition,   I was feeling a little lost, li, e most days, I wonder looking out at people trying to find where I fit in this great big scheme of people and places. This weekend I was in Regina with the La Ronge Arts Council I volunteered to participate in the OSAC showcase and pick out potential touring exhibits and performances to bring back to La Ronge for  for the 2014/15 season. I was happy to be there, learning so much about the arts culture of Saskatchewan. Learning things I never new before. However there was a sense that I just did not fit in. It was probably because I am new to all this and not very familiar with the arts culture. My partner had suggested to me when we had a break to check out an art exhibit At the McKenzie. As you may have gathered I did not regret going. When I walked in to the gallery, I was speechless.

http://northernwaterways.com/blog/images/2007/water_spirit_1972.jpg

First walked in and was greeted by "Water Spirit" by  Norval Morrisseau, I then turned and was presented by "Flock" a large painting by Jackson Beardy, it was not the painting that struck me but the quote stencilled  underneath it 

http://www.mackenzieartgallery.ca/uploads/media_items/jackson-beardy-flock.580.409.s.jpg

"I no longer see myself as torn between two worlds but rather as a lifeline between them." Jackson Beardy

At that moment it seemed that everything I knew believed and felt was  reconfirmed. As an artist and a Halfbreed, it is my job to be a lifeline, to communicate the things no one can. I know sounds a little self-righteous, and that's not what I am trying portray. I am not all knowing, but i do understand how it feels to be on each side if a coin. The old halfbreed conundrum. To white to be Indian to Indian to be white. Jackson Beardy is passed on now, but I want to say thank you. Thank you for finding your place, it helped me find strength in mine.

http://www.mackenzieartgallery.ca/uploads/media_items/daphne-odjig-so-great-was-their-love.580.723.s.jpg

As i continued on through the show, My partner pointed out a piece  that Daphne Odjig had done, noting that it was her favourite. She had then pointed out the quote  next to it. Daphne spoke to me. She writes,
"Every artist paints from their own cultural heritage and their own experience. Whatever your heritage,  it will come out in your brush. My counsel to young artists is to stop worrying about authenticity. It is within you."
I know she was refers to a time where people had criticized her work, since it did not fall into the accepted genre of Indian art of her time. However it felt at that moment she was only speaking to me. Like she said those words for  only me to hear. I was in awe. I do not want to understate the work of the other artists. They all contributed to the atmosphere and life I felt in that room.

That afternoon in the Mackenzie Gallery was haunting,  the spirit was alive. That spirit spoke to my head, heart and soul. I felt in unison, and connected with what it was telling me.  It was more then just hearing it and understanding it, I knew it! It was mine to know, and feel, Not very often does this happen but I felt, and was allowed to Be.  I was, in that moment, the epitome of harmony. The best version of me.

http://www.mackenzieartgallery.ca/engage/exhibitions/7

Culture Days

 So I joined the La Ronge Arts Council, back in August. I think i made mention of that in a previous post. Anyways, I walked into the councils  August meeting, volunteered for a bunch a stuff,  and continued on with volunteering with them. No one has kicked me off the team yet, so I must be doing an alright job. Joining the council has opened me up to so many more opportunities to grow as a community member and as an artist. And hope fully some day as a professional Artist.
One of the things i was able to do was to facilitate a painting workshop for  "Culture Days " It was my first time "instructing" a class, I think it went over well, we had about 15-20 people come and go, who all painted one, two and in some cases  5  or 6 paintings. As you can see the weather was beautiful, and I really enjoyed meeting other artists in our community. I am thank ful for the opportunity to gain more confidence and  share a bit of my gift with others.

http://culturedays.ca/en/2013-activities/view/52115603-9450-47db-bbfc-1ea54c4a89be

Follow me on Facebook

Ok, I broke down, I reopened my facebook account. I don't "hate" facebook, and I don't "love" it either. I am kinda on the fence with it. ANd I get so easily addicted to it. Non stop checking my facebook. Ugggghh.. Dont i have anything bettter to do. well yeah I do, but I can do it later after I check my facebook. So I am trying to get myself out there. And unfortunately Facebook is the way to do it. Or even a way to get people to come and look at the blog. My endeavor has been successful so far. I have 229 likes on my art page. Had 2 successful contests where I gave away free prints and gained people interested in my page.  It helped me, I manage to sell  a piece to an auction and sell another painting to an individual. So as much as I dilike my obsessive nature when it comes to facebook. It really has served me a purpose.

So check me out on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/epitomicharmony

..ps blogger I am sorry I did not get back to you sooner.....I kinda dropped the ball on my blogging fora bit. But I promise after I check my facebook I will post another blog. For real this time.

I am a little board, so lets talk about cardboard.

I have not had much of a vacation, or worked extreemly hard this summer. It has been kinda of a blahh summer. I kinda forgot about this blog for a bit. I suppose you could say that I was on a mental vacay. I cleared my mind of any clutter, or maybe cluttered it a little more with new ideas, ones that I will be more then happy to share with you, once i have all the details sorted. I have a project in mind, and I am now sitting on the local arts council. More info in future blogs. But I thought I would get back into the blogging grears by posting a couple of REALLY old paintings i had done.

These ones are also untitled, and when i created them I could not afford "proper" canvas, so i used cardboard. They are not my best, nor my favorite, but I do appreciate what I was trying to do. Trial and error, that is the way i work. but honestly what artist doesn't?

New Layout.

Your not seeing things, this is a new layout. Its still the same ol' blog, and its still me. No need to worry. I had a desire to change it up a bit. The last layout, I felt, was not working for me or the reader ( I could be totally wrong tho). We will see how this one turns out, I might change it if it does not work out, or if I get bored with it. Let me know what you think. Let me know what is easier to navigate, what you like dont like, or if it is down right confusing!

H

Something Even Older

There was a time that I never painted. I worked strictly with ink and pencil crayon. I really should reconsider doing this again. I love how the pieces turn out, the only problem  though is you can not paint over your mistakes like an acrylic painting. :)

None of these pieces have titles, and I do not recall the dates I drew these. Although I do remember the time in my life when I created them. At that time I honestly could not afford paint. This was a time i was in university, and  was a "Starving" student. To this day I refuse to eat perogies, and I sure do not have to get creative with food from the food bank, or pawn my only means of transportation (i sure miss my old Kona, and Dekerf mountain bikes) . My university days, are days i never want to relive again.  I was 93 pounds of starving stress and alcoholism. During the summers I had been known to  work three jobs. One summer I biked from one end of Saskatoon to the other, 3 times a day, just to get from one job to another. I would work in the morning at a coffee house, and bike to the other side of town to either work at a Pub till close, or  the Macs convenience store in the Exhibition  til Mid night. If your from Saskatoon you would know what Macs I am talking about. It was under a freeway,  at one the busiest four way stops in the city, and directly across from the fair grounds. This Macs gets slammed during the Ex, and has a high susceptibility of armed robbery because of its convenient dark and easy getaway location. (thank fully it was never robbed while I worked there)
Any how back on track.............where was I going with this? Oh yes, can not afford paint.... Well, as mentioned university was stressful for me. And when I could not afford to drink my worries away, hence why I worked at a bar! TAB IT!. Speaking of tabs, my three jobs, I was able to support all my awful addictions ... THe Bar-- I could tab booze, Macs' I could Tab cigarettes, (p.s smoke free for three years 6 months!)  and The coffee house cheap cheap wonderful coffee.  I would affectionately refer to all three as Vitamin A,N & C. I did not need to live off of much, mind you after I tabbed everything I did not have much of a pay cheque. But these were staples of my everyday being. Add a bit of art, or creative indulgence and I was styling!

Ok, where am I again?.......I am so losing track of where I am going with this. Ok, in a nutshell, University sucked, I was poor, I am an escapist, found solace in working and getting lost in drawing these.

I made several of this style of work, but I gave most away as gifts to people who had helped me in my time of need. I think I kept this Eagle cause I was not very happy with how it turned out. It did not speak to me the way others had, and I was not happy with the shape of the eagles head or the composition, but hey, I love the colour and the idea.

The water and rock woman, I love how much is going on in it. I gave this away as a Christmas gift to my brother and sister in law, we could not afford to buy gifts for anyone, so I gave away art to my closest family. And guess what everyone still has their gift, unlike other gifts from that past I am not certain what happened to, with good reason not everyone keeps every gift ever given to them.


The eagle women, I kept also cause I was not happy with the eagle head but, I love the rest. I wanted it around to look at and possibly make another but better.  I also think that the composition is really good in this one.

This final one, I also gave as a Christmas gift the same year to my mother. It is titled grand daughters prayer, I did this in high school art class, and had it displayed at Wanaskawin. I held on to it for years and years. I had intention of giving it away, I was even offered $200.00 for it, but I was stubborn and wanted it to go to a good home where it would be loved. When I gave it to my mother years after I made it.  Her reaction was one that I will never forget, at that moment I knew I gave it to the right person.

Before I ever attempted to mix ink with pencil crayon, as a teen  I would sit  alone for hours in a coffee shop and write and doodle in black ink. I would just create lines and swirls and just get caught up in the moment of filling in the space with the smoothest, curviest line I could. It would take me back to my childhood, remembering sitting on my dads lap, watching him draw in the same style. Watch out world I just may take on this style again sooner then you think

Something old

As I was gathering all my art supplies from around the house, to place in my newly created studio. I found: books, papers, and portfolios .I love looking back at old things. Particularly old paintings, it always seems like i have an opportunity to look at it thru fresh eyes. I seem to like some works more, and others less. I came across some very old studies I had done in my Painting 110.6 class in 2005 summer session. This was the last university class I took as a full time student. I was going for an International Studies Major and Political Studies Minor. Which I never completed (long story) Painting 110.6, was a year long class condensed into 6 very short weeks, it was my favorite and the highest marks I ever received in university. I had dedicated myself it, I would stay at the studio until 1:00am every night working on my assignments, and be back in class early the next morning. I lived and breathed painting. Which makes me wonder why I never pursued a B.FA. 

There are 2 self portraits. One is done with "Rembrandt Lighting" For those of you who are not familiar with Rembrandt lighting,
you use A strong light in the dark, to create harsh shadows. The assignment was to use a mirror and paint your portrait only using the shapes you see in in the light and shadows. My prof. suggested to use black and white to paint the shapes and shades, then covered the image with a toned glaze. There was no need to  create all the shades with color and waste a bunch of paint. The background and vines I painted in to fill in the space and show some of the skills we had been taught. The second self portrait was to distort a polaroid photograph of your self and paint it. This was a fun assignment. The task also was to only paint the shapes you see. in this one there was no glaze used. and all the tones are colors mixed.

We had done several still life studies, and used all kinds of lighting, and objects, I am not certain what I did with all my studies, but I had kept this one.The assignment was to paint a still life, and apply one of the techniques we had learned. I painted  pottery and bottles using a "Picasso" geometric "Cubist" style.

Another assignment was to research and create a style  of painting. I happened to have a "how to" book on Chinese painting. For this, I used water and ink and a rounded brush. I did several small studies, to show my process and progress and created this for my final piece. For my first attempt ever at This style I am happy with the outcome. There is a lot of technique behind this style, and it takes years to master. When my class had a critique, I recall a couple of the  Chinese exchange students whispering to each other about this painting. It made me very nervous, and worried I made a mockery of them and their culture.  I was informed  that they would never attempt to do anything like this. And were impressed with my effort. (phew)

The last study I found was obviously an abstract.  The task was playing with color and ways to apply it. I love the color in this one, and had fun plastering it on. I honestly do not remember the techniques i used.  It has been ages since i was in this class. I know i did many studies, and do not know what happened to half of them. I think i gave a lot away, and maybe hucked a couple.

Studious in My Studio.

How lucky am I! I have a Studio. A space of my very own to paint, sew, sit, and just be. How exciting! I don't think I have really had a space to call my own that does not require me to put my bed in. Or even to call a "Studio" for that matter. How professional, and mature... I have a Studio. I could say that over and over, to whom ever would listen.
"Hello sir, I have a Studio."
"Oh really your dog died, but did you know that I have a studio!"
"Yes Mrs. Smith, I understand my son gave another the finger today, but lets not forget, I have a studio!" (true story about the finger, my son i tell ya.... sigh, eye roll, cry)

What a momentous moment in my life. My kids are growing, I am furthering my career as a mediator. (real job not just mom duty) We own our home, and I am gaining confidence in myself as a person and artist. This is just like icing on a cake. Its like non insulated, or winterized icing on a cake. Yeah you read that right. My studio is not insulated. Hot as hell in summer, cold as Antarctica in winter. And darker then a cave at night. There is no power or heat. That is the catch. I HAVE a studio, buuut.... I can't be in there on hot days, cold days, or dark days. Only perfect days, well when else would i want to be in there, perfect days are the best days. Nothing can keep me down. As underdeveloped as it is, it is still MINE. and in time, at the right time, it will be perfect.

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” ― Vincent van Gogh

Back in late March, I was asked if i was interested in setting up a booth at a local visual art show. I jumped at the opportunity! Where I live, there is not much for artists. At one time, La Ronge had a store called "Our Place", they used to sell local arts and crafts for commission. There also was  two coffee houses, they hung local works and occasionally featured an artist in residence . Unfortunately, all three businesses are now closed. So when i was offered a chance to exhibit my work in La Ronge I jumped on it. When was I going to get the chance to showcase and possibly sell something in my town. I  gathered my few paintings and got  got a few prints of older works done.
Saturday May 4th 2013, the day started early, 10:00am. I like sleeping and anything that requires me to leave my house before 10:00 am on a Saturday is an early day. It ran until 5:00, (I left early, what can i say its Saturday) It was located at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre (another reason why i was anxious to get there late and leave early i work there all week, 8:30-5:00) There was no cost to the artist! and was free to the community. YAY!

There were 6 artists:

Corey Hardcastle (Photography) http://www.coreyhardcastlephotography.ca/
Caron Giesbrecht (sp) (Nature Painting) imagesbycaron@sasktel.net
Destiny Schafer (portraiture realism)
Myles Charles (trapoline art, realism, nature)
Kathleen Keating (fantasy, portraiture) KathleenKeatingart.ca
and myself  Harmony Johnson-Harder.

The mix of artists was refreshing, we all contributed something different, and uniquely our own. Destiny Shafer a young painter blew us all away with her talent, and humility. She also was laughing to the bank at the end of the day.  The next show Destiny is at, I am following her. At least I know that when people come to buy her work they will be forced to look at mine on their way. :) I would have made the most money if i charged everyone a dollar for each time they said "I did not know you are an artist"
 
It was a nice Saturday, I visited with other local artists, learned a lesson or two from the infamous Myles Charles, and exposed myself to the community (artistically speaking not physically, you pervert you) Putting myself out there is still a little nerve wrecking, and I cringe a little when I think about it. Hell, this blog still makes me a little nervous....having all your eyes peering in on me and judging me on my bad spelling and grammar.  AHHHHHHH........ But I need to remind myself how else am i gonna get people to stop saying. " I did not know you were an artist" and how else am I going to learn grow and evolve, not only as an artist, but as a human.





I have the following prints for sale:

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00

 5X7  $10.00 
 8X10 $15.00
11X17 $25.00

I left a piece of my heART in Scandinavia.

 I went to Sweden in 2009 with my dad and my step mom. My grandfather is originally from Sweden, he immigrated to Canada in the early 1900's with his mother, father and siblings. My grandfather Hildor had died when my dad was very young,  We did not have much information about Sweden, or if there was any family there. One year my dad decided to venture off with his wife. He found the community where my grandfather was from and numerous relations. All whom were very happy to meet him and hear the story of Jon Olaf's and Alita's family in Canada. My dad had met Pia and Bosse. Pia , my dads 2nd cousin, came to Canada a year later to visit and meet the rest of our family.

When we went to Sweden in 2009, we had stayed with Pia. During our visit, Pia had arranged a large family reunion, and a small community event at the  Los library featuring a reading from one of my dads book, and a small exhibition of the work I brought with me for gifts.This was an amazing experience. I am thankful for Pias thoughfullness to allow us to showcase our work as artists, and share our story as  descendents of Sweden.

.
The article writes (using google Translate)
Canada Visit In Los
Harold Johnson from LaRonge in Canada told us about his life and works at Los library Tuesday, Sept. 1.

With he also had his wife Joan and daughter Harmony is an artist. Her paintings are on display at the library in Los.

1907 emigrated Jon-Olov Jonsson and his wife Alida and their children from Orsa Finnmark, Hamra to Canada. They settled in Saskatchewan.
One of the sons, Hildor, moved north and built roads. Hildor then met Mary, a girl of Cree Indian genus, opinion arose and Hildor remained in the area around Molanosa. Hildor and Mary formed a large family with nine children.
One of those children, Harold Johnson, has now visited the library in Los and talked about parts of his life and how he found back to his Swedish roots and realized that the roots go back to Finland.
Harold has written and published four books. These books he donated to the library in the loos, so they should be available for lending.
About 30 people came to the library and listened to a very rewarding story of Harold and his life.
For information contact Los library 0651-18867

original article can be found.
http://ljusdal.se/invanare/kultur/bibliotek/varabibliotek/losbibliotek/aldreaktiviteterpalosbibliotek/canadabesokilos.4.449f64601234c9d701e80004847.htm

Honorable mention and Self Realization.

  So I may not have taken home the "grand prize". I did take home a new sense of confidence. I walked away with confirmation that I am on the right path. Each painting I submitted, I knew exactly what my weakness were. And that was exactly what the adjudicator said what appeared to challenge me. I like how in each critique the judges never once said, weakness, or poorly done. Nor did they say excellent and Winner. They were very constructive in their criticism and challenged you to move forward in a very inspiring and uplifting way.

"Rain Tree" Honorable Mention.

 I do not regret doing this. I do not regret rushing through the last two paintings. and I do not regret putting myself out there. I learned that I am on the right track and I need to continue to paint. maybe take a course or two. And I understand that I will never be where i want to be as an artist because it is a skill that is always evolving and developing. A new challenge every canvas. And I absolutely love it! I am inspired to move forward. This experience was so uplifting that it had inspired my husband to buy another camera.


I love art.

.

Tree People Series. Northern Art Adjudication

 So Today is the day, I am Entering The Northern Art Adjudication. I am not sure what it is going to mean yet. But I do know that I am very happy with how these pieces turned out. I did not enter to be the winner, only to get over one of my biggest barriers, Self doubt. So I hope you enjoy, and I will let you know the results later today.

Moon Time

I had a dream

Rain Tree

Fire Tree