i enjoy watching birds. watching their movements. adoring their curious habits. trying to decode their conversations.

© copyright artwork by JAQ. charcoal on 11x14 sketch paper. December 2010

the pawn

© artwork by JAQ. charcoal on 11x14 sketch paper

the jester

© copyright artwork by JAQ. charcoal on 11x14 sketch paper

the queen

© copyright artwork by JAQ. charcoal on 11x14 sketch paper

the jack

© copyright artwork by JAQ. charcoal on 11x14 sketch paper

the king's laurels rest in his crown

a birds nest with a view

to be frowned upon

by those with calculating eyes

a pawn

the jester

a queen

by his side

all eyes

drawn like swords

daggers reap

perched

kneeling before his feet

© copyright artwork by JAQ. charcoal on 11x14 sketch paper. poem by JAQ. publishing prohibited unless with the author's permission.

these two drawings i did with beet juice mixed with vinegar. when you first apply the beet juice it is a bright fuchsia, then it changes into a dark dusty rose, then a light dusty rose with hints of ochre. it reminds me of when you pick a flower and how bright and lively it is at first and then over time it fades. both seem to share a similar process.

© copyright artwork by JAQ.

no show

due to certain last minute unforeseen circumstances i will not be hanging my artwork at Steeps in September. it is unfortunate but a lack of professionalism, on their part, has made this decision for me. i am closing this door so another may open.

for all of you who i met at the Art Walk this season, i know how excited you were to see my art and support me. not to worry! it is a big small world out there and this city offers many venues to hang my art. thank you for your understanding and continued support.

peace, luv and light! *wink*

high voltage

this painting will be shipped off to England soon. my friend Stu has inspired this painting. he suggested that i do thunderstorm clouds. i absolutely luv thunderstorms, lightning and rain! even though thunderclouds are very impressive it is the lightning that has me in awe. a beautiful striking force. we can be like lightning. electrical sparks... currents that run within us and between us. sending life in all directions. connecting us to one another and to nature.

so when i said i was taking a break from painting, i knew it wasn't going to last very long. August is painting frenzy month for me.

© painting by JAQ

soldier on...

this was my first year involved in the Art Walk. i was literally thrown into it. i had roughly three weeks to prepare. regardless i just dove right in and went with it. it was fabulous to connect with other artists and chat with all who stopped by. i received some great feedback.

a friend asked me if i was sad to see my pieces go. i said, "no. i think it's bittersweet. yes, i worked hard painting, each and every canvas. each piece has a special place. but i am thrilled they are being enjoyed by others. they are much better with them than me. the pieces are taking on a whole new life."

when asked if i was going to paint on Monday i said "no, i think i will take some time off from painting, instead i will write and monkey around with GarageBand." but in typical JAQ fashion by mid afternoon on Monday i was already tackling a new canvas.

this whole experience has been positive for me and a bit of an achievement as well. looking forward to September where i will be hanging my art at Steeps Tea House in Old Glenora. from there who knows. by then it's fall and the Stroll's Poetry Reading series will have kicked in. Edmonton has such a great arts community!

© photo by Jacqueline Williams. Art in photo by Jacqueline Williams. 

Art Walk 2010

DAY ONE: rain

from the moment i got up until it was time for me to pack up and leave. it rained! steady and hard at times. discouraged... yes! because i had strep throat. determined... yes! because i had strep throat.

i sat for seven hours in the rain. met a few artists. one even told me i was brave for setting up under such conditions. well it did say rain or shine. oddly enough people stopped and chatted. asking me about my art and poetry. possibly they felt a little sad that i endured such conditions. still it was nice to have those moments. one guy had a heavy accent, he was from Cornwall and he was telling me all about his adventures in Jasper. he had some pretty interesting tales! one was where he went down a crevasse and i am amazed he is standing there telling me this story! so i guess my cold numb fingers pale in comparison.

this was my view. it was comforting to know that i was not entirely alone. my friend Robin was across the street at her booth. we would wave every now and again and call each other on our cell phones.

DAY TWO: sunburnt

ahhh... the warmth was very comforting after yesterday and so were the people that stopped by my booth. there were lots of people out enjoying the Ave. i met and chatted with so many people. i sold a few pieces. one piece was bought by my friend, local indie director/producer/writer, Ben Babchishin. Ben is currently working on a documentary with Bill Bourne called For the Record featuring... Bill Bourne. i did not realize just how hot it was. i got a wicked sunburn on my left side. i did get some sketching done in-between questions.

here is Ben and the piece that caught his eye! thanks for your support Ben!

one of my tiniest fans. everywhere i go a lady bug follows. good luck i suppose.

DAY THREE: blue skies

my sunburn was making this a painful day for me but i managed. my voice was still in smoky jazz mode but with loads of people on the Ave it was easy to forget these facts. i saw a guy walking a three legged dog and he had a snake around his neck. this was my last day of the Art Walk. more friends dropped by. time flew by and by two in the afternoon i sold some more pieces. i want to thank all who stopped by "my negative space" it was great meeting you. my family who helped me set up and brought me lunch... that i didn't want to eat... sometimes i think eating is an inconvenience. my friends for all their support.

THANK YOU!

© all photos by JAQ.