It is now January 14, 2022 - how very sci-fi that date looks! These be modern times, yet this gal is doing what she can to once again channel her “inner-cave-woman” .   I am in my studio on the bay in the fabulous cultural hub known as the Gore Bay Harbour Centre .  It is a deep chill kind of day (-24ºC ) with a stiff northeast wind that bites at exposed flesh.  So one bulks up with insulative clothing when out and about and since we have full sun today there is reason to whistle a happy tune as well.  Today's view outside the Ravenseyrie Studio & Art Gallery Gore Bay, Ontario / Manitoulin Island Inside, things are not exactly toasty warm with that persistent wind buffeting this old ship of a building, but with a shawl over my shoulders and some hot tea in my belly, the studio is pleasant and inviting enough, methinks for the muse to perhaps come and grant me some creative energy. The "library" sector of my working studio I’ve got my rock painting stat...

Strange Times / The Newscaster Paleolithic-style Rock Painting by Lynne Gerard “Let me make some greeting cards using images from my Paleolithic-style rock paintings!” , methought one day.  As you cannot scan a rock painting into the computer (at least not that I am aware is possible), I took photos of some of those I made earlier this year and uploaded the photos to my computer.  I composed new verses, did the calligraphy and made my templates then printed out the base card, hand-painted each one, glued on the art prints, scored and folded them and soon was able to add four new greeting cards to my product list.  They are on sale in the gallery or available online, priced at $7 each. Strange Times / The Newscaster Outside text: Sometimes the best we can do is sit and dream — of a friendly face or a favourite place or some exquisite thing — taking their essence within like a breath — being energized by, refreshed — now able to carry on in a beautiful way. Inside text: Per...

Ancient Influences Palaeolithic-style Rock Painting by Lynne Gerard This post first appeared in my Journal of Ravenseyrie blog on 20June17 under the title, Ancient Influences . Paleolithic art is a silent touch from distant ancestors, their marks a reminder of our own vitality and mortality, a prompter to savour our present in this ancient arena of life...A seer throws the old ivory carvings, kneels, and reads them thoughtfully:  "They say, 'Wake up, you are on; we have had our time and this is yours.'"   She smiles and -- I thought she was mocking, but perhaps not -- goes on to say that the truly good message from Paleolithic art is  "that one would be wise to play: play physically, play mentally, and, above all, play artfully."    (from THE NATURE OF PALAEOLITHIC ART by R. Dale Guthrie) This is a special time!  Summer wanes and autumn begins to assert itself with all the marvellous variety of fragrances and colours that one seas...