Paint Brush Award

This award from Krista Meister - Hope in Every Day
Thank you Krista for this lovely award.

With this award, I am suppose to tell you seven things you don't know about me and then pass on the award to seven others. So here we go


1. I read children’s books for relaxation. These are books for between the ages of 8 – 12 years. So far my favourite author is Roald Dahl.

2. Liking all things to do with water and have been called “A Water Baby.” This book is also a children’s classic that I would like to read.

3. I used to have a diet of sugar before attending swim meets. I started the day with glazed doughnuts. Rolly Coasters for lunch then followed by chocolate bars and powdered sweets during swim meets.

4. I placed first in the region in backstroke and also received best swimmer award from the swimming club.

5. My second toe is the longest of all my toes and I have very flat feet. It pained me to think of becoming a ballet dancer.

6. I enjoy listening to folk music.

7. My least favourite colour is Magnolia which is a type of beige or cream. It is also considered to be the least offensive colour in home décor. I guess you can’t please everyone.


Marian Jackson, MDA- is a teacher and a master of decorative arts through the Society of Decorative Painters. She teaches the art of colour pencil painting.

Fat Over Lean - Katherine Kean is a master of light and mood and her clouds just blow me away.

Carol McIntyre - Is a professional artist and I believe she teaches. She has been having so much fun with her blog showing step by step pet portraits. Keep up the fun Carol!

Vickie Martin - is an abstract painter who really knows how to feel it! I enjoy reading her blog and her post on facebook and twitter.

Dianne Poinski - Hand coloured photography and studiojournal. Wow, her photography and work is so breath taking. She also teaches hand coloured photography from her working studio.

Marlis Egger - Textile Artist from Switzerland. Her fine art techniques and printing on fabrics look like fun!

Our Beloved Hills - Betty Hyre , CDA she holds a Certificate of Decorative Art through the Society of Decorative painters. It is my mother’s blog and I do try to help out time to time. It amazes me how she finds time to paint.

-Kim Bennett

Found Fortune

We sometimes look for advice in some of the funniest places.

They are delivered to us in many ways. Sometimes reaching you in a stylistic form. I prefer my note from the grand old universe of ours encased in a sweetly flavoured cookie.


And even so they are disguised as some sort of vague advice, and think, "Heck with the fortune I’ll have the cookie!" These slips of paper get saved and only to be rediscovered in a wallet search.

It's too tasty to knock the cookie!

-Kim Bennett

Christmas in July Seminar with Brenda Stewart

Williamsburg, VA was a beautiful setting for the three and a half day homecoming seminar called “Christmas in July” taught by Decorative Artist Brenda Stewart. The two pieces that we painted were Christmas Bells Box,a Winter Landscape painted on a shadow box, and a Santa Gift Wrap / Stick Stand.

Day one was a mid day class that was used for preparation of the wood piece or surfaces and for Brenda to discuss things we would be going through and applying to our painting.

The seminars were intense as the doors to the class room were open at eight in the morning for an hour of catch up. Our classes ran from 9 am to 10 pm. There were breaks for lunch and Dinner. The students were kept busy.

Typically Brenda invites her students into her hone for a cooked meal and a tour around the house. It is a beautiful place in which she displays many of her painted pieces.

Keeping in the spirit of the Colonial Williamsburg, the pineapples played a significant design element in the furniture and decoration within the dinning areas and the doors of their home. Hospitality is important to the Stewarts and the for them, the pineapple reflects this concept.

-Kim Bennett

FestivALL June 19 - 28th, 2009

Sorry that I haven’t posted lately. I have been sharing a computer with three other people. It took us just over a week to get all four of the computers connected to the internet and the wifi set up.

What I like about visiting the states is that there is one big festival after another. There has been three locally in a few weeks time. My explanation to most of my friends in the UK is it is just another reason to have a party. But, I am sure that the lovely weather has something to do with it too.


One of the first things I did in West Virginia was to visit some of the studios and shops that were participating in the June 19 – 28th FestivALL 2009 in downtown Charleston. This was a celebration showcased many local talents. You can click to view a slide show of the FestivALL 2009 that I found through the Gazette.

This festival was directed by local talent and the host of NPR’s Mountain Stage Larry Groce.



On the morning of the first day a friend and I went into Charleston and had a look around some of the studios that were preparing for the festivities and opening night. Some of the places we visit included some of the studios belonging to the Allied Artist in West Virginia.


While we were in down town Charleston we had a look at the Callen McJunkin Gallery that is now above a fabulous antique store. It was fun looking around the place and interesting to see what some of the local artist were doing.


We also stopped off at Pro-Art to say “Hi” to Jack Trail and his son Tracy who run an independent art shop. I have been going there ever since a child and art student. They are very helpful and knowledgeable when it comes to artist materials. If they don’t have it they will order what you need. I also managed to pick up a few a pieces of Ampersand to try out.

I must say that our first priority was to stop at a bakery that makes specialty breads. Everything looked and smelled delicious. I brought several breads home with me. Everyone’s favourite turned out to be the olive bread and I only got one slice! The large scones went over well and they were light as a feather.


The rest of the day was spent chatting and chilling in the studio. Great end to the day.

-Kim Bennett