Struggling Artists & Studios

Where we started: in the dinette

Studios

Over the last seven years as we have struggled learning how to paint, we have moved from room to room. We started in the back room where we dine when it's just the two of us, but as our canvases grew and paint supplies increased we had to find more space so we moved over to the barn, which I used to use as a photo studio, but once I retired I could free up the space to the aspiring artists,

The Barn, our Summer workplace.

So we painted quite happy in there till we got the gas bill in February and found the inefficient 120 year old barn was costing us a fortune to heat!

Converted Bedroom this is my side, Babs is on the other

So we converted a bedroom into a studio/office, all it needed was some fluorescent lights hanging and away we went till Summer came and the bedroom got to hot so back to the barn. Now we use the barn from May to October and the house during the winter months.

Fortunately our easels are quite light.

We even have been known to paint outside, we did Plein Air twice! 

John

Schomberg, where we live.

Schomberg

.... is a small village about 45 minutes drive  North West of Toronto.

Main Street looking South

It has a Main Street, Church Street, Western Avenue, and of late a whole lot more streets in the new developments.

Schomberg Mill at the North end of Main Street,
has a Pub and Tea Room

The Tea Room (Sheena's Kitchen)

Church Street

...is where we live

Church Street in Fall looking East

Our place in Winter (yes this is Canada)

The "Barn" at the back where we have our Studio

Dufferin Marsh
... right in the centre of Schomberg is an environmental delight, full of wild life.

A wild and Goosey Place

And we can skate there in Winter. Actually those that don't skate just paint the scene!

Lots more to show.. maybe another day

John

The Journey Continued with Good News!

Breaking News!
June 13th Wednesday....
The Surgeon gave me a clear bill of health after the surgery, now off to Oncology to set up Radiation treatments. All seems to be going well!

How we got here:

May 30th: The Pre-Op
Arrived  at the hospital around 8 30a.m. with my large white envelope and a form of Passport with details to help us go through step by step.
A nurse called within ten minutes for assessments which is basically going through the do's and don'ts after surgery and leaflets galore to read about exercise and rest clothes to wear that would be comfortable and a little pillow to go under my arm for comfort when riding in the car, I came out with my leaflets etc and was told to wait to be called for a blood test, out again called in to another nurse who sat both of us down to tell us about how the surgery would work out and how long while we asked a few questions that took a few minutes and details to be in the computer very quickly before the service went down! after that an ECG and a chat with the anaesthetist, he was very kind and went through that with me as it would be the first time I had to deal with an actual operation.
When all was done I had to fast from 12 midnight no drink or eating after that time.

May 31st: The Operation
As you might imagine we were up up by 4 30a.m. and on the road soon after to get to the hospital at 6 a.m. with a choice of parking ! wonderful.
We were amazed to see a tired looking receptionist was in the office having almost finished her shift she managed a smile and took details and putting on my identity bracelet .
We arrive on the second floor just before 6 a.m. already a few tired looking patients waiting to check in with the nurse at the station who had just arrived. My name was called and we were sent to the change room. I bundled my day clothes into a bag gave it to John, the nurse was right by our side with a wheelchair and I bundled up with nice warm blankets, some waiting time and finding a porter I was on a trip through the hospital the porter wheeling me and John trotting behind trying to keep up! We were at a good pace  through many corridors, up and down elevators over a bridge and into the area for prep a form of cream over the area where the lump was and two small injections then ultra sound and off to have a wire inserted to show the surgeon exactly the right spot a partial mammogram to make sure everything was in place. Before I knew it I was sitting back in the wheelchair and suggesting to John a rest at home would be a good idea as I would be getting on with business and not available till around 3 p.m.!

After waiting a little while a porter was found and this time it was almost a race to get back to the operating room, passing by Druxy's the aroma was incredible I could have eaten anything and certainly wanted to drink something I was so dry.
Destination and arrival we were 20 minutes late! The doors opened and before I had chance to say good morning I was on a movie set of ER huge lights above the table I was prepped one person on one side of my arm and another on the other side both very busy, before I realized it a mask came up to mouth "this was it" take two deep breathes Barbara was all I heard! Next thing I could hear someone calling my name and found I was in post op coming out of a dream with at least 6 or so other patients all in varying states of confusion! WOW it was over and within minutes I was being wheeled out to see two faces looking at me  relieved with a little smile to greet me it was John and Lisa!
In less than an hour I was feeling a bit wobbly but ready to go home lots of tissues in hand and dressed  wheeled out at a good speed while John was bringing around the car. Can't remember how I got in the car and home.
All I knew was feeling very Grateful that I was able to get on the couch and have a snooze to regain my senses.

That was all done by 31st May!  the Month my family dreaded,but, I think I have broken the ties to that one.
Hopefully this coming week the Doctor will give me a clean bill of health topping the whole process off with three weeks of radiation which should keep any problems cropping up in the near future.

The Book that inspired!

I feel genuinely blessed and happy having the opportunity to spend time realizing how lucky I am.  Knowing how much our blended families and  friends have helped us through the Month of May. and sending so many positive thoughts  our way.
It really works ! I believe that with all my heart.

To: South lake Hospital, Newmarket  Ont.

I feel very Grateful, the whole experience looking back has been a top team looking after many patients, doing an excellent job.
The staff from surgeons, nurses, porters and Volunteers  somehow have the ability to have time to reassure patients and make them comfortable as possible while working at top speed!

Amazing !!    Thank you, from   Barbara Bradbury and my team!

The Journey with the family,My friend the Monk and Me.

May 6 Sunday 

Southlake Hospital, Newmarket photo on Flickt by Snavy

John busy in the garden getting the awning up and the barbecue out ready for the season to look forward to. I must admit my mind was occupied with thought of the biopsy on Monday but I felt in good spirits. I even indulged and had a Gin and Tonic and tried to focus on the pleasant things in life.

May 7th  biopsy and bone density 

John had his brave face on as we parked the car and made our way to check in identity bracelet on and off we went directed to ultra sound room. The whole thing didn't take too long, they located the lump on the ultra Sound machine and a surgeon made 4 marks and then biopsy was done taking minute sample of tissue, done very gently and taking very little time. I was free and John happy to get back in the car. 

I must admit The Monk kept coming into my mind telling me to relax and breathe calmly, it took a bit of convincing but I managed it and felt I sort of helped the proceedings a little figuring if I was tensed up it would have made the experience worse for me and the folk who had to do the job! 

Arriving home with an ice pack in place and a little company from my Daughter Lisa while John went to a meeting. I even had a call from the hospital to make sure how I was feeling! 

May 16th the Results

The Biopsy confirmed breast Cancer and so at an interview with a nurse lots questions and answers to guide me through the process and my first meeting with the Surgeon. 

John and Lisa were with me  at the interview Lisa armed with a file full of information from my previous bout with cancer,which helped a lot with decision making. He explained options a total mastectomy or a lumpectomy,  I chose the latter being the lesser of two evils!

He put my mind at rest and I was comfortable knowing I was in good hands. the operation would be after a few visits for ultra sound on my abdomen and bone density scan.

We were told a pre op would be 30th May and operation 31st May everything seemed to be on fast track, which although nervous I was grateful too for me and the family.

Thinking  about what would be ahead I realized Ignorance is far from Bliss when it comes to your health.  I realized my Monk said we should control our mind and not the mind control you!
With that thought, I got down to work focusing on "now"  and not what was to come in the near future. that way I could enjoy my time with my family. I had lots of encouragement from them along with advice from my daughter Lisa, my mentor Nel (step daughter in law) who had gone through cancer a few years ago, twice as a matter of fact, a valuable pro, for she was able to answer many question and I was very grateful for her wise information and last but not least my Mate, John (Husband) taxi driver with no tips! 

All ready to cheer me up along the way through each stage. John was extremely complimentary with my new out look and managing to be positive! I was right Chuffed?
To be continued on the next Blog...

Babs

The World, The Monk, May and Me.

A Journey in May by Lisa 

Earlier this May I decided I wanted to buy a book, for summer reading I had not made up my mind on the subject to choose I know I like stories about life and people's experiences, We were in Chapters for ten minutes while waiting for John's son Paul to arrive at the bus station. I wandered over to Self Helpshelf which is very popular these days, I had a feeling somehow I was going in the right direction. I picked out "The Monk who Sold his Ferrari" by Robin Sharma, I didn't know how much this book would help me!


May for my birth family has a flaw in it, for some reason it seems to be an unlucky month. Grandfather wanted the month to go by as quickly as possible. As it turned out he died in that May, since then mother and father died on the 15th  As a result our remaining family is left with a certain amount of superstition we chose to ignore.


In early May I had an appointment for a check up which included a Mammogram no problem there I felt fit as a fiddle, no little voice in my ear this time, unless I hadn't listened!

My Doctor was 90 percent sure the tumor they found was cancer, and since then a biopsy confirmed that. 


I started on the weekend to read the Monk book it is a good read even if you don't believe in self help, lots of tips for us humans in this day and age to understand we can have a life and enjoy it free from our existing day to day worries by training your mind away from negativity and the race for having all the bells and whistles necessary to cope, 


I think how the speed of life has carried us far too quickly along a wrong path. I feel strongly enough that when your body becomes toxic we have to have courage to go through healing even if it is difficult and an anxious time for all, it's worth trying to make things better than do nothing! 


I have the same feeling too that is where our precious world is right now, toxic, ailing and needing some sort of loving care. Even our Governments can't get to grips with what is happening! We have one world it Needs Help it's a living thing after all! 


One thing I know we have choices, and the Monk was able to give some valuable information on the ability for humans to step back and do a reality check on not only our minds and our spirit but our bodies too. Our fragile world needs similar changes to get back to health. 


I know I have to reprogramme, concentrate and be consistent with keeping out negativity from my mind and work on life skills and the information I have been reading. Believe it or not it seems to be working a lot of effort to stay on track but little by little I can have hours of feeling grateful and have the opportunity to really work at being fully alive calm and enjoy hours of pleasure with family and friends and my passion for painting will keep me grounded. 
For me I thank family,friends and yes Oprah for showing me a good happy and meaningful time for the future whether short of long it's a good life people let's make the most of our selves and help this beautiful planet we live on! 
Will keep in touch as I progress.
Babs 

Pet Appreciation

"Professor: 8x10 oil on board

Spring has arrived early, well no snow since March more April Showers but our first Daffodils are out and the days are lighter.

Since my last post I have been painting quite a few dog rescues along with some Commissions which I found enjoyable. So much to learn about our furry friends. I have become quite passionate about animal rescue, through a couple of close friends I really had a wake up call about so much Cruelty and abuse that happens to so many creatures.

Pheobe in 2007

I must admit I have never been keen on "getting involved" but since Dudley has gone we realized how much we miss him, daily walks every day kept us fit and his company kept us going for ten years. Our decision was not to replace him, mainly because of our age. We now have a only one furry friend left Phoebe a black cat. She has suddenly become quite dominating and meows for her food and a bit of comfort sitting next to us in the evening for a while before she retires to her big fluffy pillow! She wasn't so keen on Dudley he was a big boy so she tended to keep a friendly distance.

Facebook in the meantime has introduced us to a different set of rules. Having a friend Erika in Ontario and Shirley in Texas, both who are definitely into Saving any dog or cat in their districts, both have accumulated quite a few pets over the years saving them from certain death. 
Erika last year became a foster Mum to a huge dog called The Professor,  he used to take her for long walks ! That started me on a quest I just had to paint him, he had a look about him that suited his name! luckily he was adopted to a lovely couple and has his for ever home.

Since then I have painted commissions and painted rescue dogs who are looking for a home. I have donated many paintings and have managed to donate to Auctions. 

"Huck" Still in adaption process

Only one thing that can really upset my apple cart there are so many beautiful dogs and cats needing homes I tend to yearn for a dog but, my intention is not to weaken and pursue painting these beings and hope to save one dog or cat at a time donating to as many Volunteer Organizations who' bless Em,'work very hard looking after the ones that aren't so lucky and keeping vet bills paid for the abused and suffering this includes Puppy Mills from many parts of Ontario.
       

Dudley

 ADOPT a dog you will never regret it!!

Dudley was a rescue and he was worth his weight in gold.
You can see some paintings on my blog ASA. Art saves Animals


Babs

The New Year Update

Well it has been a month since I last did the blog!

I want to report that we have been quite busy with our paintings, John mostly doing bigger canvases of the area Schomberg Main Street mainly. We figured our little village has jumped so quickly into a busy place. Main Street is now flooded with parked cars from shops and the tenants from the apartments.

Main Street East

Big Stores are now moving in and Main Street is changing rapidly. So before we have been taken over and become a big Town John thought it was worth painting as it was when we moved here 15 years ago. 

My brushes have been busy with small 8x10 & 8x8 boards painting many pictures of rescue dogs and pets of the area. This kept me busy before Christmas, some for gifts and some commissions.

A friend has been a foster care for Rescue places taking in dogs and training them with a hope they will find a 'Forever Home'. I have become quite passionate with the animals and now donate 20% of any paintings I sell. Just hope it will help with the cost no matter how small or large the donations become!

Lolly 

I had a surprise call yesterday and am now waiting for a lady who will be looking at my work with a view to commissioning 1 horse one pony and 2  cats!
I am excited and amazed that it has gained interest, people seem to like paintings of animals, "the eyes say it all" one person said.

I shall keep in touch letting you know now things are going. fingers crossed!


Babs