A new year is full of potential. We dust ourselves off, cast off the old, and look forward to new adventures with hope and excitement.

Where will this new year take you?

2024 has already begun but before we get too far into the new season I thought it might be nice to pause and take a reflective look back at some of our friends from 2023’s paintwall journey. “Who were they and where are they now”?

“Don’t be afraid of putting on colour. …paint the essential character of things, generously and unhesitatingly…” Camille Pisssaro

“Passage”, 24” x 24”, Acrylic on Gallery Canvas, 2024.

Delivering the MANDART New Year’s Painting.

The first bloom of 2024 has made it off the paintwall and been installed at The Fairmont, Winnipeg. She joins small works representing all of The Pulse Gallery’s artists, in a winter show called, “WUNDERLUST”.

In my end of year clean up ahead of the Studio Pop Up I came across half a tube of a discontinued, surviver, Golden’s quinacridone red light, my long time favourite acrylic colour. That’s where this painting began. If you have a tube and are willing to part with it , PLEASE, call me!

The underpainting of “Passage”, above, was done in that luminous soft choral pink that l love and it peeps through to the finished surface of this little floral gem. 24” x 24” is a very manageable size that provided for a great way to get a new year of painting underway and finished in time to add it to The Pulse Gallery’s “WUNDERLUST”.

This show is a bit like wanderlust that adds U into the equation. Wander on down to the foyer of the Fairmont any time between January 10th and February 7th . There you will find “pleasure and delight” if you take “a little roam about”, acording to Merriam Webster.

“We love this energetic yet elegant painting.” -Pulse Gallery

“Wonderland: Soul”, 48” x 48”, acrylic on panel, 2021.

The Artist Residency at The Fairmont continues.

Meet the new kid on the block, above. “Wonderland: Soul”. She has recently moved in to the Fairmont Hotel to join the big three greeters at the entrance. You will find her adding colour and a cheerful welcome to reception. She has replaced “Big Pink” who has moved on to her forever home with Canada Life.

Side note: In my tiny studio I can’t always accomodate big pieces like this so blank walls in my husband’s office often come into play as part time storage. “Wonderland”, was much loved where she was waiting in the wings, bathing in sunlight and overseeing the work of the newest partner at LTGLC Law Firm. Moving her out required a stealth covert operation after hours to orchestrate that change which has left a fresh blank wall, for now, at LTG law Firm.

Storage storage storage.

Art comes to the party and sometimes the office. Art brightens a sunny space and can also become the light when none is available. “Poetic Liscence”, recently took up temporary residence at a friends windowless clinic for a win win arrangement.

“A bright and fresh new look on the eve of the darkest night seems fitting". A big thank you to @mandartcanada for hanging these beauties on the physio clinic wall today. Mandy has been hanging her art on my therapy walls for almost a decade. Her art is like therapy itself… colourful, and expansive for all to enjoy.” - Dona Watts Hutchings

“Big Pink” 48” x 48”, Acrylic on Panel, 2023

New directions forge a new path.

“Big Pink” was the beginning of a new direction for me in my painting process in 2023. She was also a reminder that change really is a constant. Unusually, “Big Pink” features black in the under layers after more than 20 years of studio practice without using black in any form at all in my paintings. I liked the direction these new marks inspired and the invitation the process offered to explore the new. Working on this piece reminded me that following the road less travelled can lead us to new and unexpected beginnings. And that’s never a bad thing. This new beginning has her own new beginning as the newest acquisition made by the Canada Life Art Committee.

Your opinion matters.

I don’t know about your household but our family of 4 can struggle with consensus, sometimes, over the simplest things. The often posed, what’s for dinner, can inspire a plethora of emails and opinions. With consensus not always part of my day to day, you can imagine how pleased I was to receive the following note.

“Big Pink” was delivered to Canada Life at the end of the day yesterday.  Congratulations again;  always an honour to be included in a corporate permanent collection! Even more of an achievement when 9 members of an art committee must ALL be in agreement! Cheers from all,” -Pulse Gallery. 

Above are the four large paintings on display as “The Fairmont Suite”.

“They are stunning in the entry and hallway. Great energy greeting visitors to Winnipeg”, wrote @anxietyartcurator on instagram.

They have garnered a lot of positive attention and will remain on display through the spring at least I am told. If you’d like a refresher on their background stories you can read about them on the FAIRMONT SUITE BLOG here.

We get by with a little help from our Pulse Gallery friends.

Having accepted the inviation to join Pulse Gallery in 2023. I have had to relinquish some of the control I have over my studio practice. And one of those things is meeting new people through our common connection to colour. Being one step removed from interractions with new friends I was pleased to receive some feedback recently, and very glad to know my work has gone to a new home where it will be loved. 

To put the feedback into perspective I can share that In the painting below, The word CHI was inscribed in the underlayers. This was my intention when I began to paint. I might not always have a plan but I always try to be intentional. Starting now work with a single word is a practice I am committed to.

In this case I tried to imbue the piece with the energy of a journey. My journey was with paint and composition on a 2D surface. The journey continues with the viewer. And, I love that the viewer completes the puzzle of the narrative my art inspires, from a different perspective .

If you would like to listen in on the backstory of the painting below, I recorded an episode staring, “Going with Flow”, in Season 2 Episode 9, of Wisdom at the Crossroads, PODCAST. You might like to LISTEN TO IT HERE.

“Going with Flow”, Acrylic on Canvas

Art is a great way to start a new beginning.

I love the connections I have made through my art over the years. I may not have been privvy to this conversation but I was very grateful to hear of it through the following note.

“The young couple who were interested in “Going with Flow” decided to keep your gorgeous painting :) They really appreciated the opportunity to try it at their home.

The young couple recently got married, and they felt that the bright path in the painting represented the exciting new journey ahead in their life. The beautiful colour palette was a great factor in their decision, but the meaning they saw in the piece played a big role.

They told us "We will treasure this piece forever at our home, that it will remind us about the path we decided to take on!". - A, from The Pulse Gallery.

A big congratulations and many thanks are going out to this young couple who have chosen to begin their new chapter in life with my art in view.

“The Path”, 18” x 24”, acrylic on panel, 2023.

Endings and beginnings.

I ended my painting year with one last commission, that was actually a “4 for.” This one was initiated by an employer to honour a retirement. If you know me you will know I don’t ever suggest buying art as a gift. Our opinions are subjective and its good to keep it that way. Afterall, nobody wants to live with something they don’t love. On the other side of that coin, I can say with all certaintly that no artist ever wants you to live with their art for any other reason.

The recipient of this commission was an old friend who has a collection of my art from the earliest beginnings of my studio practice. We had a history together and it was a fun project to be a part of. Given the unusual circumstances, I created more than my usual 2 pieces for this project. I was not up to surprising the recipient and so offered an invitation to preview the group of 4 paintings in person, I may have killed the surprise but I got a front row seat to listen in to someone’s “thinking out loud” decision making process. It was a fascinating look into another persons thought processes that might become it’s own blogpost in the future. Suffice it to say all is well that ends well and “The Path” above, that carves a visual journey into what lies ahead across the horizon, was the chosen one.

This painting was a bit of a new direction for my work and I look forward to seeing where this new year will lead me.

Pop ins and Pop ups.

Spontaneity was a thing there for a minute in December so if you missed out because a Wednesday on the lucky 13th with short notice didn’t work for you, I apologise. We had a lovely afternoon and evening reconnecting, with those who were able to join us in the sharing of stories and a common connection to colour. My friend CJ joined in to help out and I was most grateful. It’s true, we really do get by with a little help from our friends.

“Even if you are not in the market for art, time spent among Amanda’s colour-filled, joyful work will fuel your soul, ease your breath and lighten your step.” CJ wrote @cjtennantjewellery on instagram.

Reflection.

The New Year seems to be inspiring a clean up in our basement at home. It was there in my former sewing room that my daughter unearthered this reflective look back at my younger self. She seemed shocked to know I was once younger. ..Werent we all?

Oh what we could say to our younger selves.

I kind of want to give her a hug, to let her know the words she subconsciously chose each year were meaningful and apropriate, and that she was destined to meet all manner of wonderful, creative ,seekers, and supporters, along the way, for whom she would always be grateful for.

Finally…

This is by no means an exhaustive list of 2023’s productions but thank you for reading to the end of this blog. I really do appreciate your intyerest in and support of my work.

If you have questions or comments please feel free to drop me a line by replying to the newsletter, via email atonchulenko@mymts.net, or find me on Instagram here.

The best way to keep in touch…

Sign up for my newsletter. It’s free, and a reliable way to stay connected. (I’m talking about you Instagram algorithm!) I try to produce a monthly note. Sometimes the studio holds me hostage so my newsletters will be as little as seasonally and occasionally biweekly. You can rest assured, though, there is absolutely no chance of me inundating your inbox.

Curious about other artwork?

Where can you go from here? You can go back to the Gallery Page to view available art work on this site or head to The Pulse Gallery Winnipeg to see what paintings of mine they currently have on display. You can also pop into The Fairmont Hotel Winnipeg to meet “The Fairmont Suite” in person, or read about the project on the blog here.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Until we connect again,

all best, Amanda

Need a pop of colour to get you through the coming winter?

A MANDART Pillow might be just the dose you need. For a very limited time pillows will be available for order. Offer closes October 20th 2023. Local studio pick up only at this time in the last week of November.

Thanks for your interest in my work. Please see the designs below.

Mandart Pillows conversing on the bunkie deck. These are 1the regular size, 18” x 18”

Two sizes and twelve designs to choose from.

The pillows began as a little side project after a research grant I was awarded by the Manitoba Arts Council in 2009. Each season I added designs to the offering. At this time there are 12 available. Pillows are zippered for easy cleaning, washable, tossable and very giftable. I never suggest buying art for someone else but these pillows are the exception. We can all benefit from a little pop of colour in our indoor spaces, particularly in a Manitoba winter.

How to decide?

Take a look at the images below. The first image is the pillow 1. Solitude the others cleary state the number and title.

Please refer to the number and title when making your selections.

Check the details…

Four of the designs above have wrap around designs which means they are different on the front and the back. As a bonus, when purchased as a pair they complete a painting.

7. Prairie Sky has a blue sky on the back, not shown.

8. Celebration is shown with front and back noted.

9. Pink at Ponemah is shown with front and back noted.

12. Best Seat in the House is shown with front and back noted.

Some pillows are a full composition while others are details of a painting.

Pricing.

18” x 18’ pillows are $65

12” x 12” pillows are $45 all taxes included

These pillows are known to be conversation starters. Shown are Connection and Solitaire chatting at the lake.

To place your order

Simply send me a message via instagram, text or email on or before Friday October 20th, 2023 and I will place your selections.

Sorry I cant deliver or keep pillows for very long in my tiny studio space. My “Art Office” is tiny and pillow orders have been known to quickly turn it into a ball pit. That was fun for our kids when MacDonalds provided them but not so fun to get lost in while trying to paint or write. Thanks for your understanding.

Finally, a thank you..

Thank you for your interest in my work. I really appreciate your support.

If you have questions or comments please feel free to drop me a line by replying to the newsletter, via email atonchulenko@mymts.net, or find me on Instagram here.

The best way to keep in touch…

Sign up for my newsletter. It’s free, and a reliable way to stay connected. (I’m talking about you Instagram algorithm!) What to expect when you sign up for my news? I like colour and I like words so there will be lots of that. I’m also my own boss. I try to produce a monthly note. Sometimes the studio holds me hostage so my newsletters will be as little as seasonally and occasionally biweekly. There is absolutely no chance of me inundating your inbox.

Curious about other artwork?

Where can you go from here? You can go back to the Gallery Page to view available art work on this site or head to The Pulse Gallery Winnipeg to see what paintings of mine they currently have on display. You can also pop into The Fairmont Hotel Winniepg to meet 5 large paintings that are currently part of the Inaugural Artist in Residence program.

No time to visit in person? No problem, you can read about the project on the blog here.

I look forward to hearing from you.

All best, Amanda

MAKING CONNECTIONS…

With the summer coming to a close I have been looking back over the season reflecting on the creative pause I devised for myself . The process has me wondering, How do you fill your creative cup? What is your avenue to presence? What helps you to relax, restore, and recharge?

I got intentional and turned my nurturing nature inward.

This post shares the story of a project I challenged myself to take on in the summer of 2023. It turned out to be an interesting twist on my creative process and painting in particular, both processes that have always been my path to presence.

I don’t know about you in the summertime but I can be quick to answer the call of my garden and accept and extend invitations to gather with friends and family. I love my communities and I love to connect. While I have done a lot of nurturing for others this summer I devised a restorative game. The result is The Meditation Series, a large group of small works on paper. Read on to discover the game I played to fill my creative cup to overflowing.

Establishing a Challenge…

WARNING: Please be advised, this meditative project began without any intention beyond being present and engaging with materials on a surface. You too might be inspired to slow down and take a creative pause..

Marks and the making… getting intentional about being unintentional.

In the beginning…

 I began the summer by getting serious and asking myself a question. Where do my creative intentions lie?

Then I had to get intentional. Time management and focus are not the easiest tasks to navigate in Manitoba’s short and lovely summer but I did intend to get creative with a portable project I could easily access wherever the summer took me. At first I was a bit of a bag lady, packing up and schlepping my box of materials between my studio in the city and the bunkhouse at the cottage. My good intentions were not initially successful but after a break I eventually found my groove.

Plan, what plan?

Once I prioritized my creative intentions I allowed myself to engage with materials and get to work at play. I played with media on paper without a specific outcome in mind, casually devising all sorts of playful parameters for my daily dose of creativity.

Taking Action…

Initially I taped large sheets of watercolour paper to the wall and added gestural marks in paint to get the process started. The following day I divided those sheets into uniform 6” x 9” sections that fit nicely into a padded grocery bag. It was that change in size and orientation that began my game with contrasts,.

Process, is a process…

I allowed myself to get quiet with materials at hand. I paused with the soft and delicate marks made with pencil crayon, I dabbled with stencils, I masked areas off with tape and painted swarths over multiple surfaces, I used a restricted colour palette, I used every crayon in the box. Each day was different but each day I was intentional about engaging with materials on a surface. Some days I added a layer to everysingle piece in the series while on other days I worked on a smaller group until I ran out of energy or time. Some studio or bunk house visits were peaceful and restorative, some felt more successful until I returned to them on another day to think of them as more of a hot mess.

Each day I checked my judgement at the door.

Success is a relative term. The project was enlightening, though, and it was also very challenging. I had to resist my own judgement and sometimes just get out of my own way. I tried hard to allow each piece to become what it was meant to be and at the end of the summer I am excited to share all the pieces of the creative puzzle I have been tripping over all summer.

Seeing the full series matted up and named feels surprisingly good. In fact the process surprised me. Looking at the matted compositions I am reminded of the journey they went through to get to this point. Some of the most challenging pieces resolved into strong statements and though I may have lost the subtleties I admired in some of the early layers, each stage contributed to the surface of the final product. In life as iin art, nothing exists in isolation.

That realisation reminded of the wise words of a long ago soccer coach who addressed a young team of eager young girls with the unforgettable line,

“Everyone reveals their gifts when they are ready”

The pieces in this body of work revealed their gifts when they were ready. Given time, and an opportunity to play we can all develop in our individual ways. The layered marks of the finished surfaces have contributed to the narrative. They are a record of presence, and of being present in a daily practice of creative mediation.

I didnt always have the “Right” studio equipment but this little stand in palette felt just right for my mediative project while in the bunkhouse.

My support staff…

While at the cottage I worked amidst the action taking place within view of the bunkie. The antics of Peter the rabit, who we suspect originated in Teletubby land, were entertaining. He watched me warily at first with his trained side eye but eventually got so used to my presence that he would casually turn his back to me and sprawl out on the grass where I was comfortably ignored.

The bunkhouse. Peter Rabbit’s lawn out front. The bird bath is nestled in the front of this flower bed hidden by the rambunctious susan’s.

Robins and goldfinch skinny dipped in the birdbath as the sun warmed their pond and neighbours and hummingbirds popped by to say “Hi”. I worked hard at being aware of all the activity going on around me but tried equally hard to not to be distracted by it. Some days this was easier than others.

“It took some time to allow myself this luxury, to work intentionally, yet, without intention.”

“Your best work is always the work you do for yourself”, my husband reminded me as I began this series of smalls on paper. They were not intended to become a public offering but their eager personalities have them jostling with each other to get out of their box to meet new friends.

Meditation Series in progress, making marks and living life in the details.

Getting in the groove. What lights you up?

When I create an opportunity to get to work I light myself some incence, tune into a podcast or listen to some instrumental music. Piano inspires me to take a deep breath and get down to business and I am quickly drawn into the process of problem solving in colour. Engaged with materials where time can literally fly by is where I like to be.

Work at play took on a meditative feeling this summer and became the name of the series. A meditative practice goes along with the ebbs and flows of our lives. Sometimes it’s easy and helps us to feel naturally expansive while at other times I can end feeling small and elemental and very connected to my woodland garden, Peter the rabbit and my hummingbird friends. At other times it can be difficult to leave the daily distractions behind. And it is all perfectly Ok. We are all human after all, navigating our human journey as best we can.

Each feeling, and day, is equally valid.

One decision leads to another…

Moving forward in any endeavour is about making choices, one choice at a time. I enjoyed living in layers, holding one chalk pastel or pencil crayon at a time in my hand while I worked.

Incremental marks.

A batch of trimmings from a spiral bound notebook became stencils that provided for quiet , introverted moments with pencil crayon. These quiet moments matched the scale of these paintings. In those moments I changed colours as I changed surfaces or when a lead broke or wore down. I was aware of compositional placements without intentionally striving to create a representational composition.
Later these stencils were used with acrylic paint and some of them broke off and became collaged details.

“The process is what my soul craved.”

A day in the studio with acrylic paint on the palette.

Beginning in batches and adding to the collection as I felt I needed to meant two large sheets of watercolour paper turned to three and four and before I knew it I had many pieces on the go. The change in scale was significant when compared to the 4 foot panels i had worked on through the spring. This change required a change in location, painting at a table instead of standing at the paint wall and was major adjustment for my practice and focus.

“In life and in Art, our only constant is change.”

As I got intentional about the project I embraced the idea of change. Reframing change as evolution might help you as it did me. I try to give myself permission to accept where a compositions takes me and to be accepting of the realization that there is more work to be done in being present when they take me down a new and unexpected path.

Words are important to me. Text became a large part of this process.

The power of words…

Words were embedded into the fabric of these surfaces and became part of the story of this project. The text carries my meditative notes with the finished products. ”On a different channel”, is what I like to call it, when the universe fosters a silent conversation that I transcribe with media on a surface.
These “notes” were added across pieces without a concern or intention for legibility .
Text was added in pencil crayon, painted in washy liquid acrylic and finally made with paint pens when multi layered surfaces would no longer receive the subtlety of pencil crayon. The narrative eventually reduced to be simply, a motif, and a reminder of the many layers that make up the individual and our individual creative processes.

What’s in a name?

Finding the words to distinguish the sounds in the choir was a process in itself. Naming a series is one thing, that’s a simple descriptor of an intention. Labelling the players in all the subsets was a bit more of an effort that evolved out of lists, conversations and an afternoon or two spent with the thesaurus and the world of similies. After naming came photography and then the file conversions and the inevitable tech hurdles before matting and packaging completed the project. All in a days work, but there were many of those days.

“All good things must come to an end.”

Where some of the action took place…

Beyond the bunkhouse the summer view is always an inspiration. The Village of Dunnottar’s iconic swimming pier out front at Ponemah is shown here. Of course you’ll find it at the end of a rainbow.

Prairie skies are in a constant state of flux at the edge of Lake Winnipeg.

Being present in my Painting Practice…

Seeking presence and striving to be present in the moment are the work of our age. A quick little meditation is a lovely way to begin a painting day, or any day for that matter. If you are new new to this blogpost you might like to check out some of the backstories of art and the making on my podcast “Wisdom at the Crossroads”. Each episode ends with a short meditation designed to help us all to be present, wherever we are. Head to the podcast page or follow the prompt below to find out a little more of my personal rituals.

Final marks

Endings and beginnings…

There was a begining but not an intended end date to this project but for me there appears to be a series of seasons or chapters that have become part of my art practice. This series flowed with the summer so it is fitting that it is complete in time for the WAVE Artists Studio Tour on Septrember Long Weekend where they will be making their public debut.

Listening while I work…

During the process I spent some lovely time lakeside where I had a chance to get quiet and tune in to tune out.

I listened in to the Wonderland Episode of my Podcast. You can listen in below or find “Wisdom at the Crossroads” on your preferred platform. “Wonderland” the painting will be on exhibit at our family cottage during the September ‘23 WAVE Tour.

Experience the Meditation Series…

When the WAVE Interlake Artists Studio Tour rolls I hope you’ll join us in the bunkhouse to experiance the little space where much of the magic happened.

September 2 and 3 2023, 10 am- 6pm.

Have you met my guest?

As a special bonus in 2023, CJ Tennant Jewellery will be joining us in Ponemah for double the colour fun. CJ is bringing her tickle trunk of gemstones for us all to play with. She’ll be set up in the entry of our cottage which she has lovingly renames “The Lobby”. We’ll look forward to seeing you as The WAVE tour rolls.

“WONDERLAND”, 48” x 48” will be joining us in Ponemah during The WAVE. She is the star of the podcast above.

Finally, a thank you..

Thank you, for reading to the end of this blog post. I wish I had a sticker or a gold star for you. If you have questions or comments please feel free to drop me a line or find me on Instagram between posts.

To keep in touch…

Sign up for my newsletter. It’s free, and a reliable way to stay connected. (I’m talking about you Instagram algorithm!) What to expect when you sign up for my news? I like colour and I like words so there will be lots of that. I’m also my own boss. I try to produce a monthly note. Sometimes the studio holds me hostage so my newsletters will be as little as seasonally and occasionally biweekly. There is absolutely no chance of me inundating your inbox.

Next steps…

Where can you go from here? You can go back to the Gallery Page to view available art work on this site or head to The Pulse Gallery Winnipeg to see what paintings of mine they currently have on display.

And until the next time we meet up here or during The WAVE, take good care, be you, and be creative, however that looks for you.

All best, Amanda

The Inaugural ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM with The FAIRMONT HOTEL, WINNIPEG.

Showcasing Manitoba Artists Downtown…

The Artist in Residence program at the Fairmont Hotel, launched July 20th in Winnipeg. I am happy to share at last that I have five large works involved in this Inaugural collaboration between The Pulse Gallery and Fairmont Winnipeg. You can visit my work in the Foyer. I share the stories of process and intention in this blogpost below.

Ian Taylor, General Manager for Fairmont Winnipeg explains the initiative.

”We are at the heart of the City, surrounded by the Arts, culture and business which makes Winnipeg such an amazing place to be. We want to celebrate that rich culture and are excited to welcome Amanda Onchulenko, Charlie Johnston, Cindy Dawson, and Wendy Severson as the First artists to be a part of our Artist-in Residence-Program”.

Accepting a Challenge…

 At the request of Pulse Gallery founder, Lesly Dawyduk, I began a new series of work for this exciting collaboration in the spring of 2023. I love to paint and I love to paint large.

Plan, what plan?

Every artist has a creative signature that determines the choices they make with materials and processes along the way to completing their work in their chosen media. The marks I make with my painterly signature are what lead the way through my compositions. A painting becomes a visual story with punctuation marks made in colour using colour reactions to direct the action. The finished product is entirely dependant on the choices made by its creator. In my case my work begins with a general idea, subject, or intention but I allow the composition to evolve through the process of painting.

Inspiration…

The Natural world on the Prairie provides a diverse and nuanced subject that inspired a starting point for the project I am calling The Fairmont Suite. A starting point is just that, a beginning. A painting, for me, evolves from my initial marks on a surface into a series of layers.

What do you call that?

Semi abstracted landscape is a term readily applied to my work as a painter inspired by the landscape in which I reside. As with most commissions, I undertook two versions of the mandate. The first trio began in the garden with a macro focus. A second group flowed more easily after I felt I had satisfied the request made. The second series leaned more toward the prairie’s expansive nature and it is the second group that will be on display in the foyer of the Winnipeg Fairmont.

The “Fairmont Suite: Poppies, Grace and Giddy “, 48” x 48”, each. Acrylic on Birch, 2023, shown as a diptych. The poppy series are not included in the Fairmont Residency but are available for in person viewing on request.

A tiny studio produces large paintings.

The two versions of the 4’ x 12’ request added to the challenge of a tiny studio space,. With only 8’ of linear painting wall I could accommodate only 2 of the 6 panels at any given time. I spent a couple of months lifting and carrying large, heavy, awkward panels and may have also spent some quality time with my chiropractor once the project was completed.

My intentions…

“My personal process merges the structure of composition with memory, circumstance and intention.”

My aim is never to replicate my inspiration, instead I strive to capture the essence of a moment, to describe with this body of work, the energetic experience of landscape. In deciding on subject I find I am drawn to the cheeky personalities of the Prairie’s perennial inhabitants. I’m also inspired by the fertile abundance of this place, the rich and prosperous earth at the heart of a nation. I am home here, where the horizon levels my gaze and I share my experience of the prairies in loose colour on canvas or board.”

Fairmont Suite: Unsettlers, Acrylic on Canvas 48” x 48'“, 2023

On exhibit, The Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg, after July 20, 2023.

This series celebrates the diversity and energy of a landscape that to the uninitiated, at first glance, might appear static and uninspiring. 

Artist Statement…

I was asked to add an artist statement for each piece of the series. The image above is the left side of the three grouped images that introduce my version of Manitoba to visitors as they enter the Fairmont Hotel.

“Un- Settlers” is a symbolic diaspora, a parade populated visually with perennial players. The cheeky personalities of this reflective scene are examples of; resilience, strength, courage, grace and fortitude. 

The characters of this visual story are deeply rooted, grounded in fertile soil, yet they dance a complex operatic sonata choreographed seasonally by the elements. 

A little backstory…

When our girls were barely tweens we ventured south of the city with a plant scientist friend and a carload of young girls. My Friend introduced us to the unforgettable immersive experience of mature grasslands in Manitoba’s Tall Grass Prairie. I would be hard pressed to return to the exact location of our memorable adventure without detailed instructions but I do recall it was part of a biodiverse, protected habitat under the stewardship of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. 

“Un-settlers” takes its theatrical cue from the giant quivering blue stem grasses my tall girls were dwarfed by and the perennial cast that supported them. The assortment of vegetation we encountered came in all shapes and sizes.

“If you are not from the Prairies you don’t know the wind”.

I recalled the Children’s book by David Bouchard as we experienced first hand any breath of wind reverberating across this distinctive eco system.

Painting with intention…

With this trio I intended to highlight different aspects of the local landscape. I love a little incidental green space and I find untended urban spaces and side road ditches to be enthralling. Manitoba’s extended daylight hours and rich, rich soil contribute to the diversity of vegetation that flourishes, everywhere. The greens and blues I chose to dominate the foreground in this panel symbolize the greens of youth, growth and diversity. The blues are representative of shadow created in the sub layers of the growing community. They create a subtext and make reference to parts of our province as an inland ocean.

Colour is a big part of my studio practice

FAIRMONT SUITE; LEVELLING UP, Acrylic on Canvas, 48” x 48”, 2023

Artist Statement…

In the game of life the largest payouts are often found along the road less travelled. Summertime saturates our flatlands with an abundance of intoxicating colour that leads us through uncluttered expansive views to the horizon. Colour and composition are the game time winners of this compositional duel. 

A little backstory…

I became acquainted with a Prairie Boy in 1990 and have spent more time driving west along the Trans Canada and Yellow Head Highways than I have across my native Australia. 

“Levelling Up” is ripe with summer’s abundance. It is a reminder of infinite road trips, the playing of eye spy with kids or taking in the rich and intoxicating colour that led us through uncluttered expansive views as we travelled west.

Grandma’s might have been our destination but the colours and patterns of the natural world became my inspiration. Many bodies of work have been inspired by family road trips that took us past midsummers contrasting quadrants of canola and flax under the intensity of deep blue Prairie skies. 

Painting with intention…

Colour and contrast are a big part of my studio practice. I often underpaint with contrasts and encourage the early layers to peak through to the surface of the finished painting. These compositional details tend to add visual energy to the surface and help to lead the viewer through the composition. The windbreaks, expansive canola fields, cobalt skies and curious clouds of this panel infer the abundance of a maturing landscape, a landscape that has been home to Ukrainian immigrants since 1891. The blue and yellow of the Ukrainian Flag comes into play symbolically, as earth and atmosphere, and reflects a personal generational connection to the prairies.

FAIRMONT SUITE: LUMINOSITY, Acrylic on Canvas, 48” x 48”, 2023.

Artist Statement…

“The star quality of an august afternoon in the Keystone Province resonates in the pinking sky of this prairie portrait. Twilight casts a luminous glow across the ripe and abundant expanse, inviting a seasonal pause in a world where our only constant is change.  Lake country is at the heart of many.” 

A little backstory…

Our connection to summer rituals and community experiences takes place along the western shores of Lake Winnipeg at Ponemah, in Manitoba’s Interlake. Sunday night return trips to the city tend to extend into the lengthening days particularly in August when twilight casts a luminous glow across the ripening, colourful expanse. I prefer to be the passenger on the way home. Doing my homework, witnessing the luminous skies, while savouring a pause in the transition between recreation and vocation.

Painting with intention…

I try to paint loosely. When asked about process and how long things take I like to use the analogy of a runner. When a runner first laces up shoes and sets out, the pace is slower and everything feels a little heavy. It takes some time to set a comfortable pace, to get into the groove or flo. And so it is with painting.

Brushstrokes in the under layers of this panel invited loose outlines with liquid acrylic that were applied with a wet flippy brush to suggest weedy, untended growth. The richness of spring greens has faded with summers ripening heat, while the sky is resonate with the glow of twilight reflected through the dust of working fields late in the growing season.

“An Ocean of Earth in Motion”

“Big Pink”, Acrylic on Birch Panel, 48” x 48”, 2023

This painting joins the FAIRMONT SUITE SERIES. Find this big girl at reception in the foyer at the Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg, greeting visitors

“In life and in Art, our only constant is change.”

When Lesly and Lori of Pulse Gallery first visited my studio ahead of my April “Spring Fling” at the Gallery, they were both drawn to the painting above.

Big Pink is the beginning of a new direction for me and a reminder that change really is a constant. I began the underpainting with black gesso having not used black for more that 20 years in my work. Instead I added compliments together to create darks. This helped me to avoid muddying my colour palette and gave much of my work its signature intensity.

Big Pink is a departure. It features black in the under layers and I am liking the direction these new marks are taking. This painting, for me, was also an invitation; to explore the new, to be reminded to follow the road less travelled where the unexpected can be revealed.

FAIRMONT SUITE: Growth: Wisdom, Acrylic on Birch Panel, 40” x 60”, 2023. This painting greets visitor as they enter the hotel from the parkade and oversees the action of the lounge.

What’s in a name?

In recent years I have begun most works by setting an intention and inscribing that word into the surface of the painting. Wisdom and Inner Resource are the terms I inscribed into a pair of panels as I prepped the surface to paint. The first of this pair sold quickly, while “Growth: Wisdom”, became the last piece to be included in the Fairmont Suite.

The large circular motif in “Growth: Wisdom”, shown above, is a residual mark that was set with that initial intention. This piece is fresh off the paint wall and representative of where my painting practice is currently trending.

“Each season at the studio brings something new and I look forward to seeing where new marks will take me."

Winter skies at Ponemah, Lake Winnipeg.

Twilight inspiration on Manitoba’s Prairie.

Colour on the Prairies…

My favourite colour Golden’s Quinacridone red light has recently been discontinued. The end of my last tube was used in The Fairmont Suite project. The photographs above taken from our Ponemah cottage illustrate quinacridone red light in the winter landscape. Manitoba’s landscape is full of surprises, nuances and saturated colour in every season.

Being present in my Painting Practice…

Creativity and painting in particular, is my avenue to presence. The process quiets me as it draws me in to the action of problem solving in colour. Engaged, painting, time can literally fly by. This following image is of “Big Pink” in progress on the paint wall. I have included it here because it gives a sense of scale and illustrates the physicality required in the process.

“Big Pink” in progress on the paint wall. 48” x 48”, acrylic on birch panel.

Sidenote…

“If not now, when?”… “Why not me ?”

Landscape is inspiration for the painter in me. In 2021 I stepped out of my comfort zone and the result was a podcast sharing my accented voice introducing the backstories of some of my paintings. The aim of each episode is to introduce my work, hoping to help you to connect to your own stories through my examples.

I conclude each episode with a related guided meditation. We can all benefit from find a little peace and quiet, within the busy lives we lead.

Find my podcast, WISDOM AT THE CROSSROADS on all listening platforms.

Below I have included a Mindful Mandart Moment inspired by the triptych “Breathing Space” introduced in Episode 11 of the Podcast. This short episode of self care inspires a meditative journey where colour in the landscape is invited to flow. I invite you to listen in, to encourage the vital energy around and within you, to grow”. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you..

Lesly and Lori of The Pulse Gallery and The Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg for the invitation to be a part of this initiative celebrating local art and our local lands. And finally, Thank you, for reading to the end of this blog post. If you have questions or comments please feel free to drop me a line or find me on Instagram between posts.

To keep in touch…

Sign up for my newsletter using the QR code below or send me message and I’ll add you to the subscribers list. It’s free. I try to do a monthly note but sometimes its seasonal and occasionally biweekly.

Head to The Pulse Gallery Winnipeg here for more info on available works.

xo Amanda

The WAVE is about sharing creativity with the community. Eighteen artists in 2023 are looking forward to connecting with old friends and new.

New work hangs from the back of the cottage at our stop on the tour…and sometimes on the side walls too. This year we are joined by CJ TENNANT and her colourful gemstone jewellery.

“Emerald City,” will be joining in the community fun. She spent a period of time at Pulse gallery at at The Forks this spring. Meet her at the WAVE this June.

WHAT IS THE WAVE?

The WAVE is an opportunity to connect with Art and the makers. It is Manitoba’s longest running Art road trip, now in it’s 22nd year. The WAVE Interlake Artists Studio Tour is free and family friendly. This year 18 Artists studios are opening up to inspire you on your art journey.

Check the new WAVE APP… If I can download it you can too, or go to the WAVE website, www.watchthewave.ca to select your route. If you prefer to hold a physical printed brochure in your hand you can pick one up at all artist studios along the way .

Above: Cj tennant work in progress being overseen by my painting “Blue Gums”. The friendly collaboration continues this Season on the WAVE Tour. Cj Tennant will be joining us onsite in Ponemah.

DOING THE WAVE…

With all that information at your finger tips ‘doing the WAVE” is a simple matter of gathering your friends and family and preparing to have some creative fun.

Deciding where to start and what you want to see might be your biggest challenge of the day. There is a lot to see and experience but make sure to stop by Melville Lane in Ponemah for double the colour fun. with Cj and I sharing our wares meeting your curiosity in our happy place.

Ask your Artist hosts for their local take on nearby restaurants and picnic stops for lunch or afternoon tea.

“Square Prairie; Chorus Line” is fresh off the paint wall. 20’ x 20”, painted in acrylic on canvas. Meet her in June

WHEN DOES THE WAVE TAKE PLACE?

The WAVE rolls during the third weekend in June each year. This year in 2023 that happens to be June 10th and 11th. Studios are open daily 10 am-6pm.

The second WAVE gets going on the September long weekend. In 2023, September 2nd and 3rd.

studios are open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm daily.

All venues offer an immersive experience where you get to meet the makers in their creative spaces and experience first hand where all the creative magic happens.

I love the creative ways our visitors travel to come and visit us.

HOW TO WAVE?

Design your journey according to interests. Nominate a driver.

Follow along with a brochure, the Website www.watchthewave.ca, or download the new WAVE app for mobile accessibility and get ready for a fun weekend road trip.
Watch for the distinctive Blue and White signs along Highway 8 and 9 as you drive north of the City or South from the Arborg area.

Above. “Square Prairie: Repose” 18” x 18” acrylic on canvas, 2023

FROM THE SOUTH…

You might like to travel North of Winnipeg on Highway 8 where your first choice is whether to turn right or left. Turn left and you will find Alan Lacovetsky’s Ceramics Studio. It is a sprawling wonderland fitted out with wood burning kilns and fired pottery, platters, lidded boxes, vessels and all the studio accompaniments. You might even find a cat or two as you enjoy this property.

Above: the “Graces” at their earliest stages are still in progress. They may or may not be on view during the June WAVE. There will however, be an opportunity for you to participate on an ART START, weather permitting.

Turn right…

off Highway 8 in St Andrews and you will discover the hard working Cloverdale Forge. Here Blacksmiths, Matt Jenkins and Karen Rudolf have a combined 40 years of experience and many irons in the fire. They also have many stories to share about a travelling exhibition, a micro farming initiative. and wrought iron commissions.

You can see Matt’s work in person on my deck in Ponemah.

FROM THE NORTH…

If you are starting at the Northern end of the Tour you might be grabbing a coffee and a treat at the renowned Arborg Bakery to begin. There is no judgement here.

Jerry Maryniuk, a former forensic police artist shares his comic illustrations and New WAVE artist, painter Georgina Ball, make the journey well worth your time and attention.

“Fairmont Suite”: Poppies 3”. Looks can be deceiving. This girl packs a hearty punch measuring in at 48’ x 48’. She is painted in Acrylic on Panel and shares billing with a pair of sisters. This trio were together more than my small space could handle. They had me literally painting myself into corners at the studio.

WHO:

Along with the Northern and Southern lights , introduced above, that bookend our Studio tour, there are 16 other stops along the way through the Village of Dunnottar, Winnipeg Beach, Sandy Hook, Gimli and places in between. 

Take in one or all of the open studios as you explore Manitoba's Prairie in bloom. Stop for lunch in local towns along the way, take a dip in the lake, walk a beach or pose for a selfie on a pier. Ask your Artist host for their recommendations, suggestions and local tips.

We are grateful to our WAVE visitors who enrich our experience of community every season. These two BFF’s are modelling the scale of the Mandart Fuzzy Blankets, and my book “Wisdom at the Crossroads”.

The Interlake Artists community is a hard working group of creatives passionate about where they are and what they do. They have made Manitoba’s WAVE into the longest running Art Tour of its kind in the province.

Each year we look forward to sharing our journey in art. We also love to catch up with all the events and stories that have evolved in your lives between WAVE events.

The three C’s: community, creativity and connection are a definite driving force that motivates me to continue to roll with the WAVE.

Above, Last minute preparation for The WAVE often last late into the night ahead of the first day at our venue.

The bunkie as we like to call our overflow accommodation and Creative venue is also called into action as my summer studio. That little deck out front is a favourite breakfast spot. It is sunny yet sheltered and from that little vantage point I have communed with hummingbirds as they peer into the window to see what’s blooming on the paint wall.

We also have resident chipmunks living in the adjacent woodpile and a sunny bird bath in view. Together with the Eagles that make our front tree a morning stop on their travels, they provide hours of entertainment. Keep an eye out for them when you visit our venue.

A new diptych is ready for the WAVE. She is 18” x 24’ but as yet is still waiting for an official title.

The right hand side is similarly unnamed. Meet her on or in the Bunkhouse in June.

Whatever the weather…

The WAVE goes ahead whatever the weather. My husband, recent winner of employee of the month, is an excellent WAVE assistant. He annually makes rain coats for all the outdoor paintings…just in case of inclement weather. They have come in handy in the past but we are hopefull we will not have a need for them this coming WAVE weekend.

“In life and in art the journey is the destination”

More new work will be on display. “Fairmont Suite; Poppies 1” will be among the offerings on the exterior. Scale is best appreciated in person. This big girl is 48’ x 48’, acrylic on panel.

Mandart North Studio, June 10 and 11, 10-6pm daily..

Like I said scale is hard to distinguish online. This “Field Study” of the Square Prairie Series measures up at a comparatively small 20’ x 20”, acrylic on Canvas, also newly minted in 2023.

FINAL REMINDER…

The WAVE Interlake Artists’ Studio Tour gets rolling,

June 10th and 11th 

and September long weekend. 

Saturday and Sunday 10-6 daily 

Join us Mandart North Studio, June 10 and 11, 10-6pm daily for some creative fun along the road less travelled.  The WAVE rolls rain or shine in June and September annually. www.watchthewave.ca for online details, updates and maps.

Beyond the 18 artists Studio’s opening to WAVE enthusiasts this season there is so much to see and do along the way. i am in Ponemah so our iconic piers are a crowd favourite for swimmers and non swimmers alike. Piers are up from the July long weekend and begin their annual fall retreat after September long weekend.

Don’t forget to add your name in to the draw for $100 of spending money to be cashed in by the winner at your chosen WAVE studio. We look forward to seeing you on the tour.  
travel safely, all best,

Amanda 

From left to right: #39 “Birch Church”, #48 “Dancers”, #63 “Flaxen”, #87 “Hustle”, and #73 “ Transition.”

Adelaide McDermot Gallery reopened in the spring in downtown Winnipeg. It is a lovely refreshed space on the ground floor of the building that has housed my studio(s) since 2001. I am very glad to be exhibiting here at 318 McDermot Avenue in the Exchange District over the First Friday weekend in December.


•Friday, December 6th, 5-9pm

Continuing through the weekend:
•Saturday, December 7th, 12-5pm
•Sunday, December 8th, 12-5pm

BACK TO WORK AT PLAY

September is a time of new beginnings. It is when Canadian schools return to programming after the luxury of our extended prairie summers. September is about new class schedules, renewed focus and a return to routine.

Working as an artist is like working in any job. Getting back to work after a break requires some motivation and a little easing in before we get back to optimum productivity.


My studio is a sanctuary and I am always happy to go back to work there, in fact I will be there all weekend if given the opportunity. There is no shortage of inspiration yet, sometimes the challenge lies in how best to apply that inspiration.

The fall season this year was no different. As my family resumed new schedules at work and school I too needed to refocus. The Painting 101 Series began as a means to refocus my creativity, to reacquaint with the feel of liquid acrylic on my brush. The project began slowly but soon blossomed into a solid goal after the summer break.

WHY:

Both craving and resisting routine, the goal was to give myself a challenge that helped to reset my creative rhythms for the new season.
I began where I am on the prairie and liked the idea of giving a vertical emphasis to what is traditionally considered a horizontal subject. I divided full sheets of water colour paper into 11” x 6” sections. By painting small I resolved to play without my inner critic and the fun began.

HOW:

When painting on larger canvas I hang panels in groups on my wall and work standing. Smalls did not fit that format so along with physical adjustments and a reorganized space, the process forced me to reevaluate how I use designated areas within my studio space. It was an additional challenge for a creature of habit like myself.

The discipline of this studio project helped to reestablish my creative process and soothed the loss I felt with summer routines now in the rear view mirror.

WHAT:

Liquid acrylic paint on my brush and the challenge of composition energized me enough to cut more paper and set myself the official Painting 101 Series challenge.

A self imposed deadline can be useful for the sole practitioner. My studio is a lovely oasis, but also a work space. “Boss lady”, my studio alter ego, did a great job of shielding my studio time from well intentioned distraction, and visitors, and inspired me on both weekdays and weekends to accomplish this goal.

SUBJECT:

Themes developed as I arrived at the studio and dug through my long collected stash of photographic inspiration. Using a visual cue can be a useful starting point, it helps to establish a beginning, a jumping off point from which the composition can bloom.

I use visual stimuli as a suggestion only and allow the process of physically painting to evolve through any composition.

What felt right on any given day varied. The garden, the poppy, the lake, fall colour and summer snapshots all bloomed freely as source material inspired a beginning but did not dictate an outcome.

PROCESS:

There was no plan, no order and not even consistency on any given day beyond the colours waiting on my palette. I wanted to feel the joy of wet acrylic on my brush, to paint loosely, to review the familiar and enjoy my work without expectation.

Completed pieces assembled in loose rows on my floor and on more than one occasion piqued the interest of Sarah Anne Johnson’s fur friends, Kitty and Lola, who stopped in, sniffed them out delicately, and went on their way to their own office next door.

FURTHER PROCESSES:

Water colour paper warped and curled under the loose application of wet media and meant the pieces required flattening in batches under some of the art world’s heavyweights at the studio.

Some pieces even hid in their drying stacks of books and caused me to overshoot my goal.

With a little help from my friends I worked through labelling, photography, ( Rob Barrow), and matting ( Tim of Chicken Coop Productions) This work is now complete and these 101 pieces of original art will be on sale for $101 plus taxes at my upcoming show.

When I published my book, “Wisdom at the Crossroads”, one of my first customers described it as being “weightier than its small stature”. This body of work similarly is small, energetic and colourful but visually they deliver a punch above their weight class. Mounted on archival matt board they are ready for gifting or framing and are perfect for first time collectors.

I am pleased to be exhibiting the entire completed challenge during The Exchange District’s FIRST FRIDAY in DECEMBER weekend 2019, along with some recent works on canvas and the Healing Blanket Project.

With December comes the holiday season, a sacred time of celebration and connection.
While the Painting 101 Series will provide visitors with colourful inspiration, the holiday season can be tough for those experiencing difficult times.

THE HEALING BLANKET:

Imagined as a receptacle for the physical, creative marks of those who ordinarily would not have that opportunity, this community based project is an ongoing initiative that will be available for visitors to work on during my show.

Come join us and add a stitch in time, with, or in honour of, someone you love or have loved.

To date, The Healing Blanket has been the recipient of many encouraging, beautiful, inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking stories.

My hope is for it to remind visitors that no matter what difficult circumstances prevail in their lives, particularly over the holidays, we can be reminded, we are not alone in our struggles.

My family has added stitches in honour of the youngest branch of our family tree, my niece, Edyn Tani, who is our littlest angel.

She inspires us still and in her honour a portion of all weekend sales will be assigned to a memorial fund for our angel Edy.

I am grateful for all the connections I have made through my art and look forward to seeing friends old and new over the weekend. We hope you will join us and be inspired by the colour of my world.
Friends and family all welcome.

"Be more. Do less." ATO

The village of Dunnottar on lake Winnipeg is characterized by its stick dock Piers. Reassembled seasonally they are the perfect communal gathering place.

When you see this bouquet down the end of Melville lane you will know you have arrived .

The Interlake has so many things to offer like this inland ocean on our doorstep.

Gathering in community is a privilege. It is a gift to share space , friendship, events and activities with others who share our passions ( if not our bloodlines) and a combined history. This is really something remarkable and particularly sought out by the immigrant population of which I am a member.

For those whose life choices have kept them within at least a half day drive of where they began, who readily come across friends, family and acquaintances who have witnessed their origins, there is not the same impetus to reach out to encourage new friendships or to seek out new and independent communities. 
For those like me however, with an adventurous spirit and zest for discovery and challenge we can find ourselves far from our first homes and way beyond our original stomping grounds. For us, community takes on a larger meaning. 

I have been a resident in Manitoba since January of 1991, a citizen since 2007 and a part of cottage country since 2013. I joined the wave after our family settled into Ponemah as summer residents. Here I have had the pleasure of meeting the many creative characters of The Interlake. 

Now in its 18th year, the  Wave Interlake Artists Studio Tour, often emulated, remains, Manitoba’s largest running artists studio tour. Over 50 artists have participated and 29 individuals are involved in 2019’s June and September wave tours. They are all eager to invite you into their personal spaces on this free family friendly weekend and welcome you into their personal community as a new friend. 

The communities I have formed since my arrival in Manitoba in 1990 continue to inspire me ( you know who you are) I enjoy people, I enjoy learning of their histories and am happy to be included in future histories as our friendships develop.

Like all relationships, a friendship requires some effort to maintain and prosper and without that family of origin dominating my time and energy, the development of these chosen families is important, prioritized and celebrated. 

The Interlake community is no different. This is a hard working group of creatives passionate about where they are and what they do.

Canadians seem to have a particular attachment to their summer residences which they call,  the lake, the cottage, the cabin, or the camp. These often rustic spaces resonate with their histories and connection to place, with the roots put down together in shared experience, with friendships and activities or events, and time well spent together in each other’s company. 

I fondly recall sitting around a campfire with the Steele and Richie clans on a far away and aptly named, “Pretty Beach” in NSW Australia over a Christmas holiday. (Canadians please know the Southern Hemisphere celebrates Christmas at the peak of their summer holidays.) 

Col Steel’s directive to point a pinky finger at the fire whose smoke is coming your way is a no fail strategy. It is an example of an action that forms a small part of who we are and that resonated long past that particular moment in time. 

I continued to share that important tidbit with my Canadian contingency as we share space and time around my own lake country fire place. Try it. You won’t be disappointed. It is a testament to the formative connections we make through events and activities as part of a community

My studio at the lake is a work in progress. It began with a gallant effort to salvage an 8’x 16’ shed at the back of the property that was new to us in 2013. After 10 uninhabited years and one original owner we happily undertook a grand effort to understand and assimilate into the Canadian affinity for the lake and the cottage/cabin/camp.

We novices had much to learn but have heartily bonded with summer routines and scenes at our little abode just an hour north of the city on the water at Ponemah. 

By season 2 we started to figure things out and realized the inaugural effort to resurrect the shed as studio was a fools errand and in hickory dickory dock fashion, it was levelled to the ground, mice and all. 

The new bunkie, a purpose built replacement with a loft arose in the  shed’s place. It boasts a lake view, windows affording a lovely cross breeze, a napable day bed I am yet to try out and best of all, no mice. 
The bunkie hosts our overflow guests  more often than not and twice annually fills with selected contents of my Exchange District Studio for the Wave Interlake Artists Studio Tour. 

I appreciate community, love our summer routines and friends and enjoy welcoming wave participants to our little haven to see what has bloomed on my canvases or in silk over the last season. 

Participants contributing to the healing blanket project during 2018’s WAVE Tour.

The WAVE is all about the people and has been known to bring movie stars to our door.

2019’s Wave Studio Tour this June was preempted  by a blustery 34 degree day of preparation on Friday which ended in a spectacular storm. The weather took out power in the region for hours and inspired an evening of candle light interactions. It toppled hydro poles like dominos on highway 8 and quenched the thirst of trees and cottage gardens after a very thirsty spring.

As per past WAVE years our bunkie was graced with the company of friends old and new. Three sets of new neighbours in our area is a record for a section of the Interlake known for generational ownership. It rained, it poured. My diligent, supportive husband made raincoats for each and every painting that hung on the cottage’s exterior walls. The birds sang between downpours and I swear the grass grew right before my eyes. Our local eagle even hovered curiously at one point just above the peaked bunkie roof, blessing us with his or her eagle energy and helping us to soar. 

The community that is so important to me as an immigrant came out in support despite the weather. Neighbours old and new and batches of girlfriends, young couples and families bonding on a spring weekend roadtrip graced our little haven and we connected over colour. How lovely is that? 

Sunday is another day and whatever the weather holds it will be a privilege to spend time with my husband and daughters enlisted in the combined effort to share time and space with wave goers who are also seeking community with their individual parties on the road trip together. 

It is a lovely way to discover the gems of Manitoba’s Interlake, along with the people who do and those who wish to know, this place. 

What a privilege I am given to be able to call myself a part of such a community of artistic, hard working and inspired souls. 

The bunkie ready for company in June.

Bunkie later in the season.

Come join us, rain or shine in June and September annually. www.watchthewave.ca for online details where Mandart North is Studio #6 on the tour.

Hope to see see you there ,
Amanda Onchulenko

Click to read Amanda’s article on the Articulation Textile Group blog.