And somewhere between the time you arrive And the time you go May lie a reason you were alive But you'll never know   These lyrics from the 1973 Jackson Browne song For a Dancer strike a deep chord with me.  I have been blessed in my life to have met many people who have walked along beside me - sometimes for many years, sometimes for a short time - and while we walked together they shared with me their intrinsic beauty, their insights, their earthly gifts, and their own unique wisdom.  Whether you believe in spirit guides, divine intervention, guardian angels or kindred souls, for each of us, as we walk our solitary path in this life, there are those who share our journey with us, and if we are open and curious about the fate, destiny or serendipitous circumstances that placed each of these particular people in our path, it is my opinion that we can continue to learn, evolve, and accept and embrace the change, uncertainty, and the inevitable los...

I have created a photo book of the 100 Faces Project paintings.  For now it is available as a PDF download only from blurb.com, (viewable on any device) with a soft cover to be available very soon (at a realistic price, not blurb's!) The instant download is 6.99 CA  -  click on this link to view the preview and order: http://www.blurb.ca/bookstore/invited/6946988/1852e7536e291d6ef53cac2d0bd178c8f015451b

Now that 2016 is in the rear view mirror and my 100 Faces Project is completed, (and I have had my winter "nap" where I don't get much done except hibernate by the fire with tea and a good book) I have been enjoying creating the first few of what appears to be a new series of paintings. Working on large pieces of ripped, raw edged canvas, I have been exploring ethereal imagery in a creamy, dreamy palette with predominantly whites and blues. So far I have completed seven pieces, take a look: (update - July - painting #7 is the final one in the series, time to move on to something else!)  An Angel Falls From the Sky - 6' x 3' Little Things Are Hard to See - 5' x 5' First Roots, Then Wings - 4' x 5'  Go On and Make a Joyful Sound - (Lessons From My Guardians and Spirits) - 5' x 5'  Words of Love a Ladder to the Heavens - 3.5' x 3.5'  Protect Me - 2' x 4'  You Are The Magical Enchantment in Y...

I completed the 100 faces in early December, and they can all be viewed on my 100 Faces Project page. I have decided to give away painting #100 - I am The Light:   Enter to win painting #100 by leaving a comment below this post, on my Lesley Fountain Studio facebook page, or in email to lesleyfountainstudio@gmail.com. I will be making the draw on December 24th, and will ship anywhere!

  I offer a variety of art workshops in intuitive painting and mixed media, twice weekly drop in sessions, once a month extended drop in sessions, unique art parties, private workshops and one on one art classes.  No class size too small!  See my workshops page for details on upcoming workshops and drop in sessions and click on the paintings links (organized by years) for photos of my artwork.  Testimonials What I love and needed from Lesley Fountain she so effortlessly delivered.  Lesley allows people to return to a childhood place, where a person can create in a limitless, imaginative and non- judgmental fashion.  Her studio is like a dream of high quality paints and a space where a mess is encouraged and art is created by everyone!  Friends are made quickly in her studio space, and affirmation encourages aspiring artists to experiment and be free.  Music and laughter fill the space and I left feeling like I wanted more!...

Goddesses? What Goddesses? I painted this painting a couple of years ago, and it was hanging on my studio wall minding it's own business last week, when I suddenly developed a serious grudge against it.  Here is the deal with this particular painting.  A couple of years ago I was so in love with colour and layers upon layers upon layers of marks and texture that it was very hard for me to cull.  "Ooh, that bit is so pretty!" I was like a kid decorating a Christmas tree that had to hang every ornament PLUS tinsel AND multi coloured lights.  (Note: Tree this year is minimalist - white twinkly lights and a dozen old fashioned wooden or knitted ornaments.)  As a result, my paintings were busy - full of action, like a carnival ride. Midway through painting this one I saw two women, chin to chin, breast to breast, hair streaming back and hips a-sway.  I called the painting Embrace Your Inner Goddess.  The thing is, no one could see those women but me...

I was teaching a workshop this past weekend and was talking with my students about recurring themes and imagery.   Sometimes we are drawn to certain images, concepts or words, and they show up over and over again in our work.   Personally, I think it is important to allow them to continue to show up, rather than think (with our monkey mind) "Oh not another house - (or figure, or flower, or heart), - how cliche!   Why do I paint the same things over and over again?!!" We do not need to consult Freud to understand why some imagery has personal significance for us, but knowing why our intuition or subconscious mind keeps bringing up certain concepts is not as important, to me, as being open to the idea that there is a reason why those concepts continue to do an encore performance, and just show up and clap enthusiastically when they do. For me, houses show up over and over again in my work.   Honestly, I never begin a painting thinki...