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I am slow to sit down at my computer and work away at the things I should, like a newsletter. But I have been busy this last year, and I have lots of events that I really should tell you about! I attended an East Central Ontario Art Association Retreat in the spring - in Haliburton, just as the trees were starting their lacy green canopy. It's invigorating to attend these group weekends. Lori Ridgeway was the person who demonstrated her art and she is a spectacular artist.  Next, I participated in The BIG Show in Kingston with a 36 x 48 painting of a small creek outside of the town of Westport Ontario. I have been told by a town councillor from Westport that the official name of the creek is The Stream- and so that is what I called the painting.  The same weekend, I put a painting in a fundraising show in Brockville Ontario to support a National Trust property called The Fulford House.  And, just to keep busy, I taught a workshop for the Rideau Lakes Artist Association.  Then I submitted a painting to the Ontario Society of Artists Juried Show in Port Perry, Ontario and then made a ROAD TRIP with my daughter to the opening. We had fun!  Which brings us up to the present and future events: first of all - my open studio! I’m throwing such a good sale of all my older paintings, that it might be slightly irresponsible. WAY too many paintings! Some hidden gems, and a whole lot of “why do I still have this?” Our very professional sales team (Barb, Billie and Rachel) will be on-site accepting: Cash, debit, credit, compliments, questionable offers (because no reasonable offer will be refused). Come for the Open Studio of spectacular current paintings, stay for the deals, and leave with things you didn’t plan to buy, but now absolutely need.  But it doesn't stop there!! I'm teaching a 3 day workshop at Stone Manor Studio in Newboro Ontario on July 6, 7, and 8. Here's the link: stonemanorstudios.ca/book-your-class/ola/services/developing-a-luminous-landscape-in-acrylics-with-barb-sohn. Check it out! I'd love to see you there!  And then a solo show at Gallery Raymond in Kingston Ontario- Ray is great, and I really appreciate his support!  I'm retired! I thought retirement meant you didn't have to work anymore? But to be honest, I love every minute of my life these days. I feel so grateful to be able to do this for my life now! See you soon! ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* *
 Super excited and honoured to be awarded Honourable Mention in this Spring show of the Federation of Canadian Artists 2020 Open National Juried Exhibition.in Toronto. Visit the exhibition here: https://www.fcatoronto.ca/.../2021-spring-forward-online.../
I am thrilled to report that I have been successfully juried into the Federation of Canadian Artists.
The FCA is dedicated to raising artistic standards by stimulating participants to greater heights of knowledge and achievement by offering what is believed to be the first completely artists' sponsored gallery in Canada. Currently the Federation is the only national-level visual arts organization that manages their own full-time art gallery. The mission of the FCA is to advance the knowledge and appreciation of art and culture to all Canadians, offering education, exhibition and communication in the Visual Arts, and to support and promote emerging and professional member artists. The Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) is an organization of artists founded in 1941 by professional Canadian working artists including Group of Seven luminaries Lawren Harris, Arthur Lismer, and A.Y. Jackson. The first National Executive Council was led by Andre Bieler, and Lawren Harris was the BC region’s first Chairman. Other notable founding members included Emily Carr and the Honorable Mark Kearley. The FCA continues to operate as a registered charity with members throughout Canada and Chapters in Alberta and B.C.  A Gift of Time Let me start by saying I’m excited! After months of isolation and cancelled events, I am thrilled to announce that I have a solo show coming up at the end of July in Kingston, Ontario at Gallery Raymond. I will be bringing out all the new paintings from my Pandemic Painting Period . Hopefully our opening night will be able to go ahead and we will somehow practice social distancing, and you will be able to see some of my recent art in person. This has been an unusual year for me as an artist, as it has for everyone. I have had a number of shows and events cancelled as far away as September. All of my classes, workshops and speaking engagements are gone. Our local studio tour, among other events, was cancelled for June. This is the event where people come and see where I live and create in my little studio in the woods. And I get to bring all of my art out of the corners to make room for new art. These cancellations have an impact on me - I miss the direct contact with people who love art. I miss the conversations about art in general. I love to hear what people like, because it motivates me to go into my studio and produce new and different paintings. But there is a silver lining to this isolation These past five months, I've been given the gift of time. Time to slow the pace and acknowledge the importance of my art community and friends. When I go out to my studio in the morning, I bask in the “room of my own” feeling – surrounded by my paints, easel and the view out my windows into the forest. I was lucky enough to have several commissions this spring, which fueled my creativity, and because of the gift of time, I was able to slow down and work with enthusiasm and focus on some larger paintings. And I had the time to study other artists that I admire and understand what it is about their work that draws me in. And so, in August, I have a show of my new work at Gallery Raymond in Kingston. On Friday, July 31 from 7 to 9 pm come and meet me and to see my work in person. If you can't make the opening, the show continues until September 24. 
The Toronto Artist Project is possibly the best show in Ontario to see exceptional art, and I was very honoured to be juried into this show for 2020. The show opened on a Thursday night with a reception and party, and ended on Sunday and never once stopped being busy! What a week! I met many new artists, who I hope will become my friends, and many people who seem to love my art. Thanks so much! And, I would also like to thank the organizers of the show for the excellent job they did. I will be back in 2021.
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