Almost Time to Query

As you can see, it's been well over a year since my last post. I forget that, while I have sent out several newsletters, I really need to keep things current on my website.

My excuse? I have been busy writing a book, titled The Eating Club. The image to the right is my working cover for this hefty tome, which comes in at 147,000 words, give or take a the, and 474 pages. After completing the "shitty first draft" as Anne Lamott would call it, I then began the arduous process of editing...and editing...and further editing.

Still editing.

However (I'm told one should never began a sentence with however), I am almost done and will soon begin the crippling process of querying. Several optimists have asked if I will self-publish once I have received my 100th rejection letter.

Ask me after 101.

Unfortunately, this has left little time for anything else, not even painting, although I did manage a piece, Don't Forget To Write,* for this year's Sooke Fine Arts show, and am working on another for the Sidney show, which juries in September.

* view in Abstract section of my website. And thank God it sold; all this time spent writing does not a bank account fill.

My Draft Pitch

Move over Ya-Yas and young girls in traveling pants. 

Make way for the women of Canada's West Coast. 

They laugh louder than a loco Ono,

shoot tequila faster than a speeding BMW, and

can clear a room in a single belch. 

Meet Kate, Abby, Hadley,

Giordana, and Clare

Kate, the closet Christian, whose favorite word is [four letters]

and favorite men are gay. 

Abby, who believes her breadbox is the Oracle of Weight Loss and

Cheez Whiz is the answer to everything. 

Hadley, armed and ready for any occasion,

she’s packing shots of tequila and a shaker of salt. 

Giordana "Gee" for guileless, the object of a wrong man's affection. 

And Clare, who gets away with murder. 

They're funny, they’re fabulous...and oddly familiar. 

These are the members of 

The Eating Club

A debut novel by Kristine Paton

Once Upon a Day in Cowichan

I'm sure by now many of you have already viewed the five minute trailer for this spectacular video (produced by DV Cuisine), which premiered last week to a standing ovation. For those of you who haven't seen it, please take the time to watch it now; you will not be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHC9D11xA4c&list=UUyV2ZrP4bTCOgtNBnZcHKVg&index=2

This video explains why I have never had the desire to travel much, or felt the pull to move to Toronto or New York to become a not-so-famous artist. Everything I want is right here, right where I live. As I watched the video over and over, its depiction a far cry from the "drunken" Duncan of my youth (maybe that was just me!), I felt my heart swell along with the "Ode to Joy" soundtrack. The full-length video, about 45 minutes, is available through the CVRD. I have a feeling it will sell out quickly...if it hasn't already.

A Festive Piece for Sopa's Christmas Show

    Candycakes, acrylic on panel, 29 1/2" x 29 1/2"

Burning of the Vines Event at Vinoteca

All I can say is that it was awesome. Fatima outdid herself (if that is even possible) and the weather held until it was over. Coco Jones may have photos posted on Facebook if you want to check it out (in case you didn't know, I don't do Facebook).

Below is one of the pieces I finished for the show. Most of the work will be hanging for the month of July, so why not kill two birds with one stone and make a reservation for lunch. Sitting on the deck, overlooking the vineyard, sipping excellent wine and eating one of Fatima's creations is nothing short of heaven (I had the caesar salad with proscuitto, and the pasta with chicken and peas in gorganzola cream sauce...OMG!)

NEW YORK MINUTE, 36" X 36", acrylic on wrap canvas

A Stellar Event at Sopa

U8 was, yet again, a huge success. Click here to view photos from the opening night.

My triptych study titled 3SUM sold, as did a grouping of "smalls" I had sent for their Christmas show. I am now working on several new pieces for Wallace Galleries and should have photos for my website soon.

The Sooke Fine Art show is still accepting submissions until May 25, and this year they are accepting digital images online for jurying. I am undecided whether I will submit this year or not...the "juries still out" on that one.

Anthony White Artwork, "The Money Series"

I don't know quite how I came across Anthony White Artwork, but I have recently discovered this Australian artist with an attitude very similar to that of my friend Jimmy Wright (who passed away in 2008). I don't agree with all of Mr. White's opinions (as I often didn't with Jimmy's) regarding the world of conceptual art, but I did find it all a very entertaining and thought provoking read. Since you might enjoy it, too, check out Anthony White's Guide to Conceptual Art. I also like the idea behind his in-your-face "Money Series" (again very Jimmy) and, as I wrote in my recent newsletter, if I had an extra $176 kicking around for fun, I would probably purchase this next painting in the series.

Nobody Special by nobody special

Have you heard of Blurb.com? It's this great place where you can create your own books: coffee table books, portfolios, children's picture books, and more. Well, I wrote this slightly humorous, tongue-in-cheek fable, Nobody Special, which is now available in 7" x 7" hard or softcover format if you want to actually own one in print (and are not put off by the exorbitant shipping cost); however, I have made the story available so that it can be read entirely online for free. Why? Because in today's world, we all need something to help us sleep better at night, and I don't believe in pharmaceuticals.

PREVIEW BOOK!