send them some love

It seems my secret plot is working!  My hope that by making my art into cards, more people will send real mail!  My cards are selling fast at two local shops (Artzi Stuff in Nanaimo and Village Foods here on Gabriola).  Tonight I am packaging up some new cards to take to the stores and hoping that this is not just a Valentine’s trend, that people will continue to share their love and words through mail, real old fashioned mail.

This week we mailed off our own love notes to our family, including my grandparents.  I enclosed some old photos to honour their love, a love so big that it still holds them together in their nineties.  Even as my Granny’s mind cannot remember what day it is or where she is, she knows my Grandpa.  To her, he still is “such a great dancer….such a dreamboat”. Though she no longer writes to us, she still gets joy from our notes and photos.  She cannot navigate a phone or computer anymore, but she can still hold our letters in her hands & “hear” our stories through our words.  All thanks to good old-fashioned mail.

my grandparents, now in their  nineties

Yes, I will continue to hope that my plot to keep real mail alive will work.  I hope that when I am old and grey there will be letters and photos coming to me from my far flung family.  I know I will continue to write to them as long as I am able.

P.S.  Don’t you think this new card design is perfect for Valentine’s Day?  I am pretty sure that oystercatchers exchange periwinkles with their loved ones…..they seem to be the perfect intertidal bonbon!

morning snack

a little local art shop

Somehow I have failed to tell you that I am now part of a local cooperative art gallery on Gabriola! I joined the Pier Gallery Artists Collective at the end of May and since then I have been selling paintings, cards and calendars to visitors from all over the world! Today a group from Australia left with my teacup calendar and a couple from Vancouver bought 5 of my art cards (which I imagine will travel to others who will discover my art from a distance)…and three of my paintings have already sold.

During my shifts at the gallery (located at the Silva Bay Marina), I really enjoy chatting with locals, visitors, and so many boaters.  Raena came down to help out one day and cannot wait until her next chance to help with the cash register (living math and another successful homeschooling moment for her).  Alex is hoping to come down for my next shift!proud new gallery memberwith my happy helper!she loves being part of it all

The gallery is open 7 days a week.  Find out more about the collective and see some of the art on our Facebook page.  Creations made by two dozen artists await you!  There is something for everyone…..organic lotions and soaps, herbal teas, pottery, jewellery, fused glass, paintings, photography, art cards, quilted art, tie dye clothes, handcrafted leather, pillows and aprons and more.  We even have fun filled grab bags just for the kids!

Why don’t you drop by and say hello?come on in!