for the BEES!

Posted on May 28, 2017 by admin

The spring sunshine is finally bringing us some heat and everything is growing so lush and green right now. Flowers all seem to be blooming at once and amongst the bright petals I can hear happy buzzing — it seems the bees are just as happy as we are to finally feel proof that winter is over! Even though spring seems to have only just begun, somehow summer seems to be nearly here. Today we went swimming in the sea (first dip of the year!) and later I enjoyed a lazy tea on my deck, damselflies and dragonflies zooming all around. For dinner we enjoyed a BBQ (on the deck again!) with baby birds chirping in the birdhouse above our heads and hummingbirds keeping us company. It really does feel like summer….a trick, I know, as June is quite often cool and wet on our island. But today I am am enjoying this little gift of sunshine! One can almost forget that tomorrow we all have school and work to return to….

….and meanwhile, while we are working away, so are the bees! I finished this piece this week in their honour! Words taken from a vintage children’s book of poems seem to fit the mood, don’t you think?

You can see this wee piece in person at a SWEET group art show here on Gabriola Island. FOR THE BEES is on display now until June 17th at Hive Emporium. Why not stop by and take a moment to see how we have been inspired to pay tribute to these important animals?

look at me

Posted on February 19, 2017 by admin

My octopus painting is DONE and I wanted to share a sneak peek with you! I call it “LOOK AT ME” (in part because I cannot stop looking at her)! If you want to get a proper look at her, please come to the SQUARED Art Show happening this weekend on Gabriola! If you cannot make it, all images go live (and can be purchased online) on Saturday! My girls also have paintings in the show…Alex is done and Raena is nearly there…here’s a peek at theirs…amazing how somehow all our colours coordinate (and we all painted animals).

an octopus crawled into my studio!

Posted on February 18, 2017 by admin

You never know what might happen on this magical little island I live on! Indeed, today it seems that an octopus has crawled up three flights of stairs and into my studio! She sure makes me happy with her joyful curves. Reminding me to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and enjoy this moment. Oh and that sun streaming in the window sure makes the day better too!

Stay tuned to see how this new friend turns out….you can meet her at SQUARED – the art show opening this Friday night on Gabriola. The show runs all weekend and my girls will be selling their pieces too! They do not want me to post any pics yet, so all you get is a hint – they both painted animals too! Why not drop by and have a look….there will be 126 canvases – over 90 artists, including 15 youth. BE THERE and BE SQUARE!

wings out S T R E T C H E D

Posted on January 10, 2016 by admin

Sometimes it pays to procrastinate! I have been mulling over various painting ideas for an upcoming art show for months now. Luckily, I had not started painting any of them over the holidays (as planned) because a photo popped up earlier this week on the internet that grabbed my attention. Just as we were getting an unexpected snowfall on Gabriola, I was being inspired by this captivating image of a snowy owl in flight that was photographed by Transport Canada’s traffic camera along a highway in Montreal. Isn’t she incredible!?

Having spent too much time trying to decide on too many ideas, the snow outside the window and this snowy owl made the decision for me. Another bonus to having delayed my start on this piece is that apparently the chocolate advent calendars from the recycle bins make excellent palettes! Best of all is the fact that this image speaks to my creative heart like none of the other ideas had done. So with these outstretched wings taking shape on the 6 x 36 inch canvas I was given for next weekend’s art show, I am almost ready to join nearly 50 other artists to get Stretched!

adding more colour

I just need to paint the eyes and finish the background. I hope you will come see how she turns out! Did I mention that my daughters are both putting the finishing touches on two of these extra long canvasses too? They will not let me give you a peek just yet, so you really will have to come to the show on Gabriola next weekend (at the Women’s Institute Hall). You will find us and our art at the opening Friday night from 7 – 9 pm (with wine & cheese). Or pop in Saturday or Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm. Come see how each artist has stretched themselves! In the meantime, check out the Facebook page for more sneak previews!

P.S. Here is what this happy artist looked like when she got snow this week! Now do you see why the snowy owl called to me so much!?

artist of the month !

Posted on September 6, 2014 by admin

Guess who is the artist of the month for September at the Old Crow Cafe here on my little island? I am so happy to say that yours truly has filled the art wall at this fabulous and funky cafe with a bunch of new art! The theme of the show was inspired by a commission I have been working on for ages (you have seen it before here), a piece that makes me think of summer nights and play. It reminded me that September really is the twilight of summer and so I went with that. I painted some more evening sparkly sky and moon pieces (oh those big bright moons this summer had us all out late didn’t they!?), added a dash of inspirational art in similar blue tones, tossed in a collage in honour of so many visitors and feasts (including a pie party), added a couple of oyster catchers (I have been inspired by them all summer and they have waited patiently for me to bring them to life on the canvas), and topped it off with a “rain meets the sea” painting in honour of that touch of much needed rain we got last week.

Et voila, THE TWILIGHT OF SUMMER is on display for all to enjoy as we enjoy these last days in the twilight of the summer of 2014. Won’t you please drop by the Old Crow Cafe and take a peek while you enjoy some great food!?! P.S. I already have a few red dots, so get there soon if you want to buy something (tee hee).