getting ready for a new year!

People have been asking and I have good news! My 2018 poster calendars are now READY for you! Some of you will keep one for yourself, others will get one to gift a special someone who makes your days brighter all year round, and the smart ones will  do both.  I hope everyone who hangs one of my year-at-a-glance calendars will feel joy each time they look to my bright designs.

Three designs again, one with words to inspire, though the others tell a story too.  All are ocean related.  The tea cups were photographed at a picnic with my daughter at a local beach (can you guess which shores we lazed upon?).  The octopus is entitled “Look at Me” and how can you not gaze upon her bright colours? The sea star was painted with hope and in honour of the purple sea stars that are struggling with Sea Star Wasting Syndrome (SSWS) along our coast.  How happy was I to notice what seemed like an increase in their numbers this summer on Gabriola! I was also lucky to go out to one of the survey sites in Tofino with Strawberry Isle Marine Research, where they have been getting local volunteers to help them monitor sea stars and SSWS.

2018 at a Glance 12x18 octopus LOOK AT ME

2018 at a Glance 12x18  sea star EVENING WALK2018 at a Glance 12x18 tea at the beach

Here’s hoping the days of 2018 will continue to be good ones for all of you AND all our ocean neighbours!  May the octopus remind you that many hands (arms) make light work (ask for help when you need it!) and also remind you to stay flexible in the year ahead.  May this sea star enjoying a night walk on the beach remind you to slow down in the coming year (and go to the beach more!).  May this tea party at the beach remind you to take time to celebrate each and every moment (use the “good stuff” just for any old day!).

As always, these 12 x 18 inch calendars are printed on 100% recycled paper, so they are big and bright and good for the earth!  Locals can order their calendars directly from me to avoid shipping.  Out of town orders,  please purchase yours in my etsy shop! Special discounts for bulk orders, so contact me if you want to get a bunch for everyone on your holiday gifting list! Don’t they look sweet rolled up with a ribbon?

look at me

look at me

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).

three pieces

an octopus crawled into my studio!

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!

octopus in my studiooctopus in progress

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!