{Posted from} Home

The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest ~ Sir Thomas Moore ~


hOMe is where the heART is …


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Art and Found Day 2024

Yesterday was Art and Found Day
March 12 2024
where artists worldwide leave free art in their neighbourhoods. 

Hubby and I headed out in the morning
 (hence the coat, hat and gloves)
bag filled with 4 free art packages 
I chose my usual spots that celebrate two of the things I love most
dogs and books!
leaving my parcels of art in 3 little free libraries and at the leash free park

Our weather has been all over the place, 
so when I was packaging up the art, I wrapped each in a 
recycled plastic sleeve to keep it dry.
Turns out, yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day which seemed to bring
lots of people out walking and hopefully looking for art! 
To see the art before it was wrapped up
please have a look over at my IG account
vintage sparrow studio

The birds were loving the weather
serenading us with their sweet songs as we walked home... joy!
We had commented on the amount of Robin's spotted
when we saw what we thought was an albino Robin.
A quick google search and we read that it was a leucistic Robin , quite rare 
1 in 30,000! Very, very beautiful! 

Happy to be participating again this year in Art and Found.

Next up, Art and Seek July 1 2024. While Art and Found is worldwide, Art and Seek is celebrated in and on Canada Day. 

 

Friday, February 16, 2024

Great Backyard Bird Count . . .

It's that time again . . . 
the Great Backyard Bird Count is happening
February 16-19, 2024

We were all ready yesterday, feeders were freshly filled, pen and pad of paper sitting by the window seat anticipating who would visit the garden.
It's been a very quiet so far which has surprised me
as yesterday we had snow and I thought everyone would be hungry!
 I have however been cooed by a pair of lovely turtle doves while drinking my tea.
Hopeful the weekend will bring more birds into the garden.
Speaking of snow . . . 
we were pretty excited to see the white stuff yesterday (it's been a very mild winter). 
While my husband shoveled last night, I made us a lovely little snow person to sit on our garden bench.
He's only tiny, so no scarf, but he needed something, so I wove some garden vines into a wreath. 
It was too dark to take a photo, I will head out later and take one ;-)
I'm very happy to say that I am the Cover Artist for The Country Register of Ontario.
 
"Warming Station" 
is on the cover of the February/March 2024 issue.
Thank you so much to publisher Harriet Ramos for choosing & supporting my art! 

 Happy birding
& have a wonderful weekend
d xo 

Monday, January 29, 2024

January joys. . .

The huge fluctuation in weather has our French pussy willow tree full of silvery catkins already.
I think we will be cutting branches sooner this year to catch them at their peak.

First time ever seeing a scurry of squirrels!
I was checking to see if we had mail the other day and to my surprise started seeing squirrels, one after the other running down the road in front of our house.
A mixture of grey and black squirrels following each other  ... I quickly started counting and while I'm sure there were more, I spotted 15.  Only wish I had my camera handy.
Did a quick google search and read that it's very unusual to see this and it's the result of squirrels nesting together to keep warm in frigid temperatures.
Happy to be at the right place at the right time.
I love creating inspiration/affirmation collages and have done this since I was a teen.
I keep a basket filled with old magazines just for this purpose.
My January collage has found itself amongst others in the wonderful
January Ageless Possibilities newsletter.
Thank you Helen!
I
My "guiding word" for 2024 chose me.
The word Ardent spoke to me originally after spotting it but I wasn't sure if it was the word  
Ardent: expressing passion, spirit or enthusiasm

It was the word Joy that showed up over and over.
 I was writing "January Joys" down 
while writing in my diary . . . 
then I looked down at my new monthly planner and there it was ... 
today, choose joy.
I like that!

Wishing you a joyful day,
Thanks for stopping by.
d xo 





 

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Happy New Year . . .

Happy New Year 2024!

One week into one of my favourite months :-) which is filled with so much of what I love . . .  

a brand new year * fresh calendar filled with boxes of potential * my birthday * my daughter's birthday* the month I met my husband (47 years ago ... yeah us!! ) * snow (we had our first snowfall last night) * hockey & watching our goalie grandson in tournaments * winter walks * cozy nights in * comfort food *baking* soups simmering on the stove*the smell of hazelnut and vanilla coffee beans freshly ground* turtleneck sweaters* hats and scarves* flannel everything* heating blankets* dinner for two by the fireplace* new books to read* . . .  


"The bright New Year is given me.
To live each day with zest.
To daily grow and try to be
my highest and my best!
I have the opportunity once more
to right some wrong,
to pray for peace,
to plant a tree,
and sing more joyful songs!"
~William Arthur Ward~



Such a wonderful way to begin the year ~ I am the Cover Artist for The Country Register of Michigan
with my painting "Warm words on a cold day" 

Thank you so much Leslie for this wonderful opportunity and supporting me/my art for many years!

"One kind word
can warm three Winter months."
~Japanese Proverb~ 

 Happy New Year ~ Happy Everything!
Thank you for stopping by 
d xo 

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Give the Gift of Art . . .

"Trio"

Available for sale
Grimsby Public Art Gallery
18 Carnegie Lane
Grimsby, Ontario
December 9, 2023 -January 11, 2024
 
I like to begin my paintings, on paper or canvas, by writing a few thoughts down in pencil.
As anyone who knows me, I have a great deal of affinity for Sparrows. I think of them as my spirit animal (if you are wondering why, reading the "Sparrow" section of my blog will tell you) xx
I feel a great deal of comfort when they are around me. 
Not surprisingly, sparrows will be tucked into lots of paintings! Sparrows and nests seem to be a common theme ;-) 
Even though multiple layers of paint will cover up the words that are written, they are forever romantically intertwined creating a visual poetry. A little hidden treasure.
Watching these little sparrows in our garden was such an inspiration and I could not help but think that thankfully, the sparrows did not agree with "two's company and three's a crowd".  All were welcome here; the branch was large enough for all.

The little poem under the layers of |Trio reads: 

Three little birds
sitting side by side
singing such a joyful tune
with happiness, with pride.

Some may say that two is company
but three, well that's a crowd
which only makes each little sparrow
sing their song clearer and more loud!
 


Monday, December 4, 2023

Hello December . . .

I just realized that I hadn't posted anything here for the entire month of November.
It turned out to be a very busy/fun filled month indeed!
Art submissions * Birthday celebrations * Babysitting our daughter's dog for a week * then our son's dog for two weeks * attending some amazing concerts! Patti LuPone and Sarah Brightman* our traditional Mum/Daughter Christmas tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel in beautiful Niagara On The Lake* Christmas workshops 
I've created some sweet little Christmas cards 
from my Original art ~ they are available in my Etsy shop
(link in sidebar)
and some mini cards
Father Christmas
and I know Father Christmas loves black labs as much as we do!
and you know I will always tuck a little sparrow in anywhere I can 
I am thrilled to have had 2 pieces of my work chosen for the
Joy 11 Exhibit
at the beautiful
Summer Grace Gallery
in downtown Oakville.
Soft Landing & Wild Child
The exhibit runs 
November 24, 2023 - January 24, 2024

And equally as thrilled to be part of 
Art in the Workplace
McMaster Innovation Park
Exhibit #37
Hamilton, Ontario
Through the Woods & Melodious Reservoir 
are hanging on the walls of this beautiful space 
from November 3, 2023 - February 29, 2024
If you are in the area, I hope you take the opportunity to visit both spaces.
Art makes such a wonderful gift for the holidays.

~Happy December~
d xo 
 

Friday, October 6, 2023

Autumn Getaway . . .

We took a little mid week getaway to beautiful Niagara On The Lake.
Wine and cheese tasting greeted us when we arrived.
Then it was off to dinner and show ~ we had tickets to see The Amen Corner which was absolutely fabulous complete with Gospel choir music! 
The weather was spectacular.
Perfect for strolling around the streets admiring all the charming homes and gardens.

The sweetest, most gorgeous fence I've ever seen!
Complete with vines, leaves, acorns , squirrels, birds and birds nest.
I've never seen such craftsmanship! 

The streets were lined with horse chestnut trees and we filled our pockets with conkers found on the sidewalks. 
I love finding little free libraries as I stroll, especially when the libraries are mini versions of the home.



Old trucks filled to the brim with flowers . . .  yes please!
Happy October
d xo