Merry Christmas Wishes

May the Spirit of Christmas fill your heart

with

Love

Joy

&

Peace

Thank you for all your visits & lovely comments.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas

and Love, Luck and Laughter

for 2022!

d xo 

 

Hello December . . .

December ... that time of year when Vintage Sparrow Studio shares space with Mrs. Claus :-D

Home made Christmas gifts are always on the "list".  I've made these Santas for years and they always make me smile.  This year they were all painted on driftwood.  I had collected so many lovely pieces on morning lake walks, so they all hold wonderful memories too.  Once painted, I added a teeny tiny hook, red and white twine and a coffee stained, hand stamped Merry Christmas tag. On the back of each tag I wrote a favourite holiday quote .

This past weekend our grandson was marching with his Scout's group in the Santa Claus parade.

Our family, all bundled up, lined along the path, waving and cheering. Seeing Santa through the eyes of our grandsons, our children watching their children with beaming smiles and our grandpups in tartan bows . . .  THAT is what it's all about! xo 

Morning devotional * meditation * journaling and tea 

I've been bundling up and having my first cup of tea on our back porch and it has been such a lovely way to start the day. 

A page from an older journal. . . 

Making tags and cards from one of my Santa paintings . . . 

Pure joy . . . 

Advent

Tinker has made his appearance and sits happily on the stairs waiting for grandsons . . . 

And the most lovely surprise this past Friday when our daughter came down on the train to spend the weekend. We crammed everything we could in the time we had together . . .  lots of walks, Christmas shopping, cooking, baking, a walk down to the lake to take in the Festival of Lights, Santa Claus parade, Christmas movies and laughs!!!

Happy Monday 

d xo

 

The boundless creativity of the Universe . . .

"The creative process, like a spiritual journey, is intuitive, non-linear, and experiential. 

It points us toward our essential nature, which is a reflection of the boundless creativity of the Universe"

-John Dido Loori-

Serenity and Inspiration found

All the beauty November brings

The quiet hush of a morning 

Walking meditation

And a visit with my favourite tree ;-)

Happy Monday 

xo d 

 

Arts Burlington Holiday Sale . . .

The countdown has begun.

Starting tomorrow, the much anticipated Arts Burlington Holiday Sale goes live.

November 20-December 31 2021 -  arts burlington . ca 

Over 60 artists will be offering everything from the six Guilds

Burlington Fine Arts Association * Burlington Carvers & Sculptors Guild * Burlington Potters' Guild*

Burlington Hooking Craft Guild * Latow Photography Guild 

 photography * pottery* carving * weaving * rug hooking* and art.

I have original art pieces priced from $50.00 - $350.

Everything from framed pieces of art to mid sized canvas. Gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list.

I will be offering Porch pickup from my home studio (Covid safety protocols followed) and/or delivery options which we can discuss ;-) 

Looking forward to a wonderful Holiday show!!

As an intuitive artist, I love working with and exploring a variety of mediums.

The seasons, water, trees, nature, folklore and the mystery and wonder of it all strongly influence my work.

I live in a beautiful corner of the world where I can be by water and woods and I gather so much inspiration and serenity from both. There is so much beauty, magic and positive energy to be found sitting quietly, listening to the inner wisdom and teachings of the Earth.

In deepest gratitude, I paint xo

 

Weekends & Weavings . . .

Had a wonderful time this past Sunday gallery sitting at Headwaters Arts in the beautiful Alton Mills Art Centre. Met and chatted with so many lovely people who were out  holiday shopping for one-of-a-kind pieces & Headwaters Arts certainly has those!

Jewelry * scarves * cards * housewares *art in many mediums * in a wide range of price points to suit every budget.

The Artful Giving Gift Show and Sale is on until January 2 2022.  

Thrilled to have some of my mixed media art panel/weavings available in this beautiful space.

Arrived nice and early Sunday so I could have a look around too and visit all the shops/art galleries within Alton Mill.

 

A circle of stories . . .

I was walking around the garden gathering up twigs , snipping off  dried flower heads and returning the  seeds back to the earth.

The beautiful gold leaves of our Maple tree were dancing and twirling all around me on this windy Friday. Our lawn is a carpet of gold.

As I walked around our property, my pockets filled with found treasures (including a tiny cardinal feather), I began to weave long pieces of vine from our honeysuckle into a circle. Lovely and soft and palpable, I soon had a tiny little wreath in my hand. The holidays are on my mind and I have a few ideas for these little mini wreaths :-) They will tell "a circle of stories"

We are all circles

within circles

with no beginning

and never ending 

"Follow your own circle

see where it takes you"

-Adrienne Posey-

A circle of stories sits on my art table

Filled with circles within circles, this mixed media piece combines  an eclectic mixture of needle punch, acrylic paint, and a quirky little weaving of twigs, birch bark, and feathers.  I felt a bit like a little bird as I created this piece and tucking lots of little found objects inside the nest. 

I'm still trying to decide how to finish this piece.  Some ideas I have are to stretch the fabric over wood, 

 frame it in a rustic frame of barn board or weave the edges into a grapevine wreath. 

"Life is a full circle

widening

until it joins

the circle motions

of the infinite"

-Anais Nin-

A circle of stories ... maybe that's why I love painting nests so much xo

~happy Friday~

xo d

 

the holiday spirit . . .

~Snowflakes & Santa~

Even though we have been experiencing the most amazing weather these past few days, it's all about snowflakes * Santa * and the holiday spirit in my little sparrow studio.

I keep this little black and white photo out year round. It's tucked into the ribbon covered memo board I have on the wall above my computer along with other family photos. 3 year old me, Brighton England , filled with joy and excitement at meeting Father Christmas. I still feel that childhood joy this time of the year .  It really is a time of magic . . .  a time to believe! 

Yesterday we had a wonderful drive to Alton taking in all the stunning autumnal colours along the way.

I was dropping off my art for the upcoming Artful Giving Gift Show and Sale.

Thrilled to be part of this juried holiday show featuring one-of-a-kind handcrafted gift items.

The show runs November 10th until January 2nd and is at Headwaters Arts in Alton, Ontario  which is located in the gorgeous Alton Mill.

An old mill building, Alton Mill is filled with inspirational little galleries inside and a sculpture garden on the grounds.

Such a lovely way to ease into the holiday season, start your shopping and support local artists.

Happy Tuesday

xo d

 

In the holiday spirit . . .

It's so exciting to be able to view Art in person once again and I am thrilled to be part of the

Burlington Art Association's

"Small is Beautiful" show.

View in person at the Fireside Lounge, Art Gallery of Burlington and/or on line at

http: // www.  Burlington fine arts . com / exhibitions . html 

Sparrow Sitting is part of the show

Acrylic on canvas 10" x 8"

nestled into a lovely white float frame making it 11" x 9" 

Painted with love & joy as one of our sweet garden sparrow "modeled" for me :-D 

Happy Saturday

xo d 

 

Artistic direction . . .

I've been finding all these little story telling vignettes within my abstract painting pieces lately.

They have really taken me by surprise as I paint them very free flowing, often turning the paper around as I go, so to find distinct shapes in the end result is quite serendipitous! 

Like this one, where there was a group of friends gathering.

"Even abstract shapes must have a likeness"

-Willem De Kooing-

"I am searching for abstract ways

of expressing reality,

abstract forms 

that will enlighten

my mystery"

-Eric Cantona-

And then there was this man ... making waves in his boat as he headed towards shore ... waving at his love waiting :-) 

"In every landscape

there should reside

jewels of abstract art

waiting to be discovered"

-Melissa Brown-

These are the images I'm seeing... perhaps you see something else ... I'd love to know! 

Have a wonderful day,

d x 

 "Nothing is more abstract

than reality"

-Giorgio Morandi-

Wearing many hats ...

It's finally cool enough to wear my Connor handmade wool hat which I am totally in love with!

I had done my research prior to purchase and chose Connor hats for more than just looks.

Their commitment to the environment, no single use plastics, cruelty free merino sheep wool and for every hat sold, 12 trees are planted to name a few. It even has a tiny little "secret pocket" inside the brim which appeals to the whimsical, quirky side of me ;-)

It's crushable and waterproof with a high UPF protection so I can tuck it in my bike basket and when I get to where I'm riding to, switch out my helmet for my hat!

"If a woman rebels against high heeled shoes,

she should take care to do it in a very smart hat"

-George Bernard Shaw-

Always at least one heart shaped stone waiting

Breathing in, I calm my body

Breathing out, I smile

Dwelling in this present moment

I know this is a wonderful moment 

4 wheels move the body

but

2 wheels move the soul

happy Sunday

d x 

 

Happy Thanksgiving weekend . . .

 *leaves changing colour * nights drawing in * fires * pumpkins * fall hikes * chunky sweaters * comfort food * baking * fall fairs * apple picking * long country drives*

 taking in all the beauty of Autum! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

d x