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Tuesday, March 7, 2023

March Madness . . .

Only one week into March but it has been a busy one with lots happening

and this is a long catch-up post!

Here goes :-)

My self-care studio practice tip made it into the pages of this beautiful magazine . . .

You can find me on page 130

75 ways to practice creative self-care

. . . my tip is #9 :-)

in her studio

The unpredictable weather (snowstorms, sleet, rain, heavy winds) sent our French pussy willow into a full 2nd blooming. Our potting shed is already filled with cut branches as it bloomed early, but the amount of snow we have in the garden makes it impossible for my husband to climb the extension ladder to cut these newly bloomed branches down.

They certainly do look beautiful though.

A Cooper's Hawk had been circling around the neighbourhood which kept the little birdies away from the feeders. We were all ready to do the GBBC at the end of last month but that didn't happen. Just starting to see them return now. Our turtle dove couple is back which is always a sign that Spring is just around the corner.

On the days when the sun was shining, we spotted the squirrels taking full advantage of the warmth by laying out on the fence posts. I love to watch their faces which show pure joy as their fur glistens in the sunlight.

Always teachers of making every moment count . . . it really is the little things.

They take nothing for granted.

I've been participating in a few projects over on Instagram starting with the # 100 day project.

A global art project where you choose a project to do every day for 100 days.

I'm creating affirmation/positive thought cards. I already had a new package of index cards in my art cupboard (100 in the package) and at 5" x 3" they are the ideal size for creating mixed media art.

I tend to go a bit more abstract when making these which is fun too as it's something different.

Of course, birds and nests have already found their way on a few cards . . .

a great way to use up little scraps of paper and paint.

Here's today's card

14/100

*bloom at your own pace*

And on the back of each

I've added the number ~ 14/100

and a little positive thought xo

*I created a hashtag on Instagram where you can view all the cards in one spot*

it's # olde soul sparrow

It's that time of year again . . .

The Dundas Valley School of Art Auction.

I delivered 4 pieces of art for the auction this year which is the 52nd Annual Art Auction

The Auction runs April 10-16

online biding begins April 10 and the work can be viewed in person at the Dundas Valley School of Art.

And while I've been doing all this painting, my poor ukelele has been sitting, unplayed for weeks.

100 days of Uke 2023 with Cynthia Lin was the gentle nudge I needed!

Watching Cynthia Lin's online videos was how I taught myself how to play Ukelele.

"I can bring myself flowers" is the practice plan for today.

I can't begin to say how much joy this little Uke brings me!

Finally got around to an idea I've had for ages.

In fact, I'd forgotten about it, then found it by accident looking through an old journal where I jotted down "ideas".

A Woodland Blessings cross

Filled with lots of woodland animals

a moon

trees

grass and mossy fields

of course, a little nest had to find its way

and some pussy willows

(my life in paint)

I wrote my own little Woodland blessings prayer on the back.

Signed, dated, varnished, with a little hook for easy hanging.

lovely for a

wedding

confirmation

christening

baptism

housewarming

office/workspace

meditation/ focus spot

Art and Found Day is quickly approaching.

I've already decided on the spots I'll be dropping off free art on

Sunday March 12 in Burlington

and I will leave a few pieces with my daughter Kate who will

hide them in Toronto as she walks with her dog Harry (our grandpup)

I love this artist "give back to the community" idea started by artist Courtney Senior.

Watch my Instagram page as I leave some hints as to where you can find my free original art!

*think dog and book lovers*

"For I will Protect you"

The 36th Art Exhibit has started at

McMaster University

Innovation Park

Art in the Workplace.

I am so pleased to have had my 2 submissions accepted into this wonderful, juried show.

"A Springtime Start"

Exhibit on from

March 3 2023 - June 29 2023

I was really hoping to participate in a few other projects over on Instagram: March meet the maker as well as a photography project that sounded lovely. I'm a week late for the first and a day late for the latter, so may be able to jump in :-)

I hope this first week of March has been filled with lots of joyful moments,

thanks for stopping by!

d xo

Thursday, February 16, 2023

February flowers . . .

"I feel as if I had opened a book,

and found roses of yesterday,

sweet and fragrant,

between its leaves"

-L. M. Montgomery-

I see heart curls :-)

I added my "grandson" flowers

to my hubby's flowers

It's amazing how flowers bring so much happiness ~ especially when they are given with love

from the one's we love.

***

"Our flowers grow

in many directions.

Our roots are one"

-unknown-

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Hello February . . .

hello to quiet stitchery

and snowy days

to writing poetry

and planning springtime garden beds

"In seed time learn

in harvest teach

in winter enjoy"

-William Blake-

I've been cleaning out my little sparrow studio and selling pieces of original art panels {listed in my Etsy shop - vintage sparrow studio if you are interested} ~Entangled~ is one of the pieces available.

February is for admiring the beauty found in nature -

"I prefer Winter and Fall

when you feel the bone structure of the landscape -

the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of Winter.

Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show."

-Andrew Wyeth-

for candles and a good book

(even one you have read many times) ;-)

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth

for the touch of a friendly hand

and for a talk beside the fire:

it is a time for home."

-Edith Sitwell-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose,

if there were no winter in our year!"

-Thomas Wentworth Higginson-

~Happy February~

d xo

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

For I am . . .

It's been snowing since early this morning with no signs of slowing down.

I always worry about our garden birds, squirrels and critters when the weather turns quickly like this. I knew we were in for a lot of snow just watching them yesterday as they scurried about and made sure that the bird feeders were filled to the brim.

My painting "For I am" is filled with beautiful animals and sentiment. Painted primarily using a palette knife giving the painting tons of depth and texture.

Since I start my paintings by jotting down my thoughts in pencil first, these are the words found underneath all the paint.

For I am
a part of everything around me
of every animal, bird and tree
a part of me is in them
a part of them, in me

the song of birds
and whispers of trees
moonlight, stars
nests and leaves

entangled in a sacred chain
the circle of life
no beginning and no end
this blessing is our Godsend.

8" x 10" Prints are available in my Etsy shop (link on sidebar)

Original 9" x 12" acrylic on paper available ~ please message me for information.

Blessings,

deb xo

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Happy New Year . . .

"This bright New Year is given me

to live each day with zest.

To daily grow and try to be

my highest and my best!

Once more to right some wrong,

to pray for peace

to plant a tree

and sing more joyful songs"

-William Arthur Ward-

We had a lovely Christmas (hope you did as well) & have just put away the last of the holiday decorations. I seem to linger a little bit longer over each item as it's tucked safely away, more and more each passing year.

The twinkle lights that surround the four large windows in our kitchen remain up all year . . . for we do love our twinkle lights!

Not so much into making New Year's Resolutions, but I have for many years chosen a 'guiding word'. A whispered commitment to myself. The word 'intention' appeared over and over throughout the past few months. It felt like the word for me :-)

"A simple practice of intentionality.

When I do it, my life is different.

More purposeful, more consciously lived,

more content with any action"

- Leo Babauta-

"Creating an intentional life.

Discover your why,

create achievable goals,

and cultivate the life

of your dreams"

- Rebekah Joan-

I have my lovely new 2023-day planner and an assortment of journals ~ one to keep notes of my morning spiritual practice - meditation * gratitude* prayer* setting an intention*, one to art journal in, one to keep track of the books I read in 2023. . . eleven days into the New Year and I've already finished 3 books! Another is to document my morning walks, jotting down all the things spotted as I walk. January 1 st : Gifts this morning on my walk included a formation of geese flying and honking over us * a hedge of chirping sparrows* (I stopped walking for a while upon coming across these little treasures because ... well .... sparrows!) * adorable Doggies wearing their new Christmas sweaters * little free library book finds *

"As you start to walk on the way,

the way appears"

- Rumi-

This September marks 17 years of blogging for me! I can hardly believe it. I'm still surprised to look at my stats and the number of readers this little spot shows. Thank you!

It all began quite innocently as a way for my BFF of 63 years who lives in England and I to keep in touch between letters :-) These days, my social media presence is mostly on my Instagram account where I post almost daily. It's there that I write about what's happening in my little corner of the world, what I'm painting/creating and shows coming up etc. Link is in the sidebar - I'd love for you to follow me there xo

Happy New Year Blessings!

deb

Monday, December 5, 2022

Find me here . . .

With only 20 days until Christmas, I thought I would mention two wonderful spots to find original art and special Christmas gifts.

I am thrilled to have my work in both the Alton Mill Arts Centre in the Headwaters Arts Gallery and Innovation Park Art in the Workplace.

Original art

Cards created from my original art

and one-of-a-kind driftwood Santas, each hand painted and sealed with a little hook, twine for hanging, tiny bell and hand stamped Merry Christmas tag.

I love picking up pieces of driftwood on my morning lake walks and the more unusual the shape the better. Each piece is washed and thoroughly dried and when it's time to paint, their own unique personality comes through. I must say, they are a joy to paint and bring a smile to my face and hopefully to others who see them. A little love from Lake Ontario and me!