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 

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!

 

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 

 

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 

 

Hello September . . .

Blooms, bees and bunnies in our September Garden . . . 

heart shaped nibbles :-) 

lunchtime for one of our sweet garden bunnies  

Happy September

d xo 

 

Our August Garden . . .

A rain on and off sort of day today, and the birds don't seem to mind at all & neither do I! 

We are both happily singing  ;-)

There are so many bees in our garden which thrills us to no end! 

They especially love the trumpet vine 

tiny paper white butterflies have been visiting

the Cosmos are getting taller and taller.

Next week I will start gathering dried seed heads from the plants.

It's beginning to take on that Autumn feeling, cooler temperatures, sweater wearing, the days drawing in, all feeling very cozy (which I love). I've been making more dinners in the oven than the BBQ - comfort food.

Tonight, it's veg shepherd's pie and peach cobbler. 

Starting a new painting this afternoon

Autumn themed :-) 

Have a wonderful Wednesday

d xo  

August Happenings . . .

It's been a busy August in my little corner of the world.

From garden parties & girlfriends I haven't seen in ages to grandson sleepovers

and everything in between.

Grateful for it all!

There hasn't been much time spent in my little Sparrow Studio

but the other day, remembering I had a few canvas packages still unopened,  

I pulled out my acrylic paints, put on some jazz and enjoyed a few hours creating.

It all started with this little Wren who I had watched in our garden.

Next, a Sparrow (of course) and before I knew it, I had a Woodland Garden Collection painting everything spotted in our wild garden.

Wren* Sparrow*Fox*Raven*Hare* Nest 

I've kept a watercolour pad and my Van Gogh paints in the sunporch

and painted some watercolour tags

Both the tags and Canvas have been added to my Etsy shop today.

And as we move towards the end of August/Summer, I've included the postage :-)

Happy August days

d xo