JanuMerry . . .

I love the month of January for so many reasons ....

the beginning of a brand New Year, opening a new journal, hanging up the New Years calendar,

snowy days, bundled up walks, crackling fires in our family room, homemade soups simmering on the stove, cozy nights at home ... my list of Winter love goes on and on.

And then, add in an Anniversary xo, and birthdays ~ one being my own!

The night before my birthday, I looked through my flower press and chose some blooms.

I laid twine across each section of a muffin tin, placed a few petals on the twine and topped with water.

They sat out overnight under the Full Wolf Moon.

In the morning, when I brought them into the house and placed them on the kitchen

counter, it didn't take long for them to begin to lift to the top!

It was time to take them back outside where I strung them on the branches of our purple

cherry tree.

It made for the perfect birthday banner.

The cold temperatures were ideal for keeping the banner frozen for days to enjoy!

"All we ever need is right where we are,

if we can open the ordinary treasure

that is always before us"

~Mark Nepo~ 

 

Happy New Year ....

Happy New Year

Happy JanuMerry

It's been a bitterly cold January ... -14 today.  Our Christmas decorations are staying up for a little longer ... we are never in a rush to put them away & twinkle lights are a staple in our home, so most of those will stay put.  We call this month "JanuMerry" 

There is nothing lovelier for me, then waking up early in the morning, pitch black outside, putting on the kettle and plugging in the twinkle lights which give off a lovely, comforting glow. The ideal light for morning devotion* journal*meditation. 

 I was looking through photos and found this oldie which is still one of my absolute favourites from our garden.  Anyone who knows us, knows how much we love birds and squirrels and have done everything to make our garden a safe haven for both. The squirrels provide endless amounts of amusement as we watch them from our kitchen window seat.  The nest was built on top of our pergola and home to the Robin's brood.  Sweet Squirrel found it to be the ideal hiding spot for a peanut in its shell! She painstakingly buried it deep in the nest and covered it with snow :-) 

"The sparrows are preparing for Winter,

each one dressed

in a plain brown coat

and singing a cheerful song"

~Charles Kuralt~ 

Happy New Year Blessings.

Thank you for stopping by.

d xo 

 

The gifts of December ....

 

A nest of spun gold

.... the words underneath the paint read ...

"She built her nest with Faith and Optimism.

Gathering twigs and weaving them with found golden thread"

When ever given the chance to have a close up look at a nest I love spotting unusual nesting materials found .... often there will be string or ribbon woven through the twigs xo

Throughout the year, I donate art to various organizations /causes.  I think it's important to "give back" in any way you can & even the smallest gestures have a huge impact!   A nest of spun gold is an original painted in acrylics on canvas board. It measures 8.5 " x 7" and is my last donation of the year to the

Layna Gallinaro Scholarship Award Silent Auction

Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ontario

through

32 auctions. com 

9 days until Christmas!!!

Have a wonderful week,

d xo 

On Paper: Art Show & Sale . . .

On Paper: Art Show & Sale

Exhibition Dates

November 23, 2024 - January 11, 2025

Main Gallery

Grimsby Public Art Gallery

18 Carnegie Ln

Grimsby, Ontario

I am so happy to have had both my submissions accepted!

The Grimsby Public Art Gallery is celebrating 50 years of Art in Grimsby, and I am so grateful to be celebrating this milestone with them.

Love is the Foundation & Surrounded by Love

Love is the foundation 

from which everything is built.

The Universal message of love ~ to give unconditionally

and freely.

To know you are surrounded by love

in a place where you belong

You start your day with a Joy filled heart

and a melodious song.

Opening Reception: December 5, 2024, ~6:30 - 8:30 pm 

 

Birdtober ......

Last month I participated in a fun "art challenge" called Birdtober 2024.

There was a Prompt list for each day of October with the name of a bird.

I started a fresh art journal and decided on a page layout ~ ultimately deciding on a two-page spread with a headshot, egg study, feather meaning, nesting habits and some notes on each bird.  It was so much fun to do, and the bonus was learning about birds I don't normally paint. I embellished the pages with a pressed flower from my garden attached with washi tape.  I'm not sure how I will fill in the remainder of the pages left in the art journal ... maybe I will just paint the birds at our feeder this month (there have been so many) and add some favourite bird quotes. 

I hope you enjoy looking through the pages xo 

 

Hello November . . .

Welcoming in the month of November with having my two art submissions accepted into

Art in the Workplace, McMaster Innovation Parks #40th Exhibit.

The exhibit runs from November - February 2025.

Always so grateful to have this beautiful, welcoming space, and have my art sharing the walls with other talented, passionate artists.

This submission was a bit different as I entered two of my largest canvas pieces.  I normally go with smaller pieces around 9" x 12".  As with my other pieces, they have a little story written & tucked in underneath all the paint. Inspired by woodland walks. xx 

They fly to her

***

30" x 30"

One gentle touch

and friends abound

who gather near

where kindness is found.

An open heart 

an outstretched hand

gentle whispers spoken

to friends as they land.

They fly to her

when a storm is brewing

with gifts of song

and gentle cooing.

~deb dunn~

As though I had Wings

***

23" x 31"

 Strength and strings

woven things

embrace my day

and all that it brings.

Take me on a journey

I may never have again

Let me ride with you

as though I had wings.

~deb dunn~

You can see both pieces in person at:

Art in the Workplace

McMaster Innovation Park

175 Longwood Road Sough

Hamilton, Ontario 

October sunshine .....

It's been a busy time in my little corner of the world & I just realized that it's been a while since I posted anything here!

We've been taking in all the beauty of our favourite season with lots of woodland walks, family outings at the pumpkin patch, apple picking, beach walks and because the weather has been so amazing, autumn picnics. Visits to Stratford and Niagara on the lake to watch wonderful plays made for lovely little getaways throughout the weeks. 

I finished an exciting project I've been asked to illustrate :-) and I will share more on that soon.

I'm thrilled to have two pieces of art accepted into Exhibit 40 at Innovation Park, Hamilton, Ontario which will run November -January 2025.

As though I had wings & They fly to her. These are two of my largest pieces of work to date, measuring 23" x 32" & 30" x 30.5".  Both are filled with lots of detail, texture & love.

 

~as though I had wings~

the words underneath the painting...

Strength and strings

woven things

embrace my day, and all it brings

take me on a journey I may never have again

let me ride with you

as though I had wings.

~they fly to her~ 

the words underneath the painting ...

One gentle touch

and friends abound

who gather near

where kindness is found.

An open heart

an outstretched hand

gentle whispers spoken

to friends as they land.

They fly to her

when a storm is brewing

with gifts of song

and gentle cooing. 

Next month I'll be at Appleby United Church's Christmas Market

 Saturday, November 23

4407 Spruce Avenue

Burlington, Ontario

9:30 am - 3pm

I'll be bringing small pieces of original art, prints, cards, weavings, painted stones and driftwood Santas.

All the driftwood for my Santas has been gathered on morning walks along Lake Ontario. Each piece is wonderfully unique allowing each Santa to be a bit different than the next. 

I love painting them and watching their personalities come alive.

"Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons"

"October sunshine bathed the park

with such a melting light

that it had the dimmed expressive look

of a landscape by an old master"

~Elizabeth Enright~ 

Our home is all decorated and ready for trick -or-treaters Halloween night.

I hope you've been taking in all the beauty of this beautiful Autumn season.

Thanks for stopping by,

d xo