On the Hook - Sold

 

On the Hook, 12x12 oil

This past summer, a family of wrens moved into a birdhouse in my backyard.  They were hard to spot, I could hear them before seeing them.  Eventually I could hear the babies chirping in the depths of the birdhouse, while waiting for a parent to bring them more food.  I'm not sure if or when they left but I hope they'll be back next summer.  

Where has the time gone!?  The summer flew by.  There was barely anything to mark it's passage, but somehow it just went, as time does.  A few socially distanced meetups with friends as highlights, and of course watching my new baby grandson grow bigger and stronger with each passing week.  I would say that if there was anything good about the pandemic, it would be that I have spent a lot of time in my backyard watching and counting the variety of birds visiting the feeder, (or taking a sip from the saucers of water).  I took many photos and researched the varieties of birds I never realized had passed through my backyard; some I still haven't figured out their names.  My fascination with birds, unfortunately, has left my gardens looking as unruly as ever...but to be fair, it was a very hot summer.    

Topless

 

 

Topless, 12x12 inches

oil on cradled birch panel

 

I love to take advantage of all the fresh produce available at this time of year, (to paint and eat).  When it comes to beets though, I really only like to paint them.  I love their deep earthy tones.  The problem is, I don't like waste so I cook them up, puree them and bake them in a cake with lots of chocolate. There is never any waste when it comes to chocolate cake.

                                                     

Sweet Peppers

Fresh sweet peppers grown locally.  The beautiful unavoidable crisp vibrant colours!  This is what attracted me to these peppers.  You may have seen the cloth the peppers are sitting on in previous paintings.  I love how the colours of the peppers are repeated in the cloth, with the bit of blue contrast.  I actually had a couple of green peppers, but chose not to add them to the composition since there is plenty of green in the cloth and the stems of the peppers.

 

(24x24 inches, oil on canvas)     

Parched

Parched 12x12 oil

During these hot summer days I can't help but think of my little feathered friends.  Every summer I put a few saucers of water on a table in the shade of a tree.  Of course, it's a great way to attract birds to the backyard, especially when I'm waiting a few feet away with my camera. 

Perfect Palette

Perfect Palette, 12x12 oil

Sometimes a burst of colour is good for the soul.  Yes, things are looking up!  Gradually the stores and businesses are coming back to life, at least the ones that were able to 'weather the storm'.  Things almost look normal.  I can now get most of what I need as long as I remember to follow all the precautions, (I think crossing my fingers also helps a little).  In fact, I have to remind myself that all is not normal.  The numbers of people getting sick are reducing every day, but there are probably people out there carrying the virus that don't get tested, so until there is a vaccine, my goal must remain to stay safe and protect the people around me.

Bird Brain - Sold

Bird Brain, 12x12 oil

The thing I love most about painting birds is their character and expressiveness in their posture.    Some birds seem to pause and think while others are little busy bodies, always flitting about.  This past spring there were always robins around the front porch; not surprising since they built a nest above the front door.  I was able to stand at the door with my camera while Mr. or Mrs. Robin would hop along the railing, seemingly wondering what I was up to.  Considering this, I was thinking what books would this robin choose to read.  Sometimes we choose books by their title, but other times it's the cover that grabs our attention.       

Luci

Luci, 12x12 oil

My husband and I made the decision to get a dog the same year our eldest daughter was heading off to university.  She jokes that it was her replacement.  Little did I know how that sweet little puppy would wind her way into the very depths of my heart.  She had an intelligence I have rarely seen in any animal.  Her instincts would drive her to chase squirrels, birds and anything else that caught her eye, but the chase was the fun of it.  When she got too close she would slow down and watch it 'get away'.  One day she dug up an old lacrosse ball in the backyard.  Despite the many toys and balls we brought home for her, that old ball was the only toy she would repeatedly ask us to throw for her.  The only thing better than chasing that old ball was chasing snowballs.  This year we had to say goodbye to Luci, but she will be in our hearts forever. 

Measure Twice - Sold

Measure Twice, 12x12 oil

This year seems to be a good year for birds around my house.  I'm not sure if this is the same robin that had built a nest on the wreath that was on my front door last year, but if it is she has smartened up.  This year she has built her nest above the door and is now taking care of her second brood of babies this spring.  In my backyard I have two birdhouses.  The sparrows are inhabiting the red birdhouse, raising the many babies they seem to have every year and in my yellow birdhouse, I am thrilled to say that there are now wrens living in it.

I realized after completing this painting how everything in this painting represents something in my life over the months of April and May.  There's the robin on the front porch, the flour which I had to purchase a huge amount of, and even the flowers on the wallpaper have meaning.  During the month of May my daughter and I drew a sketch of a different flower every day. 

Featherweight

Featherweight 24x36 oil

There is nothing like the warmth and comfort of snuggling underneath a big fluffy duvet on a cold winter night.  Every spring all that comfort and warmth is thrown off the bed for a cool refreshing breeze, accompanied by tweeting birds and the buzzing bees.  The heat that we seek all winter long is beaming brightly through open windows, and we all take a deep breath, feeling as though we have survived another winter.  We've replaced our cocoons with light cool fresh linens, ready for those hot summer nights... being Canadian, you know this is all a false leader.  The sky darkens and the snow starts to fly, after all it's only May.  Luckily those extra pillows and warm duvets are right there on the chair, not yet packed away, June will be here soon.             

Time 11

Time II, 12x12 oil

When the weather isn't nice and the shops are closed, and you can't visit friends and family, what is left to do but to get stuff done around the house, (or bake or do puzzles or...).  In my house there is a lot to do, ALWAYS, but I spend my days painting in any kind of weather, during a pandemic and during 'normal' times.  The only thing different is that I'm not in a rush to get ready for an upcoming show, so I just keep painting.  By the time the world is ready to get back to normal I should have quite the variety of paintings available.  I should tell you, all paintings that I post are available for purchase unless marked 'sold'.  You can send me an email if you're looking for prices, or if you have any other questions.  I would love to hear from you.      

Time - Sold

Time, 12x12 oil

Are you finding time to do things during this pandemic that you never were able to do before?  I'm finding that with my husband home everyday, I am loosing track of which day it is.  I chose to paint this striped material because it seems to reflect the timelessness these days are creating.   

I know some people are using their time get some baking done.  I've always baked and cooked from scratch.  It started during my college days when it just made better money sense to make it myself.  When my children were small I wanted to control the ingredients they were consuming, and as they grew up they just would not eat store bought prepared foods, especially cookies.  I used to buy the larger bags of flour and other items that I used regularly.   These days, I still bake and cook all the time, but I don't need to buy such large quantities for just my husband and I.  A few weeks ago I ran out of flour.  No problem, the grocery stores are still open.  There was not one bag of flour to be found anywhere for a few weeks.  It seems that everyone has now taken up baking.  Social media has been inundated with photos of home baked pies, cakes, cookies and breads!!!  One day my husband finally found flour on the shelves of the local grocery store, 20kg bags!!! The price was amazing and I needed flour.  Luckily I have the rest of 2020 to use the flour considering the expiry date is mid December.  It really is a lot of flour!!!

I've started separating the flour out into 4 lb bags to give to family and friends. 

   

Home is Where I Lay my ...

Home is Where I Lay my … 24x24 oil

When I started this painting I was thinking about travel.  How when I go away somewhere, after the first couple of days I could sleep anywhere.  I was thinking about the families possibly planning to go away somewhere with their children for the spring break… wishing I was going away somewhere.  Well that thought quickly changed!  Now of course, because of the pandemic, the thought of traveling anywhere is risky and I'm perfectly content to stay home.  It's been about 6 weeks since we've all been stuck at home now and just getting out to go for a walk is a great pleasure.  I am looking forward to the time, probably in the distant future,  when I can pack my suitcase and head out somewhere, anywhere besides my backyard.  At the moment though, I am following the rules and staying safe.    

Yummy Cupcakes

6x6 inches each, oil

This was a fun series of paintings.  The hardest part was trying to decide which cupcakes to purchase, and the most fun part was deciding what the wallpaper should look like.    


I started this fun series of paintings before the pandemic arrived in this neck of the woods.   These small paintings were painted in preparation for the studio tour on Mother's Day weekend, which of course is not happening anymore.  Now all the shops are closed except for the grocery stores and the thought of being able to take a walk into a crowded bakery is just a memory.  My husband grabs the mask I made for him and heads out to the grocery store once a week.  There is no problem finding toilet paper any more; flour is now the coveted item.  Who would have guessed it.


I'm thankful that I live in Canada, and that our government is doing what they can to help.  The most comforting thought is that we're all in this together.  I know this pandemic will eventually be just a memory, as long as we follow the rules to stay safe.  I'm wondering, when this is all over, will we still choose to wear our homemade masks out in crowded public places like the grocery store, just in case?   


   

Strawberry on Top - Sold

Strawberry on Top, 6x6 oil

Here is the second in my series of cupcake paintings.  Luckily, none of the cupcakes used in these paintings went to waste; my husband can confirm that statement. 

Sprinkles

Sprinkles 6x6 oil

I've never really thought much about cupcakes, especially the ones from the grocery store.  One day I decided to step into a local bakery, (Kelly's), that sells mostly cupcakes.  I was delighted to see a selection of some wonderful little gems that brightened my day and was inspired to start a series of little paintings.  

Winter's Palette

Winter's Palette, 12x12 oil

You can't help but feel happy on a crisp sunny winter day, when the ground is covered with a layer of white.  Those days only happen once in a while so I try to embrace them.  It's such a delight for the senses... listening to the sound of my boots crunching in the snow; noticing the long blue shadows stretching across the snow; standing quietly amongst the trees watching the little chickadees flitting from branch to branch; and feeling the cold breeze on my rosy red cheeks.