Blue Jeans & Rubber Boots

Parksville / Qualicum Beach News ran a lovely article on my Canadiana series and the opening in January 2024.

It will showcase 21 breathtaking paintings representing Canada’s diverse geography and natural beauty.

Thanks to Jeff for facilitating the trip to the east coast for his cousin's tour allowing me to get photos for inspiration.

Read the article @ PQB News

For more years then I can remember I have dreamed of visiting the Grand Canyon in Arizona USA.

Finally in October 2023, we were able to make it happen. And it did not disappoint.

It started with a whole bunch of travel plans. Once we had a dog sitter in place, we were good to go.
WestJet safely got us to and from Phoenix Arizona, with nor a hiccup. One of the first things we did was drive up...

The warmer days, have turned into cooler morning with plants covered in dew. There is a nip in the morning that speaks of fall. We have already had the fire place on first thing, making it cozy for our morning coffee.

Fall is knocking on our front door. I change my attire several times a day. The long pants and sweat shirts are on first thing in the morning as Chace and I greet the day in the...

Summer holidays! Yippy! How I use to long for those lazy days of summer, staying up late and watching old black and white movies and then sleeping until noon. I would spend the summer reading Nancy Drew mystery novels, suntanning using baby oil and driving my one speed bike over to my friends house for a dip in their field pond. But by mid August I was yearning to go back to school, hang out...

Perception is described as a way of regarding, understanding or interpreting something, a mental impression. How does one person’s perception change from another?

Chace and I recently had a run-in with a neighbour’s dog. This huge dog came barrelling across from his yard and into ours, barking like a maniac while making a b-line towards my little boy. My perception of this was an absolute...

This is not original to me, but I think it has value and I wanted to share it with my readers.

I asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 80 what sort of changes she is feeling in herself? This was her advise.

After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.

I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not...

This morning I was pinching some beautiful healthy greens off our plants and thinking of what a nice and delicious salad we will be having with our evening meal.

Morning conversations over our first coffee of the day are always about ‘what’s for dinner?’ Then there is the back and forth banter about, 'Oh what would like for dinner? I don't know. What would you like?" We go back and forth...

I recently watched an interview of a friend and fellow artist that I admire. I noticed that he referred to himself as a ‘Practicing Artist.” I asked him why he didn’t use the term International or professional artist? As someone who has worked in the trade for many years and often has a sell-out opening night, I would call him a professional artist.

His answer was “I was never really...

The month of May on the farm meant that the days were warmer and the ground was dry and warm. My dad would be driving rectangles in the field trying to get his crop in, always with one eye on the neighbours, to see who was in the lead. My mother would plant her huge garden, trying to grow enough produce to keep her family of seven fed throughout another calendar year.

And it was also the time...

As the publisher of an arts magazine I have certainly had many perks over the years. Not only have I had the great pleasure of connecting to many wonderful artists, I have also been able to organize and attend classes.

Twenty plus workshops later, I now hear the voices of my many mentors when I am creating.

Early on in my training I had the opportunity to take a class from Saskatchewan artist,...