A Touch of Color and Whimsy Comes to Winter

So many people think of winter as dull and grey. But I see it full of color. Evergreens with a touch of snow, holly bushes with their beautiful red berries, snowmen and gnomes in colorful coats, painted birdhouses, bunnies, birds and yes, even ladybugs, as I do hear about it when they are missing in any illustration I create for my greeting cards. So here are some images of winter with all the colors I love. And because I can, I add whatever colors I like to the mountains, the starry skies and the baubles on the ground. Remember to look for the hidden in most of my illustrations. All cards are blank inside and ready for your very own special greeting. All online orders that qualify for free shipping received between now and December 24, 2021 will receive my 2022 calendar of monthly images.

View Winter Whimsy

These, and more, have all been made into winter themed greeting cards and are online and ready to be sent out. In addition to the online site, the Vernon Community Art Center Local Shopping Event of the year, "Artsolutely", opens on November 26th and will run until noon on Christmas Eve.

It is a wonderful show with at least 30 artisans [I'll be there with more than just cards] showing their artworks, pottery, felting, metalwork, glasswork, bookbinding and so much more. It is also a main fundraiser for the Art Center which is such a fabulous community gathering place for anyone interested in the art world. For those of you living in the Okanagan or visiting our area, be sure to stop by and check it out. The Vernon Community Art Center is on Hwy. 6 right behind the Science Centre in Polson Park. "Artsolutely" will be open 7 days a week, 9-7 Monday to Friday, Saturday, 9-5, Sundays, Noon-4pm and December 24th from 9am-1pm. Shopping local not only benefits the artists but in this case supports the Art Center as well.

Check Out Artsolutely

Hello Summer, Hello to a New Year

Life seems to slowly be moving towards a new and better year. With vaccines going into the arms of more and more people, mine included, the virus seems to be retreating and life is slowly getting back to some type of normal. To be grateful for art is an understatement for me. I certainly never thought I would ever call myself an artist but it becomes easier as more people tell me they love what I create. And to be able to create over the last year has certainly been a blessing. Every time my mind goes blank, I see something that forms the idea for a new illustration. The following started with "A Mushroom Forest" that inspired "A Flower Patch" which inspired "The Neighborhood". In addition to these three, here are a few more recent works.

Recent Works

After more than a year of mostly showing my art on "Social Media", it was great to display my work at Gallery Vertigo as April Artist of the Month. I loved being able to put up much of my recent work in one room and it gave me a sense of accomplishment to see over 100 of the smaller originals on the wall that were created after the time COVID shut so many venues down. Here is a small sample.

Stay tuned to more illustrations coming up for the Monashee Arts Council's July Show "People, Plants, and Pollinators". I have visions of bees, dandelions, and bee hives so I had better get busy. I am always looking for ideas. Sometimes a word, a picture, a thought, a story are all I need to create.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream"

2020 Reflections and the Beginning of a Brand New Year

Here we are, the beginning of a new year following a year most of us would like to forget. I, however, have to start by saying how grateful I am to have discovered art at this stage of my life and all the joy it brings, especially during the challenging days we have had and are still dealing with. I am grateful to have the support of family, friends and the many local businesses that carry my art. Many projects kept me going, one which was called "Art in Isolation". A series of word prompts from Sheri Kunzli from the Vernon Community Art Centre encouraged me to create every day for almost two months and which I added to this board.

Then the lovely Lauri Wiberg and I worked together to create and publish two children's books. My illustrations and her delightful poetry came together in "A Whimsical Journey, Books One and Two".

To top it all off, I worked hard on creating this new website from which you can now purchase my greeting cards, prints, books and more. See Children's Book in the Gallery.

December was a busy month getting organized for the local fundraiser "Artsolutely". Up until the last week we were not sure it would be a go but we were approved to open and the Vernon Community Art Centre had it's best year ever. Shoppers enjoyed having a safe place to view and purchase local art from our amazing artisans.

The new year has begun with having a new coloring book ready for print [Book 7] and a small ABC booklet that can fit into a greeting card. Makes a great little extra gift when sending a card and filled with 26 of my illustrations. Check out the Coloring Book section in the Gallery.

And of course Valentines is around the corner so hearts are in abundance in my art. Check out the Seasonal section in the Gallery.

Making concrete plans for markets and shows are still not in the works but with vaccines coming soon and more people following COVID protocols, I hope that some kind of normal happens soon. I miss being with family, seeing faces of friends, celebrating special events and giving hugs. However, creativity rules and I read the best use of imagination is creativity and the worst use of imagination is anxiety. "Deepak Chopra"

Happy New Year to All!!