I've been reminded...     'Birds of a feather flock together'...  Yes they do  - YEAH! 
Great song, eh?   I know birds that flock together.. I see & hear them - chickens.
I'm making my chicken a tiny red canoe to sit in so they can pretend to go on tiny adventures... silly, simple chickens.

Show your beauty proudly as swallows crowd together & scurry & flutter among each other. 
Contnue to display your BOLD & beautiful feathers as tiny sparrows gasp at your magnificance while they chatter to themselves.  Continue to stand proud & flash your feathers - no one even notices sparrows when Peacocks are around.

I love painting birds almost as much as bud.
This peacock was just a warm up with  its beautiful & bold details with the gold gouache glittering int he sunlight!  Onto the next creation & observation.

Birds of a feather...    what kind of bird would you choose to be?
I'd rather fly solo than be any part of a flock of nasty birds - how about you?

With TLC & THC

My Totem Animal is The Wolf.


I know we share this land with wolves, we’ve seen & heard them… we share their land.

After the bear encounter last year, I did some educating and we never leave any food out. 
We are careful with what we toss in the trash too - bears have incredible smell.  I don’t want to attract bear with food (small dogs), because I don’t want to have to kill a problem bear - one in particular where a human has made the problem buy being careless.  We also clean up the dog pooh - as dog pooh is coyote & wolf bait/food.  
We never feed the dogs outdoors and  all creatures are locked in at night - in a fully enclosed pen.  Even the birds are only fed in the a.m. &  we slow down feeding  amount as spring & summer are here & the birds need to learn to fend for themselves.  We DO not feed deer near the house as deer carry ‘deer tick’ and we don’t want to encourage any deer ticks on the dogs. 

People ask - aren't you afraid of the wolves? Bears? Walking in the woods? 
No.  I am thrilled these creatures are here, there are not hear to hurt me & I am not here to hurt them.  I have wanted this for as long as I remember & am conscience of the living, beautiful creatures so I accept them.   When they hear me & my team in the woods - they run.

I walk with love, everywhere I go - especially in the forest.  That’s why we find so many amazing fungi, birds, creatures and more. We can’t change wild beasts - we can become aware & learn to accept the beast.  
The beast will decide it’s own destiny.        "All paths lead to him"  I love that quote.

I decided to put the 12 foot totem where it can be enjoyed, a perfect spot in the garden at the front of the house.  This wolf will grace the gate, welcoming all who enter with LOVE, as it should be   & NOW, I can tell people the eggs are being the wolf (on a hook)  YAY! 

Created to create - the more I create the more I desire to create!  
Inspired by LOVE - I will SUCCEED.  
​Inspiredby love - you will succeed.

This painting was inspired from a photo taken years ago in the ravenshoe forest...
I still remember the exact moment Storm turned to show me a mushroom he found, I believe we were looking for morel, we were laughing.. dogs exploring.  The sunshine was perfect.  It was a wonderful day & lovely memory.  Painting the photo was re-living our many foray adventures, they were always such great days, meeting fellow mycology lovers, I was there for exercise, terrific company & the  beauty of the mushrooms and would never consider myself an expert.  I love my son.    :)  

If you don't know what a mushroom IS - Do NOT eat it - that's the best advice I may offer.

I do know several edibles but I still check, with a text to Storm, he suggests I look it up, either way, encouraging me to learn.   We are anticipating many forest finds with our truffle sniffing dogs!  Hahaha  I wish.    
I will teach  the girls to find morel, if you can teach dogs to find drugs - why not? 

Painting, remembering and intentionally wishing good things for Storm & everyone he is surrounded by is how I enjoy spending time. Not stress.  There is enough to stress about - if you choose.  I choose to paint.   Things I enjoy, some times it's humans.  hee hee

Do what you love & love what you do.
Storm is doing what he loves and I can see & hear it when he talks/texts about work.
He is growing all the time,  all day every day.   'We' are.
​
That background was FUN!   ...more on the way.

Rise up through the mud & dirt & bloom where you are planted.
On to the next creation of love!
with THC & TLC 

Jesus in the garden visited by a chickadee.  Thinking abut Jesus  I  ‘feel love’…    What better ‘portrait practice’ than Jesus. Listening to Elvis sing  “& he walks with me & he talks with me… “      Amen Elvis.
Even if my topic is not Jesus, painting is when I feel closest to God... but I DO enjoy painting Jesus in particular! Focusing on positive love.

I now get to enjoy having a new painting & sharing with you.
From a blank canvas to a portrait of love!  Right before our eyes.  ​
I love painting cannabis as much as I enjoy smoking it- thankfully my hands appreciate it as much as my mind does... Cannabis keeps me painting  - creating for the creator. AMEN.

It’s Palm Sunday, Passover & a full moon… 
set your intentions to the Lord and give thanks for all  we do have like air in our lungs.
God has provided.

Imagine Jesus arriving on a Donkey - a King… knowing his fate was soon death.
That is as powerful as Faith & Love can get,  walking on palm leaves & waved to welcome him... It must have been a peaceful welcome.  
Palm leaves are also waved in revelations, the palm leave is a symbol of Victory.

Happy Passover!  
For my Jewish friends, also a time to reflect with family & appreciate a simple meal with powerful representation, an egg, bitter herbs, flat bread & a lamb shank… bringing the past & present together.  It’s all about ‘each other.’

We certainly ALL have a new appreciation of ‘each other.’    Meals, family, traditions.. 
I hope what ever brings you joy, you celebrate today… covid compliant, of course.

& Full moon this evening, the Universe feels to be aligning, I can feel all the the positive energy the growth that’s coming… the love  taking over the garden!  Start your seeds.
Created to create.

Read! With each book we have the potential to be better beings.
Norm just read &  laughed out loud several times, Chris Hadfields book & loved it, he flew through  & we've ordered the next from Masters book store - (shop local!) If Kathy does not have it she will happily order it in.

I just finished  Seven  by Farzana Doctor (Canadian) & I don’t know where to begin, I loved the book for the cultural education and was shocked to read about this sensitive topic.  What an education…  seven.   I support - supporting this book & women,  and I believe this “tradition’ .. religious practice,  should stop.  

Illustrating my bible and am reminded  times have changed, logic.. life expectancies -things have changed & we need to change with them  or we are living in an impossible situation.  
For example,  it states in the bible if two men get into a fight - the wife of  one of the men can not grab the others testicles.  Yep.. Come on - when was the last time you heard of that happening, it must have been a common occurrence in bible times - or why mention it?
Perhaps the author had a traumatic experience & felt the need to share.  

The bible is absolutely a fantastic book on life & life lessons…  I don’t know anyone who lives by it word for word, especially all those having bacon for breakfast.. my point is - people pick and choose what parts of ‘the book’ they like & don’t, choose & use - to judge.  I don’t agree, I choose & use to ponder & pray.   Many good lessons and many ideas that are way outdated just like in seven…   we need to stop hurting in the name of God.

It’s a beautiful day  - Raining, melting the snow, cleaning the canvas for a new  expression of love! - Painted with LEAVES!  Bring it on!.

Daisy Dog.  Dogs are awesome.. it’s no accident - Dog is God backwards.  
Dogs are examples of incredible loyalty & loving, when loved.  Aren't we all? 

It’s spring and the dogs are as excited as I am to explore outdoors!  
Playing, chasing each other - it’s endless entertainment… that brings joy everyday. 
There also  those days.. a dog will destroy a new shoe or gnaw on table leg or  have an accident n a rug..  these small occurrences  are part of life and lessons and still well worth having a dog (or two) who will be a life long friend.  

Just being outside is wonderful! Sitting in a T-shirt & shorts watching the snow melt.  How can one not be inspired by God when we are surrounded by so many miracles of new life, everywhere we look?
This Painting is functional art’… a new leash & dog accessory station to brighten the porch!  Inspired by love of our big girl Daisy.  Norm will add  6 pegs of Dowling (drilled in) for  sweaters, leashes- dog stuff,  as well as a way to secure it to the wall so it won't move.
Daisy was painted on MDF board & acrylic (for any interested), which cuts nicely but is heavy imo.  Not recommend for outdoor use.
I like it for a painting surface... it's very absorbent - next time I will prime my surface with gesso. 

I was sent 3 - THREE, different messages on Instagram this week! 
3 BEings I have inspired to paint, showing me their magnificent creations. I can’t believe  the talent others are not aware they have.  Happy - it makes me feel, knowing I inspired others to create.  Awesome. 
Thank YOU!  
That is the best  possible reaction I could hope for.  
They have inspired  me  - to go paint!

Currently painting a new portrait:   Joyful Jesus
When you love what you do - it is never work.
Never. 

I do have a friend  who's online store gives part of the proceeds to the Humane society,
if you are looking for a new bong, vaporizer  & want to help a dog too, check out:
Smokers Emporium on Instagram or online: ​https://smokersemporium.ca

​Inspired by love we will not fail!

Happy SPRING! 

Goats are notorious for getting into trouble! 
Ours opens the door to the chicken coop & turns off  & on the light switch, & helps him tot he chicken food after he opens the garbage can.  I am very amused with our goats but  ‘this goat’,  was inspired by another. 
This goat tries to break into a cannabis farm & it makes me laugh every time I hear it, it's really soemthing that has made me smile this past year. Grateful for goats, creatures in general.  The look of defiance on his face in photos I have seen make me laugh out loud.  Goats like company and are very playful & will win in a stare down contest, most times.

Thank God for creatures who are funny, entertaining, inspiring & loving. 
Grateful for the inspiration - clearly I enjoyed the ‘Notorious Big’ special on Netflix.  Notorious big did what he needed to do & made no bones about it  & believed in himself… & Jesus.  With faith in yourself & all that is possible.  We rise up, by helping raise others up. Biggy was Proof.  He had many who believed in him & more now.  The Lord works in mysterious ways I ponder,  as we boogie to Biggy @ 8a.m… glueing goat gems.
Hee hee hee

Our Goat behaves like an ass!  Indica  gets up on his hind legs and dances treats out of your hand, and will push you over  & doesn't let the ladies have any treats - he head buts them when they try.  he would be the glutton of the petting zoo. Everyone is excited for spring - we see  it as they spring around the  pen, excited for the day.
Goats teach us to enjoy the moment. 

The last step of this painting was to add the gems this morning, much more difficult than I anticipated. 
I walked out to our deck and looked at the new coffee table top Norm created, it was covered with dancing diamonds  of frost in the sunshine - Gods gems! A gift for me to see  in the sunshine before the heat melts them. Heat.. 3 above freezing.  Inspired I raced into the studio - Oh my.. next thing I knew, I had Norm helping ‘peel off’ the tiny gems as I glued - TEAM work is the DREAM work! 
BAG the necklace took almost as long as the painting. I'll source out new gems for furture Spring Bling!  

We “high fived"… my five higher than his, grateful for Gods medicine helping me get past the fact, I can’t pick ff these tiny Gems. This lesson makes me aware & appreciate these tiny gems called hands, I’ve often taken for granted.  

I hope ‘Notorious Goat made you smile on this glorious first day of Spring 2021
We are created to create Joy.    

The snow is melting..  and I’m praying that the sunshine, heat.. fresh air will curb covid.
We all need a break from covid. What a week  it’s been… I realized today after communicating with several -
I needed the reminded  - of whats important. 

A young friend is having emergency surgery soon (not her first) in pain, frightened no doubts, as her family must be..  It's times like this I wrestle with God, I don’t know how to cheer her up - what to paint.  An older friend  is not going to be with us much longer,  at one time we were planning a visit & now due to covid, borders, quarantine, timing… I realize it’s not a possibility right now. I don’t think she will make it until everything settles down, I don't even know what to say to her,  I'd like to give her hope..  
Another friend is 'chipper' but I can hear her sadness, still struggling from her mom passing  from covid..
others are  caring for family, friends and taken on much more than usual, with little chioce.

People say things I didn’t think they would & behave in ways I did not expect…  I remind myself of my own moods and outbursts lately, Norms got the brunt of  but he’s not the cause,  he's had his mood swings too, so 'we get it'.   It’s easy to be nasty,  it’s work to be positive.  
It’s work to keep painting & keep praying.  Social media in particular  I use as a distraction’.  I get frustrated with myself when I take a break, clean a brush, the next thing I know - I’m no longer considering the shade of yellow I should be using - I’m thinking about others art, lunch or  some cute dog I've just seen.  NOT looking at my own sweet beasts.

Peoplealready dealing with illness, sadness, divorce, death, depression, financial worries -  along came covid.   Covid adds  masks, judgement, vaccines, confusion, sickness, death, closures, uncertainty for everyone.  
I see we ARE all just walking each other home...  everyone has been effected. 

For my  friends concerned about the vaccine I suggest they do what ever is going to help bring them peace!   Will they feel safe if they get it - then get it!  A few, like me are wanting to wait , that’s fine too. I do understand older & ingenious people getting it as they are most vulnerable, it really is the ‘most personal choice’ I think many will have to face this year.

Norms busy & there's always wood to chop - it’s important for everyones  mental health to keep busy on projects, I think those struggling from who we communicate with, are those who appear to be watching too much news.  People who live in apartments for example have an entirely set of different issues to deal with & I can understand watching more T.V. if I was in that situation.  

Others I speak to that seem to be doing o.k.,  are those creating. Beading, painting, Cooking, zooming.. a friend has started painting' and another is doing diamond dots (seems to be a rage fro the pandemic)  another  has taken up Tai Chi  on zoom - lol  & several planning the garden! 
Planting the seeds to grow cucumber & love this civid summer.

I'm painting.  Currently starting  a large detailed painting on a different 'surface'  & taking a sabbatical while I do… I’ll stay off social media and focus on the shades of pink & yellow sky instead of someones lunch or new wardrobe or cute pooch.   I do want to show you my new paint,   I’m excited to try - hand crafted in small batches - Made in Canada - they just arrived today!  New gouache paintings soon.  BEAM paints