Jesus      gouache on watercolour 8 x 8 

I have a new favourite show & actor, Jonathan Roumie, portraying Jesus in The Chosen.  The first season,  watched on Netflix & are starting the second.  It's an accurate representation of Jesus & events in the bible that goes a little deeper into what the life of Jesus & company  may have been like & I love it.  I find it very inspiring (clearly) & entertaining.  It's one of the best series I've watched - unlike some things I watch & later think - I just wasted 2 hours.
I can't get enough of Jesus..   & Jonathan Roumie is perfect casting, no doubt he WAS chosen to play the part.  
He makes me smile & tear up... he makes me think about Jesus even more, what a blessing.  
He seems like a very kind human in real life also  & practices what he preaches',  I'm grateful he has  caused many to 'Binge Jesus - as I did.

There are days, I don't feel so 'lovable, let alone loved  (except by my dogs)...  yet somehow, someway I AM always reminded - I am never alone & Jesus LOVES me!  Whew.   That, is all I need to keep going another day.
Have Faith.   

I have faith I'll be better at painting Jesus -the more I practice & HE is always a subject close to my heart.  
Painting Jesus  just got a bit easier, now that I have this terrific actor to help me visualize the incredible son of God  -Thank you Jonathan.

Created to Create! 

 Perhaps...    acrylic on wood. 8"

Perhaps this is the moment
for which you were created.

~Esther 4:14.       

Created to create. 

Blessed Be.     Acrylic on wood 8"    
I really enjoy this painting technique, can you tell?   I use only 3 colours, 2 shades of blue & white. :).
​It instils Peace as I paint and gaze off into the distance -like this tiny bear... amazed with Gods Glory.   Happy Sunday!   ​Created to Create.
​

Acrylic on  wood. 8 inches


Because my love for you is higher than words
I have decided to fall silent.
`Rumi

​

Recently in a Canadian court case, a judge said: it was  God given Canadian right, to "flip someone the bird!"  
This made me laugh out loud.  Flip the bird is a.k.a F*ck you! Giving the finger & Up yours..  
I wonder how that term originated, birds are so fricken sweet when they flip - I'd be wanting more.
I doodled Sweet Cheeks - flipping the bird.   If flipping the bird' was illegal - millions would be 'guilty, daily.  
I can no longer  'flip the Bird' to anyone - due to arthritis. Oh well, as long as I can paint - I'll survive.    lol
Celebrate today - flip the bird to your neighbour in appreciation! 
​
It quacks me up.  I am pleased the judge arrived at this conclusion.  
​

Bear  8 x 8 gouache on black

​Just a bear looking at a cannabis plant. 
​Created to Create.

                                             Seek & ye shall find... 8 X 8. gouache on watercolour.  

Seek & ye shall find!  What are you seeking? 
What's Pooh seeking? ... A midnight snack?  
Created to Create

                                                          Acrylic on wood.         Wisdom watching              8 x 8 

Pondering Primate   gouache  on watercolour.

Reading about all the current research on the effects of psilocybin and how scientists are more convinced daily, it  helped towards the advancement of the mind & communication - particularly in primates.  It had me pondering.. imagine what they must have thought with that first HIGH enlightening experience.  Did they sit, like current day evolved' monkeys (namely US) and watch the grass blades sway in the glistening sunlight or consider  quantum physics, perhaps they pondered the secrets of life... probably. 

Tools attributed to 'early man' are under scrutiny - perhaps these tools did belong to early apes more advanced that predicted, as  monkeys are being studied now using rocks to make such tools to access nuts & such.  Have we given these creatures too little credit.  I finished reading The Book of HOPE  Jane Goodall  - it took a while as I found the book - not so hopeful at times, as much as I admire Jane  the reality at times can appear dismal.  The saddest part was reading how intelligent she understands these creatures to be, yet  would witness them stuffed in tiny cages, hardly able to move & in some cases used for painful testing'... they were visibly depressed & suffering.  Jane had fought hard to have this cruelty ended & has been successful in educating millions around the world.  Thanks Jane.

Within the past couple of decades we've discovered all creatures are smarter than we realized & feel & know more than we previously thought.  Psilocybin helps us monkeys to understand other monkeys - to connect us, to feel each others energy.
Sweet Cheeks reminds us daily how intelligent birds are, he's started to fly  & when I say: On your cage Sweet Cheeks!  
That's where he lands.  He's also into snuggling with Storm while watching movies.  It takes time, patience, hope & LOVE.   Since Sweet Cheeks is flying and exploring and socializing with us, teaching us a few things..  
I'm grateful for the company of critters - especially dogs, they teach me much. 
​
I made some bookmarks (below), they look neat poking out of my books. Soon they will be poking out of the earth!
Created to Create.

Sing Spring!   Thoughts of spring on the canvas...  Gouache on watercolour  

I've been exploring paint & playing with different ideas... the  above warm up painting was an experiment from start to finish. Birds in a bush, excited for lilac syrup & the smells of spring.  One of the sweetest signs of spring is hearing birdsong each sunrise & sunset. Although I've had chickadees all winter, I miss the others, especially the lemon yellow finch!  
​I'm excited to hear them chirping.

Created to create.

Gouache on watercolour.   The other side of Rainbow bridge.

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring!  Someone remind mother nature..
O.k., we're done with snow for this year. A mini blizzard this past weekend, as lovely as it is to watch, - we're done with snow & excited to get out as are my girls!  We long to sit in the sunshine and watch dragonflies.  I love my dogs...  when one is not well, I stress.  Poppy is tired of winter too & has been staying in bed, until I tell her to get up & is the first one to run to bed if she sees me go in that direction - anxious for nap time.  Scruffy has been on my mind.. I miss her, very much.

I was reminded about the rainbow bridge poem:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.
​Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

The poem inspired a little painting of my dogs who have gone on before us.   It did not make me feel sad to paint, on the contrary - I felt joyful. It was also lovely opportunity to think of them all, again, I have been blessed with many incredible companions - all dogs.   Cats too.. perhaps, I'll paint a separate image with them.  

​It's proven pets help with our mental health & wellness & keep many of us going.. I know my beasts have me up so they can go out for a pee at 5a.m. an then are ready to start the day... I've no doubts I'd of stayed in bed many days - longer than I should -IF I didn't have them.     Soon the snow will melt & we'll all be exploring the outdoors again making more wonderful memories.  We watched The Whale.. (Brendan Frasier was terrific) & now, poor Ginger has acquired the new nickname  'The little Whale'... her laboured breathing and waddling have us - have her on a strict diet! Because we love her & don't want her to go over the rainbow bridge anytime soon...  She gets carrot sticks for treats. 
With dogs, I believe the adage:  It is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved.
I'm not convinced, this always applies to humans. 

Happy Spring... soon!

Let there be light! ... & Make it a funky monkey!     Before & after acrylic paint on  monkey lamp

My mom & Geoff  bought me the perfect lamp for my birthday! I called him Michelangelo, since we share the same birthdate & it was a birthday gift.  It was pure white and very cool, even the bulb can be turned to flickering like a torch to a solid warm glow. I opened it at 10 p.m. and my mom knowing me well, sent me a text at 9 a.m the next day asking if I painted him yet. lol. No but it was only a matter of time... every time I walked by I thought about it, went to bed that night and planned on how to paint him.  I decided to ask on my IG account: should I paint him and  several agreed, YES paint him!

Up at 4a.m. duckduckgo:  monkey.  Narrowed it down to  a Crab-Eating Macaque,     - onto the desk he sat, waiting.  It took all day,   the first coat -getting in all the tiny cracks & crevice was a task requiring patience.  I also had to wait for the sun to go down to paint details on the face using light that would not change. Instantly, I was pleased I decided to paint him, he fits in much better now.  I'll admit, you don't see him as well in the dark, not with the torch light but-that.o.k.,  he look very cool in the light!  Let there be light.

Anyone who knows me knows, I like different- creative & fun... he fits perfect here, surrounded by a parrot chandelier, monkey candle holder & monkey phone charger holder, metal snail salt & pepper shakers & chimp art. I was also gifted a dog toy:  Mr. Bill', remember him? Arrow & Ginger fight over him, Ginger had me laughing out loud as she discovered, if you bite Mr. Bills crotch - just right  he yells: Ooooooo Noooo!    Weeee.. hee hee.

Let there be light & colour!  
Back to painting my Barred Owl - Van Gogh style.
Created to create.

                                     Where the Wild Things Are.    Gouache on water colour 8 x 8 

This was a gift for a tiny human to welcome him here to earth!  A connection through social media with his mom, I knew she was expecting & knew (how I'm not sure) that he had arrived, before she announced it.  & oddly enough his name is Norman.  I know 3 'Norman' now.  I'll probably never meet him, we are not close (his mom & I) we have just been 'friends' on social media a few years.   I just 'felt'  an overwhelming urge to  gift this tiny being a painting.
 
His mom told me this is how they decorated the nursery... what fun! Believe it or not - I have never read this story,  inspired by images online,  I re-created this  & included Birth information -including Normans name in the tail... & now -it's in the mail! I have ordered the book from my favourite bookstore (Masters Books in Haliburton) & look forward to reading and studying the art- it was NOT easy to duplicate but I loved every second.  I am grateful for all artists who have inspired countless to re create their work form love & admiration.  Note, my colours are a little bolder than the originals.

Welcome all tiny humans! I hope you get the love & encouragement you all deserve.

Also sending out a Happy Birthday wish to my brother Pat - where ever he be... I hope he is happy & healthy.

                                                              Love & Light.   Gouache on water colour  5 x5

 Painting and exploring light & darkness.  Rise & Shine!  
Be someones light - if only with a smile, a few words of encouragement...   you can brighten someones day. 
All paths lead to Him.

​Created to create

                                                                           Is it Spring yet? 5 x 5 gouache.

                                   Excited about finding these tiny aliens in the forest.  Soon baboon... soon. 

                                                                                 A tight squeeze. gouache  6 x 8 

While painting this I thought, this is me (& many) heading into spring, after too many scones this winter! Weee - Pull!
Really though, my pants are feeling a bit snug and in a couple of weeks - I'll be in shorts!  Note to self: knock it off chubby.
Positive thinking & Canadian weather anticipations.  It's been enjoyable re creating these tiny Pooh treasures, although they are more or less warm up paintings, they stimulate the mind for bigger adventures & projects & make sweet tiny gifts.

There is still lots of snow here.. it's melting and becoming a little slippery - we look forward to muddy paws!
Ryan Reynolds is opening major studio in Markham, about time.  Hollywood North with some Canadian Niceness -Eh!
I am a fan, I will admit... I watch everything he is in, just because he is in.   Ryan Reynolds is pleasing to the eye and a nice guy.  I can't think of anyone else that I'll watch - just because they are in a movie. I watched one recently & I was a little disappointed that it had to get gross/rude/stupid - how ever you want to call it with one of the other characters being a 'porn star'... they took it too far  and almost ruined the movie- why add bullshit -for shock value? Im sick of it.  Shock value usually means it's a shitty story, that won't succeed on it's own.. I told a few to watch the same film and two commented 'that one scene'... -made them just turn it off. Too bad, it got better after that bull but  I get it, I too almost turned it off.
We want to have the senses  entertained & educated (I do anyhow), not assaulted.  
Trudeau is assaulting Canadians enough as it is lately.

Reading about Ryan Reynolds family life, beautiful, talented wife & kids.. I'm very happy for him, them, it appears there are still some genuine, caring, talented people in the industry & I'm thrilled they will definitely be creating some amazing Canadian inspired content. - in Markham,  go figure Eh!

​Time to paint & watch snow melt.

                                                    Happy Birthday to me! We're having a Pawty today!
There will be ball tossing, rascal chasing, dancing, singing, painting & I'll bake a carrot cake (my favourite). 
I woke up and thought: I paint & send cards all the time... today, this is my perfect card.
I'll be celebrating with my 4 best friends- 5 including Sweet Cheeks, who actually flew out of his cage and onto my bed yesterday, as I was attempting a nap.  I also had a guest visitor!! A HUGE owl - I'm not sure what kind? Do you know? Let me know if so, please.  It was a surreal moment... I was reading The Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom is referred to as a Woman in the bible BTW- now you know) and for some reason - I stood up - turned and looked outside & there it was -      a Wise owl looking right at me! & it was huge. I was meant to see him .  I actually was able to go into my studio, get my phone (my camera was dead - darn it) and take several photos and a video as he preened his feathers.  He kept looking at me -right at me.  I knew he was here', as I hear him  often - at night - it's magnificent... & Storm has seen it a few times. They are territorial, so I guess he lives here too.  I thought it was rare to see it during the day so I  searched on DuckDuckGo and read:

Meaning Of Seeing An Owl In Daylight The context and setting of this encounter somehow establish its actual implications. 
The day represents light. Of course, the latter resonates with goodness, justice, and hope. When you encounter the owl in the day, there’s a great possibility that there’s an enlightening experience that will come in your life. You will unfold a page in your existence in where you can feel awakened and full of hope.  Keep in mind that the owl can represent the depth of all things. Therefore, the things that you are about to experience will impact your life to its core. They can make drastic changes in you, especially in your mindset, outlook, and motivations. 
For instance, the wisdom being ushered to you by the owl is something that is beyond this realm. There is a chance that it came from your guardian angels or from beings that are significantly higher than us. You can say that such a discovery does not happen on a daily basis. Everything about it is special and surreal. 
Of course, don’t ever think that such a gift is for your own consumption only. Being blessed with enlightenment, foresight, and knowledge does not happen just for self-gratification and fulfilment. They are there because you need to utilize for the greater good. Don’t worry. You are not tasked to change the world here. Instead, you just need to use your gift to give delight and hope to the people around you. 
Instinctively, we see owls as our guardians. Just like what I’ve said, their presence is quite reassuring. Given the fact that you have encountered an own in broad daylight, then there’s nothing ominous that you should feel about it. Instead, you can somehow sense that they are there to guard and guide you. That alone is a big deal already. It is a guarantee that the heavens don’t want you to be in dangerous situations.  

When you encounter an owl during the day, it means that you have this talent. However, you are barely using it. The light of the day encourages you to practice it. Sure enough, you can use your intuition not only for your own benefit but for others as well. It is a gift that you can share with the people around you.

The owl was a gift from the universe, as is all.  Perhaps asking - Who are you? Almost 60,  I've been pondering that exact question.  I'm grateful for every day, I also have wisdom to understand it is a gift to still be here as I've known many (especially children) who are no longer with us- now with Jesus. I was thinking of a little girl  the past few days for some reason, taken too soon... Kirsten.  Does it ever get easier? To think of her brings tears to my eyes.. 20 years later,  so yes, 59 is a privilege  & next year were gonna have an even bigger PAWTY!  Whoooooo knew - I'm almost 60.  Weee! 
The owl was a guardian angel.  Yes, I feel blessed, thank you God. 

Today, I'm going to paint an owl - in between Pawty stuff. 
​Created to Create.

Still attempting bunnies - the way to become better, is to keep trying!   A bunny with a message on this Sunday -
God is Love & Jesus is the way.   Painted with love & thoughts of spring - Soon!  

​Created To Create.

I can't always hug who I want to, when I want to - distance and timing prevent me (covid too),  but I can paint a card showing them the kinda hug I would give them, if I could.   Isn't it lovely to have people you want to hug - like Pooh & Piglet?           Give thanks for those who inspire - a hug. 

I've been practicing painting my friends felines - seeing as I don't have one of my own...     Having had a cat for most of my life -I miss their presence and am considering if I should try again, even after Bow went missing & my heart still breaks when I think of him.  Time will tell.  Until then, there are many to choose from, thanks to my kitty loving friends.  

***​I watched a documentary called:  Black Sunshine Baby.   It's on Netflix & it was one of those days when I was feeling down  that God pointed me in the direction I needed to BE.    & see.    It started playing on it's own  and I kept watching.
What an impressive young woman overcoming the struggles she had from birth.  It makes you wonder - Why?  Why?
So millions NOW, will learn strength from her & also see the goodness in others, strangers who tried to help her & perseverance to keep going, keep dreaming, keep doing, keep sharing...   keep loving.
In tears a few times learning about her & her families journey - it left me inspired  & thankful I had the introduction into this creative beings life even though she has now  died.
Words that stuck with me:   "Moment by moment"   &    "Get a dog!"  
An incredible  young lady & talented artist  who only graced earth for 18 years - was truly a blessing to us all. ***

​This week was cats, next I'm starting dogs...  each of my girls is getting a new portrait.
​Created to Create.