'Will the Poppy's even been in bloom?
Who cares.. I smile,  I've just spent the last three days in my imagination admiring & painting them.

I'm very excited & a bit anxious now & of course have a gazillion things to do before I leave, mostly make sure Bird  will be o.k..  As you might be aware I've been quite the hermit the past few years - and now I'm off to Orange County,  blessed it's with a  friend who lives there & is going to show me around.  I landed once sitting in the front cockpit between two handsome pilots!  It was my dad who saw me landing, he was beaming! That's my girl!  lol  
The same dad  was on the plane with me at a later date only he was in the cargo dept.  
It was a unique experience.   Peaceful in many ways.. and I was able to take a special trip with him.   How many people can say that?  I'm glad we didn't fly alone' on that journey. Flying alone is clearly on  my mind.  
 
Perhaps this time Poppy & I will join the pilots!  Hardly- I'm sure things have changed since 9/11.  How blessed I've been.  I won't be alone! I'll have Poppy on my lap - Oh My Gouache Poppy & I in California.   We even have matching beach attire (not intentional!)

You absolutely know - I love 'what' I do - every day- I am God Blessed- to be able to sit here paint, listen to music e mail friends, spend time with my dogs- family and more but  with this  condition- I get no rest some days,  even lying down to nap is out of my control, I'll nap when it lets me. Good thing I love to paint & not sleep.  I am blessed also with cannabis- which keeps me doing all I love & loving every stroke.  Not taking deadly addictive pain medications that won't help.   I'm currently smoking Humber Valley Kush for any who can try it.. here I sit still working/playing at 1:50 and will be up at 5 happily anxious to start painting again!  That's a testament to  a medicine if ever.   Side effects? Giggling and a great sleep.

I never blame God for my health issues.  
I blame human evolution, chemicals, man made problems, poor food choices, too much Alcohol, not enough water.  Not being educated on many things - like inner strength, peace, meditation..    What better place to realign? The California sunshine.  

Now if I could pick the perfect plane mate to sit beside me it would be..  hmmm 5 hours they would have to be funny and amusing a little handsome.. One time I sat beside this super nice, friendly funny hunk, we laughed all the way to the Bahamas..  my 2 girlfriends were admittedly  jealous- lol   so, this time lets try for Stephen Colbert..  but I prefer grey hair.. Jeff Goldblum - yes, he would be the perfect flight companion!
​Ooooohhh on the fly with the fly! Giving  me goose bumps! 
Or Broadway bear of course.

Miracles come true.  

Broadway lifts Bear...  he makes her smile. 
It's amazing how powerful that is.


With Love
g

It's been quite a while since I've been on an adventure. 
My mind racing with several issues as I try to make sure I'm all organized.
Poppy is ready - I imagine.  Am I?   Of course.

The universe still conspires & it continues to all fall into place..
I'll start to stress over something & think - there is no point.  
What's the worse that can happen?   Pelicans will  scoop up my sketch book?
Joshua Boulet is in Oakland California & assures me he will work his way to OC so he and I can draw on the beach! This has been on my 'bucket/To Do  list - ever since Josh & I became friends long ago at the first EXPO, I still remember that first E mail I sent him.
He has had the pleasure of drawing the ocean several times over.  

Will this trip get any better?

Whatever 'problem'  that  trotted crossed my mind  have again looked after themselves.. 
Trusting in God has it's rewards.   Friends with good intentions, positive wishes & prayers help too.   I've no doubts it's why I'm on my way.    
   
Bears are on my desk as I post..  Broadway & Bear  exploring an unknown area of the garden.  Broadway as Cheeky as ever.. I think I might have painted a pose similar - but  I just DO them, they arise from  my soul & passion and pose which ever way they choose. I don't look at the others I've already painted - they are in a binder. 'The Book Of Bears.'
As I glance at it a smile slowly crosses my face, it can't be helped this furry, love expressing  compulsion.  I'm feverish to get back at them on the thunderous wet, grey morning.

A Jerry Garcia idea...  Inspired by some PINS Stephen Boehme PIN'd.. I can't wait to see what he is doing.  My rendition is  going to be cute!

This vacation planning takes a lot out of you...   lol  
I've had to do very little except confirm our tickets.   
Blessed Indeed.  

I've got 'black boards' cuts to size - 14  & several smaller & blank cards of course!  
A painting a day while I'm away!  A card for someone to warm up my heart & hands each morning!  Then Off to the ocean for our morning stroll. 
Mostly...  I shall go where my sails take me!  

On my 'ToDo' list I added today:
http://www.gitesinthelanguedoc.co.uk
Why Not!?  I literally dream about the caves in France.  Just like I use to dream about bears,  I know I'm going to see them one day in the near future. 

Do you still dream or No? Will you stay or Will you Go?
If your going to dream DREAM - DREAM!   
Imagine - what could God provide me in my perfect world. 
I Imagine &  it's going to be better than I imagine.  I know.

With Love
g

Back to Broadway on my mind & my canvas.

I felt like Painting a little Sunshine into Bears day,  we've had a great deal of rain here.
Bear is playing with Daisies... as I look out at the Dandelions on the front lawn.  
Once a day I'm picking up something & bringing it in to paint.
I've a nice little collection already.  Lilacs on my desk today!  Bird is thrilled.
Backyard botany in Gouache it is.  
Planting weekend in Canada  the leaves are on the trees. Give Thanks!

My art is 'my flowers shared.

With Love
g

​

I have discovered the perfect way to introduce Cannabis.... in a painting.
These are my gifts, art, paintings- created with love.  Cannabis is a Beautiful plant! 
Of course I want to paint it, hidden amongst the buds I'll hide a name, words and even special dates.  Each is painted with TLC & THC. 

I get to paint the love of the Country I grew up in.  The nature I am surrounded with  & love & can not leave Canada because of,  even thoughts of leaving here 'only' for the winter months- I'd be lost without the beauty of a snow covered morning.
​Easier to say now:  Hello Spring.

Still -  I'm a  stuck canuk & proud of.   I LOVE Trees. Tall trees with leaves.
Birch paint like no other.

Thanks to KATS gallery for the beautiful framing job! Kat's closing shop!
​ If you need anything framed - get it up there QUICK.  I'm going to miss her. 

Yesterday, a nest I had watched a robin build, fill and watched the babies born and fed daily was found with the babies all 1/2 eaten.  I started to cry and could not stop.   :(
It's more than the robins, I know.  Stuff... much of it I 'try to pretend' does not bother me.
I tried to paint but all I could accomplish was this bear below.
& a beetle, thanks to Stephen Boheme.. I challenge myself by saying - the first thing I see on PIN today I'll paint...  Stephen and his bugs. OH, and I painted a fungi that grows out of a worm and Storm really liked it.  

​Today is a new day and I have a editorial cartoon about Kids and cannabis I'm working on to keep me focused.
Life goes on. Birds fly on...  
I have Bird in my office who yesterday realized, I was blue- and flew down to my 'singing bowl'  sitting on my desk and  each time he gently made it ring..  it made me laugh.

FREE MUSHROOM download for the kids tomorrow!
Just in time for a foray this weekend! 
​
With Love
G

On my mind...    a lot.

First - Todd Stimson is FREE!!! Home at last. We spoke on the phone - after a hello - followed by laughter- LOTS from the both of us! My gosh it was good to hear that southern drawl! I was laughing and crying for the first few moments, I could not speak.  Todd too.. he has to adjust- being free at last has him a flutter!  Kerry & Ariel  are thrilled to have their main man home again.  ALL for growing plants - HE PAID TAX stamps for- NEVER forget that! PLEASE  The town & police knew what Todd was doing and were more than O.K. with it for YEARS. Criminals. Yet - he  did their time.  I wish he could sue them, when it become legal in his state. We know it's on the way.  I know Todd is only more determined and better educated on the topic, his parents sent him all kinds of books while he was in jail.  HE is HOME, that is all I want to focus on!   It broke my heart a little when he went into jail and I think as our hearts break over the years  it gets harder to repair.  Bitterness can creep in - because we have witnessed 'unfair' situations countless times in what seems like an Unfair world run by liars and tyrants - No?  'Trump the Tyrant'... making American Hate Again. 

Mothers Day Cartoon - time-lapse.. so neat - takes MUCH longer in real life I can assure you lol at least 2 cold coffees later! It's for moms, daughters, wives - all women! Do you think about the women in your life or are they just fixtures?
A woman brought you into the world & gave you life.
With the assistance of God (of course)   :)

Women keep the world sane.. We have babies for a brighter future- men have them it seems to fight their wars. OLD men who stay home & send young men- with lives and futures ahead of them- to DIE in a war we can not win. NO ONE WINS!
Who does not understand that? I'm no fan of Kim' another tyrant- BUT- to possibly see hundreds of thousands of people possibly MURDERED  is  very UNFAIR, inhumane, cruel and incomprehensible in a world as 'advanced as ours'.  Frig, I hope Aliens aren't watching us - what a pathetic, intelligent bunch we must appear at times.

Dorothy... is going to the fair! YEEE! More on Dorothy tomorrow!  She took me - forever..  well - she took me a good three days of painting anyhow. lol  A great deal of processing also went into Dorothy.   Painting is my daily therapy, sorting out tyrants from terrific specimens can be a daunting task. 

Broadway bear.. He is making his debut, as I tell my story of bear, I thought I'd give them 'introductions'.  The very first time she saw him- way up there, glistening in the moonlight... from the moment  he made her SMILE.  A Book of Bear page - adventure has been added (see in links above) - but it's going to take me a bit to organize- I had no idea I have so many BEAR! lol 

Cannabis in Canada... I don't get it- yes, I do GREED. 
Demand every Canadian have the Right to Open a small business in this country (with some rules- I agree)  Demand we continue to have CHOICE.  Demand to know who is being your big business.  Just plant and grow your own 4  learn to do your best an enjoy it!
It''s quite satisfying to grow your own bud and smoke it. lol   I know.

Focus on Women's issues. Did you know:
Approximately every 6 days in Canada a woman is killed.   
If you're aboriginal woman, my prayers are with you.
More NOT funny cartoons soon - oh and a few funny too. ;)

& lastly I was distracted last night by a dandylion- after getting my mail yesterday and seeing so many! YEEEEE!! The first 'flower ' of spring - PLEASE remember this for the BEEs! THEY NEED THEM. 
Don't pluck or pull just yet!  & if your neighbour has a lawn full - and you don't because you sprayed - Thank YOUR neighbour for saving the planet.  I have lots - lol!
They provide FREE fresh greens daily for BIRD! & us- you can make wine, tea, so much medicinal value!! Dandelion recipes! < click here!

So what shall we focus on Plants or People?
On my mind..  back to painting.

with love
​g