My newest Oar a Haliburton Fish caught in a local lake -there was a mix up because i forgot the print out & deleted the email - I thought it was a pike,  clearly I do not know my fish...  learning with each I paint.  I'm getting better at fish - I think.
This fish - was different with it's white dots- the background should not take attention away from his beauty, I thought.
This fish is  a 'Haliburton Gold Lake Trout, only caught here.  I'm not sure exactly where that "here" is,  so you'll have to figure that out if you hope to catch one.

It's off to the paddle Shop in Haliburton! 
It was very nice of the shop to provide paddles (& sanded them) for an affordable price - it's a creative painting surface &  delightful to design! AS soon as the pandemic is over - the Haliburton Forest paddle shop is on my to do list!   Follow them on instagram, I had no idea how much work goes into creating a paddle...  as well as the different style paddles with burned, stamped & painted enhancements.  

When the pandemic is over...
What will it take - IF they tell us to stay home to get it under control- "IT'S THE LAW" - stay the fuck home.  I don't get it .. whats the cost of covid?  A trip to the store for a bottle of booze & bag of chips?  A short visit with friends?  Running out for your Bingo sheets?  Essential services 'Extremely IMPORTANT'.  
According to the newest model of covid expected illness & death - vaccines won't help much at this rate.

Stay home.  Stay healthy. 

These two, Ginger & Arrow - Love Hate.. relationship.
They are an endless source of entertainment, they love to bug each other and make no bones about it.  I love my dogs.   Isolation doesn't seem so isolating with them around me all day.  Nap times is especially fun, I have trained my dogs to nap when I nap - I go and get all snuggled in and it doesnt take 5 minutes before they all arive & snuggle in too - I thank God for them everytime.

Constant love, un conditional.  They are quick to forgive and so am I - with them.
Arrow will absolutly train me to paint black dogs better.

The USA & TRUMP - what can I say?  Not my monkies not my circus... I do agree with the opinion, had it been blacks or muslims who stormed the capital - bullets would have been used on them - instead of a glorified  bunch of redneck photo shoots.  When will it end? 
Imagine - the president of the Untited States of America-  has been blocked from Facebook & twitter - for being an asshole. It's an editorial cartoonist dream - or nightmare. 

I have 9 screeching 'BLUEjay bird houses' - on my kitchen table waiting for paint & then delivered to Tom in Minden by Monday- heads up for any that are interested. These custom team work bird houses have proven to be a hit & have helped raise money for the comunity- lots to sqwak about.   On the easel- a portrait- female.  On the desk- my next patio FUNGI  door lock/bar...

So much to paint - so few hours in a day. 
I love it when I wake up and my desk invites me to GET  CREATING
 In my tiny studio - big things happen!  

Another lock down was to be announced - then we had a blackout - amen.
To think, I thought: 'Rogers was not a great internet provider..  I can asure you the problem up here is real (lol)  apprently it is being addressed on a huge scale.  We had no service for a couple of days.  It was nice for the break - just remindng me.. I need a break. 
I've spoke to a few feeling the same, frustration with 'some' on social media with covid enhancing emotions.. has me tempted to say something I might not say if I remembered  some are fearful. Some are also struggling with things - others are not, tensions are building, understandably. 

NOW is NOT the time to GET your ass in jail.  It's not good.
If you FEEL like you are in prison during this 'lockdown' -  I have learned all outside visits have been cut off,  NOT being permitted even 1 hour of fresh air for weeks/months - (a human right), not getting the service they need, the food they are use to - lots of stuff and n0 control = aniexiety is ^.    not getting the safety  re cleaning, supplies, masks- like the rest of the population  & they certinally can not keep up with sickness in there.   It is very stressful in jail right now  (including staff)...  I guess, all those in there - needed the extra lesson?
The more I understand, the less I judge.
Keep calm, wash you hands.  Have Faith.  

I made myself a Jesus Positive message paitning! lol  
It turned out great! It made me giggle a few times.
& I store the extra messages in the back of this wooden canvas with a strip of paper glued into place. Easy  Peasy!  I glued a magnet on the back of the wooden canvas, and used one on the front to hold the cards.  The magnet I used was recycled,  I forget from what - but it is strong.  One of the strongest smallest magnets I recycled was from a front closing bra!  
Hee hee  Bra? What's that?  I've not bound my boobs once since moving here. Yay.

Then, I painted two tiny reindeer (two sides - one deer) that is the only Christmas Decor.
Good.  Bah Humbug. I embrace my inner GRINCH.  IF it means it will END  'THIS'.. what ever this IS - I don't even know... I know a break would be a good rest for the brain & soul.
Tomorrow, will be my last post for a few.

Happy Saturday!

    Yesterday was Norms birthday!  He worked on his shop - best birthday gift EVER .. lol
He’s 60 & he’s in great shape - it’s from all this hard farm work!  Birthing goats & chasing chickens has kept him fit as a fiddle… lol - more like building coops, barns. a shop, chopping down trees- yeah!  Norm won’t ever look at wood the same again. We were going to celebrate later in the evening with movie & I was making dinner but then… I had some sense knocked into me.   Literally.

I am forever telling Norm & HAVE even blogged about it - one reason many people fall in their homes is…. their dogs.  I have 5 who love me and follow me  everywhere, as you know.  I was painting in my studio, standing.. music - deep in deer snow- and I turned to get paint - turned back and Arrow was at my feet and down I went.   I protect my hands because I know they’ll break so I did not use them, instead I used my head to stop my fall - it bounced off the metal track - between my studio & house.  
I could not google  'concussion symptoms'...   it hurt that bad.
Serious dog training happening - RED tape lines they CANNOT cross - like the kitchen.
I’ll also add my girls freaked out,  they knew I was not joking and were all trying to help me up… Norm arrived a few moments later. 

Not much else happened last night, quiet, bed and today OUCH.  No concussion symptoms, Thank God. Yes, I think I actually  needed to have sense knocked into me - on a few issues- I was hurt enough to wonder if I was gonna die - for a few seconds.  I called Storm to tell him I love him.  Went to bed in pain and did not sleep…  I did talk to Jesus & have had quite a bit of clarification..   a nice calm has consumed me.   ;)  Actually grateful for the fright.

 Although sore to touch, even raise my eyebrows- I am absolutely clearer headed on several issues, humans and STRONGER than I was yesterday. AMEN.
I woke today and thanked God for it & said "o.k.! Let's prove it Jesus!"  lol    Wait & see.

I painted this deer for this stranger  “Ted” I met once  at the feed store in Halliburton (Phil is a great guy & very helpful  if you need seed/feed/animal stuff) I gave Ted my number because he said it was nice to have someone enjoy his photos.   This past year he has shared many beautiful photos of deer, flowers, butterflies, pine weasels, turkeys, amazing chickadees  and always a kind word or take care… thats’ it.  
I realized.. this stranger has absolutely been a positive light in 2020, and I wanted to say Thank you.  I’m pleased how it turned out,  inspired by a photo he sent,  playing with light & snow.

I realized we (me included) rarely ponder some people who are kind & thoughtful yet become ‘thought obsessed’  dwelling on others - who don’t even have the kindness in them to stop & say "hello" or even offer a smile - let alone kind word... 
Worse, we waste our thoughts & precious time on intentionally nasty people - robbing ourselves of  time & joy we could be thinking of the kind people we do have around us. Focus on Love, light Kindness…  I shall.
Let the Universe...    God, focus on the rest.

My head/mind needed the  alignment.
I needed to go & spend time with Jesus in prayer, thought, love.  

Excited to start the next painting!
​G

                                        Gloating Goat acrylic on wood panel. 12 x 16

Indica is a content goat.  I like to see him basking in the fall sunshine in his chair.
I wonder what he is thinking...    The yellow in this painting 'pops in the sunshine. 
We have happy goats & chickens,  no wonder my goat gloats'...    he loves to be brushed and is super cheeky, when I go in the coop- he stands against the door (locking me in) looking in the windows, he is quite playful.

Meow! Thsi kitty was an experiment!  I found some leaves - dried a few years old! lol
So I'm playing..   These are real cannabis leaves attached to this painting. Painted just fo these leaves. It's a secret how- and I'm not sure how well they will fare,  now I'll watch to see if they deteriorate or fade.  He's a bright kitty to face hanging around.  My cat is OLD.
I wasn't going to bring the cat- I didn't...   I left he cat with Norm as he finished the last house.. I thought - it's too old it will get out & get lost or eatten by a wolf.  I even suggested he put it down, I want sure what to do. He brought the cat.

Fluffy loves it. He goes out and hangs out ont he deck all day, he LOVES it- No traffic - all the mice & birds he can catch.  Kidding... He can't catch anything anymore - but he can imagine.  I am done with felines for this reason - bird killing.   Bird won my hear like no other little bird, I'm still missing him - big time. 
So Fluffy will live until Fluffy no longer lives.  I hope I never have to put another pet down ever- now we have a bungalow - it helps them too.   No stairs - less problems. More bungalows need to be built.

Time to get out - while the gettings good.  Time to work on that Christmas Gift! I will show you - because they don't know me or even know that I am painting it ;)  Have a great day. 
EAT healthy, pat the dog and practice deep breathing! 

Below is a mushroom craft I made by using leftover cement from Norms current project.  SUPER easy & cute I think - not to mention everlasting!  Pour leftover cememnt into empy catfood, yogurt - any small round containers.   Stick in LONG, finger thick (at least) sticks for stems and leave them to dry.   48 hours later - pop them out of the plastic and paint and add sme spots! I painted mine brown but mushrooms come in just about EVERY colour in real life - so go nuts!   I think they look very cute grouped together.  A few photos below have fun.
​
with THC & TLC
​Georgia 

That's what I hear everytime the goats call.. "Maaaaaa!!!" 
When Storm visited he picked up the goats to show us it couldbe done.. wellby him & Norm.. not me.  They need to be picked up if hurt or in trouble and to have their nails trimmed.  The actual picking up was the challenging  part, once up the goats did not move only yelled:  "Maaaaaa!! "  Whcih made us all laugh.   Goats are so much fun. 
The more they like me tho- the more I learn.  I was almost goosed by my goat when i turned my back on Indica to feed Sativa treats- he bumped me to let me know- turn around. LOL which I did!  He clearly was playing but I can now see how a real head butt to the butt would be felt indeed.

I showed the goats the painting- Indica was jealous and they started to fight over it as seen below...

Sativa was obsessed with it,  I don't think I'll hang it in the barn - as I like it too.  
Sativa  would not leave it alone, clearly loving her special portrait with Storm.
These goats make me laugh every time I'm out there, I wonder how they'll like our Canadian winter.  They have a new insulated, beautiful goat barn, I'm sure they'll be fine.
These wooden panels are fun - I like how you can stand them instead of hanging them.

Have a creative day & a lovely weekend.  I'll be painting, something.
We have BIG - LITTLE news next week, life changing- for us.  Yay!
with TLC & THC
​

We were out and about on the weekend to check out the Enchanted Forest at Abby Gardens- what a cool premise for tiny beings! It is truly a creative place  & I hope to brighten it up a bit.. this pandemic thing tho has interrupted - everything.
Nothing was as easy as it once was- grocery shopping for example is a chore I don't enjoy - walk this way ( people not following)... people getting impatient, some in masks, most not.. arguing in the parking lot,  before we even got out of our vehicle we watched a man & women yelling at each other over masks or lack of & distance at the grocery store.
​
Norm & I both noticed something else & it's quite a conundrum - we want to go out to encourange the local economy (as being promoted on the local radio station - constantly), we are keeping busy - building. BUT the treatment on the weekend was...  messed up.
One store (hardware) had an employee OBVIOUSLY SICK - hacking in her mask- WTF? Who cares IF it's NOT COVID!? The Mind says- YIKES.  Other employees - some in masks some not - were 'not' helpful...  I watched some who avoided customers and I don't blame them.   I guess THEY MUST work & some are clearly STILL Not comfortable with that.
 
Another store we went into to buy material & other items - the woman SNAPPED at us, yelling across the store - "I'll need to cut that!!!" accompanied with a dirty look -  Yes, I am aware you might be asked to provide SERVICE.
If you have a problem tell me at the door and I'll happily KEEP out.
Again - yet another business - unlike others..  you can only step in the door and look from there only.  Not happening, my brain struggles with normal shopping trips -I admit -  I can't do it... it creates anxiety and I just want OUT.
So - so much for supporting the local economy.  It's one thing to spend your money but to spend it on blatant shitty service & insults - cowabunga.  I'll stay home & save money.

I get it- BUT what I DO not get it allowing it to happen- if your employees are NOT happy - figure something out because I'll tell you - the ONE store- we will never go in again.  & I know I'm not alone... who would?  Why would you give business to someone who treats you badly? I understand it's difficult times- but not wise to take it out on your CUSTOMERS. Am I wrong?  It was not just the one store- it was MOST of them.
Our business lost for good. Covid or no covid- You don't yell at customers for no reason.  

We did stop in to Haliburton breweries (not yet fully functional) & the service thankfully, was friendly & enjoyable - so much so I picked up a Ukulele.  Time to teach my brian something new- of course I had to paint it first! It's made by Flight - so I painted 'Flight.  
I'm excited to try- it might be difficult with fingers that don't bend, still I'll try.
I enjoyed painting this so much I'm picking up another- the idea already imagined.   
I do think they can open the patio as of this FRIDAY.
I encourage to visit if you can - it's a neat place.  Halliburton Brewery

What NEW hobby would you like to teach your brain?


With TLC & THC
​Georgia

The Birds!!  This shot above was a dream come true... A pair of grossbeaks - oh my! 
I've been photographing and studying birds for months for one particular painting I've already titled: Feeding time!

I've pondered over this painting in my mind like never before.. every detail, which feeders I'll use, which way I'll position the birds,  painting every bird that visited... except grackles! Arrrgh... they arrived in the spring and I wish they did not.. I don't even remember seeing them last summer but the beasts are back- my least favorite bird - stealing all my woodpeckers food.  It's going to be a large painting  which I believe will take at least one - 2 weeks.  

I recognize, my own mental HEALTH  & well being needs some time out.  I've turned OFF my phone for a few days, told Norm not to bug.. lol   It's time to tune out & turn in, all this upheaveal in the USA is concerning,  I can't imagine how they are living it. I encourage anyone to watch 'Patriot Act' on Netflix regarding the USA and ongoing issues.  More or less  the host Hasan Minhaj  (I absolutly love this guy) calls it as it IS. The last episode says the same thing I did and many are: TRUMP is responsible for MASS MURDER of his own people- he ONLY cares about MONEY.  If the United States by some Bizzar thinking votes in this supreme asshole in AGAIN -  I imagine the next episodes we will watching  the death & destruction of America (the zombie takeover) & the American dream will become the American Nightmare unfolding  in front of the rest of the world.  

Toronto police are also being investigated for a woman who ended up falling (pushed?)   off her balcony  after a police altercation...  the thought of them pushing her- I don't want to think this happened - did it? Was it an accident? Was she shoved?  
We will soon find out. 

This is not the first time someone  struggling with mental health issues in Toronto died while being 'aprehended by the police'.  WTF?  It probably happens much more than we hear.  It already appears like eccessive force was used...    sigh, yep.  

Time to turn off and tune in and pray for peace & paint the birds.

with TLC & THC
​Georgia
​
P.S.  Soon, I'll have NEW birds to paint!!! weee.............

 I've learned a trick to painting better is paint something you really like!  Perhaps that's cats, turtles, cars, comics, imaginary creatures.. fruit or friends!  PICK ONE and focus on the details.  To paint portraits - I like to paint people that I consider interesting, have great faces, make me laugh, are nice humans, have interesting facial features..   ALL of the above.   Occassionally I see a photo that makes me smile - this one of two friends Kevin & Chris, was from a party I missed.  After I saw that photo, I really knew I missed a good time - Hahaha!

It made me laugh out loud for too many reasons to mention. It was a joy to paint -giggling the entire time - then giggling at the anticipation of posting it and having these two "see it" for the first time  - I think they will SMILE.  Don't you? 
I took a bit of artist liberty with the background and removed a lamp real mental photoshop happening.
 
I did show my son and he replied: LMAO - which is Good!  

Focus on imagry that is pleasing to the mind and brings back happy memories and fondness - as I have for these two.  They are two of my favorite people on the planet. lol
Seeing them in this photo cracks me up, EVERY time!
I also filled my home with treasures' & trinkets' not worth millions but each one  makes me smile! It matters. 

Visual triggers are more powerful than people realize  - get rid of anything that upsets you or you associate with negative feelings.  Who needs it? Or don't - the choice is yours.
Nothing 'material' is worth keeping if it causes you pain, mental or physical.
 Toss it and MOVE on.    

Make room for new happy memories.  Surround yourself with love- at every opportunity.
Now, I must decide whom to give it to..  maybe I'll keep it and enjoy it for a while.
​
With TLC & THC
Georgia
Acrylic on wood panel 6 x 6.
​