With love
​g

California is one of the most beautiful places visual I've ever been - the weather - I'm missing it already on this chilly rainy day! - lol   At least I had a bit of a break. I am thankful.
Poppy is sleeping still - jet lag big time.   Above all else, I was taken back with the plant life!  If you are inspired by plants they are everywhere and in all colors, shapes, sizes & succulents galore!  There were so many I did not know what to paint. 

The trees made me SMILE!I must have looked a big squirrley myself, standing at he base hugging, feeling and looking up into the magnificent trunks. Leaves I've never seen, touched and even tasted - it would be a reason I will say to many "Go see California!"  I'm told it's like this YEAR round.   Everyone would agree the plant life is something to see.
Sadly- literally the afternoon before I left a woman told me about Crown Valley botanical garden! GO see it if you get to Orange County & tell me what it was like.  
Everyday was an adventure on our walk! I carried something back with me each time- to paint, smell and explore... I wished I could start my own collection of seed pods - tiny alien cases waiting to let loose new life & blooms. Colors which would stimulate  until I leaned in for a smell and in most cases the thoughts of heaven came to mind.. this must be what it would smell like. I picked a tiny bloom and tossed it in my purse only to be reminded when the entire room smelled of it later.  Below are a few of my favourite photos some I am painting and adding into other works.

As an artist there is nothing like your own custom reference library for in what is in my own mind 'my next perfect composition.' Going to California for these photos, experiencing it first hand was a dream come true.  Follow your dreams! 

I made a promise - as I am blessed  I''ll continue to say 'Yes' to adventure!
Be it in on a plane or in a new plant discovery.  
​Time to paint! It makes me feel warm just thinking about it. 

With Love
g

When you look deeply into your anger, you will see that the person you call your enemy is also suffering. As soon as you see that, the capacity for accepting and having compassion for them is there.

- Thich Nhat Hanh -

I read the L.A. Times while away and enjoyed it better than the sun- it wasn't as negative - even tho it was full of Trump. Informative, yes liberal and it educated me on issues as a Canadian in particular, I had no idea of the extent some are facing in the USA.. living in FEAR - not of ISIS or terrorism but of deportation - JAIL before deportation. $$ before proven innocent. OTHER people (is simply what they are) who want a better life and many who have lived in the USA for decades, contributing in every way, paying taxes, working hard, raising kids & sending them through school and more- now live in fear of waking up one day to find police stalking their home to arrest them and take them from their family- WHAT have they done wrong exactly?? WHO did they physically hurt?  NO ONE. 
It's messed up and I was grateful I grew up in Toronto instead of  California because I don't ever want to think' like many of them do.  Read what inspired this cartoon: http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-immigrants-running-road-sign-20170614-htmlstory.html  As I thought of all those STRUCK by vehicles - children.. why? Because they are suffering and want "the American dream", which we all wanted for a while. I did! As a kid- I couldn't wait to go to the USA!   I still can't wait but my last trip as fun as it was, everything for a reason - was a rude awakening on several issues. 

I'm sure I might anger some but I felt like I walked into the StepfordFamily reality show. I can't believe how rude many all appear, at the grocery store they are never polite or smile or even acknowledge the cashiers. It was like a giant community of 'stuck up' - 'I'm better than the rest' attitudes.  You can feel the hatred.   I could and at times I could feel my heart ache...   I'd think it was 'just me' and I'd meet another person who would reaffirm.  One man literally said to me:
"when they meet each other here they shouldn't say - hello what's your name? They should say- what's your income?.. and then they'd might go (He animatedly thew out his hand to shake) Oh, hello' upon hearing a higher $$$ income!
Amazed I said "YES! Thank you!"   it was exactly how I felt as well - oh and btw.. he was the ONLY black man I saw during my stay *with the exception of one day at a more 'touristy place' I saw a couple of black famalies - I thank them secretly for  helping me 'feel normal, comfortable, a  Canadian raised in Toronto normal - Thank God.
Is this how you want to be seen OC? Because you are.
Unlike your outer beauty your inner is not attractive.    It's NOT just me.   

In conclusion, I guess I do love the not so friendly OC people the most for they must be suffering the most - or they would not treat others the way they do. It is such a stunning state! I know it would be reflected more by the people if everyone was not walking around so angry at others,  pay attention to what your little ones are witnessing.  

Who put borders where they are? God?  
I doubt it. Is this what you teach your children?

I am glad these signs are diminishing along with the attitudes.

With love
g

Today I asked to be dropped off at the Ocean! Hows that sound? Well I can assure you sitting on he beach with poppy - it sounded lovely! I wan't there e5 minutes when I found a surfers watch amongst the rocks- and it was still working- complete with he date, I've kept it for a souvenir.  Poppy Loved the ocean! She constantly stared at the waves.

What did we do? We lay on the sand and listened to the waves...  searched for crabs, spied a tiny starfish and more - we loved it. Every grain. I think we just might do the same tomorrow... It will be a lovely way to spend Canada day! I'm told it's ben raining back home since I left-  glad to be in the sunshine.  It is hot and dry, there have been a few fires already -part of California living.   Today I met several lovely people, the life guard welcomed us and told me I don't even need to put Poppy's vest on- good she was hot! We walked the beach, she didn't leave my side and now she is an official Salty Dog! 

I also found a tiny, pristine rabbit skull, I'm going to paint it like Georgia O'Keefe! Sitting in the Cali sunshine.  Nevada is 'legal' tomorrow... but according to the LA times- good luck consuming, you can get a $600.oo fine if you smoke cannabis in your own car. Your own home is the only place, it's not as  cannabis friendly as one might think. Still 
Trump is in the papers and it's terrible, his tweets..  lol I can't believe I AM even typing about a president and 'his Tweets!' Nothing but bashing this president by his fellow Americans (I don't know who voted for him) talk about a divide. The L.A. Times is no fan, I'm finding reading the paper interesting - a different perspective.. 
Well this cali sunshine has me beat, time to enjoy some fine bud and perhaps paint! 
*OH - My bear surfing was found at Salt Creek Beach - by a surfer (just a young man) he sent me a  photo -thanking me! Holding it on Instagram,  he looked me up I guess... lol and he is pleased to have the tiny original! Made my day.   

Time to paint! I have my 'Canada day' ready for Tomorrow! <3
Keep creative! Stay dry fellow Canadians! I'll pray & send you a sunny day tomorrow! 
I can try.

With Love
G

Lions & Tigers & Bears Oh my!!
Rattlesnake & Coyote & Poppy Bye Bye!

On 3 separate occasions people have come up and warned me about Poppy.
I get it and THANK you.  
I was picking a flower today and Poppy was with me, on her leash but still... I was'nt paying attention to her- this Cali foliage has got me 'cra cra ' lol .. I heard "Mam....  Mam... (in a southern drawl)  You need to pay attention to your dog! My dog and I were attacked by 3 coyote the other day!"  She then proceeded to pull out this really cute portable Tazer!! Pink - at that  "I got it on Amazon, you should pick it up, keep it in your hand or purse.. those coyote would steal her up in a second!"  I thanked her- told her I was visiting from Canada - and then she blurted out - "Well then, You better pay attention to the rattlesnake too!"  
OH My gouache! lol   Where are the squirrels when you need them?  
Come to think of it, I have not seen a squirrel.
Tons of tiny lizards- I wish I could catch one for a better look! Bunnies, BEEs, birds.. 
Behind the house is a walking path - amazing views & plants and it leads to a park or you can take it to 'Salt Creek Beach 2.5 miles' I plan on getting up early tomorrow and walking it!  Me & Poppy.  Now we have our whistle (also advised by the lovely stranger), and a walking stick with a  strap! To whack at coyote,  there are many people on the path as well.   We won't see a Coyote (God's got my back- Poppy's too) but we're just gonna play it safe...  a backpack so my hands are free.  We're good to go! & I've painted  new TINY ART drop! I'm so happy a little girl found one- she inspired me to paint  "more fun" than a pelican. 

& WE GO everywhere together! We went to the Movies & watched a movie with Salma Hayek & John Lithgow (I think they are both terrific).. the movie made me cry a couple of times & it touched a nerve with me. ;(  I knew what was coming at the end & just wanted to get out of the theatre. I highly recommend it.  
I am a big believer in fate as was Salmas character.    & love..   & healing.
I don't understand much it appears sometimes and get incredibly frustrated at events or people that enter my life - for a reason presumably - I know God has a plan..   What it is - I give up.  I surrender. I can't even pretend to guess.   
Later while I lay in bed...  I  wished I hadn't seen the movie.

Poppy had a tear in  her eye at the end of the movie- I think it's because she was enjoying the air conditioned room so much and knew we were leaving. lol  
** I had a comment here but removed it as it might 'spoil' the movie**
BEFORE I agreed to this invite I asked my friend "Do you support Trump?"
Had he said 'yes, I'd of said 'no.  Fact. 
I  don't speak Trumps name around here.. I am clearly amongst supporters.

Today were just going to sit out back, listen to the birds and paint & ponder. 
This 'fate stuff' got me all confused today... time to sample some new cannabis I picked up and just enjoy the sunshine and let God do the rest.
I have faith God won't let me down.
 
With Love
​g