Hello Spring!
Spring is in the air... But Mother Nature is taking her time this year!
To celebrate (and in anticipation!) I have 15% off everything in the Daisy Collection (including Daisy Art Prints) for a limited time...
Spring is in the air... But Mother Nature is taking her time this year!
To celebrate (and in anticipation!) I have 15% off everything in the Daisy Collection (including Daisy Art Prints) for a limited time (just for subscribers!).
The Magic Tree
Every painting has a story. Sometimes the painting is painted with the story in mind; other times the story evolves as I’m painting…
When I was little I got lost in Stanley Park. (Stanley Park is a 400 hectare public park in Vancouver where I grew up). It has giant, rainforest trees, and is surrounded by the ocean and beautiful beaches. Most kids growing up in Vancouver have memories of the park…
Every painting has a story. Sometimes the painting is painted with the story in mind; other times the story evolves as I’m painting…
When I was little I got lost in Stanley Park. (Stanley Park is a 400 hectare public park in Vancouver where I grew up). It has giant, rainforest trees, and is surrounded by the ocean and beautiful beaches. Most kids growing up in Vancouver have memories of the park… From playing on the beach, to rolling down the grassy hills, to the children’s zoo and train, or theatre under the stars… We were always excited to go to the park!
One day, when I was about four years old, I went to the park with my sisters and some family friends. As usual I was in my day-dreamy world (only half aware of my surroundings) when I suddenly realised I didn't know where I was… My sisters and the family I was with, were nowhere to be found!
When I think back to it now, all I remember is feeling very alone and frightened. There were lots of people around, but I didn't dare go up to someone I didn't know… Instead I saw a great, big, magnificent, grandfather tree. I went straight over to it and, cuddling up next to the huge trunk, I started to cry. Somehow I felt the tree would protect me.
Well, I guess it did because it wasn't long before a nice family came along and rescued me (and took me to the “Lost and Found” where I was eventually returned to my rightful owners).
So that’s my little tree story… And if you look closely, maybe you can see a little girl nestled contentedly, high up in the branches of The Magic Tree...
Down the rabbit hole... 🐰
Take a trip down the rabbit hole… and experience a whole, new dimension to art…
at my 3D Art Show!
Take a trip down the rabbit hole… and experience a whole, new dimension to art…
at my 3D Art Show!
“I almost wish I hadn't gone down that rabbit-hole—and yet—and yet—it's rather curious, you know, this sort of life!” ~ Lewis Carroll
This show is part of the North Shore Art Crawl on Saturday and Sunday, March 4th and 5th, from 10 am to 5 pm.
“This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill—the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill—you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.”
Will you take the red pill?...
What colour is your February?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve associated letters, numbers and words with colours. For example, the letter “A” is red (and so is the name Anne). Sometimes the word is coloured by the first letter, but not always. For example “F” is a dark green, but February is a light blue. I thought this was “normal” and that everyone’s words were colours. Until I was a little older and began asking others what colours their letters or words were…
Ever since I can remember, I’ve associated letters, numbers and words with colours. For example, the letter “A” is red (and so is the name Anne). Sometimes the word is coloured by the first letter, but not always. For example “F” is a dark green, but February is a light blue. I thought this was “normal” and that everyone’s words were colours. Until I was a little older and began asking others what colours their letters or words were…
I’d say, “What colour is your February?” And they’d look at me blankly.
A few years ago I discovered from a friend and fellow artist that it’s actually a “neurological condition” called synesthesia (which means “union of the senses”). Synesthesia can involve any of the senses but the most common is “seeing” letters and numbers as colours. This is called Grapheme-Colour Synesthesia. I also have Spatial Sequence Synesthesia (experiencing time, numbers and dates as if it's a on a giant clock outside of my body). The hypothesis is that in synesthetes, there is a cross-wiring in the brain so that neurons and synapses that are supposed to be contained in one sensory system, cross over to another system.
Apparently synesthesia is more common among artists. I know three other synesthetes and all are artists. I’m sure I know more, it’s just not something normally discussed (unless you are an artist!).
I’ve always loved playing with colour. As an artist it’s a big part of my expression. Perhaps synesthesia is like having another sense… a 6th sense… I can’t imagine not having this "condition". And it certainly adds to my world of colour…
I’d love to know… Are you a synesthete? What colour is your February?
My Year In Pictures
It's the last day of the year.
And so, I put together a little video collage of the year that was...
My Year In Pictures
It's the last day of the year.
And so, I put together a little video collage of the year that was...
My 2016 In Pictures
Vision Board Workshop for 2017
Do you know what a Vision Board is? It’s a way to manifest your dream life. When you make a Vision Board, you get clear on what you want to create in your life.
On January 14th, 2017, I'm hosting the first ever CREATE YOUR LIFE VISION-BOARD WORKSHOP. It’s a full-day immersion for you to focus on your authentic life, core clarity and ideal outcomes.
Manifest Your Dreams at the Create Your Life Vision Board Workshop
Do you know what a Vision Board is? It’s a way to manifest your dream life. When you make a Vision Board, you get clear on what you want to create in your life.
On January 14th, 2017, I'm hosting the first ever CREATE YOUR LIFE VISION-BOARD WORKSHOP. It’s a full-day immersion for you to focus on your authentic life, core clarity and ideal outcomes.
Due to the deep nature of the work, I’ve made only 6 spaces available.
Can't wait to create!
Create Your Life
Life is a grand play. We are the writers, directors, producers...
We are the Stars of our own play.
Each day we get to decide ~ What will my day be like? How will I live?...
Life is a grand play. We are the writers, directors, producers...
We are the Stars of our own play.
Each day we get to decide ~ What will my day be like? How will I live?...
What will I create today?
Our lives become Artful.
We create the world, our lives, from the inside out. The world then becomes a match to who we are.
The purpose of life is to be who you truly are. When you live the life of your dreams, you are living your purpose on earth.
So how do we create the life of our dreams? How do we get there?...
The answer is not out there. It isn't a place you get to. It's a place that is already within you. The journey is a trip to the centre of your Being. When you connect to this place within, you'll discover you are already there.
And it is a journey... It's a journey, yet in the twinkling of an eye you are there.
“We shall not cease from exploring, and the end of our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”
The 21 Day Dream Journey is a gentle, peaceful, yet powerful way to connect to your dreams and change your life.
It is a tool to help guide you, step by step, to connect with your dreams and make them real.
All you need is a favourite notebook or journal and some time set aside daily to dream...
Get ready to commit to your dreams and make them a reality in your life!
You can register now... (You'll also get your free PDF ~ 7 Steps from Ethereal to Real, part one of the Little Book of Big Dreams, so you can start creating your dreams today!).
Painting the Tree ~ Stage One
I made a little video showing the first stage of my painting process.
Each painting begins with a free-hand drawing on canvas. With pencil to canvas I get to know my painting...
I made a little video showing the first stage of my painting process.
Each painting begins with a free-hand drawing on canvas. With pencil to canvas I get to know my painting... The lines and character of the painting are now beginning to take shape. Once the drawing is complete I do an underpainting in grey as a tonal study...
Live Your Childhood Dreams
It’s a rainy, blustery day and I’m cozy warm in my studio…
Looking out my window at the Vancouver harbour, I remember that only a few years ago, this was my dream...
It’s a rainy, blustery day and I’m cozy warm in my studio…
Looking out my window at the Vancouver harbour, I remember that only a few years ago, this was my dream.
In fact, it wasn’t until I moved into this studio that I realised... I actually visualised this very space.
Well, the studio wasn’t built yet, but I did imagine it… I imagined the size, the location... And with windows facing the waterfront…
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”
Being an artist was really the only childhood dream I had.
And now, here I am... Living my dream.
“Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the action stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.”
And, once again, here I am... Day-dreaming out my window… Thinking… Imagining….
(I always was a dreamer).
So I thought... It's time to start another dream...
So...... Beginning November 21st, I'll be launching the 21 Day Dream Journey.
This (FREE) 21 Day Dream Journey is a gentle, peaceful, yet powerful way to connect to your dreams and change your life.
When it's time to birth a new dream, idea or goal in life, you can use the Dream Journey Guide to become clear on your vision and take the steps needed to bring your dreams to life.
You can register now... (You'll also get your free PDF ~ 7 Steps from Ethereal to Real, part one of the Little Book of Big Dreams, so you can start creating your dreams today!).
And now for something (a little) different...
Every painting is an experiment. I never quite know how it will turn out...
With my most recent painting I delved deeper into the abstract. Working from a photo I took of the early morning sun shining through autumn leaves, I played with the shapes and colours until the abstraction became a whole new image...
Every painting is an experiment. I never quite know how it will turn out...
With my most recent painting, I delved deeper into the abstract. Working from a photo I took of the early morning sun shining through autumn leaves, I played with the shapes and colours until the abstraction became a whole new image.
Now I feel as though I'm looking at the drifting sea-life of an underwater world...
This painting will be part of an upcoming 3D art show (stay tuned for more information!).
