. I paint with an amazing group of artist every Tuesday at the Gibson Cultural Centre. The centre is having an open house in August and requested paintings from our group. I committed to 4. 

Three of the four are complete

—————————

Rain today…a day for painting! I had a very enjoyable time with my daughter, here from Madison, Wisconsin for the week. We were creating on a different level. She helped me plant my small vegetable garden of tomatoes, onions, yellow a green beens, carrots, beets and snow peas. Last year I had all of my large overgrown shrubs removed from my front garden beds. Danielle helped us plant a variety of shrubs and perennial flowers as well as instilling a watering system. I purchased a number of perennials to attract butterflies. I am ready to document the arriving butterflies for posting on the BIMBY Facebook site. As well for posting on the INaturalist site. 

BIMBY….’Butterflies in My Back Yard’ 

—————-

So many dandelions!

———————-

8” x 8” wood panel in oil

This week’s painting from an old photo from my France Workshop. I still go back to these photos. They all provide wonderful memories of the places and the people there.  

                                                            SPRING HAS ARRIVED

The bulbs I planted last fall are all in bloom…daffodils, crocuses and tulips. Last night there was a call for frost, if we did get it, my bulbs were not affected.

I am excited to increase my plantings with butterfly attracting plants.  BIMBY has officially started. I have attended one webinar and another waiting for me. I enjoy this group of enthusiastic people so much. I have not been out searching for butterflies as yet. I am amazed at the posting of some in the Toronto area. I look forward to getting up to our cottage to further my butterfly search. 

I still have a collection of butterfly photos that are calling to be painted.

Reposting this….I joined a group called ‘Butterflies in My Back Yard’ a few years ago. 

‘BIMBY’

It is a David Suzuki initiative whereby people 

volunteer to document Butterflies in their yard. 

It is an ongoing science campaigne that tracks 

the abundance and diversity of butterflies. 

Butterfly numbers are an indicator of how well we are 

treating our environment. 

As a result of becoming a ‘butterfly seeker’ 

 I added to my garden plants that would attract butterflies. 

We were encouraged to venture beyond our own yards. 

Documentation is done on INaturalist.

                      Does anyone remember the tv show ‘The Nature of Things’. I loved that show.

There are so many of the minute that line the paths I walk or fill the ditches along the roads I travel that are disappearing with the expansion of city and town. The farmland and countryside are disappearing with the building of enormous homes. 

Here it is April 26th… nearing the end of the month and I am working on three projects all at once. I have committed to 4 paintings for the Gibson Centre Art Exhibit celebrating The Gibson Cultural.Centre August Open House…to come and explore all what the Gibson Centre has to offer. I paint there on Tuesdays as a member of ‘Artists at the Gibson’ Tuesday painters group. Also working on paintings for Wasaga Beach call to artist and Gibson Centre Fall Art Exhibit. 

I took a three day acrylic portrait painting workshop with Audrey Smith last week at Maggiolly’s in Orangeville. Enjoyed very much, a great instructor. Came away inspired. Some new techniques learned and incorporating in up coming paintings,

I received a photo from my niece Erin this morning…reminding me of paintings I gave to her for her wedding years ago, paintings from a series I did of butterflies encased in encaustic, 12” x 12” acrylic and encaustic on camvas. In total there were 16 paintings in that series. I gave to my two daughters and my two nieces. Nice to see they are being enjoyed. 

 April, 2026

Here it is with spring just around the corner. It has been a very long winter with record snow falls, our first full winter in Canada for many years. Lots of painting…in my studio at home, at the Gibson Cultural Centre here in Alliston, and on line with artist Dreama Tolle Perry and creating artist’s books with Book Artist Ali Manning and the Handmade Book Arts Group. 

What am I working on now?…The Gibson Centre has extended an invitation to the community to explore the Centre during the month of August. The ‘Artists at the Gibson’ group were asked to contribute paintings of and around the building to be exhibited in the Gallery Space. I have committed to creating 4 - 12” x 12” oil paintings. As well, I continue to create artist’s book.

Well here it is February 2025

I keep myself busy with a variety of activities mainly creating artist books. 

I am back in Barbados, here until April, we arrived in December. 

Recent Books I have made

Coptic Stitch Binding. 

7” x 5 1/2”

I love this binding as the book lies flat when opened. 

I love these little boxes of pencil crayons that I purchased in 

Woolworth, Barbados. They are made in Malaysia.

I remember going to the Woolworth store 

in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada….loved it! 

Circular hinge book, 

with Zentangles,

thank you to Kit Davey 

for her instructions 

                    

                       My attempt at Zentangle                         

Water colour sketch 

                                                              

Book with Coptic Binding, 18/3 Irish Linen thread, 

My book cloth for the cover. 

These 2 books were a gift for a friend. 

I forgot the record the size.

with found beads

Added adult colouring pages to my books for 

‘when the brain is tired but the hand wants to move’

———-

Summer, 2024 

I joined a group called Butterflies in My Back Yard’ 

‘BIMBY’

It is a David Suzuki initiative whereby people 

volunteer to document Butterflies in their yard. 

It is an ongoing science campaigne that tracks 

the abundance and diversity of butterflies. 

Butterfly numbers are an indicator of how well we are 

treating our environment. 

As a result of becoming a ‘butterfly seeker’ 

 I added to my garden plants that would attract butterflies. 

We were encouraged to venture beyond our own yards. 

Documentation is done on INaturalist.

T

Handmade accordion book of 

watercolour sketches of flowers from my garden.

Not only do we document the butterflies we 

see but also the plants we find them on. 

I was excited to find Black Swallowtail Caterpillars

among my parsley plants. 

————-

Painting of my grandson, 

juried exhibit

 ‘Pigments of My Imagination’ 

By Gibson Centre in Alliston, Ontario.

‘By the Water’s Edge’

12” x 12” 

Oil on canvas

On and off  I have been working on this oil painting 

of my son-in-law, one in the series of ‘masks’

I was asked in November 2024 to paint a tile that was to 

become part of a larger piece celebrating 

the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada 

for Western Ontario Waterways. 

Approximately 5 “ square.

————

2023

Barbados

The Soursop tree has a most unusual fruit.

I wanted to see if I could grow a Soursop tree 

from a seed. 

AND…I did!

There is so much satisfaction 

in watching plants grow. 

When I returned this November I 

could not believe how much my tree had grown 

and that it had survived without my care.

There are interesting health benefits from this fruit. 

The monkeys usually get mine before I do. 

https://www.barbadospocketguide.com/our-island-barbados/plants/trees-fruit/soursop-tree.html

November 2023

April 2023

————

 ‘ONTARIO 150 SERIES’ continued

Acrylic on Canvas

12” x 12”

The Gibson Centre Fall Exhibit

Alliston, Ontario

————

‘CREATING’ presents itself in many forms.

Crocheted and knitted Prayer Shawls 

of many colours, many patterns, different textures created by many. 

Blessed at St. John’s United Church, Alliston, ON .

Shawls are donated to provide comfort and warmth 

to those going through 

a difficult or stressful time: in the loss of a loved one, 

depression, illness, loneliness and so much more.

Request can be made by anyone!

 

Art: the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, 

typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, 

producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

— Oxford Dictionary

Art has the power to change the way we see the world, awakening us to new perspectives, ideas, and values. It can take us back in time to reflect on our past or push us further into our future. Art can bring awareness to social issues and foster a sense of acceptance — bringing people together regardless of background. Art is not only a form of expression but also an invitation to problem-solve and grow within ourselves and our communities. Whether creating or experiencing it, art provides unique ways for understanding different points of view while inspiring citizens to create meaningful social change.

The Power of Art: Does Art Really Change the World We Live?—artbusinessnews.com

————

I wanted a painting of the vegetation that surrounds my Barbados home.

I added a few Bananaquit birds that fight the humming birds 

for space at our hummingbird feeder.

This one was a challenge. 

I may have another go at this another time.

—————

———

 Each day is a new canvas to 

paint upon. 

Make sure your picture is 

full of life and happiness,

and at the end of the day 

you don’t look at it 

and wish you had 

painted something different.

…Author Unknown

February 2023

November 2022 to February 2023

Coptic Stitch Binding, 

Japanese paper, black 18/3 Irish Linen Thread,

End papers of Japanese paper

4 1/2” x 5 3/4”

Signatures of 60 lb Fabriano drawing paper

A birthday gift!

————-

Diamond Stitch Binding,

Cork cover backed with Japanese papers, 

18/3 Irish Linen Thread,

5 1/2” x 7”, card stock end papers, 

Signatures of mixed media paper

———— 

 Blizzard Binding. 

—————

Butterfly Binding, Japanese paper, a gift from my daughter Danielle,

18/3 waxed linen thread, 5 1/2” x 7”,

Signatures of 60 lb Fabriano drawing paper

————-

Matchbox books

————-

Butterfly Binding, 5 1/2” x 7”,

18/3 Irish linen thread,

Signatures of 90 lb Fabriano drawing paper

———-

East Coast visit, view from St. John’s church

Visit to North Point and 

the black bellied sheep

(future paintings) 

North Point looking to the east

West coast

East Coast, Bathsheba 

With a most unusual sky this day!

————

Bookmaking…

Christmas Books, Coptic Stitch Binding, 

4 1/2” x 5 3/4”, 18/3  Irish Linen Thread,

Book Cloth made from purchased fabric,

Signatures of 60 lb Fabriano drawing paper

————

—————-

Art Installation, Speightstown

————-

Paul revisiting memories of his youth…

the mill on Ball’s Plantation, 

2023 Flower Show