This Place Where We Live ~ Cloud Dreams 1 & 2 - Poem

"Cloud Dreams 1 & 2"

oil

24"x 48"

I’ve always loved to watch the clouds  

Dance across the sky

Changing constantly they’d go

A bird a wolf a butterfly

The earth is warm beneath me

As I marvel at this sight

Mine eyes and heart are lifted up

  I'm filled with their inner light


No mortal means propel them

As they shift across the sky

Another of life’s mysteries

My spirit soars, I fly

This Place Where We Live ~ "Lady of the Lake" and Island Dreamer" - Poem

"Lady of the Lake"

oil

24" x 36"

There’s a story gone round and round

Of a girl who lost her way

Tales drift on like ripples in a pond

Is it true? It’s hard to say

Like some sad romantic love song

Of how she came to be

A legend here on Rainy Lake

She's a wonder for all to see

Casting glances to shores afar

As she lays upon her stone

Boaters slow to see her close

A wonder to behold

All I know is she’s here today

And will be for a while

I’ll take my children’s children there

For I know she’ll bring a smile

If she could tell her story

Of how she came to be

I think she’d smile and simply say

I’m here for all to see

"Island Dreamer"

oil

36" x36"

This Place Where We Live ~ Last Light - Causeway Island

"Last Light - Causeway Island"

oil

18" x 24"

I’ve always been amazed by this magical time of day

When the evening comes to an end and the night sky closes in

Every sunset an original

A fingerprint that marks the mystery and celebration for a day well lived

Last Light gives promise of a new day when rest is done

This Place Where We Live ~ "Swimming Rock Reflections"

"Swimming Rock Reflections"

oil

18" x24"

I remember sitting under these pines on a hot summer’s day

Resting after a long cool swim in the clear fresh waters of Rainy

Laughing and playing our days away

In the distance is Blueberry Island where we would canoe to on one of our many expeditions

When I see it now I hear our laughter still

This Place Where We Live ~ "Spirits Entwined"

"Spirits Entwined"

oil

18" x 24"

When I was a young girl I would go out canoeing along the shore not far from home. There was a place where the branches would hang out over the water and I could glide under ~ totally magical for me. Another mystery was seeing that many of these trees actually grew out of cracks in the rocks. Their roots like hair weaving through stone seemed such an impossibility. "Spirits Entwined" has been created from a combination of these memories. Here the tree and rocks both smooth and worn are interconnected sharing one spirit as memories do from days long passed. 

This Place Where We Live ~ "Autumn's Light"

"Autumn's Light"

oil

36" x 36"

I like the delicacy of the birch tree

The way the old bark and the young exist side by side

And how the old layer pulls away to reveal the new

 They are like people as we learn and grow

 When we are young and fresh

 Our outer layer is smooth, unscarred

 As we grow and age our character shines through the lines on our face

Much like the pealing bark reveal her spirit beneath

This Place Where We Live ~ "Spirit Tree"

"Spirit Tree"

oil

24" x 30"

I imagine that this old diamond willow was once a marker for the wild rice beds that flourish here

The lake people would sit under her

 Sing songs of the harvest

 And of the creatures that lived in the water amongst the reeds

 Her bark and leaves will have absorbed their voices into her sap as part of her growing

 The sounds and songs that once filled her have fallen with her into silence

 But there is life and sounds in the water and the land around her still

 Perhaps one day the songs will come back

And from one of her seeds there will be a new tree that will once again show the way.

This Place Where We Live ~ "View From Above"

"View From Above"

oil

30" x 30"

I love looking deep into the water where the stems are revealed and the way the ripples reflect the bright blue sky. It was an interesting challenge to paint this with a view from above.

This Place Where We Live ~ "Three Sisters" - Poem

"Three Sisters"
oil
36" x 36"

There’s a legend of the lake that’s told

A story of sisters three

Who lived with their father long ago

A loving happy family

Surrounded by pines reaching high to the skies

A place to explore and roam

Where waters lap upon rocky shores

Rainy Lake they called their home

He loved his daughters and taught them well

Stay safe my saplings three

Look to the skies – she’ll show the way

And bring you back to me

That fateful morn, out they did go

Paddling this lake they loved so well

When caught in a storm they lost their way

Did fell deep into waters swell

The lake spirit knew them and their love of this land

Then thought of their father too

Gently gathered the saplings in her hands

Now three islands surrounded by blue

It is said when you travel there today

You can feel an aura of love

Three Sisters standing tall and proud

While eagles soar high above

Some see him paddling ‘round here still

Their loving father by their side

Casting flowers along these rocky shores

Where daughter’s spirits three abide


* This painting is now available in giclee print on paper or canvas. Please contact me for details*

 I would like to thank all who came out to the opening of "This Place Where We Live". It was a wonderful evening with many turning out to see what myself and fellow artist Wayne Yerxa have been up to this past year. A big thank you to our families and friends who have supported us in our life's work. We couldn't do this without you! We also received great support from B93 FM,  the Fort Frances Times and the Ontario Arts Council. Thank you!

The Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario

This Place Where We Live ~ "Last Light - Seven Oaks"

"This Place Where We Live" opens today at the Fort Frances Museum where I will be exhibiting my new collection of oils.

"Last Light - Seven Oaks"
oil
36" x 36"

Working exclusively with oils over this past year has been an incredible journey with many challenges and struggles at times but also has been extremely satisfying. Working with oils present a whole new level of textures, richness of colour and glow. After almost 30 years working with watercolour I have found a new love. It has been a most gratifying process. I plan to post all of the images here over the next few weeks for those unable to view my new collection in person. Enjoy!