My solo show "Reflections of Nature" continues until June 9th, at The Chapel Gallery, Muskoka Arts and Crafts, 15 King Street, Bracebridge. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-5:00. Call Gallery 705.645.5501

Hope you can get out to see the show!  Exciting news...I will be there at The Chapel Gallery on May 29th from 10:00- 12:00 for a live interview with Cogeco cable. Check it out later next week!


My solo show commemorates my journey of discovery, joy and wonder that I experience in Nature. It is called "Reflections of Nature" but the river runs much deeper than that as it is also a reflection of me and who I am. My art expresses my inner convictions and worldview and a yearning to protect the very thing that brings me joy. Yes it is about reflecting the beauty that I see in the sparkle of dew on a unfolding leaf. or in diamonds of light dancing across the water, but the inspiration is only the beginning of expressing what I feel is worthy of fighting to protect.


I experienced a true "shift" a couple of years back during my participation in an event called artSHIFT which was part of a much bigger event called Creative Shift. It was a real turning point for me as I no longer saw my work as only a means of celebrating the joy and wonder I see in nature, but to use my art as a call to action to protect and preserve our environment for generations to come. I was paired with a local creative innovative company called Lord and Partners, a manufacturer of green chemistry. It was a fantastic opportunity to think outside the box and create a piece of artwork that reflected his intentions and direction as a company. It caused a "shift" in me and helped me to really recognize how my art can speak a different language and inspire others to come forward into a sense of stewardship and responsibility. The artwork I created out of auto parts and cleaning fluid was called " A greener tomorrow" and became the starting point for my solo show.


There is another underlying element in my work which permeates everything I do, and that is my unwavering faith and spirit. I haven't lost my childlike sense of awe, and I am still amazed by the beauty of it all. No matter what challenges I have faced or how bad things get or how dark life may be at times, I choose the light to carry me through. My art also becomes a form of personal stewardship and a sense of responsibility to use my creative gift to assist worthy organizations and helping others and our planet. There are five paintings that I have selected and designated to have portions donated to specific organizations, such as The Muskoka Heritage Foundation, The Friends of Algonquin Park, The Canadian Cancer Society, and Habitat for Humanity Muskoka. I have also selected " A greener tomorrow" to have a portion go to the TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation, of which I am a monthly supporter and also act as a voting member on a local board for grants approvals.


I am very excited about my solo show and to present some new works to the public. I have always seen my art as a way to encourage a response from the viewer. My greatest hope is that the viewer will feel connected to a living breathing earth and want to protect it for all it is worth.


HAPPY SPRING!!! Janine

My solo show 'REFLECTIONS OF NATURE' opens next Saturday May 12 th. Reception 1:00-4:00 with live music stylings on guitar by Michael Kaye and tasty goodies and refreshments. The Chapel Gallery, Muskoka Arts and Crafts, 15 King Street, Bracebridge. 705.645.5501

I am very excited about this show as it will reveal my inner drive and determination to go beyond just an appreciation of the beauty I see in Nature, to a more compelling message to act now for a greener tomorrow. 


I will have new works created in acrylic, watercolour and pastel along with some of my favourite paintings. I've been experimenting with cross over techniques and paring mediums together such as acrylic with pastel on canvas. This decision has proven to be a good move as these recent paintings are really powerful in their energy.


Another kind of energy will be present at my art show opening and that will be the music stylings of local musician and performer, Michael Kaye. I just met Mike recently by chance and it has proven to be a great connection. I even got to have a solo performance on site at work on my birthday May 1st. How cool is that! He is a wonderful musician and very entertaining so you are in for a real treat when you come to see my art.


There will be refreshments and food goodies lovingly made by me. Hope you can make it out. The show continues until June 9th.


HAPPY SPRING!!
Janine

MONARCH BUTTERFLY-A new creature

This painting was done for the recent members gallery challenge called "This is who I am" by Muskoka Arts and Crafts. I could have chosen anything but the image of the monarch butterfly is most fitting for this challenge. I have been through many challenges and changes in my life but through it all I have been guided and protected. renewed and uplifted beyond measure or comprehension. The monarch butterfly emerges as a new creature and that is how I feel too. I am emerging to become the way I was meant to be. Stronger, faithful and true,and ready to face whatever life throws at me.

I did a painting back in 2006 that dealt with a lot of bad stuff and I came to terms with all of it in that painting. The painting was called "the greatest of these is love" which was bought by a patron of my church family at All Saints' Anglican in Huntsville. It was dedicated to the Church and now hangs in the chapel. It is a testament to surviving the dark times in life and being renewed and restored through faith, hope and love.

This new painting " A new creature" is in partial reflection of that but is indeed a new painting. I have moved beyond that moment in time and have been renewed and restored to be even stronger than before. At the top of the painting is reference to three cyclamen flowers. My Dad always gave me cyclamen flowers as he knew how much I like them so it is partially about that connection. More importantly is the connection to the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. The light raining down on me also rains around me onto others in my life. My friend Joy asked what the white line around my wings was all about. I told her that is my armour of light that shields and protects me. The little bud beneath me is my son Jon. He too is becoming stronger and ready to face the world. I have another year with him before he sets out to go off to school and start his own life. I am glad that I have been able to equip him for the world and set him on the right path. The is the greatest challenge as a parent is to raise children to become decent human beings who respect nature and every living thing. He has turned out so well, and I just know he will make a difference in this world and leave his own unique mark.

So here we are almost ready to start Spring! I hope and pray for new beginnings and good things for all those around me with whom our lives touch. HAPPY SPRING!

blessings, Janine

WINTER LIGHT represents a quality of afternoon light and a moment etched in time in my memory.

Christmas is around the corner and I pause and think back to a time when my Dad and I would go tromping through the thick bush on an old trappers trail in search of a Christmas tree. I can still smell the scent of Spruce and Cedar boughs in the crisp cold air and see my breath float in front of me in an icy cloud. My lungs filled with frosty air until I finally breathed through my mitts to warm it up a little. Yes it was cold, but my heart was warmed by knowing that the time spent with my Dad would never be forgotten.

Somehow I just knew to take a photograph with my mind of the moment; the deep Dad and daughter talk, the laughter, the boots getting stuck in the marsh, the decisions on which tree would finally be picked to be " the one" that would come home with us; that I needed to etch it in my heart and soul forever.

All of the trees looked great with snow on them, and the one we always picked was a little less than perfect, but somehow that was for the best. None of us are perfect either, and we all have our "good sides" and our "bad sides" We can try to dress them up or dress them down, but to me the real beauty in the tree lies with its heavenly scent. I don't care if the branches are less than perfect or that it is lopsided, or too short or too tall, or too whatever. The true gift of the tree in in the scent of its needles and sap in the trunk and branches. Kind of like people don't you think. It is not the outside that matters it is the soul.

My most perfect moments are the ones when I gasp at the beauty around me. I absolutely love being outside in the Winter and going for walks in the bush, especially when it is snowing. There is this quiet hush that happens and everything is muffled as snowflakes gently float to the ground. WOW..what a moment.

Here's to all of you that you may enjoy moments that make you gasp with Joy, special times with family that warm your heart, and memories to etch in your soul.

Merry Christmas and blessings to you and yours.

Janine

RAGGED FALLS-ABLAZE WITH BEAUTIFUL COLOURS

wow!!! Blazing beautiful colours in the most rich hues are painted everywhere you look!! I was up to Ragged Falls recently with a friend for a walk, to see the Fall colours and it was breathtaking...absolutely breathtaking!! The water was at a low level, but the slow moving waters made for stunning reflections. I grew up around the corner from this beautiful place and I still don't take it for granted for a second. Every single time I make a trip up to the Falls I am reminded of the glory of creation and how it all fits together in truly amazing ways. I always say hi to the trees on the way up shaking hands with their branches like a good friend, and saying goodbye until another time when I go. I have my head tilted up to snif all the mist and good stuff floating through the air. The rich earthy smells leave me feeling intoxicated and heady, but completely immersed in the peace of this place. I love climbing over rocks and pools to get to favourite sitting spots to view the Falls,to sit and just "be". The smells, sights and sounds of rushing water calm my spirit and renew my mind, creating in me a renewed sense of place and belonging. There are few places that have an effect on me like this place. Here I feel at one with nature and God's' glorious creation. I respect the environment and every living thing. It is here in this place that those thoughts and feelings were long ago established in childhood and will remain with me always.

I have much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. i may not have much according to the worlds view of things, but what I do have is abundant and overflowing-a joy so deep and overwhelming I scarce can contain myself at times. Nothing...nothing will ever take that away, and for that I am rich beyond measure. I am thankful for the love of family and friends, some food in the fridge and a safe place to rest my head at night. My son Jon and I have been through a lot over the years, but nothing can ever break the covenant of love established before he was ever born. I am thankful for my Church family, and the love and care of my spirit filled minister, Ven. Dawn. Thank you to everyone who has touched my life, may you be blessed beyond measure the rest of your days.

I encourage you to take a few moments while out on a walk by yourself to reflect on the many blessings in your life..and give thanks to God for them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Janine

"AN ARTIST IN THE GARDEN" OCTOBER 2nd 2:00-5:00 Oxtongue Craft Cabin and Gallery, 1073 Fox Point Road, Dwight 705.635.1602

IT'S FALL. YAHOO!!! Come and celebrate Fall and visit me in the lovely gardens surrounding the Oxtongue Craft Cabin and Gallery. I will be there painting away in the garden from 2:00- 5:00 on October 2nd. with some of my new small works on display. The nasty ol' flu bug kept me at bay from being out there this past weekend, sorry if I missed you. But you can be sure I'll be out there next weekend with my painting goodies. See you there!!

I just absolutely love Fall. All the sights, smells and sounds and the air...oh the air. The smell of sweet grass is so heavenly. This time of year is so wonderful when Creation is ablaze in all it's glory, bursting into reds, oranges and golds in one great big hooray. The Fall colours here in Muskoka are amazing and it reminds me how blessed I feel to be living here. I just love how the light filters through the trees and then sets a tree on fire glowing brightly against the darker trees. WOW...it takes my breath away.

Tapestry of Light-The Locks in Huntsville

SEE ME PAINTING AT "AN ARTIST IN THE GARDEN" AT THE OXTONGUE CRAFT CABIN AND GALLERY ON SEPTEMBER 25TH FROM 200-500 1073 Fox Point Road, Dwight. For more info call 705.635.1602

I will be set up outside in the lovely gardens surrounding the beautiful log gallery and will have some new smaller works on display. Hope to see you there!!

AHH..The smell of Fall is in the air. How I love the glow of light on the trees in the afternoon light. The contrast between the textured warm light filled leaves against cool smooth waters and shadowed rocks is indeed breathtaking especially at the magical place of The Huntsville Locks just past the bridge on Brunel Road in Huntsville. It all seems like one great big tapestry of Light to me with explosions of colour and texture all woven together to become the most wonderful masterpiece ever designed..Creation!!.

This time of year causes me to just slow down and take a long deep breath and take in all the mind blowing colours, sights, smells and sounds of Fall. I love to get out my sweaters again, load up my backpack with painting gear and hit the dusty trail to go for a glorious paint out en plein air. Man... it doesn't get any better than this!! I sure feel blessed to live here in Muskoka and near my favourite Algonquin painting spots.