Dreams of Spring

Ever dreamed of a time which filled your r.e.m. sleep with euphoria and that time of spring warmth? I keep having this recurring image of the nootka rose; I'm aware the wild flower is but a mere straggly bush. This painting represents that vivid beauty which awaits the warmth of the spring sun to awakening it from dormancy. We will all arise from our nightly slumber to greet a new and wonderful day.

Early Snowfall 2008

A wonderful phenomenon which occurs especially in late fall, when some flowers are still on the plants and even the autumnal colours in the forest are all about. An artic cold spell arrives unexpectedly and a beautiful dusting of sparkling snow becomes a thickening veil.

Garden of Fantasy 2008

Picturing this park and its surroundings in a skewed garden of fantasy. The tiny city as a garden feature, with all the little gnomes walking or driving and hopefully getting along. I love this view from the park with the trees and flowers everywhere and obscuring just enough but letting your imagination carry you away. And in real time that city, small and distant, filled that area of this garden painting. It teamed with life as all gardens are full of activity and growth.

Pheasant's Retreat 1993

I never realised that one of the resident pheasants at camosun bog nearby would choose our flower garden to set up a home. One spring a beautiful pheasant, quite large, with pale brown marketings and a long-tail, made a nest in amongst the tulips, lily of the valley, and forget-me-nots. In the morning during the watering of the flowers we discovered her nest building, and that part of the garden we would leave alone. She tended to the incubation and protection of the eggs and as soon as the chicks hatched they quickly moved back out into the wilderness of the bog to feed. It's always so entertaining to have all different kinds of animals finding a safe place to give birth or lay eggs; and the harmony of sharing the same space with people is so exhilarating to me.