all said and done

Nora MacPhail - Artist

have a heart, or two

Hey, who ate two of those chocolate hearts before the painting was done!

See my blog at Nora MacPhail - Artist

The Entertainer by Janette Slack

The Entertainer

16" X 20"; Watercolor

Often throughout the year, my husband and I treat ourselves to breakfast at Pineridge Hollow, located near Birds Hill Park, Manitoba. One morning, the restaurant was booked up, and we had to wait outside in the garden along with a large group of other guests. Moments later, a bird began to sing, regaling us with his wonderful, sweet voice.

At first, we were unable to find where this beautiful music was coming from, though we knew the wren was somewhere close-by. And then we found him, perched on a lattice and hidden by blooms - he was only an arms-length away!

The wren continued to sing, undaunted by our close proximity. In a nearby garden, a wedding was underway, and as the bride arrived by the groom's side, the little songbird warbled louder than ever!

Eventually, we sat down to breakfast on the patio, and were treated to the wren's lovely song all throughout the meal.

Panda

I recently drew this guy while at the Museum, then I painted him in watercolour when I got home. 

Nora MacPhail - Artist

Cozied Up by Janette Slack

Cozied Up

16" X 20"; Watercolor

Three months after our niece's first child was born, we acquired a three-week old foster kitten. We fell head over heels for this little tyke, and just didn't have the heart to let him go. After losing our previous cat, Peach, to cancer, we soon found that Spud Murphy III filled a deep void in our animal-deprived household. It was a time for new beginnings for all of us!

G'mornin'

New Beginnings.

Nora MacPhail - Artist

The Cleanup Crew by Janette Slack

16" X 20"; Watercolor & Pastel

As part of Earth Day, I ventured outside this morning to clean up the street litter and garbage that often collects around a nearby retention pond over the winter. The crows, as usual, were there to help!

The crow's ebony coloring, aggressive loud cawing, and propensity to steal young fledglings have made these birds rather unpopular with many people. But, there is a flipside to this remarkable avian.

Crows are equipped with discerning intelligence, and can recognize humans individually. Their amazing problem solving skills allow them to break open food items (i.e. small containers) by dropping them to the ground from a 20' height. They possess incredible communication skills, and, as some scientific studies show, even know how to count.

Some people are terrified of contracting West Nile Virus from crows, but while a substantial number of these birds have died from the disease, scientists do not believe they spread the virus to humans.

As omnivores, crows will eat pretty much anything, including discarded fast food and roadkill. While many people feel that crows make a mess of the environment, these birds will actually help clean up the litter that we ourselves create!

Monarch by Janette Slack

Butterflies pollinate many of our flowering plants

Monarch, 12" X 16"; Watercolor

Normally, we tend to think of insects as pests. But in truth, we can't survive without them! Mother Nature has created these lilliputian creatures to pollinate many of our food sources. Only 10% of flowering plants do not require pollination.

Too much rain, wind, or the use of pesticides can intefere with the job that insects do. Among the plants they pollinate are: herbs, spices, seeds and grains, as well as peas, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, melons, peaches, pears, peppers, lemons, limes, carrots, onions, cashews, celery, figs, sunflowers, blueberries, clover, and squash - not to mention coffee and chocolate!

Habitat loss, fragmentation, manicured lawns, non-native gardens, and the cultivation of modified corn (monarchs) are the greatest threats to pollinators.

The Sopranos by Janette Slack

The Sopranos

by Janette Slack

16" X 20"; Watercolor and Pastel

White-throated sparrows are one of my favorite birds - their springtime song is magical!

Unfortunately, the number of these talented, musical songsters is quickly declining in many states and provinces. These sparrows require small, cleared tracts of land surrounded by wilderness forest where they raise their young. Because of extensive logging and development, they are now left with fewer choice nesting areas.

Downy Trio by Janette Slack

Downy Trio

by Janette Slack

Watercolor

Unlike many people, we always welcome wildlife into our yard. Gardeners sometimes become angry when cottontails munch on their prized tulips and black-eyed susans, but the rabbits would actually prefer a more natural menu of clover, dandelion, and wild grasses. These "weeds" are often eradicated in favor of more manicured landscapes.

After their mother was killed by a car, I raised these three juvenile bunnies until they were ready for release.

Fisherman's Roost by Janette Slack

Fisherman's Roost

by Janette Slack

20" X 24"; Watercolor

Victims of hunting and DDT, Brown Pelicans were nearly wiped out until they were added to the endangered species list in 1970. Populations recovered quickly along the Atlantic coast, and hopefully, this species will soon be removed from the endangered list in all areas, including along the Pacific and Gulf coasts.

Unlike White Pelicans, who dip below the water’s surface for fish as they swim, Brown Pelicans dive-bomb the water from a great height to catch their prey.

This painting was created from several photographs of Brown Pelicans along the Florida coast. Each afternoon, they would roost along the piers, waiting for fishermen to return with their day’s catch. Waiting for a hand-out is far easier than fishing on your own!

Petal Burst by Janette Slack

Petal Burst

by Janette Slack

Watercolor

For many of us, winter usually outstays its welcome. A muddy thaw always follows, turning the landscape wet and drab. Finally, the first few blossoms begin to emerge, soon to explode into a burst of color.

Rain Caper (Weather) by Janette Slack

Rain Caper

by Janette Slack

16" X 20"; Watercolor

As a bonafide horse fanatic, I love watching these animals as they run, cavort, roll, play, and interact with each other. Sometimes, there's nothing quite like seeing a horse's free spirit emerge, away from the trappings of stalls, halters, ropes, and saddles.

Spring Flowers by Patrice Schooley

Spring Fowers

16 x 22 Watercolor

by Patrice Schooley

Available Directly from the Artist, Commissions Welcome

Patrice.Schooley@comcast.net

$250

Flowers are the perfect example of the cycle of life. Seeds or bulbs stay dormant during the cold winter months, pushing thorugh the earth as it begins to warm. By summer, flowering is in full swing. Then as temperatures start to cool again and the days grow shorter, the flowers whither and return to the earth to begin the cycle again.

Wildlflower Wings (Wilderness) by Janette Slack

Wildflower Wings

by Janette Slack

8" X 10"; Watercolor on Masa Paper

$65

10% will be donated to: Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

(www.pwildlife.ca)

To Purchase, Contact: JanetteArt@mts.net

Often, when visiting my family in east Toronto, I walk down to the bluffs bordering Lake Ontario. Much of this area is kept as natural parkland, providing wonderful wildflower habitat for songbirds and butterflies. You never know what you might see!

Pink Bird - Repairing is Hard ACEO watercolour pencils 2.5x3.5inches

Ruining life or conditions for life is so easy, Repairing so much harder. Sometimes it is impossible simply because we can not turn back time, just move on.

Pink Bird - Repairing is Hard

ACEO

watercolour pencils

2.5x3.5inches

For more of my work visit my blog.

Trine Meyer Vogsland

Sentinel (Tree) by Janette Slack

Sentinel

by Janette Slack

10 1/2" X 13 1/2" (Comes matted to 16" X 20"); Watercolor

$155

To Purchase Contact: JanetteArt@mts.net

One day in early fall, I hiked to a deserted campground near Cavendish Beach, P.E.I. After wandering the grounds for a while, I sat down at a picnic table by this lonely camp site and sketched.

Exploring new places on my own always gives me a sense of wonder and inspiration.

Cat Stretch, watercolours on watercolour paper 21x30cm

Well, there is no news that a New Year means new beginnings when it comes to exercise and diets. Also getting fit means to use the legs instead of gas to get to and from work etc.

Cat Stretch,

watercolours on watercolour paper

21x30cm

$45

p&p is FREE

by Trine Meyer Vogsland

My blog

Strength Training I ACEO, 2.5x3.5inches

New beginnings - WE CAN DO IT!!!

Strength Training I

watercolours on paper

ACEO,

2.5x3.5inches

$5