I am thrilled to announce that my painting "Love Heals" has been accepted into the "Momentos Art Project"

produced by Grey Bruce Health Sciences.

Fifty local artists have been chosen to display their artwork for one year in the area hospitals.

 The goal of this project is to encourage the link between art and healing.

What a blessing, and I believe that this painting promotes healing of body and spirit.

Because this painting will be on loan for one year, I decided to produce some high quality prints

to make the image available to more people.

These lovely 8x12 signed prints are available for 100.00 each plus postage.

(If you would be interested in a larger print, please let me know and we can work out details.)

The story behind the image:

A few years ago, a young Ojibway teenager stayed with me.

One day, while eating a burger she started to choke on a piece of lettuce.

She was ok, but there remained an irritated spot in her throat.

That night it was still bothering her, so we made a trip to the emergency room at the Southampton Hospital.

Walking in, she said something I never forgot.

"What if the doctor doesn't care?" It was a question that I don't think most people could relate to.

Yet there is was .... "What if he doesn't care?"

The doctor on call was a wonderful man. He checked her thoroughly and assured her she was fine.

He treated her with kindness and gentle humour, as if she were his own daughter.

Walking out to the car she said, "He really cared."

I knew her throat was fine but she had experienced healing on a deeper level .... her heart.

calling out....

when darkness brings silence

and morning seems far off

I call out....

I know you're not hiding

my own darkness hides you

your voice starts out quietly

humming....

then rises in volume

a strength

reaching out of the darkness

and igniting a glow around

my heart

is that your voice or mine?

hard to tell them apart

then the darkness around

is parted

and the light pours from my heart

or is that yours?

swirling

like a cry

circling...

then quietly

overflowing

each wave

lapping at the corners

even the hidden corners

removing every trace of mourning

to cleanse perfectly my heart

preparing....

for a new thing

an abundant love

Many people are puzzled by this series. They may try to hide their smiles and politely try to find something even remotely intelligent to say regarding these guys. Well, they shouldn't bother... because they are pure fun. The original Tom Dick and Harry came from my husband's constant nagging for me to paint images which revolved around the beach.  I gave in (tongue in cheek) to produce a work which I felt was  commercial and silly. Tom, Dick and Harry were an immediate hit and the original was quickly snaffled up and taken to its' new home in Mexico. So many people were interested in it that I decided to have some canvas prints made. The rest of the series  has been gradually birthed due to a  series of corrective canvases produced by my printer who was learning the trade. Having access to all these canvases provided a platform to build these characters. The first one I painted was the boys in drag entitled "Sometimes life is a Drag". This made my husband and me laugh as he had just been diagnosed with cancer and we desperatley needed a reason to smile.  As I painted over the prints, changing their location and costumes, my customers loved them. That created the need to have prints made of the painted over prints and has continued on and on. I always made fun of such work and certainly would never have considered these as real art. Tom, Dick and Harry have changed my mind. They make me laugh. I am always surprised how swiftly they sell and realize that art has many jobs....one of which is to simply present silly fun. Tom Dick and Harry have taught me to laugh at myself and share that with others.

This painting is Louie's tribute to the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Louie loves Frida.

http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/ 

Tom Dick and Harry are at it again.

Those three are always finding something new to celebrate.

Pussycat Pussycat where have you been?

I've been to London to visit the Queen.

This painting is based on the actual tree that Simon Orchard, Paisley's first settler, tied his raft to in 1851. This huge tree was on the shore of the Saugeen River and became a meeting place and notice board for early settlers to post notices and advertisements.  On the large trunk of this mighty tree you might find a notice of work, upcoming church events or even advertise for a wife. This tree became the hub of the community  until the newspaper later reduced it's importance.

The jars in this painting were all given to me by Paisley residents and this painting has become a prayer of blessing and harvest for the village while displaying the fruit of individuals.

They are at it again. Tom Dick and Harry are strutting like peacocks on the catwalk. These old boys continue to make me laugh.

This is an original painting over a wrapped canvas print. Inspired by my fat cat Louie and the playful spirit of men at play.