End of January already

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to drop a note and say hello. It's hard to believe January is pretty much over, and so is my week of holidays. In my mind I had wanted to go somewhere for the week, like Mexico, and enjoy some sun. I decided to stay home and have a week at home. It's been pretty busy. I've added a few pages from my website to here since it shut down last week.

Also did a fair bit of video creation. I saw the Chiseled Ice Festival mid-week, before things started to warm up and melt the sculptures too much. As it was, some of the finer pieces of ice had already broken off. They were still lovely to look at.

Also went for a walk in the creek valley. I had been seeing what I thought were Ruffed Grouse during the week, and was hoping they would move into the creek valley and set up residence. However, I reviewed the footage I had taken of the group over at the gas plant, and realized those ones were likely Grey Partridge.

I still feel like some of the other birds I saw were Ruffed Grouse but I'm not really a partridge or a grouse expert. I went for a walk hoping to find some of their tracks in the snow, which are always cute to see as they look like little stars, or their pellets which look like All Bran (nothing against the cereal, it's delicious. That's just what they look like). But there was nothing out there. I was a little disappointed, but I had a good time anyway.

The creek is also starting to melt in spots, as you can see in the photo. I usually don't trust myself to walk on the ice but it really is amazing seeing all the trees and tall cliffs from the viewpoint of the creek.

For my last day off, hopefully we can go for a walk out at Elk Island. I will probably have to wrap my knee up in a brace to help it manage against the ice, and make sure I have my cleats with me as the melting snow wrecks havoc on my knee.

I've also been forewarned that I am heading back into a disaster zone. Two of my coworkers are off, one due to medical leave and the other to take care of their spouse who just had surgery. I feel like I'm going to need another holiday after a couple of weeks.

Eagle Artwork

 A Selection of Eagle Artwork

Fancy Eagles - 2018

I was inspired by the fancy grass dancers that you can see at pow wows, and painted colourful streamers on the end of two of my Ojibwe eagles' wingtips. I always enjoy watching the dancers as they seem so free.

Acrylic on 9 x 12" stretched canvas, the image continues on all sides.

$250 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America. Sent me an email or note and I can email you an invoice via PayPal.

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Seven Eagles - 2018

This is the biggest painting I've created so far, and one of my most meaningful. It measures 4 by 6 feet and is on a piece of unstretched canvas as I wanted to give a feeling it was painted on hide.

Seven eagles soar into the sky, higher and higher towards the sun. Each one is in a stage of immaturity and the upper ones still have a hint of brown in their head feathers as it takes about four years for an eagle to reach adulthood. This represents the journey that each of us takes towards our own adulthood and working towards a goal, such as graduating from school or obtaining achievements at work. The number seven represents the seven grandfather teachings as well as having a personal significance since there were seven people in my family.

The top has a piece of wood that a beaver carved which was found at the creekside near my home, and the painting hangs from a piece of sisal cord to keep a natural look.

Acrylic on 4 x 6 foot canvas.

$5000 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Payment by bank transfer only. Email me for details.

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Soaring Eagle - 2009

An Ojibwe or Woodlands style bald eagle soars through the sky, surveying his territory of mountains. Overhead, a bright yellow sun radiates energy. This is a unique size of painting that could create some real impact on a skinny section of wall.

Acrylic on 6 x 36" stretched canvas.

All materials used are archival.

$300 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America. Email me and I can send you an invoice via PayPal.

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Four Eagles - 2006

Four eagles circle overhead around the sun.

Acrylic on 16 x 16" canvas paper, framed with reddish-brown wood frame.

All materials are archival.

$450 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

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Night Eagle - 2008

A brief return to my cubist roots, with a Woodlands twist. An eagle flies through the night, a shattered image of sunsets, sunrises, and nights, a reminder of the cycle of life we all face. Within his body is another night sky, complete with the northern lights and a glowing moon.

Acrylic on 9 x 12" canvaspanel.

Framed with all archival materials.

$400 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

About Me - A Biography of Sorts

Hi everyone! Just wanted to post a bit about myself. Feel free to ask questions, too.

I am an Ojibwe or Ahnishnaabe artist living in Edmonton, Alberta. Having grown up in northern Manitoba, I gained an appreciation of nature and spent much of my free time drawing and experimenting with various media. In my early adulthood I began to explore painting, and eventually developed my own style of Woodlands artwork. I enjoy the freedom of the abstract style and creating images with sharply contrasting colors or smooth blends. I have also been inspired by Inuit soapstone sculpture and folklore. I'm actually inspired by a lot of stuff, but mostly nature.

Northern Canada inspires much of my work. As a child, my family often went on fishing excursions, woodcutting, and explorations of Canada's pristine wilderness. I self-studied animals in great detail by reading every book I could find at the local library as a child, and have a great love for birds. In recent years and thanks to COVID, I've gotten into hiking and camping with my husband. We really enjoy checking out new places and being in nature instead of just skimming the surface as one often ends up doing when just driving or traveling. I still love traveling though, and seeing new places and learning about the history and culture of the people living there.

I have painted for over 20 years now, and sold artwork to locations across the globe and have participated in various art shows in Alberta and Manitoba. I prefer to sell my art individually so I can enjoy meet the people and hear about what they like about my art, but I enjoy the virtual modes as well.

I live with my husband, Lyndon, and my black cat, Maho, in Edmonton, Alberta.

Bird Artwork

 A Selection of Bird Themed Artwork

Loon - 2021

A loon spirit against a mix of firey reds. Graceful lines cross the loon's back and are decorated with the white dots that are visible on the Common Loon.

Acrylic 12 x 12" stretched canvas. Unframed but is wired on the back for easy hanging.

$200 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a more official link in the near future.

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Gold Crane - 2006

A gold crane lifts off from the ground amidst a pine forest. I painted this based on a Sandhill Crane I saw when I was child out berry-picking. I got tired of picking blueberries under the relentless sun (maybe not the best decision considering there could have been black bears around) and wandered into the next clearing and startled a crane.

They flew up gracefully and effortlessly, calling out "Karoo, karoo" as he went.

The crane was long gone, but those berries were delicious with some milk and sugar, and I had a good memory.

Acrylic on 9 x 12" canvaspaper. Framed using archival materials.

$250 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a more official link in the near future.

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Purple Martin - 2005

A purple martin feathers flash silver in warm sunlight. Silver dots his wings and tail feathers. Acrylic on 9 x 12" canvaspaper. Framed in a reddish-brown wood frame using archival materials. Frame and matting match Tree Swallow.

$250 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a more official link in the near future.

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Tree Swallow - 2005

Tree Swallows nested in a nest box outside of our window. It's a fond memory watching those birds come and go during the early summer with insects to feed their young. Here, a swallow is captured in mid-flight. Silver dots his wings and tail feathers.

Acrylic on 9 x 12" canvaspaper. Framed in a reddish-brown wood frame to match Purple Martin. All materials used are archival.

$250 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a more official link in the near future.

***

Blue Swallow - 2008

Another style swallow similar to the first two, but this one has a more abstract background suggestive of the speed these amazing little birds fly with. I had some fun creating the background using a mix of metallic paint and wood stain.

Acrylic, metallic paint, and antique stain on 8 x 10" canvaspaper. Painting is framed using archival materials.

$250 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a more official link in the near future.

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I also enjoy creating commissions for people who want something made specifically. I really love painting birds and will work with you to create a unique piece. The Woodlands or Ojibwe style is slightly abstract and I enjoy that freedom.

Bear Artwork

 A Selection of Bear Themed Artwork

Bear and Sunset Spirit - 2020

A bear gazes up towards the night sky as a bear spirit rises up into the starry sky overhead. On the horizon the last traces of the day dissolve into the cool night. Acrylic on 5 x 7" stretched canvas.

$70 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a link in the near future.

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Only a Memory - 2020

The spirit of a polar bear appears within the Northern Lights which dance vividly. My wish and hope that the polar bears do not become just a memory in the wilderness. Acrylic on 9 x 12" paper and is unframed.

$125 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a link in the near future.

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Bear and Moon Spirit - 2019

A bear reaches out towards the full moon to communicate. This is a re-make of a similar painting I made in 2011 or so. Acrylic on 6 x 8" stretched canvas.

$90 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a link in the near future.

***

Bear and Moon - 2004

A bear reaches up towards the full moon to receive blessings. One of my favorite paintings, I like the power emanating from the bear and that his pose is reminiscent of an Inukshuk. Acrylic on 9 x 12" canvaspaper. Framed using all archival materials.

$300 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a link in the near future.

***

A Million Lights in the Sky - 2012

A bear spirit gazes back from the watery depths at an aboriginal woman. Watercolour pencil crayons on 9 x 12" watercolour paper. Unframed.

$200 CDN includes shipping to locations within Continental North America.

Send me a message if you are interested in purchasing this painting. I can send an invoice by email, and hopefully update this page with a link in the near future.

***

I also offer commissions and work with my customers to create a piece that fits the imagination. Send me an email as I enjoy the freedom of the Woodlands style.

Out with the Old, in with the New?

So I had to make a tough decision this year. I will not be renewing my domain name (no point sharing it here if it isn't going to exist anymore, lol). It will expire on January 19 (2024 in case you're reading this years from now).

I think I will be posting the artwork that was previously on that page onto here, as time suits me. Then everyone can still enjoy seeing my artwork and those who want to have it hanging on their walls can make a purchase as well. It will take time as I'll have to find the Paypal buttons/links to add in there.

What else have I been up to? Not a lot. I pretty much took 2023 off as an artist, and focused on continuing to create videos on YouTube (Donna's Adventures if you are curious). There's a lot of nature and hiking themed videos. With the whole pandemic I've really enjoyed getting closer to nature and re-discovering/taking a closer look at my "backyard" so to speak.

Speaking of backyard, we are fighting a battle right now with a coyote that has discovered our deck has a gaping hole in the latticework, and realized it would be a great home. There's been prints all over the backyard and copious amounts of poop. Big poop. Not sure what it's been eating but it's been eating well. Not the thin pointed poop full of fur that I usually see the creek valley or natural areas. I tried taking my cat out there to make a presence but it was too cold for him. He stood in the tracks yowling while I quickly distributed some loose fur around along the trees then whisked him back indoors. Poor little guy.

I told him he was helpful even though he got cold. I think my cat likes being helpful, although he's usually more of a help in the kitchen with cleaning up food scraps, especially meat.

I went back outside and scooped up all the fresh poop the coyote had somehow produced overnight (how can one animal poop so much?) and even the urine that was frozen solid in the snow.

My cat was also very excited as my husband and I headed out there with a staple gun and coils of chicken wire to try to close up the hole. It should work, for now. He sniffed my gloves thoughtfully when I got back in, nudging the fingers.

If nothing else I will try to get out there to make a human presence known and hopefully the coyote will get the idea that he should find somewhere else to live.

That's all for now. Hope to be on here again soon.

Where did April & May go?

Whoops, I missed making a blog post for April...and May.

And the months seem to have flown by without my noticing.

So what have I been up to? The usual, I guess. Work has gotten busier, and I've ended up doing a couple of extra shifts on my would-be days off. Can't complain about that, but it also means I won't be able to do my usual day-off stuff. Like go for a walk, or even contemplate painting.

My donation is finally set up and will head out the door tomorrow. Nice to see a painting heading off to a good cause. I don't have a photo easily at hand right now but it was one of my phoenix paintings. Hope it generates a good amount of funds for the organization. 😊

Also been hiking on my days off. We went to the birding area near Tofield but was too early to see Snow Geese. Also visited Islet Lake in Cooking Lake Provincial park, which was also too early to see much sprouting, but I made a video featuring the butterflies we spotted.

Kind of a fun video.

In my art-world, I've been frustrated as its been several months since I've even picked up a paintbrush. Just not feeling any motivation lately, and I don't want to just waste time. And paint. And materials. The current lack of sales doesn't help, either. I think the last thing I painted was of a loon. I think it looks ok, but maybe a bit lacking in the overall impact.

Anyhow, I guess until the creative urges come back I'll just keep doing what I'm doing - earning a living at my day-job and keeping my happiness by spending time in nature.