"These images
have stayed with
me and were destined to
become a painting one day"
Perhaps
it’s her ability to capture the simplicity of everyday life’ or the gentle
nuances of newly fallen snow. It is through these works of art which leaves
us spiritually restored and renewed. The world that Trisha paints is her
world – her family, her home, beloved landscapes and buildings and the
serenity of many paintings is true to life. ...more
click on the image
to enlarge
Spring
Wash Day
Limited edition Giclée
canvas
hand signed by the artist
In the morning the
carpenter rose early. After breakfast of warm porridge, he read aloud from
his well-worn Bible, just as he had always done, but this passage was
special. It told of the night that Jesus was born. Even Kitty seemed to
understand as the carpenter read, "When they saw the star, the rejoiced with
exceeding great joy."
Limited edition Giclée
canvas
hand signed by the artist
“If I had
to choose a favourite painting in the book it would likely be this one! Like
the happy ending in all good tales, it brought together all the feelings of
joy and contentment that I discovered while creating “God Bless You”.
Limited
edition Giclée
canvas
hand signed by the artist
"The fascination with weddings continues with
our Tanya. Not just the wedding however...but love, marriage and babies are
always a subject for question and conversation with her. At four years of
age she has trouble pronouncing wedding veil, but she is absolutely definite
as to how it should look. 'Can I have a 'Bale' one hundred feet long?' "...
Limited
edition Giclée
canvas
hand signed by the artist
It's always sad to see summer come to an
end. Indian summer teases one to want to hang on even longer! But it
never fails. By October, quite predictably, I've already begun singing
Christmas carols! Thoughts turn to cozy winter nights spent on projects
long forgotten. I wait for the first snowfall...counting each flake as
it falls, and announcing the event to anyone who listens. I look forward
to making a path to the barn through the snow drifts. In the quiet of a
winter's night you can hear the animals munching on their hay. Once
inside, the sweet vapors seem warm compared to the evening chill. From
my pocket come apples from the root cellar for each animal and they seem
to be at perfect peace with nature's changing ways.
"Like all little boys, Nathan loved to
splash through puddles with his bare feet. Even while I painted this
piece I knew I will title it 'School Days'. What I didn't know is that
it illustrated the lyrics of the old song ' School days'... ' you were
my bashful before beau.... I was your queen in calico'. I found this
coincidence to be very amusing"
It was
late afternoon, that time in winter when darkness comes early. Snow was
falling in giant flakes as Whitney and I headed home after a wonderful
time of Christmas shopping. . .
I quickened my pace and explained that we must hurry home to get
dinner started. But when I glanced down, I realized that Whitney had not even
heard me. She had stopped and was silently transfixed by a glorious nativity
scene in the shop window.
On
Christmas Eve, the white blanket of new fallen snow surrounding our
home, seemed so "calm and bright" that only an angel would dare to tread
on it.
As we
gathered around the table, to give thanks and sing glory to the Newborn
King, heavenly peace blessed our family.
Peace on
earth seemed a certain thing. As certain as the joy that filled our
hearts, and as certain as the Star that led the three wise men to the
place of our Savior's birth, on that first "Silent Night".
As the tea grows cold, the warmth
of that little body cuddling close, is enough to make all worries
disappear. Old wives believed that such attention would spoil a
child. Oh how wrong they were. After all, it is Mother that gets
spoiled!
"As children, we walked by the
light of the moon through the woods and across a crystal field to
reach the pond for an evening of skating. On other nights, our
father took us to the town park where lamp lights glowed through
snow flakes and the ice shimmered as town folk waltzed around the
rink. These images have stayed with me and were destined to
become a painting one day. Little did I know that once upon a time, Simcoe Park in Niagara-on the-Lake also had a rink where town folk
waltzed to music and children found a space for sport! Moonlight and
lamplight came together as I sketched the memories that enchanted me, to become “Evening Skaters”.
"The next morning,
surrounded by exited children, the carpenter hitched up Little Star.
They were off to the woods in search for the perfect Christmas tree. And
find the perfect one, they did!. After Little Star received his reward,
they were back on the path home, eager to decorate the magnificent
tree".
"The hour was growing late, and it was
time for the parents to take their sleepy children home. Although
the carpenter had given each of the young ones a handmade gift from
his workshop, the Baby Jesus in the woods was the gift they would
treasure in their hearts forever ".
A humble carpenter who
has spent his whole life in the service of others has finally begun to
build his own home in a quiet meadow, with nothing but a small reindeer
to keep him company. Finishing by winter seems like an impossible
task, but neighbours return his love by helping to complete
the new home by Christmas. He has a wonderful surprise in store
for them...
" I was on a solo stay at
our beloved northern cottage. Under the protective and magical
veil of hemlocks, birch and pine trees, I began to write "Once upon a
time". Quite divinely driven, I enjoyed nightly appointments with
my sketchbook. At last my first children's book "A Star for
Christmas " was coming to life. The stars above me became as
brilliant as falling snow.
Before long I was recalling those snowy nights in Lapland when my
creative spirit soared! Being "snowed in" meant food for my soul
and life on the outside world was pleasantly unreachable. I have
been blessed by such nights at our cottage and it seemed only fitting
that I should pay tribute to those treasured times in a painting.
Like a child rejoicing over the news that "schools closed" because of a
snowstorm, I too rejoiced when an impending blizzard gave me just one
more day at our northern getaway. It meant another trip to the
woodpile to feed my cozy fire long into the night, while I caught a
glimpse of inspiration for "paintings yet to come"!
Oh
my little Jack Frost. . .how I remember your hand meeting mine at the window
pane!
It was a rare and perfect night when icicles formed and cascaded from every
eave and window ledge. What a time of great collecting and sword making!
Of the many organizations in our town who
make certain that not a single soul is in need at Christmas time, there is
one most beloved to us, called Newark Neighbours.
This is a painting filled with all of the
joyous memories of one such visit with Whitney. While a "borrowed
mansion" served as a temporary home, the world that existed beyond that
grand doorway was one of true humility and genuine selflessness.
Volunteers working tirelessly were
quick to let you know what was needed and Whitney was excited to return that
request. Although "unwrapped" gifts make sorting easier, that would be
impossible for our wrap loving little girl!
It is our hope that one such organization
exists in your town. A place where great acts of giving happen on a daily
basis, and where great things happen because of it. After all, a
generous heart truly knows no boundaries.
"This was the doorway to our most humble
beginning, twenty five years ago. It was our beloved home in the
country. Surrounded by neighbouring farms and endless fields, we felt
as safe and secure as our deaf kitty, often found peacefully napping in the
transom of our family door."
"Our farmhouse was blessed with a wonderful
workshop just off the kitchen, where Gary and his little apprentice Nathan,
would create some much needed furniture for our home. This was a scene
that I saw so often - like all special memories-it was destined to become a
painting."
" On our daily walks down the lane from the
house to the barns, I would point out things to our little Nathan. No
matter what the season or the weather there was always something new to
discover. But before I knew it, he was pointing things out to me,
through the eyes of a child."
"On Christmas night, it has become a tradition
in our family to go for a long walk after dinner. As snowflakes gently
fall, one is easily tempted to linger longer outside, in spite of a much
anticipated dessert inside! For a while the rose garden softly lies
sleeping, little lanterns light the path to a place of silence and calm."
"One Christmas while our home was undergoing
restoration, we decided to escape and celebrate Christmas at a special place
we affectionately call "The Cottage". The most important decorations
came with us, along with of course the manger scene. In spite of being
away from home, we were determined to make this experience a memorable one!"
"Often I would send Whitney out into the garden
to pick flowers for the dinner table. Whitney seemed to think the
bigger the bouquet, the bigger my smile and hug would be, and indeed she was
right. Happily and feverishly she would clip away, but because she was
such an observant little one, just about anything would catch her eye and
cause her to ponder. Sometimes the garden statuary, especially the garden
angels, seemed to make flower picking a time of great lingering. It is no
wonder then, that most of her wonderful drawings were of angels! "
"As Mother Nature would have it, we have always
been blessed with a constant cycle of wildlife on our farm. But I must
say it is the presence of wild birds that bring a constant source of joy and
life to the farm. We have fondest memories of raising a newly hatched
sparrow that has fallen from it's nest. Affectionately named "Squirt",
he was eventually released back into the wild, but would return to perch on
our hands for a welcomed "squirt" of millet porridge. Part of the
children's daily chores involoved filling the multitude of bird feeders on
the property. From the kitchen window I would watch as I prepared
dinner. While the other birds would scatter, the sprightly chickadee
would patiently wait, never afraid of their presence."
"Entering the beloved Niagara Home Bakery
is like shaking a snow globe and being drawn into the magic within.
For over 60 years our local bakery has enchanted it's visitors. The
authentic old surroundings immediately brings one back to another age.
Although a horse and buggy no longer delivers bread to Niagara residents,
the 85 year old brick oven is still in operation today."
Picture This
framing & gallery is an authorized representative for:
The Greenwich Workshop, Millpond Press, Somerset House,
The Western Lights Artists Group,
The Artist's Garden, Clearwater Publishing and other Fine Art publishers
Contact Us for more info.
P
