Dad's Rhododendron

In the Spring in Victoria something fantastic happens, the whole city is on fire with colour. The flowers are on parade
Rhododendron everywhere and then of course is the Azalea with its florescent bouquets
My Grandmother in Wales used to collect different types of Rhododendron. She would remove a small piece of stock from a Rhody during her outings to town or from her neighbours,  then root them to place in her garden.
When I used to visit, her flower and vegetable gardens were wonderful
When my Dad and his three brothers were really to go to university, Grandma would help them pay their way by selling her flowers
My Dad loves Rhododendrons, this oil pastel was inspired by one one his photos of the Rhododendrons in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria
Canson paper
30"X20"

Mom's Peace Rose

In my Mom's garden there is a peace rose

Every year it blooms maybe half a dozen times each summer
It is a beautiful rose with a wide spectrum of variegated warm colours
My Mom loves this rose and has taken quite a few excellent photos
Mom's Peace Rose is from one of her photos
I decided to do this piece in oil pastel because of their vibrancy
Canson coloured paper
13"X22"

Holiday in Milan

The little girl on the left was born in Italy came to Canada with her Mom where they settled . The summer holidays were in Milan with her cousin.
I love the expression on her face, oh so bored and he is playing up to the camera.

Watercolour 20"X15"

Buoy Oh Boy 14"X 20"

My very first sailboat experience was off the Pacific Coast at White Rock B.C.
It was stormy and the waves were rolling and I loved every moment .
Across from me on the boat was Jane and her Mom. I took the photo and painted the watercolour mainly because of the different clothing textures, plastic, nylon, cotton, polyester. A challenge! Jane just looked so relaxed, an everyday adventure.

Harlequin Begonia

I saw this begonia when I was in Victoria at Butchard Gardens with my Mom, I just love the name. It was sort of tradition for us to go to the Begonia Garden area. I always took masses of photos

The size of this soft pastel is 20"X30" on canson paper

Spring in VanDusen Gardens

My Dearheart and I were in Vancouver and decided to go see their Garden right in the middle of the city. VanDusen Gardens in the Spring is a must see absolutely beautiful. Lots of different greens and the flower power breath taking.
This soft pastel 19"X15" on canson paper is just a small portion of the beauty of the Gardens

This is Sasha

This is my dear friend and companion for 16 years

She had a great sense of humour and loved people she thought she was one, a person I mean . Sasha is the one looking at us
Watercolour on watercolour paper approx. size 20"X16"

Sasha's Twilight Walk

This is a pastel a soft pastel 20"X30"on Canson paper
Sasha my dog friend and I used to walk everywhere . One day during a walk I looked for her and she was behind me. As I turned I witnessed this amazing sunset through the park's weeping willows .

I think it was the first time I looked at my dear friend and realized that she was getting older . Sasha loved to run she would always be in front so much so that she would have to double back to tell me she was OK and make sure I was OK. She protected me on many outings
"Sasha's Twilight Walk" was inspired by that walk

Just Around the Bend

My Father would always say Just Around the Bend to our destination when we were on road trips . There were a lot of bends though ...
As I worked on this pastel it made me smile to think of the wonderful adventures I have experienced with my parents

Oil pastel on handpressed paper approx. size 35"X29"