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3 Body Parts

Did you know that doesn’t include a head?

My joy, my mental break comes from the arts.

I’m going to be honest. I love butterflies. Love watching them, chasing them, and now painting them. Know what I don’t like? Feet.
True, mostly adult human feet, but bug feet are not much better. It’s possible that I never looked too closely at our fluttery friends.

I’ve been enjoying drawing outside while my little guy plays in the park. Many parents just stare at their phones, but that feels like a waste of time for me. My joy, my mental break comes from the arts. I highly recommend doing any of your hobbies outside if you can. Much like how food tastes so good when you’re camping, art just feels better outside.

Five minutes after I inked the body… My father pipes up, “You know… Butterflies’ legs don’t look like that.”
*Blink*
“You couldn’t have told me that 5 minutes sooner!?”
I still love this orange butterfly. I told this story to a friend an hour later getting ready for a hike. He takes a look at it, and says, “You know, butterflies are insects.”
“….yes… And?”
“Insects have 3 body parts.”
“Yah! The butterfly has 3 body parts and a head.”
“No… that’s not how it works.”
Thanks Barney.

The next day I was at it again. Refusing to give up! I started drawing at the next park. This time I checked, and double checked the body parts and leg placement. I created, Joy, the green butterfly. She loves to ride on bubbles kids blow in the park.

My flock is growing

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Butterflies

Things have been challenging lately. Lots of medical uncertainties, and family being affected. Currently because of Covid if a family member of yours is admitted to the hospital you can not visit or stay with them while they are even in the ER. You can imagine why I know this for sure.

When I’m stressed, you can count on me doing 2 things well!

Eating, and Painting.

I’ll be damned if I didn’t find a way to do both at the same time. Something I think my buddy Russell the Blacksmith can not claim he can do. I am one of those strange folks who has to do something when I feel powerless to do anything.

I sat down with my paper and colours and what came out? Butterflies. Lots of butterflies. Fragile, tiny and beautiful butterflies. Much like Hope, you want it so badly, but know how quickly it can flutter well out of your reach.

My first butterfly was blue. Been feeling very blue lately. My mother was admitted to the hospital this day.

She was released to go home for the weekend, and my butterflies turned green.

Last night I had a quick visit with her and managed to be out in the park, see beautiful dancers spin pretty pretty lights and fire. My soul was appeased.

Today the butterflies multiplied and became multicoloured. Paint what you know? I believe I paint what I feel. My mother will soon have surgery, we are hopeful for the outcome. <3

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She Can Kill You With Her Mind


I am a huge Firefly fan. The dialogue, the character development and the stories of a dysfunctional family are perfect, and very relatable. River Tam has a special place in my heart, as she is also a dancer. Her movements in her choreography were fluid and beautiful. She starts off needed rescuing, but in the end to save the world she had to stop being afraid of the gifts she had. Not only that, she’s a kick ass girl who understands what family means.

She Always Did Love To Dance

Maybe I have a thing for Warrior Women. But really… Who doesn’t?

Take My Life, Take My land, Take Me Where I Can Not Stand… I Don’t Care, I’m Still Free.

You can’t take the sky from me.

Joss Whedon & Sonny Rhodes
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Warrior Women

Always Keep Fighting

Many days it is a constant uphill battle to just do all the things that need doing. Taking care of a home, a special needs child, work and medical appointments leave little room for things like, Yoga or the ability to pee without interruptions.

People say we’re “strong” as if we were given a choice

As an adult I know you can’t just “punch your problems” away… but maybe a few would take a step back if you just had a big enough sword?

Do I have experience with a samurai sword? No. Do I think they’re hella cool? Yes. Yes I do.

My Warrior Women have no time for petty problems, and one answer for the rest.

Am I inspired by Fireflies River Tam? I thinks that’s fairly evident I have a lot of respect for a dancer that can kill you with her mind.

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Sweet Blue Fox

Quiet and Contemplative

About a month into me trying watercolour painting I created this sweet blue fox, and I had no idea at the time that people would react so positively towards my art. This little fox is the piece that encouraged me to feel like I could actually be an artist. Because of this little blue fox, I started creating prints and people loved her. I was able to bring beauty to other people’s homes for the first time and it has been an uplifting experience.

I’m happy to report that Sweet Blue Fox has found loving homes in 3 countries across the world so far! I believe that makes her an international star.

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The Bunny

That started it all…

My journey into the world of art did not begin the way I thought it would. When my little guy was born three years ago we spent the next, over-half-a-year living in the hospital. There are no windows in many of my rooms so I started creating windows for him to tell him what the outside world would look like one day.

We lived there for three seasons, and I’m very thankful we didn’t go the full year. I love telling him about the colours of trees and the feeling of grass and the wonder of watching leaves blowing in the wind

…though it’s a long journey ahead I knew I was going to surround my son with the most beauty I could.

I found peace in my heart and my mind while I was working. The colours brought smiles to my baby and that gave me a hope. That one day my little super bunny would come home.

It was a joyous time when we finally got home and though it’s a long journey ahead I knew I was going to surround my son with the most beauty I could. I kept all of the art that I made while in the hospital and put them up along the walls.