Art Cards and Press Prints
10,000 Graces (new!)
A thousand moves toward peace; a thousand gestures of gratitude; a thousand acknowledgements; a thousand expressions of I'm-sorry-I-did-that .... and thousands of glances your way to say I see you as only I see you.
Al Muhibba (Beloved)
Here, women enjoy the surprising presence of butterflies. They are all Canadian species suggesting the possibility of new beginnings in this land. Canada is founded on the principle that every human being has inherent value - a sobering challenge and our astounding inheritance.
All The Eggs In One Basket
Every egg is identified on the back of this card. Some of them are endangered or extinct; all of them are distinct in their size, colour and markings. Let us take care of this one, precious earth.
From the Hearth
In its long spear-like bill, a great-blue heron holds up a live coal against the darkness. In Celtic mythology, herons were considered messengers of the gods. Consider this most elegant of birds with its glowing coal from the warmth of hearth fires, an invitation to home.
Gathering Earth (new!)
"The lines between us are strong and beautiful and holding up after all the years we've gathered earth and planted in the same garden."
-- excerpt from "Gathering Years" by Klaaske deKoning
Of Mystery and Matter (new!)
In the lengthening-of-days season, when northern landscapes return to life with the affirmation that death will not have the final word, hands are clasped around the slender branch of an aspen in humble celebration.
The Listener
Falconers commonly use a leather hood to keep their bird calm as they await a hunt. Bird and falconer work together in an uncanny relationship of trust, yet the bird remains wild despite this mutuality. Once released, the falcon would ride the winds out of sight and never return.
The Scout
Ravens will often fly over busy highways in search of roadkill. If you are fortunate enough to have a sunroof, watch their heads turn from side to side to check both sides of the road along the way. One dining raven attracts others; it's not unusual to see a dozen birds join the clean-up crew. They take their custodial duties very seriously, and it's easy hunting.
Worship
Collectively, a company, a family, a fellowship lift a huge bowl upward to the One who gladly receives it. There’s something about this God where prayer, worship, and adoration drift up like incense toward heavenward. But there’s also this mystery, the marvel of it all: an exchange takes place. An indescribable holiness pours back over the worshipers.
And the Last Word is Grace
A leaf falls, a season changes, a loved one passes away, and all is grace. In the end, all is grace.
Benediction
This is one of a series of paintings that uses the owl to explore ways of knowing. This handsome owl perches atop his page of a birding book with stillness and poise in the dark of night. He bows his head as though to express goodwill and blessing. Bene- ("well") and -diction ("to speak") literally translates to "speak well of". The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a silent nocturnal hunter with a ghostly white plumage and distinct heart-shaped face. It gives a thin shriek rather than the expected hoot of other owls. Barn owls are a welcome site in any farmer's field: a single owl can hunt over 1,000 mice in a breeding season.
Chihuahua Raven (new!)
Native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, the Chihuahuan raven was once known as the white-necked raven, as can be seen from the collaged bird book page behind the image. Cool fact: it's as a small as a crow and has white feathers at the base of its neck that only show when ruffled by the wind or to talk territory with its fellow ravens. The oldest known Chihuahuan raven is 22 years!
Contend
Contend: v. 1 fight; struggle. 2 take part in a contest; compete. 3 argue, dispute. 4 declare a fact; maintain as true. Syn: cope, wrestle, battle, emphasizing the idea of trying hard and struggling against opposition.
I contend. With brush and paint, I contend.
Faith Discusses Global Affairs with Peace
Some time ago I found an old photograph of two elderly women staring at the camera,. Definitely a Prudence, I thought. Prudence and Wisdom? And what would Mercy look like? Hope? And the virtue series was born.
If the first half of life tends to focus on the establishing of ourselves in the world, let the next half be all about growing in the virtues of mercy, grace, wisdom... remembering that the greatest of these is love.
Five Stones and a Pebble (new!)
A meditation on the tension between our humanity and grace. Grace is, I believe, the larger, more sustaining part of the equation.
Gentleness, Goodness and Patience Rest on Main
If virtues were actual people..
Some time ago I found an old photograph of two elderly women staring at the camera,. Definitely a Prudence, I thought. Prudence and Wisdom? And what would Mercy look like? Hope? And the virtue series was born.
If the first half of life tends to focus on the establishing of ourselves in the world, let the next half be all about growing in the virtues of mercy, grace, wisdom... remembering that the greatest of these is love.
Hello, Mystery
"No one who has gained wisdom wishes to be young again."
In these between years of elderly parents and fledged children, we stand in a marvellous place: we have finally accepted the fact that pain and suffering are unavoidable, but in it, we find mystery too. We have learned to recognize the presence of joy and love, even there.
The Frisian horse - a creature of near mythical stature - stands as the figure, Mystery. May we have the courage to lean into it.
JOURNEY WITH FLOWERS No. 10 (new!)
A reflection of the strange liminal space during a global pandemic, this boat floats with neither anchor nor oars, and speaks of the uncertainty of our times. In contrast, the flowered tree fills its interior space suggesting hope and beauty, even so. May you have the courage to carry flowers with you everywhere you go.
Love Covers (new!)
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of wrongs." (I Peter 4:8)
Magnum Opus
One of a series of paintings that uses the owl to explore ways of knowing and, as this title suggests, this extraordinary large white owl creates quite a stir seen anywhere south of its traditional tundra range in the north. The snowy (Nyctea scandiaca) is a day hunter and will sit on the ground for long stretches of time as it waits for prey, then will strike with surprising agility and speed.
Mercy and Grace Stroll Through the Neighbourhood
If virtues were actual people..
Some time ago I found an old photograph of two elderly women staring at the camera,. Definitely a Prudence, I thought. Prudence and Wisdom? And what would Mercy look like? Hope? And the virtue series was born.
If the first half of life tends to focus on the establishing of ourselves in the world, let the next half be all about growing in the virtues of mercy, grace, wisdom... remembering that the greatest of these is love.
Parliamentary Debate
This is one of a series of paintings that use the owl to explore ways of knowing. This burrowing owl family (Athena cunicularia) grips its owl page from an old birding book and stares at the viewer as though ready to dispute any notion we might have about them. One of the few species of owl to be active during the day, it actually does burrow underground. They were once very common across the prairies, but are in decline mostly due to habitat loss. Incidentally, a group of owls is known as a "parliament".
Prudence and Wisdom Chill Out in the Garden
If virtues were actual people..
Some time ago I found an old photograph of two elderly women staring at the camera,. Definitely a Prudence, I thought. Prudence and Wisdom? And what would Mercy look like? Hope? And the virtue series was born.
If the first half of life tends to focus on the establishing of ourselves in the world, let the next half be all about growing in the virtues of mercy, grace, wisdom... remembering that the greatest of these is love.
Red Seeds in a Green World
There is the true story of a small band of idealistic individuals who planted thousands of hardy pines on barren savannah in Columbia. They hoped to create a kinder, more sustainable living environment. Much to everyone's surprise, an entirely new ecosystem emerged under the transformative shade of these carefully tended trees. What they didn't know was that beneath the surface, for uncountable eons, lay the dormant seeds of a primordial rainforest. A rainforest! Today, this place is referred to as the miracle pines of Gavoitas.
Life is not unlike Gavoitas's unexpected forest. We often have no idea what seeds lie hidden under the thin soils, waiting for awakening and renewal.
Shelter
I once read an article about two elderly Muslim women who, at the end of their lives, embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca. It was an 800 km walk for them, yet they could not face the end of their lives without making this one, final journey. It was understood, within this intense gaze, they would likely be parted along the way and forever loose sight of one another. This was their farewell at the start of a pilgrimage that would cost them everything.
What is it that stirs us up to become "pilgrims"? Why are some so compelled to journey?
Take Me Home
Companionship, especially when navigating through unchartered terrain, is a cherished thing. Going-it-alone times are part of life, even necessary, but the reunion as we regather is true wealth! These are what give us our bearings and create belonging, no matter where one is.
Test Anxiety
"Test Anxiety" is one of a series of paintings that uses the owl to explore ways of knowing. Saw-whets (Aegolius acadicus) have large heads for their small size and appear to make a variety of human-like expressions that beg for anthropomorphism. Despite their cuteness, these night hunters are fierce, catching from songbirds to frogs, mice or insects. Their name comes from the "skiew" sound they make when alarmed which is much like the sound of a whetting or sharpening saw.
The Conversation: Ocean (new!)
"If we spoke the same language, what would we say to one another?"
The humpback whale image is from a 3-part piece called "The Conversation" and was part of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition's (COLC) initiative to engage the public with how we connect to our oceans. See more about this project on this website under "Collaborations", or go to www.colcalition.ca, "Regional Reports - Inland Region".
The King's Horse
There is an ancient story of a man named Aiden of Lindisfarne, an Irish monk in the 7th century. Aiden fiercely championed the socially disenfranchised, including children and slaves. It is said of him that he served the king's court so unselfishly that the king wished to reward him with one of his royal horses so he no longer had to endure long walks over rough ground. Aiden refused. He was loath to serve his neighbour from the elevated position of a horse's back. He warned the king that he would only give it away. The king insisted, and Aiden did indeed give away the king's horse. The first peasant farmer he met walked on with a fine new horse.
The Scholar
"The Scholar" is one of a series of paintings that uses the owl to explore ways of knowing. Depicted as a little Renaissance man in this piece, the fierce northern pygmy (Glaucidium gnoma) presides with fixed gaze in his esteemed place of learning. Smaller than a robin, the pygmy owl will hunt day or night and may be seen unabashedly perched at your bird feeder waiting for a songbird snack.
With Distinction
"With Distinction" is one of a series of paintings that uses the owl to explore ways of knowing. The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) appears to own any place it perches as it surveys its unchallenged domain - unless a flock of crows happens to spot it. Then all mayhem breaks lose as they mob the owl mercilessly. Success comes easily for this powerful owl; they are not picky about their food and will nest in almost every kind of landscape.
THE WITNESS II (new!)
The Burmis Tree is an iconic feature at the Crowsnest Pass's eastern entrance, and is often described as the most photographed tree in Alberta. Limber pines are a protected species and are a rich food source for black bears and grizzlies as they fatten up for winter. Listen for the noisy Clark's nutcracker as they fly from one cone-laden tree to another.
TREEHUGGER: WHITE OAK WITH NEL (new!)
Part of a Treehugger series, this image features the white oak - a keystone species that plays a critical role in its ecosystem by maintaining a richer mix of plants, insects, birds and animals everywhere they grow. As a source for food and habitat, they are especially important for wildlife. And the person featured here? Meet Nel: a keystone community member who speaks for the plants, insects, birds and animals in her small part of the world.