The Hope of Spring
No matter where we are in the calendar year, the hope of springtime calls. Newness pushing up form seemingly dead ground, cherry blossoms lining the roads, snowdrops and crocus pushing up through snow. Colour colour colour. What a gift to be returned to year after year - there is life after death, there is something germinating unseen, there is beauty coming.
Lovesong
My daughter and I recently went on a trip to London, Oxford and Bath. It was truly special in a number of ways: my adult offspring asked to travel with me, we had a fantastic time together, and BATH!!! I suppose many people already know that it’s a gem, but it was news to me. I loved every inch of it, including a delightful flower stall where I snapped this picture. This is my lovesong, to my daughter, and to spring tulips, and to that beautiful city.
oil on canvas, 30×40, 2026, SOLD
You Have my Attention
Curious little anemones remind me of kind neighbours popping their heads over the fence for a chat. I’ve been learning about active listening and these two seem to be naturals. As spring begins here on the Westcoast, I am reminded of seasons, of hardships ending and good things beginning, of a Creator listening.
oil on canvas, 22×30, 2026, $1025
Springs Promise
My daughter, my first child, was born on the first day of spring. As we drove home from the hospital, terrified and giddy, probably inching along as slowly as possible, we turned into our townhouse complex. The cherry trees seemed to have burst open overnight, and they shouted for joy welcoming home our baby girl.
In Victoria the cherry blossoms abound, filling the heart and instagram accounts. Later in spring, when they fall, it’s the best “snow” there is, drifting down and filling lawns, culminating in curbsides, sticking to hair.
oil on canvas, 20x24, 2025, SOLD
Curtsy
I was struck this spring with the variety and charm of the humble daffodil. I had sadly overlooked this herald of spring, with its brash trumpet, finding it commonplace. What ignorance!
Look at all the crinolines puffing out the skirts of this curtsying daffodil. What a beauty.
oil on canvas, 20x24, 2025, $770
Jenny in her Blue Jeans
Jenny is looking for a party, all dolled up in her new blue jeans. She’s excited for life, and the possibilities it holds, and invites her friends along for the ride. The long dark days of winter are over, and she’s rolling up the bottom of her jeans to celebrate.
Blue poppies are a special treat, found nearby at Butchart Gardens. They do seem magical in their vibrant colour and delicate petal. If they’re blooming you can find them in the Japanese Garden - my favourite space.
oil on canvas, 18x18, 2025, SOLD
Oncoming Beauty
The magnolia, what a tree!
The first time I saw one we had just moved into our first home in Cloverdale, BC. Pink magnolias were planted all around the townhouse complex, and as I waddled around it (I was 9 months pregnant) I exclaimed to my husband “Look at how those people taped flowers to their tree!” What else is a girl from Ontario to think when faced with a tree that flowers before it has leaves? Quickly I realized that either we were neighbours with the Queen of Hearts, or this was a new variety of plant I had yet to experience. Enter my love affair with magnolias.
Lately, in my walks (thankfully not waddles) around my Victoria neighbourhood I am grateful for their beauty; for the gift beauty brings to my anxious thoughts and hurting heart.
oil on canvas, 24×60, 2026, SOLD