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.
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, $585
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, $770
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