Peony in Ichiban Vase

Peony in Ichiban Vase, oil on 8x10 canvas

I was lucky enough to be given a gift made by one of Johns friends it's  a wooden vase with spikes for the flowers so you can arrange and keep them secured in place. Our peonies this year were battered with continuous  rain when in full bloom, but I managed to rescue a few and this is the result of a study I painted today.
I enjoyed it too using bright colours made a change from what  I use for horses or pets.
Thank you Mike, I really like my gift.

Babs

"Hay! Something happening at Onice Farm today!

"Horse at Onice Farm oil on 11x14 board

http://onicehorsefarm.ca/OnIce_Horse_Farm/Welcome_to_OnIce.html

Headwaters Stable tour today!
https://www.facebook.com/OnIceHorseFarm

Wet bird

"You never had a bath?" oil on 8x10 canvas

This is from a photo taken by Barry Wallace in his garden in King City, a picture of a Robin just coming from the bird bath on a hot day. I thought it was an opportunity to paint it,loved the indignant look and the wet feathers of the bird.

Barrie manages to capture some great pictures on his journey around the King Area and he is an avid Birder too, he has as many as ten bird feeders and the water bath in his garden plenty of food for the passing birds who pop in for a quick feed and a clean up before their travels.
This is a North American Robin.

Babs

Barry Wallace's blogs can be seen here:
http://cameraonking.blogspot.ca/
http://barrythebirder.blogspot.ca/

"Felicity & Davoo"

'Davoo & Felicity", oil on 8x8 panel

"Davoo" oil on 8x10 panel

These two paintings were a commission for a birthday gift for Felicity who has a passion for horses.
Her Mum was able to send photographs of her favourite ride, and I was able to paint two small pictures of one with Davoo & Felicity wearing her favourite hat and the second one of the horse close up.
Her birthday was in May I hope she had a pleasant surprise.

I got an email from Felicity a couple of days ago:
" For my birthday this year I received two oil painting portraits of my precious friend Davoo. 
Davoo was my first horse that I rescued when I was 15 years old. As a young teenager I struggled with socializing so my horse was my best friend. 
Davoo was taken from me far too early on New Year's Day 2015. Although I'm still heart broken from the tragedy I am thankful for the time that I had with him. 
Both portraits of Davoo are extraordinary. I can tell that they were created with great care and passion because they both capture every strand of his beauty. They will be cherished and hanging on the walls of our farm for the rest of my life.
Felicity"

That made my day!

Babs

"Dandelion a Welsh cross filly with Mom"

"Dandelion a Welsh cross filly with Mom", oil on 11 x1 14 board

A story about Dandelion .

A friend Marie Beard who owns horses posted a photo of Dandelion a Welsh cross filly with Mom on Face book a few weeks ago, I really liked the look of the photo and decided to paint it.

Dandelion was born at Foresthaven Farms Ltd Puslinch Ont they breed and sell Westphalian horses.
Marie luckily knows the owner and sent a message mentioning I had painted the picture and sent a copy of it to Melanie Michael to see of she liked the painting. Melanie was quite enthusiastic and really liked what she saw and was interested in purchasing, which really pleased me.

We have received an invitation to visit the Farm a great opportunity to deliver the painting and see the real deal! we are looking forward to meeting  Melanie Et al and enjoy seeing the horses, of course we will take the Camera!

It should be an interesting experience meeting another breed of horse and a day trip out!

Foresthaven Farm can be seen here: http://www.foresthavenfarm.com/

Babs

"Who are You?"

"Who are You?" oil on 8x10 board

North Halton Kitten Rescue.

We have a lot of admiration for this rescue they work extremely hard to save many kittens and cats over a year. This particular little one really went straight to my heart, his expression did it for me.  He was found with his sister who is all black they were  in pretty poor shape when found but the Rescue girls took them in and now look  healthy and ready  to love. They were out and about last weekend
this picture shows how cute they all are:

I hope they will all find their homes and live a comfortable and happy life! can you pick him out?

He is quite a colourful  kitten and very difficult to get his fur/whiskers looking quite right with perseverance I think the result looks like him it's the eyes though that makes him special .  

I believe the kittens picture was taken just after they were brought to the Rescue Centre he's growing very quickly.
8 x 10 oils on board.

Babs

North Halton Kitten rescue can be seen here: http://www.nhkr.ca/

Spring Has Sprung ....Almost

"Spring Has Sprung ....Almost"  8x81 oil on board

Something I know is there is a shipment of baby trees  coming all the way from Oregon, how do I know?

A lady called Ellen she and her family own a Tree farm. Ellen has been in our lives for quite a while she has a blog that we follow called "growing Gills" she's a photographer and writes about all things in nature and goes along with her lifestyle.

She appreciates everything around her and Spring  I think  is one of her special times, lots going on with the Farm and surrounding areas.

She has the ability to see beauty from her family and where she lives.

She can write poetry so well it can bring you to tears or give you a big smile for the day. We enjoy our long distant friendship and treasure her as something special she even follows our blog!

Ellen this is to go with your afternoon tea I painted this a little while ago as it looks like a fine Spring morning.
Thank you for all you do.

Cheers have a fine day.
Growing Gills cab be seen here  : http://roaring-camp.blogspot.ca/


I had to show it on the blog, this little painting has been on my mind to do for a while and for some reason gave me a lot of problems but I like the feel of it it's bright and cheerful .

Babs