Pelicans, eating local and an evening in the garden

 
The kids and I had a lovely day at the zoo with some friends yesterday. The weather was perfect and the company was fabulous. These pelicans caught my eye, roaming around the penguin habitat. I think I’ll use them as inspiration for some upcoming paintings.

I just love eating straight from the garden. Last night I sauteed homegrown zucchini and pattypan squash in butter, added some salt and pepper and garnished it with tons of fresh basil and mint, also from our garden. So delicious.
 
Last night we sat out on the deck, quietly drinking beer and each doing our own thing. I brought out my little watercolour sketchbook and started playing around, looking to the garden in front of me for inspiration.

Garden inspiration

I love looking in the garden for creative inspiration. These bachelor buttons are a favourite of the boys – the big one likes to pick them to give to me with a shy smile lighting up his face and the little one likes to rip them to shreds while squealing with delight. I love the vibrant purples and blues against the green backdrop of kale, chard and wormwood.

Birds of a feather

      

In a moment of brilliance, Jay installed a bird feeder outside our kitchen window this spring and ever since, we’ve been treated to the comings and goings of a wide variety of feathered friends all day long. The kids love watching the birds while they eat their breakfast. Our 4 year old knows the names of each of them, thanks to a wonderful bird guide we picked up at Lee Valley.

Our little bird feeder has inspired me to do some feather paintings and illustrations, available now in the shop. I love experimenting with the endless combinations of pattern and color.

     

Welcome to Hurlingham Road!

What is Hurlingham Road, you ask?

This is the real Hurlingham Road in London, England:


I guess you could say its where my story begins, because this is where my dad grew up during WWII. Its where his family held each other together through tougher times than I can even imagine and its where I snapped this photo, during a trip back to the UK in 2008. Although I grew up here in Canada, I feel very connected to this place and its history. Hurlingham Road is as much a part of me as the desire to capture the beauty of the world around me through art. So, when it came time to choose a name for my Etsy shop, Hurlingham Road Studio seemed to be the perfect fit.

In my little shop I sell original watercolor paintings and illustrations as well as archival prints. I hope that you’ll pop by and take a peek sometime. In this space, I hope to share a little bit of my inspiration and thoughts with you. Enjoy!