Spring in Acorn Woods

Spring is here!! There's no denying it! 

Even while our day to day indoor activity may seem somewhat stagnant 

due to the ongoing quarantine, the world out of doors is growing more 

vibrant and and completely buzzing with life and activity!! 

The hosta and peonies are poking up through the ground with new possibility!

The drooping wisps on the weeping willow are bursting forth with new verdure!

The clouds race across the sky only to be gathered up and grow heavy with rain!

And deep in the Acorn Woods, that lovely. large grove of trees just beyond Elderberry Hedge,

the always enthusiastic bunny, Bluebell, was hopping to every nest, den, and burrow, 

showing every woodland creature she met her beautiful crown of spring flowers!

Well, as usual, Bluebell's excitement and enthusiasm was catching!

Soon fox cubs and badgers, bear cubs and skunk kits, as well as fawns, squirrels, 

mice, and raccoons were scrambling through brambles and out into the pastures

to collect bright and cheerful flowers for their very own Spring crowns!

Daffodils, hyacinth, ranunculus, forget-me-nots, crocuses, tulips, snowdrops, and lilies were 

brought to The Burrows, where Bluebell and her sisters carefully tied and twisted the blooms

into delicate circlets that soon graced the heads of the very appreciative animals!

"Spring in the Woodlands"  

(8"x8" watercolour and ink) 

Spring is really a time of excitement! And that excitement can be contagious!!

I hope you get caught up in it and discover reasons to smile and rejoice!!

♥ Cath- 

  

Hoppy Spring!

My birthday has turned our house into a floral showcase!

Bouquets of cut tulips in every room, potted tulips, 

hydrangeas, pansies, daffodils, and lilies aplenty!! 

There is a splash of colour everywhere I look!

The bounty of flowers that I have been blessed with 

was definitely the inspiration behind these wee bunnies!

"L'il Springtime Bunnies"

(8.5"x11.0", watercolour, ink in sketchbook)

With names like Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Tulip, Hydrangea, Lily, Bluebell, Crocus, and Flora, 

these bunnies were thrilled to don their namesake flowers in a springtime crown!

 "Springtime Bunnies"

(8"x8" watercolour and ink, watercolour paper)

Wishing you all a Hoppy Easter Weekend!!

♥ Cath-

 

Ode To Joy

 

"Ode to Joy"

(3x 8"x8", watercolour, ink)

  

    Just when the world was beginning to feel the limitations of pandemic quarantines, musicians in Spain wanting to cheer those living around them, stepped out onto their balconies and began an impromptu concert. Joining together spontaneously, blending their abilities, and creating a melodic symphony, they drew their curious neighbours out onto their own balconies to listen. Smiles brightened every doorway and when the "concert" finished, applause and cheer filled the air! Doing something small to brighten the day for those nearby actually ended up making the world feel brighter! They truly created an Ode to Joy!!

   These three pieces were inspired by that event.  They can be placed in any order, in any formation, however they are arranged they create the impression of the beautiful Spanish balconies that beautify the city walls. I have always loved the wrought iron rails and the potted plants - especially geraniums - which add whimsy of these gorgeous urban homes!  It was so much fun creating an unique door and balcony space for each of the musicians as well as harmonizing elements that unify them as they make their music together!

    A lot of the time it is the small heartfelt things that we do that make the biggest difference! I hope that you are inspired to look for small ways to share felicity with those around you - there's no better time than right now!

You can do it! So can I!!

♥ Cath-

   

"The Joy of Spring"

Outside, it's a bit chilly and grey... Squirrels scamper, 

with twitchy tails collecting the last of their winter supply...

Inside, it's comfortable, sitting here surrounded 

by flowers...taking note of the potted daffodils just 

beginning to push up through the damp soil....

Online, people are trying to cope with the province's, 

now even the continent's, lock down to slow the spread of 

COVID-19... half laughing at the "problem," the other half trying

to preach common sense and selflessness to the panic-driven public...

In my mind, I see colours... I daydream... gazing at the bright, bold yellow

garden dafs that come up faithfully each Spring, often alongside the

tiny grape hyacinth that cluster under and around the dafs slender foliage.

I look to the fruit trees, soon to be covered in candy floss-like blossoms.... 

soft pinks, deep reds, and perfect whites... their perfumes wafting, 

calling the bees to breakfast after their long, slumbering Winter...

I see li'l creatures who step out of their cozy havens in search of 

their daily food, their eyes opening in wonder and excitement 

as they sniff the air, looking around them to take in the soft, 

friendly colours that reappear with the arrival of Spring...

The is such joy to be discovered in Spring!

"The Joy of Spring"  

(watercolour, 8"x8", February 2020)

I hope you make time to look around and discover

many reasons to feel joy this Spring!

♥ Cath-

 

Cozy Critters - Skunks

The last of my 2018 Cozy Critters designs: Skunks

A whole family of them... taking an "USie"

(that's when you take a group photo, instead of just a SELFie")

This family has spent the morning skating on the pond and for a 

treat, on their way home, they stopped and got some hot beverages: 

Supremo X-Large Coffee (with two milks) for Dad, Large Chamomile 

Tea (bag in) for Mom, and kid-sized Chocolicious Hot Chocolate 

with whipped cream and sprinkles on top for the kits!

"Skunk Family"

(watercolour and ink) 

 

Exercise + warm sweaters + hot beverages = perfect way to stay warm in the winter!!

♥ Cath-

Cozy Critters - Squirrel and Chipmunk

We all know someone who causes us to wonder if 

they seek caffeine out or if caffeine seeks them out.

They always appear to be functioning on hyper speed

and espresso is like their nitrous oxide boost.

And if they also tend to be talkers, well, let's just say, 

you're in for a ride! Their stories are quick and you gotta 

keep up, 'cause when their train leaves the station,

there is no time for dillydallying!

Like a grand maestro, animated hand gestures 

- a dart here, a flourishing sweep there -

punctuate their breakneck adventurous tales! 

And if the hands are not enough, the eyes fill in a whole 

other part of the story,  like a cinematic, musical backdrop! 

Eyes widened during suspenseful, high-flying scenes, 

narrowed for the thought-provoking, solemn scenes, 

and the eyebrows, well, the eyebrows are so constantly 

knitting and parting and capable of such crinkling contortions, 

you'd think they were performing an interpretative 

dance of the story all on their own!    

"Skittle and Chippy"

 (watercolour and ink)

 

These are the smile-inducing musings of Skittle the squirrel, 

whenever her afternoon coffee break coincides with Chippy's!

♥ Cath- 

    

Cozy Critters - Canada Geese

While coffee is the most popular hot beverage worldwide,

tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.

Even though North America is consumed with coffee,

many in Canada still enjoy a cup of tea, hot in the 

cooler months and iced in the warmer months!

These two friends, Franny and Beth, both enjoy a good hot cuppa, but 

Franny as you can see, likes to keep the bag in so her tea steeps dark and

strong while Beth enjoys a "tint o' tea", dunking her teabag just enough 

to colour and flavour her hot water, because "it's better before it's bitter"!

These two gals love to get together for tea and a good ol' fashioned chin wag,

and the in the winter months you are sure to find them enjoying the warmth of

cozy sweaters and talking about those classic Hudson's Bay 4-point wool blankets!

"Franny and Beth"

(watercolour and ink)

Nothing warms the heart more than a good cup o' tea and a wonderful friend!

♥ Cath- 

 

 

Cozy Critters - Badger

Barnabas Badger

How would I describe ol' Barnabas?

Classic

He enjoys helping others and will quietly give advice when asked, 

but he shares much of his abundant knowledge and experience

through his witty stories and anecdotes. It is always an

entertaining evening when spent in Barnabas' company!

One of his favourite winter activities is sitting in his comfortable 

ol' armchair in front of the fire and reading (or re-reading) a classic story.

He has read and re-read all the Sherlock Holmes mysteries,

(he has secretly wished he could be Dr. Watson, helping Sherlock solve cases),

he went through much of his Dickens' collection and is now currently

absorbed in Anthony Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire series.

Barnabas considers himself an armchair traveler, always looking forward to new

areas to explore through the books he reads in the cozy comfort of his own home.

He's been to the Middle East (when reading 1,001 Arabian Nights)

He's been to the Southern United States (when reading books by Mark Twain)

Canada's Prince Edward Island (when reading Anne of Green Gables)

Northern Canada and Alaska  (when reading Jack London's adventure tales)

All over England (when reading his vast collection of British authors) 

He looks forward to "visiting" Russia and Switzerland in his armchair soon! 

Barnabas is content and happy with simple pleasures.

A cozy sweater, a comfortable chair, a good book, 

and a cup of coffee (with milk, thank you!) is

the perfect way to enjoy a long winter's night!

"Barnabas"

(watercolour and ink)

While Barnabas often quotes Trollope when he says,

"What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?" 

 I think Trollope best sums up Barnabas' character in this quote:

"That I can read and be happy while I am reading, is a great blessing."

 

♥ Cath-

Cozy Critters - Moose

I'd like you to meet Moss.

Moss spends the early part of Winter helping his neighbours decorate their trees, 

dens, and burrows for the holidays.  He organizes all the neighbourhood squirrels 

and together they go from house to house, dressing each doorway with evergreen

and berries; Moss acts like a step ladder while the squirrels scamper here and there

across his antlers securing each bough and berry in place!

After long days of standing in the cold and snow, Moss likes nothing more than 

getting home and snuggling up under a blanket - Moss sure likes to be cozy! 

His neighbour, Mrs. Pickle (she's a porcupine), knows just how cozy Moss likes to be,

so each year she sets to knitting a colourful sweater for him! Mrs. Pickle's husband, Mr. 

Pickle, makes the best hot cocoa in all of Acorn Woods, and he always makes an extra 

big batch when he knows Moss will be visiting;  they do love to spoil him!

Moss likes his hot cocoa with marshmallows!

He waits only long enough for the marshmallows to melt 

then he slurps down the sweet steamy concoction in one big gulp!

Oh, how he loves to feel the warmth of that drink reach all the way to his hooves!

Now you know why Mr. Pickle makes an extra big batch!  

"Moss"

(watercolour and ink)

 

With all the snow that fell overnight, I moose tell you, 

I now understand Moss' daily desire to be cozy!!

♥ Cath-

 

 

Cozy Critters - Fox

The temperatures have plummeted again,

and sweaters have never felt cozier!

This week I would like you to meet Furlong.

This plaid-clad fox was nicknamed "Furlong"

by his friends because the furthest distance he will

travel before needing another coffee is about a furlong!

Coffee jump starts Furlong's day and fuels his on-the-go energy!

"Furlong"

(watercolour and ink) 

Furlong, in true Canadian-style, is a big fan of the Double-Double!

♥ Cath- 

  

Cozy Critters - Polar Bear

It's that time of year again, when I start pulling out the extra-cozy blankets

and place them within arms reach of everyone's favourite hangout in our living room 

and family room. There's little better than being warm and snug under a fuzzy blanket!

During the day when I am busy around the house and studio, 

it's rather inconvenient to wrap myself up in a blanket;  seeing as it would

end up getting dragged through wet paint or dunked into soapy dishwater! 

So, what is a girl to do? 

Pull on a cozy sweater of course!

And that's just what these critters are doing too!

Christmas sweaters + a mug of something hot = Cozy Critters!

I would like you to meet "George".

George likes things in his life to be simple and sweet,

just like his coffee (no milk, two sugars).

He likes the colour blue (simple) and 

old-fashioned peppermint candy canes (sweet).

George's friend Nelly (she's a narwhal!) 

gifted George with a bright red coffee mug

because she thinks everything needs a 'pop' 

of colour. She told George that it reminds 

her of the arctic coral she discovered when

she was a young adventuring-seeking calf.

One of George's favourite annual traditions

is having everyone over to his ice floe to 

make peppermint fudge.  They spend the 

afternoon floating around an iceberg or two, 

while munching on the minty confection and 

sharing stories of their varied arctic adventures!

"George"

(watercolour and ink)

More Cozy Critters are on their way! Stay tuned!

♥ Cath-  

 

 

INKtober - DAY 31!!!

This is it! 

The last day of 

INKTOBER 2018!

What a month! 

Full of challenges,

new accomplishments,

31+ ink drawings!

It has been a lot of fun 

trying to depict objects

in black & white, after 

working in colour for 

so many years...

Today's prompt: 

"Slice"

It's Halloween, so I decided to draw a party

taking place in Buttercup Dale*.

The squirrels made sure the pumpkins 

were carved and set about just right.

Several big pies were donated by Bonny 

(of The Bonny Baker Bakery & Cafe)

and they were served up in generous

slices to all the hungry trick o' treaters! 

*Buttercup Dale is the field between 

Elderberry Hedge and Acorn Woods.

 

Happy Halloween!

#inktober2018

♥ Cath- 

 

 

INKtober - Day 30

October is almost over!

 Shocking, I know!!

This month my creativity

 was electrified!

Bolts of inspiration

were striking me daily!

Pen strokes sparked new ideas!

Wow, this month went by

lightning fast!

What a thrill!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 29

"A shared joy is a double joy,

A shared sorrow is half a sorrow."

(Swedish Proverb)

"Double"

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober- Day 28

The greatest gift 

we could ever

give is love.

It was the greatest gift

ever given to us by God.

He showed us how to love

unconditionally,

selflessly,

thoughtfully.

He showed how to have a heart

focused on wanting what is best

for the other person, no matter what.

Give the gift of love.

Show others the love of God!

It will be the best gift you

could ever give!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 27

"Thunder"

Thunder is the sound that follows

a lightning strike, so it is often

depicted as a lightning bolt.

Even Thor, is called the Norse 

god of thunder because he 

throws lightning bolts in battle,

but still thunder is a sound; 

how do you depict a sound?

Well, I decided that the only way

was to depict the effect thunder has

on some who are fearful of it...

So, imagine if you will, a wee l'il pupper happily

snoozing in front of the fireplace, when a flash

of light startles him awake.  Bleary eyed, he looks 

around to gain his bearings and, BOOOOOOOM!!

The thunder cracks through his confusion

and fear strikes his heart! His eyes widen and 

it's all he can do to get his trembling l'il legs

 to take him to the only place he can feel safe 

- under his person's bed!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 26

"Oooo, that one looks even juicier!"

"If... only... I... could... stretch....

just... a litttle... bit... more!"

"Almost... therrre..."

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 25

"Prickly"

but, oh, so cute!!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 24

Only 1 week to go in Inktober 2018!

Today's prompt:

"Chop"

Keeping it simple:

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 23

"Muddy"

Well, they say nothin's happier 

than a pig in mud.

Don't know who "they" are, 

but I think this drawing says it all!

Here's a closer look:

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-