Artworks

Every painting has a story.  Above the groupings of paintings, you will find a story of why I painted that particular painting and what inspired it.

Original watercolours framed under glass are painted on 300 lb. acid free archival watercolour paper, with archival matting and backing board.

Watercolours mounted on a wood panel are also painted on 300 lb. acid-free archival watercolour paper, which is then mounted on an archival wood panel and protected against glare, fading and humidity with a UV coating.

Click on any image to see a larger version.

Galleries

Sea Turtles

Basking In Hawaii

Green Sea Turtles, sunning on Waikola Beach is characteristic of these beautiful creatures.

From my first encounter, I’ve had such an admiration and respect for the peaceful beauty of the Honu, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, found in their winter habitat, off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Surprise Encounter

What a delight it must have been to be greeted by this magnificent Green Sea Turtle, a true ancient mariner, on a coral reef off the Maui coast.

My connection to the Honu, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, began with seeing them sunning on the beach in Waikola Bay, on the Big Island of Hawaii.  From that first encounter, painting a sea turtle is a true reflection of my admiration and pure respect for their peaceful beauty.

In order to capture these beautiful creatures, I developed a process of applying many layers of transparent colours, creating a life-like image.

Inspiration Photo:  Courtesy Frank Kaiser

Lazy Daze

This green sea turtle was one of many, sunning lazily on Waikoloa Beach, on the Big Island of Hawaii – he looked up nonchalantly while I snapped the photo that inspired this portrait of this beautiful creature.  Green Sea Turtles, sunning on Waikola Beach is characteristic of these beautiful creatures.

From my first encounter, I’ve had such an admiration and respect for the peaceful beauty of the Honu, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, found in their winter habitat, off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Birds

Sea-Duced

These beauties are just one of the many groups of gulls entertaining the shores of B.C.’s Savoury Island. Gulls have the traits of being both bold and conspicuous, while surfing the wind and fishing along the shoreline.  Their musical call blends in beautifully with the sound of the ocean waves as the tide rolls out on an early summer evening.

Knot Busy

Knot Busy is yet another example of the beauty that can surface before your eyes in cottage country.  This seemingly aloof loon has just surfaced after entertaining us with his diving skills and acrobatics under the crystal clear waters.  A sight to behold.

Soul Mates

In cottage country there are surprises around every corner.  As I was enjoying an early evening paddle on the glistening waters, this exquisite pair of loons had begun to venture just a little from their offspring.  While the young are busy dipping and diving, tuning their fishing skills, Mom & Dad relish a leisurely moment in the peace of early dusk.

A New Day

There is something magical about the call of the loon.  Here, our morning visitor glides through the waters, as the morning mist slowly dissipates into the glory of a new day.

A Moment in Nature

As the sun begins to sink into the horizon, silence falls over the clear blue waters in cottage country. Relishing the peace, our local loon family take an evening cruise, soaking up the tranquility of it all. The young are just beginning to poke their fluffy heads into the water, not yet able to dive. Watching their transition over the summer months is one of our greatest pleasures.

Along the Water’s Edge

While cottaging in the North Kawartha Lakes, the return of the loons is one of our treasured highlights! Mates for life this pair frequent the cottage bay and once again, as the sun begins to disappear into the horizon they paddle, dip and dive in the clear, quiet waters.

Fruit

Pick Of The Crop

My work is inspired by my surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colours.  These juicy green apples just spoke to me, nestled in my fruit bowl, with their rich colour and skin tones.

Treasures

As a watercolourist you train your eyes to see.  My work is inspired by my surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colours.  I’m drawn to anything that sparkles with light and colour dancing throughout, like this beautiful candle-wicked candy dish and antique lace!  The cherries completed the dance!

On A Pedestal

As a watercolorist you train your eyes to see.  Mary Ellen’s work is inspired by her surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colors.

She is drawn to pictures that sparkle and have that light and colour dancing throughout.  This beautiful silver bowl was discovered in a second hand shop.  With a little polish and determination it was the perfect complement to this luscious pear.  Truly a great find!

Three’s Company

As a watercolorist you train your eyes to see.  My work is inspired by my surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colors.

I’m drawn to pictures that sparkle and have that light and colour dancing throughout.  This beautiful silver bowl was discovered in a second hand shop.  With a little polish and determination it was the perfect complement to these luscious pears.  Yet another great find!

Ocean & Water Scenes

Let’s Get Wet

While my husband and I travelled the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, we found that no matter how many miles of ocean shores we saw, each new view was nothing short of magical.  This beautiful seascape was one of many along the eastern shore where soothing warm breezes seemed to carry one into dream land.  As the waves splashed and danced off the lava rock, sea gulls seemed to float in each tropical gust.

A Slice of Heaven

While cottaging in the Kawartha Lakes with my husband and family, the sunsets never fail to instill in me a sense of peace, that all is well in my world.  At every glance the scenery changes  with a beauty all its’ own.

The West Is Calling

Ucluelet, on the west coast of Canada, is a place of spectacular, rugged beauty. Dreams come to life along this wild, rocky coastline, where the locals say “normal is never average”.

As one captures the glorious sunset as it disappears into the ocean, the rhythmic sound of the pounding waves is mesmerizing, with a gentle mist on your face while  every wave hits the rocky coastline.

Hawaiian Reflections

The sunset off the western shore of Waikoloa Bay is the Island of Hawaii’s most awe inspiring show.  One never tires of the ever changing, magnificent nightly sunset views with colours that are out of this world!

Lilies in the Bay Series

Morning’s Glow

As part of a series, Lilies In The Bay, All Is Calm was inspired by a paddle in a cottage bay in northern Ontario.  As the lilies and the lake were awakening the play of light and reflections were so beautiful and calming.  What a peaceful way to start the day.

Diamond In The Rough

As part of a series, Lilies In The Bay, Diamond In The Rough was inspired by a paddle in a cottage bay in northern Ontario.  As the lilies and the lake were awakening the sunlight glistened off the morning dew.

The Golden Hour

Sunny summer mornings in cottage country Ontario the quiet, shallow waters of our lakes and bays are alive with resplendent waterlilies.  As they dance in the sunlight from morning until early afternoon framed by vibrant lily pads, a paddle in my canoe through the lily pond is both peaceful and serene.  Seeing nature in The Golden Hour is the perfect beginning to a new day.

Still Water

As part of a series, Lilies In The Bay, ‘Still Waters’ was inspired by a serene, calm morning in the Chandos Lake cottage bay, in the beautiful North Kawartha area of Central Ontario.

As the lilies and the lake were awakening, the sun created its magic once again, drawing me into the peace and stillness of it all!

The Sound of Silence

As part of a series, Lilies In The Bay, ‘The Sound of Silence’ was inspired by a serene, calm morning in the Chandos Lake cottage bay, in the beautiful North Kawartha region of Central Ontario.  As the lilies and the lake were awakening, the sun created its magic once again, drawing me into the serenity and silence of it all!

My Lucky Day

At the end of the perfect summer’s day on Sturgeon Lake, the low croaking of this grand ‘ole bull frog drew me from my docking duties.  Into the marsh I went.  His presence was magnet!  As dragon flies floated in the air, I could only imagine one being the perfect evening meal for my new friend.

Silence

As part of the Lilies In The Bay Series, Silence was inspired by paddling the cottage bay in the early morning light on Chandos Lake in North Kawartha Ontario. As the lilies and the lake awakened, every dip of the paddle inspires yet another painting!

Solitute

As part of the Lilies In The Bay Series, ‘Solitude’ was inspired by a morning paddle in the cottage bay on Chandos Lake in North Kawartha Ontario. As the lilies and the lake awakened, the peace and solitude of the moment rejuvenated my soul.

Serenity

As part of the Lilies In The Bay Series, while on my morning paddle in the cottage bay on Chandos Lake in North Kawartha Ontario, the ‘Serenity’ of it all was breathtaking.  I cherish moments like these at every opportunity – they sustain me even when I’m absorbed in a more demanding world.

Flowers

Summer’s Snowflake

The Itoh Peony is an herbaceous beauty with enormous flowers that bloom for weeks. Summer’s Snowflake’ was photographed in Catherine Warner’s magnificent Lindsay Ontario garden. It truly was like finding a snowflake in early summer! Easy to grow and remarkable in beauty, an Itoh Peony is a perfect addition to any garden as well as a beautiful and meaningful gift.

Opening Day

When visiting the Hawaiian Islands you can’t miss the tropical hibiscus such as this show stopper, spotted in Waikoloa Beach on the Island of Hawai’i.

These large, colourful and ornate flowers are renowned for their magnificent showy flowers. Adopted as Hawaii’s state flower, the hibiscus represents royalty, communicate power and respect. Displaying its unparalleled beauty only for a day, the blossom closes to the fading sunlight, making this delicate flower an even greater beauty to behold.

Early Bloomer

The Magnolia is a species of plant in the Magnoliaceae family, symbolizing luck and stability. The spectacular waxy blooms have a sweet floral fragrance, light and fruity much like the scent of Champagne.

Sun Worshipper

According to Greek myth the peony symbolizes bashfulness, but originated in Japan where it means “king of flowers”. In our culture peonies symbolize prosperity, good luck, love and honour. When the golf ball sized buds burst into full bloom in my friend Catherine’s magnificent gardens they are truly a site to behold! The sun dancing throughout the delicate petals astounds me at every glance. I love the vibrancy and contrasts between lights and darks.