Oh Snap it's Cold....

First of all Happy New Years to all of you!!!

 

I really cant believe its already January and Christmas is kind of behind us,

where did the time go?

 

But we had a good and calm Christmas here, and I hope all of you had very joyful

Christmas and holiday season.

So winter arrived early here and we have still a ton of snow {new storm on its way tomorrow sometime}, and so far we have been okay {touch wood!}

but for many this has been a very hard times.

We have family and friends in Toronto who were without power for over a week during the holidays, but thankfully they have it back now and it was not a day too soon.  It has been super cold here and a lot of stuff freeze, we have to keep our eyes on our water pipes just in case.

 

Picture above is from the other day when it kind of warmed up a bit,

the night before it had been -28c and with the wind it was -40c

I even had a hard time taking this picture as the screen door has frozen stuck, so that's why the picture is a bit of a blur.

 

So its been good days to stay in and draw and paint, but when you do venture out

and Mr B and I have, been out for nice long walks in the woods

{its all about layers of clothing and lots of it}

 

And a few times we went downtown and I tell you,

this cold sure makes some interesting things to see



 

And only here, do you see this!

This man or woman was driving on the high way with its parka hood up

Seriously!!! 

 

{didn't have my camera out on time, so drew it after}



 

Then sitting in a coffee shop looking at people standing outside waiting for buses, is nothing but very

interesting {I did once before but it was much warmer then}

Well, with temperatures like this, its like everyone are working undercover or something.

Every inch is covered and no one says much but just grunt through the crowds or try very hard to hold back a runny nose... And every once breaths are making the bus stop look all fogged in. 

 

 

 

Last picture here I took last night, its taken from the National archives parking lot {facing west}

and I just loved the colour of the sky and the city lights.

The funny looking building you see in the middle is the War museum.

 

Here's to winter and 2014, Happy New Years and I hope this new year will bring you and your dearest and nearest good health, joy and peace and ton of super creative times and moments. 

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Christmas snow and trees...

 

I'm sure I'm not the only one saying this

but its been pretty busy around here.

This the season for it.

 

Found little time today to paint something small

Something I saw while we were out driving and at the same time both Mr B and I said

Next year we'll get a real tree.

 

 

A few days ago my son and I went down town to do a little Christmas shopping,

in between running about we stopped for a treat, good old beaver tails.

 

 

We have had a few smaller snow storms go through here,

and there is nothing better than just head out and enjoy it all.

And my son, although 21 he still likes to shake a tree and get snow all over him...

So glad the kid within him still stays strong.

 

 

Love the woods this time of the year, so does Charlie.

 

I really wish all of you will have a wonderful Christmas season,

have a safe and happy holiday.

 

Merry Christmas & God Jul

 

 

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Santa Lucia, winter foxes & Christmas time...

water colours and ink

 ~ Happy Santa Lucia ~

Today in Sweden and all the other Scandinavian countries Santa Lucia is celebrated.

People gather together in churches, schools and homes, singing and lit candles and with that they eat sweet saffron Lussebullar {Lucia Buns} and other treats.

Its time to share light and joy of the season

{if you like you can see a beautiful Lucia choir in Sweden HERE}

I done a little bit of decorating and some art work {seen above and below} 

But today I woke up early before sun came up, Charlie and I went for a walk in the woods and even if it was dark still it was very cozy and we heard foxes somewhere near by.

After our walk we came home and I lit some candles, played some Swedish Christmas music and then I baked some saffron cupcakes {gluten free} so I can take to my daughter who's still in the hospital.

Sure miss having my little girl here, but she's getting so much help right now and thankfully hospital is close to home, so I can go there often to see her.  Yesterday we read How Grinch Stole Christmas together, always a great fun to read with her.  And today we're going to celebrate Lucia.

Here are a few small sketches & drawings I have done of Foxes

{used different media, ink, water colours, china marker and pencil on different kinds of paper}

Happy Santa Lucia and Happy Winter to all of you

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Winter frost & Hints of Red

"Winter House"

 Winter came early this year and it has arrived with a bang,

snow storm followed by really cold temperatures.

Brilliant days for nice walks in the woods and staying inside painting and creating. 

Did another small painting in water colours and ink

and then I have been making some new stamps

This year its all about the Fox

{you might remember this fox from my last post}

Today Mr B and I went for a nice long walk in the woods

{snowman was by a house next to the forest path}

I loved how the frost covered every little detail 

Happy First December & First Advent

{Första Advent}

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February light...

There is something very special about the sunlight in February (if the sky is clear : )

The sun feels closer and warmer and there is that small hint of spring in the air, yet its still very much winter.  My favourite time of the day is in the late afternoon when she sun is lower and the shadows turn blue against the snow.  These sketches I made one day down by the Ottawa River and where there is lot of nice paths and green space {not so green this time of the year} to walk in.  They are all quick sketches as it still cold enough to freeze my fingers and the water colours on to the paper where acting a bit funny.  I had a small Strathmore Drawing paper pad (its a bit off white coloured paper), Staedtler triplus fineliner pen (and it says "dry safe" on it but its not) and my watercolours. 

Down by the river is a big area where the ice huts are for ice fishing, you can see the Gatenaue Hills, Quebec in the back ground/other side of the river.  The two blue squares I made are for writing I will do later, maybe give a try on some poetry (I'm only learning about poetry now).

Two different styles to draw and paint the trees and the small blue spots below on the paper, are from when I lost my balance and paint went all over the place (sure beats yellow snow, lol)

One of my friends made fun of me when I was crying for snow and couldn't wait for the winter to come... And he said to me "I'm sure you will have a different tune of it in February" But here it is, and I love it!!!!

Ha, so there!!!

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