Heart and Soul

What a winter it has been in Ontario. We have had record breaking arctic cold and several intense snowstorms. It is so cold, that it can be disheartening as you can feel it from head to toe so quickly. Moments of sunshine have been rare but so appreciated. Each glimmer of sunshine coming through the window causes me to pause and truly notice the warmth of the light. I am thankful to turn the calendar page and welcome February as I nurture thoughts of Spring. The Secret Garden book is on my reading table, ready for me to enjoy over the next couple of weeks. I think the book is perfect to read at this time of the year and it is filled with so many inspiring quotes that I jot down in my journal as I work on Italian Hand.   Both the book and practicing Italian Hand are comforting and familiar when the days are so chilling. I have been thinking deeply about the work I return to that brings me so much joy and sense of peace. 

I have just finished teaching The Artful Flourish at Ardington School Online. The Artful Flourish was the first course I ever created and in many ways, I see it as my most important course. Finding the flow of offhand flourishing affects all other aspects of my artistic journey. It is the anchor of all my work even if I am drawing, writing, painting, or designing and illuminated miniature. Flourishing gave me the confidence to grow as an artist and to think outside the box. 

Later this month, I will teach Spring Symphony for the Edmonton Calligraphic Society and continue to explore seasonal flourishes filled with florals and cheerful colours.  Registration info is posted at Eventbrite.

Flourishes are the heart and soul of my work and I love diving into them with new students and those who want to refresh their skills. Heart designs are always a favourite theme and seem so perfect for February.

I never get tired of working on these artistic hearts. They are such a joyful way to explore flourishes.

The heart will be explored in my Victorian Valentines, The Language of Flowers presentations for Ardington School. The lecture and demonstration for February 4th, sold out quickly, but we opened more seats for February 11th. If you are interested in the  historic lecture that Martin Beek will present followed by a very Victorian design to explore with ink, gold and watercolour, you can  register through Ardington. Preparing for this special class had me going through my treasure trove of Victorian scraps and ephemera. I love the abundant florals and the quirkiness of the sentiments in the designs. The Victorians loved intricate details which is why I find their designs so charming. 

With my deep love of 19th Century ornament and offhand flourishes as well as my fascination with historic Italian Hand and 18th Century English Roundhand, it occurred to me that I am very out of sync with my own times.  And to be totally honest, I am unapologetically out of sync with my own times. I love analog skills. I love putting ink on paper slowly with a pen that needs to be dipped in ink. I love  creating and displaying handmade lace no matter how long it takes to figure out the stitches or technique. I love researching and learning about calligraphic scripts and decorative ornament and finding ways to share it with others. I fail at keeping up with social media,  or staying on top of the technology that is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. But I do try to encourage my dear students to take all the time they need to truly engage in the classes they sign up for. With the ever increasing availability of online courses, I am perpetually grateful and blessed by those who sign up for my courses and send me such kind notes of thanks. I will be offering a Masterclass in Italian Hand in March for The Gentle Penman. This is a slow savour class for those who want to nudge the nuances of Italian Hand while finding their own voice. It is a deep dive from one who is constantly making new discoveries with this beautiful and lighthearted script.

I have a lot to say and a lot to share with this special class.It is filled with insights I have gleaned over the years and discussed with my own mentors and teachers. Just like the flourishes, Italian Hand has captured my heart and soul. Registration info is at The Gentle Penman. This class will be kept very small so that I can interact fully with each student. If you are a little like me and feel a bit out of sync with these times, I urge you to nurture the things that have captured your heart and soul. Whether you are a musician, sculptor, painter, embroiderer, reader or calligraphic artist, pursue what brings you joy. Be yourself and do what you love! I will be there along side you, cheering you on and watching the joy it brings to others. 

New Every Morning

 

As each day of the calendar year passes by, I am in a perpetual state of wonder as to where the time goes. How does it fly by so fast? Times and Seasons come and go and once again we greet a New Year. I am embracing 2026 with a grateful heart and a sense of curiosity and expectation. I want hearts to be filled with light, joy and peace.  As I sit at my desk to type this post, another winter storm has passed by. Snow is falling constantly and the temperatures have been very cold. Looking out the window at the wonderland of snow makes me very pensive. I am constantly waiting for Spring but always looking for signs of beauty in the blanketed garden. I have had a few days off and have taken some time to reflect on all the work done in 2025. Not just my own work, but the incredible work done by dedicated students. I have been overwhelmed with seeing the work that students have produced and I know that each piece they have produced has taken their time and so much effort. It has been such a blessing to see the skills continue to build and watch students clearly define their own visions for their work. It is a dream come true for me. I feel as if I get to coax and nurture these skills and then sit back while the magic unfolds in front of me. I never take this position for granted. It is an absolute honour to continue to be part of this journey for my dear students. As we work together again in 2026, I have so much more I want to share with you all. Sweetie Birds is open for Registration if you would like to join this whimsical class. I want to chase away winter blues with our explorations. I have had so much fun painting these sweet little designs. This class is short and very sweet and designed to bring smiles to your faces,

We have added a second date for Victorian Valentines at Ardington School. The first class sold out quickly. If you are still interested in attending, you can join the second date in February. This is a collaborative class with Martin Beek giving the lecture about Victorian Valentines, while I will give the practical demonstration. If you love the Victorian Era, I think you will enjoy this presentation. I am always so happy to indulge in all things Victorian. 

And if you are up to thinking ahead to March, I will be offering a Master Class for the Poetic Pen through the Gentle Penman. This is an advanced study class for Italian Hand and spaces are very limited so I can accommodate the feedback for homework. Over this past year, I have been revising my practice of Italian Hand along with the course notes as I have come into new insights with the hand itself. Italian Hand is in my opinion, the most lighthearted and practical pointed pen script.

The hand stays relaxed while writing and naturally leads us to a very light touch with the pen.  Gentle contrast is added to the script with  shading that is very distinct from other hands.There are very special course notes included with this Master Class that are new to the Poetic Pen. I can't wait to share this version of the course with students who are willing to take a deep dive into the hand. This course is designed for those who are able to dedicate the time for study and practice. We will digest the work slowly through four teaching lessons and four feedback sessions that are meant to help each individual student find their signature style with this gorgeous hand. I have been writing up a storm to prepare for this class.

 I know that long term studies in Master Classes have a higher price tag on them. They are an investment of time, talent and treasure but I am hoping the experience will be incredibly rewarding for each student as they can truly appreciate the wonder of this style.  Italian Hand over the years has brought me so much joy and a world of pointed pen discoveries. My hope with the script has never been to reproduce or mimic archaic forms of the hand. I want to nurture the nuances of this wonderful script and let it find its place on the pages we produce. There will be a lot of work in this class, but so much joy in the journey. 

I am not the best at making Resolutions for a New Year.  What works for me is waking up fresh every morning and know that a new day is in front of me. I have tasks to work on and choice to make each day. Some days will be overly burdened with hard work, stresses and difficulties. Other days will be more inspiring and lighthearted. Each day rolls around fresh and sparkling  just like the snow outside my window. My hope for you dear friends is that you find joy in the work of your hands and the tasks you have each day. Seeing your work blossom bis so important to me and I hope to continue to accompany you in 2026. Happy New Year to you all. You are loved!

With Love From Me to You!

 

Welcome December and the thoughtful moments of the closing year. Winter has descended fully in Southern Ontario with three snowstorms already and lots of frosty days. Full disclosure that Winter is not my season! I have spoken of that often.

I have an eternal season of Spring in my heart and mind but I have stocked my library with comforting winter stories to read as I slow down to try to appreciate the gifts that winter will bring. Squirrels digging for peanuts in the snow, the glimpse of bluejay framed against the wintery pine and the flash of red as I see a cardinal at the feeder. Winter does have gifts.

The light hits the studio at different times of the day. It gets dark shortly after 3:00 PM but not before a burst a light shines on my desk. The light fades quickly and I find that I need to adjust my work schedule so I am working at the brightest times of day. There is lots of artificial light in the studio but I seem to work best with the sunlight filtering through the window.

During this busy season, I hope you find your rhythm. Think about what you may need to adjust. I am a great encourager of taking the time to nourish yourselves. Artistry requires a lot from us. There is the dedication to practice, the experience and expertise in materials and the nurturing of any creative sparks that come to us at odd moments of the day or night. It is a difficult path to work with your hands but ultimately so rewarding. 

This year, I have been so blessed to watch the growth of dedicated students. The work they have done has truly encouraged me as I continue to work on the next course of study to present. There is definite pressure in this work. There is an endless list of tasks to be done as I prepare for courses and complete commissions. But there is so much reward in seeing what students are creating and how they have grown in confidence and artistry. 

There are just not enough words to say thank you properly for all the support you have given me through emails, cards, letters, texts and the genuine gift of friendship. You are such a blessing to me and I look forward to all that 2026 has in store for us. My January classes are open for registration online.  Sweetie Birds  will be hosted by The Gentle Penman and the class is meant to chase away the winter blues with fun bird inspired letter designs.  These designs certainly bring me joy and they can be adapted to suit any season.

The 2026 edition of the Artful Flourish  will be hosted by Ardington School online. The Artful Flourish is my most important flourishing class which gives you the skills to build on and truly understand the art of the flourish. Learning to Flourish has given me so much peace over the years and it is an absolute necessity in my daily practice. Even if you are an absolute beginner, The Artful Flourish will set you off on a beautiful exploration into the world of true offhand flourishing.

My  tentative teaching schedule for 2026 will be posted to my website later this month. You can also email me to request the pdf of the schedule  There is lots to explore together and I am so excited about upcoming classes. My yearly Youtube Christmas video for 2025 is now up on my channel for you to enjoy. You can find my YouTube channel here.  I have been adding content to the channel this year and will continue to augment the resources that I post there in 2026. Lots in store!

Sending lots of love to you all as you keep your traditions for this December season. I hope you find Joy, Peace and Health this season and may it increase even more in 2026. With love to all of you!

All Things Bright and Beautiful

 

Somehow November came in with as a whirlwind of leaves, chilly air and the beauty of changing light. I walk in the afternoons to the sounds of dry leaves underfoot with a brisk pace and in awe of the colours that break through the landscape. There is no doubt that autumn is beautiful. It has its own rhythm and pace and sense of wonder.

The squirrels are so active and entertaining when they see me in the garden. I carry extra peanuts in my jacket pocket just in case! November needs to be noticed and appreciated even though I know it begins to usher in the winter season.

My schedule remains busy as I juggle my teaching schedule and finish commissions while trying to prepare for the 2026 year ahead. Sometimes I don't know how to keep up with all the work and get genuinely overwhelmed. When that happens, I notice my desk is cluttered or the shelves need dusting. I take a real pause and clean my space to help organize my thoughts and mind. The tidying motions act as a refreshing of my mind and a clean desk space welcomes work again. I wonder if you have noticed the same thing in your own work space. See if it helps the next time that you feel overwhelmed with all that is happening in your schedule or in your daily routine. Maintaining an inner calm for me is aided when I can clearly see over the surface of my desk. 

If you are starting to feel Festive already, I have a special December Flourishing Club class coming up! Stocking Stuffers will place an adorable little mouse into a Stocking setting. It will be a charming way to spend an afternoon with the beautiful community we have built at Ardington School. If you book your place today, you will be able to use a discount promotion that expires at the end of the day. (Nov.2 UK)

Our Flourishing Club community is a delight. I have been so inspired by the work of the students as we work on projects together. The slightest glimmer of inspiration these days can lead me down a path that may become the next flourishing club idea! Stocking Stuffers was built out a red stocking ornament I received as a child that was made of felt with a pom pom mouse emerging from the top. Ardington School will also host The Artful Flourish in January. As of this moment, it is not yet posted on their website, but you can ask to be included on a waiting list. The Artful Flourish is my most important Flourishing Class and will provide a foundation for you to build on. It is the workshop that introduced me as an instructor and in many ways, it helped me build all my other courses over the years. The foundational cartouche is explored in detail and this is the class that will help you understand what to see and how to develop flourishing skills. 

And looking ahead to January, I am offering Sweetie Birds for The Gentle Penman. I wanted to present a  lighthearted approach to adding sweet little birds into a simple drawn letter design. Although the subjects are highly stylized and filled with seasonal character, the skills that are featured will nourish your confidence. The designs are based on illuminated letter but created with a child like sense of appreciation for the bright and beautiful birds we encounter, even if they are just in our imagination. 

My hope is that these Sweetie Birds will charm you over the winter months and bring a smile to your face as you work on designs that are meant to fill you with delight as you polish up drawing and painting skills. 

Whatever is happening in your corner of the world, I want you to know that the work of your hands can bring so much joy. From a desk that needs another tidying here in my little studio here in Ontario, Canada, I will be cheering you on as you appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, take walks, rake up the falling leaves, tidy your workspace and pull out a fresh sheet of paper to bring something to life. Happy November dear friends. 

How did it get late so soon??

It is already October and I am still wondering what happened to the summer. I think it flew by faster than any I can remember. Deadlines now feel like  pressure so I will be posting less on social media until I am caught up. But despite the work load, there is beauty to be found in each passing day. Some little treasure is waiting to be discovered. Or a chapter in a book might be extra intriguing and deserving of your full attention. No matter what stress, busyness or interruptions happen in your day, I encourage you to really be present in the moment. This is the only October 1st of 2025 we have. And it is special. 
 No matter how busy the day becomes, the afternoon walk is so important to me.There is something so inviting about a wooded pathway. A change of pace and scenery will revive my mind. I look forward to the walk and it is like a sacred appointment that cannot be broken. 

The wild daisies are incredible this year. Now and then a little rabbit will run through them and brighten my path and stir my imagination. Walks help me to reset my thinking and take a breath. The pressure disappears and I come back to my desk refreshed and ready to work.

The leaves are just starting to change colour. I found a gorgeous leaf on the path and brought it home to study and draw. It should be a fun challenge in coloured pencil when I get some free time. 

Classes have been very busy but at the same time so rewarding. The Midnight Garden class at Ardington was an amazing experience. I don't know when I have seen such amazing work produced by the students. Part of the reason that I am so behind in my work these days is because I spent so much time experiment on dark papers instead of working ahead on the next classes. I was just having too much fun in that Midnight Garden! Thank you Ardington for hosting and thank you dear students for such incredible work. 

There is always so much to learn and explore. Each class teaches me new lessons as an instructor. Students bring their own insights and I have come to truly love this online teaching experience. I feel. as if we are building a community of artists. I see students encouraging each other and building their own friendships.People get to know each other from all parts of the world.  It really is an honour to meet so many of you through the classes and I am so grateful for your support. I don't know how you keep up with all the homework but I am so thrilled with your progress!  If you are up for it, there is more in store for you as we head into our Autumn and Festive season. I will be teaching Festive Faire for the Gentle Penman later this month. I wanted to bring the magic of a Vintage Fairground to this class. The addition of scrolls into the design will help carry a message on the carousel horse. 

These designs are rooted in tradition, but my designs will be infused with a Victorian flair. I can't help it! The Victorian side of me always comes out! Traditional flourished deer and horses have a charm to them, but I love to see what else can be done. 

And the magic of gilding and colour will bring these to life! Registration is open at The Gentle Penman for this two session class. 

Saturday November 8th will be a study day for me for Abundant Joy Title Flourishes. I will leave registration open a little longer but this class will be kept small so I can interact with the students. It is hosted online but I try to create the atmosphere of a little retreat where we can truly study and grow together. I uploaded a little flip through video of some of the inspiration behind Title Flourishing on my YouTube Channel.  The process of these flourishes is really hard to describe but they are mesmerizing to create. 

Registration info for Abundant Joy Study Day is on my website if you would like to be part of the day.

And finally Ardington School of Crafts will be hosting my Into the Woods class in November. This class is an extension of The Advanced Alphabet Garden and Enchanted Meadow class. Students will learn how to design and draw an illuminated letter adorned with a festive animal. Squirrels, Rabbits, Mice, Birds and Foxes are always my favourites. Once again, I have spent so much time with these charming designs that the days seem to race away from me! These are addictive! Painting skills grow in time and with practice. I learn something new with each project I create.  I hope these little letter designs will bring you a smile as you anticipate the Festive Season.

Savour the days of October. There is grace and beauty to be found in each day. I hope your month is full of inspiration and beautiful moments. Thank you for your friendship and support and for taking time to read the blog. You mean the world to me!