April Showers

April Showers

 "Life is not a highway strewn with flowers,
Still it holds a goodly share of bliss,
When the sun gives way to April showers,
Here is the point you should never miss.

Though April showers may come your way,
They bring the flowers that bloom in May,
So if it's raining have no regrets,
Because it isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets.

And where you see clouds upon the hills,
You soon will see crowds of daffodils,
So keep on looking for a bluebird,
And list'ning for his song,
Whenever April showers come along."

 

April Showers - a 1921 song composed by Louis Silvers with lyrics by B. G. De Sylva 

 

 

 

 April is a fickle month, one day sunshine and then hail and sleet the next.

Wait a minute, it snowed at the beginning of March too?

How will May start?

Our birdhouse in the midst of a hail storm that left an inch of hail and sleet on the ground just days ago.

The cherry trees somehow managed to hang onto most of their blossoms.

 

 

Daffodils, inside and out, a welcome sign of the spring flowers to come.

 

And of course Forsythia, did you know that it is from the Olive family?

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Shows:

 

RiverHouse Restaurant

 

I have 22 paintings at RiverHouse Restaurant in Delta for the next couple of months.

If you are in the area why not drop by for a look and something to eat.

 

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Gallery 1710 (in Tsawwassen)

 

I have five paintings in the "Sea to Sky" Show and Sale:

 

view the entire show

 

Old Forest Spirits 1 and 2

 

High and Dry

 

 

Mussel and Kelp

 

 

 

Dancing Tree

 

On Saturday, April 15 (12 to 4 pm) I will be doing a demo in Gallery 1710: 

Drawing nature in pen and pencil.

Here are my most recent drawings, this is what I will be talking to visitors about.

Magnolia Trio

 

Maple Keys

I use pens (ink and gel) and pencil crayons to create these botanical style works.

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 A couple of thoughts on cats:

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 So we started with "April Showers" and will end the same way.

April Showers - Al Jolson (1921):

Well that is all for this time,

happy Wednesday, with whimsy,

Gillian

August Company

A Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly came for a visit recently.

I know it is August but "august" also means "marked by majestic dignity or grandeur"; thus my august company featured here!

Butterfly

Flutter by,
Butterfly,
Floating flower
in the sky.
Kiss me with your
Petal wings—
Whisper secrets,
Tell of spring.

Author Unknown

 

 

The Swallowtail is about 4 inches across and is one of the prettiest pollinators in my garden.

 

Notice the feather like hairs on the wings above and the cyan and red details on the wings below.

 

The body is yellow and black striped.

 

Lovely triangular wings and the distinctive "swallow tail".

An Irish Blessing

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.
And find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.

 

 

On the Wings of Angels

On the wings of the tiniest earth angels,
may the spirit of those that we mourn today be remembered
and may this be the start of healing for all.

Author unknown

 

 

They have a straw like proboscis that they use to drink nectar.

Butterfly In The Wind Poem

A child is……..

A butterfly in the wind,
Some can fly higher than others;
but each one flies the best it can.
Why compare one against the other?

Each one is different!
Each one is special!
Each one is beautiful!

Author Unknown

 

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Other news

Gallery 1710 - South Delta Artists Guild held a Clothesline Art Sale this past weekend.

What is a clothesline sale?

Well original art, in bags, pegged to a clothesline; and it was spectacular weather.
Lots of folks dropped by for a visit.

 

 

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From the Studio 

Just this one: A watercolour of a side street in Malta.

 

 

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Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Butterfly Swarm

I started with butterflies and will end with them too:

 Well that is all for this time,

happy Wednesday, with whimsy,

Gillian