​Visited Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial, Vimy, Northern France in Oct 2019.
It is befitting that there is a field of wild flowers near by
Each flower as though representing each sacrificed life
Now smiling..now carefree..dancing in the wind..
Instead of being huddled in deep, narrow trenches..feeling scared..heart sinking down to the stomach's pit
Feet sinking in ankle deep stinking muddy grime
Wondering if it would be all worth it!?
​
On this Remembrance Day...
We humbly and gratefully Thank You
We will continuosly live to prove it was worth it...
Although we wish it didn't have to be that way.

In search of Fall colors...
But landed on the lakeside...
Even though there is other music playing elsewhere
The song of the water is always a little more audible to me...
Just as the cold by the lake is a little more piercing
But I am willing to put up with that..
Have a great start to a new week, dear friends ❤️🌈☀️

Discussions and organisations for new art classes at #Options Mississauga were brought to a halt in March 2020..
Commencing classes in Sept. with differently abled youth...
They adorned masks like they've always worn them...
Perhaps being totally immersed in their creativity helps...
They said they've missed their art classes for the past 6 months! 😆
Check out #OptionsMississauga who trains and hires differently abled youth within their printing services business. 😀
​

In this interview with Bruce Outridge, you get a glimpse of the life journey of a man who left school at 17, to being a trcuk driver to being an author, a caricature artist for weddings and corporate events, to being hosts of two podcasts, ( cashinginoncreativitypodcast.com and theleadpedalpodcast.com ) while being host of a TV show. He's just published his second book: You're not done yet: A guide to creating the Life you want"
​https://cashinginoncreativitypodcast.com/cc043-artist-karlene-bland-interviews-the-host-bruce-outridge

 ​Having gone out last Sat. for the 8th time since March 2020 to paint...
I felt the momentum to go out again with some buddies
Burlington Beach was like a heated desert strip of sand
So chickened out and settled to painting this scene
In the shade right next to the public washroom.... 😆

Out of this whirling, swirling inferno of a viral mess
We do see some progress, some victories, some levelling off of the curve
Strong communities' hearts appreciating front line health professionals with utmost gratitude...
For the unimaginable stress and strain they undergo each heartfelt day
You are already doing all you can!
You are already doing your Best!
Please don't beat yourself up for not being able to do more...
To save more lives who slip through your hands
You're fatigued...
Don't let the thoughts of not doing enough get you down...
Might take some time to lick this
We pray for courage and strength for you each and everyday... THANK YOU SO MUCH for selflessly being there! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
#healthcareprofessional #healthcareprofessionals❤️ #healthcarehero #courageandstrength #gratitude🙏🏻 #covid2020 #staystrong💪 #abstracts

​Working on a pet commission...
Try not to fall in love with the subject of your commission...

​Its been a bit of an emotionally charged past few days…
Attended 2 online memorial services this past week…
Whispers of Love
Acrylic on Diptych 2x 24”x30” panels
When your heart is aching for someone you miss or hold dear
When you feel you’re numb going about the day
People exchange what seems meer perfunctory nods or hellos or even lowered gaze
Do listen again for the gentle whispers of love
The wind which swirled around you giving you a hug
Playfully messing around with your hair
The flowers swaying in the wind
Nodding bright cheery smiles as you walk past
Butterflies flitting about in staccato rhythm
Are inviting you to do the same bop in your steps
Have you been seeing monarch butterflies and now there is a white one?
An unexplained whiff of sweet gardenia smell
Whispers of Love are everywhere
When you let your sadness melt away to open your minds’ eyes and your heart’s ears..
You’ll feel that special love and bond you’ll always share…

​Touching up on some abstract paintings for a condo project
Felt a bit fragmented…
Not knowing which tasks on my plate to give attention to…
But by quietening my mind and redefining my chief objective aim for the day
I was able to recenter and focus..
Some days some tasks just seem mundane and not that exciting
But when executed and celebrated as little wins along the way
They add up and the project can be declared completed…
Proud and pleased I didn’t give in to the internal paralysis…
And distract myself with something else that doesn't really need doing...

​3rd Prize Plein Air Competition
I don’t like competitions…
For we’re all one..
But I Looove competitions…
In that it helps me become more of what I would like to be…
It helps shine a light …
On the remnants of negative rhetoric gathered over a life time
That I am still trying to rid of in order to fly…
“This painting looks like crap
Shall I push on and not give up?
Trust my head knowledge and heart experiences to push me into some kind of flow..?”
The mind control and self-awareness I am able to harness through practice
Are the ultimate rewards I most like to reap from a competition!