Art

Jane’s Bridge

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Laura

In the summer I purchased a painting from a person who I admire; Kingston artist Geoff Smith.  I Follow Geoff’s work and when he posted this I hoped I would be able to purchase it.  I knew exactly where I would hang it from the moment that I laid my eyes on it.  It would hang right over the window, facing South, in my bedroom, at Tiny House Ontario.  What I could not decide was how to frame it, so I waited.  Finally last week I settled on framing it in a locally made gallery style frame just like I put my own paintings in.  Plain, I know, but I like the simple dark outline, as a finish and don’t really think of a frame as a part of the art.

The painting is called Jane’s Bridge and I love the way that it appears that everything changes if you, the viewer, dare go under the bridge.  It is for this reason that I wanted to put it right to the place where I look when I wake up in the morning.  I see it as a sort of dare to face the challenge of seeing all sides of all things and to take the day Jim Morrison style straight on through to the other side.  It makes me happy just to look at it.  😀

Categories: Art, Kingston, Ontario, Open your eyes, Stuff, Tiny House Ontario, View | Tags: , | 1 Comment

Short, Yet Very Sweet

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Laura

One of my husband’s (two) best friends and his wife are visiting from Germany.  A few years ago I was not able to attend the wedding because of work reasons so Hj went alone.  Hj goes regularly home for business but I have not been to Germany in nearly 10 years.  Sadly, I have not seen M in a long, long time and I never met K until yesterday.  The time together was good.  They are bright and interesting people with lots of wonderful stories and ideas: it has been a real delight, but an ever too short visit.

While they are here for only a short window of time, we wanted them to see a couple of special spots around Hamilton, so here is what we did.

We drove around a bit of the waterfront, past the Dundurn Castle which is a National Historical Site, into the huge graveyard across the street (graveyards are very different there than here).  We stopped to see a couple of Hamilton’s waterfalls.  Then we took a short drive to visit Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks which is another National Historic Site  and it is located not too far from here in Brantford.  We also visited the Woodland Cultural Centre which sits beside the notorious Mush Hole.   We stopped and had a bite to eat at a local Indian Buffet.  Then we split for a bit, K went to Yoga: M watched soccer: Hj and I attended services for the late great Lincoln Alexander who lived very near our house a few years ago and who died on October the 19th.

After this we all got together again here at our small house, where we chatted until a few minutes ago.

For Lincoln Alexander, I thought it fitting to add a few apt words which I believe the man lived by.  These words are from White Elk:

When you were born, you cried
and the world rejoiced.
Live your life
so that when you die,
the world cries and you rejoice.

Categories: Art, Friendship, Nature, Ontario, Open your eyes, View | Tags: | 2 Comments

A Beautiful & Practical Addition

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Laura

I have  been thinking a lot about space at Tiny House Ontario and thought, if I could get rid of the table and two chairs I would have a lot more space to move around.  I looked all over for a table that is the right height for eating and playing cards at the sofa as well as for writing and painting.  I could not find any small tables with drop leaves that are sturdy enough to take daily use.

As you all know, I have a very talented cousin, Vernie, who can build anything.  So I drew up some plans, and he gave it some thought (since I had no idea how it had to be built) and he just finished building a perfectly sublime, sturdy, functional, little drop leaf butternut table for me.

I picked it up today.  I can’t tell you how gorgeous it is, so I took photos.  I makes me really happy to have the opportunity to have Vernie and his family close by, but it is wonderful to have the opportunity to have him build me these custom pieces for my Tiny House.  Having his art around me, makes me feel so totally at home.

 

 

Categories: Art, Family, Friendship, Kingston, Magical, Ontario, Stuff, Tiny House Ontario | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Laura at Night

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Laura

Arriving back at THO in the night after the Kingston Writer’s Fest evening events is nicer now because of the 12v lighting.  I have lights installed outside, and as long as I remember to turn them on, I can see to put my key in the door which is great.  Best thing though is that I can be sure that there are no wild animals right there on my heels looking for a freshly delivered organic meal.

There is a call for photos of people with their Tiny House so I thought after coming home from the conference that I was tidy enough that I might try an image.

Though they are not great for the purpose that I had intended, I like them.  The lighting being what it is caused some bending in the images and so, I share them with you because I think that they warm and fuzzy, which is the way I feel when I am there.

Categories: Art, Forest, Kingston, Off Grid, Ontario, Open your eyes, Tiny House Ontario, View | Leave a comment

Standing My Ground

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Laura

My girlfriend Colleen Murphy was out to visit THO today.  We have not seen one another in a long time, but we stay in touch.  Colleen is a very talented artist and amateur photographer.  It was wonderful to spend the day with my kindred friend.

She took and shared some beautiful photos which I will be posting over the next days.

I am standing here in the sacred grounds, can you find the warrior peaking out of the sun?  This photo is NOT edited in any way at all.

 

 

 

 

Categories: Art, Environmentalism, Family, Forest, Friendship, Magical, Ontario, Open your eyes, Tiny House Ontario | 9 Comments