The paintings posted here are from the series “Coastal Blues” exhibited at Havana Gallery in 2009, and a new series "In My Garden: the Magnolia Tree". After visiting Australia and completing a series of paintings of my travels, I developed a keen appreciation of painting nature and a need to express artistically my love and appreciation for the unequaled beauty of our British Columbia coast. These paintings became "Coastal Blues" series. The "Magnolia" series, my most recent work and a project two years in the making, is the result of studying and recording my tree over its blooming season. Many years ago, I left my prairie home to spend a year working and travelling throughout Europe. One day, visiting a tiny town in southern Germany in early spring, I came upon a winding street with the most wonderful trees covered in huge, luscious blooms. I learned they were magnolia trees and to my prairie soul they were indeed magical. I never forgot the experience, and years later, having relocated to the west coast, I learned it was possible to grow magnolias and planted one in my Coquitlam yard. I moved from that home before my tree had bloomed, and promised myself one day I'd plant another. The tree depicted here is that new tree, planted in my East Vancouver yard over 20 years ago. You can visit my website to view other work, including portrait series. I have been an active member of the vital Commercial Drive arts community for the past 22 years, participating for five years in Avenue for the Arts (AVA), a Vancouver based community oriented arts organization. Since 2005, I have enjoyed having my studio on the popular Eastside Culture Crawl.