On Saturday March 31, I’ll be in a group show with potters Deb Kuzyk & Ray Mackie and painter Wayne Boucher. It’s another example of my dream-come-true in moving to Nova Scotia. This time, you’re invited! But let me start at the beginning.

Over 10 years ago, on my very first visit to the Annapolis Valley, I wandered into the Lucky Rabbit Pottery Store in Annapolis Royal. I was blown away.

© Lucky Rabbit Pottery

© Lucky Rabbit Pottery

© Lucky Rabbit Pottery

Potters Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie created a happy, colourful studio and showroom in the downstairs of an old house. Enormous bouquets of garden flowers spilled out of hand-built colourful vases, decorated with more exotic flowers. Their pottery was humorous, intricate and unexpected. Platters and plates and mugs with skunks, moose or raccoons adorned the shelves. Lidded jars topped with sculptures of birds, mice or frogs peeked out from behind the floral arrangements.
The walls strong colours matched the brilliant pottery glazes. The place reeked of creativity and originality. I went back to Toronto with a pretty cornflower tile. It held my cups of tea at work and was a daily reminder to me of artists on the East Coast of Canada who carved out a space where they could create beauty and share it with others.

Ten years later, that tile is perched on a window ledge in my studio here in Bear River. When I slide into taking my current life as a painter for granted, I pick up that tile and remember the longing I once felt to be able to live in the countryside in a sweet little village, growing flowers and vegetables, surrounded by nature and good friends.

Lucky Rabbit House has undergone a few changes in the last 10 years. Deb has opened the doors to other artists and has developed an artists’ house filled with fine crafts artists. Each has their own shop studio space that is open to the public.

Deb has invited me to hang some of my new, colourful floral paintings for “Floribunda”, a 6 week-long show of paintings, printmaking, pottery, leather goods, jewellery, tartan themed works, and other treasures.

During the opening  of Floribunda on March 31, a florist will create inspiring bouquets. Musician Clayton Murray will play guitar.

I’m very excited to be part of this creative bunch of artists. Please join us if you can.

Celebrate with me and other artists on Saturday, March 31 from 10 until 4. Floribunda continues each Saturday until Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 13, 2018.