Do you also feel the unsettling psychological impact of the threat of Covid-19 and of the isolation from others? Even though the rate of infection is almost nonexistent in my little province – we haven’t had a single case in our village. – it is that imaginary threatening future that always hangs in the air.
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I can’t believe it’s 2021. I can’t believe it’s February. I can’t believe it’s Friday.
Like where has the last year/month/week gone? OK…sorry I asked.
A few days ago when the temperature climbed above freezing, I was able to put a fork in the ground and harvest our remaining leeks. These fearless beautiful greens pressed on through changing weather and snow.
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This is the final weekend for my Summer Garden show of paintings in Bear River.
I’ll be at the café sipping a latte and I hope you can join me on Saturday, Oct 10 from 2 -4.
for my last meet-up at this location.
“Left a good Job in the City. Workin’ for the Man Every Night and Day…” Proud Mary, John Fogarty
Thirteen years ago, my husband and I ditched our jobs in the big city and moved to this sparsely populated province. Our dreams were all about creativity and community. I yearned for the luxury of having time to paint. I yearned for nature. And I hoped I would be able to find a market for my artwork. Continue reading
I had a lovely time last week with the small, but enthusiastic art friends who came out to see my new paintings at Sissiboo Cafe in Bear River.
I will be in the cafe gallery again this afternoon, Friday September 11, from 2 – 4pm and would love to meet you for coffee and to share my painting stories with you. Continue reading
I am so pleased to invite you to my exhibition of new paintings at Sissiboo Coffee Bar and Gallery in Bear River.
The 16 paintings celebrate the beauty of living flowers and gardens. All the scenes were created in my garden and studio in Bear River, Nova Scotia Continue reading
I am so happy to be able to show you my newest paintings that will grace the walls of Sissiboo Coffee Bar and Gallery for 6 weeks. This summer we didn’t physically open our artists’ Gallery, Bear River Artworks. We just had a virtual presence. It never seemed like the right time to open as we waited for life to go back to ‘normal. Continue reading
Paint the Town is THIS WEEKEND…. but with a Covid-19 twist.
Instead of hordes of artists and collectors congregating in Annapolis Royal for this annual arts festival, the event has been scaled down and will be online.
For me, this means I can paint at home in my studio and garden and post pictures of my progress online on Instagram and Facebook. So will a total of 25 artists. Continue reading
Usually, I paint from life. It is a thrill to study the subject in all its aliveness and life energy. But this time as I was looking for a scrap of drawing paper, I pulled open a drawer and my eyes landed on a sweet little crayon and watercolour sketch that I’d made a few years ago of Bee Balm in July.
I really liked the composition of it – that off-centred bloom and the undefined green in the background.
But can I translate it into an ink painting?
Yes and no. Continue reading
During this pandemic, I have been super privileged with being able to stay home with Larry. There is a silver lining to being a ‘senior’. And yet, it’s been disturbing to guess the future of the world and to see the misery the pandemic has brought worldwide to many. I’ve missed meeting with friends and family and all our regular routines now seem like out of another lifetime.
And yet, I have my painting practice and I’ve appreciated that, very, very much. Continue reading
I belong to a Co-op Gallery that I co-founded with other Artists in this village in 2015.
This year, for the first time, The Bear River Artworks Gallery has invited artists across the province to join us for a special ‘Leap Year’ Exhibition. Continue reading
It still seems strange that all the beautiful colours of spring, summer and fall are gone. I miss the vibrant reds, the brilliant purples and the intense greens of flowers and fields, not to mention the quality of the light. Continue reading
Please note that due to a snowstorm, this meeting is rescheduled for Jan 19. Same time, same location. – Flora
Last summer in July’s heatwave, Artist and Printmaker Bonnie Baker set herself up outside of Sissiboo Coffee Bar and Gallery to show us how she makes her gorgeously haunting cyanotype prints. It was so fun to watch AND to see her Printmaking exhibit that was showing at Sissiboo’s Gallery. Continue reading
Do you still need a little art for the holidays? I have 5 little acrylic paintings of flowers in my studio that will add a touch of summer to someone’s home. $150 each.
These original small watercolours of mine are made to fit in a standard sized frame. They will remind you of summer days at the water. image size is 5.5 x 7.
$25 each.
If you live out of town, and if it’s too late to arrive by Tuesday, I can email you a digital copy and description to ‘gift’ and post you the original.
Let me know! flora@floradoehler.ca
And thank you for your feedback about posting. I have read your comments and am working on some new posts and videos for the new year.
It’s touching to hear how much you enjoy getting my posts.
Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas to you and your friends, pets and family. xo
The year is almost a wrap. Last weekend’s Holiday Art and Craft show in Bear River was lovely, busy and a wonderful way to reconnect with many new and old friends, some who are art makers and others who are collectors. I was glad to bring home a few treasures for myself. Continue reading
This month I got out my watercolours and beautiful watercolour paper and painted little landscapes and water scenes.
I love it when the dry painting still looks wet. This can only happen by painting watercolours into damp cotton paper.
I created these scenes for the Bear River Holiday Spirit Craft Show and Sale on Sat, November 30, (from 10 – 4.) They are perfect for framing and are a standard size. The images are 5.5″ x 7’5″. They can be used as cards. Continue reading
My art studio is buzzing these days. I have quite a few paintings on the go as well as new ideas for future paintings. It’s feast or famine in the art area. And as with any passion, the more time you can set aside for it, the more you want to set aside time. It’s a wheel that keeps on turning.
Currently, I do not have painter’s block, but I do have writers block. Every morning I think “this is the day I’ll send out a newsletter or a blog post. But first I’ll walk out to the studio for inspiration.” Continue reading
This new painting is special to me for several reasons. For starters, I really like it! I always enjoy the process of painting and trying to solve the design problem, but sometimes the end result falls short of what I am trying to achieve. Ironically I believe this is a motivating factor to paint and to try it again. But this time I am happy with the look and feel of this painting; the spontaneity and lightness. Continue reading
Let me squeeze under the wire and wish you a Happy New Year before this first month of 2019 ends!
I love that January feels like that reflective month when it’s OK to throw caution to the wind and change your mind, your direction and to question everything you’re doing. Continue reading
Join in the parade of lights down Main Street Friday night, Nov 30, in Annapolis Royal, have a cup of cocoa with Santa, and then come on down to the best most beautiful house full of exquisite fine craft and art that you ever will see, from 6 – 9 pm.
Or join us on Saturday Dec 1 from 10 – 4, when the whole town will be bustling with holiday markets, plus the farmers market…you’ll need a tour guide!
Finally, we are open Sunday afternoon from 1 – 4 pm for your pleasure or return visit. This lovely group of talented artists takes the cake…and we’re not just bragging! Continue reading
There are many busy artists out there this week furiously getting ready for the next seasonal art and craft show and I, for one, am feeling a mixture of excitement and frazzle. Continue reading
I picked a big bouquet of flowers and set them up outside, where I prefer to paint. Fortunately there were two essential ingredients on that hot, humid day. The first was the shade of a cherry tree to cool the air, and the second was a breeze to discourage the mosquitoes. Continue reading
Last night we (Larry) hung the show and I’ve made a little movie of it for you.
[wpvideo laRO5npF]
I’m dashing out the door for a couple of days with him on Brier Island and will resume sending you images on Monday.
Larry has been my support in my art journey since we met in our 20’s. His love and encouragement have lifted me for many years.
Love, art, coffee and friends. What more could we ever want?
My exhibition will include new, luscious flower paintings.
When I returned From Brier Island, I was delighted to see the gladiolus and zinnias in full bloom. It took my breath away as both are new additions to the garden.
I dragged one of my biggest canvases outside and set to work. Continue reading
What’s in a painting?
Each viewer reads a different story into an image and comes to see more as they live with the painting.
It wasn’t until I finished “The Garden Party” that I saw something that made me smile. Continue reading
I love every single flower that blooms in my garden. They make me happy and grateful to live in a place where I can grow them. The awareness that their time in the garden is fleeting makes them even more precious.
This painting, Heat Rising on Brier Island, was painted at the farthest western tip of the island where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bay of Fundy.
It was mid August which usually brings moderate temperatures, but this summer’s heat has been intense all over the world, even here. Continue reading
I have painted Pond Cove many times. It’s my happy place on Brier Island. When we moved here from Ontario 11 years ago, on our very first summer we were invited to join an ever-changing Bear River group who had camped here for over 20 years. Since that summer, we’ve spent a few days annually with others camping at the end of Gull Rock Road. Continue reading
Brier island is truly a painters paradise. I recently spent a week there in intensive painting mode.
Like past artist-created painting retreats I’ve attended, each artist was assigned one night to cook which meant that we were free to paint all day every day, but one. Continue reading
I’m very, VERY excited to join a group of painters tomorrow on Brier Island. We stay for a week and paint and paint and paint! Continue reading
There is nothing so representative of this province in June as wild lupin flowers! They grow everywhere here – in ditches and in fields. Continue reading
In my last posting I invited you to look at my new little flower paintings
It seems that some of you are officially now part of the Bear River local economy. “How?”, you ask. Continue reading
I am thrilled to present my Spring 2018 collection of flower paintings named after women, including a few ancestors. Many of these little gems will be hung in the Bear River Artworks Gallery, opening May 18, 2018 Continue reading
Spring is still quite chilly here, but today the sun came out and I took a break from studio work to do two quick sketches at the goldfish pond.
I enjoy drawing with markers in a bristol board pad. The marks glide on and there’s no turning back, no corrections possible. It’s just a raw expression of what I see and feel. Continue reading
The countdown is on….the Floribunda third floor exhibit is ready, featuring floral themed paintings by stellar artists Wayne Boucher and Flora Doehler, plus some classic Lucky Rabbit, aka Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie.
The artists will be in attendance at the opening reception this Saturday, March 31. The Artists’ House is open 10-4, but come and have some cake and coffee with the artists 11-2 ish. Live music. Live flowers. — with Flora Doehler and Wayne Boucher.
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.
Did you ever give yourself a personal challenge and then 3 months later wonder why?Last fall I innocently challenged myself to paint a series involving people. I was inspired by my drawings that date back to my student days. I used to do a lot of people sketching then with charcoal and pencil. Continue reading
“Every war already carries within it the war which will answer it. Every war is answered by a new war, until everything, everything is smashed… That is why I am so wholeheartedly for a radical end to this madness, and why my only hope is in a world socialism… Pacifism is not a matter of calmly looking on; it is work, hard work.” – Kåthe Kollwitz, 1943. Continue reading
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The process of learning to make art is like that of learning to speak. You learn the language, the grammar, the idioms. But what you say with it is totally up to you.
– Jane Davies in Abstract Painting: the elements of visual language.
I am inspired by a recent painting workshop with abstract painter Leya Evelyn, and I want to tell you about it with this video to give you a peek at my new painting series. Continue reading
Last week I painted every day.
Previous to that, It’d been 3 months since I’d blogged or spent any significant time in the studio. I just didn’t feel like it anymore. But why? Continue reading
This weekend 80 painters, sculptors and artists descend on Annapolis Royal for the 22nd annual outdoor painting festival.
This is my 8th year of participation. I’m not usually a creature of habit – except for the Paint the Town weekend. Continue reading
I’ve been enjoying the euphoric aftermath that comes from a successful art show – the result of a winter of intensive painting. The accomplishment of a completed project is a good feeling, don’t you think? Continue reading
This week is busy in the best way possible. The art show opening was amazing. It was great to share my paintings with interested art lovers, artists and collectors. 5 6 7 paintings sold! This and the week’s conversations with interested visitors are a validation of all the work I put into this show. Continue reading
Images and stories of flowers from my exhibition of paintings at Bear River Artworks Gallery, 1913 Clementsvale Road, Bear River NS.
April 15 – 23, 2017. Daily 1 – 4pm
Paintings can be shipped. Interest-free payment plans available. No HST. Continue reading
Here are images of my current exhibition of paintings at Bear River Artworks Gallery, 1913 Clementsvale Road, Bear River NS.
April 15 – 23, 2017. Daily 1 – 4pm
Paintings can be shipped. Interest-free payment plans available. No HST.
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I painted this from the shadows of the vegetable garden. I was startled by the strong light cast on the distant lawn and how it silhouetted the tree. Continue reading
My exhibition in Bear River opens in 6 days and I’m finishing up edges of paintings and varnishing and putting the wiring on the backs of the canvases. (Thank you Larry for that part.)
This part is fairly tedious compared to painting and I have to hold myself back from starting anything new.
And now, in my opinion, I am faced with the toughest job – finding titles for the paintings. Continue reading
I may hang a few ‘last century’ paintings and drawings of mine at my upcoming exhibition. I want to show viewers where I started from.
This afternoon I rooted through a box of ancient sketches and memories. Continue reading
Many self-taught artists who I have met, both on and off-line are apologetic about not having gone to art school. They don’t see themselves as legitimate or ‘real’ artists. Some are concerned that they missed out on something fabulous and mysterious by not going to art school. Where does this notion come from? Continue reading
I usually carry my camera with me wherever I go.
It is my visual assistant, my organizer and my memory.
I can’t stress enough the importance of organizing your photos. Otherwise it’s like throwing thousands of photos into a big cardboard box and rummaging through it every time you need to find one. Continue reading
I paint because I’m in love with my subject and I am delighted by the process of applying colour to a blank surface.
In the book Art and Fear the writers suggest that the observers who admire the finished piece of work have no interest in the artist’s process:
MAKING ART AND VIEWING ART ARE DIFFERENT AT THEIR CORE. To all reviewers but yourself, what matters is the product: the finished artwork…In fact there’s generally no good reason why others should care about most of any one artist’s work. The function of the overwhelming majority of your artwork is simply to teach you how to make the small fraction of your artwork that soars. One of the basic and difficult lessons every artist must learn is that even the failed pieces are essential.
I work on at least four paintings during every stint in the studio. This week I worked on ten.
It means that the most studio paintings are ‘works in progress’ so today I only have one ‘almost finished’ to show you. Continue reading
It’s amazing what a little bit of sunshine and blue sky does to lift spirits at this time of year. Tomorrow we’re expecting 12 Celsius- positively heat wave weather! Although we will likely have at least one more winter storm, in the here and now, it feels and smells like spring. I love it! Continue reading
Step into my studio and let me show you an easy way to create a new painting using collage and paint. Text of the tutorial follows. Continue reading
I went back and forth about the overall theme of this painting series I’m working on. For a while I wanted to paint something connected to Ancient Egypt after revisiting the amazing display at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. I borrowed books and tapes from the library and listened to podcasts. I still AM listening to an interesting one, Eric’s Guide to Ancient Egypt. However, I didn’t feel connected enough to the subject to paint it. Continue reading
I have 5 new paintings on the go and I’m eager to tell you about the one that is closest to completion. It’s temporary title is “Garden of Persistence”.
I once looked at a list of 50 invasive weed species in Nova Scotia and recognized most of them because they’re growing at our place! Yet, I see beauty and persistence in all of them. Continue reading
As I prepare for a solo painting show in Bear River April 15 – 23, my 1st step is to create a colour archive of all my acrylics.
There are so many ways to approach creating a body of work for an exhibition. I have to tell you that my head space up until late December was far away from painting. Our elderly cat was very sick. She’s quite a bit better, but time is catching up with her. She is such a sweet kitty, it’s hard to see her age. And, like the rest of you, I was and am still distracted and distressed by the political scene south of the border. Continue reading
I’ve been reading and thinking about ‘creativity’ and where it comes from. Years ago I purchased Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, about accessing your inner creativity. I didn’t get around to reading it until we moved here to Bear River 9 years ago. I was so busy working in a library office that my limited ‘free’ time was spent painting, not reading about it. The book was a reminder of my frustration about my lack of creating time. I never imagined that I would be living in a gorgeous little village with years ahead of me to make art. Continue reading
Earlier this year I was invited to paint a door for a fundraiser for the Yarmouth, Nova Scotia branch of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
At the time I was swamped with painting my musician series and I almost turned down this opportunity. I thought I could be practical and adapt one of my photographs or an existing painting or drawing for the project. That would save time, right? Easy and fast, right? #famouslastwords Continue reading
I’m prepping for my favorite craft show, the Holiday Spirit Craft Show that is in Bear River this Saturday (Nov 26).
I like to have something new on offer every year and this year it’s luscious, hand-painted floor cloths. Continue reading
For the past 9 seasons, my paintings have had a home at the Flight of Fancy in Bear River. Rob Buckland, the owner and curator of this gem of a shop, has promoted my work since we arrived in Bear River in 2007. Over 200 fine artists and fine craftspeople have paintings, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, and glass in his two-storey gallery. It is a destination for art lovers and the collection is an inspiration to all. Continue reading
I’m looking forward to my 7th year of participation at Paint the Town in Annapolis Royal on August 20 & 21, 2016. This annual weekend event brings 80 artists from all over Nova Scotia to join in an outdoor painting race that will raise thousands for the arts council and artists. Continue reading
