Tulip Study

Nicole art + photography

Nothing heralds the arrival of spring as much as tulips do.

My mom received this glorious bouquet of tulips for an Easter gift- and what a wonderful gift it was for all of us! This was one of the most beautiful bouquets I have ever seen.

The thing that I love about tulip bouquets is that they are so wild and untamed. Tulips keep growing even after they are cut, and try as you might to arrange them in some semblance of order, when you come back to look at them later, they will be sprawled in every which way and doing their own thing. Some people put a penny in the water to keep the flowers upright, but I love them like this. It was sad when they were finished blooming, but now we get to wait for the tulips coming up in the ground now, which won’t be far off!

Machinery

Nicole art + photography

I am not really interested in machinery, engines or vehicles. . . except as a subject for photography that is! While visiting my Aunt and Uncle this past weekend, I took some pictures of this old, worn out Massey-Ferguson tractor, that has seen better days. I have no clue what any of these machinery parts are, but I love how they look, with the rust creating a unique patina of colour across the surface of the metal.

The Written Word

Nicole art + photography

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. – Anna Quindlen

Hand Lettered Artwork Lately

Nicole art + photography

Here is little project I was working on last week: hand lettered Valentine’s cards.

I usually use sappy sweet Victorian-style verses like: “Time stands still dear, when you are near”,  “You hold the key to my heart” and “Flowers are love’s truest affection”, but this year I decided to try something different and use Bible verses about love. The nice thing is, these don’t immediately scream “Valentine’s” so I will try a few others for everyday cards as well.

Ethereal Beauty

Nicole art + photography

Winter is beautiful.

OK, maybe I don’t feel the love so much when it is -45 Celsius and I look like the michelin man because of all my winter layers. But let’s focus on the good.

On a day like this, where the light and the frost and the fog create such a beautiful and ethereal landscape- winter is good.