DISCOVER MY WORLD
' Portraying the gentler side of life
in rural Canada through
the mind's eye and heart of a gentle soul '
'Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to come back to'
' Keeping in Touch' Newsletter
Welcome to this special corner of my website, where I cherish the connections I've made through my art over the past 35 years. Drew and I have built wonderful friendships with people from all over the countryside and beyond and we always love receiving notes and updates from them about their lives. It's a joy to share in their stories and to keep everyone updated on our journey as well.
Your messages truly mean the world me! Thank you!
Did you know....
there are over 150 games of Solitaire, or otherwise known as Patience?
THE PAST ASKS ONLY TO BE REMEMBERED
'the memories we mourn should be no less loved
then those that make us smile.'
SARAH BAN BREATHNACH
A charming vintage book featuring 20 games that I've always enjoyed playing, especially when embracing the peaceful, quiet moments with a game of Patience. Click the hand to take you to it.
Like some people, they sometimes get overwhelmed with an abundance of tasty tomatoes, and one has to take action.
Just as the saying goes, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade; when it gives you tomatoes, make tomato sauce!
ABOUT THE COOKBOOKS
A multitude of cookery books had been published over the last era, all designed to guide & instruct us in our daily lives.
Even today they provide us with a wonderful mirror of our almost forgotten society; with its delicious recipes, to Grandma's secrets and 'did you know' fun facts.
It is easy to smile at their old-fashioned quaintness, but you will be surprised by the number of delicious, elegant recipes and nuggets of knowledge you will unearth in this and the pages of these charming little cookery books.
Then I just may have the book for you.
This is a book all about tomatoes.
That basket full of those red, ripe, juicy Tomatoes.
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Just click on the book cover and it will take you to it​​​
If you enjoy the Tomato CookBook, check in often as I download the rest of the little cookbook series.
Herbs Vol 1 and Vol 2
Apple Ways for Apple Days.
Let's bring back
Tea Leaf Readings
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Just click on the book cover and it will take you to
this little booklet to get you started reading teas or
coffee grounds.​​​
The GENTLE ART OF TASSEORGRAPHY
aka TEA LEAF READING
Tea leaf reading, or as hardcore cup readers call it, 'TASSEOGRAPHY'.
It is like a magical crystal ball but with tea leaves! Delightful practice involving swirling your brew and then deciphering the patterns left behind to uncover hints about your future or what's happening in your life right now.
It’s all about the vibes—those tea leaves are said to mirror your energy and the world around you, serving up some tasty tidbits of insight and guidance.
So grab a cup and let the leaves do the talking!
This is they wrote:
Shelley has been a professional painter since 1992, with her work accepted in galleries starting in 1996. By 1998, her art made debut in the United States, and by 2000, it gained international recognition. Her puzzle and cross stitch charts are available worldwide, found in numerous shops across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada.
This is what 'they' asked:
What drew you to paint in this type of style you've adapted?
"I’ve always been captivated by the charm of simpler times, where vibrant colors danced through art and life. From a young age, I discovered that the strokes of a brush and the vibrant hues of paint allowed me to express my innermost thoughts and feelings far better than words ever could."
What message are you trying to convey through your art?
"Every painting should communicate directly and solely with the viewer. The significance of hearing the artist rationalize so deeply personal is questionable".
What is your process of creating these images?
"The process of being creative is often unpredictable. Imagination sparks new ideas every day, drawing from a mix of thoughts. However, turning those ideas into something tangible, like a piece of art, can come in waves—some days are brimming with productivity, while other days may feel completely unproductive".
This is what they said:
Outside the box never really struck Shelley McVittie as an interesting turn of phrase.
And then she took her art there.
An artist since…always, Shelley began showcasing her unique imagination to all in 1991, bringing Acrylic interpretations of her Victorian-era visions to life.
When her historic buildings, rolling scenescapes, and quaint musings of everyday life couldn’t be contained by framework, Shelley broke the mold and began stretching her creations onto the mat borders.
This technique, fittingly called ‘extensions’, quickly became her trademark, as collectors clamored to have a unique and personalized mat plus painting hanging from their walls.
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How do you measure the success of a painting?
What would you like to add to close this interview?
"To me, success is defined by the emotional reaction my canvas can inspire. If my artwork doesn't resonate emotionally like music does, I feel I have not fully communicated the feelings I aimed to express".
"Art, to me, is a reflection of personal perspective, free from the influence of others' opinions or experiences. I firmly believe that each artist's talent, no matter their style, stems solely from their unique inspirations and life experiences".