I grew up on a grain and cattle farm in southern Manitoba, surrounded by fields and vast skies. I was able to see sunsets from my yard, with brilliant colours and a different show every evening (see photo below!). Looking back, I definitely took the unobstructed view for granted, but I know that my deep appreciation for the grandness of these surroundings and the peace they bring me is deeply rooted. 🌳

I now live in a city, and although I am blessed to live in a beautiful neighbourhood, both sunrises and sunsets are mostly blocked by other houses and trees. I love to get away to campgrounds and to visit the rural area where I grew up just to soak in the views and refill my creative and mental energy. I always return to my studio in a better mood and with new ideas - likely from spending some relaxed time with nature, away from the noise of the city, allowing my mind to make room for creative thoughts. I take an endless number of photos and keep them in a folder on my computer for when I'm needing some inspiration or a reference picture.📷😊🏕️ 

My love for serene skies is what set me on my path to painting fabric. I needed skies that reflected the mood that I wanted to create with my landscape quilts, and it wasn't available to purchase in commercial fabric stores. I was thrilled to find that using simple painting techniques I was able to turn my quilted landscapes into artful fabric paintings, landing somewhere between quilt, painting and fabric collage. I am now able to convey the calm and tranquility that I was envisioning in my landscapes.

An afternoon of fabric painting often results in a collection of sky fabrics that bring new fabric-pairing ideas and a creative whirlwind in my studio of pulling pieces of fabric and threads together for new landscapes. The skies are often a surprise (as anyone who has tried fabric painting knows), as the paints can be unpredictable, but I am now used to the idea that I won't use EVERYTHING that I paint, only the gems that call out to me to "use me next!". The rest I tuck in my drawer until the next time I need some inspiration for a new piece. Often the second time around, after having them out of sight for awhile, I find new appreciation for them and see them used in a different light. 

I receive photos often from my family members who know how I love a good sky.😉 From my brother who farms, to my parents who live on a lake, we share a common appreciation for the divine surroundings we get to experience each day, living in this beautiful country. I save each of these images and refer to them anytime I am looking for inspiration for my next landscape or just want to revisit the warm feelings that these beautiful skies give me .🥰🖼️🧵