The Country Mice

Place enough distractions on the walls and maybe you won’t notice the brass!

That’s certainly one school of interior design.

With the aid of a hammer, hanging hooks and the farm-girl biceps of my trusty sister-in-law, I played with light, colour, sentiment and balance and hung some pictures around the house, bringing the familiar to a new home.

Nothing nailed is ever permanent — that’s my motto du jour.

A Lawren Harris print, Yellow Sky & Blue Spruce. Picked it up at a fundraiser to protect the Oakridges Moraine. I like how it parallels the outdoor landscape.

A close-up is needed to do this print justice but I love its Asian flavour. Courtesy of my friend Mary who was raising funds for a Vietnamese health organization.

B.C. artist Tony Onley died a few years ago. Picked this up at a fundraiser back in my B.C. gov’t days. Again, a close-up is needed but I love the serene grays and taupes and as it’s a print of Montague Bay, Galiano Island, it’s akin to looking out the window.

I met Samir Sammoun at a gallery in Kleinberg. I love this pic — bright red poppies on a hillside in Lebanon. Reminds me of a visit I paid to my friend (another) Mary in Jordan.

The 10′ x 11′ tapestry by Joanna Staniszkis will hang on that vacant wall. I expect the tapestry reds and yellows to be picked up by those in the Sammoun’s painting.

Don’t know anything about this fellow, Bagslan. Picked up the painting at another Oakridges Moraine fundraiser.

Douglas Edwards is an Ontario artist who shows at a gallery in Kleinberg. We acquired this painting when we first moved to King Township — reminded us of the Manitoba interlake.

Backpacked this beauty home when I was travelling through China. Classic through-the-window view of bamboo — at least that’s how I understand its traditional composition.

My mother’s painting of Hecla Island (about two hours north of Winnipeg), a Steve Repa lady-in-red over by the kitchen, and poor Nikola Bjeljac waiting patiently by the stairs.

Another Bjeljac in the bedroom and a beautiful Ukrainian girl by Repa outside the study. A stuffed ocelot, sleeping bag and other paintings strewn on the floor.

And a couple more waiting for their moment of destiny with the hammer.

When I first looked at this house I was certain — certain! — I would not find enough room for paintings, with all that gosh-darn glass in the way.

There’s still a stash waiting but most of the faves are up and enjoyed.

Thanks for the help, Margaret!