Meagan Smith at The Vintage Marketplace

Be Still**

I am always amazed by beautiful creations that pour out of people's finger tips from an image in their mind......and I'm even more amazed when a friend reveals a hidden talent of creating these stunning pieces of art!

I had known Meagan Smith for a while before I had the opportunity to see her work and needless to say, it's an understatement to say that I was blown away when I did.

Meagan and I share a love of a rustic and natural aesthetic. Her adoration of Mother Nature's creatures and beings is evident in every aspect of her work, from what she chooses to paint to the 'canvas' she chooses to paint her pieces on.

Field of Dreams

Free Spirit

She captures every detail perfectly....the delicate tree branches, the fluid movement of a horse....and the fact that she uses wood from around the world, as well as local reclaimed barn board, just adds an extra level of depth through the wood's grain and texture.

Be sure to "Like" Meagan's Facebook Page to see pieces that are currently available and learn more about this incredible woman!

Autumn Leaves

Thumbing My Way

Meagan will be bringing her gorgeous creations to The Vintage Marketplace at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton Ontario on April 18th and 19th.

Learn more about my beautiful friend via this excerpt from her bio for this event: 

"From as young as I can remember, I have had a great love for art, and would spend hours in my room drawing and painting. Having grown up in the country on a farm, I’ve always felt a connection with, and an appreciation for, Mother Nature and her creations. It was after a profound personal loss that I was inspired to create these pieces as a tribute to a special person who always believed in me, took interest in, and encouraged my artistic abilities. I have found comfort and closeness in the wisdom of the trees, the spirits in the sky, and the innocence of the animals. These gifts from Mother Nature have become my subject matter. It was by purpose that I came to paint these images on reclaimed barn board. Like the one which inspired me, each piece holds a story, has character, and has been resilient to life’s challenges."

Wise Old Friend

This is Meagan's favourite piece (Wise Old Friend) as it was inspired by her horse Jess (a thoroughbred/Clydesdale cross). It evokes a very sentimental feeling for me too as I grew up beside a farm that raised Clydes and they're one of my favourite breeds of horses.

Be sure to make the trip to Hamilton the weekend of April 18th and 19th to attend The Vintage Marketplace to meet Meagan and see her stunning pieces of art. 

I'll see you there (I might even head there extra early to take advantage of their VIP shopping time between 9-10am)!!

RR

**All images are the property of Meagan Smith**

Orange is the New Black!

It was time to decorate the sideboard for Fall (thanks so much to Ruralist for featuring my vignette!) and as I was looking through my decor pieces, I suddenly felt an urge to go orange!

I have always gravitated to orange (my next pair of Hunter boots will be their burnt orange...I'm almost positive!), but have been somewhat nervous to incorporate it into my home decor.

Well, as you can see, I'm no longer nervous and love it! I also wish I had brought this colour into my home sooner.

I was visiting my parent's a few weeks ago, picking up my pumpkins and gourds for my outdoor Fall decor from a farm a few roads over when I decided to stop in at The Garage in Belmore. I am soooooo glad I did!

When I had started my Fall decorating inside my home, I felt something (or somethings) were missing, especially when it came to my sideboard (the focal point of my 800 square feet of living space). I was having this 'urge for orange' but didn't really have any pieces to fulfill that urge.

The moment I stepped inside The Garage Home Decor, I spotted the orange urn and the birch picture and knew they would be coming home with me!

As I wandered around the shop, I also noticed the orange and brown equine-esque infinity scarf, the deer print and the gold tea light holders. Literally every time I turned around, there was another piece I loved and wanted to bring home with me!

I also picked up a few more items and was so happy when the total came to just under $200! Wow....less than $200 for pieces I can re-use again and again and don't necessarily only lend themselves to Fall. 

Upon returning to my parent's, I cut some grasses that would add some height to the vignette, but also some softness.  I integrated the grasses, along with some mini pumpkins, corn and gourds from the farm, as natural elements to the display.

I then raided my basement and other rooms in the house to pull the vignette together. I used feather wreaths from The Hive in Bayfield, a silver antler from Homesense and a glass cloche and coppery/bronze bowl from Achesons Pharmacy in Harriston. The wire and wood tray was a gift and I made the grapevine wreath from vine in my back yard.

I'm so happy with how it all came together! And I'm SOOO happy I took a leap and brought orange into my home. I stopped into Achesons this weekend and there are some orange and grey plaid pillows that I was THIS close to taking home with me.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend and that you too 'take the plunge' and incorporate some colour into your Fall decor!

RR