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**

Refreshed!

The snow is blowing yet all I can think about is Spring. I am a fan of Winter, but seeing Spring colours, clothing, and decor on websites like Pinterest and in magazines has me yearning for warmer temperatures!

With that in mind, I felt it was time to start transitioning my home to welcome in bits of Spring (while still keeping a Winter tone as well). I had put my holiday decorations away and the sideboard was literally a blank slate, so what better place to begin this transition?

I began with this piece of art as inspiration and began walking around the house, gathering pieces from other rooms and from my 'store' downstairs to pull this together. 

I wanted the final product to feel light and airy with an overall sense of rustic charm, just like the piece of art. I went with lighter tones (greys, blues, creams, greens), natural elements and metallics (to mirror the iron bed). 

Here are some of the individual pieces that helped bring the look together....

Silver Stag Napkin Rings, Whitewashed PineCones, Metallic Bowl, WhiteWashed Wicker Tray...

Wooden Tray, Beach Stones, Driftwood, Shells, Tree Silhouette Tealight Holders, Tree Themed Decor 

Glass Dome Cloche, Driftwood

Grey/Cream Graphic Print Napkins, Twine String

I then started to put together vignettes...

More Artwork, Silver Antler, Rustic Metal Bird Bottle Opener

Wicker Tray, Vase with Rustic Elements, Napkins, Glass Cloche, Metallic Bowl, Copper Bird

It's coming together.....

And here it is.... 

The final product of my interpretation of a Wisp of Spring in Winter....

It feels so much fresher and light...and the absolute best part...I didn't have to buy one new thing! All of these items I already had and was able to bring them together in a new, re-imagined and refreshed way!

This is my view as I write this post (with an adult hot chocolate beside me as well).

I hope this inspires you to begin to refresh and re-imagine your space and slowly begin that transition from snow to tulips...

RR