Flowers Everywhere


According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health – FLOWERS. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.

A team of researchers explored the link between flowers and life satisfaction in a 10-month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers. The results show that flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods.


  1. Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.
  2. Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
  3. Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.

“Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy,” said Dr. Haviland-Jones. “Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well being.”

My paintings of flowers are more than just representations, they inspire joy, they brighten your environment and they last. In harmony with the image of the flowers there are the brushstrokes, the texture, the color…one can be absorbed into a painting for any length of time and every time may discover something about it that transmits a wealth of happiness and satisfaction.

Some of these paintings are available. They vary in price. You can contact me here or my social media for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Dawn-Fine-Art/1015450641815718?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

http://www.homestudio1.com

homestudio1@shaw.ca

iris for card_2761watermark_8748watermark crop_8747completed poppies in oil DSC_5495Sunny Days signed_WM9793Irisis at CNIB

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Peace


Like a Tree planted by the waters.
Like a Tree Planted by the Waters.

Peace, peace, beautiful peace.

I don’t need to tell anyone how trying life is these days. Everyone on earth is aware that things are not …so peaceful.

One of the most glaring of trials is that of war; the atrocities of taking another human, life for whatever reason, doesn’t sit well with many of us yet… it is happening. We see evidence of the toll it is taking in the weary eyes all around us and we feel helpless, it is upsetting to say the least, emotions are high and trust is low.

Disease is also very high on this list as we see so many who are suffering, hospitals are jammed… if one can afford to go to a hospital. Children are suffering with so many more illnesses than the world has ever seen and the blaming… doesn’t stop. “Who is at fault?” is the question on many minds; we simply want to find answers so that we can save the children and comfort those in agony.

Our food is another extreme concern, simply because the very substance that was created to heal us, is making us sick; oh yes…tampering with the seeds plays a enormous role in this dilemma. Pollution, water contamination and soil depletion are a few of the concerns we, our children and grandchildren are encountering.

Economy, here is an enormous giant that has been overstuffed and yet is never satisfied and while sitting on the structure made from splinters it’s foundation is about to collapse threatening to cause the monstrous giant to come tumbling down on top of the nations…you and me.

So far I have only given you a brief sketch of some of the issues this world is facing, and I am sure we all know that there is so much more going on; we cannot even imagine.

Knowledge is increasing at an incredible rate as a result of the internet, you can have your wildest dreams brought right in front of you in your own home; it will fill your mind with so much to buy, so much to know, so much to do, so much to hear and it keeps everyone very hectic. So busy that there is no time for family, no time for friends no time for love…no time for… peace and quiet.

This painting is filled with symbolism.

The tree is a symbol for one who is living a good life, like a tree planted by the rivers of water. This tree is bearing fruit in its season, it is spreading out the branches to give shade on a hot day. This tree is strong to withstand any storm and it is beautiful. The tree has many meanings, in this painting the tree represents a human being who is living a life in harmony with the Creator he is planted firmly by the water where he will never be thirsty, he is strong to withstand any storm and gives shelter to those who abide near him.

The water in this painting is a symbol for Living Waters, water that satiate the dry and thirst land …you will never thirst again because it is the water of life, it is the Life Giver dwelling us and continually flows through us quickening us and pouring out His life giving truth to others that we touch.

The horse is a symbol of the Pure Spirit in us Who gently shows us the way to walk, who quietly waits to answer us whenever we call on Him, He is watching, listening and interceding on our behalf with words that cannot be uttered.

The light is a symbol of being illuminated, it comes from the One who made light, HE illuminates the mind by opening the eyes and causing the blind to see.

Ah peace, yes beautiful peace… there is one source where we can find true peace for our souls, a peace that is there even in the most difficult trials, it fills with assurance that our Creator is Sovereign over all, we trust Him and He never lets us down.

 

Nighttime at Bowness Park Before the Flood.


The new painting that you see below is titled “Trees at Night”; it is done with thick painterly strokes using a palette knife and brushes. Take a close look, the colors are deep and lush, mimicking gems, they are alive with rich, vivid pigments.

There was a flood that caused a lot of damage in Calgary last June. [see link below] One place that is still affected is Bowness Park.

Bowness Park was one of our favorite parks to go to on a weekly basis; they were hit hard by this flood. I was at the park one night while there was still snow on the ground before the flood; I was taking photos of the trees. I shone my headlights into the trees to see what effects it would have in my photos, this painting is inspired from those photos.

I have fond memories of Bowness Park and those times were special to me because it was a place where I could go to have some quiet time. We would often walk the paths and there were sections of the park where we felt as though we were not in the city….almost.

There will be many more paintings to come from the inspiration and impact that Bowness Park had on me and my family.

Painting this yesterday was very freeing for me. I have been in somewhat of a holding pattern lately because I desire to go out and paint but it is not always possible, especially right now with the weather being so cold. Hopefully one day soon I can take the Westy Van out to do some plein air painting from it with the heat on.

Style: Impressionism

Oil on panel

10″ X 12″

Available.

Contact: Heather at homestudio1@shaw.ca for pricing, questions, requests or commissions.

Trees at night.
Trees at night.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Alberta_floods

 

Yellow Roses and Shadow


Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

 

Love is truth …if there is someone in my life that I have not forgiven it will constantly be there…nagging at me (and you) like a shadow. If that someone that I withheld grace from is me, then there is the possibility that the shadow of unforgiveness becomes larger and larger until it will overtake any rays of peace and light. Forgiveness is a key to love, to happiness, to peace and harmony. Today and everyday, I choose to live in forgiveness.

Yellow Roses and Shadow

Yellow Roses signify Friendship, Joy, Get Well

Throughout history, yellow has been closely associated with the sun, making these roses excellent for cheering people up. Yellow roses send a message of appreciation and platonic love without the romantic subtext of other colors. The color represents feelings of joy and delight.