Sweet Willow Paperie Blog

All you need is LOVE!

2015-02-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

This print was hand drawn and silkscreened on linen using gold paint. It's simplistic design represents my love of clean lines and typography.

I love the way the light catches the gold lettering and shimmers inside the beautifully crafted wood frame.

Enjoy!

Kate + Damien

2013-05-02T13:03:00.004-07:00

This suite was designed for my dear sweet sister who is getting married in September!

Although I had 100% free range when it came to the concept, I was designing the invitations for my one and only sister who takes this bride business very seriously. I decided on a text theme, and worked 8 different fonts into the design. I also threw in some fun diagonal stripes in a bright coral to help set the tone for their outdoor, laid back, late Summer wedding. The invitations were custom screen printed at Kid Icarus, a print shop in Toronto's Kensignton Market, meaning each invitation was individually hand printed.

So very excited for my sister and soon to be brother, Damien! Next up on the docket, the bachelorette party!

i do.

2012-03-03T13:51:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year.

A few new custom designs.

Happy planning!

Deep Inhale.

2012-01-22T20:32:00.000-08:00

Every so often I like to shake up my world. It takes me to new places and new chapters. I've recently started a new chapter and it's helping me realize; a) it's good for me to take the time to really look and really see b) getting out of the comfort zone opens you up to great things c) watercolour paintings are a must in this chapter d) The Artist's Way helps so much at any stage e) I don't have to predict what will happen in the end, I just have to move to the music.

There is something deep inside my soul that craves the new. It's always been there, refreshing me up and rooting me down.

Happy to be, once again, in a state of new!

Just Breath.

2011-07-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Some inspiring words + a few of my photos.
Because I need them, and you might too.

Happy day.

No. 2 | The Women: a series of portraits

2011-07-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

This is the second piece in a series of portraits I'm working on using the beauties who bless my life as the subjects. You can see the first portrait of my sister Kate here and here.

Grandma Weber, whose eyes certainly tell a story, made me smile the whole time I worked on this piece. Her kind and gentle spirit has touched the lives of all 12 of her grandbabies, and her fun and silly ways make us giggle until someone usually pees their pants.

She was my mamma's mom and ties us all together in a way that makes me so grateful to have her in my life.

This series is making me realize just how lucky I am to be surrounded by such great women!

I can't wait to start the next.

summer solstice

2011-06-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

I've been at Nellie Lake for two weeks now, and I am so so so grateful for the time I've been given to spend on my creative self. As I search for my next job I also have time to work on new projects, take walks, paint, read, photograph and soak in as much fresh air and nature as I possibly can before I make a move.

The trees and the sunlight have had my attention since I got here.

This is what I saw today.

Hope your first day of summer was a beautiful one.

time to move on > > > > > > >

2011-06-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

It's time to move on, time to get going

What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing

But under my feet, baby, grass is growing

It's time to move on, time to get going

- Tom Petty

Big changes ahead. But I think change is great!

What lies ahead I have no way of knowing. It's time to move on, time to get going.

art show at WKP!

2011-05-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Art show alert! It happened. SEEING, my first solo exhibit opened last Friday and I think I've finally let it all sink in. It took a little while because I've never seen my personal work in this context before. This was the first time I've had real live photographs in real frames. Real mats. Real walls. You're laughing, but a real wall is a lot different than the internet! I loved this opportunity and feel really proud of it. Well... it was actually really nerve wracking at first. To see these photographs on the walls honestly made me feel so exposed and vulnerable. I wondered if these ten little photos hanging in the gallery were enough. It felt small for some reason. I processed everything on my own, I wrote about each image and that really helped. So. Deep breath. Enjoy looking.

SOLD! Yes, I actually sold a piece. Alex, the gallery curator and I got to put the little red sticker on the tag while all my family and friends cheered away! It was definitely a moment I'll remember.

As I sat with each of the images, I realized this one was the most representative of my life this past year. This is my 2011 self portrait I think.

So there you go!

It was even written up in the North Bay Nugget.

I got two copies.

The show is coming down on August 6th.

It's in the NEW Underground Gallery + Studio in the WKP Kennedy Gallery.

150 Main Street East, North Bay, Ontario, P1B 1A8

Relate & React

2011-05-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

I came across this video today.

Just a few days before the opening of my art show SEEING.

It completely validates how I'm feeling and the direction my photography is taking.

What a lovely reminder to. . .

. . . be in the world that you're in. See it. Keep your eyes open and really relate to what you're seeing.

Lots of Love

Hello Sunshine!

2011-05-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

I took some time today to finish a fun and colorful painting just for me. A piece I started a while ago but haven't had the time to finish.

Here she is. A colorful, geometric crystal.

Hope you're having a sunny, sparkly, happy day!

: : : : : : art opening!

2011-04-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

I'm having a solo art exhibit at the Kennedy Underground Gallery + Studio!

Friday, May 13th from 7-9 p.m.

150 Main St. E, North Bay, ON. P1B 1A8

You are invited!

The show runs from May 13th to August 6th.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > more info here!

Hope to see you there!

a simple sunday

2011-04-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

"It is in the routine and the everyday that we find the possibilities for the greatest transformation."

- Kathleen Norris

Happy Sunday.

when photos just make you want to hug them.

2011-04-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

The light in my bedroom is seriously golden in the morning. It's magical. The light, the textures, my bed, the colors, the patterns, the wrinkles in the fabric, the shapes, the quietness.

Let it all sink in and move you.
Sometimes words don't do that as well as images..........

Our Town.

2011-04-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

I created these a few months back and thought it was time to share them.

A good friend of mine who's always supported my artwork asked me if I would design the logo for our hometown centennial. Iroquois Falls will be 100 next year and this is what we came up with to celebrate the occasion.

They decided to use two variations of the logo interchangeably for all the promotional material. The second version has a flower instead of a train, which represents Iroquois Falls as The Garden Town of the North.

I'm so glad I got to do this for my sweet little hometown. They will be creating banners, posters and even bottling wine with the logo as the label. So anxious to see it in print!

Happy 100th Iroquois Falls! You're looking pretty good for your age!

A smart cup of Joe!

2011-03-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

My roommate recently jumped on board the Fair Trade coffee train. Since coffee is sort of like crack at our place, I am now drinking fair trade as well. She also took a trip to Costa Rica last month and learned exactly what real Fair Trade should be. Read all about her trip here.

Apparently, here in Canada we've got it all wrong. The coffee we find in our stores adorned with the Fair Trade stamp of approval, and twice the price of normal coffee, is in fact not very fair at all. Some Costa Rican coffee farmers only receive .39 cents for one pound of coffee. The same one pound of coffee in America will make approximately 50 cups and some places will charge you up to $5.00 a cup. In this scenario, the Costa Rican farmer gets .39 cents per pound, and the American company gets $250.00 for the same one pound of coffee! Crazy right?

So, while in Monteverde Franny met some Costa Rican farmers who got rid of the middle man and started the San Rafael Sustainable Coffee Initiative. Now you can have a real and direct relationship with the farmers who grow and harvest your coffee. You can be sure without a doubt, that the farmer and the community are receiving the majority of the profit when you buy directly from them! Makes sense to us!

To order your coffee online or to learn more about the San Rafael Sustainable Coffee Initiative click here.

Spread the word! Not only is the coffee delicious, but it comes with a cute personalized label from Franny's new friends in Costa Rica.

. . . and the living is easy.

2011-03-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here's to bare feet, warm breezes, cold beers, and sun tanned skin.

Spring starts this Sunday!

Cheers.

Alive 'n' Thrivin'

2011-03-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

I recently worked with Rebecca Mullins to create the brand for her new organic and all natural nutritional counseling company here in North Bay. We had the exact same vision when it came to the design of the logo. Natural, organic with a little whimsy.

This next logo is one Becca decided not to go with, but I wanted to share it anyway. I love the simplicity of the design and the organic and natural feel of the font. Plus green is one of my faves!

If you'd like to chat with Becca you can visit her at Veg Out, her organic juice bar. She is a woman of many talents, and makes a MEAN iced coffee!!

Veg Out is located at 207 Ferguson Street in North Bay, Ontario.

the F A R M

2011-03-09T18:10:00.000-08:00

I'm bursting!

Glitter glory!

So excited about this.

The F A R M is new to North Bay and unlike any other store in the area. It's a conglomeration of fashion designers, fine artists, jewelry designers, and creative thinkers of all sorts. I was thrilled when Katie Bevan, owner of the F A R M wanted to sell my portrait of Kate in her store.

I've fallen in love with a handmade jewelry line she carries called Curious Oddities. The designer is from Toronto and creates the most amazing necklaces out of vintage finds from around the city. Plus those skirts on the front table are super cute and created by Katie herself! I absolutely love love love everything about this store and feel so lucky to have it at my fingertips!

If you're in the area you must pop in and check out the F A R M! And the portrait of Kate!

SEEING : : : a personal project

2011-02-25T18:36:00.000-08:00

The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. The beginner's humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning with the first small and scary step.
- Julia Cameron, "the Artist's Way"

This group of photographs portray the journey I'm on as I learn to see light and to see myself. I'm discovering the beauty and simplicity in everyday life, and tapping into my own unique vision of the world. The process lights me up and makes me feel alive. It feels like the beginning of something bigger than me.

As the sunlight glints off a rippling lake, and the wind whispers through the black spruce bows, it is here where she must begin to tell her story.

>> Update >>> I am having my first ever art exhibition with SEEING as the concept!

I may be using some of these shots, but am in the process of working on new ideas! YAY!!!!!!

Can't stop. Won't stop.

2011-01-30T19:49:00.000-08:00

Full speed ahead. Sweet Willow is in a full force creative explosion sparkly fiesta. So many new and exciting details to come! For now, here is a photo I took this past summer when my fifteen year old cousin took me flying on my twenty-fifth birthday.

We are building strong wings together.

Facing fears and moving forward,

building

strong

wings

fly.

Twenty + Eleven

2011-01-08T08:50:00.000-08:00

"She's turning her life into something sacred: Each breath a new birth. Each moment, a new chance. She bows her head, gathers her dreams from a pure, deep stream and stretches her arms towards the sky."

- Monique Duval

What a year of growth, thrills, and inspiration 2010 was. Thank you for your support + encouragement. I'm so looking forward to what is in store for Sweet Willow Paperie this year!

Twenty things I am thankful for in 2010

1. beginning to find my way

2. starting sweet willow paperie

3. clients

4. new friends

5. faithful old friends

6. forgiveness

7. life with my roomie in north bay

8. nellie lake

9. pop + kate

10. painting

11. our annual may long girls weekend

12. friends getting married

13. friends having babies

14. discovering a love for new art forms

15. good books

16. inspiration

17. northern ontario

18. working with students

19. living close enough to drive up north for the weekend

20. laughs

Eleven things I am looking forward to in 2011

1. energy

2. a new job

3. a new city

4. becoming an auntie

5. no excuses

6. watercolor classes

7. new adventures

8. applying new skills to sweet willow paperie

9. the artist's way

10. our annual may long girls weekend

11. laughs + + +

: : : tis the season!

2010-12-15T16:09:00.000-08:00

1. Forest Royalty. Get your own here.

2. An ode to Julie Child.

3. H&M LBD.

4. Alexis Bittar ring.

5. Black Spruce.

6. Illustration by Darling Clementine. My new fav!

Happy Holidays.

Jean the Machine.

2010-12-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it just comes together seamlessly.

This was created for my Aunt Jean and the Toronto Metropolitan United Church.

Thanks Aunt Jean!

Enjoy your Friday!

Is it already Friday?

Wowzey.

SEEING : : : album

2010-11-23T15:18:00.000-08:00

Seeing photographs in print is such a reward.
It is rare these days to have tangible items, things to hold and touch.
I was so excited when the album for my SEEING photography workshop came back from the printer.

Amazing photographs by all!

Sometimes I wish I could make an album for every month of my life.

Could be a little excessive.

Could be a little perfect.