The Gardening Artist

Herbs in the Garden and some Allium, too.

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:58:00 +0000

One of my favourites, Allium karataviense. Nice large globe shapes, but shorter stems. Lovely foliage, too. Big leaves!
Cilantro/Coriander started from seed. They're in the raised bed.

Lemon Balm. I love it. Such a great scent. I dry it for use it in my handmade bath products.
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Thanks for visiting!

Wordless Wednesday - Antique Seed Packet

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:14:00 +0000

Omphalodes verna - In the rock garden

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Thu, 19 May 2011 02:17:00 +0000

Omphalodes verna.

I've posted about these lovely little perennials before, but had to share them again. I took a cutting from another area of my garden and planted some in the rock crevice a couple years ago. They've taken well.

I like the way they look like they're precariously hanging of some cliff! It's only about a foot off the ground, and they've securely rooted themselves in.

They sure look a lot like Forget-me-nots, except the foliage is totally different.

Thanks for stopping by!

Apples and Hydrangeas - Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Mother's Day Greetings!

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sun, 08 May 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Happy Mother's Day!

Sharing some Lilacs in honour of our Moms!

Have a great day. I hope you're all getting spoiled rotten : )

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"Lilacs" - by Karen Sloan - 24 x 24 - acrylic on canvas

Thanks for visiting!

Violets for Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:50:00 +0000

Friday Flower - Pretty Peach Hollyhock

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:51:00 +0000

Lend Your Voice to Help Save the Bees

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:08:00 +0000

Please consider lending you help to protecting our Bee population.

They're dying at an alarming rate around the world.

The thing is, we need them more than they need us!

For all they do for us, pollinating our crops, which provides us the majority of our food supply, the least we can do in return is to stop poisoning them!!

It may seem like a small thing, but enough signatures on this petition could help.

Lend your help and show your support for the bees at:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/

Together, we can all help.

For more information, please visit

Wall Flower Studio

Thank you!

Blooming in the kitchen - A taste of Summer!

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:59:00 +0000

A little taste of Summer,

blooming now, in my kitchen.

....

It's amazing how one little plant

can brighten up a room

and give a person such a sense of satisfaction.

Geraniums may be considered old fashioned by some,

but I just love them!

One Last look at Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Poor little Scarecrow... I forgot to take it out of the raised bed and put it in the shed last fall.

If it only had a brain, I'd imagine it's wishing for Spring's arrival as much as I am! ; )

Preparing for another Seedy Sunday! Signaling Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:14:00 +0000

Seedy Sunday - Peterborough, Ontario. March 13th, 1-4pm

Some seedlings for inspiration. Sprouting now at Wall Flower Studio!

Packaging more seeds!

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If you're in the Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario, why not stop by and visit Seedy Sunday.

The date is Sunday, March 13th, 2011, and the location is:

St. James United church

221 Romaine Street

Peterborough, Ontario.

This fabulous event runs from 1 pm - 4 pm.

A great way to welcome Spring, learn about seed starting,

and prepare for the new gardening season!

Local seed sellers, like me, providing heirloom, native and non-gmo garden seeds for 2011, will be there.

And, it's a great way to get out and meet fellow gardeners,

and purchase veggies, herbs and flower seeds!

I'll have all of that on hand at my table,

as well as plantable paper, seed balls, organic lavender, and much more!

Looking forward to meeting my fellow local gardeners!

Lessons From The Garden - Patience...

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:30:00 +0000

... Admittedly, a virtue I definitely lack from time to time! ; )

The obelisk patiently awaits Spring.

Braving the elements.

There's a lesson to be learned somewhere in that. At least for me.

Happily, during this season of snow and cold weather,

we gardeners can plan for the time we can once again

play again in the garden!

Thanks for dropping by!

Lilacs . A Macro Painting . The view of a Bee

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:05:00 +0000

Lilacs hold a great sentimental value for me. My Uncle had giant lilac bushes at his farm and they were well over one hundred years old.

I used to take many photographs of them from which I'd paint, including this one you see here.

Unfortunately, the farm is now gone, but thankfully, I recorded some of my memories of it, with paint, on canvas.

And don't they just herald Spring? Too bad the blooms, and their fabulous scent doesn't last longer.

This image, above, is likely my most favourite of all the lilac paintings I've ever done.

Lilac Number Nine - acrylic on canvas - 24" x 36" (Sold)

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting... Happy Gardening!

Still Life Art Portraits - Tulips and Fruit

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:17:00 +0000

Perhaps it's easy to tell I used to be a floral designer.

I just love big, bold, colourful Parrot Tulips, and the decadence of the fruit surrounding them.

Tulips and Fruit - Acrylic on canvas 30" x 30"

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting!

Rannunculus . Cut Floral Arrangement . Art on Canvas

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:00:00 +0000

With 3 - 4 feet of snow outside my door right now, thoughts are leading me to spring.

I can't wait to get into the garden.

Here's a little canvas of Rannunculus that I painted and sold a couple years ago.

I used to love it when we had these at the flower shop I worked at.

They're a real breath of Spring and a bit of colour for winter, when the outdoor landscape is so totally and unbearably monochromatic.

"Rannunculus" - acrylic on canvas - 8" x 10" (Sold)

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting!

Happy New Year Wishes from Wall Flower Studio ...

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:10:00 +0000

Wishing everyone all the best for 2011.

"Alstromeria" - acrylic on canvas - 8 x 10

by Karen Sloan

Poinsettia - On Canvas - A little bit Abstract

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 01:00:00 +0000

A little holiday cheer. In keeping with the season.

Poinsetttia - Acrylic on Canvas - 16" x 20"

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting! : )

Christmas Cactus Blooms - Indoor Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:07:00 +0000

Well, my attention has turned to indoor houseplants now. Not much gardening can be done in a foot of snow! Early for this year, but, it is December, and afterall, this is Canada!

I just have to make sure not to overwater and kill the houseplants with kindness. Something I'm sure many plant enthusiasts can do when playing outside in the garden just isn't an option!

Pictured above is my Christmas Cactus, which is blooming now. This plant is from the family of Holiday cactus, otherwise known as the Schlumbergera and Hatiora hybrids).

I love the vibrant colour. Just what is needed when the landscape out the window looks so bleak and monochromatic this time of year.

My Mom had great success with her's, which were quite large, and she always kept them in an east facing window, so that's where I keep mine.

They seem to prefer indirect sunlight, and thrive on neglect, so I water it sparingly, but perhaps a little more in the winter, since it's very dry in our house this time of year.

Wishing You and Your's, a very Happy Holiday!

Apples - A Painting of NON #gmo Fruit

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:35:00 +0000

When I first heard that there are gm Apples, my first thought was of Snow White.

Remember the story of Snow White?

Remember when the wicked queen comes to the door of the Seven Dwarve's house and offers that poor naive girl an apple that looks oh so beautiful and tasty?

Telling her it's so good for her. We all know what a crock that was.

We also remember what happened to Snow White when she ate the poison apple.

Summing up the Cast of players

.......

~Snow White - We, the purchasing public

~Wicked Queen - Giant biotech Agricultural Corporations

~Poisonous Apple - GMO food
......

We can all avoid poisonous gmo food by growing our own, purchasing from reputable local growers, and demanding labelling of gmo foods on all product that carry it.

Why should a giant corporation, one who lacks any ethics at all, and one who's main concern is to their shareholders, not to us the purchasing public, have the upper hand?

They shouldn't. We should, and we can show that by getting informed about what's going into our food, and by saying no to GMO's.

I for one have stopped purchasing many products at the grocery stores that contain it.

I don't want to feed it to my family, and I don't want my money going in Monsanto's, Okanagan Specialty Fruits & other big Ag's pockets.

I'm currently researching which food companies are adding it to their products.

That'll be the next post. We need to be informed.

They aren't going to tell us because they lack the ethics to do so.

They simply don't have the consumer's best interests at heart.

They say these apples don't decompose.

Well that goes against everything Nature stands for.

It's completely Back Ass-ward. It is not logical and it is only for profit sake that this is happening.

So, this artist won't even paint a picture of a gmo Apple, let alone eat one!

As far as the cast of players goes, thinking this post makes me the handsome prince! ; )

Thanks for visiting!

The (lack of) Ethics with Seeds. Or Monsanto's Monopoly

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 03:30:00 +0000

Monsanto, kiss my seed saving ass.

Truly. I mean it with all of my heart.

I'm getting a little tired of hearing how this multi-national corporation is working to monopolize the world's food supply.

As a human being, I'm saying right now, that I have the right to save my seeds and plant and grow my own food, with out fear, intimidation or any other fascist tactics they can come up with.

And guess what, Monsanto? So does every other human being on this planet..

Monsanto does NOT have the right to play God.

Take Action Here: http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=14469696

Monsanto is tampering with the very existance of our humanity by taking over the FDA and trying to push through their own unethical, unconstitutional and downright disgusting, polluting, terrorist agenda, by creating laws that will help them and other corporate criminals take over control of our food supply and push smaller growers out of business .

Monsantio is no Mom and Pop organization. Believe me.

We're talking about a corporation who paid contractors to dump PCB's in rivers and watershed's all over the world, and was one of the inventors of Agent Orange.

I don't know about you, but that's NOT who I want creating government policy or playing God with our food supply.

That's just Dirty business.

Do I sound paranoid? Not at all.
.

The time to take a stand is now. If you are a gardener, a hobby farmer, a market gardener, or anyone who just enjoys growing, sharing, and eating your own food, then please, take the time to read some of these links.

We have to make informed choices.

Following along blindly and allowing corporate control over our food, which is a necessity of life is wrong and unethical on so many levels.

.
.The FDA will aid Monsanto by:
"Set (ing) the standard for “food safety” and certification high enough that no one can afford it. They'll punish anyone who tries to save seed, which has worked fine the way it is, for thousands of years.
With a million dollar a day fine and/or ten years in prison, presto, you have just criminalized seed banking."

.
.http://www.naturalnews.com/030418_Food_Safety_Modernization_Act_seeds.html.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=607931487#!/pages/Millions-Against-Monsanto-by-OrganicConsumersorg/289934516904
.
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/monsanto200805
.

The FDA in the United States has now declared seeds as a food source.

This is their way of taking away our right to grow our own food by saving our own seeds. They've gone too far this time. I'm angry and you should be too.Obviously, Monsanto has friends in high places . One only has to read how many former high ranking Monsanto employees are now in high ranking positions of the Food an Drug administration.

Can you say "Conflict of Interest"?

The American government and the FDA are allowing a known fox to guard the public's henhouse. The only reason to label seeds as food is to gain control over it.

By declaring this, the FDA will criminalize and put thousands of small farmers and market growers out of business, and it will become a criminal act to save and share seeds.

Who will benefit from this? You guessed it.. Monsanto, of course, as well as other pharmaceutical/oil/chemical industries.

Those criminals will swoop down and sell you all the sick gmo seeds you need, but don't try to save them or Monsanto will sue you.

They have patented life. Don't even get me started on the ethics and morals of that one.

I'm even willing to go out on a limb and blame Monsanto for the killing off of pollinators and the collapsing bee colonies.

And, how about those Superweeds that are now plaguing parts of North America.
.

Any government agency or politician who supports this bill is nothing more than dirty and crooked, and you can bet, in Monsanto's pocket.

Put it this way, everybody eats, and no corporation should ever have the power and ability to take our inherent rights away from us, all in the name of gaining a monopoly in the name of profit.

Corporations are in the business to make money. I have no problem with that, as long as it's not infringing on inherent human rights around the world.

That's the bottom line..

............

Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the United States democratic system, said "I hope we shall crush ... in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country".

...

Franklin D. Roosevelt in an April 29, 1938 message to Congress warned that the growth of private power could lead to fascism:The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism—ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power
...
So, if I sound like a socialist, that's too damned bad. I happen to care about people, the planet, what goes on my table, and in my childs mouth, and the right to grow my own food without corporations with WAY too much power calling the shots..

So I say again.... (and you can quote me on this).....Monsanto, you can kiss this seed saving, sharing, vegetable growing, organic and NON GMO, local food supporting, gardener's Ass.

***Hoping not to have offended any readers here with my colorful language, but really want to get my point across!

Now go forth and multiply those heirloom seeds. Plant a Victory Garden. Grow your own food, shop and support your local growers, wherever you are.....

We consumers will have the final say with what is on our plates, not Monsanto

....................................

New Information....

To my American friends, I urge you to visit Food Safety Action Alert Webpage at the Carolina Farm Stewards website: http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/alert_foodsafety10.shtml.I encourage farmers and consumers to educate themselves on this issue and to call your Congress representative to make sure they vote for the proposed Tester Hagen Amendment to the Food Safety Bill.
.
"The Tester-Hagan amendment would improve food safety outcomes by creating size-appropriate requirements and less costly compliance alternatives.

.
The amendment will:

(1) Clarify existing law which says that farmers and food entrepreneurs who direct market more than 50% of their product to direct to consumers do not need to register with FDA. This clarification is especially important for off-farm retail locations such as farmers markets.

(2) Prevents the Food and Drug Administration from imposing industrial-scale food safety requirements on farms and food businesses that:

-Direct market more than 50% of their products directly to consumers, stores or restaurants, and

-Have gross sales (direct and non-direct combined) of less than $500,000, and

-Sell to consumers, stores, or restaurants that are in-state or within 400 miles.

Beware of false claims about the amendment!

Opponents of Tester-Hagan claim it would exempt small producers from any food safety law, but that is a blatant misrepresentation.

Producers who qualify under the amendment must provide documentation that the farm is in compliance with state regulations, and must also prominently and conspicuously display the name and address of farm/facility on the product or at the point of sale.

And don’t let anyone tell you the amendment will allow Mexican manufacturers to sell “local” food—existing US law already prohibits direct sales of foreign food to American consumers.

To read the current version of the Tester-Hagan amendment, visit http://tester.senate.gov/Legislation/upload/Tester-Food-Safety-Amendment.pdf
..........
Call your U.S. House Representative to tell them that S.510 is far superior to HR.2749, the food safety bill the House passed last year.

Ask them to support the Senate Bill in negotiations between the two chambers.
Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard, (202) 224-3121, to be connected with your Representative’s office.
....
Every little bit will help.
Thank you

Dried Flowers, Seed Collecting, Herb Bundles and More!

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:04:00 +0000

A little snippet of what I've been up to. Lots going on at Wall Flower Studio. Just finished up with the regional artist/studio tour that I'm on, and just in time to harvest seeds, herbs as well as flowers to dry, from the garden.

Here's a picture above. A collection of Arikara sunflower heads, hydrangeas, yarrow, sedum, and more, which will end up in wreaths, along with many seeds collected, all of which are drying in the dishes on that table!

Also harvested all of my Sage and Thyme, which is now, thankfully, hanging in bundles to dry, in my studio.

Thankfully I have an extremely tolerant and supportive family, who put up with me taking over the dining room this time of year!

Hope you're enjoying your fall garden, or at least, this lovely Autumn season.

Thanks for visiting!

Fire and Ice :: A Frosty Floral Still life

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:21:00 +0000

Thinking the vase looks cool, yet the flowers looked hot. Hence the name!

"Fire and Ice" - acrylic on canvas - 12" x 24" (sold)

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting!

A Lyrical Floral Bouquet - Still life #art with movement

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:21:00 +0000

Fruit and flowers. Artists never tire of painting this subject, and guessing I'm no different, except perhaps for the style. This one is rather illustrative and just off the easel.

Fruit and Flowers - 6" x 12" acrylic on canvas - Available for purchase

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for viewing!

Inside A Tulip - A Macro Flower View

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:49:00 +0000

A close up view inside a Tulip.

I'll be planting more in the yard today, all the while anticipating their burst of Spring colour after what most would consider to be a long Winter. And it is, where I live!

Everytime I visit the grocery store, I can't help but buy one of the boxes from those displays with tulip bulbs in them. A girl has to treat herself sometimes!

I generally plant more Daffodils and Crocus, as I'm trying to naturalize them in the lawn. (Pictures to follow next May!)

I have some Parrot tulips, (my favourite), but I try to purchase early, mid, and late bloomers to stagger the flowering times in the garden.

Are you planting bulbs this year? Now's the time to do it!

"Inside a Tulip" - 16" x 16" -acrylic on canvas

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting

A Bouquet... with Red @ WallFlowerStudio

noreply@blogger.com (Wall Flower Studio) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:24:00 +0000

A floral study with a red background.

I quite liked the way it made the flowers pop!

"In the Red" - acrylic on canvas - sold

by Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting!

The Gardening Artist

Herbs in the Garden and some Allium, too.

Wordless Wednesday - Antique Seed Packet

Omphalodes verna - In the rock garden

Apples and Hydrangeas - Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day Greetings!

Violets for Wordless Wednesday

Friday Flower - Pretty Peach Hollyhock

Lend Your Voice to Help Save the Bees

Blooming in the kitchen - A taste of Summer!

One Last look at Winter

Preparing for another Seedy Sunday! Signaling Spring!

Lessons From The Garden - Patience...

Lilacs . A Macro Painting . The view of a Bee

Still Life Art Portraits - Tulips and Fruit

Rannunculus . Cut Floral Arrangement . Art on Canvas

Happy New Year Wishes from Wall Flower Studio ...

Poinsettia - On Canvas - A little bit Abstract

Christmas Cactus Blooms - Indoor Gardening

Apples - A Painting of NON #gmo Fruit

The (lack of) Ethics with Seeds. Or Monsanto's Monopoly

Dried Flowers, Seed Collecting, Herb Bundles and More!

Fire and Ice :: A Frosty Floral Still life

A Lyrical Floral Bouquet - Still life #art with movement

Inside A Tulip - A Macro Flower View

A Bouquet... with Red @ Wall*Flower*Studio

A Bouquet... with Red @ WallFlowerStudio