My art supplies are more than creative tools, they are companions in the quiet ritual of making. From the vibrant red Kaweco fountain pen and carefully sharpened coloured pencil to the well-used brush pen and tiny pans of handmade watercolour, each item carries its own character, marks, and memories. I love capturing these everyday objects in soft, detailed paintings that celebrate texture, colour, and craftsmanship. The worn edges, paint stains, and gentle shadows tell stories of countless sketches and moments of inspiration, reminding me that creativity often begins with the simplest little things arranged on a wooden desk.

Celebrating the beauty of everyday “Little Things” through handcrafted watercolour paints by Letter Sparrow. Dlicate paintings, and thoughtfully designed palettes inspired by quiet moments and cherished objects. From vintage scissors and well-loved sketchbooks to soft gradients of saffron, pistachio, turquoise, and black currant, each piece is created with patience and an appreciation for detail. The series blends artistry with mindfulness, inviting people to slow down and notice the warmth, texture, and emotion hidden in ordinary life. Every painting feels intimate and personal, turning simple objects into meaningful stories through luminous colour.

I've now made 5 miniature sketchbooks and am currently working on adding images to the third. The last three booklets are made from a sheet of Rives BK watercolour paper and I absolutely love the feel of it and how the paint moves on it. This is going to be a fun one to work through...and, perhaps, it will inspire more paintings for my "Little Joys" series.

It's been so lovely to go through my miniature sketchbooks to gather ideas for these "Little Things" and then pulling out those objects for inspiration. I often forget how much I enjoy painting still life. I almost don't even want to title these pieces as I think they speak for themselves. They are reminiscent of the paintings I created for many years, "Simple Pleasures" but, instead of capturing an entire space, they focus on the pieces within that space that are meaningful. Those items that give me so much joy.

Recently, one of my oldest friends was visiting (thankfully she comes fairly regularly) and we were blessed with a couple of beautiful, sunny days in between snowstorms so we made the country/gallery trip we haven't made in awhile. We stopped in Okotoks, at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond, at the Chuckwagon Diner in Turner Valley, with a final stop at the Leighton Art Centre. It was perfect. It was so nice to see my hearts and my landscapes out at Bluerock, too...warms the cockles of my heart. :)

Recently, I began to take the joy I experience in the "Little Things" and increasing their size from my mini 2.5 x 3.5 inch sketchbooks to framed 4x6 inch paintings. They make me very happy. Initially, I had considered painting Tarot Tiles with these supplies (I have 10 panels and frames) but I prefer this as it focuses on the joy experienced in simple daily things. I'm not sure where I'll go with these but, for now, I just know I need to keep painting. 

I recently received a commission to paint a rainbow trout as a university graduation gift and it was so much fun. I've only painted a couple of fish through the years so this was a fun treat. I painted the body of the fish on the left instead of painting the negative space around it, while the second I painted the same way that I usually paint my canoes, by leaving the center of the object while spending more time painting around the object. I also revisited past patterns which I added to both in a slightly different manner. Both processes were fun and I'm not sure which is my favourite.

...when I get to work on new commissions that allow me to use my discretion. It's been nice to re-visit older work and also to try new things. So...Much...Fun!

With a lovely shift in the weather, I've been painting by the creek again. The palette I took to England is slowly dwindling, so I'm a little nervous as I love all of the Case for Making Ultra-Blend colours in it. But, once they're gone, I can begin mixing my own colours to fill the palette, which is very exciting. I currently have so much pigment and paint that I've decided to refrain from any more purchases for some time...at least to give myself time to go through what I already have. I've also been having fun making more of these mini-sketchbooks. It's been especially fun to try out different papers and not to have a specific direction for what I will include, allowing myself to paint whatever catches my eye each day. And having such a small surface (3 1/2 x 5 inches open) takes pressure off and makes the process fairly quick. Plus, these fit easily into my shoulder pack, which is a definite bonus as it ensures that I take it out with me daily. 

Over the past couple of years, I've been experimenting with a lot of watercolour brands and palettes and hae finally landed on 5 that work well for me. These are my 3 Art Toolkit palettes: the small Demi, the card sized Pocket, and, finally, the larger Folio palettes. Though I may adjust which colours I use, these are currently favourites as they can be utilized for any subject matter I focus on. The Case for Making Ultra-Blends palette (Demi) surprised me so much as they are a bit more muted, but I can't stop using them as they re-activate easily and dry quickly, so the palette works very well when I'm travelling or just out and about. The Letter Sparrow palette (Pocket) has the loveliest rich colours that re-wet beautifully, though they do take a bit longer to dry. In the Art of Soil palette (Folio) I have replaced some of the pans for colours that I'm drawn to by Holbein, Winsor & Newton, and Daniel Smith. The Demi stays in my every day bag along with a card-sized Travelers' Notebook and brass pen to sketch wherever and whenever I'm impelled and the Folio works well in my Guerilla Painter Pochade by Judson's Art Outfitters. Having larger pans allows me to use a larger brush as well. All of them are used almost daily since they contain a nice variety of colours. What I especially like about the Art of Soil, Case for Making, and Letter Sparrow paints is that they are all handmade with a focus on being kinder to the environment...plus, they're all women owned businesses. I can't beat that!