One more week to go until Art in the Park, Oakville and I have a lot of details to attend to … so I’m going to keep it short & sweet today (ok, maybe tomorrow).

Do you have a favourite colour? People who are drawn to my art often remark on my use of colour, and I usually reply “yes, I grew up in the Caribbean so that’s probably why I use such bright sunny colours”.

However, I have been living in Canada for more than half my life now, and although I go back to the Caribbean to visit my parents, family, galleries, and gather inspiration for my art … even I can see how my use of colour has changed over the last few years.

It’s like my accent, which I only remember I have when someone new mentions it. When I first came to Canada, I knew my accent would be confusing to some people, and had fun with it. The surprising part came a few years later, when in St. Lucia, I was told I sounded like a Canadian!

For better or for worse, your environment shapes you. So i guess the key is to surround yourself with things and people you love, and that make you happy.

Turquoise has been my favourite colour since I was 12 – we were visiting family in Canada and on a trip to the mall, I bought a piece of costume jewellery, a silver ring with two turquoise hearts.

It was so beautiful to me then, and still is now, even though I don’t really remember wearing it often. It somehow just belongs in my jewellery box, a momento of a time, a place, an age. A miniature work of art, imbued with nostalgia.

Obviously, I have an affinity towards blues and greens – certainly it is reminiscent of the Caribbean landscape & seascape, and partially the reason I named my business Blue Roots Art Studio – and so peacock imagery was always somewhat special and magical to me.

And I hope you will enjoy this new blue-green thing I’ve created, maybe it can even bring some magic and happiness to your environment!?!

View this and other available paintings at www.bluerootsartstudio.com