“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale For the past fifteen years, visitors to the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Conn., have admired the painted palettes by contemporary artists hung on Miss Florence’s Artist Trees. Alluding to the Lyme Art … More The Magic of Christmas
“I think the universe is pure geometry – basically, a beautiful shape twisting around and dancing over space-time.” — Antony Garrett Lisi “Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.” — Dalai Lama * * * Skylight patterns — Photo by Mary O’Connor ©
“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius “Nature has a great simplicity and therefore a great beauty.” — Richard Feynman * * * Unofficially known as the national bird of Kenya, the colorful Lilac Breasted Roller inhabits much of eastern and southern Africa and is often found … More Eye-catching Delight
“Behaving like a princess is work. It’s not just about looking beautiful or wearing a crown. It’s more about how you are inside.” — Julie Andrews Cleo was a princess, a tiny Lhasa Apso with a personality more like that of a queen, hence her nickname of Cleopatra. Though she hated water, she loved to … More Princess
“Protect those who protect you.” — Evangelos Venizelos Despite her diminutive Yorkie size, Willie or “The Wil” is tasked with a substantial duty. Living up to the weight of her formal Wilhelmina name, derived from the German Wilhelm, meaning “desire” and “willing to protect,” The Wil appears to grasp the seriousness of such an important … More Protector
“Save it for a rainy day.” — Proverb Artists Julie Solz and Steve Hansen let their imaginations go in creating a rain barrel retreat for Lettersburg Junction resident Radiant Rae in the enchanting Lettersburg Junction town of Wee Faerie Homesteads. Tiny structures based on letters, numbers and symbols are set throughout the garden and riverside … More Rainy Day
“When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there’s always the garden.” — William Affleck “Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time.” — Herman Hesse * * * Florence Griswold Museum Garden — Once described as a ‘veritable tangle of fragrant beauty,” Miss … More Sanctuary
“Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.” — Linus Pauling Curious cows become serious art critics as they gather round artist sketching during 2010 Lyme Art Association Tiffany Farms benefit paint-out. * * * Curious critics — Watercolor painting by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” — Edgar Degas Aubrey, Ava and Olivia enjoy a summer afternoon watching an artist transform the gardens of the Florence Griswold Museum into a work of art. The three had just completed a tour of Miss Florence’s house, getting a taste of life … More Artists’ Colony
“We carry our homes within us, which enables us to fly.” — John Cage Hermit crabs make perfect pets. They carry their own homes, painted with their own artwork, traveling in their own spaces, leaving trails of smiles. * * * Aniela’s and Nataly’s Hermit crab friends — Photos by Mary O’Connor © 2018 … More Painted pets
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 