Blue Heron Writes & Paints

A world that lands between wonder and warning: Gilded Eden. I’m excited to fill you in on a new art show coming up soon. For the past several months, my studio has been a disaster area as I prepared work for an exhibition with fellow Muskoka artist Col Mitchell. Over a year ago, Col approached me following my book launch with an idea. She asked if I would collaborate with her on an art exhibit…

Writing’s hard, editing even harder but I’m learning the hardest part is marketing and promotion. Some days I feel like a one-man band. You know those guys with all of the instruments strapped to their bodies, playing music like a crazed contortionist. Even writers who use traditional publishing houses do most of the slugging when it comes to promoting their books. For people who are introverted…

The next Earth Day takes place next week and what better way to share my book, Views from the Edge of the Earth, with you. Please join me on Wednesday, April 23, 6 pm at Bracebridge Public Library, 34 Salmon Ave, Bracebridge to celebrate planet Earth. I’ll take you on the journey that led to the creation of my book, VIEWS FROM THE EDGE OF THE EARTH—filled with poetic musings, accompanied by my…

With winter less than two weeks away, I thought I’d share one of my winter-inspired pieces from Views from the Edge of the Earth. Hope you enjoy it! FROZEN FOREST Winter wraps her ermine robes‘round majestic pines and feathery firsand carpets the forest floorwith a plush white coverpreparing for its long, deep slumber. Through the silent woodsa dark brook winds,its gurgling songcarrying with…

A Proust(ish) Questionnaire with Wendie Donabie, Author of VIEWS FROM THE EDGE OF THE EARTH

Plastic Eating fungus!!!

Read all about it… Some great news for the earth! The Untapped Potential of the Amazon’s Plastic-Eating Mushroom https://earth.org/plastic-eating-mushroom-of-the-amazon-and-ecuadors-development-dilemma/#:~:text=When%20Yale%20University%20students%20found,oxygen%2Dstarved%20environments%20like%20landfills. Cover image – Simon McGill / Getty Images

The marketing and promotion stage After a successful book launch on June 2, with close to 100 people in attendance, the real work has begun. As a self-published author, the marketing and promotion falls on me. Getting some publicity can help. Being interviewed on local radio shows and podcasts before and after a book launch can yield potential new audiences of readers. Plus, these experiences…

Planning a book launch? Here;s what I've learned.

On June 2, Views of the Edge of the Earth, officially launches! Over the last few weeks, I’ve been involved with the book premieres for three other friends. Those experiences taught me so much. Here are some tips from my experience. Perhaps it’s not as complicated as launching a rocket, but there are many things to think about! I decided to use the 5 Ws of journalism to make sure I didn’t forget…

It’s happening!!! My new nature-focused book debuts at the MAC on Main Art Gallery in Bracebridge, ON -Sunday, June 2. Views from the Edge of the Earth presents the beauty of the natural world through poetic musing and images of my artwork and photographs. The collection includes seventy-eight poems written in a mix of free verse, narrative, and rhyming styles interspersed with seventy-six black…

Books arrived early!

Late last week, I received an email from my Publisher advising me my book was in production and would arrive earlier than expected – anticipated delivery Monday, April 8. When the doorbell rang this morning, I raced down the stairs – I don’t think my feet hit a single step. On the bench inside the back door, our Purolator courier (a great guy) had already deposited two of the four boxes. With…

Over the last couple of years, my concern for our planet has filled my mind and driven my writing. What inspires me as a painter, also captivates me as a writer – the morning sun tiptoeing across dew-kissed grass, the touch of winter’s frosty fingers, a solitary tree standing guard as a sentinel over a flowing river, the cheerful chatter of chickadees, all images threatened by the devastating…

A year ago, I began building a collection of poetry mostly inspired by my paintings and shared a number of them on this blog. As the treasury of written works grows, I’ll continue posting selections and invite your comments. Painting: The Sap is Running, Acrylic on Canvas, 12 x 12 inches, Copyright Wendie Donabie The Sap is Running Mother Earth spins welcoming spring in the north where the…

ALL THINGS MAPLE This year Muskoka Arts & Crafts joins the Muskoka Maple Trail.Enjoy ALL THINGS MAPLE, art inspired by Maple Trees and Maple Syrup. at the Chapel Gallery 15 King Street, Bracebridge.Join us for the show opening eventMarch 17: 4-7 pm with Maple Inspired Snacksand Bar by donation.  Show Opens: March 17: 4-7 pm. Show runs until April 1, 2023Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am…

As a young child, I recall receiving an Atlantic Whelk Shell. “Put it up to your ear,” I was told. And I heard the roar of the sea. My eyes lit up with excitement and my love of the ocean began or perhaps it was rekindled. Who’s to know? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Today, I mudlark on seashores building a treasure trove of magical, mollusk shells, the ocean’s generous gifts found…

How I Became an Art Gallery Owner

For the past couple of years, I’ve been writing art-related articles for an online summer-focused magazine. Here’s a link to the latest issue to introduce you to MuskokaStyle, a magazine bringing the best of life and leisure in one of Ontario’s premier vacation areas – Muskoka! Hope you enjoy this issue. Simply click on the MENU and choose the department that interests you. You can subscribe to…

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day #10

A place as seen by a woman in love Fluid as mercury, yet hard as steel Powerful as the birth of a new star deep in the heavens Thunderous as a herd of stampeding horses. Dazzling as it played dodge ball with rays of sun. Mesmerizing, drawing her into its welcoming embrace. Pure as liquid crystal, and cool as a mountain spring. With each breath she leaned closer, wishing to fall into its…