Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary

This past weekend I was lucky enough to spend time at Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary.

From what I had heard, I was already going to love this place. Rescued animals, beautiful grounds, and for the weekend: a Renaissance Festival with musicians, performers and other vendors all creating a little village within this peaceful setting.

I had no idea what I was in store for.

The grounds alone are worth visiting for~ twisting paths and barns with Gothic windows, elaborate hutches surrounded by beautiful old trees of many kinds, sunlit areas that felt like a lifetime away from work, worries, cars and the stark reality that brought these creatures here.

Donna White is now my personal hero. She built this sanctuary after saving up the money to create her dream, a place where abused and abandoned animals could live out their life and hopefully learn to trust people once again.

As I walked the grounds and read the many horror stories, tears welling up all while these abused animals ~ now so safe and happy ~ greeted me as I walked through their enclosure.

I knew immediately that wanted to help in some way.

Being a self employed artist, I don't have loads of money or time to offer. But I can try to raise some much needed funds by donating 10% of each sale from my Etsy shop from now on and for as long as I can afford to ~ and by telling everyone I know to please visit and support this magical place. (They have Sanctuary tours daily except for Tuesdays, birthday parties, film nights and many fairs and festivals throughout the year! Something for everyone and every family.)

As I was working within my booth most of the time, I didn't even begin to meet all of the beautiful creatures that reside there. Already plotting and planning my next visit as soon as I can manage! I cannot wait to go back and sit quietly on one of the many benches and wait for one of the many wandering goats, ducks, peacocks, cats, donkeys, geese, chickens, roosters, lambs, llamas, pigs, pheasants, rabbits and dogs to come over and win my heart like Stardust, Luna, Inky, Edmund, Jezebel and Waterford already have. (Not to mention the snowshoe siamese cats that reminded me of my beloved Athena...)

Can't wait to go back.

~   many more photos at my Flickr page  ~

Escape into green...

This winter had been particularly brutal, so I was thankful to be able to take a long weekend away to visit my Mom in sunny Florida. Back re-charged and ready for Spring (even if it is snowing again in Boston!) 


Just before I left I found out that my next British Museum order for the "Treasures of Heaven" exhibition will be close to ten times the amount of work of the last, so it will be extremely busy in the PR studio for the next two months! But work I am looking forward to so much, and very grateful for.


Here are a few of my favorite sights from the trip, miss you already Mom! Thanks again for being such kind and gracious hosts.

lovely Spanish Architecture of Historic Downtown

A generally slower pace, but feeding the seagulls in a frenzy! 

Swarms of catfish gathered below, overwhelming

the few turtles we were trying to get fed.

Mom, surrounded by Ibis!

Geese attacked our ankles when the bread ran out...

Maya, Mom's beautiful rescue kitty.

At a birding trail wetland, many alligators were

seen and gratefully undisturbed. 

Birds of all kinds, it was magical and so very peaceful.

Melbourne Zoo is small but lovely, flora & fauna abundant.

my husband, the bird whisperer...

I was lucky enough to be able to hand feed a sweet doe...

many precious memories of a great weekend.

thanks for coming along~ xxJen

Birthday Pilgrimage

Today I took the day off to visit Earth Mother, a painting by Edward Burne-Jones. Had only found out about her existence a month ago and she had been calling to me ever since I saw the painting listed on their website. Every bit worth the drive, even worth the odd looks from the security guard who seemed puzzled by my reverence and length of visit. Likely he was afraid I was going to try and run off with it or get it wet with my misty eyes. :) 

Worcester Art Museum, or WAM !

Happily surprised at how many pieces of Medieval Art was to be found there, paintings and sculptures and even a reconstructed Medieval Chapter House with glorious Stained Glass.

Took notes, was inspired, made sketches, took some pictures. The photos were taken with my Droid Phone and without flash, so none really captured the work very well, but wanted to share them here just for memory's sake and for some fun pairings.

Looking forward to visiting again!

Nature Inspired Work & Cabin Fever

Sometimes looking out the studio window is my only connection to nature, the outside world for days. I am grateful to the many birds and squirrels that stop by to find shelter in the old pear tree.

This winter has been so hard on so many people, I'm sure the animals have had it bad but they seem to flourish and thrive all the same.  Survival. Hope. Cycle of Life.

Here is a group of creatures coming with me to the show on Sunday... 

if they don't find homes there they will be appearing on Etsy soon!

New Year's Eve

Lots of plans and hopes for the new year, looking forward to what 2011 brings...

Thanks to Alica  for putting up my "Friday Spotlight" for the Team BPAL group!

hope everyone has a great start to the year of the rabbit!

William Morris Brother Rabbit