Back to Home--->About Us--->PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Debra Usher Founder & Editor-in-Chief www.arabelladesign.com t is spring again or at least it soon will be in most parts of North America. At the moment, here in parts of Canada the most snow we have seen are the pretty flakes falling gently on the beautiful young woman’s hair on the front cover of Arabella. “Warming Hands” an Original Oil Painting by artist Xie Qiu Wa, courtesy of Gainsborough Galleries is the first portrait to grace our front cover. We hope you will agree with us that it is a lovely painting full of life, mischief and wonder. It also ties into our lengthy pictorial story on “Artists who Paint Snow”. It is hard to say “Welcome to Spring” when the ground is still sleeping outside and the magnolia tree outside my office window is still resting. Holiday decorations and lights are still around some of the yew bushes and this year we had such a good time with our front yard display. “Scare Tarts” our mischievous folk art angels in “Stewart” plaid aprons, Santa hats and red mitts waved at passersby while standing in urns of red berries, Douglas spruce and boxwood. Santa hats were on all of our carved wood bears and up the banisters to the front door – it was a wonderful fun display that I even posted on Facebook. I was amazed at the response the girls got. It reinforces my belief that people love beautiful things but it is laughter and joy that makes our hearts smile. All my life I have raced somewhere, whether it be – let me just finish this project or oh, wait, I just have to do this one more thing – it never occurred to me that maybe I should stop for a moment. I had no time, there was always something to do – something to accomplish; people were waiting; I had responsibilities and commitments. My mother assures me that I was always in a hurry, rushing through life always trying to do the next thing better, and so it has been with this magazine. Always striving to make the issue more fun, showcase homes that are truly beautiful and introduce you, the reader, to artists who are each special in their own way. Within the pages of Arabella Spring 2012 are some of the most beautiful homes and artworks to grace our pages over the last four years. Each issue is unique and I suspect that I always say the same thing to the staff at Arabella – “I think this one is the best ever.” Well, regardless of whether it is the best issue ever or just a great one – we think you will enjoy losing yourself in the art, architecture and design. A lot of talented and outstanding individuals played a role in making this issue special and unique. This year Arabella has a lot going on with the release of our first book, ARABELLA, It Starts With a Dream and promotional book tours; production and publication of our second book, Canadian Contemporary Artists; and of course Arabella’s – Great Canadian Landscape Painting Contest. Visit Us We will also be part of Toronto Art Expo on April 19 – 22, 2012, www.torontoartexpo.com, The Buckhorn Fine Art Festival running August 17 to 19, 2012, www.buckhornfineart.com, and Feast of the Fields on September 9, 2012, www.feastoffields.org. These are just a few of the things on our storyboard this year. Please watch our website and Facebook page for new events and destinations. My Dream for the Year Well this starts the journey into our Spring Edition – may it inspire and delight you, transform and make you smile. My goal for 2012 is to either get an old land rover or a 1952 Chevy truck. Derek Dea from Ridgeway has the same goal and I suspect he might get the truck before me. He doesn’t want the shiny red one though, but one with a bit of rust. I always feel that when you get into a light blue vintage land rover with a white roof you are leaving yourself open for adventure. At any given corner a hippopotamus might walk down the road beside you and your day would become magical. New Restaurant If any of you are out driving the Ontario countryside it is a good time to try the new restaurant at Hockley Resort. Under the direction of acclaimed Canadian Chef Michael Potters, cabin is now open. Named in honour of the first structure built on the property in 1865, cabin draws inspiration from the picturesque and romantic countryside in the Hills of Headwaters region. The 2,600 square foot space combines rustic and modern décor elements, including reclaimed hardwood floors and wooden beams from an old barn, and a 16 foot steel and glass chandelier. “The concept for cabin marks an exciting and significant stage in the Resort’s evolution,” said John Paul Adamo, President and Owner at Hockley Valley Resort. “cabin will allow guests to connect with chefs, enjoy a diverse sampling of local fare, and experience the region’s beauty.” The culinary experience will be defined by a farm-to-table philosophy on food. Chef Potters’ à la carte menu will celebrate the best of local cuisine, using only the freshest ingredients from the Resort’s two-acre fruit and vegetable garden, seasonal preserves, and fare from local farmers and suppliers. www.hockley.com or call 1.866.462.5539. Please look for an article on Hockley Resort in our summer issue. Artists Who Paint Snow We are extremely proud of all the artists who participated in our “Artists who Paint Snow” article for this issue. As you can see on the over 40 pages there is quite a lot of snow paintings to choose from. Because so many paintings were included in the story if you see one that catches your attention and you want to contact the artist or the gallery please email us at or telephone 1.289.296.0510 and we will get you the artist and the gallery contact information. The two delightful paintings at the end of the story by Ellie Lagrandeur are mine but I am sure Ellie would be happy to paint you your own polar bear as they are one of her favourite subjects. Muriel Mason We also want to mention one of our readers this issue who is also an artist. Born and educated in England, Muriel Mason is a self-taught artist currently living in Brooklin, Ontario. She paints flowers, landscapes and still-lives – always in transparent watercolour – and does not use photographs. Muriel lived in Zimbabwe from 1961 – 1966, where she exhibited and sold watercolours and pen- and-ink drawings, and partly illustrated a physiotherapy textbook. In Vancouver from 1966 – 1969, and in Kingston from 1969 – 2010, Muriel again exhibited and sold watercolours. She was elected a Fellow of the Ottawa Watercolour Society (OWS) in 1986. She has been juried into many group shows across Ontario and Quebec, and has also had six solo shows. Since 1985 she has exhibited in the juried shows of the Miniature Art Society of Florida, the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society of Washington, D.C., and in a special miniature show in Sweden. She received an Award of Excellence from the Ottawa Watercolour Society, two Honourable Mentions from the Plaintree Gallery in Burlington, an Honourable Mention from the MPSGS in Washington, and a Special Commendation from the Canadian Miniature Society. Among other activities, Muriel has designed tiles for H & R Johnson Ltd. and a Christmas card for the Cystic Fibrosis Society. Muriel’s paintings are in homes world-wide. Muriel paints for the joy of it, though her work has also afforded her a small income. She is a devoted reader of ARABELLA magazine. Enjoy your spring.