Mucky and happy

First signs of spring in #yyc, though I’ll be leaving the dead leaf cover a little while longer. Because snow in the forecast, still 🙄

Mark Grantham (Canadian, b.1966) "Exquisite Timing (South Park, Halifax)," 2024 Acrylic on board

Nosehill in #yyc today. South facing gave a surreal feeling of being much higher in the clouds and a creepy doomsday feel. Turn around to look north, and it’s just another beautiful day! I feel this contrast is somehow tracking with Alberta and the world right now…

Andrii Kateryniuk (Ukrainian Artist, born 1994) "Through the Shadows", 2023. Oil on Linen, 24 × 16 in | 61 × 40.6 cm. Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

April snow me: hate 😫 April snow Norrie: love, love, love ❤️ April snow watching a dog love the snow: 🥹🥰

Books completed in March! I obviously also had to listen to Project Hail Mary for a second time before watching the movie 🤩.

My flower painting 🌼

Samantha French (American Artist, born 1983) "Self Portrait; through the Water", 2012. Oil on Canvas, 20" × 20". Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

Watching the constant fall of snow blanketing everything in November: magical, beautiful, cozy! Same on March 25: 😑

Jacek Yerka- Polish (b.1952) Gardeners Garden. 2002-2012. acrylic on canvas. #Surrealism

#Art: Shadows (2009) #Artist: #OlgaKvasha (b. 1976; #🇺🇦) #ArtMovement/Style: #Contemporary Medium: Oil on canvas 95 х 120cm (47.2 x 37.4 in) #DailyArt #TalkArt #Artsy #ArtPost #FineArt #ArtHerstory #WomensArt  161

Puppy Norrie for International Puppy Day! ❤️

The first day of spring brings the BEST stick EVER!

Teresa Saia (American Artist, born 1953) "Tiffany Forest", 2020. Pastel on Archival Sanded Paper, 102 × 81 cm. Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

Karen Richardson (Canadian Artist, born 1957) "Land of a Million Stars", 2021 Watercolor on Panel, 16 × 12 inches. Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

I usually prepare and practice my Senate speeches with care, in advance. THIS time, I spoke without notes, unprepared and impromptu, driven by a mix of passion and patriotism. The subject of debate was an amendment to Bill C-12. But I put it in a troubling Alberta context. #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli

We somehow got caught outside at the exact same time as the 30 mins of blizzard this afternoon. Norrie ate snowflakes and caught some too ❄️😋

"Skoki Afternoon"(watercolour, 21 x 14") The entirely analog experience at Skoki Lodge is rustic, yes, but elegant & restorative in its simplicity. Antique oil lamps are the only light source in the 1930 ski-in lodge, creating a glowing interior that contrasts/augments the winter landscape. #art 🇨🇦

The February books

Portuguese Water princess got all dolled up today!

The provincial government has just imposed the largest property tax increase on Calgarians in history. In 2026, Alberta is increasing its share of your property tax bill by 21.05%. Nearly 42% of every residential property tax dollar now goes to Province.

Too many cute action shots in the sunshine and snow today!

Canada’s first Inuit-led university will be a game changer for the North.

Wayne Mondok (Canadian Artist, born 1961) "Yellow Light", undated. Acrylic on Canvas, 51 × 41 cm. Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

My latest: because one national unity crisis wasn't enough, Danielle Smith has decided to provoke another one —all, of course, in the name of placating the separatists that run her party. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/20/o...

BEYOND LOCAL: Alberta vets warn of growing cases of THC toxicity in dogs after off-leash park scare

This is the kind of love the new Valentine’s toy gets…

A penny for your thoughts, Norrie? 🤔😆

"Valentines" (12 x 12" watercolour) just arrived at Whiterock Gallery, B.C. The type cherries are actually named "Valentine," part of Romance series developed for our cold 🇨🇦 climate at the University of Saskatchewan.They are little flavour bombs in the juiciest shades of red. #canadianart

For a magazine piece, I'm looking to talk with #yyc families who live in newer communities about the amenities (or lack thereof) in their neighbourhoods. (Playgrounds, grocery stores, childcare, etc.) If this is you or someone you know, please send a DM or email [email protected]. Thanks!!

No association found between COVID-19 shots during pregnancy and autism or behavioral issues

I spent yesterday combing through the social media history of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old responsible for a mass shooting at a B.C. school. It doesn't explain why the shooting occurred. But it hints at how it might have been prevented. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...

According to CBE officials, new Calgary schools are being designed at a lower environmental standard than previous ones. #yyc #calgary buff.ly/AR5YyTL

“Until this week, parents and guardians could only access the online personal health information of children under the age of 12. The Alberta government has now extended that access up until a teenager turns 18.” #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Cooling down on the ice, and having an ice snack when the weather is 15C in February!

Grzegorz Jacek Olejniczak (Polish, born 1968) "Before the Storm", 2025. Oil on Canvas, 60 × 40 cm. Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

The weekend is here! May it bring blue skies, boundless energy, happy smiles, and much rest, as recommended by Norrie.

Alberta Does Not Have Grievances. It Has Issues AB doesn’t need a new constitutional deal or separation. It needs better politicians than Danielle Smith and Jason Kenney. #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli markhamhislop.substack.com/p/alberta-do...

This is who runs this account

My deep black coated dog (very scruffy coat!) in the early morning light.

Just finished my first painting of 2026, I’ce titled it ‘Woodpecker & Shadows’ - painted in watercolours. #watercolours #birdart #woodpecker 🪶

What was listened to in January 🎧📖

Leah Gardner (American Artist, born 1995) "Coffee Cup", 2025. Oil on Cradled Wood Panel, 6" × 6". Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

Love how the ice chunks define her impossibly cute and shiny nose ❤️

I’m frequently sent photos of Norrie awaiting my return. The whole house thinks I will share in how ridiculous it is that she sits here looking for my vehicle while they are all home and could play with her. I don’t ❤️🥰 **my girl**

Blue Whispering Day —Choy Moo Kheong, 2022 Acrylic on canvas 140 x 114 cm

Alexandra Buckle (British, born 1984) "Summer Tree Glow", 2019. Reduction Linocut on Paper, 26 × 36 cm. Private Collection. #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

such a lovely thing to think about

Another wintery post. It was very difficult to pick just 4 photos. Calgary, I LOVE what you’ve done with the place! ❄️