Quick Sketch
Art
Intentional
When I moved back to Ontario from BC a few months ago, my car was so packed I had to remove two large blank canvases from their frames and roll them up to squeeze them into a small space. The other day, I decided to start a new project so I unrolled them on our patio table to play outside with my acrylic paints. Messy and fun to do. One turned out to look like a tablecloth or shower curtain and the other looked overdone like a forgotten steak on the BBQ, neither destined for the Louvre, I know. However, it was my intention to create varying sized pieces of mosaics from the start. honestly 😂 Mosaic pieces are often a ‘go to’ when recycling some paintings I have done. My only ambition is fun. As you can see, I am only in the cutting phase of paint, cut, paste and display. I’ll probably add other surprise (to me) elements as I sometimes do. I’m in no hurry so will post more photos later perhaps.
Alissa’s Creations
My daughter, Alissa, is multi-talented. She created these two necklaces and pairs of earrings for me. I have several other creations she made over the years including other expressions of her artistry. Both my son and daughter are writers as well. These are truly ‘my people’:)
Getting Ready
Like a squirrel gathering nuts here for a long, cold winter, I have been gathering art and craft supplies for future creative endeavours. Moving here to Northeastern Ontario from Victoria on Vancouver Island in British Columbia last June meant leaving much behind again but I did manage to transport what I thought were essentials in my old car. My son relocated his office to another part of the house so now my daughter and I share this Arts and Crafts Room while she is visiting. (I’ve only photographed ‘my stuff’ and even then there are several yarn bins for weaving projects and shelves of tools and supplies tucked away elsewhere.) The photos are the room ‘as is’ for now, neat and organized. When it becomes creatively messy with use, I’ll call it a ‘Studio’:)
I managed to save a few of my weavings and paintings for myself, having gifted such (as well as sculptures) and donated others to charities. Like my poetry, I think of these as simply my hobbies.
When Is Art Not Art
When is Art Not Art?
We experience, observe, decide, discern
as we grow, evolve and learn.
When ‘Art’ is Abuse, Sadistic, Masochistic,
without Conscience, Caring, Compassion,
it is clearly Not Art to me I see,
only abilities and powers misused,
sure signs of Hearts and Minds confused-
Life’s respect and dignity denied, refused.
What does this ‘Not Art’ plainly state
beyond personal preference and taste,
beyond collective judgments, agreements
of religious and social morality
swiftly or slowly changing, or not,
through intelligent questions and revelations
about Humanity, Nature, Evolution, Creation…
It states our ‘World Views’, perceptions of God,
of Life Itself, of who we are and choose to be
as we co-create our World, our ‘Destiny’.
‘Not Art’ is Not Art’s ‘Shadow’ of Duality
or ‘Negative Space’ of Formless Grace.
This ‘Not Art’ is a degradation of mentality,
a sickness of Heart and Mind and Soul-
though some may choose to call it ‘Art’.
I choose the Beauty and Joy of Life in Art,
finding meaning, purpose, peace, delight
in its power both magical and divine.
I, truly, do love Art…
August 14, 2025
(This poem pairs with my previous poem- Art and Artists. )
Shelley A. Wilson
Haileybury, Ontario
Flowerpoet 
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