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Happy May everyone! Hope you’re all embracing this month for the fresh start that it carries with it. 

I celebrated my birthday on May 2- I’m 25 now, quarter of a century under my belt! So many moments of growth, love, and being that have shaped me into who I am in this moment- birthdays are humbling. **Life is humbling.**

I have been noticing as I’ve been getting older and embracing adulthood and the unknown that comes with it, that there is a lot of contrast around me. Contrast in others beliefs, experiences, opportunities- contrast in privilege and openness and communication.  At this age I feel like I am trying to find exactly where I fit in all of this, and the contrast around me can be honestly quite intimidating. 

I shift to my paintings, and recent colour theory that I have learnt. I’ve realized that using contrasting colours can really make the completed piece pop, and express more than it could have without the opposite hues. In the paintings I’ve done this month I’ve been trying to really perfect this notion- matching purples with greens, yellows and blues- and I have been so happy with the finalized pieces. 

Painting can sometimes offer me wisdom- which I am ever grateful for. For it helps me find my place in this world, in recognizing that contrast around me is not scary- but instead necessary for my true colours to shine through! 

This month I’ve completed two larger landscapes- one of Goose Spit Park in Courtney BC, and one of a sunset at Beacon Hill Park. Both are 16x20, acrylic on canvas. (I’m happy to announce that the Goose Spit piece has already sold!)

“Forsythia Sun” - Beacon Hill Park, Victoria BC 

“Bold Peaks” - Goose Spit Park, Comox BC 

This month I have also completed several smaller pieces. Ocean waves, rocks, a nearby house with a beautiful garden. I also joined the Al Fresco en plain air group once this last month, which was a huge learning experience and I am so excited to meet with them again. 

“Discovery” 6x6”, Acrylic on Wooden Cradle Board 

“Wash” 5x7”, Acrylic on Canvas 

“From my Stool” 8x8”, Acrylic on Wooden cradle board

Plein Air piece from Ross Bay Cemetery, 6x6”

I am also excited to share with you all that I am taking part in Habitat for Humanity’s Open Door Fundraiser. This month I will be painting a beautiful glass panelled door and submitting it to be auctioned off at an online auction from May 28-June 13. When the auction is open I will send out an additional newsletter for you to have a look at all of the doors from the many talented local artists participating! All of the proceeds from this fundraiser go towards Habitat for Humanities efforts to provide safe, and affordable housing for those in need! 
 

I hope you can find time to enjoy the changing weather, feel the sun against your cheeks, and embrace the growth within and around. All the best!
 

Until next time!
- Cassandra Rae-Lynn

Hi everyone- welcome to my first newsletter! So happy to have you here with me. 
 

My first collection entitled “Still Grounds” acts as a diary of my meditative practices. Acts of self healing, and realizations that the stillness in life is already present if properly recognized and accepted. The oceans grounding properties have played a large importance for me in the last year. When I feel that fear has encapsulated my every capillary, I look for the stillness in the distance— and my reflection within it.

I’ve always been drawn to the ocean. Some of my fondest childhood memories are rooted in the trees along the coast; memories I cherish deeply, carrying with me always as a reminder of safety and wholesomeness. My journey began by the ocean- and as my life has presented in various waves itself, I feel grounded near the water. I treat it as a source of beginnings-innocence-clarity —-and most notably, wisdom—- Its reflective properties revealing our glimmering cores, often overlooked. There are many reasons why I was drawn to living on the island, and I am thankful everyday to have ended up exactly where I am. And goodness, what a captivating subject to paint. 

Over the next few weeks, I will be adding a few more pieces to this collection. I have prepped a few canvases that will soon be cushioned in soft blues. I can’t wait to share them with you all. I am also working on a smaller canvas series of flowers and ocean scapes on the island- I have that collection so far entitled “Small Works” on my website, but will soon be giving it a proper name once more is added. I have recently added this piece to the small works collection, it is of Kalamalka Lake in the Okanagan. 

If any of you have a specific place you’d like painted, or if you have some other requests in mind, I would be delighted to take on commissions at this time. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions about special works. This is a recent commission I did of Cattle Point! 
 

I’m sending you all a sense of stillness this month. Warm weather is coming, we deserve it! 

All the best,

Cassandra