Even though Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone, the spirit of gathering lingers with me. This time of year always nudges me to think about the simple rituals that bring people together—especially the table. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or an ordinary Tuesday night, there’s something grounding about sitting with others, sharing food, and letting conversation unfold at its own pace.
A sweet meal with my family a few years back.
I often feel a similar rhythm in my studio. Making art has its own version of gathering. There’s the preparation—laying out paints, choosing tools, clearing a space. It’s not so different from setting a table. Both are acts of intention, small gestures that create room for connection. In one case, it’s the people around you. In the other, it’s the quiet dialogue you share with the canvas.
Both also ask you to bring your full self. A meal tastes better when someone puts care into it. A painting carries that same energy. Viewers may not always be able to name it, but they can feel when something was made with attention and presence. Maybe that’s why these two parts of my life feel so intertwined: they’re reminders to slow down and savour what’s in front of me.
And perhaps that’s the real link—art and shared meals both invite us to return to ourselves. They give us a moment to pause, to appreciate colour, texture, warmth, and the stories that surface when we’re not rushing. I’m grateful for that. It keeps me steady through the busy seasons and helps me remember what matters: showing up with curiosity, sharing what I can, and staying open to what unfolds.