Welcome to October, friends! As the weather turns cooler in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy. The story for this month’s artwork is a lovely one. I invite you to cozy up with something warm and spend a few moments with me.
I met Corrine way back in high school when we were both doing backstage theatre. After graduating, we lost touch for a while but thanks to the magic of social media, we reconnected. In 2023 when I was visiting Toronto, we had the chance to meet up. Corrine had been thinking about commissioning a painting from me and we chatted about what she might want. She was re-doing her living room and envisioned a statement piece for above her couch.
After I returned to Vancouver, we continued the conversation and decided to do a piece based on a photo she had taken from her cottage by Muskoka Lake. She sent me photos of her space, along with the dimensions, and I created some digital mockups so she could see what the finished effect might be. She chose a 30″x60″ deep canvas.
To transport such a large painting, I had to take the canvas off the stretcher bars and roll it up to mail it to Toronto. Thankfully, I had a reliable framer who could re-stretch it for me. The whole process from concept to completion took over a year, but it was so worth it.
The title for this piece, “Haven,” is a reflection of the fact that Corrine’s cottage is a haven for her. It also expresses my hope that the painting itself would be a place of restfulness in the midst of her daily life at home.
After the project was over, Corinne had this to say about the process: “Working with Olive was an incredible experience. I had no idea what to expect and her kind, easy-going nature put me at ease right away. Having something commissioned is a big commitment and it was immediately clear that Olive goes above and beyond to make her clients happy.
“From start to finish, she was careful to walk me through each step. She was always there to help and suggest ideas but also gave me the time to decide what would work best for my space. It felt like a collaboration which was unexpected and so lovely. Olive has such huge talent and I love the piece she made for me.”
I chose this piece for October for what is perhaps a selfish reason. October is typically when I feel a downturn in my mental and emotional health and I wanted something beautiful and uplifting to look at. The vibrancy of this piece does just that. My hope is that it does the same for you.
For those with the Scripture calendar:
I paired this month’s painting with the verse from Mark 6:31 (NIV) which reads, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Whatever you are facing this month, may these words from Jesus be your invitation to slow down and rest.
Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: What parts of you feel weary today? Where can you find a haven in your particular life circumstances right now? How can you carve out some moments to rest?
If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)
As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!