Lilac Lantern Tea Room Designs

06/19/2026

This was the biggest canvas I've ever attempted - and it was quite a success! I spent the last five months working on this beautiful, custom piece! Through the creative process, I expanded my skills significantly, and added some fun, new tools to the studio. Always learning new things with each new artwork.

From Behind the Wheel To The Easel: Meet Kelly MacLeod 👋

School bus drivers come from all walks of life, and Bancroft driver Kelly is the perfect example. The unique split-shift schedule gives Kelly the perfect opportunity to support her community on the road, while her incredible artwork spotlights that very same community on canvas.

An accomplished, self-taught acrylic artist, this stunning 6-foot painting beautifully highlights Kelly's talent for capturing the vivid scenery, shifting light, and forgotten beauty of the Valley.

Want to see more of Kelly's work? Follow her on Facebook at Lilac Lantern Tea Room Designs or on Instagram. You can also catch her on the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, Summer and Fall this October 3 & 4, 2026. Details at www.madawaskastudiotour.com

Next time you see Kelly on her route, give her a wave and celebrate the amazing talents that drive our community forward! 🚌

06/12/2026

One from many years ago, but a scene that "reflects" today's weather. A bit of humidity made for a lovely evening boat ride up along the Little Mississippi River. Tower Mountain looming in the background, a bit of blue haze across the marshland and some little fluffy clouds. This was also when I was just becoming comfortable with these acrylic paints - up until then, I'd been using craft paint with varying degrees of success.

06/02/2026

I've been busy planting my garden - now that it's warm enough. Very much looking forward to the fresh produce! This here's a plein aire sketch of my old neighbor's little garden from several years back. It had such a charming look to it, and I just happened to have my sketchbook handy.

05/25/2026

"Mystery Machine"
You never know what you'll come across in these hills. This odd little van is tucked away - just off the roadside along County Road 515. The rusted, decaying state of the thing juxtaposed against the newly opened leaves and pickerelweed makes for a stunning composition. The overhead branches create a cathedral-like canopy above. Once everything is in full bloom, the thing all but disappears until Fall.

05/16/2026

"Ring in the Rock"
We used to celebrate the start of the warmer weather by camping down there for May-2-4. It's a magical spot on the Lil' Mississippi. The morning this image was inspired by was quite lovely - although we could hear heavy rain roaring right towards us. Made for a rather hasty tear-down of our camp to avoid a heavy soaking by the impending deluge.
The Ring was originally used for moving log booms downstream - I know of several others along this river system. A relic of our logging past.

05/03/2026

A day just like today! Keeping with the seasonal works I've been featuring:
The leaves are almost ready to pop, giving the valley a soft, pastel glow. Everything is trembling with anticipation waiting to grow - the first blades of grass carpeting fields in a pale green fuzz. Comforting after the long winter Refreshing after the dull, drab hues we've had for the first few weeks of spring. This scene looks out over parts of Palmer Rapids in a view seldom seen as it's incredibly hard to get to, but incredible to experience once you're up there. This was a tiny painting that ended up as a study piece for a much larger work. You can see it in the comments.

04/28/2026

"David"
A lovely figurative painting. Here Dave looks at his tractor, just waiting for the next farm chore or thing to fix. The local farmers sure don't have it easy. They never did. Still, some of these farms around here have been with the same families since the area was settled. A brief moment becomes a timeless image.

04/17/2026

Brand-new Work! "The Blue Deer"
This is a sad tale. A few winters ago, people in the neighborhood started noticing one of the local deer limping along with some wire wrapped around it's leg. Wanting to help it, the MNR was called to assist the poor animal. It was sedated, and the wire removed. She was then tagged and her ears painted blue so she would be easier to monitor. Still limping along, she made it through the winter - seeing her wander all the way from Palmer to Pine Cliff and back. She looked like she came out ok. Sadly, when spring arrived she was hit by a car, less than 200m from where her redemption occurred. That's why I painted her blue. It was a sad thing to see. Even the local deer population has is notable characters.

04/12/2026

After a long wait, and a surprise snowfall the other day, it looks like spring is finally here. This drawing from a few years ago depicts the time just after all the snow leaves - before anything starts to grow. Rather than sitting all leveled and square, these barns were built to follow the landscape - rolling with the hills and hollows. Fitting perfectly into the landscape.

04/03/2026

One from years back. That time of year when the snow finally melts off the fields, but there's still plenty in the bush. Still feels frosty, but the sun feels warm on your back. And even if it does snow, it'll be short lived. Robins have returned and chipmunks are awake. Spring has almost sprung! Scene is from up on the Wingle Hill.