Stories

Canadian talent. Canadian pride. And a whole lot of heart. There's something happening in Canada right now that feels a little different. We're paying more attention to where our food comes from, looking at the labels on the products we buy, and discovering Canadian companies we may never have noticed before. Now, more than ever, we're realizing just how important it is to support the people and local businesses that call Canada home. In other words, Canadians are remembering what "buy Canadian" really means. And that includes art. Art may not seem like a necessity right now but that's exactlywhy we need it. It makes us feel good.A painting can make a room feel like home. It can make you smile every time you walk past it. It can remind you of a place you love, a memory you treasure, or simply make an ordinary Tuesday morning a little more beautiful. And goodness knows, we could all use a little more beauty right now.Art gives us colour when the news feels a little too grey.It gives us something to talk about other than tariffs.And, occasionally, it gives us a cheerful little hedgehog carrying a giant flower umbrella—which, frankly, is a pretty good philosophy for getting through difficult times.Wait for the rainbow. Carry your flower umbrella. Keep going. When you buy Canadian art, you support a Canadian person. Behind every painting by an independent Canadian artist is a person. Someone sitting at a kitchen table sketching, spending hours mixing colours and painting tiny details. Someone photographing their work, packing orders, answering emails, updating websites, and figuring out how on earth to get their social media posts seen by anyone. (Yes, artists do all those things too!) When you purchase from an independent artist, your money doesn't disappear into a giant corporation. It goes directly toward helping that artist continue creating, growing and making a living from their work.And that matters.The current trade environment is putting additional pressure on Canadian small businesses, affecting Canadian exports and creating uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the border.Canada, (shout out to my hometown of Kingston, Ontario) has an extraordinary community of artists creating work that reflects our landscapes, our wildlife, our communities, our humour, our history, and the way we see the world. Buying Canadian art helps keep that creative community strong, whilst ensuring that Canadian stories and perspectives continue to have a place on our walls, in our homes, and in our lives. Little actions add up. Supporting Canadian artists doesn't always mean making a purchase. It can be as simple as discovering an artist you love, following them on social media, sharing their work with a friend, commenting on a post, or telling someone about them.And when you are looking for something special—a piece of art for your home, a gift, or just something that makes you smile—maybe you'll think of a Canadian artist first.Supporting Canada doesn't always require a big gesture. Those little actions add up. These small things may seem simple, but they help artists get noticed, reach new people, and keep doing what they love. I know this because I'm one of those artists.I'm Donna Bishop, a second-generation Canadian and the artist behind ArteBella Studio – a name inspired by my Italian heritage and meaning "Beautiful Art." I am passionate about what I create, and I believe art should make you feel something. It might make you laugh, make you remember, make you stop for a moment in the middle of a busy day. It might simply make your home feel a little more you.And during challenging times, those little moments matter. We don't stop needing beauty because the world is complicated. If anything, we need it more. We need things that remind us that there is still creativity, kindness, humour and joy in the world.We need things that make our homes feel warm and welcoming. We need things that make us smile.That is why art matters, now more than ever. Buying Canadian art matters. Every time you buy from a Canadian artist, you're doing more than purchasing something beautiful. You're helping an artist keep creating. You're helping a small business keep growing. You're keeping Canadian creativity alive. And you're saying, in your own small way: "I believe in Canadian talent." That's something worth putting on the wall. — Donna Bishop, ArteBella Studio ABOUT THE AUTHORDonna Bishop is a Kingston-based Canadian artist and award-winning graphic designer who has spent nearly four decades building her own advertising graphic design business. At 61, she launched ArteBella Studio, combining her lifelong love of creativity with her passion for fine art. Her story was recently featured in the regional lifestyle magazine, Fifty-Five Plus: https://online.fliphtml5.com/gndohk/OttawaJulyAug2026/#p=69.

There is no expiry date on creativity or entrepreneurship.Just ask graphic designer and artist, Donna Bishop…I am honoured to be featured in the July/August 2026 issue of Fifty-Five Plus Magazine,sharing my journey as an artist and the story behind ArteBella Studio.As someone who discovered a passion for painting later in life and transformed it into agrowing business, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story and encourageothers to pursue their creative interests at any stage of life.The article was published in the magazine's Kingston, Ottawa, and Ottawa Valleyeditions, reaching readers throughout Eastern Ontario.Read the article online:• Kingston Edition• Ottawa Edition• Ottawa Valley Edition

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years since my Nonna (grandmother) passed away. I remember her so vividly. She was feisty and loving. She was the most incredible cook and she was very creative – always knitting or making crafts. She had the most beautiful hands that I loved holding. Even though I have photos and memories, one of my biggest regrets was that I didn’t keep anything meaningful with her handwriting on it. As a visual artist, I love handwriting. I believe there is a beauty in everyone’s individual handwriting. The fact that I only had “Love Nan” written on some old birthday cards, made me sad. She used to say such beautiful, inspirational things to me. I wish I had just one of those sayings in her handwriting, to be able to pull out and read occasionally. My Nonna died the same year my own daughter was born. It made me start thinking that I wanted my daughter to have a special message from me, in my handwriting, that she could always keep – treasure even. But not in a card, or letter that was fragile. I had certainly lost items like that over the years. I wanted to give her a small written memento encased in something small enough that she would take with her wherever she would go in life, and beautiful enough that she’d want to keep it always. I thought of a hand painted ornament. Just about everyone loves ornaments and some people actively collect them. But ornaments break and I wanted something that would last generations, so my husband and I sourced products that were durable. We found Canadian made components including a solid hardwood ball and perfectly fitted stainless steel tube which, along with a piece of paper, fits inside the ornament. In order to make each ornament so beautiful, I hand-paint them in 3 or more coats of blended acrylic paint before finishing with a truly special glaze, which gives them the amazing glass-like shine. Once dried, each ornament is hand assembled by my family. What started as a sentimental gift for my own daughter with a special message inside, soon turned into a project making several more for family and friends. The feedback I got was so strong, emotional and unlike anything I had experienced before. I really wasn’t surprised that they were such a hit. I knew they were special because they: • are beautiful, one-of-a-kind ornaments painted by a local artist; •look like glass but made of solid wood (shatterproof); •are lightweight and easy to ship; •have a surprise hidden compartment inside.  But the true uniqueness, and extra special part of each ornament is the handwritten message that YOU put inside...that is the real gift! Because it isn’t about how much money is spent, it is about the thought that has been put into telling someone how important they are in your life. In a world where we hardly ever put pen to paper anymore, it seems to mean that much more when we express things in our own handwriting. Plus there is a beauty and art in everyone’s handwriting that makes us remember that person every time we get to see it and read their words. I would give anything to have a message written to me from my Nonna. Even though this may seem like a small thing to some, it is this regret that fuelled my desire to create a product to hold on to these precious mementos. As a fine artist, it was important to me to create something beautiful, that could be admired (and read) year-round. My daughter leaves hers in her bedroom window.  Message in a Bauble is the perfect gift, any time of year for everyone special in your life. For the first time starting in 2026, we are offering them for sale online!