"Same Same but Different"

It's a popular phrase I heard several times while traveling in Thailand almost 10 years ago. (Yes, you can buy a t-shirt!) I interpreted it as, two things that are essentially the same, except slightly different—like cilantro and coriander. Or humans—our DNA being 99% the same but our individual traits make us unique from one another.

Or mountains! They appear all around the world in similar forms, yet each are different in shape, colour and element. They may look: smooth and white from sheets of glacial ice... or jagged and grey from layered shards of granite... or misty and green from fog in a rainforest.

Marsha: 1. Framed in meditation, 2. Excited about a real live mural,
3. Dreaming of travel.

My point being, every Mountain Mural may look like it's from the same drawing but each mural (like each of us) has it's own personality. Shapes, colours and elements in the design are customized for the people using the space. Photos above: The design may frame a piece of furniture (or Marsha!), or radiate certain emotions through colour or transport your thoughts to a far away land.

Here are 3 Mountain Murals that are "same same but different":

Mountain Mural #1: My very first :) Painted in my own bedroom, I wanted an image that would calm me while going to sleep and motivate me to rise in the morning. The neutralizing grey and taupe were selected to blend with the tones in my bedspread, curtains and furniture.

Mountain Mural #2: Nash needed a mural to inspire play time and match the room's Canadiana theme. Forest greens with pine trees and geese made the room feel larger and turned it into a very fun space!

Mountain Mural #3: Marsha lives and works at home and requested an image that would influence productivity during the day and relaxation at night. Blue itself has very calming qualities, while the brighter tones make the mountains appear cheerful and lively. We even decided to paint the stairs to match!

Just one wall can change your world. 

My travels have brought me to many a mountain and every one of them has left a lasting, positive impression. When I'm not traveling, memories of their views, trails, sunrises and sunsets reminds me how excited I felt when I was experiencing new adventures. These emotions become even stronger while I paint, which is why my new quest is to paint as many walls as possible!

What colour would you like me to paint your mountains?!

View more murals at pamlostracco.com and calendars on Etsy.

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My Secret Found at the McMichael

Exhibiting at the McMichael's Autumn Art Sale was an amazing experience.

My booth display.

As soon as I drove into their entrance for the very first time, I felt like I belonged. All of my art-show-preparation-anxiety completely dissipated. Suddenly, the noisy traffic was behind me. The speed limit slowed down to 25 km/hour. Rounding each turn felt like being on a new adventure.

Above, a canopy of Autumn-coloured trees stretched into the distance. Below, spots of warm sunlight splashed upon the long driveway.

Autumn maple tree.

What a perfect welcoming!

After my booth was set up, I checked out the MLM exhibit "Morrice and Lyman in the Company of Matisse". I've always admired Matisse's confident lines and bold colours and then discovered similarities in both Morrice's and Lyman's style.

Long grass around Professor's Lake, Brampton

I was further captivated by all the quotes that adorned the walls. This one in particular really spoke to me:

"Slowly I discovered the secret of my art. It consists of a meditation on nature, on the expression of a dream which is always inspired by reality." –Henri Matisse

Gingko tree, Toronto.

Perhaps that's also my secret?!

Nature has always been my source for ideas, adventure and clearing my head. Photographing nature feels like my own form of meditation. Transforming those photos of reality feels like creating a dream.

Maples painting with reflection. 

It was a weekend of connecting... with 50 other artists, with their nature-based art, with the trees that surrounded the gallery and... with Henri Matisse. How honoured I felt to exhibit my own artwork right around the corner from his original paintings.

Thank you to all the staff, volunteers and artists at McMichael, for providing such a warm and friendly atmosphere. And thank you Matisse, for helping me understand even more, my reason for making art.

Click here to view available artwork or email me with any inquiries.