Teapots, teacups, birds and more! BTS interviews Canadian artist, Cori Lee Marvin

 

Clematis, part of the reflective series by Cori Lee Marvin

Last month, Barb's Tea Service headed north for a great Canadian adventure. While visiting family in Kingston, we took a day trip to Perth where we discovered RiverGuild Fine Crafts, one of Canada's oldest Artist Collectives. Here, we came upon the work of Cori Lee Marvin and became instant fans of her watercolor paintings featuring teapots, teacups, birds, frogs, flowers and a happy hodgepodge of colorful antiques. We purchased several of her art cards and went searching for more on her website; marvindale.ca.  There we found so much more to love and add to our collection. 

We reached out to Cori Lee Marvin to learn more.  She graciously agreed to an interview and her story is as endearing and captivating as her art. We thank Cori for her time in sharing her artist's journey as well as the beautiful images (Copyright @ 2023 Cori Lee Marvin)  to accompany our blog post.

BTS interview with artist, Cori Lee Martin:

1. I see from your website that you have been a professional artist for twenty years. What took you on this path? What drew you to watercolors?

After university, I spent a lot of time roaming across Canada, working in bookstores from here to there. I’ve never been one to follow the predictable path and it became pretty clear to me in my twenties, that I’d be a much happier soul working for myself. So, I made the decision to pursue the skills I had as an artist. I was privileged enough to have the support of my family as I hunkered down to build a portfolio. It’s funny, looking back. I never really doubted that I could eke out a living that way. In retrospect, I guess I’m pretty lucky.

2. The subject of much of your artwork is a mix of animals and antiques. How did these themes come about? 

Yes, part of the privilege of my early years was that I took up residence with my 90 year-old grandma in the family farm house. It sits upon a hundred acres of naturally diverse land here in Northumberland County. So, the pairings of antiques and animals were quite natural. As a former student of writing and literature, I was taught the idea that, for the best stories, you ‘write what you know’. So, I took my surroundings and began storytelling through pencil and paint.

Finch in a Cup

3. You noted the tea paintings are close to your heart. Is there a special connection you have to tea time and teacups/teapots? Do any of those tea accoutrements belong to you? 

Some things just click. I remember the moment when tea accoutrements lit up my mind with ideas. I was so excited. For me, it was the perfect marriage of beauty, and nostalgia. As a painter, the knowledge that an object has a history, a tradition, is huge. It brings things to life. And the fact that my grandma still had all of these well-worn teacups, pots, sugar bowls… It was magic. All of the artifacts in my work are things that share space with me in this doddering, old house. We have a connection.

Music Lessons

4. The captions to your artwork are clever, descriptive and many are funny (e.g. "Music Lessons", "Toad Stool" - even the owner of the Perth studio said he enjoys how you title your work!).  Do you caption the artwork after completion or is the idea for the caption what inspires the picture?

As I mentioned, I have a background in literature and bookselling. I’ve always been a ‘word bird’. I’m also married to a fella with a Masters degree in Comparative Literature. It’s part of our fabric to use words this way, to play with language. The titles of my work are really important sometimes. Often, the titles will live in my head for years before the right time comes to make the painting. So, yes, sometimes the title comes first, before the concept. Other times the painting steeps for a while before the right title floats past. Occasionally, there are paintings where cleverness or word play doesn’t work and the image must simply be labelled.

Home Grown

5. Your reflective series is beautiful and there's a story within the story/picture within a picture (reflection of the room on the central object). Will you have more in this series?

The reflective series takes place, almost exclusively, in our country kitchen. It has always fascinated me that a single room can present so differently in these reflections, depending on the shape of the object, its position, angle and time of day or weather outside. I’ll likely be doing more in this series as I find the process calms me and hones my skills simultaneously. These days, time is always the issue as I have little kids and a rambunctious dog in the mix.

Singers

6. Currently, your artwork is available on your website and various retail stores and art shows in Canada. Any plans to expand?

The idea of expansion doesn’t come up very often. Part of my world-view is keeping our footprint small and cultivating an appreciation of what we have, without the perpetual grasping that fuels so much of our world. But practically speaking, I simply don’t have the time for further growth and the business is almost at capacity as it stands. With the help of my parents, who live next door, my husband and I work together to make it all happen. We also home-school our kids! We are busy and we are happy. 

I'm a Little Teapot

7. You live on 100 acres with your family. This is your home and home of your studio as well? Do you farm/garden there, too? Are the animals in your art visitors/residents of your place? 

Our kids are the 8^th generation of my family to live on this land. We grow and preserve as much of our own food as we can. It’s a constant battle though, as any gardener knows, against weather, and pests. The amount of work that goes into a small crop of food? It’s quite astonishing. We can’t call ourselves farmers but parts of the land (the few parts that are flat) are still rented to neighboring farmers for crops. Our land is a fantastic combination of hills, valleys, streams and forests, none of which makes for easy farming. My ancestors did the best they could, with orchards and market gardens and livestock. Nowadays, my dad and mom have spent their retirement reforesting and naturalizing the 100 acres. It’s an amazing place for kids to grow up and the source of all my inspiration. All of the critters in my work are either residents here or are plucked from encounters I’ve had nearby or at the Toronto zoo.

 

8. Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't cover in my questions.

Maybe I’d add that, a question I get asked frequently (apart from where I get my inspiration, which we’ve definitely covered) is what my style is called. And, while I don’t have a specific answer, my goal is to unite realism with nature and imagination. I think when the technical skills of drawing and painting can team up with the uniqueness of my environment and a vivid imagination, a little magic can happen. My favorite pieces are the ones that make a viewer feel like they’ve stepped into a quiet scene unfolding under slightly mysterious circumstances. A whimsical snapshot from a world that’s just like ours but quieter, more peaceful.

**********************************************************************************

We again wish to thank Cori for sharing her story and incredible art. We know what to add to this year's wish list. For more happy shopping and browsing, visit Cori's website, marvindale.ca

Irish Design: After twelve years, a return to the Niagara-on-the-Lake specialty store and former tea room.

 

First visit, with Pat H. of Irish Tea Room

Recent meet up with Maureen D of Irish Design

It had been over a decade since our last visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, and unlike our last stay, this time we did take in a play at the renowned Shaw Festival (which was amazing!) and stayed at the Prince of Wales hotel. But along with the "new", a top priority was to return to a few of our favorite spots which included a small sampling of wineries and the "Irish Design" store in downtown NOTL.

Irish Design is on Queen Street, the main thoroughfare in Niagara on the Lake

When we were at Irish Design in 2011, it was "Irish Design" and "Irish Tea Room". At that time, we met with tearoom owner, Pat Henry. We were instant fans of this charming venue and wrote about it in our blog:  "The Irish Tea Room in Niagara-on-the-Lake:  Warm, inviting and delicious!"

Last week, we met with Maureen Dickson, Irish Design co-owner and the sister of Pat. When we asked about the tea room, she said Pat retired a few years ago - enjoying life and her grandchildren.

It's easy to tell Pat and Maureen our sisters:  they look alike -  pretty ladies with bright blue eyes and friendly smiles - and also have the same warm and engaging personality.

Prince of Wales hotel, also on Queen Street, just a short walk to Irish Design

Although there is no longer a tea room, along with all the exquisite Irish merchandise, they do sell tea. We picked up some Barry's Irish Breakfast tea, so we could continue the Irish experience back home in Michigan.

Irish Design sells wonderful merchandise from Ireland and tea, too!

We plan to return to NOTL and the Irish Design store in the near future. It won't be another ten-plus years!

For more information on lovely store, click the following link:  Irish Design

And, about that Prince of Wales hotel, we'll be writing about our afternoon tea experience in an upcoming blog. As we are so fond of saying at BTS, stay tuned! 

Delightfully Different: A lovely place for afternoon tea in Kingston, Ontario

Delightfully Different Tea Room's outdoor patio space. A pretty repast sanctuary in Kingston, Otario

Kingston, Ontario, is a charming, historic town that borders the northeastern edge of Lake Ontario. A college town that boasts scenic views, historic limestone buildings and a lively downtown square, it's only fitting that, tucked away on one of the busy city streets, Kingston is also home to a very delightful tea room. In fact, it's delightfully different!

Delightfully Different Tea Room, owned and operated by Denise Paquette, is a surprisingly secluded enclave on an otherwise bustling thoroughfare. Once you enter the front door, you feel right at home as Denise - and the tearoom's great collection of eclectic teapots and teacups - greet guests warmly.

A secluded enclave on a busy city street

Guests will feel at home at Delightfully Different

Last year, while visiting family in Kingston, I stopped in to investigate and was instantly a fan. Though circumstances on our end did not allow us to stay for longer than a quick, but (yes) delightful, chat with Denise, this year, we were determined to fully experience this lovely tea spot.

Along with our local family, our two aunts and cousin, my husband, Chris and I made reservations for lunch on the patio last Saturday. Delightfully Different's outdoor space is shared with Martello Alley, an artist collective, - and, rather appropriately, the setting is pretty as a picture. Bright yellow and blue chairs anchor white tabletops in a cozy space filled with pink and purple flowers and a few striped umbrellas.

Enjoying pots of Earl Grey and Jasmine tea with Kingston family at Delightfully Different.

There is no side door that leads to the patio, so ordering and servicing is all conducted through the window. Different? Yes - delightfully different!

Our party ordered a variety of menu items, including gazpacho soup, cucumber sandwiches, and a classic BLT. All were delicious.

With no side door, ordering and delivery is conducted through the window. Chris assists in serving.

Most tea selected by our group was Earl Grey (well, yes, perhaps, I suggested 😊) but one ordered the jasmine tea. Both were delicious. Pots were filled with loose tea and guests all received an individual tea strainer. 

An Afternoon Tea menu is also available, but reservations are required.

On the patio of Delightfully Different showing off fancy bling, fit for tea

Our Kingston family had never been to Delightfully Different Tea Room, but enthusiastically said they'd be back. So will we. Even though it's a bit of a drive from our home, we look forward to our next visit to Delightfully Different Tea Room,

For more information click on this link to Delightfully Different Tea Room Facebook page. 

 

Good Four-tune on For-tea! Celebrating the Ruby Wedding Anniversary!

Different cake, but same couple and napkins

Cutting the wedding cake, May, 1983

         

In May, my husband, Chris, and I celebrated our 40th "ruby" wedding anniversary. Several shades of hair color ago, we were married on a cool, but sunny Saturday evening in May of 1983, followed by a reception with close friends and family. 

We decided a few years ago, that we'd take an extended trip across the pond to celebrate this milestone anniversary. That is, indeed, booked and coming up soon. But, for our actual wedding date weekend, we shared a fancy dinner and exchanged gifts. I received a gold heart necklace with a ruby and I gifted Chris a bottle of 40 year-old port. 

Vintage napkins and toasting glasses, filled with ruby red tea in the AM, tawny port in the PM

We also spent some time browsing the wedding album with members of the wedding party at my oldest son's lake house, on a sunny AND warm Sunday evening in May. 

That album was the inspiration for recreating the cake-cutting photo from forty years ago. A bit less formal, but with no less enthusiasm, bride and groom performed the ceremonial first slice. Although the tiered white-frosted traditional confection was replaced with a chocolate bumpy cake, both sweet desserts were served to guests with the same napkins. Yes - a box of unopened napkins survived these past forty years as well as our toasting glasses. It seemed an especially good time to bring them out to commemorate this special occasion.  In the afternoon we sipped hibiscus ruby-red tea and in the evening we filled those vintage glasses with vintage tawny port.

Forty years: marriage and port!

Forty years has brought us an embarrassment of riches:  three amazing children and incomparable in-laws, a few homes, two dogs and more laughs than I could ever add up. And the bumps - they were mostly in the cake. 

Ruby Anniversary, filled with love, family, friends and a bit of bling!

This may be our ruby anniversary, but we struck gold forty years ago. The real gems are the love, family, network of friends and never-wavering mutual support we've been fortunate to have for four decades.  

But, a close second gem is the ruby necklace. That has staying power, too! 💓😉

Happy National Iced Tea Day: BTS is celebrating with Adagio Teas' iced tea blends

Celebrating National Iced Tea Day with special blends from Adagio Teas

What better way to celebrate National Iced Tea Day than with some very special iced tea blends? Adagio Teas has a collection dedicated to this cold beverage and we're just getting started.

Iced tea is said to have been inspired by the quick thinking of tea merchant Richard Blechynden on very warm day in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair. Hot tea was not too appealing to fair attendees, so Blechynden added ice to make it more refreshing.  The cold version took off and over one hundred years later, it continues to be a summer favorite.

Little prep time, just add cold water and steep

However, some sources, including Bruce Richardson, tea guru and featured TeaTime Magazine writer, note that, though this story may be true, there's evidence of cold-brew tea recipes dating back to pre-Civil War America. (see TeaTime's article "June is National Iced Tea Month")

Wherever iced tea originated, there's no question it's become a go-to drink when the outdoor temperatures rise. And, Adagio adds "ice-ing to the cake" by providing a variety of easy to prepare iced tea blends from black teas to herbals.

Tea bag look and smell like potpourri

Today, we chose to serve up Adagio's Papaya Berry iced tea. It's an herbal blend made up of dried flowers and fruits, including hibiscus, apple, strawberries rose hips, and blueberries along with papaya and blackberry flavors. The tea bag looks and smells like a small pouch of potpourri and prep ratio is one bag for every quart of cold water. Recommended steeping time is overnight in the refrigerator, though, Adagio's website encourages experimenting to personal taste.

Once water is added to the tea bags, refrigerate overnight

We started our holiday celebrating late this afternoon, so, we haven't reached recommended steeping time just yet. A quick sample taste after a few hours, told us the tea definitely needs more time to let the flavors deepen and mature. In the meantime, it does brew up to a beautiful ruby hue and we're anxious to try its full potential tomorrow.

More good news! Although National Iced Tea Day is today, Iced Tea Month runs all through June. We'll be brewing and tasting more iced tea in the upcoming weeks.  Stay tuned and Happy Iced Tea Day to all!

 

Afternoon tea at Ford House: Celebrating Eleanor Ford and her birthday

"Eleanor Tea and Tour" included a visit to the Ford home. (above) Herend tea set in Eleanor's suite.

Afternoon tea at an historic home site, birthday celebrations and an opportunity to visit with friends?  Sounds tailor made for BTS and yet, we almost missed out on this past weekend's "Eleanor's Birthday Tea and Tour", honoring the lady, who married Edsel Ford, and helped to create The Ford House, the impressive Grosse Pointe estate. Thanks to tea friend, Barb T, who made us aware of this event and urged us to sign up early,  we -  Pam (BTS team member/awesome amie) and moi - secured our tickets and inked our calendar back in April. On Sunday, we benefited from Barb's recommendation and enjoyed tea, scones, shopping and touring with the backdrop of scenic lake views.

BTS' Pam and Barb at afternoon tea on the second floor of the Visitor's Center.

The tea was held on the second floor of the Visitor's Center. In the upper lobby, before entering the dining room, Rachel, owner of The Peacock Room in Detroit, set up shop. Guests could select from the grand assortment of finely curated merchandise Rachel is known for. 

Outside the dining room, Rachel, of the Peacock Room, set up shop with her amazing merchandise.

We visited her shop back in February, in search of vintage-inspired dresses and accessories. *Major alert* Rachel shared with us that she has 300 MORE such items in the store since we were last there. Start the car - BTS is heading to the Fisher Building post-haste!

Barb's at tea time. Special thanks to Barb T for alerting us to this event

Once inside the dining room, we were greeted by a room with floor-to-ceiling windows and an array of prettily set tables featuring gold-laced runners and violet napkins. Staff was ready with a selection of tea bags displayed in wooden tea caddies and always at the ready to refill table teapots with hot water.

Tablescapes featured white tablecloths, gold runner and violet napkins.

The menu included scones, savories and sweets. Our favorites included the croissant filled with chicken salad, the goat cheese and tomato jam in phyllo cup and the cheesecake bombs.

After the tea, guests were informally directed to take a self-guided tour of the Edsel and Eleanor home, a short walk (or shuttle) from the Visitor's Center. The docents focused on Eleanor-related stories in keeping with the birthday celebration honoring the lady of the estate.

Afternoon tea fair of savories, scones and sweets

We learned the home was built in 1928 - and like other historic homes we've visited in this era like Meadow Brook Hall and Stan Hywet - trips to, and antiques acquired in, England inspired the mansion's design and decor. 

". . .as one does"

Drawing room designed to go with Rembrandt art. . .

"

Although, sadly, Edsel passed in 1943, Eleanor remained in the home until her death in 1976. In the 1950's, Eleanor remodeled and redecorated the home with a lighter color scheme, finding much inspiration from her favorite artists. The new decor of the drawing room was designed to coordinate with her Rembrandt painting, which brought to mind one of my husband's charming sayings, ". . . as one does". 

My favorite:  Eleanor's bedroom suite with fireplace and Herend china.(see visitors in mirror)

My favorite room, or more accurately, set of rooms, was the primary bedroom suite -  in particular, Eleanor's sitting room.  Again, something tailor-made for BTS:  a room dipped in pastel peach hues with a fireplace, lake views AND, the creme-du-la-creme, a Herend tea set in our favorite color and pattern. (see our article on the history of Herend porcelain in TeaTime Magazine). 

Hat's off to Barb T.'s and her high fashioned friends

Other highlights: the rose garden, the pool and the playhouse, complete with its own china stored in built-in corner hutches. The latter was a gift for Edsel and Eleanor's only daughter, Josephine, from her grandmother. 

Inside china in built in hutches

Josephine's playhouse 

It was great to share this day with amigos, Rachel, Pam and Barb T., along with Barb's high fashioned friends, Jeanne, Joan and Debbie. "Hat's off" to them and Eleanor's birthday tea!