I am so thrilled to announce that my 48x48 painting, A WARM EMBRACE, will be part of the HeART of Red Gala's juried Art Auction! ❤️

HeART of Red Gala supporting My Friend's House

Saturday, Sept 20th @ 7:30pm

Side Launch Brewing Company

Tickets: https://myfriendshouse.ca/heart-of-red/

The event is the evening of Saturday, September 20th, 2025 @ Side Launch Brewery in Collingwood, ON

The HeART of Red Gala presented by Chapman Private Wealth Group will showcase artists and their work from all different mediums in an effort to raise much needed funds for the Southern Georgian Bay women's shelter, My Friend's House.

Poem by Dee Hutton

A Warm Embrace

a stranger’s smile

touching my heart

and lifting my spirits

holding hands with a loved one

first one squeeze —

then two —

then three —

the silent magic of i love you

wordlessly soothing my soul

sunlight sparkling like diamonds

reflecting upon gentle waves

washing the dust from my soul

filling me with

childlike curiosity and wonder

the delightful pause of a warm embrace enveloping me fully

transferring grounding energy

triggering a deep healing breath

and upon release

a moment of pure peace

stunning golden eyes greeting me

a gentle head nudge craving cuddles

intense purring erupting

a heavy warmth nestled by my side

as we drift into a tranquil slumber To

all these are reassurances

where there is love there is light

and a profound knowing that

within the light

HOPE shines brightly.