JL Laura: The artwork is beautiful, the setting is calming but the best part is Wendie! She makes feel special the moment she says hello and welcomes you into her studio. She offers a tour where she shares her love of art or lets you walk around at your leisure. This is a must do on the Bracebridge list!
David Bruce Patterson: A visit to the Heron’s Nest makes you feel like your soul is resting in a soft bed of silver maple twigs and Muskoka grasses. You take a curious look at winsome art that takes you from the sprawling roots of red pines, the majesty and breaching of the surfacing Cetacean, and the vivid hues and Egyptian blues of the horsefly. This wonderful experience combined with the warm and festive hospitality of Wendie, Hugh and Gustav the Great {the resident groundhog} makes this a must visit for art-lovers and those wanting to spend a few hours in a place a calm and beauty.
Carolyn Freedman: Would recommend a stop at Heron’s Nest Art Gallery in Bracebridge, Ontario. Beautiful nature paintings by Wendie Donabie plus exquisite stain glass art by the talented Maureen Haines, and creative wood crafted tables by Conel O’Regan. The gallery is a lovely, no pressure experience to be enjoyed by all.
Janice Feist: Heron’s Nest Studio Gallery is in a most inviting setting! Love coming in through the glassed-in porch to your intimate gallery. The relaxed atmosphere makes you feel like there is no pressure, just time to absorb the beauty of the artwork, and imagine it in my home. You’re a great host, Wendie!
Muskoka Rondeau: One of the many things I love about Wendie Donabie and her Heron’s Nest Studio is that it’s uniquely intimate in size but not cluttered or distracting. That she includes art and artworks by other artists confirms her collaborative intention instead of being single minded. There are cards and unique pieces to be purchased – don’t miss her wonderful book.
Joe Ingham: You couldn’t get more Muskoka than this! Heron’s Nest studio is a lovely gallery with a down-to-Earth disposition and surprises around every corner
Pam MacKenzie: If you are looking for a unique gift to give or a gift for yourself, then Heron’s Nest is the place to go. Here you can find lovely paintings, stained glass, woodwork and wonderful cards. Be sure to stop in and visit with Wendie. You will be happy that you did.
Liz Saunders: Such a lovely gallery with Wendie Donabie’s art and in the spirit of cooperation which is so prevalent in Muskoka, the works of other local artists. Not only is the gallery worth a visit but so are the gardens. I personally own 3 of Wendie’s paintings, 2 of another local artist, Janice Feist and 1 of yet another local artist, Pat Fairhead. Muskoka artists are a must see and so is this gallery.
Cheryl Scott Livie: We have been to The Heron’s Nest in Bracebridge and it’s a lovely place to visit while you are in Bracebridge. The studio is bright, cheery and full of wonderful artistic talent. If it’s a local painting you are in the market for, this is the place to visit. There is a variety of lovely paintings of Canadian scenes and natural nature plus beautiful artistic sculptures. The outside of the studio is very serene and relaxing. The local chipmunks love your visits and the wildlife may very well be there to say hello in person as well. I recommending going for a visit and saying hi to Wendie, the hostess who is also very warm & welcoming. Take your time and look around, you won’t be sorry.
Margo Gracey: We love visiting the Heron’s Nest Studio in Bracebridge. A wonderful eclectic environment to be enjoyed, the lovely setting, the wildlife and of course the amazing artwork of Wendie and all the artists the Gallery represents. Wendie is a welcoming host and makes you feel right at home as you enjoy the artwork and the beautiful surroundings. A must see!
Sue Kelly: Truly enjoyed this quaint gallery, nestled in a vintage home in Bracebridge. Wendie is so friendly and welcomed me to browse at my leisure – a real sweet spot in town!
2014-37 Starry Winter Night #1 Not for Sale 4 x 4 inches, Unframed, easel included Acrylic on canvas Winter nights in Muskoka, sometimes as bright as daylight when the full moon sheds light on the pristine white snow. And the in the crisp cold air, stars appear brighter than any other time of the year. Share and Enjoy...
read more2014-17 Muskoka Beach Sunset 8 x 10 inches, Unframed Oil on canvas PRIVATE COMMISSION Along Muskoka Beach Road in Gravenhurst, just past Taboo Resort you’ll find a small beach area renowned for its magnificent sunset views over Lake Muskoka Share and Enjoy...
read more3663 – Muskoka Granite Rock Face, Huntsville, Ontario 12 x 10 inches, unframed Oil on canvas Outside the previous, University of Waterloo, Environmental Studies building in Huntsville, Ontario, a granite wall stretches high above the structure offering a natural feature beyond the classroom windows. I love the shapes and designs that provide a focus for thoughtful reflection. I painted the wall from inside the building as I viewed it through the classroom window. Share and Enjoy...
read more2014-25 Weeping Willows, Warkworth, Ontario SOLD 8 x 10 inches, Unframed Oil on Canvas The slow moving Mill Creek meanders its way through the quaint country village of Warkworth, and in summer the willow trees along the banks provide a lovely spot of shade to sit and read a book or be lulled to sleep by the water gurgling over the rocks near the shore. Share and Enjoy...
read more3609 – Fiery Fall Foliage Unframed 9.5 x 12.25 inches Watercolour, Soft Pastel & Ink on watercolour paper Autumn always offers an outstanding display of rich, warm colours at High Falls in Bracebridge Share and Enjoy...
read more2013-11 Maple Ablaze Unframed 10.25 x 10.5 inches Watercolour & Soft Pastel on watercolour paper There is nothing to compare with the vibrant red of Maples in a Muskoka autumn Share and Enjoy...
read more2014-23 Muskoka Magic SOLD 15 x 4 inches Chinese Ink on Watercolour Paper Created as the artwork for the 2014 NorthWords Literary Festival.It was used in posters and advertising; the original will be auctioned during the Festival, October 3-5, 2014 in Bracebridge, Ontario. The painting contains iconic Muskoka images: pine trees, rocky shores,water and sun. I liked the idea of the books falling out of the sun onto the Muskoka landscape representing the authors attending the festival and their published works. Share and Enjoy...
read more2014-24 Basket of Pennies Donated 8 x 8 inches Acrylic on Canvas Copyright Wendie Donabie 2104 Basket of Pennies was created for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers, Penny Tree Pottery Sale. Proceeds of the sale went directly (through the Stephen Lewis Foundation) to support African Grandmothers raising children orphaned by Aids. In this painting I depict an African Grandmother, carrying her infant grandchild and a basket of Canadian pennies, walking into the bright sun, with her heart filled with hope for the future. From 2011 to the spring of...
read more3659 – Bringing Hope SOLD a portion of the sale went to Muskoka Grandmothers to Grandmothers 16 x 16 inches, Unframed Acrylic & Mixed Media on canvas Johnathan Bullock of Medieval Pottery, 210 First Street in Gravenhurst, Ontario designed 3 small pottery pieces (WISH, DREAM, HOPE) for the Muskoka Grandmothers to Grandmothers (an initiative of the Stephen Lewis Foundation) to be incorporated into artistic works and then sold as a fund raiser for the charity. I selected HOPE, for this painting, because I hold onto the hope...
read more2014-21 Dragonfly #4 SOLD 5 x 7 inches, Unframed Acrylic on canvas This is the fourth painting in a series of dragonfly paintings. I don’t think I will ever tire of painting them. Share and Enjoy...
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