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!
3599 – Guardians of the Forest Watercolour & Ink 9 x 11.5 inches, framed This is the second piece in a series of paintings inspired by the fascinating trees and root systems discovered by Wendie. This cedar stump surrounded by new growth was captured on Wilson Falls Trail in Muskoka. Click here to see photo that inspired the painting. Share and Enjoy...
read moreWoodland Cycle of Life – Moss Covered Cedar Stump #1 Watercolour & Soft Pastel 6.75 x 10.25 inches, framed I am attracted to the way the nature recycles itself. Here a dead cedar stump is restored to life with a growth of florescent green moss. Click to see photo I took on the Wilson Falls Trail that runs along the Muskoka River. Share and Enjoy...
read more2012-20 St Peter’s Rocksborough Anglican Church SOLD 8 x 10 inches, unframed 2013 One of the hidden gems in Muskoka is St Peter’s Rocksborough, a small log church that held its first service on May 7, 1933. Sitting on a rocky slope among the pines on the road to Fraserburg, the church blends well with the surroundings. Today the church is used occasionally for weddings and baptisms and for monthly Sunday services thoughout July and August. Click here to see the photo that inspired the painting. A quiet sanctuary on...
read more3594 – Toadstools & Fireflies SOLD Watercolour & Soft Pastel 5.5 x 9 inches, Framed “I enjoy painting small and intimate scenes from nature like these two toadstools growing out of an old cedar stump. Walking in the woods, we often miss these beautiful creations of nature.” Click here to view photo that inspired the painting. Share and Enjoy...
read more3560 – Moonlit Woods Acrylic and Chinese Ink on Canvas 12 x 16 inches, Framed From Wendie: “An idea inspired by Halloween on a bright moonlit night in the woods. You can imagine spirits flitting through the dark woods.” Share and Enjoy...
read more2012-15 Folly of Fiddleheads SOLD Watercolour, Soft Pastels and Ink 15 x 8.5 inches, unframed 2012 From Wendie: “I put more energy into this version of the fiddleheads, bringing them closer together & imagining they were sharing a good joke.” View photo that inspired painting. Share and Enjoy...
read more2012-15 Fiddlehead Conflab DONATED to the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce for the 2014 Winter Gala Silent Auction Watercolour, soft pastels & ink 15 x 11.25 inches, framed 2012 From Wendie: “In spring the fiddleheads pop up from interesting places, like this stump of an old cedar tree. They appear to be talking with one another, catching up after a long winter.” View the photo that inspired the painting. Share and Enjoy...
read more3586 – Trillium Fantasy Donated to North Words Literary Festival 2016 for Silent Auction Watercolour & Ink 11.18 x 11 inches, Framed From Wendie: “In spring I love to visit the woods & see the hills covered in trilliums. They remind me of fairies.” View the photo that inspired the painting. Share and Enjoy...
read more3574 – Tree at Rest $250 Watercolour 9 x 12 inches, framed From Wendie: “This is my favourite tree on Wilson Falls Trail in Bracebridge and the first piece in a series of paintings inspired by fascinating trees and root systems I’ve discovered.. It reminds of a dog sitting restfully with his front legs crossed.” View the photo that inspired the painting. Share and Enjoy...
read more3573 – The Prodigal Returns Acrylic & Chinese Inks 19.5 x 15.5 inches, unframed SOLD From Wendie: “I find Jack Pines inspirational. Each one has a unique design & personality, just like people. I like to use them in ways to convey messages. In the painting I am portraying the Biblical parable of the The Prodigal Son. Here his family is greeting him as he returns stripped of everything worldly. The colour gold symbolizes wisdom, wealth; yellow symbolizes happiness. I use black on the trees to represent their...
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