Poppy Balser
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poppybalser.bsky.social
Poppy Balser
@poppybalser.bsky.social
760 followers 380 following 480 posts
Watercolour and oil painter. I paint outside when I can.
I’m inspired by the sea and natural landscapes of the Canadian Maritimes
See my work here: www.poppybalser.com

Banner: oil painting of a sailboat
Profile: me next to one of my paintings
Posts Replies Media Videos
poppybalser.bsky.social
For today’s #blueskyartshow on the theme of #water I give you this peek inside my sketchbook. Painted from life, on the water, looking at the water and Pendleton Lighthouse in #StAndrewsbytheSea, New Brunswick
Shows an artists sketchbook and collection of brushes The sketchbook sketch is in watercolour and shows a water scene of sunlight glinting off the water and a backlit lighthouse in the background
August 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Here something I painted recently. I saw these boats in Chester,NS, and painted them on July 1.

“Flying the Leaf” 8x8 inches
Watercolour
Watercolour painting of three sailboats, each one flying a spinnaker. The left sail is blue and red and white, the center one is white and the right hand one is white with a red border and a bright red Canadian Maple Leaf in the center.
July 6, 2026 at 4:53 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
This time next week I will be painting at the #Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival pipaf.ca

Parrsboro offers stunning sights: blueberry fields, tall sandstone cliffs, tides rise and fall over 40’ 2x a day, I could go on, but I’ll just paint what I see instead!

#watercolour #art #pleinair
Watercolour painting of a herring weir. The beach is exposed because the tide is out. A tall fence of netting stretches from the shore on the left towards the water. Light glitters off the sea.
June 11, 2026 at 5:48 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Good point!

I’m so disappointed by the closure of 5 local libraries nearby

#nspoli
gammarae.design Neovagina Evangelion @gammarae.design · Jun 2
Removing libraries is in the interest of AI companies.
June 2, 2026 at 7:51 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
“A Fair wind” #watercolour of the #BayOfFundy
Up for auction now, in support of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, through the good graces of @teichertgallery.bsky.social and Saltscapes Magazine. Check it out:

Link: www.32auctions.com/organization...

#agns #halifaxns
#seascape #scapes #watercolour
Watercolour painting of a stony cobble beach with white, frothy waves coming in shore pushed by the wind. There is a rocky headland in the distance topped by evergreens
May 29, 2026 at 1:33 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Another beach day. I went back to the south shore of Nova Scotia to study water and how waves act.

#novascotia
#ontheeasel
#watercolour
#paintinginlocation
#beachday
Shows an artists easel set up on a sandy beach with rocks dotting the sand. There is a painting of part of the scene on the easel: it shows a black rock being hit by spray with green and blue waves behind it
May 25, 2026 at 5:05 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
This is good stuff:
paintyourdragon.bsky.social That Dragon Guy @paintyourdragon.bsky.social · May 25
Fashion designer Jeremy Scott delivers commencement speech to Kansas City Art Institute graduates.

Wait for it…
May 25, 2026 at 4:31 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
I painted on a south shore beach a little while ago on an afternoon with glorious clouds. This little watercolour has served as reference for several paintings that I’ll share soon.

#novascotia
#aspotogan
#pleinairpainting
May 23, 2026 at 8:34 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
I’ve been painting lots but not posting much. Anyway, there’s a show of 2x2’ square paintings on at @teichertgallery.bsky.social in #halifax right now. Here are two of mine

#halisky
#watercolour
Shows four square paintings on a gallery wall, featuring clockwise from upper left: the top sails of a sailboat, a forest interior, a rocky seascape and a street scene Watercolour painting of a rocky seashore awash in big waves, backlit with light glittering off the water Watercolour painting of the upper portion of sails on a classic two masted schooner.
May 16, 2026 at 3:52 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Tomorrow I will be at the Halifax Exhibition Centre for the Nova Scotia Loyal Expo. I’ll be painting with watercolours for most of the day.

Come see some of the many artisans, craftspeople and painters who call NS their home.

#Halisky
#novascotialoyal
#madeinNovaScotia
Watercolour painting of a ship sailing at dusk. The sails glow with warm reflected light against a dusky purple sky. The water shimmers with reflections of the sails and the sky.
April 23, 2026 at 11:10 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Come see me while I paint spend a day painting at the Nova Scotia Loyal Expo, this Friday, April 24.

#watercolourpainting
#paintinglive

There will be artists painting live at the Expo all weekend, at the Halifax Exhibition Centre. Full details here (tinyurl.com/5fwr8a68)
Watercolour painting of a boat under full sail. Other boats are visible in the distance. There is an expanse of cloudy sky above the boats, with some clear blue sky peeking through on the left.
April 20, 2026 at 12:47 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
I’ll be painting live at the Saltscapes Nova Scotia Loyal Expo on April 24. Lots of NS arts and culture will be on display. Come say “Hi” if you are in the area!

Full details here: www.poppybalser.com/blog/205785/...

#Halisky
#paintingdemonstration
#watercolours
Watercolour painting of rocks at the edge of the ocean, one rock having just been engulfed by a wave, with streams of foam now running off it in a flurry of foam and spray.
April 8, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Poppy Balser
danimmergluck.bsky.social
Brutal.
A WHOLE CIVILIZATION WILL DIE TONIGHT My son needs lunch, and I have to put his backpack together, but a whole civilization will die tonight, so I'm wondering if they've closed their schools. Like, a snow day, maybe, except instead of snow it's "keep your children home so if you die, you die together" — instead of "well open back up once the plows have cleared" it's "we don't know if we'll be here tomorrow, hold your babies tight." It's just "talk" I'm told, which I've been told before. "It's how the president makes his deals." But I've never heard anyone talk about other human beings this way, and I'm not certain I can look my son in the eyes if we all agree to stomach it one more time. A civilization will die tonight, but as I zip up his backpack and kiss him off to school I think: if this is what we call leadership then I'm not entirely sure ours isn't already dead. @michaelfdubois Mukad A QuBoy @michacifdubois
April 8, 2026 at 1:19 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
When I say I’m a working artist I mean just that. Here are some of the paintings I have made over the last three weeks, in addition to teaching watercolour classes and advocating against devastating budget budget cuts to arts, culture and so much more.

#workingartist
Shows a board with 6 watercolour paintings of sailboats clipped to it.
March 28, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Reposted by Poppy Balser
john-in-chicago.bsky.social
Complete cuteness for a #Caturday.
March 28, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Poppy Balser
michellemccann.bsky.social
it’s safe to assume every festival or event you enjoy in nova scotia is facing a funding cut. if there’s a nova scotia logo on their website or poster or social media promotion, they’re dealing with the fallout of the budget.
March 25, 2026 at 8:10 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Me and my sign have made the 2.5 hour trip to stand up and be counted

The N.S. govt is showing its disdain of the people it represents.

It is time for them to stop #dismantlingdemocracy

#wewontstopsinging
#nspoli
#itsourhouse

Poster from NS Arts Coalition
Sign reading “Stop governing behind closed doors” with a drawing of an open padlock Poster from the Nova Scotia Arts Coalition reading “ALL HANDS ON DECK WE WON'T STOP SINGING FRIDAY MARCH 27 - NOON PROVINCE HOUSE 1726 HOLLIS ST, KJIPUKTUK / HALIFAX Raising our voices together We are all treaty people “
March 27, 2026 at 2:40 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Excellent article!

Parrsboro is a great example of a town that has intertwined the arts into its structure and identity, to the benefit of the whole community. I’ve painted there often and have experienced this first hand.

These cuts mean less arts programming & will hurt entire communities
March 25, 2026 at 3:04 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Amazing!

I’m focusing on my joy that they shut it down by SINGiNG rather than my anger this was pushed to a vote so fast, when the Premier isn’t even back in the province.

There’s no reason the govt can’t meet with and listen to those affected by the cuts.

#ItsNotTooLateToChangeYourMind
March 25, 2026 at 10:46 AM
poppybalser.bsky.social
I applaud the eloquent, passionate Nova Scotians who are speaking today & yesterday at the Public Bills Committee, addressing the real harms to be created with the cuts. They represent the fact that Nova Scotians care for each other.

#listentothepeople
#nspoli

www.youtube.com/live/nGWrwNM...
Mar. 24, 2026 - Public Bills Committee Proceedings
YouTube video by Nova Scotia Legislature
www.youtube.com
March 24, 2026 at 2:21 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
I hope this week break from the Legislature has given our PC MLA’s the chance to hear from their constituents and reflect upon the impact of the proposed budget cuts.

Here is the letter I sent to the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

#nspoli
#fundthearts
Dear Minister Ritcey We met at Teichert Gallery in Halifax last September at the opening of the Open Water exhibition. I was Chair of the exhibition and introduced you when you offered your remarks. I am, by any definition, a successful Nova Scotia artist. I do not rely on grants in my personal painting practice but I do rely on arts groups such as the Annapolis Regional Arts Council, the Nova Scotia Art Bank, the Chester Art Society and Teichert Gallery at the AGNS to show my work. All of these groups have reported these proposed cuts will result in reduced public programming, less staffing or other significant changes that will reduce how they help the public engage in art. The arts community is a vibrant community of engaged individual who support each other. Something that affects one of us, does truly affect all of us. One small example, If artists have to take on outside work to survive because of the cuts, then they have less time to volunteer. Artists are often very active volunteers in the tourism and culture activities this province is so known for. As Minister for Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, I am sure you are aware of the value that the Arts and Culture industry provides to our province. Let me share a quote from a recent report in the Globe and Mail supports the value of artistic engagement in society: “Canada's arts and culture sector contributed $65 billion in direct GDP to the Canadian economy in 2024, growing faster and supporting more jobs per dollar than other key sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing or agriculture. These findings come from Artworks: The Economic and Social Dividends from Canada's Arts and Culture Sector, a new report conducted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Business Data Lab.“ (1) (I encourage you to read the full article) Tourism is a huge business in Nova Scotia as you well know. People come here for our ocean playground, sure, but they also come for our music, art and heritage. They leave with books about here, paintings from here, singing songs they learned here. It is the rare tourist who comes here to see a shale gas plant or a gold mine. Artists are not just people who make pretty pictures, dance, write books or make music.  We are the people who give voice to the parts of us that make us human.  It is hard to quantify the value of artists because so much of what we do is about creating positive emotions, raising spirits and forging connections between people.  How do you put a price tag on that?  One cannot, because it is priceless work.  We need the province's support in our work.   I urge you to abandon these cuts to arts, culture, and heritage. The solution to the province’s fiscal health is in realizing our home grown potential in this sector.  The arts industry is not extractive, and does not rely on foreign corporations (oil and gas, gold mining, for example) Restoring the existing funding to the arts industry is an investment that will pay off over the long term.  I recognize your government is the one proposing these cuts, but I am asking you to oppose to them and advocate for their reversal.   Sincerely Poppy Balser Digby Nova Scotia https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/Newsfile/35764058/arts-and-culture-sector-contributes-131-billion-to-canada-s-economy/
March 20, 2026 at 2:10 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Today’s sunshine has me thinking ‘bout boats and being on the water.

Now, I like sailing, but I do not understand why the province can find $1-2 million to give to SailGP but cannot afford $335,000 to continue to put professional artists in schools to work with kids.

#NSpoli
#makeitmakesense
Watercolour painting of three classic sailing vessels on the water in front of the downtown core of St Tropez, FR. There are streaks of colourful clouds in the sky and the sails are mostly warm coloured.
March 18, 2026 at 5:46 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Something green for St Patrick’s Day!

#NovaScotiaLandscape
#SummerIsComing
Watercolour painting of a green farm field in misty evening light. A line of evergreen trees stretches across the field in middle distance, gaps giving us glimpses at what lies beyond.
March 17, 2026 at 6:20 PM
poppybalser.bsky.social
Teaching Assistants (TA’s) at NSCAD have not received a raise since 1984. 42 years ago!

Excellent reporting by the @halifaxexaminer.ca that shows the dire straits of staff at NSCAD who are on strike.

#fundTheArts
#nspoli

www.halifaxexaminer.ca/education/ns...
NSCAD staff strike in response to failed negotiations, low wages - Halifax Examiner
The rally took place outside NSCAD's Fountain Campus at Granville Mall.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
March 17, 2026 at 11:25 AM
poppybalser.bsky.social
My snow drop flowers have broken ground, glad to be free of snow.

I painted this last year when they were in full bloom

“Spring Thaw” 8x10” oil

Available from Teichert Gallery, Halifax.

#BlueSkyMonday
#SignsOfSpring
#nsarts
Oil painting, done from life, of snow drop blossoms in a blue glass pitcher. The pitcher sits on a softly rumpled cloth. The background is soft blue-grey and greys.
March 16, 2026 at 6:28 PM