Let me introduce myself: I'm Janet Davis, an artist and entrepreneur living and working on the North side of Bonavista Bay, on the island of Newfoundland in Eastern Canada. There are many challenges to running a business here in my small rural hometown, and there are many wonderful benefits too. This blog is where I share some of those challenges and triumphs, and share what it's like to live in this part of the world.
Author: Janet Davis
I am an artist and entrepreneur from a little town on the northeastern coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
I am proud of my heritage of hardworking people and I believe that we deserve good food, music, and art. I love to show off my beautiful and sophisticated little part of the island of Newfoundland.
Our annual Feast of Saint Valentinewill be going ahead next week, with tickets still available in store or in the online shop. The menu is available for pre-order, and the Lower Deck will be open for those who’d like to show up before their reservation begins and/or stay for a while longer after it ends! Get up and have a dance or just cozy up with your valentine
I’ll be printing in the studio today, and I’d love to see some of your smiling faces here for a visit! Bring your coffee and stay for a cuffer!
I’ll be starting the day with RED cards, mini-prints, and bookmarks, and then work my way through to RED-YELLOW, ORANGE, RED-BLUE, BLUE, BLUE-GREEN, GREEN, BLACK, GREY, AND METALLIC ink colours to complete what I like to call PRINTAPALOOZA: a full run of ink colours with all Norton’s Cove card, mini-print, and bookmark designs. It’ll take me most of February to get it all done, with all my other tasks thrown in the mix!
Duke and I went on a little excursion to a walking trail ‘up the bay’ one Sunday recently. Located very near Washed Ashore Antiques & Coffee Bar in Trinity (Centreville-Wareham-Trinity here in Bonavista Bay), we parked next to the playground and went for a stroll at Black Brook Walking Trail.
The trail was icy and so we had to be careful, watching where we stepped. But the natural surroundings were beautiful. I especially loved the mossy forest floors and the icicles at Black Brook Falls. It’s not often that walking trails are accessible without snowshoes in late January, but this visit remarkably had almost no snow at all.
Any ink colour on antique white cotton fibre paper with an ivory tassel
Original lino-cut relief print by Janet Davis
Designed 2019
“This Yamaki guitar hangs in my office, but has been owned by my dad, and all three of my brothers at some time. All four of us kids learned to play guitar on this instrument, and it’s pretty special to me. “
Our annual Feast of Saint Valentinewill be going ahead again this month, with tickets available now in store or in the online shop. The menu has been updated, and as usual, I can’t wait to taste it all! Don’t wait until the last minute- get your table booked early to avoid disappointment. The Lower Deck will be open for those who’d like to show up before their reservation begins and/or after it ends!
I’d love to hear your suggestions for more special events between Valentine’s Day and June. Would you be interested in a Trivia Night? Or a Saint Patrick’s Day Feast? How about a Friday night dance (hearkening back to my teenage weekends at the Badger’s Quay SUF Hall) or a board game afternoon?
At the Lower Deck, I’m working on Operation Corkscrew: With the help of my trusty friend Joanne, we are cutting wine corks in half, dabbing a bit of gorilla glue on the back, and adhering each cork half to the unfinished side of a cabinet. I’ll be able to use it as a bulletin board, and it’ll add a bit of interest to the design of the room. What do you make of it? You might ask where I got all the corks? Aha! I’ve been saving them for about 20 years. And I’ve got one shopping bag full. Far less than the new 2 drink a week standard, for sure!
In the studio, I’ve completed all the Year-End paperwork (pats self of back), and now I’m gearing up for the first Printapalooza of the year. Making fresh plates to replace those that have worn out, and figuring out my print list: how many of each design do I have, in which colours, and how many do I need?
New Humpback and Orca printing plates, as well as The Narrows (top)
Last week, Norton’s Cove Marine Inc brought us to Cobb’s Arm to have a look at a fishing vessel. It was my first visit to Cobb’s Arm, and I’d really like to return aboard Virtue during a warmer season- gorgeous landscapes and interesting rocks. I think this image of the arm would do well as a little print… what do you think?
I have been carrying these products in my shop and at the Café Giftshop for many years. The products are each exceptional, but here are my Top Three:
Partridgeberry Relish The first time I ate a fish cake with this as a topping in Griquet in 2015 turned out to be a life changing experience. I have never had a fish cake without it since. When we indulge in a local favourite: chips dressing and gravy, I add a big dollop of Partridgeberry Relish on top too, and it’s magnificent! We serve it at Norton’s Cove Café with our fish cakes, and with our salt fish ravioli.
Norse Berry Soap I use this soap – any scent because I love them all- in the shower with one of those pouf thingies. The lather is rich and lovely and leaves me feeling clean and moisturized.
Chocolate Covered Raspberries I love raspberries. I love chocolate. Can’t go wrong! And they go with a glass of red wine just fine!
Our annual Feast of Saint Valentinewill be going ahead again this February, with tickets available now in store or in the online shop. The menu has been updated, and as usual, I can’t wait to taste it all! Don’t wait until the last minute- get your table booked early to avoid disappointment. The Lower Deck will be open for those who’d like to show up before their reservation begins and/or after it ends!
I have made some decisions about the Café’s 2023 season that I’d like to share with you. We will be reopening in June, serving our supper menu only. And yes, you can make reservations anytime in the off-season by contacting me here at the studio.
This is the last week to take advantage of these great sale prices… The sale ends when February begins! Check out the online shop to see what else is on sale!
Matted lino-cut relief print with watercolour, designed after a summer family wedding in Greenspond. The wild irises were in full bloom, and a magical feeling was in the air. Love actually, is, all around!
I’ve been changing the prices of some of my older pieces that have been hanging around too long for my liking- have a look at the online shop to see what’s on sale! There are now quite a few art pieces, as well as small gift items on for half price this month.
Our annual Feast of Saint Valentinewill be going ahead again this February, with tickets available now in store or in the online shop. The menu will be added to the regular online menu and the product page once we have made some decisions on what to serve this year!
The View from Norton's Cove 