Bronwen Ross was a lot of things when she was alive. Mother, artist, fantastic cook, and friend to many just to name a few.  Throughout her life she loved, nurtured, grew, and created so many beautiful things, and only a few were common knowledge. If you were to ask her she would probably refer to her children as her crowning achievement, but what mother wouldn’t?  She was an amazing mother to my sister and I. We were spotless, well behaved, (at the end of the wooden spoon) and actually turned out pretty good, all things considered. Now grown with children of our own, My sister and I survive her memories, her laughter, her love and of course her artwork. If we had to bundle this and call it one thing, it would most certainly be her legacy, and it is indeed vast.

When my mother passed away in 2001, and Rachel and I sat down with her enormous box of illustrations, the words overwhelming, flabbergasted, and amazing would probably serve the description best as the realization of the treasure she had given us began to sink in.  To inherit such a gift so beautiful, so expansive, and so full of love was staggering. Also staggering was the question “What do we do with this”. In order to find the answer to this question, one must consider the reasons she created this legacy.

Those of you who knew Bronwen knew of her love and devotion to Jesus Christ. He was the key to her development and subsequent mastery of her craft. Because she gave Him the glory and praised His name for the gift He gave her, she completely understood this gift to be her ministry.  She did what she did to bless other people and be a testament to his grace, passion, and love. Those of you who were close to her know of what I speak.

Somehow life was better after you received one of her cards, or sent a letter to someone on that pretty floral stationery. These were just small pieces of the joy she shared with people over the years.

So again to pose the question, “What do we do with this”? No answer felt as wrong as just leaving it in a box. No friends, that would be unacceptable.  While she was alive her artwork was promoted in various mediums, cards, books, figurines, stationery, etc   After much soul-searching, Rachel and I decided that if this treasure is to be promoted, it must be done by her children, and those who knew her best, not some enormous and indifferent corporation concerned only with the bottom line.

There is far more to her legacy than money. Things like joy, love, and friendship.  The world has changed some over the years since Bronwen's untimely departure from this world. It is definitely more lonely, the winters are colder, and there seems to be less hope, real hope. The world is however more technologically advanced however, maybe part of the reason for the aforementioned.  However complicated the digital age has made things, it has made a great many things possible. As I write this, the very first officially sanctioned Bronwen Ross website is finally coming together. This site will be hosted, operated, and updated by those who loved her most, her children.

In the weeks and months to follow we hope to be bringing new things to you. You probably know about the Briar Patch cards, and her “Mouse Mischief” book, and her Victorian calling cards.  However we have many other things in the works. More stationery, a cookbook, a garden journal, and more cards to name a few.  Unfortunately every product I painstakingly research costs an absolute fortune to produce, therefore we would very much like to hear from you, faithful friend. Tell us what would make your world a little less lonely. That is after all why she did what she did.