A Painters Diary

Family Day Weekend

2012-02-22T14:06:00.000-06:00

Crystal and I spent a wonderful weekend with close friends at a ranch in Northern Saskatchewan. The mornings were supernaturally beautiful, as winter mornings can be when there is fog and hoar frost. This pastel is my attempt to capture one of those rare moments. I wonder what people thought when they looked up and saw me sitting on the roof of the log ranch house playing around with my pastels?

Under Construction

2012-02-14T16:39:00.000-06:00

Afternoon Shift

In another life I was an industrial electrician for the Canadian National Railways. After I had finished my apprenticeship I was assigned to the afternoon shift, where I spent most of the thirteen years I worked for the railway. I remember times coming to work at the Roundhouse in the afternoon when the sun would be blazing in through the windows and this, combined with the smoke from the diesel engines and arc welders, would make for a Turneresque (my word to describe the technique of the great British artist William Turner) effect. This is what I am trying to capture in the painting above. Another challenge is to paint in a monochromatic scheme, which actually works quite well for the environment I remember working in. It was kind of like Hell, or what I imagine Hell would look like. We always had a gray Shop Cat who would regularly check all the incoming locomotives for dead things that would make for a tasty dinner. She never was wanting for food as I remember and would proudly show off her latest catch, something alot of cats do for some reason. So I am titling this piece Afternoon Shift to honour the cat's and my time at the Roundhouse in The Pas, Manitoba.

Luminous Morning

2012-02-13T14:24:00.003-06:00


Luminous Morning 10 x 12 in Oil

This is a small painting depicting a lovely morning last August on Schist Lake, Manitoba. I am going to let it sit for awhile before I call it finished. Comments welcome. Some of you may know I have been painting a number of pieces based on a trip I made up there in 2011. A beautiful place. I am going up there in two weeks time to visit old friends and will be taking my paint box, snow shoes and camera. Hope the weather cooperates. I am anxious to get some sketches and photos of the place in the winter with all the snow.

The Prairie

2012-02-11T14:03:00.002-06:00

I felt like doing a large watercolour the other day and this is it. This is a scene that is so typical of the western Canadian prairies that it could be anywhere, this particular location is just northwest of Melfort, SK. It is 22 x 30 inches in size on 140 lb. Arches paper and portrays a afternoon sky that threatens rain.

Warning Wet Paint

2012-02-03T15:11:00.000-06:00

I've been working away on this larger painting ( 30 x 60 inch) for a few days now and find I'm getting to the fiddling stage which could mean a few things. It is done or almost done, or a complete and unequivocal failure. I leave it up to you my dear audience, what say you?

Wouldn't it be nice

2012-01-28T17:19:00.001-06:00

Wouldn't it be nice if winters were always this way? I have enjoyed this winter so much, being able to paint outside practically everyday and going for long walks in the hills and fields with my two dogs. I plan on going out tomorrow again and finding a nice place to paint and enjoy life. I like listening to Van Morrison and Neil Young while painting, funny how music and painting go together so well! The painting above is an oil of the hill across from Wellington Park.

Baby its cold outside

2012-01-21T16:12:00.000-06:00

Lone Pinion

This pastel is my response to the bloody cold weather, I withdraw to my studio and memories and re-create past experiences. Crystal, Michael and I came across many amazing vistas when we were down in southern Utah and this lone Pinion tree was one of them. They are extremely hardy trees and seem to grow anywhere, they remind me of our hardy pine trees in the Precambrian shield country growing out of rocks. Anyways, it was a hot day and just looking at this painting takes me back.

Rock Painting

2012-01-18T16:37:00.000-06:00

Rock Paintings

One of the high lites of Retreat in Denare Beach last summer was a tour of Amisk Lake and what is purported to be aboriginal rock paintings on one of the islands we were shown. (secret location) That is the subject of the painting on this post. Truthfully, I had a hard time making out the paintings on those rocks so I have done the same with my painting. The best things in life are often subtle and understated anyways.

Black and Yellow make Green

2012-01-17T10:04:00.002-06:00

Amisk Lake

I recently read of an artist who regularly re-cycles paintings that didn't work out by simply painting directly over them, no underpainting or toning of the canvas. Because I happen to have a few of those laying around I decided to try it myself and the painting above is the result. If you look very close you might still see signs of the previous painting underneath. I simply did a rough charcoal sketch of the scene and then went directly into it, what a fun experience! Oh, by the way, black and yellow make a nice green.

Morning on Schist Lake

2012-01-16T10:32:00.001-06:00

I've been spending quite a bit of time lately working on paintings of Schist Lake, Mb, where I had the pleasure of being this past summer. A fellow painter, Ron Watt, took us on a boat trip around the lake one glorious morning and I am eternally grateful for that! My only regret is that we didn't get on the lake a little sooner in the morning so that we could have caught the mist on the water. This painting portrays the last vestiges of that pristine morning (I hope). I'm going to give this one a rest for awhile as I find I am fiddling with it which could mean it is telling me that it is finished or just needs a break from me for awhile.

Being There

2012-01-15T10:05:00.000-06:00

There have been some lovely sunrises (and sunsets) lately, maybe its got something to do with the angle of the sun and time of the year. Anyways, its been a joy to paint outdoors in such conditions because the temperatures have been unseasonably warm for winter in these parts. I feel that being there when the sun rises and sets and attempting to paint that phenomena is a rich experience that enriches my life.

Patterns

2012-01-13T15:50:00.002-06:00

Pretty much every day the dogs and I take this path down into Wellington Park and beyond. Its a nice, arduous walk that gets my heart pumping and I always see something brings delight to my eye. I think I am developing an extensive vocabulary of colour, sometimes after a walk my eyes are literally vibrating! There always seems to be happy combinations of colours and patterns outdoors. Never boring.

All the Diamonds

2012-01-11T10:31:00.000-06:00

Of all the songs out there, Bruce Cockburns "All the Diamonds," off of his Salt, Sun & Time album has to be one of my personal all time favourites. Everytime I hear this song it sparks a deep personal response in me, I was so pleased when he played it at a recent concert that I attended. Cockburn is one of Canada's greatest poets, in my humble opinion, and his lyrics invoke wonderful imagery in my fertile mind.The other day, which was extremely warm for January 9th (11 Celcius), I had the distinct pleasure of painting an alla prima painting near my new home of Manitou Beach while listening to the album on my iPod. Life is good, all my children I have spoken.

Clearwater Lake Revisited

2012-01-10T18:16:00.000-06:00

Clearwater Lake, Mb

I was rummaging around in my studio today and came across an unfinished canvas of Clearwater Lake, Mb. I remember wanting to capture a certain weather effect I had witnessed back there, a windy day with the sun at a low angle lighting up the distant shoreline, but I couldn't quite get my head around it until today. I think I was into reminiscing about the good times that were had back there with family and friends so it came quite easily to me this time around. Any one out there remember scenes such as this?

Love Birds

2012-01-09T19:40:00.002-06:00

My Sacha loves to take pictures of herself, its another endearing trait she possesses. Anyways, I took the liberty of using one of her photos for this watercolour. I say liberty because she also often takes liberties in my studio/gallery by walking out with my paintings. It's OK, its not like I don't have a few of them hanging around and its nice to know they are going to hang somewhere where people appreciate them. Sacha's Nana, a talented watercolorist, is working on a similar picture as well. I am happy to report that these two lovebirds are going to married this year on September 1st. (the day of my happy marriage to Crystal).

Sundown near Snake Island

2012-01-05T13:57:00.000-06:00

Sundown near Snake Island

My friend, Avery Ascher, sent me a photo she had taken of a sunset on Clearwater Lake, looking towards a tiny island called Snake Island. As some of you may know I was born and raised near this lake and spent many wonderful days and nights at what has been classified as one of only two "True Blue Lakes" in the world. You'd have to go there to understand what that really means but believe me, it is pristine! Thanks Avery for sharing this with me, I hope I have painted what you feel as you look out your cabin window towards that supernatural body of water.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T17:31:00.001-06:00

Here's a wish for a year filled with peaceful, abiding and compassionate living to all my friends and family out there. All the best!

Sundown near Manitou

2011-12-30T15:17:00.004-06:00

Sundown near Manitou

The weather continues to be unbelievably warm for this time of the year, its almost the end of December and the temperature has been hovering around 0 degrees Celcius forever. I manage to get out and do plein air work almost every day and it has been very instructional for me. Working in the studio seems to be a stale experience after the excitement of working outdoors on "real" subjects.

Feliz Navidad

2011-12-24T15:40:00.001-06:00

Honduran Child

Christmas is once again upon us my friends and neighbours. I wish for you all a happy time spent in meaningful and loving moments with loved ones now and in the New Year! I share with you this watercolour of a little Honduran girl I met a few years back when I did some humanitarian work for the people of Honduras. Feliz Navidad !!

Plein Air Pastel

2011-12-20T16:21:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a lovely day for December 19th, the temperature was hovering around 0 C while I was doing this pastel down in Wellington Park. What a bonus to experience winter this way, I absolutely love sitting out of doors and painting, especially by Wellington Creek because of the mesmerizing sounds of the water as it makes its way down to the lake. Pastels can be kind of addictive but I promise not to buy any more!

The extraordinary thing about the ordinary thing

2011-12-17T17:16:00.001-06:00

I watched a video made by a staff photographer from National Geographic magazine who stressed the concept of paying attention to the ordinary things in our life. (kind of goes against the current trend in marketing methinks) I like this concept alot, in fact I love it and have lived most of my life following it. There is much beauty in our backyards and beneath our feet. The late Canadian photographer, Courtney Milne, made amazingly beautiful photographs in his backyard pool. My brother, Richard Baschak, is a master photographer who elevates frozen water droplets into wondrous images that evoke celestial objects of far away galaxies. I am a humble painter who attempts to follow in the footsteps of past and current artists that celebrate the ordinary.

Shimmering Water

2011-12-05T11:17:00.001-06:00

My latest plein air of the lovely Wellington Creek. An overcast day, temperature hovering around 0 C, with bits of sunlight once in awhile. Quite contemplative place to sit and paint, the water gurgling and chickadees fluttering about, I even saw a couple of robins. What a life.

First Snow

2011-12-04T14:07:00.001-06:00

I painted this a little while back when we experienced one of our first snows out at the Beach. It was painted from my studio window and is a tiny little thing, 6 x 8 inches. I enjoyed flicking the specks of snow on at the end, rather fun to try and achieve a realistic effect in a painterly way.

Hue and Saturation

2011-12-03T16:41:00.001-06:00

This watercolour is pushing hue and saturation somewhat, but I swear it is not terribly different than what I have seen on some summer evenings out here. I don't know, maybe I will wash it out a bit.
CC's are welcome.

The Joy of Collaboration

2011-11-30T14:16:00.001-06:00


Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Every once in awhile I have the joy (I could use many words to express this) of collaborating with good friends at our various Retreats. The painting above was painted by Dean Bauche, Jan Layh and myself at our Retreat in Denare Beach, SK this past summer. Rocks were the theme of many participating artists as this location is well known for the Precambrian outcroppings abounding about there (some are loaded with precious minerals like zinc, copper and gold). I was entrusted to take this painting home and finish it, the only demand was that I didn't break the first rule. People in the know will understand what that means! I only had to sharpen up some lines and do a bit of glazing. Seems like its done.

The Magpie

2011-11-23T12:22:00.001-06:00

I have a love/hate relationship with magpies. On the one hand I find them annoying when it comes to attempting to attract songbirds to the yard because they tend to scare them all off. A case in point is my determination to build a purple martin palace for my yard this past summer. Well the magpie was not pleased and he pretty much told me so one summer morning when I came across him sitting on my wood pile. We had a staring match for a good minute, which I found amazing because they are usually very shy of humans. Looking at him I had a sense that he was telling me that he didn't appreciate being dive bombed by the purple martins who had taken over the yard. Magpies are a very striking bird and I particularly enjoy seeing them in the winter, when their plumage really stands out. Had a hard time photographing this oil painting, I think the pearlescent paint was messing with my camera lense.

To A Certain Cantatrice

2011-11-19T17:06:00.001-06:00

Found myself thinking about the countless people of the occupy Wall Street movement when I came across this Walt Whitman poem. Do you see the relevance?

Here, take this gift,
I was reserving it for some hero, speaker, or general,
One who should serve the good old cause,
the great idea, the progress and freedom of the race,
Some brave confronter of despots, some daring rebel;
But I see that what I was reserving belongs
to you just as much as to any.

- Walt Whitman

Schist Lake, Manitoba

2011-11-17T16:52:00.001-06:00

Bright Morning on Schist Lake

It's snowing out like crazy and I am in my studio working away like a beaver on numerous pieces. This oil was painted last weekend at a get together we hosted here at Manitou Beach and depicts an island on Schist Lake, where Karen Clark (one of the painters who attended) lives.

Warm October Afternoon

2011-11-08T16:55:00.001-06:00

I painted this pastel on one of the last days of Autumn. The dogs and I came across the deer on the hiking trail south west of Wellington Park, what a great day it was.

Fading Glory

2011-10-29T14:47:00.002-05:00

In the spirit of my photographer friend from Manitou Beach, Al Bowman, I submit this watercolour/pastel of the sun going down over the hills of Manitou Beach, SK. Al is a spirited photographer who insists that he just likes "snapping pictures" but I feel he is much more talented than he gives himself credit for. Check out his work on Facebook. I call this painting "Join the Union" simply because I was listening to a song by that name performed by Strawbs. Go figure.

Painting from Memory

2011-10-25T16:45:00.001-05:00

This small pastel was painted from memory and depicts one of the many roadside pullouts we stopped at on our way down the northern coast of California. I was struck by the solitary tree standing against the incessant winds off of the Pacific Ocean.

Mendocino Afternoon

2011-10-19T09:35:00.001-05:00

This is another pastel piece that I managed to do in the time allotted me by my tour guide operator Michael Baschak, of the bay off of the village of Mendocino California. I am glad that I took my pastels on this trip as they allowed me to do fairly quick studies of the places I visited and offered a quite good selection of colours for that locale.

Mendocino

2011-10-18T13:44:00.000-05:00

One of the places I really wanted to go to when in California was Mendocino. I had heard a lot about it over the years, how it was a haven for the sixties generation and artists of every make and colour. Going there wasn't a disappointment and it lived up to all my expectations. Mendocino is actually quite a small little village, probably not much larger than Manitou Beach. The architecture is quaint and funky and there are strict guidelines in place to ensure it remains that way. Crystal and Michael let me loose with my pastels for a little over an hour so I made good use of my time by heading down to the edge of the village, close to the ocean, and set myself up close to some other plein air painters who were up from Berkley, CA for the day. I felt right at home. This pastel is one of the two pieces I managed to complete in my time allotment. Nothing like a deadline to get me moving!

California Dreaming

2011-10-17T10:36:00.001-05:00

Crystal, Michael and I are back from our trip down to California and what a trip it was. We followed the coast all the way down and I know Crystal had her eyes tightly shut more than once as Michael maneuvered his way around some tight slow corners on the edge of the Pacific Ocean! I could feel my abs working on both sides of my body as we made our way down the coast. We made many stops along the way to explore the coastline and the redwood forests, it is all quite overwhelming and there is to much to say in just one post. The pastel above was done en plein air at a place called Agate Beach, where we camped for three days. There usually was fog in the air which added a serene quality to the place. I didn't sleep much while I was there because the sound of the huge waves, which reminded me of freight trains, was constant and very loud. They sounded like they were actually moving large rocks at times. I brought a couple of pounds of pebbles back from the beach for my rock garden!

Glorious Autumn

2011-10-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

We are being blessed with an amazing Autumn in our part of the world. The other day I took some time and sat under a tree in our Wellington Park with the idea of doing a pastel drawing of the splendor before me. It was such a great experience to sit there with my two dogs and enjoy the warm breezes and solitude of the place. I hope I can get out again while the leaves are still on the trees!

Something outside my window

2011-09-26T18:19:00.000-05:00

Titling paintings can be an interesting exercise sometimes and this painting was no exception. I gain alot of inspiration from simply looking out my studio window and what I see outside these days is Autumn happening. So, I saw something outside my window. I leave the rest to you.

Thinking about Utah

2011-09-23T13:47:00.003-05:00

The Bridge Over It

The other evening my wife suggested I vacate the house and go to my studio (some call it the Man Room) as she was having a friend over to do Reflexology. So, like the dutiful husband that I am, I retired to my room and proceeded to do the pastel you see above. (It doesn't take much arm bending to get me into my sanctuary) I prepared the support for this piece using quite a bit of marble dust and a dark toned acrylic paint, using a ragged old brush that some might throw in the garbage. You can judge the scale of this natural wonder by comparing the size of the trees below to the natural bridge above. The impetus for the picture came from reminiscing about last Falls road trip to the beautiful state of Utah, in particular the southern half where we encountered the most amazing vistas. The sandstone arches are totally mind boggling and inquisitively wonderus (my own word). This Fall Michael, Crystal and I are going to Oregon and California, following the coast all the way down. I am very attracted to water, being a Cancer, so this should be a fabulous trip.

Eastend Plein Air

2011-09-21T20:28:00.000-05:00

I discovered this 10 x 12 plein air oil painting in a closet in my studio just now. It was painted a few years ago down in Eastend and portrays the view from a hill overlooking Don's ranch, where we all stay when we are down there for our annual retreat on the July weekend. I had a call from my painting buddy Dean Bauche early last week inviting me to go down there and do some encaustic painting with him. Would have been nice but I had to be in attendance for our Art of Import Show and also in Regina for my wife. (she needed a chauffeur). The good thing is I got to see a wonderful exhibit of the Regina Five Painters, I was particularly taken with Art MacKays work. Canada's painters are severly under rated and should be getting alot more attention on the world stage. Funny thing happened when I walked into the Gallery, Danny Bauche yelled, "hey, I know that guy!" So we had a nice chat and I ended up spending time with Deans daughter instead of him. Funny how life is.

Pristine Waters

2011-09-19T21:01:00.001-05:00

Pristine Waters Pastel on Paper

The pastel painting above is another of a series of works I am doing based on my week long stay up at Denare Beach this past August. As I might have mentioned before I used to live in the vicinity of Flin Flon and until I got back up there after an absence of 3 years I never realized how much I missed the area. I look forward to going again soon, my friend Sarah says I have a place to stay, right Sarah? I love water and rocks, with the odd tree thrown into the mix.

Morning on the Water

2011-09-11T18:54:00.000-05:00


Morning on the Water

The weather has been exceptionally fine lately and I have been managing to get out on the water in my Kayak practically every day. One fine morning I took my watercolour kit with me and painted this piece above. Actually it was such a fine morning that I skipped going to work, a person can do that when you are self employed! Just have to work twice as hard in the afternoon.

The Burden of Leadership

2011-09-06T14:11:00.001-05:00

The Burden of Leadership

The painting above is an encaustic and oil on a masonite panel. I painted it while at our Retreat in Denare Beach in August of this year. Looking at it now I decided to title it as above because it struck me that this man, sitting on his throne of horns, has a lot to think about. Canada just recently lost a potentially great leader in Jack Layton, a man I admired from the moment I became aware of him. It is my opinion that great leaders hold their constituents before them and put their personal desires behind, in favor of serving their country first and foremost. I honestly don't see that in Canada right now and I think I am old enough now to know the difference. A writing by Lao Tzu comes to mind:

It is better not to make merit a matter of reward

Lest people conspire and contend,

Not to pile up rich belongings

Lest they rob,

Not to excite by display

Lest they covet.

A sound leader's aim

Is to open people's hearts,

Fill their stomachs,

Calm their wills,

Brace their bones

And so clarify their thoughts and cleanse their needs

That no cunning meddler could touch them:

Without being forced, without strain or constrain,

Good government comes of itself.

Tranquility

2011-08-31T11:55:00.000-05:00

Tranquil Morning

I have always been a dreamer, as long as I can remember I have been in awe of natural wonders of what is known as life on the planet earth. I still get snippets of memories from my childhood of times spent in the raspberry bushes, looking up through the berries, branches, the clouds beyond and my grandpa as he picked and just being totally in the moment. I can still hear the bumble bees and grasshoppers and smell the earth and the berries on those hot summer days. The door of their house slamming and Baba calling for me, probably worried that I fell in the river or was off on one of my numerous adventures. I was famous for disappearing and turning up in another town, looking for my Dad (a railroad engineer who made frequent trips up to northern communities). I credit this wonder with my fascination with painting the landscapes of places I love, that being in the moment and being oblivious of extraneous noise that can hide the true beauty of life. The pastel above is a celebration of just such a moment I had on Schist Lake, Mb.

Rock Paintings

2011-08-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

Rock Painting Oil

I took a boat ride on Amisk Lake to look at some rock paintings. The paintings were quite hard to find and frankly I was left wondering if they were the real McCoy, know what I mean? It's like looking at cloud patterns or other naturally occurring events, it is in the eye of the beholder. Leonardo da Vinci was a proponent of using these accidental images in his under paintings as a prominent part of the painting. I marvel at how these images appear in my paintings, maybe they are something that comes from the subconscious, bubbling up from down under like champagne.

A Plein Air Painting

2011-08-25T21:58:00.000-05:00

Mud Lake Oil

One of the first things I did up at Denare Beach was set myself up overlooking Mud Lake which is just minutes away from the DenarePlex, the site of the Art Retreat. A lovely setting, I was up on some pre cambrian rocks looking down at the lake. Out near the middle of the lake was a small outcropping were sea gulls and pelicans were hanging out. A supernatural experience. I found out when I got back that the conservation officers were out in the area trying to trap a rogue bear that was wandering around in the vicinity! I'm not surprised because there were blueberries everywhere you looked.

Schist Lake Morning

2011-08-24T16:21:00.000-05:00

Schist Lake Morning Oil

One of the great things some friends and I did while up at our Denare Beach art retreat (Shellmouth North) was to go on a boat ride in fellow artist Ron Watts pontoon boat. Ron has a lovely cabin on Schist Lake and together we travelled up and down that fabulous lake in the early morning where we spotted numerous loons, pelicans and eagles. The above painting is one of two I have painted of that experience, and I definitely have a few more planned as it was a very stimulating experience on a supernaturally beautiful lake. Thanks again, Ron, for the hospitality!

The Value of Thankfulness

2011-08-17T21:17:00.000-05:00

Melody 36 x 48 Oil

After reading the latest post of Robert Genns Painters Keys, which was about thankfulness, I considered my experience up at the Denare Beach (Shellmouth North) retreat with respect to the idea of giving thanks. For sure we always as a group said grace before we partook of the fabulous meals prepared for us by fellow artists but there is also saying thanks to all the participants for their help and critical comments that served to enhance the artistic experience. There is giving thanks to God for the supernatural geography that is Amisk Lake, Schist Lake, the creeks, forests, blueberries and bears. Their is thankfulness for the humor of singing Karaoke at 1:30 in the morning with people that sing way better than you, or worse. Skinny dipping in the crystal clear waters of Amisk under a full moon at 1 in the morning with other loony artists, and the loons. The list goes on. So thanks, and thanks again.

Denare Beach Art Retreat

2011-08-15T11:57:00.000-05:00

Blue Hotel Oil on Canvas 36x48

I am back from a week of painting in the wonderful community of Denare Beach, SK. Our annual Shellmouth Retreat was moved there to give Jan Layh a bit of a break this summer after busily planning for her daughter Avery's wedding in a few weeks time. What a fantastic place to be for a week of friendship and art making. Many thanks to Karen Clark and Sarah Trevor, who organized this fantastic event. I made new friends and reconnected with the supernatural wonder of the precambrian shield country after being away for nearly three years. It has wetted my appetite to get back there and paint the landscape once more. Also thanks to the artists of that area who came out to participate and to the public who supported all of us at the wind up on Saturday, what an amazing turnout! We were treated to some special music performed by the Hanson's, a local duo, who played while be danced our heads off! The painting above is one of 9 that I completed while up there.
I would like to invite my readers who are in the vicinity to come out to my solo show here in Watrous at the Gallery on 3rd. It is titled "Conversations with Place," and will feature many of my works of the area. It opens on Wednesday, August 17th. The opening reception is August 19th at 7 pm. Hope to see your there!

Day Lilies

2011-07-31T14:39:00.000-05:00

I discovered some rather nice plants in the lot down from me last year and I got the vacant owners permission to tend some of them. One of the species is the Day Lily, which I have attempted to portray in pastel. This seems like a particularly good year for them as they have abundant blooms and don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

The Blue Hotel

2011-07-26T22:42:00.000-05:00

Here at Manitou Beach we have an intriguing old building on the edge of the lake. In fact it is now partially submerged because of the increased amount of water we are dealing with at the resort. I am told it was once known as the Blue Hotel back in the glory days of this community. Recently it was used as a brine shrimp processing plant. At the present time it is abandoned and probably due for destruction. It is kind of a sad commentary on what was once a grand and popular place. I don't like seeing buildings such as this being permanently lost because once they are gone, their gone forever. I plan on doing a series of paintings of this wonderfully evocative place, hopefully before it disappears.

Praludium

2011-07-20T22:48:00.000-05:00

Today was a wild weather day, very unsettled and some extremely evil looking clouds. This morning on my way to work I witnessed a very interesting weather event and I guess it stuck in my head because it came back to me in my studio this evening. I had simply wanted to tone some canvas's for an upcoming Retreat and instead this painting manifested itself. Somewhat like my buddy Chris Wikman I used some funky colours that I normally don't use, and although they are much more toned down than Chris's I think they are successful and reminiscent of nature. I called it "Praludium" because I was listening to a Bach piece by that name played by the guitarist John Williams. I thought it fitting and somewhat uncanny how this all happened.

Wind in the Grass, Smoke on the Wind

2011-07-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

This pastel was a plein air effort from the hill above the dam at Eastend. I was up there with Dean Bauche, Bonnie McNabb and Ovid Mercredi. There was a pretty stiff wind blowing and I had to hold onto my pastel board tightly to keep it from taking off on me. For sure I didn't have to worry about blowing the pastel dust occasionally. I love sitting in nature and painting, and when the elements are particularly active, it is even more vital. Plein air pieces form a lasting memory for many years after.

A Pastel from Eastend

2011-07-15T21:25:00.000-05:00

I have a few more pieces of art I created, with the help of a greater hand than mine, from my retreat down in Eastend. This one above is from a favorite place of mine to sit, it is on top of a butte that overlooks the Frenchman River basin. It is quite high up and can get quite hot at times. Most times I get the gears from Red Tailed Hawks who take exception for me being in their haunt. I have suffered the odd sun burn and have lost one large painting knife up there. Maybe its become the prized possession of a large bird, likely a wise old Raven. I understand that they like tools. This is a wonderful place to be...........

Eastend 2011, the third day

2011-07-09T19:07:00.000-05:00

Usually at art retreats I have to cease working in oils due to transportation issues and this time was no different. I wanted to do a large painting like the previous days effort so I got out my acrylics and went at it. The above painting is the result. I call it Eastend Hills Afternoon. The photo does not do it justice, much nicer to see the real thing.

Eastend 2011, the second day

2011-07-06T21:32:00.000-05:00


High Winds, Bright Sky 30 x 30 in Oil on Panel

This time around at Eastend Dean let me set up my studio space in the ranch's owners workshop, which suited me just fine because I have much the same setup at home. Dean Bauche and Bonnie McNabb were also set up there but Dean good nature ably ribbed me about how I managed to take over half of the workshop. I let it pass like water off of a duck's back. I painted the picture above on my second day down there and it is loosely based on the previous posts plein air piece. I am always amazed at how much work a person can get done on the ranch. Wish I could do the same at home.

Eastend 2011

2011-07-05T17:37:00.000-05:00


Bright Morning at the Y Road

We just got back from another amazing experience at Eastend, SK, where we attend a weekend Art Retreat. The weather was fantastic with warm temperatures and a very nice wind to cool things off. I managed to paint a few pieces, some in the studio and some with friends in the hills of Eastend. I had some very special moments with close friends that are to personal to speak of here but they will stick with me for the rest of my life. I post one of the pieces I did while sitting with my friends Jan Layh and Bonnie McNabb near the Y road.

Shellmouth goes North

2011-06-17T21:31:00.000-05:00

As I have mentioned in this blog several times I have the distinct pleasure and privilege of attending a week long Art Retreat in Shellmouth, Mb. Well this year that retreat is going to be held at Denare Beach, Sk. because of extenuating circumstances and will be hosted by two amazing artists who go by the names of Karen Clark and Sarah Trevor. I can't express how excited I am about this because I grew up in Northern Manitoba and who I am as an artist is largely defined by the beauty of the Boreal forest and Precambrian shield area that makes up the geography of the land north of my home town of The Pas, Mb. The painting above depicts Amisk Lake which is near the location of this years Retreat and you can bet that I will be found paddling my home built Kayak around the many islands and inlets of this amazing lake with my pochade box at the ready. Thanks in advance girls, I know you will put on a wonderful event for us all!

Spring Raining Down

2011-05-31T21:21:00.000-05:00

Spring Raining Down Oil on Canvas $600.00

I call this abstract painting "Spring Raining Down". To me it symbolizes alot of spring type attributes, I'll leave it to you to figure that out. Maybe its a mistake to talk about what the painting means to me, I should just let it go out there and let the people make their own determinations about it.

Thinking like Leonardo Da Vinci

2011-05-28T18:15:00.000-05:00


North Saskatchewan River near Moose Park, MB

I am currently reading a book entitled "Thinking like Leonardo Da Vinci" when I have a bit of time on my hands, which isn't much lately. It is a wonderful read on an amazing human being, I have always had a great deal of respect for Da Vinci. Without a doubt anyone would benefit from adapting some of his characteristics, stretching the mind muscle is a good daily practice. Ovid Mercredi, a friend of mine, quite often encourages young people to study the great people that have come and gone in order to better their way of life. Interestingly, he also recommends studying the infamous people as well so that you can learn how not to behave. Sound advice for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing Ovid and Gerry at the Eastend Art Retreat in July. Ovid, like myself, spent time in The Pas, Mb, near where the above watercolour was painted.

On the beauty of Blue Herons

2011-05-18T18:08:00.000-05:00

I saw a Blue Heron today, the first I've spotted this spring, and it got me thinking about the elegance of these birds. Quite often I have seen them standing in water by a road or marsh, perfectly still and waiting for dinner with a patience I can only dream of. Or, like clockwork I see them flying overhead in the morning in the same direction and then in the evening coming back on the same flight path. I don't like taking anything like this for granted as I believe it has a relevance beyond current human understanding. I think our ancient ancestors had much more respect for the animal kingdom than we do, for reasons we are already beginning to forget, and that is a sad thing.

On being Ruthless to be Kind

2011-05-17T16:00:00.000-05:00


8 1/2 x 10 1/2 Pastel $100.00

This pastel is a re-worked version of a previous post. After trying to flatten the warped paper it was drawn on I succeeded in smudging the pastel and was forced to toss it in the garbage or have at it again. Being part Scotsman and Ukrainian I have a tendency to scrinch and save whenever possible so I opted to introduce the colour I was observing outside my studio window in an effort to save it. I am happier with this result, what about you? Seems appropriate to resurrect something dead in the spring of the year, ie; being ruthless to be kind.

Lost in Utah

2011-05-16T18:07:00.000-05:00

I came across this watercolour yesterday and decided it just needed a few minor things done to it to make it presentable in my eyes. Thats the good thing about putting paintings away for awhile, you look at them with fresh eyes. I'm calling it "Lost in Utah" because it was lost for awhile and it is a depiction of a place I visited in Utah last Thanksgiving. I really like the sky, what about you?

Thinking of Eastend

2011-05-15T22:04:00.000-05:00

Hills of Eastend Pastel

Every year on the July long weekend a group of artist's, which includes painters, poets, writers and musicians (also culinary maestros) gather at a wonderful ranch down at Eastend, SK for a few days of intense fun. We paint, eat, drink, go hiking and sometimes rebuild after errant tornadoes pass through. When its over it seems like it just started and we can't wait for next year to do it all over again. Considering how much moisture they have been getting down there this winter and spring I'm guessing it will be as green as Ireland. This is the stomping grounds of the American poet Wallace Stagner and countless dinosaur hunters. It is a miniature Grand Canyon and a wonderful place to meditate, paint or just be still to hear the prairie wind amongst the native grasses and wildflowers. I will always remember sitting beside a bunch of flowering wolf willow and being intoxicated by the aroma as I painted a plein air piece of the ranch below me. Does it sound like I love this place?

The Greening of the World

2011-05-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

New Green Oil $100.00

One cannot help but notice that the world around us is getting greener. Its a curious thing but before the leaves get green they appear as a lovely rose colour (a perfect complementary colour). Interesting how the Big Oug in the Sky dresses creation. The painting I have posted above was done alla prima on site the other day. When I got myself set up on the side of the hill I discovered that I had forgotten my palette! I quickly decided to carry on though as I was enthralled by the beauty before me, which can be quite fleeting. In lieu of a palette I just took paint off the end of my tubes of paint and applied it in a hurried, haphazard manner with a brush and painting knife. Must say that I have never done that before but it worked out Ok. I even put some new green grass in amongst last years growth, just because.

The Aftermath

2011-05-10T16:56:00.000-05:00

I was doing some snooping around in my workshop and started pulling mirror boxes out to see what was inside of them. In one of them I discovered this painting that I had titled "The Aftermath". It is a statement about the devastation caused by Manitoba Hydro in Northern Manitoba, particularly around Easterville. It turns out that there are some far reaching ramifications to flooding boreal forests, like permanently displacing people who were perfectly happy living where they were prior to the flood. I thought the picture was also interesting in light of all the flooding happening all over Canada right now.

After the Rain

2011-05-09T21:43:00.000-05:00

After the Rain Oil on Canvas $200.00

Me thinks that it is raining all over this great nation of ours, for some people it is a bit much for them to handle and my heart goes out to them. I wonder if our politicians are re-considering their position on global warming? Not. Anyways on a completely other topic, I happen to love what happens to trees after a rain in the spring, they take on the most amazing vibrant colours and it is a real challenge to capture that in paint. This painting is my humble attempt, I had the good fortune to be out with my paints the other day when I came across this scene not far from where I live. Hope you enjoy it!

Ordinary Places

2011-05-06T17:33:00.000-05:00


Old Grass New Grass Pastel $150.00

I guess I'm an ordinary guy who paints ordinary things. I try to jazz things up a bit, sometimes with success, often not. Colour excites me, as well as the lack of it. No colour and some colour is good, the challenge is the successful combination of both. I think I'm going out to Saskatoon to buy me a bright lime green shirt with magenta flowers, maybe tulips. Probably going to buy one of those fancy flavored ice cream cones while I'm at it.

Robins and Crocus's

2011-05-02T18:17:00.000-05:00


Robins and Crocus's Pastel $100.00

I had a bit of time last week during the mid afternoon to set up my easel in the back yard and do a pastel of the scene in front of me. There were all kinds of robins zooming around and the crocus's were just starting to peek through the dead grass. The temperature was warm, the ambiance was perfect, so it was a real pleasure to be there and do the plein air piece.

Signs of Spring

2011-04-19T10:48:00.000-05:00


Signs of Spring Pastel $175.00

As an artist and human life form I enjoy life and discovering new manifestations of it, particularly in the spring of the year. It has been a long winter so when I start to see nature in the spring of the year I am amazed anew. One thing that is visually exciting is observing the trees undergoing the wake up process. One begins to notice how the tips of the branches begin to change colour, lovely pastel shades that gradually darken and change to the various shades of green we are familiar with. Because it has been such a cold and drawn out spring this process is taking much longer. I chose to do this plein air in pastel to celebrate the life and colour I witnessed yesterday afternoon from my backyard, it seemed appropriate.

Who's that Lady?

2011-04-12T17:07:00.000-05:00

I had some fun with this watercolour, and you can see that the lady in the back seems to be quite mirthful as well. Any guess's as to who she is, and maybe where she is having such a good time? A hint: It has something to do with my brother Richard wrecking a perfectly good chair at the last supper of a great Artist Retreat somewhere in south western Saskatchewan.

The Big Melt

2011-04-09T13:28:00.000-05:00

The snow is melting like crazy now, what was once a chuckling stream is now a roaring river running through Wellington Park. The water is taking out park benches and undermining some trees, last night it came close to overflowing the road. The power of nature is mesmerizing to say the least. This morning I sat on a large boulder and listened to the sound of the water and the booming of the ice as the sun began to warm it up, with the welcome sounds of the returning Canada Geese, Robins and other birds. Yesterday afternoon I painted this plein air piece from the top of a hill looking down on a pond that is rapidly becoming a small lake. In a perverse kind of way I am saddened to see the snow go! Go figure.

Spring Melt

2011-04-08T15:16:00.000-05:00

A great day today, the snow is melting fast. There are road building crews working feverishly to berm up the Little Manitou, hopefully to prevent serious flood damage. It is almost a loosing battle from my vantage point. I post this painting of the spring melt at a place called Clearwater Lake, I lived near there for many years and it holds a special place in my make up. I just returned from North Battleford where I was helping my dear friends Dean and Barb Bauche renovate their bathroom. They lured me up there with a promise that Dean and I could do some collaborative paintings but that didn't happen because of all the work that had to be done:( They did treat me to a house concert performance by Valdy which was awesome to say the least! Last time I saw him was at the Trappers Festival in The Pas, many years ago. I also had the pleasure of staying with my buddy Ross Nikoforuk and going to a Bruce Cockburn concert in Saskatoon last Sunday. He played my all time favourite song, "All the Diamonds." Thanks Bruce, you made my day.

Here comes the sun

2011-03-31T17:42:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful day it has been. The moment I got up this morning I knew it was going to be different, the clouds in the sky had that look about them like it was spring or something. After work I set up a small 10 x 12 oil I worked on the last time the sun shone and did some refining to reflect the kind of afternoon it was. It is melting like crazy, I hope the crews working on the berms by the lake aren't have to rough time of it. They are trying to keep the lake from flooding the shore side developments by building up the shoreline. Good luck with that.

And now...something totally different

2011-03-29T17:49:00.000-05:00

While out walking the other morning, the last time the sun was visible, I had a peculiar experience. So that I could enjoy the sun's warmth better I turned my face in its direction and just enjoyed that sensation for awhile. I began to see this curious shape, complete with the colours of the above painting, floating before my closed eyes. This pastel comes close to what I saw but it doesn't quite match the experience. I really like the colour combination's and would like to try this in an oil, large format. Maybe this is what Rothko saw in his minds eye?

High Winds, Bright Sky

2011-03-28T16:41:00.000-05:00

Looks like I am going to a Bruce Cockburn concert on April 3rd. I haven't seen Bruce live in a very long time, I was still in my late teens when I heard him play at the University of Winnipeg. The title of this painting mimics a favourite song of mine written by Cockburn for one of his earlier albums. On another note for those of you who are interested or who will be in the area, I will be showing some of my paintings in Vancouver at the Haiku Inspirations show in the Federation Gallery on Granville Island April 12th to May 1st. I am also showing at the Old Courthouse Cultural Centre in Kamloops April 9th to the 17th. I do have some friends and relatives out that way, pass the word around and go have a look as judging by the caliber of the artists involved both shows promise to be outstanding. What say you to that Scott, Michael, Nick, Chris, Suzanne?

To those that aspire to lead

2011-03-24T10:47:00.001-05:00

We in Canada are about to undergo yet another federal election so we should be wary of much bad behavior by the aspiring leaders. This poem by the ancient Lao Tzu comes to mind when I envision all the rhetoric that we Canadians are about to be bombarded with.

It is better not to make merit a matter of reward

Lest people conspire and contend,

Not to pile up rich belongings

Lest they rob,

Not to excite by display

Lest they covet.

A sound leader's aim

Is to open people's hearts,

Fill their stomachs,

Calm their wills,

Brace their bones

And so clarify their thoughts and cleanse their needs

That no cunning meddler could touch them:

Without being forced, without strain or constrain,

Good government comes of itself.

I wonder what is required reading when you go to Political school (Is there such an entity)?

Lao tzu

2011-03-23T12:15:00.000-05:00

Life has an amazing way of being. Last Saturday Crystal and I met with Leisel, the daughter of our dearly departed Angelene Tysseland. We had the opportunity to go through some of Angelenes books and papers and keep or borrow what we liked. I came across a number of books that resonated with me, one of them being Lao Tzu's "Way of Life". For those who are not aware, this man lived around 604 BC and his words resonate with a profound relevance in this day and age. I have since re-read it twice and intend to continue doing so because his message speaks so strongly to me and clarifies so much that seems murky about life today. Please read this small poem as an example. I appreciate that it might not mean as much to the next person at this time as it does to me. Nevertheless, it is a profoundly simple and strong message.

As the soft yield of water cleaves obstinate stone,

So to yield with life solves the insoluble:

To yield, I have learned, is to come back again.

But this unworded lesson,

This easy example,

Is lost among men.

Lao Tzu 604 BC

I am amazed that this man, who lived 2615 years ago, possessed such common sense knowledge that the majority of the earths inhabitants lack today. Why is this so? All of us are so out of touch with life, with life as it should be. The great events happening today can be a lesson on the right way to live. Thank you, Angie, for the book. I know that you read it many times, judging by all the footnotes I have come across and I now know that your latest Cantata "Labyrinth" had its roots there as well.

Great News

2011-03-17T17:54:00.000-05:00

I received word via email that my painting "Black Poplars" has been accepted into the annual Federation of Canadian Artists Open Show in Kelowna, BC this April! These shows are pretty much my only opportunity to show current work in Western Canada so I am quite excited about it all. The other artists showing are all exceptional painters, I am honored to be included with them. On another note, I stumbled upon this watercolor in a drawer this afternoon. After having not seen it for some time I realized that I kind of like it. It is a whimsical portrayal of a swamp back at The Pas, MB, around the Rosie Mayne Trail where I used to enjoy walking. I remember there being quite a few Great Blue Herons nesting back there and felt I was in a special place when near them. I love these birds.

Abstraction in Wax

2011-03-14T20:29:00.001-05:00

This painting is an abstraction in encaustic wax. I was able to achieve the linear marks with a "kystka," which is the traditional tool used to make marks with molten beeswax on Ukrainian Easter Eggs. (Pysanka) I am getting a kick out of using these implements from my past in these current pieces of art and looking forward to exploring the theme further.

Running away screaming

2011-03-13T18:50:00.000-05:00

We had some good friends spend the weekend with us, little 3 1/2 year old Phoenix, Angelena and Peter from Regina. Its always nice to have visitors, we seem to get a lot since we moved to this part of the country. Had a great time visiting and catching up. I showed them my studio and they didn't run away screaming so I took that as a good sign that I'm doing something right. Peter commented that I seem to have a lot of interests and styles, which I can't argue with. I explained that I have many interests and a relatively short time to inhabit this earth. The painting above is an example of a "style" that I have been interested in for some time now and the inspiration for it came from the neighbours back lane fence. Go figure. I have a number of these paintings under various stages of finish. I have used encaustic waxes and oil paint along with various inks to get it to this point.

Full of Beeswax

2011-03-08T15:52:00.000-06:00

My Dad used to say I was full of beeswax, as well as other people I won't mention here. If only he knew how right he was! I went for a long walk this morning, starting down my back lane, and that is where I discovered a tree with maple seeds hanging on it. After taking a few photos of them in a back lighting situation, I had the bright idea of taking a few of them back to my studio and seeing if I could create something new with them. The encaustic painting above is the result of that idea, tell me what you think. I signed my name with twigs, a first for me and I like the look of it. Many years ago my brother Richard took a great photo of a similar scene, I still have it.

Seeing things

2011-03-06T15:36:00.000-06:00

I have been doing a few encaustic paintings these days. Basically I have just playing with them, like I used to when I was a young Kloppisz (slang for an innocent young boy and probably not spelled right) making Ukrainian easter eggs with my Baba at her kitchen table. Man, that seems like it was just yesterday. I love the smell of Beeswax, nothing like it in all the world. Working with wax is for me a meditative practice. This piece is an experiment and I'm not sure where I'll go with it, but it has some interesting possibilities. Personally I see evidence of humans in it, maybe its me trapped in there. Maybe I'll call it "The Bear Dream", and go from there.

Three Stones

2011-03-02T17:23:00.000-06:00

This painting started out many years ago as some lichen covered stones on a forest floor in Northern Manitoba. It has now been painted as three water washed stones on a late winter afternoon somewhere in Western Saskatchewan. Such is the privilege of the artist, we can take God's creation and do some recreation. I am kind of building up a gallery of these images, any takers? It is a 12 x 14 inch oil painting on board with a small amount of gold leaf to boot.

Dreaming of Winters Passing

2011-03-01T15:58:00.000-06:00

I am a hardy soul and I like winter but........... minus 40 Celcius for the first of March? Maybe there is a reason why human migration patterns have shown that there has been a definite move southward over the eons, a good chance that Mexicans were once Inuit. Anyways, I have posted a painting of cherry blossoms and water just to bring a little bit of spring into my studio. Hopefully this weather will break soon and I can bask in some warm sun without having to go to Mexico.

Aunty Marilyn's Passing

2011-02-27T15:52:00.000-06:00

Notes from the Violin

carried away on the prairie wind

Auntie Marilyn has died.


Marilyns Roses (Encaustic)

I received word that my Aunt Marilyn passed away from this world yesterday evening. She was a favourite aunt of mine, I spent a lot of my youth at her farm enjoying her animals, garden, and cooking. I always believed she had a special connection with her farm animals, some people do. She lost her husband John just recently, they can be together again in a better place. I wrote the poem above while I was waiting for Crystal at the local grocery store. There was an amazingly beautiful Rachmaninoff piece playing on CBC Radio while I was contemplating my memories of Marilyn and I felt like writing something down that somehow expressed my feelings at that moment. I guess I lost another piece of myself. Thanks for everything Marilyn. Adieu.

George from Poundmaker

2011-02-17T16:44:00.000-06:00

This is a small watercolour of George, who hails from the Poundmaker settlement in southern Manitoba. I met him a few winters ago up in The Pas while attending a workshop on the business matters of Art. Great guy, a wonderful artist and musician. The Trappers Festival was on while we were participating in the seminar. We all went to the Friendship Centre to partake in the Hoop dancing and drumming. Very memorable experience.

Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival

2011-02-15T20:11:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is the beginning of the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival, the oldest in Western Canada. To help celebrate that I post this watercolour of an aboriginal dancer I witnessed at one of the last Festivals I attended before I moved to Saskatchewan. He had the most amazing costume and is a very good dancer. I call him the Wolf Dancer, although that probably isn't his performing name. He was accompanied by a circle of drummers and singers. It was a memorable moment for me. It is events such as this that I miss. Hope everyone has a good time and that it isn't to warm for the dog races!

A Plein Air

2011-02-14T12:24:00.000-06:00

A few mornings ago I had the opportunity to head out with my pochade box and paint this view from a hill overlooking Wellington Park, here at Manitou Beach, SK. I like this spot and have painted here quite a few times already. I can hear the creek burbling away down below and quite often I will see white tail deer feeding in the distance, keeping a wary eye on me. I wonder if they are starting to recognize me? Just as I was finishing this piece it started to snow so I spattered white paint on and it was done!

Sleeping Child with Cherry Blossoms

2011-02-10T16:17:00.000-06:00

Almost a year ago I was in Honduras volunteering for an organization called Brighter Horizons. I was asked to paint a mural on the mission school wall and also help build a cinder block house for a women in need. Marisa is a single mother with 5 children. A lovely woman with beautiful children and poor as a church mouse. When we handed over the keys to her new home I am sure they thought she had died and gone to heaven, it was a wonderful moment for all of us. I went back to visit the following day and found she had already planted some flowers outside her front door. I was very impressed because that is something I always do as soon as I can when I move into a new home. Anyways, this pastel is a portrait of her youngest boy, blissfully asleep on a worn out mattress under a cabana of sorts. He used to follow me around all day, naked as a jay bird, and totally happy with the attention I gave him. I plan on entering it in the Haiku Inspirations competition in Vancouver this spring. I based the composition on the following Haiku by Ferris Gilli. Comments welcome and hope you enjoy the painting. I am going to leave it alone for a day or two and see if it speaks to me one way or another.

cherry blossoms

the baby's hair too fine

to hold a ribbon

Clearing Mist and Cherry Blossoms

2011-02-08T15:45:00.000-06:00

Ever get a bit tired of winter and the gray days? I have to admit that even I long for more sun and warmer temperatures. I found myself thinking of when I lived in Chilliwack, BC; one of the first things I did once I had built our new home there was to plant a cherry tree in the front yard. Well, I have an opportunity to compete for a spot in an upcoming Art Show in Vancouver called Haiku Inspirations, which is running in conjunction with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival in April. It is a chance for me to dream away in my studio of spring and fragrant blossoms. The artist is asked to pick a Haiku poem that has been written by authors from all over the world and base the work of art upon it. This painting is my first attempt at the following poem written by Tito, from Kyoto, Japan.

in clearing mist

the creaking of a heavy oar...

cherry blossoms

Revisions to an older painting

2011-02-07T19:56:00.000-06:00

Some of you may remember this painting from almost a year ago now. The last time I worked on it I was not quite satisfied with the outcome, I felt it needed "something". Well today I got out my handy dandy pocket sketch book and made a tiny thumbnail or two of other possible solutions to my problem. The painting above is the result. For now I shall give it another rest and see if it speaks to me further.

                                                         Cold clear rushing water
                                              Golden light glimpsed through spruce
                                                               The forest sighs

                                                                                                                            Haiku by Darrell

Sleeping Giants

2011-02-05T14:38:00.000-06:00

The title "Sleeping Giants" was something that I picked before I began this pastel. In my visits to the Mistik Creek and area I am always struck by the beauty of these Pre-Cambrian rocks protruding from the earth that they are so much a part of.... In the winter they are covered up in the most beautiful ways, the snow dresses them with soft blankets that conform to their profiles perfectly. Imagine that, nature being perfect! Hope you enjoy looking at the painting as much as I did creating it.

Dawn on the Prairie

2011-02-04T18:13:00.000-06:00

As I was walking with my dogs this morning I noticed that the snow had a peculiar colour cast to it, seemed green to me. Anyways this is my version of what I saw. It is a pastel, which seemed to be the suitable medium to use considering all the pastel shades I observed. Hope you like it, comments are always welcome.

Blue and Gold

2011-02-02T12:14:00.000-06:00

After doing the last watercolour of Mistik Creek I was inspired to try my hand at another, this time a combination of watercolour and pastel. I rather like the effect for this particular scene as the two mediums complement each other in the water and snow. Its pretty likely I will try this again!

A view to the south

2011-02-01T08:56:00.000-06:00

A lot of my friends and associates are heading south for a respite from winter and what am I doing? I'm sitting on a wind swept hill facing south and painting a little painting of the view before me. The time is just before sunset and the weather isn't to bad, maybe minus 15 Celcius, which is about my limit for painting out of doors. Obviously there are easier ways of doing things and warmer climes to paint in but for now I'll take what I've been allotted day by day and be happy about it.

Mistik Waters

2011-01-30T18:13:00.000-06:00

Sunday and I'm in the studio for a bit. I had an urge to visit Mistik Creek in my mind and this watercolour is the result of that journey. That wonderful creek holds a special place in my psyche and I am eternally grateful for its existence. The painting started off as a nifty little "Notan" sketch in three values done with felt markers. I like it almost as much as the watercolour.

A Charcoal Drawing

2011-01-26T17:12:00.000-06:00

This is a little charcoal drawing of my buddies Jack and Sandra Hollenburg's grand daughter. Sandra is a wonderful photographer (and grandma) and this is based on a photo she took of the darling sitting on a stump surrounded by spent dandelions. I am going to give it to them one of these days.

Art and hard work

2011-01-22T20:46:00.001-06:00

I can honestly say that I have worked hard all my life and in the same breath admit that I could and can work a lot harder. This goes for my "real job" as a carpenter and my passionate side of life that includes painting, music and love. (maybe not in that order) The thing about hard work is that it does eventually pay dividends in the form of money (not so important), prestige (even less important), or knowledge and peace. My brother Richard and I are fond of saying that the good Lord gave us able bodies and minds to use and the proper and grateful thing to do would be to resemble a well used rag on our death beds. Amen to that. This little plein air was painted not far from my current stomping grounds. I love poplars.
Painted while listening to Arthur Rubinstein playing the piano like he means it.

Palette Scrapings

2011-01-18T11:56:00.001-06:00

This painting, which I have entitled "Black Poplars", started off from the palette scrapings of the previous days painting "All the Diamonds". By mixing all the left over colours I ended up with a lovely gray which I used to tone my new canvas. After deadening the stark white canvas I was reminded of a time and place in Wellington Park last winter so I set about re-creating that, using a little artistic license, but not to much! Critiques are welcome, I want to let this one percolate for awhile, but I am somewhat excited about it. In some ways I am reminded of some of Gustave Klimt forest interiors, which is not a bad thing.

All the Diamonds ver. 4

2011-01-17T11:39:00.000-06:00

No, I'm not on drugs, although maybe the smell of linseed oil and oil paint is starting to get to me. The funny thing about this painting (in my humble opinion) is that even though there is all this crazy brushwork going on it is starting to read as a cold, hoar frosty kind of morning. At least that's what I see when I take my glasses off. That reminds me, time to phone the optometrist's office as I think I need new glasses. Seriously!!

A Pastel

2011-01-16T18:23:00.000-06:00

Spent the greater part of yesterday and today in the studio. Some of the time was spent preparing paper for some drawings I want to do in silver and copper point. I have been working around the oil painting "All the diamonds" by doing studies in charcoal, pencil and pastel. The pastel above is the result of these studies and deals with low angle winter light in the late afternoon. It bears some similarities to the piece on the home page of my blog.