Thinking of Eastend

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?

All about Pears

I spent the Remembrance Day weekend with some dear friends down in Langenburg, SK. It was a time filled with painting, eating fantastic meals, listening to live music by the great musical couple Silk and Steel and generally having a great time. For some reason there was a focus on Pears, which a number of the guest artists had a wonderful time painting. The oil painting above is my response to some pears bathed in the early morning light pouring through my guest studio windows.