Home Sickness

I was browsing through some images of paintings I have done in the past and I came across this one, which is a view of Rocky Lake, MB. My family had a cottage for many years here and we spent many wonderful days here swimming, boating, fishing and all the other things people do at the lake. My family has all moved from northern Manitoba now, we just moved my Mother down to a little retirement village south of Winnipeg last weekend and she is the last to leave. Its a kind of funny feeling you get when you drive out of town, will I ever be back?

Painting from memory

Quite often I paint from memory. I find that painting in this manner is much more playful and spontaneous. The painting above is an example of that process, it is what I call a remembered landscape. Eastend, SK has many wonderful viewpoints and the pastel painting recalls one of those vistas. I plan on doing some larger canvases at our Shellmouth retreat, which is coming up very soon now. One of the canvases is 5 feet x 4 feet, one of largest I have personally worked on. Should be fun!

Spirit of Manitou Studio Trails

A little while back our Art community here in Watrous and area hosted the Spirit of Manitou Studio trail tour. I have to say that it was a resounding success. We had a very good turn out with people coming from distant places to view the variety of art on display. One reason for this is the healing waters of Manitou, which attracts people from all over the world. I had visitors from Spain, California, Texas, Toronto and all over Canada. This is the second year for the tour and we are already planning for next years event. The painting above is another one I did at the Eastend retreat back on the July long weekend. It is a casien painting on paper and was painted on site. I am now gearing up for the Shellmouth Retreat.

Saskatchewan

This is a small pastel I painted on my last day at the Eastend retreat. I wanted to do something quick, while the sun was just right, and I also wanted to have a reminder of the wonderful sage that grows all about down there. I have been slowly collecting Unison pastels and building up a set of pastels that I can take with me to paint out of doors and I must say that I am very pleased with them. Now I have to figure out how to carry them with me on my excursions! As an aside, I had the good fortune today to see an exhibit of the Saskatchewan artist Dorothy Knowles shown at the Mendel Gallery in Saskatoon. What a painter she is, I was enthralled and could have spent hours just sitting there and soaking them in. You must go and visit them if you are in the area.

Plein Air Painting

After a bit of a break from posting on the Blog I am back with new material and thoughts. Firstly, my Dad has suffered a major health setback and the family is preparing for the worst possible outcome, that he may pass on. I believe that he is prepared for this as he has been talking a lot lately of seeing his mother again. Its just hard to let go, you know?
I had a wonderful time at our annual Art Retreat down at Eastend, SK on the July long weekend. My wife Crystal came as well as my brother Richards wife, Arlene. We had many interesting people down this year, Bruce Rice the poet, Dennis Evans the retired Fine Art professor from the university of Regina, Barb the lady who makes things from found objects and the regulars. We painted, cooked great meals and had readings in the evenings, as well as some great hikes. I spent the majority of my time painting out of doors and came back with some great little paintings, which I will post on this blog from time to time. This painting was done in the morning at Whites Ranch and what a lovely spot it was to paint. We were surrounded by Wolf Willow that was in flower and these flowers emitted that most amazing fragnance, it was like being in heavan.

Eastend Art Retreat

Hello again, its been a few days since I last posted. I have been quite busy building my new home and unfortunately haven't had much time to paint, let alone even think of it. But, that is about to change because in a few days my wife and I are off to Eastend, Saskatchewan for our annual July long weekend Art Retreat! I will be meeting some family and dear friends for 4 days of painting and celebrating great relationships. We stay at a lovely ranch situated in the hills above the community of Eastend with breath taking views of the the south west. I plan to do alot of plein air work while I am down there, there are countless places to paint wonderful views. This painting I have posted is done from a place called Jones Peak, maybe the highest view point around. It is a watercolour I painted at last years event. Happy painting everyone.

Stormy Afternoon

I was driving from Saskatoon the other day and came across this scene just a bit south of Young. In the distance you can just make out the west end of Manitou Lake, where I will soon be living. I am always in awe of the aura of blue light that is emitted by the lake at this location, it is really something to behold. Of course there was this awesome storm front we watched all the way home, so typical of the Saskatchewan landscape.

The Forest Deep

I have been quite busy building my new home at Manitou Beach, SK of late. (I am a carpenter in my other life) As I work I think back to some great times I had while living in The Pas, MB. One of those times was a canoe/camping trip with a number of friends up around Cranberry Portage, Mb. We had some wonderful times and saw some amazing scenery. This painting has its roots in that trip, I came across the scene while portaging around some rapids. You know, even in the Forest Deep you can come across signs of humans disrespect for the environment, ie: coke cans and plastic bags.

Dawn on Rocky Lake

This morning I was greeted by a wonderful spring dawn, the kind where the robins are singing, sparrow hawks soaring about and the most wonderful colour abounds. I was reminded of a painting I had done of Rocky Lake, MB, where my family once owned a cottage. It is a fantastic little lake, lots of limestone outcroppings and neat little islands and great fishing. I have a friend there, Ron Scott, who is a talented musician and an experienced outdoorsman.

Ice Break Up

A lot of people still are not sure if it is spring or not considering the crazy weather we have been having of late. In these parts there are people who claim that the ice does not really melt, it just sinks down to the bottom of the lake! Sometimes I wonder if there isn't some truth to that. This painting celebrates the beauty of the northern parts of Manitoba, near Flin Flon. I have taken some liberties with the scene but it is based on a lovely little lake called Neso. Hope you enjoy it, I always do.

Pond Lilies

Today, the 13th of May, it was 1 degree Celcius outside and it snowed like the Dickens! It is a very interesting contrast to see snow flakes and fresh green leaves, those poor delicate little things. I feel sorry for the birds as well, trying to eak out a living amongst the snirt (snow and dirt). Anyways, to pay tribute to more summer like conditions I have posted this little painting of lilies, one of my favourite subjects. Hope you enjoy it, and the weather where ever you are!

Quietude

I just got word that my painting, "Quietude", sold at a Federation of Canadian Artists Chapter show in Kamloops British Columbia! Although it is nice to sell paintings I am always a bit sad to see them go; a person puts so much of themselves into those pieces that an attachment forms with them. Maybe I'm just a pack rat! The lady that purchased the piece said she was quite taken with it and therefore I am glad it is going to a good home. I love water and this piece is all about that peaceful easy feeling found by the waters edge.

Langenburg Arts Council

I just got back from Langenburg, Saskatchewan, where I was invited by the Langenburg Arts Council to deliver a knife painting workshop. The workshop was a great success. I was re-united with friends I haven't seen in up to 5 years, ladies and gentleman who have been regular participants in our annual Shellmouth Art Retreat, and new acquaintances who were a pleasure to work with. I was hosted by Jan Layh, a wonderful artist and a dynamo of energy. I also had time to hike in my beloved hills surrounding the Shellmouth valley. I have plans on doing a major piece to celebrate its existence. The painting above was done on a past retreat at a secret place some of my artist friends make a habit of visiting when we are all together.