Mistik Creek

Mistik Creek

This is an oil painting of Mistik Creek, near Flin Flon, Manitoba. It was a favourite haunt of mine when I lived in The Pas, Mb.  Going back up that way in a few weeks to visit some good friends, really looking forward to seeing the North country again!

Spring yearnings

Manitou Morning Reflections

We seem to have long winters around here and I'm getting yearnings for more spring like days. I have a friend who has rented a home/studio on Vancouver Island for two months and when I was talking to him on the phone the other day he had just got back from kayaking. That seems pretty appealing to me right about now.  The watercolour above was painted en plein air when we had some balmy weather that was conducive to painting out of doors.

Rocky Lake

Rocky Lake, Manitoba  Oil  9 x 12 in

We used to have a winterized cottage not far from this location where we spent many perfect days doing what you do at the lake, fishing summer and winter, swimming, paddling, exploring, cross country skiing and so much more.  Lately I have these pangs of longing about the North.  I spent over 40 years up there, its really in my blood!

Ravens

I've had some interesting interactions with Ravens in the last couple of days. Yesterday one flew to a tree that I was standing beneath and just kind of hung out for awhile, listening to our conversation and occasionally adding a comment!  Then today while on a walk that this painting depicts three Ravens were hanging out near me.  I made some Raven like calls and one of them starting talking back to me. Probably confusing it.

A cold January day

I've posted this pastel painting before and I'm thinking that it expresses perfectly the quality of the day I'm experiencing. Close to -30 Celcius with a bit of wind, ice fog in the air and the sunlight like its coming through obscure glass.

Craving Sunlight

The thing about winter is quite often there can be long periods of overcast days with little direct sunlight. It is in that spirit that I post this painting, painted in the height of summer under very warm temperatures. This is definitely a hot subject!

Reminiscences on a blustery winters day

Sweet peas

Couldn't help posting this small oil painting of my Sweet Peas on this chilly Saturday afternoon.  Winter has arrived in my part of the world, lots of snow and cold temperatures.  In a couple of months these pretty little flowers will just be a dream!

Ancestory

I have been fascinated for a number of years now with the very ancient Trypillian culture who inhabited what is now modern day Ukraine.  This unfinished painting attempts to depict some samples of their pottery, agrarian ideas and the land they loved and respected so much.  Samples of pottery date back 6000 years BC.  I find that amazing, in part because so much attention has been given other great cultures while overlooking this one.  I understand that they were simple farm folk, had great respect for women and the land that gave them sustenance. In fact, the women pretty much ran the show. Their deity's were female, they never overstayed a piece of land, preferring to move on and let the land lay fallow.  Agriculture sure has changed, hasn't it?

The Yabahar An Audiovisual performance: Nohlab at TEDxReset 2014

Today I fortunately came across this amazing man and the instrument he created.  I expect that there are many people in the world who are enjoying the music he makes as you read this.  Check out this link to have a listen for yourself!  One reason it resonates with me so much is I feel that the space it is in is where I go in my best sessions of painting.

Pansie en plein air

Pansies  Pastel on Paper

We've had a wonderful break in the autumn weather lately so I've had a chance to sit outside and do some plein air pieces in my backyard.  Seems like I do all this garden work and never have a chance to enjoy the fruits of my labour so its awfully nice to be in the sunshine and soak everything up.

A Midsummer Evening

A midsummer evening  Oil on Canvas  36 x 48 in

My niece Tatianna was married this past August on a beautiful day/evening.  Part of the ceremonies involved a memorial to a friend that passed away suddenly.  This involved lighting a number of Chinese lanterns and setting them adrift in the evening sky, which had an almost full moon suspended on the horizon.  This was followed by an amazing fireworks display and memorable music.  It was a very touching and meaningful occasion and made a deep impression on me.  This painting came of that experience.

High water on Little Manitou

High water on Little Manitou  6 x8 Oil

Painted this from my Kayak the other day, Saturday I believe.  Should remember it because although I painted it when the waters were perfectly calm by the time I was finished the weather had changed and I had a devil of a time paddling back across the lake to get home safely.  My heart was pounding, and not just because it was hard work! The things I do to satisfy the Muse.

Autumn en plein air

Flood Aftermath  Oil on Canvas 9 x 12

I painted this sitting on the shore of the Assinaboine River at Shellmouth, Mb. It was the morning and I remember everything about it, the warm temperature, the stillness occasionally broken by a fish jumping, no mosquitoes and the overall serenity.  The flooding has changed the geography quite a bit in the last number of years. I couldn't get to another favorite spot because the river had created a new tributary!