A new painting

I am getting over the inclement weather, after all for the artist it provides yet another perspective on the world we live in. I'm looking forward to the weekend when I can spend some real time in my studio on a larger piece I have been thinking about. This piece I am posting is a view of the land south of the "Bog", off of # 10 highway in northern Manitoba. The place suffered a devastating forest fire a number of years ago, resulting in the blackened trees set against the hills and sky. It is quite beautiful in the spring when the underbrush starts greening up, a real contrast. Just goes to show you how good can come from bad. I chose to portray it in late fall as I liked the blues and greys.

Winter Returns

I couldn't help posting this pastel I did awhile back because it really reminds me of the kind of weather we are having right now. We kind of had a taste of spring with rather nice temperatures and lots of sun and then the snow came again. It won't last of course but it is rather depressing.

A New Watercolour

The other day I got thinking of places I used to hang out with my brother Richard, the photographer supreme. We particularly enjoying prowling around Flin Flon, Manitoba as the area has many wonderful bodies of water, lots of protruding Pre-cambrian rock and trees of all kinds. This watercolour is a testament to the place, I believe it is Neso Lake. I guess I will always be a Boreal forest kind of guy, thanks for that.

Reminiscences

The other evening I took out my watercolours and painted a scene that had imprinted itself on my mind. I am not sure of the name of the river but it runs through two communities in Honduras, close to where I stayed for a short time. I remember when I came across it that it reminded me of a Monet painting I had come across quite some time ago. I am enjoying working from memory more these days as I find it stimulates the creative part of my spirit and also seems to result in works of Art that come closer to what excited me about the subject. Hope you enjoy it.

Random Thoughts on a Rainy Afternoon

I started off the day by reading some Haiku as it just seemed like the kind of morning to do that. The day started off rather dreary looking with overcast skies that threatened rain. As the day made its cycle towards evening the rains came down rather hard and those sunny warm days we have had are becoming a nostalgic memory. Even now the sound of rain on the window sends me back to Honduras, the ocean and hot humid days. Gauguin and those bright spots of paint hearken me. This picture is a reference for a large painting I am currently working on. I at least have these to supplement my memories of the short time I spent down by the equator.

Spring

It is feeling alot like Spring these days. You look up in the skies and see flocks upon flocks of geese flying back and forth, a wonderful sight and sound. One of the most beautiful things in the world is to hear geese flying close overhead; the sound of all the wings flapping and the geese's chatter is amazing. The sea gulls are back as well, I always look forward to the sound of their cries as well. I set up my portable easel overlooking Wellington park the other day and did this oil, the time was late afternoon. As you can see, the snow is practically gone and the lake ice is starting to darken. It was nice to sit there and soak up the sun while doing something I love. What a blessing life is!

My son Michael the Photographer

It turns out that my son Michael is a chip off the old block, so to speak. He is currently living in Seattle and working for Boeing Corporation. His time off is usually spent hiking and tenting in the neighbouring area and taking fabulous photographs. I particularly liked one he took on a hike in the Cascades and took the liberty of painting a small piece in oil. It's OK, I got his permission. Thanks Michael, and keep up the great work!

Ovid Mercredi

A whiles back, we were invited to spend New Years with Jan and Don Layh, who live near Langenburg, SK. Also present were other friends, including Ovid Mercredi. I caught him with my camera in a very contemplative mood sitting near a window overlooking the valley below. Ovid is a wonderful poet and he has blessed us many times with readings of his work. He also has become very interested in painting and is coming along quite nicely in that field. He has challenged other painter friends and myself to come up with a painting that visually captures the spirit of his poem, "Ode to Mozart." I am still working on that. For now I'll settle for this pastel of the poet himself.

Sketchbook entries

Well, I have been home for a week now after returning from a two week stay in Honduras. I was looking through my sketchbook today and came across a watercolour I did after being there for only a few days. The great thing about sketchbooks, in my opinion, is how they can bring back memories so acutely. I remember the kind of day it was, somewhat cloudy and very hot and humid. There was a bit of a breeze, thankfully, and the sound of the waves crashing into the shore had a peacefully mesmerizing effect. These are memories that will forever be with me, and I am grateful for that. Beunos Dias!!

Contrasts

I arrived back in Canada the other day and was struck by a number of thoughts. As I left Honduras behind and made my way back home I became increasingly more irritated. This was something happening almost sub-consciously and I was left wondering why. I soon realized that I was hearing and seeing the people around me acting in a manner that was totally different to the Honduran people I had left behind, they seemed to be complaining about the most trivial things and definitely not being thankful for the situation they were in. Even the fact that they were able to travel so freely while the native people left behind never see more than a 30-40 kilometer radius of the world around them was striking to me. Traveling and working in Honduras was a learning experience for me and I am much more grateful for what I have and more willing to help those that are in need, it is a personal growth experience that enriches both the recipient and myself. Muchos Gracias. This watercolour was painted on the beach one Sunday afternoon and the subject turned out to be a favourite haunt for the locals. I had more than a dozen people hanging about me as I painted and it was a great experience for all of us. I will remember it with fondness.

When it rains

When it rains in this part of Honduras you surely know it, let me tell you. The experience of being outside when the sky opens up is exhilerating. Today it rained so hard that you could hardly hear yourself think. The great thing is that the temperature is very warm so the rain is as well so you actually don't mind getting wet so much. Contrast that with a cold driving rain back in Canada, not so enjoyable. One more full day here and then it is back home for me. My mural is pretty much done, just a few touch ups (the wind today grabbed some sheet metal roofing I was using to protect myself from getting wet and threw it against the mural, scratching it in a few places.) I had a few of the local boys show up today wanting a guitar lesson from me, of all people! It was a rewarding experience to see them play some basic notes, and even sing the notes. Hope they go with it, maybe they will be good players someday. I post a photo of a lovely girl and her brother who will be living in the new home we built for them. Adios.

Beachcombing

Yesterday we all had a great day at the beach. The morning was spent walking in the sand and dodging the huge waves that were rolling in. The surf was amazing, the largest I've seen since I've been down here. I decided to do the walk on my own in the afternoon with the idea that I might do a watercolour of the ocean side. Well, I found a very nice spot and set to work on a small watercolour. The next thing I knew I was surrounded by at least twenty of the local kids and adults, all very interested in what I was doing. I had an interesting time trying to communicate with them in my very very basic Spanish. It was fun having the kids tell me what the Spanish was for sky, water, birds etc. I came away with a nice little piece and some more Spanish, as well as a greater love and respect for these people. I post a photograph of the subject I painted, the painting will come at a later date. Beunos Dias!!

One week in Honduras

I cannot believe that I have been down here for a whole week already. We have been quite busy, work usually starts at 7 pm and we go until 5 for 6 days of the week. Today John and I put up the partitions and framed the roof for our cinder block home. The lady and her children who will be inhabiting it are quite excited about the progress, as are we. I think that by the end of monday they should be able to move their few pocessions in and settle in. I am very happy for them, to say the least. Sunday will be a day of rest and I think that I will go exploring along the beach to see what I can find. This photo is of a ramshackle group of huts where the locals can go for an alchohol type drink. I have been advised not to venture over that way in the dark as it can be quite dangerous. Last night someone around here was firing off a shot gun. Haven't heard if anyone was shot and that troublesome rooster is still giving me problems sleeping, so he wasn't the target.