Jackfish Creek

Jackfish Creek  Oil on Board 22 x 28 in

I was commissioned to paint this Oil in August of 2015.  I decided to complete it at our annual Art Retreat, which we held in Assinaboia, SK.  The painting was completed by the end of the second day and one of the organizers was so taken with it that she asked if she could purchase it. After some thought I decided to sell it to her, my thinking being that I could always paint another for the original client. What seemed like a good plan turned out otherwise because somehow or other my client saw her painting on Facebook and really liked it, not knowing that I had sold it!  I undertook to paint the above painting, and after quite a few revisions and alterations I managed to satisfy her and myself. A lesson learnt there for sure.

Inspired by the Land

Wellington Creek  Oil on board

I was inspired to paint this en plien air piece last Sunday, it was a beautifully mild day, unseasonable for this time of the year but great to be sitting outdoors doing what I love.  A friend of mine posted a short video on my Facebook page called "Inspired by the Land" which is a commentary on how Artists respond and interact with Nature, very inspiring to see it and the people I know that are featured in the piece. Check it out on Vimeo.

A Pond of Water by the Woods

A pond of Water by the Woods  Pastel on Paper

I worked on a farm house not far from this scene this past spring and summer and was quite taken with the place, it was a bee hive of activity all the time. Many birds and waterfowl, bugs, beavers and muskrats, foxes and coyotes just to name a few.  I loved how it had an ever changing ambiance to it depending on the kind of day it was. I'm lucky and thankful to be able to be witness these miraculous places and times.

Magical morning

Sparkling Creek  Oil on Board

It was a magical morning as I went for a walk in my favourite places near home.  The creek is always a source of inspiration and peace and I was inspired to paint what I saw and felt.  I still have to figure out how to paint the lovely ice crystals I saw forming on the rocks and twigs.

Squash

Squash  Pastel on Paper

What you are looking is my entire squash population from this past planting season. Oh well, better than a  kick in the pants! My brother Richard is a squash maniac, he harvests hundreds of them of various species, including an ancient squash. He acquired the seeds from an archaeologist who determined that they were over 800 years old.  I hope to plant them next year.  Enjoy.

Transitions

Autumn Abstraction Oil 12 x 12 in.

Its that kind of a day, transitioning from autumn to something that is approaching winter. I was out in my flower garden reluctantly pulling out flower plants and moving them to the compost pile, a sad time but optimistic about the spring.  Planted some tulips in a pot and set it out by the entrance to my studio, again looking forward to their happy colours in the spring of the year.

Glorious Autumn Afternoon

Autumn Afternoon in the hills of Eastend

I spent some quality time with my good friend Dean Bauche of Eastend SK awhile back and we managed to find some time to hike back into the hills around his home and do some en plein air painting. It was one of those glorious Autumn afternoons where the colours were so vibrant and the air was so crisp and fragrant with the odor of fallen leaves. Can't get much better I think.

California Poppies

California Poppies Oil on Cardstock

This is a plein air piece I've been working on periodically as I find the time and the right light. I sit in my backyard on a nice warm and sunny day and enjoy the moment. Its fall now and there are many thousands of geese flying back and forth overhead, an nice soundtrack to paint to!

Schist Lake Afternoon

Schist Lake Afternoon  Oil  36 x36

I painted this piece at an Art Retreat that I was a co-organizer of in Assiniboia, Sk a few weeks ago.  Its been a summer of larger clouds but not necessarily a lot of rain, particularly in the northern part of Canada. I love painting the Northland, a place where I was born and raised.

Approaching Storm over Manitou

Approaching Storm over Manitou Lake Oil 36 x 48

I've just come home from our Annual Artists Retreat. This year we organized it to be in Assiniboia, Sk. the home of the fabulous Shurniak Art Gallery.  Bill Shurniak and staff are celebrating their 10 year anniversary of the opening of this absolute gem of Gallery. I'd venture to say that there is nothing in Western Canada to compare with it, and I've been in a few galleries out here!  The retreat is a week long and brings together artists from all parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and sometimes further away places.
This Oil painting was started on the first day of the retreat and depicts a wicked storm coming over the lake. It spawned a twister that you can pick out if you look carefully.

Its a beautiful Spring day and I'm reminded of this poem by Rumi called the Music we Are.

Did you hear that winter  is over?
The basil and carnation cannot control their laughter.
The nightingale, back from his wandering,
has been made singing master over all the birds.
The trees reach out their congratulations.
The soul goes dancing through the King's doorway.
Anemones blush because they have seen the Rose naked.
Spring, the only fair judge, walks in the courtroom, and several December thieves steal away.
Last years miracles will soon be forgotten.
New creatures whirl in from nonexistence,
galaxies scattered around their feet.
Have you met them?
Do you hear the bud of Jesus crooning in the cradle?
A single narcissus flower has been appointed Inspector of Kingdoms.
A feast is set. Listen The wind is pouring wine.
Love used to hide inside images. No more. The orchard hangs out its lanterns.
The dead come stumbling by in shrouds.
Nothing can stay bound or be imprisoned.
You say, End this poem here, and wait for what is next.
I will, Poems are rough notations for the Music we Are.

Late March Snowscape

This Oil painting depicts an outcropping of precambrian shield at Mistik Creek, near Cranberry Portage, Mb.  I managed to find my way up there a couple of months ago to visit old friends and the countryside where I was born.  I took many photographs and plan on painting some of the scenes I came across.

The next best thing to eating cherries

Three Cherries  Oil on Board 6 x 8

For me the next best thing to eating cherries is painting them. I know, kind of weird, but that's me. I like this painting as it turned out as I had envisioned it and more.  Enjoy !