Keys was commissioned by the new Pictou Culture Hub library and entertainment centre. It all began with a vintage Remington typewriter that I craved at an antique shop. When the commission came up, I was painting a portrait series and using a model. It became a collaboration as she was a writer, so the combination seemed appropriate. I painted the figure at the typewriter, and she submitted a poem to be incorporated into the painting. Keys speaks about the gift and the privilege of entering a building where your choice is to learn whatever you choose and even take the knowledge out to pursue. What a marvellous idea, and it's been going on for centuries. This writer is in her fifties at her desk, searching for the words to express her driven imagination of a story. All these writers before have gifted us with realms of words to savour. The library she sits in is extended for depth with the shelves. And as someone spoke, "it seems to go on forever!" And it will continue. The extra seat in the picture welcomes you into the library to read the volumes. The thesaurus on the seat speaks to the word quest the writer is on, and the same reflects from the poem. Writers want you to feel their passion for the story and view it as in the writer's heart. The writer imagines as she speaks the words, and the imaginary book above the chair illuminates the story of the Hector caught in a storm as it moves up the waves to a smaller book being placed onto the shelf. This is her story that will be available for all to experience. As someone else remarked, this painting has the library in it. I hope you see it and enjoy the poem and the painting's message. Look for all the small nuances that make the full story.
It’s All About the People

In the second blog for my new website design by Christopher at Gizmospc.com, I wish to welcome you to browse my artworks and leave your opinions. I work in an atelier with models, and most works feature the figure to express themes of place, life, home, and societal views. I showed you my KEYS painting in the first blog and will introduce you to my other models within the works. I have experienced the intimacy of my models and captured a little of their willing personalities through conversation, and I want to introduce you to my larger family network.

This is Claudia, an exchange student who became like a daughter to us, and we became a part of her family. We still converse, though she has grown, married, and has three children. During a visit to Mexico with them, while climbing the pyramid at Teotihuacan, I came face to face with this astounding carving that awakened my interest in Claudia’s culture. With all my questions, she must have felt like she was reviewing her ancestors. I painted her in her cultural dance costumes and named the work FIRST CONTACT.
More decisions again this month , influenced by the preparation for winter on the land, more specifically, my bushes and garden. With tests and then surgery for me, it was difficult to get the things done that I wished. And George fell one night giving him a limp and pain for a few months. All this as I looked out my front room window sat the hay and weeds, and those Asian rosebushes, growing like a wall surrounding me. It was too bumpy riding the tractor to mow the fields. We did hire a few persons to level the rutted driveway again (lots of heavy rain), and a chap for the bushes. He got most of them levelled but as we put monies out, George was concerned about finances due to us purchasing tickets to meet our family for Christmas overseas. A big expense but probably our last big trip. So as Autumn came closer, I ordered mulch in a rush to save my gardens and bushes which had grassed over. For three days George and I shovelled the mulch, even under the solar panels as we had more bought than we the thought at first. Did I mention we are both nearing 80 years. It is difficult enough finding people to help but our dollars go out the door as we find the help. I’m just relieved the mulch may protect the gardens and I can save my investment there. Meanwhile we watch as winter narrows in with lower temperatures. George did mange to get the plow on the tractor and the chains in prep for the snow. He is healed up now but like me, find the energy and strength matches the age more. With all that happening, I made those decisions I was talking about. The energy for some of my art has slowed down my progress on different projects. It’s time I dropped some ideas and work in concentration. I changed my mind about a portrait show as I grappled with the math of 50 % on my work. I want to raise my prices as an established artist, but the people that graciously sat for me, could mot afford their own portraits. As they are local, I submitted to the new library without prices and as an educational show. Then I shall give the few that sat, their portraits just for costs. In this manner, I can drop the time pressure and concentrate on my planned retrospective so that I can submit to university galleries. I can also order the cement and get that sculpture of the library child started. I can finish the last cuneiform sand paint the last pot. With those done, my last two large paintings for the ending pieces, already begun, can take my attention for the retrospective. With that done, I shall analyze again how much I can handle. It’ll most likely be a case of just doing what I chose without pressure of any more time constraints. So, the landscape and the work influence my art once again, with knowledge of doing what can be done at the time and letting other things not imperative to drop from expectations. And with those concepts I can look forward to a vacation of Christmas in Thailand.
“Dogs of War.“


I’m not political. I don't speak out; my voice is quiet but I do consider much and then regarding the method I know best. Through my art. I do realize that eventually that thought becomes historical as a viewer eventually regards my career of art. But I did register this year with the liberal party because I wanted a say on whom will face off with the conservatives. And as usual I decided I needed to express my thoughts in my own manner again. Hence begins this painting begun before and waited for a few years for direction. This happens with some of my pieces which when regarded, usually when searching for another, clicks with the idea it was meant for from the start. So, introducing Dogs of War, which will be appropriate as the last one in my line up for my retrospective I will submit within this year I plan. It’s a large undertaking and as I have finally determined my intent mindfully, I have called on my good friend Irene, to help me organize it. We are contemplating the best way to present the life sketches alongside the paintings as an integral part of painting from life, a method I see lost and am promoting. Meanwhile I’m prepared for teaching drawing essentials from life just a few months ahead of a life portraiture exhibit in the Culture Hub in Pictou. This is part of my promotion. Once into the retrospective plans, I have then the time to face my two daunting sculptures in cement and winter stone. The last of my catching up work left behind for time or funds. I just purchased the cement so am able to get into it at any moment suitable. Just five welds required which I will have my buddies perform. The welding equipment will then be passed on , as well as my kiln, once this last pots series cooks today. I know when I am done. Its usually once I can work longer that a good hour and when I cant raise myself painlessly from a crouch. But I’m looking forward to the last exposure of my works and possible purchases, with appropriate prices for a 65-year career going out the door. And then the sweet future of small works or drawings feel needed for myself ,or, something entirely different.