SIMPLICITY

"Simple can be harder than complex...you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains.” Steve Jobs It can be overwhelming working on an image. There can be so much clutter and detail, and you are not sure where to begin or end. I have found SIMPLICITY is best. Focus on what really catches your eye, what really matters. Wisdom I need to use more in my day-to-day life. Enjoy the journey

Practice, Practice Practice!

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" (Picasso), and "To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow" (Kurt Vonnegut). “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” Michelangelo As we roll through September, I am starting to map out my plans for my art. I am putting the brakes on any new creations and spending more time on practicing techniques. At a loss right now for what to paint next, so until the idea arrives, spending time on improving my skill and understanding of what my brush, paints and canvas can create. Enjoy the journey.

RAVEN IN FLIGHT

Another cold, wet day in the mountains. Looking out the patio door from my studio, I see a raven playing in the sky. Darting amongst the trees, it seems to be playing hide and seek with an invisible partner. An idea came to me of raven flying through a myriad of colours, textures and shades. I sketched out a raven I have used before onto a 12 x 16 canvas. I then use a black acrylic pen to colour it in. While it dries, I prep my palette of colours, adding water to the ones I will use. I also prep some pieces of parchment paper and plastic wrap. Using a variety of brushes, I begin to splash colour over the canvas……no real plan, just random strokes and layers of colour. To keep the paint wet, I use a spray bottle to keep everything moist. I then place a few pieces of parchment paper over the wet canvas. Over this I layer pieces of plastic wrap. On top of this I place a few books to weigh everything down. I let the plastic/parchment wrapped canvas dry for a few hours. I’m nervous taking the layers off………not sure what will be on the canvas. As each layer comes off, textures and colours dance before my eyes. Raven is flying through the colours, with purpose and direction. Raven in Flight is born. 12 x 16 $175 Enjoy the journey

ASSINIBOINE COLLAGE

“Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering, There is a crack, a crack in everything, That’s how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen “Like a bird on the wire, Like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free.” Leonard Cohen I’ve been creating images/art for as long as I can remember. It seems I fall into patterns of the same thing……same colours, same style……..I’m trying to break free of my past habits and techniques. With a visit to Mt. Assiniboine still deep in my memory, I stepped up to a blank canvas today. Experimenting with texture and colours……. what ended up on the canvas was new to me. Assiniboine Collage. Zoom in to see all the textures/colours. Contact me if interested in purchase. 18”x 24” Watercolour on canvas. Enjoy the journey

JASPER FLOWERS

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore to decide to be happy.”Nightbirde This week marks one year since the terrible fires assaulted Jasper. Many lost their businesses and homes. Most who lost their homes have yet to move into new ones as they need to be built. While things must be hard for everyone there, I’m sending them love and energy so that they can have a bit of peace. So that they can rebuild. So they can somehow find a smile. The land is coming back, the grass is growing, the wildflowers are everywhere. This latest sketch is in honor and respect for everyone in Jasper. With the blossoming of flowers, I hope your happiness blossoms. Enjoy the journey.

ASSINIBOINE SUNBURST

“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” Vincent van Gogh “Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse A very cold, wet day in the mountains. I decide to create an image with lots of colour, and pressed into the colour some parchment paper, bubble wrap, plastic wrap and ziplock bag. I scrunch each up, then spread them out over the painted surface. I then put books on top to really press in the layers. After about 45 minutes, I peel off the layers. I now have this interesting textured surface. Stepping back, I imagine Mt. Assiniboine in the center of the image. I do a quick sketch with a light pen, then use a # 8 brush loaded with sepia. Assiniboine Sunburst is created. I’d be interested to hear if you like this image or not. For Sale-13" x 18" undframed on watercolour paper. $175 Enjoy the journey.

RAVEN OVER CASCADE

Winged Emmisary “From the Realms beyond, Fire-Stealer, Trickster, Wolf-Friend, Raven, I call on your wisdom. Teach me your tricks of thought and memory. Lend me your eloquence To speak of the hidden mysteries. Help me use the tools around me to attain my goals, And if I do not find those tools, Teach me to craft them. Help me fly with agility to where I’m most needed. Guide me in the ways of the sentinel. Teach me to sing for love and To return to those places where it has lived before. I ask for your strength In the face of intimidation. I ask for your wings As I dive into darkness and return with knowledge. I ask for your magic Raven, I call on thee.” Unknown. Living in Banff is special. Mountains, water and a variety of animals. Raven is one of my spirit animals. Raven over Cascade 12” x 16” for sale $145 (No framing needed, ready for hanging). I also have this available in card format. Enjoy the journey.🙏

Reflection on Steve Jobs Last Words

Final words from Steve Jobs: You will realize, your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world. Whether you fly first or economy class, if the plane goes down - you go down with it... Therefore.. I hope you realize, when you have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, have sing songs with, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth, .... That is true happiness!! Five Undeniable Facts of Life : 1. Don't educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be Happy. So when they grow up they will know the value of things not the price. 2. Best awarded words in London ... "Eat your food as your medicines. Otherwise you have to eat medicines as your food." 3. The One who loves you will never leave you for another because even if there are 100 reasons to give up he or she will find one reason to hold on. 4. There is a big difference between a human being and being human. Only a few really understand it. 5. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, You have to manage! NOTE: If you just want to Walk Fast, Walk Alone! But if you want to Walk Far, Walk Together! Six Best Doctors in the World 1. Sunlight 2. Rest 3. Exercise 4. Diet 5. Self Confidence and 6. Friends Maintain them in all stages of Life and enjoy a healthy life. The past few weeks I have been thinking a lot about life. I’ve had conversations with younger and older people,have listened to many stories and dreams. I reflect back on Steve Jobs last words when he passed in 2011. Living a good life should be fairly simple, but we complicate it. Enjoy the journey

ASSINIBOINE IMAGES

Mount Assiniboine, also known as Assiniboine Mountain, and the Matterhorn of the Rockies, is a pyramidal peak mountain on the Great Divide, on the British Columbia/Alberta border in Canada. At 3,618 m, it is the highest peak in the Southern Continental Ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Mount Assiniboine rises nearly 1,525 m above Lake Magog. I have been there many times and have created many images of the mountain. If of interest, I can create an image for your home and office. Enjoy the journey.

ASSINIBOINE ADVENTURE

Genuine human friendship is on the basis of human affection, irrespective of your position. Therefore, the more you show concern about the welfare and rights of others, the more you are a genuine friend. The more you remain open and sincere, then ultimately more benefits will come to you. If you forget or do not bother about others, then eventually you will lose your own benefit. Dalai Lama We were so fortunate to spend 3 days in the backcountry at Assiniboine Lodge with our friends Claude, Annick, Andre, Dee and Geoffrey. We have all known each other for many years, and some of us started working together in the back country over 30 years ago. From hiking, painting, helping in the kitchen and teaching watercolour painting, it was a special trip. I was able to introduce a couple of people to Funto art supplies and watercolour. It was special to see their images evolve on the watercolour paper. If you are looking for a unique, special backcountry experience, check out assiniboinelodge.com Thank you to everyone there for a great trip. Enjoy the journey