New Year's Eve Make-up

I opened a photo attachment titled 'New Year's make-up' from my TwinA anticipating seeing her lovely face in glittery gorgeousity and instead found this. When I called and informed her that a bloody zombie foot was about the last thing I would have expected she remarked that my expectations were...wierd. *sigh*
Guess she's right. I know how she loves to amuse herself by applying her mad make-up skillz to depict realistic gore.
TwinB said it was something to behold in person.

A severe cold front has swept over Calgary resulting in temperatures of 'minus stupid' in TwinA's opinion so I hope they'll stay warm in their travels and have a safe evening.
I fervently hope that all the young people of Canada manage to stay alive tonight and avoid death by exposure - happened to too many last year.

ChristmasWhine09

This is darn near the greenest tree that one could ever have. We drove 10 minutes out of town and plucked it from beside a logging road. Might be hard to believe but this is after the husband performed 'The Fort Nelson Fill-in' on it. (drill some holes in the trunk and peg in extra branches... in Fort Nelson it's required for every single tree, hence the name I've given that procedure)
Christmas proved to be as quiet as this tree is sparse. The husband had to work day shift so I had dinner ready for him and a brother-in-law, with pool in the basement following.
Talked to some relatives throughout the day...Brother#3 is seething with internally generated fury that I'm afraid could land him in serious trouble. Tried to convince him that medical intervention is absolutely crucial and directed him to my favorite bipolar website created by a psychiatrist in Oregon. Had a chat with my parents who were visiting Brother#5 in Powell River and then a 10 - 15 talk with that same brother and oddly the subject of the painting I've just given him and his wife didn't come up. Not a peep*. I contacted Brother#2 on Boxing Day and had a good conversation. He thought he was experiencing depression over the last 18 months but it seems a lot more likely that it was caregiver burn-out from hovering over his wife who has been in and out of Riverview. I sincerely hope they will experience a smooth stretch from now on.
Not sure what Twinb's status really is right now. She's been experiencing some workplace problems that would have been hard for the even-keeled individual. 3 more shifts and perhaps she will be allowed to transfer to a different location...and if not I got me a dandy assistant for the art classes starting in January.

Here's to just chillin'...cheers...

*Dec.29 - gotta take that back now because he didn't realize I was giving them the painting. He phoned today and we got it sorted out. *whew!*

Bad Medicine

I've never gone for the flu shot. Years of exposure to a gooey stew of all things viral and microbial in the elementary schools during high flu season has given my immune system a wallopping kick in the pants (following 6 weeks of non-stop back to back illnesses that first year). Besides, the husband and I - ardent scifi readers - believe that 'the flu shot' is supposed to give you the flu so the immune system gets a much needed work-out.

Then Kitimat became the first town to be felled by the epidemic.

Gradually I became aware of several staff at the high school who were near deathly ill for 2 to 5 weeks. This began to alarm me because they all had yearly and intense exposure to the same nasty little things as I had. (talkin' germs, not students...) On Thursday I took the plunge and received the H1N1 vaccination.

The actual puncture? Less than the scratch the nurse warned me about prior to.

The injection site quickly became painful - quite surprisingly so within an hour or two and the aches settled in shortly after that. It seemed to awaken my usual areas of discomfort - sinus problems, headache, facial bones and various sore muscles. Woke up the next day about the same until oh about 2 o'clock when I got whammed in the guts with some awful piercing pains that sent me to bed with a microwaveable bag for heat. Don't know if the introduced heat was responsible but I ended up with a fever of 101F. Sweating, chills, fatigue and malaise knocked me down for the rest of the day. I drifted through the day after that in a similar, though less intense condition and managed to make and eat some dinner though it didn't take much to turn my stomach. Today - certainly on the mend which is a welcome turn around.

So,all in all I think I got the scifi version which is oddly reassuring.

No...no, I'm not going to get one next year, thank you very much.

Scraps & Scribbles

My exhibit opening was 3 weeks ago but I kind of neglected to post about it because it was crammed in between a couple other significant events, one being the tear out and installation of new kitchen. It's every bit as disruptive and consuming as everyone has claimed! Wow...who knew...

So, here I am with buddy Penny in front of a couple of my favorites from my rusty series. It was a great evening and we all had a fabulous time!! I sold 7 of my paintings and Erin has sold 2 though I haven't checked if there has been any progress lately. I should probably get a few paintings set up here in my studio - there are as many themes, compostitions and ideas waiting to be born or brought to term that I could fill an entirely new exhibit.

Northern Sunrise

8:30 am - making stew and listening to cbc as a Haida woman sings a capella when I glance up at the view to find the mountains suddenly touched with the most brilliant orange/pink of sunrise.*

I turn back to the cast iron pan, scratch at it for a couple of seconds then take another look up at the mountains.

"Okay" I think to myself

"If ever there was a moment that needed to be 'lived in' this is one"

I continue to savour the smells in the kitchen, the beautiful simple song on the radio and let my eyes feast on the contrasts of blues and pink and peach.

An eagle slowly drifts across the vista...

"Alright then" I nod reflectively.

"This is just getting ridiculous"

*had to resort to an older photo from another time of day because naturally one camera had completely dead batteries (I think it's been trying to warn me) and the other had a full card...and then the moment was over.

Alladin Opening Night

A little out of order but here goes...the photo above shows the final scene which featured a very lively musical number and we can see 'Leather John' wielding his sword.

The Market scene which was where the initial action took place following Act 1 where we were introduced to Abanazar and the genie of the ring.

Cafe scene. Guess I'll have to rustle up photos of the cave and sarcophagus scenes.

This has to be the best production On Cue has ever done. It was so well acted, funny and just a joy to watch. The pacing of the show was crack on and every detail worked. It feels like On Cue is growing and taking on a life of its own - I could see us being quite the theatre town in the near future, mill closure or not.

Magical Interlude

The Painting Crew was delayed for a couple of hours this afternoon while we were transported to an intimate and magical world of marionettes and puppets operated by a master in the craft from Iceland. He admired our sets and commented on how surprising it was to find such abilities 'at the ends of the earth'! ??
He carves each of his performers - this is his most intricate with articulated feet - but sometimes makes use of only his hands and a couple of simple props.
For more info about this amazing artist search Figura - The Art of Puppets

The Oviatts Are At It Again!

The Oviatts are creating oversized stuff - this year is the ever so appropriate inukshuk.

They're a well known local constuction company and a few years ago started to make creative use of the slower winter months to make the biggest objects that their equipment could tackle.

It all started with a snowman. A 40 foot high snowman. Last year it was giant log deer based on the more diminutive lawn ornaments, then at the end of winter they created a snow board track for winterfest and now...this.

My mom posed for scale. She and my father are in town for the first time in 6&1/2 years for my art show opening tomorrow night.

I ordered the nice weather specially for the visit.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Here comes the rain again.
And there goes another one....a little bird leaves the cage.
16 year old girl at the the village took her life yesterday. I always think I don't know people when I first hear these things and then the avalanche of recollections and details buries me right along with them in the end.
There was a little girl at the high school last May/June who - although not in one of the art classes - I allowed to sneak into the mural because she knew all the fish from going out on a fishing boat with her father. She also used the word 'epiphany' correctly.
It better not be her.

Snowhenge

It's that brief, magical time of year before the snow piles high enough that it's inaccessable - when a kid can still roll the stuff into balls. Several fairly massive installations just appeared in the schoolyard recently which give it the impression of a 'henge'. Gotta love elementary school age engineering and the efforts they put into it. Wooden forts, snow stuctures, dams...

I was here at Roy Wilcox school last year when I heard principal Janet give the following announcement:

"We are trying to drain the upper field and need to allow the water to flow across the staff parking lot. Please refrain from all dam building in this area. Do not try to contain the water in any way. Thank-you. No Dams."

Getting the Boot

At last. Made the classic mistake of 'putting it in a safe place' but finally located it this evening. I created this a few years back for a group exhibit titled 'Gumboots Reign'. I researched rain related sayings and song lyrics, printed them out, added various local lichens and pinned or glued them to the cork I'd fixed to the boot.
Putting an uber cheapie price tag on this but if it doesn't sell (for $40 Canadian) I'll be quite happy to display it in my home or maybe gift it to my TwinniesA&B as memories of home.

It's actually Q's boot from when he was 12 so maybe it should go to him

Epic Proportions

Detail from cafe scene - just a little section of the 8' X 16' wall. Fortunately Gail dug out some posters with Chinese symbols she'd painted previously for a Dry Grad and we used some old faux brick flooring from a different grad for the floor. Still. Painting random stone blocks turned out to be rather time consuming.

Penny and Gail measured all the painted surfaces we've been working on and it amounts to a grand total of 2600 square feet almost doubling the previous blockbuster which was The Shoe Show which resulted in 1400 square feet. (I was essentially on my own for that one though)

The final flat I painted is another shop - noodle shop I figure - which I gave 2 windows on which I wanted to add some fretwork. I couldn't remember exactly how it went, Gail couldn't figure out a design and Penny wasn't able to get on the internet so I decided to research it over the next week for when we return for touch ups and last minute details.

Penny's comment to this was "So what you're saying is...we shouldn't fret"

Sarcophagus 100% Complete

Relieved to have this little lady off our plate.

After a very picky, pokey start this morning* we were able to tackle many more square feet of sets and I'd confident that we'll be able to tackle the 2 remaining more major set pieces by the end of tomorrow. I'd like to say that it might even be a short day but that's probably a little optimistic.

*the Props person was in this morning and quite lost so I had to spend a good deal of time with her, then with the director clarifying & guiding: didn't wet a paintbrush till almost noon.

(you'd think this was a proffessional production judging by the hours invested but no...just a crazed band o' amateurs.)

Black Tide

I hope we're at the end of a black season for our town - at 6 months duration it's been long enough. Fires, accidents, death and most recently a murder. I just realized this evening that TwinB knows 4 people from here who have died in the last 3 months. The first was Jacob who would have been 10 years old this past Monday, then not so surprisingly Cheryl (57 and chronically ill) followed closely by a friend from here who also lived in Calgary and died under suspicious circumstances and now 3 days ago, a stabbing which killed a young man she was aquainted with.

It's enough.

The 25 Hour Sarcophagus

Penny's painting herself into an early grave there - but wouldn't you just know it - even that situation couldn't make her look grumpy!

Up top is the sarcophagus at the halfway mark where I estimated that it will probably have eaten up about 25 hours of painting and research time between the 3 of us.

Dang!

I Am A Rock

...but thankfully not An Island this time around, as I've had 4 (YES! four people) working with me on sets! We've covered a lot of area with many more surfaces to go. They're all very accomplished in various disciplines so I can parcel out all the different assignments in a manner that satisfies and does not diminish these same folk so optimistically we can keep plugging away till done.

Kitimat. Closed.

Eurocan paper mill closes for good in 3 months. All schools in town are closed for the rest of the week due to swine flu causing absentee rates as high as 60%. The watercolour workshop I was scheduled to facillitate for the Ministry of Children & Families teambuilding day has been postponed as has a dinner and dance the husband & I were supposed to attend.
In spite of all this we'll still be welcoming people from all across the northwest for our very large arts and crafts fair on Friday and Saturday, getting real close 'n cozy then sending them on their way...kind of wonder how that's gonna play out...

Happy Halloween oh 9!

The Jack o'lantern is the husband's creation and in front is the invitation for my art exhibit!
I'm gonna put them in all the little trick or treaters' bags!!

Okay, I'm not. But I have been asked during previous Halloweens if I was giving out paintings.

Sunflowers In Golden Light And Second Hand Frame

Poor frame's been languishing in my closet for the past 20 plus years waiting for just the right painting. I picked it up at a garage sale, ditched the heinous copy of Leonardo's 'Last Supper' painted on convex glass that it held (pretty sure it was set up to be illuminated from the back too) and then waited. And waited. And waited but nothing ever seemed worthy of it's tarnished charm.

A year or two ago I painted these sunflowers and eventually decided that they were the right candidate for this frame (partly because it's not so darn precious to me anymore) and will be one more wall-coverer for 'Scraps & Scribbles'.

Note to self: take photograph of painting before applying shiny finish

When Winter Knocks On Summer's Door*

3 seasons in one glance!:
You got your summer still flourishing in a protected spot by the house, then a rather extensive and exhuberant display of autumn and halloween geegaws all with a nice big fat dollop of winter on top -we're just missing spring!

*song lyric from The Black Swans

Results From The Workshop

Yesterday's acrylic workshop with Sheila Karrow produced this little number that I should be able to add to my total for the exhibit...26 days away. I have to start thinking about the poster, written stuff like artist's statement and text for a few paintings. I like to be chatty even when I'm not present and I cain't stand the formal approach to art presentation. That's so last millenium ...or Vancouver-ish.

Pimp My Bag

The few of us attending Art Club last night customized our reusable shopping bags in a variety of styles. I decided that I would like mine to look somewhat 'tattoo-ish' so chose a dragon and blossoms. Pen and ink with acrylic paint. The remainder of my collection will eventually feature various tatto inspired images.

Beware Of Moose

Look what I witnessed just as I was leaving Dairy Queen with my chicken strips -
(pardon the fuzzy photo) it's a moose putting the run on a couple out walking with their dog. It wasn't exactly high speed, more like a trot but they had to find refuge at the bar there.
So yeah...I just saw a moose chase 2 people into a bar.

Leaves On Mossy Log

This is the acrylic painting that started as a lesson with the Seniors on Saturday. At the end of class someone commented that this was another painting for my exhibit so after mulling that over I decided to keep working on it at home. So here it is.

Autumn Colours

...................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................oh, man....just came to...and right on time to snap a few photos of the fallen leaves! Would have been nice if the light had been better but I need some reference pics for the Senior's Acrylic class (that I'll be drenching with my nasty flu germs) tomorrow morning.

Revelation?

I just discovered that I can drink and paint! Now - is this a good thing or a very, very bad thing!? Only time will tell.
My trees are a little extra tilted however...

Mossy Arms

In the dark, dark woods. I sketched the branches eons ago while camping at Lakelse Lake.

hmmm...'The Mossy Arms'...doesn't that kind of sound like a drinking establishment?

Orcas/Bears/Eagles In The City

...the coffee table book has been published and I'm on page 168.

http://secure.blurb.com/books/850694/pages/172/#basic

Except...my freakin' bear is standing on a plastic drop sheet in front of a crappy partition and everyone else seemed to get a lovely photo of their creation wherever it was put on display either before or after the auctions.
(the husband said it looks as though my bear is trying to take a dump)*

At the time I thought it was sort of a working/in progress type depiction of my bear.
I mean - come on! - couldn't someone have taken one more photograph of say...it standing outside the King Edward Hotel in Stewart where it lives now?
Wouldn't that remote spot have been rather cool??
We're talking about an $84 coffee table book here.
How could anyone consider allowing that photo in there?

*from the start I did think it would be funny if I'd glued a bunch of pebbles together to leave below the piece as something that actually would have crapped out of a Glacier Bear

Toys Take Over The Museum

This was the second installment of our two part Toys Saturday workshop at the museum. We were getting pretty good at the organized chaos and it looks like we've produced enough art for our own exhibit without even factoring in Mike's collectables.
The One Footed Wonder is my favorite because it was created by an 81 year old widow who hasn't even tackled painting. I was so darn proud of her when the lightbulb went on last week during the introduction and she went from being literal with her materials to using them as a medium or to morph them into something completely different.

One of my other faves crafted by a most pleasant and helpful young fellow:

(who - like TwinB - was awarded the Art Club scholarship and flunked outta The Art Institute of Vancouver. he's currently occupied as a Sandwich Artist)

He's titled this one 'Catching the Galactic Cod'... so we discussed how far one has to go to nab a decent cod since the collapse of the Canadian Fishery.

Got to know some great people - but now it's time to tackle the rest of my exhibit!

Another Farewell

...this time to Miss Cheryl Ann D, age 57. It feels odd that you won't be haunting the streets of Kitimat anymore with all your bags, matching outfits and occasional props.
She was discovered in her home by the RCMP after someone was concerned that they hadn't seen her around in quite some time. The coroner figured she may have been there for 8 days or so but she was in her chair so we hope she went peacefully. A friend and I busted in to her place a couple times previously but since it always resulted in another stay on the psych ward for Cheryl she made it quite clear that our concern in that matter was definitely unwanted.
I looked after her cats last April/May and took her shopping following a final stint on the psych ward in Terrace. She had many health issues as well as the raging, lifelong, textbook case of bi-polar that tore a hole in her psyche that nothing could fill. Dozens if not hundreds of people tried to help over the years but nothing was ever right...the illness turned her into the most contrary person I've ever met - but during those rare times in between cycles we'd get a glimpse of the caring, fiercely intelligent person wrapped inside of all that psychosis.
There was most likely a dollop of autism in there as well - she often wouldn't greet people and if she did talk to you, her eyes would focus on a corner of the ceiling, unless you pissed her off and then holy crap could she ever pin you to the wall with a laser focussed glare!
As she made her rounds around town, I'm sure her presence prevented much mischief; she would refer to some of the young down and outs as 'her boys'. I know she lent an ear to some who had no one else to confide in.
I feel like a turd because I have photos of the squalor inside her home but not one of her.
Sorry Cheryl - I can't remedy that but I'll make sure you're remembered with the beautiful fabric pieces you so skillfully created.

Peacefull Stroll In the Woods

I had planned on set painting today but discovered there was a performance underway when I arrived. The sky was clearing resulting in brilliant patches of mist and light so I headed off to Hirsch Creek park for some mist'n'moss photos. These are the signs that greet visiters just before entering the picnic area.
I just recalled today that while on a walk with kids and friends 15 years ago we heard a massive tree fall somewhere nearby. Didn't see it but the ground shook like crazy. That particular walk never was the kids' favorite due to the abundance of devil's club and moose crap.

Happy Birthday TwinA & TwinB!

Twenty-four years ago I relaxed in my hospital bed in Vancouver and gazed at a perfect crescent moon in the evening sky - euphoric that my work was done for the day and I'd successfully delivered my two gals. The husband and I always expected to stop at two so one of these is a bonus child...or an accident.
(we're always looking for happy accidents in painting and this topped them all!)
Oddly, it triggered within me an intense craving for babies and I kept hoping for another happy accident till they were well into their teens.
The teen years have a way of making that go away... ; )

Toys Take Over My Kitchen

I've been pondering two buckets full of toys and toy parts over the past few days in order to present a few workshops on how to create something completely different from the pieces' original design. The museum curator's husband is having an exhibit of his collectables so she's hoping that participants can do that trendy, funky thing where we make new art from old - kind of like what Smithers artists did with war toys a while back -
or like other centres have been working on for the past few years.
And my favorite? - Toddlerpede!

http://beinart.org/artists/jon-beinart/

My Ee-vil Pony. Pretty crudely done, I know but I'm just looking to give people some examples of sculpture. If people can't think up a sculpture I'll suggest gluing bits to a flat, painted surface to produce either a 'portait' or flower/garden scene such as the one above.

*Update Sept. 14 - I transferred all the stuff to the museum today and while showing this to the currator, accidently pressed a small boulder on the base and was surprised by "My Precious...my precious" hissing from Evil Pony! BONUS!!!

Taking a Run at the New Season

Blocking in and obliterating the previous scene so I can slowly grope my way through a new composition. That's me waaay at the end of the backdrop - and do you know what that means? It means there's someone on the other end of the camera - a helper person!! I had 2 helpers!!

...I'm not alone anymore...*trembly sigh*

Poster Boy/Policy Analyst for BC Liberals

The Campbell government of British Columbia have outdone themselves!

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/cancels+awards+students/1880692/story.html

(golly, I really must learn how to embed)

They actually selected 16 students back in June to receive the Premier's Excellence Scholarship - with all the fanfare that entails - and then well into August abruptly cancelled the program and won't be parting with a cent.

Minister of Advanced Education Moira Stillwell very kindly assured everyone that there were plenty of other monies available if they really needed it.

Grants promised to arts groups suddenly evaporated this past Friday - even to those who may have been in the midst of an event. This funding comes from gaming and is now going...going?...oh probably down that gaping maw that we call The Olympics.

I'm practically breathless with perverse anticipation to see what they'll think of next!*

*WOW...what a stupid thing to say - they really outdid this already. As of Aug.31 they retroactively yanked Gaming Grants that had been pledged for the year.

MooseMan In Progress

MooseMan lives! Poor fellow finally has a face now that I discovered a nifty sawdust paste recipe.

After languishing in the basement for about 15 years I tossed the original body, redesigned it as a fish rather than human and changed the environmental angle from the destruction caused by logging (that's kind of a done issue) to the devastation of oceans and fisheries.

I've selected only the highest quality materials for construction...contains some of the finest duct tape I've ever handled.

Hirsch Creek #3

(18 X 24, acrylic)

I just really, really like this spot so I threw some salmon in it and will haul it on down to our annual 'Here Fishy, Fishy' art exhibit. I'd prefer to keep all my paintings under wraps till my exhibit but Fishy's a little thin this year so I'm doing my part to take up more wall space.

How 'Bout We Swap Yer Seroquel For Some Skinnamarinky-doodle-azipine

I honestly don't understand what the hell shrinks do all those years in school...
What on earth - and what earthly good - is it that they're learning???
Is that ten or twelve years of post-secondary simply some gruelling endurance race inflicted on students in order to weed out anyone with the slightest weakness whatsoever - resulting in a gulf so vast between them and their clients that they may as well be dealing with aliens?
After reciting the requisite life history TwinB tried to explain her current fatigue/confusion/discalculia to todays doctor.
He could only reply "I don't get it..." "Why don't you just write the day down as well..."
(half a point for being up front about being confused by her confusion)

Ever heard about cognitive dysfunction??...put up your hand- thank you.

I'd really like to get some things into their heads - preferably something constructive but barring that a flaming bag of dog shit might be almost as satisfying.

Scatterbrain

An animated - only in the sense of style ; ) - self portrait that TwinB executed sometime during high school when experiencing her regular bouts of fatigue and confusion.

She recently smacked into her 'confusion issues' again, showing up two days early for an appointment with her counsellor Kelly. She'd been checking -scrutinizing actually - the appointment card which apparently was for the 17th until she actually arrived that day where it mysteriously and without sense suddenly turned into a '19th'.

TwinB has a long history like that with numbers.

She phoned me from C-train, quite chagrined if not somewhat alarmed about the situation.

"My left hemisphere is totally useless...it's only there to Fung Shui my brain...oh let's just throw some pillows in that corner...or maybe it's ballast for my head so it doesn't tip over to one side"

You know you have mental health problems and/or disabilities when you have to get someone to fact check an appointment card for you.

Thank goodness Kelly received her report seriously. TwinB also mentioned getting hopelessly lost during a run then having to knock on a strangers' door at the edge of town for rescue.

The ultimate occured while at the Art Institute of Vancouver -she only realized that she'd been enrolled in a particular course when the transcripts came out and she'd failed it because she didn't know that it was on her course load and had never attended a single class.

Yup. She really did it.

Most people just have nightmares about that sort of thing.

Not her. She's really lived the 'dream'.

I'm relieved that she has resolved to have her special needs labelled and addressed. Be nice if we could get the guv'mint and or healthcare system to assist in some way or to at least make some allowances for her.

Trying to keep her going can often feel like juggling jello or herding cats...maybe even both at the same time. However she never ceases to impress me with a self discipline and tenacity that somehow burns through the fog.

The Finished Product

Here's the dastardly chalk pastel. Don't know if I should redo it in acrylic which is a far more suitable medium for rendering rust. Probably better for moths too.

Chalk Pastel Gets The Boot

The chalk pastel piece I've been working on fell to the floor with a resounding 'bonk' this morning. It dropped vertically and landed on the bottom edge because I had used fairly stiff, heavy paper and in doing so managed to dislodge the last 2 hours of work I had applied.
There was enough to fill my palm and and I am not impressed and/or amused.
I had given up on chalk pastels several years ago due its tendency to release itself from any surface despite rigorous precautions and preparation.
I hereby declare that from this moment forward I will shun - shun I say! - this unreliable and fickle medium to the end of my days!

Who's Got A Big Fat Smile??

I DO!!!

The postal worker just delivered my much anticipated package from future famous writer BC Woods. WOOT!

oooooooo.....I'm downright giddy!

thank-you!

I Suspect This Is Not The Place To Do This..

But here's where I hurl my goblet at the wall....

words and thoughts fail me....the sadness holds me-
I s'spect that all the trauma/drama of the past 6 years caught up with me
Ahhh....so that's how one is supposed to react...tears...who knew?...

Really - I didn't. It's been a revelation

Couldn't do it before.

Bye Bye Sunshine

Sorry you had to leave us so soon but thanks for hanging around as long as you did.

Jacob Jones - age 9 - afflicted with an ultra rare metabolic disorder (only about 30 kids with it in the world), succumbed to a virus last week.
I attended his celebration of life today - beautiful tribute.

I'll miss you and Mummy at my art classes...

Context Is Everything

These are all over the church parking lot now since we had to kill some time during Vacation Bible School.
The theme has been 'Power Lab' so what yer lookin at would be an upside down view of a test tube with chemicals bubbling out the top. (duh!)

Global Weirding

It's been a topsy-turvy summer in terms of weather. The grass is dry and brown on the BC north coast and there are mist 'n mushrooms in Calgary.

Interrupting This Freebie-

For that freebie.

The painting will be submitted to a silent auction in Texas at a conference on lissencephaly. (my kids' former gr. 5 teacher has a granddaughter afflicted with this disorder and requested something representative of Kitimat. I dragged the framer in on this one and am painting to fit a frame she couldn't use so no one is actually out of pocket)

The boards go with shutters on someones cute little home on Tweedsmuir here.

In fact they belong to Crazy Dewie's grandma!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqh-xDxVjx0 (little sample of His Craziness)

God was kind when He chose not to bestow any such offspring on me