A Day... For Expressing Gratitude

Happy Father's Day!!!

"Thank You... For the Music!" - oil on canvas 14x11 inches
A tribute of respect and gratitude to my Dad


Today is Father's Day.... a day set aside by families everywhere to recognize and honour those male co-heads of households who continually contribute their love... energy and life force every day throughout the entire year... and across a lifetime. They bring to a family strength and a male perspective... which combined with female side, enables children to enter the real world able to contribute and to receive gifts which reflect the environment and values of their communal home and upbringing.
The view of Gratitude that I mention in my post title above, I feel... is a two-sided. Today, I deeply feel the Gratitude I feel for my own Father. "He" was my Father... My Mentor and my Friend. He always attempted to talk across the table to "Me"... trying always to do so without scorn... shame or sarcasm... unless my actions deserved such. Simply put... he recognized my intelligence... my creativity and my absolute need to think freely and independently. That was his greatest gift to "Me." It was what persuaded and prompted me to always try lead my own families and my students in similar fashion. He led by his example!

The second face of my own view of Gratitude... is merely the Gratitude I hold deeply in my heart for the five uniquely beautiful children that I have been privileged to father. Each of them have been the greatest of blessings in my journey... and I cannot fathom life without their presence. They are my masterpieces! My paintings simply pale in comparison when compared. Each is a unique masterpiece... created somewhat from the contributions of their mothers and I... but more proudly on my view... each is quite simply unique and special because of their individual differences juxtaposed with their similar good and generous hearts and willingness to share their gifts with the world.

I know that my Dad (and my Mom) would share my pride today in seeing the footprint which their own many sacrifices and efforts helped shape in my children. Their gifts and values passed forward  to "Me" are now radiantly obvious in the achievements of Lisa, Allison, Andrew, Liam and Bryn. Today ... as I pause to reflect... and give thanks and show Gratitude to my Dad, and their Grampa... I reciprocally gives thanks and acknowledgement of my Gratitude to each of these beautiful young minds.

On this Father's Day... Sunday, June16th, 2013... "I" am deeply blessed!

I will close this post with a quote that I found while reading a special source of my own inspiration... past and present. It comes from The World According to Mr. Rogers ( Important Things to Remember) and reads:

" Actor Davis Carradine, son of John Carradine, said in gratitude of his father's accomplishments, " I could stand on his shoulders and feel twice as tall."
That each generation could stand on the shoulders of the last and feel twice as tall is a poetic hope for all our families.

A Happy Birthday for my first-born... Mona Lisa aka.... "Dolly-Dolly-Dumpkins, Queen of the Pumpkins"... artist, writer, Mother Extraordinaire, interior designer, floral arranger... now residing... crafting... B&B ing and mosaic- ing in the Barbados!

 Allison.... aka Ms Pig... In Venice, as we speak... here teaching her class at the Frari .

                                                                     "Rabbo Allison!" - teacher, writer, artist , chef, yoga enthusiast. painter, crafter... and generous spirit!

Andrew... aka Andyrewster... and Ms Tilly ... golfer, bowman, athlete, artist, now Ontario/GTA Rep for Thermal-Fisher (a division of OXO)

Liam... aka "Liam-pee 'em " (not pants!) about to Graduate high school in June... computer specialist/ builder/ programmer, painter, photographer and philosopher

Chef Bryn... aka "Mouse"... (now grown past that nickname)... woodworker, athlete, painter, sous chef more-than--worthy chess opponent and all around good guy - good pal

Can you see why I feel so blessed???

Rich blessings and Happy Father's Day!... to ALL Fathers out there.
Stand TALL!!!!... and Keep the faith!

Thank you Dad... and my beloved children for your unconditional life time gift of love!

Though we may travel very different paths in our outside lives, let us always hold hands... and remain together on the inside.

"Believing"... or... The End of the Beginning" - Part Three

The time since the two Paint Out weekend just passed has sped up... and blurred together. So much so, that considering where and how to write this concluding segment was proving  problematic for me. Summer has a  customary way of arriving too late... or uncertainly in dribs and drabs... and then evaporating mysteriously. One almost always...  is left with an empty feeling that this sweet hour of play and much-looked forward to respite from the long cold of winter has slipped away... leaving one awkwardly alone on the dance floor without a partner...  still wanting to dance.

The floral "clock" in our garden has been moving rapidly... lilacs, tulips, daffodils, irises and our blossoming apple tree and forsythia are now but a memory of the Past, while lilies are headed up and the daisies smile serenely... a welcome sweet smile from my Mom. The "bloom" which had I felt in sharing plein air painting time with the Towe family and my two days with old friend Frank in Belleville has worn off. Both were rousing successes from my view and both most certainly brought new learning and pleasure to all parties concerned. But Time is always on the move... and I have been drawn along by the current and flow of my own life to next challenge... Enter a cast of two... in some ways reminiscent of my own family of  four siblings... or..."The Ya Ya Sisterhood"!

My two weekend painting guests from Ottawa were two sisters... pleasant... intelligent.. highly sensitive and worldly middle-aged women. Both were gregarious, but in getting to know them better, it soon became evident that while on the surface they while were both very definitely loving towards the other and had been reared in the same nest, their life experiences had indeed created two very different and strong personalities. Each came to this plein air experience prepared with an equal willingness to risk and learn... but using entirely different methods and thinking. Interestingly, to me... both shared a level of self-doubt about themselves and their creative sides.

To create an equal playing field and comfort zone for each, I presented my plan to treat them both equally as complete novices... starting from "ground zero". I  began by presenting a short introduction to colour mixing similar to the start with the Towe family.  I choose to purposely use this term to describe this point... because the journey we were commencing together was in fact quite like the actual site "Ground Zero" in the aftermath of the destructive events of New York... or more recently, Boston. There exists a definite need to revisit the actual site where picture making ceased, in order to commence with reconstruction of a basic vocabulary to understand the process of painting... and courage to try.

It is my own premise that ALL of us first "spoke" and described our world about us... ourselves and our feelings in terms of our picture-making. As "primitive" and devoid of rules and technique that this early expression presented itself, that expression was pure and unaffected. Our picture-making then was a genuine and undirected response. It was a confident act which revealed the relationship we each had with the childhood world in which we lived... and played. Now, after finding our way through the rigours and responsibilities of an adult life, (the Dark Ages), we reach middle age. Here, we search for a Renaissance... or a reawakening of the search for individual meaning for our lives.

We all have lived (more or less) through creating and rearing families and careers. But now many of us have found a need for a personal Quest... a personal adventure searching for adding fuller meaning to our lives. Others of us never left the Art path, but our goal in our adult lives was focused upon achieving "excellence" through honing skills to create an individual style and creating careers and sales. Somewhere along the way, most of us lost touch with the child... and his or her unfettered creative joy. Now, we find ourselves trying to make our way back to where we first began the journey.

In many cases, I have met many people... especially women who wish to take up this search. I have made it my mission in these latter years to help guide people such as the Towes and these two sisters through the maze and back through Self-discovery... to that precious time in Never Land... when they "Believed"... and found simple Joy and a place where they belonged. In this Zen World...Life would no longer be defined in terms of parents values... our spouse's goals... or our children's needs. It is a New and Golden Age of Self-discovery... driven by our own actions and wishes.

It was so interesting to bear witness to the process, as it occurred for these two siblings. Both approached the process very differently. It was obvious to me from the start that their personalities strongly shaped their painting processes, as they tried to sort out new problems as they arose. As well, I detected that their sibling past continually played into their levels of security and feelings of success during the process. Both individuals... in my humble opinion, created two very capable and equally pleasing-to-the-eye paintings, but both were significantly different ion their approach, as was their individual feeling of achievement. Neither had any previous experience painting in oils. You can judge for yourself again the quality or appeal of their paintings produced by viewing the jpegs below.

Saturday Session- Mother Nature Steps In

I had kept an eye on the weather forecast and had expected very cold and rainy weather for Saturday and that in fact occurred, so we moved into the outside Gallery where I had set up a colourful floral still life... Plan B. Here are photos to record that session.

 A quick lesson on mixing colours from primaries.... tinting and shading... creating browns and greys...then value creations in a single hue. Whew... a lot to take in... but necessary to start painting !

The floral subject... daunting at first glance... but not if... your are selective in what you choose to leave in "your bouquet/ arrangement"

Here is my ten minute "flash dance" demo... purposely left vague and "in your face" unfinished. There does exist basic structure and obvious choices about using the subject. After lunch... I added a few details to move towards a finish. However, once again it was purposely unfinished... and at the end I scrubbed it with my painting knife. What remains... is " a ghost" of the original sketch. I stressed that it was never intended as more than an exercise and guide for their own starts. I promised them (perhaps) a future finish... using an entirely new technique!

"Let the games begin!"..... on toned canvases 16x12 inches... which strongly encouraged their choice of a vertical format.

Michelle sets forth very strongly and emphatically in a well-developed line drawing. A great start!

Denise... a bit more hesitant and "airy" in her tentative start

Denise... quickly feeling more comfortable and gaining confidence quickly in adding paint to the drawing

Les deux soeurs a travail... cote a cote! Un moment merveilleux!!

Ideas and thoughts emerge rapidly... in paint

Denise... with a definite homage to Vincent! See it??? Raw colour applied with rapid abandon!

All around the subject first... and then to work to close out a successful lay in. Anybody hungry yet?

Lunch break... at Deb's Kitchen Kafe! YUMMMMMY!

Denise finished first... with panache... and JOY!

Two Beautiful Bouquets... Vive les differences!... See those smiles?

"I'm a Believer".... That says it all for me!

Sunday Session - En plein air in the Village

I had a couple of sites in mind, but deferred to the choice the ladies felt comfortable with... The Grout's Backyard Garden which had been the site for the Towe Paint Out. It was a sound choice because the subject and structure lend themselves to easy interpretation... and probable success for the novice outdoor painter. The scenario was the same for both gals... the one quickly  into action ... the other creeping in but with a sense of reserve that guaranteed her a comfortable experience. I completed a ten minute demo which stopped at the lay in stage to illustrate how the subject was supported by nearby masses. No colour direction was necessary after our first session.

Here is a shot showing the actual site with my vague quick draw lay in

Michelle jumps in confidently... basics are there already!

Denise... using her feeling her way around approach... it works!

Michelle approaches the lay in and lunch moment with satisfaction and gusto

Denise's scrubbed in... transparent lay in... painterly for sure!

We reached lay in by lunch time and we agreed to go down to the nearby Cornwall Pub for lunch... leaving our set ups as they were. We enjoyed chatting about the morning's activity and directions for the finish... and a sumptuous lunch as well! Back to the easels... both eager to get on

Michelle closes... speeding up her painting action... in lieu of using her usual precise and perfectly placed details. See the rhythm and flourish she has created as a result of taking chances?

Another confident finish... and HUGE smile of satisfaction for Denise!

And the winner is??? The smiles say... Both!!! Bien fait.... et encroyable... mes amies! These two beautiful sisters had never painted in oils... or en plein air before this weekend. Incredible!... That's the word!

It is never too late... or early to resume one's artistic journey. We spend so much of our lives just looking out the window of life... blankly as we travel daily... not really actually "Seeing ", or understanding what is in front of us. We live  a very "taken-for-granted" existence. As well... we really don't "see" the creative possibility that lies inside us all. It requires one brave and decisive moment where we reach out and risk going beyond the limitations we... or others have imposed... to discover a "Brave New World" where we too... can "belong"... and find more Joy in living. We each have a creative "voice"... our own unique way that we see and understand the world. We can find personal joy and share it with others... if we can "uncloak"... and relinquish all need for comparison to enjoy the true spirit of creating... en plein air.

Sharing the journey and watching the amazement and wonder of such an experience as this adventure with Denise and Michelle continues to motivate me to give classes. I very much look forward to meeting Denise and Michelle again... and judging by their smiles and departing words... I will... and Soon!

Bonne chance ... toutes les deux... et Merci beaucoup! Salut!

I will end this post by sharing a piece of Native American wisdom that I heard recently on a NPR morning broadcast for each of you to ponder:

"What I am.... I must become."

Life is the process of forever... "becoming" for all of us. Is it not?

Good Painting... to All !!

"Seeing Things" - Part Two

Life has been an eclectic mix of art creation and appreciation... music... the-out-of-doors and family for my entire life. I grew up in a family in which these valued elements were recognized and practised. I have never lived in any place where those basic elements have not been woven into my everyday existence. I cannot imagine a day without having access to any one part of this well spring of healthy living. Each part is interwoven with the others to create balance and purpose for me in my journey.

During the course of my journey and enjoying these elements, I have been fortunate to have met many kindred spirits who have shared my passion for these life blessings. Those elements have linked us over vast distances and a lifetime as Friends... almost family really. Together... we shared the Joy of making Art... on location... in the outdoors... en plein air... whatever term you wish to employ. All mean exactly the same thing to me. Painting thus... does indeed create greater connection and much learning potential outside of pure studio painting simply because being "out there" offers stimulation through all of the senses... simultaneously.

The experience of painting outdoors does, in fact enliven paintings made there... no matter one's level of skill or experience in painting. It does indeed better lead one to "Seeing." The act of looking is cursory and can be done in a glance then forgotten. The act of "Seeing" however, can only be accomplished by looking... studying intently... discriminantly and analyzing... with a resulting total understanding. This gained insight and knowledge is indelibly retained.

Saturday... A Family Affair... en Plein air... With the Towe Family

Being with children while they paint has always been one of my most
enjoyable creative undertakings. It is always a creative experience for me as well, because I view myself as having a fully vested role as an active learner... as opposed to assuming a role an instructor. In simplest terms, the experience is an opportunity for my "Inner Child" to come out and play as a playmate with other children... and to learn as they do from the experience.

In the past, I have watched as intrepid adult teachers gingerly entered into the fray... at first tentatively at best, and in some extreme cases constricted even to risk in the presence of children. This particular session began much the same as described above as we proceeded through my introductory interactive activity to explore and discover primary to complementary colour vocabulary. Not surprisingly to me... the children had all of the vocabulary and eagerly volunteered their knowledge to be shared in the group. The adults were... at first reticent, and yes, even void of correct answers for these basic and necessary bits of information. ie What two colours make green?

Despite the obvious "gap" between the two participating sections... that gap diminished very quickly and without incident to a comfort level, whereby I really felt there were seven children painting and playing together outdoors. Each had his own unique palette and interpretation of the view I had scouted and chosen as our site for the day. Each set to work immediately and at once... one could sense the obvious instant success and enjoyment that each participant was experiencing. Questions emerged from every quarter and the time seemed to evaporate until we broke at the lay in stage to come back to "Islesview" for a shared lunch with Deb.

Again... I will try not lengthen the text further than necessary in this post, when pictures can translate and tell the story more adequately and effectively. You can judge for yourself the success and accomplishment of these six novice plein air oil painters in their work. Enjoy!

Hail!... Hail!... The Gang's all here!.... Painting their little hearts out!

Brian's start... fastidious and highly intent is he... at all things!

Connor... reluctant at first... but firin' on all four cylinders here!

Kathy... at first reticent... but goin' for the gusto now! Great hat... EH????

 Vanessa.. shy... but "still waters run deep"... Hey... she got in there first and finished first!

Wendy... painted before but not en plein air... No problemo!

I used the KISS Method (Keep it simple stupid) to get things going. I began the actual lesson on site with a very quick fifteeen minute demo to offer individual insight into how to interpret and reduce any need for detail in the beginning. I focused upon creating a "guide map" using a darkish and stainy mixture of alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue. I quickly washed in and  massed blocks of darks. 

My fifteen minute quick study 16x20 inch demo... complete and untouched still... with pine needles and dirt - it fell off the easel! Just added texture.... for interest's sake! HA HA!!!

Building upon the short primary-complementary lesson... I offered each a 10x12 inch burnt sienna toned panel to be used for a palette bearing the three primaries and white. I provided another 10x12 inch toned panel as a painting support. Colour mixed is colour placed on your painting. I provided three brushes... two different sized flats and a round. I withheld the rigger, used for final details until the final twenty minutes. As the painting process developed... I added "helper" hues which broadened their colour range and reduced mixing problems. My job was simply to act as a resource function and colour supply. Questions decreased dramatically after the lay in stage. All of the "children" painted independently as we worked to our two and a half hour agreed upon deadline.

Not too shabby Brian... for a guy who had maintained that he couldn't paint!

My man Connor... Good on ya Dude! You get the... "Medal o' Honour"! HA HA!!!

Overheard from Kathy... the gal who "had no talent" : "Hey... This is fun!"... and It shows!

Wendy's magical brush at work. Great balancing of darks and lights.... and structure!

Vanessa... quietly pondering her final strokes for her "broken colour"masterpiece. Not bad... for a grade five gal! Cool glasses too!

I think that my pictures clearly demonstrate that painting can be something which draws a family together. Listening to adults mingling joyfully... and encouraging their young charges outdoors made my day worthwhile. The thank you email waiting for me upon my return from Belleville on Sunday evening told me that they too fully felt that joy and camaraderie which had been mine!

 We .... are deeply blessed!

PS Oh... and by the way... "other families" joined us as well on our outing, as did countless visitors who took pictures and chatted during our celebration!

The mallard and their fuzzies... dabbling their hearts out nearby

Two geese and their gaggle... just sunning within earshot of our intent painting group

"There is beauty all around... when there's love at Home!"

Good Painting to ALL!!!

Part Three coming up! Stay tuned.......for the Believing Part!

" Seeing" is Believing... and Believing .... Is Everything - Part One

There is a double entendre intended in today's post title. Used as a well-worn and overly used adage, it might come off as sounding a bit pedantic. However ... when placed in context with how I have tried to present the concept of "seeing" in terms of creating in past posts... a second and more important layer of meaning is intended. And my whirlwind weekend of painting activity led me try and pass forward some further thoughts that you might mull over... and apply in your own thinking.

The weekend was hectic... no frenetic is a better word to describe the state of action. Unwittingly, I had "double booked" myself and had made two painting commitments to two given parties for the same time frame. Both were extremely important to me... but setting one aside entirely for the other was absolutely impossible for me to consider doing. So I did both! To further raise the bar... I hadn't really painted, as my blog posts indicated for almost a month and self-doubt was edging its way into the picture. Both were situations that demanded being prepared physically and spiritually to participate effectively.

Rather than try to "splain" the whole weekend of activity in a single post, I have decide to spread the "Idea" over two and give each part a single focus to help describe the weekend as it unfolded for me. So, please bear with me...  there is a useful and meaningful (I believe) conclusion to be reached and to be shared by the end of the two parts.

I had accepted an all day Saturday.... introductory... first time plein air teaching session for three adults and two children here in Rockport. My family were long time friends through our cottaging lives with Brian Towe and I had in all truth, I accepted the opportunity mostly because of our past connection. I knew of his wife, her sister only briefly through the process of actualizing the proposed paint out. I had yet to meet the two young people. Along with the very "iffy" weather forecast for the Saturday... so many variables plus my absence from actually painting myself placed me on high alert.

Oh yes... did I mention that I had signed up as well... to participate in a full three day weekend  Paint Out competition with my long time friend and painting pal Frank Edwards? That would take place in the city of Belleville... some two hours west of here. Now you can perhaps better understand the dilemma that I had created for myself . What a pickle!

This is how I decided to engage as a singles player... in a doubles tournament... volley for volley! The truth was that I had to do in my own mind was to somehow honour both commitments... and I did. I went in truth to Frank and told him my sad tale. We agreed that I would paint Friday together in Belleville... as planned and looked forward to by us both. Then I would return to Rockport that same evening and prepare to carry off the Saturday painting class with Brian and family. I would then return to Belleville on Sunday to complete the Belleville Paint Out with Frank. Are you dizzy yet ? Stay tuned.... it gets better! HA HA!!


Friday at The Belleville Plein Air Paint Out

Pictures will tell the story and make the telling of the story easier for all of us

Frank... "brushin" his way thru' the heat and traffic on our dam first site perch above the Moira River

This was the deep view that we selected together to commence the weekend action plan

This fisherman joined me from below my perch for the entire painting session... a pleasant close up encounter with this Great Blue Heron. At least he had a cool place to work!

My view of things and set up

My finished sketch for the morning ...."Rolling Into Belleville on the Moira" - oil on canvas 20x16 inches

Site number two... Looking north from Victoria Park and Belleville Yacht Club towards Belleville town centre

My finished 18x24 inch cradle board sketch of the subject... second of two completed on the Friday

Day # One in Belleville was both exhilarating... and challenging for us both. Despite the heat and having to feel my way around until I found my painting groove... it was wonderful to be painting with my painting pal of thirty years again... after a decade of being apart because I lived elsewhere. That fact made me a winner... right from the get-go... and I know that it was the same for Frank. It was another great adventure... "out there" painting en plein air as.... The Lone Ranger and Tonto!

Stay tuned for the Towe Family Saturday Paint Out in Rockport and the conclusion of the Belleville "gig" in my next post.

Until then... Good Painting... and "Happy Trails"... to ALL!!!

Never Too Young... or Old to Learn!

" I pray every day that God make me a child, that is to say that He will let me see nature in the unprejudiced way that a child sees it."

-Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796 - 1875)
French Impressionist Painter

I share Corot's uncomplicated desire to go out to the world with the unprejudiced mind.... actions and heart of a child. I have always tried to do so in both my personal and artistic lives. I continue to work with that principle... and yet at every turn, I find it more and more difficult to achieve. While I can still manage to handle the unpleasant task of limiting adult intrusions with the pettiness and edgy competitive needs that are present around me... it is increasingly painful for me to bear witness to the the disconnect that is occurring between the world of adults and the children. At its worst... I bear witness daily to atrocities being carried out and directed at an alarmingly increasing number of innocent children in every part of the globe... including my own country. And yet still... there is Hope... and I choose to embrace... celebrate and nurture that Hope, using my gifts and my heart.

Today's post is dedicated to two very beautiful minds... already "artists" in their own right at such a young age simply because they express themselves without reservation... fear or rules which limit expression. They paint... draw... act ... and think with complete freedom - a Utopia which the rest of us yearn for and search for endlessly. We had it once... but we either chose,  or were forced "to grow up"... and to "act our age" and leave this kingdom of Joy and Mirth.

This post records their excitement... their joy and as strange as it seems... my own recovery from the sadnesses which have visited me too much as of late. I lovingly dedicate this post to you both... dearest Ava and Ella. Thank you for touching my heart and soul so. You never set out to do so... it merely happened without any of us realizing... and that is indeed the magic and blessing which comes only out of offering "unconditional love." I thank you too Spencer and Jody... for leading your Mom and I  "beside still waters" and allowing us to share in your beautiful children's lives. They speak so eloquently of the consistently loving parenting that you provide these wee souls daily. I can already sense the adventure and success that they will undoubtedly find because of your gifts to them.

Enough said really. I'll let the pictures do the talking from here on... and they surely do in my heart and soul!

 The plein air set up in our yard.... acrylic primary colours... a round... a flat  and a rigger brush... sun screen ... hats...clear recycling bag smocks... and plenty o' room!

Gramma's tender support... always an arm length away!!!

Notice any adults ... snoopervising???? Not required!

Ava yanks all of her subjects from all around her.... this one a robin nesting under the nearby eave of the Gallery

Colourful Ella loves to compartmentalize... then fill spaces with joyous colours that she choose and mixes. Perhaps another Gramma making stained glass! HA HA!! Could she also become a Piet Modrian??.... I wonder......

 An unexpected visitor.... Carl the Duck joins the fun. Interesting.... BUT....

.

.. Back to my easel!

See ya later Carl!

                                                           Subject # 1 - Robin Nesting

Subject number# 2 - Gramma's Garden Flowers... and as always... "Mr Golden Sun" right where he should be... tucked carefully into the corner 

This is our Cranbrook Marginson family. Spencer, Ava, Ella and Jody at Islesview. Thank you for the heart filled with memories Guys! Miss you!

In closing... a line from a favourite Mormon hymn which I continue to sing and keep in my heart:

"There is beauty all around... when there's love at home.

Here is a love letter... a "thank you"... an unconditional declaration of love left on our refrigerator door by Ava. Kindness does matter... more precious a gift than anything else we can offer or dispense. And yet... ironically... offering it costs nothing at all... except conscious effort and time. This will hang on our refrigerator for a very long time. But it is indelibly etched and will be carried in our hearts .... Forever! Thank you Ava!!!

 Love you Gang... "To the moon and back"...

Mom and Bruce
XXXX
OOOO