Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Universe Speaks!.... Choices are made!

"Pulling in Winter" - oil on canvas 12 x 30 inches


"Time Stands Still at The Narrows"- oil on canvas 16x48 inches



"Silence is Indeed... Golden - oil on canvas 12x48 inches



"Morningshine-Chimney Island"- oil on canvas 12 x 48 inches




"The way we choose to see the world creates the world we see."


Barry Neil Kaufman

"Happiness Is A Choice




"Deb and I have been searching for a new adventure for our lives for the past three years. The Paint Box Gallery is such a strong part of our journey... a "raison d'etre"... a place to live... work and play... all under one roof. Even after a very careful search...finding an alternative location where that would be possible... and financially within our current means seemed to be almost impossible.


We searched real estate ads for locations within a two hundred kilometer sweep from Hillsdale... where there seemed a strong art presence and a sales viability combined with an living ambiance that we would enjoy. We visited so many communities and went through many possible locations... but the combinations we required simply seemed not to be found anywhere. It was truly discouraging!


Our ten year sojourn here in Hillsdale has been wonderful... and as my paintings and words attest... the Oro' Medonte and Georgian Bay regions have been a place of great joy... serenity... peace and creative energy for us both. Leaving a well-established ten year business presence might seem foolhardy... even risky... and indeed it might seem so on the surface!


But the economic hard times being experienced everywhere else has visited Hillsdale as well ... leaving only ourselves... an automotive parts store... an automotive repair shop... and a too small post office as the only semblance of active business in our community. Both stores in the community have tanked... leaving little reason for anyone to stop as they pass through on the busy Highway 93. The increased cost of fuel... greatly reduced tourism have combined with the very great distance from Toronto to reduce traffic flow and then sales significantly.


Though our sales have continued to be there for us... mainly due to loyal customer patronage... they are much more sporadic and there is little or no growth potential here until the economy drastically improves, or a store is created within Hillsdale. Those necessary factors, we have decided are well beyond the realistic and viable window for our continuing to remain here.


You will recall that I attended The 1st Plein Air Paint Out for The International Plein Air Painters Association last September at Rockport on the shores of the St Lawrence River. You might recall as well that I had grown up at 'The Narrows"... located east on The St Lawrence River... mere minutes away from Rockport. During the Paint Out... I rekindled friendships dating back fifty years. One of those friendships was with Wendy Merkley (nee Johnston), granddaughter of Ed Andress, renowned St. Lawrence wooden boat builder. Wendy now lives in his stately and historic riverside home ... perched high on a cliff in central Rockport.


This energetic and intelligent lady was the driving force which made the success of the event possible. During one of our evenings of chatting together alone, she mentioned that she had overheard a rumour that I was looking to relocate my life and business. I indicated that it was indeed no rumour... but that we were at that time coming up with little success. She asked... if I might be interested in returning to The Thousand Islands... and Rockport in particular. I indicated that if I could fine the right opportunity... at the right price... that we most certainly would.


I will cut to the chase at this point to announce... that effective April 20th, 2012 The Paint Box Gallery and the two of us will be residing and operating in Rockport, Ontario. We will take up residence in "Islesview" right on the waterfront in the central business part of Rockport. Rockport is the home base for The Thousand Island Boat Lines... which provides scenic boat tours into The beautiful Thousand Islands. In short... it is a tourist mecca from June through to Thanksgiving in mid October!


Aside from being " a step up" commercially speaking... Deb and "I" ... are going Home... closer to our families... back to our common roots... and that form the very essence of my person and artistic spirit. As I have always maintained here in this blog and through out my entire lifetime... "The Universe" speaks... and offers opportunities. Whether one embraces these opportunities and makes them "Choices" is the sole responsibility of each person on their journey.


Deb and I have deliberated long and hard about this life-altering move and have decided together that it is a win-win situation that we cannot and will not pass up! So onward... to paradoxically "something old... yet as well, something new." We are excited... as is Wendy and her hard working development team in Rockport. Together... I truly hope that we can bring about a "Renaissance" for the Arts in Rockport! Count us ready to roll up our sleeps!


And Paint my heart out I will... with JOY!!!.... A new "white canvas"... on my easel... a place for my cedar strip canoe to travel freely!


Good Painting to ALL !!!


PS I have posted a few paintings from past forays to give you a first glimpse of what is to come in the very near future! Enjoy!

16 comments:

  1. Congratulations!! I've been there, and you're right - it's wonderful! How exciting! It sounds for terrific for you two!!

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  2. Hi there Kim!... Thanks for the visit and for your encouraging comments!

    We are so looking forward to this new adventure... and Rockport is quite simply... Heaven... here on earth!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards... and Hi to Harry,
    Bruce

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  3. Hi Bruce, what exciting news! I hope the move goes well for you and you can soon get settled into exploring the new painting opportunities.

    We, too, are thinking of moving to a new area. Also, like you, we are having a hard time seeing how we can manage it financially, but at least this has given us new hope that something may turn up.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  4. I love this long landscape format. Lovely panorama!
    Happy Painting,
    Nora

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  5. Hi there Keith!... Thanks for your rousing encouragement!

    This move and life change is indeed exciting for both of us. The potential for new vitality in our business and personal lives makes the risk less worrisome!

    It is a win-win situation. We are glad that we went out seeking this opportunity. We all live in a time in the art business... where one must reinvent ourselves... reshape our visions and goals... and try new things... in new places... with new people!

    We wish you and your wife the same luck in finding your new direction and home! Fingers crossed! The offer of accommodations "chez nous"... is definitely stll offered Keith!

    Good Painting and Searching!
    Warmest rtegards,
    Bruce

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  6. Hi there Nora!... Thanks for your visit and complimentary remarks!

    Shape-shifting formats... mediums... techniques is a "must do" in art creation. Not only does it create interest... challenge and focus for the artist... it demonstrates versatility to the viewer. It follows that this will also likely lead to increased sales in the marketplace.

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Well now that is exciting news, how wonderful for you both. It'll be a bit manic moving and settling in but once that's through it will be wonderful I'm sure. These are tough times that we are living through at the moment in some ways but in others there are such opportunities to be siezed on. I really am very pleased for you so best of luck.

    I love 'Silence is indeed..golden' it's a very serene piece. I look forward to the work to come.

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  8. Love the format of your paintings, it lends itself perfectly for landscapes and other subjects too.
    It sounds like you have made the right decision in moving and straight into a thriving artist community too, with friends there to help you settle in, worth their weight in gold!

    Good luck with the move, hope that it will be all you hope it will be.

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  9. Hi there Lisa!... Thanks for visiting and for the encouraging word regarding our impending move... and the generous compliment about "Silence Is..."

    Moving... aka change... always entails discomfort and harried moments... even a dash of sadness. But change is absolutely necessary... in ALL things! Nothing ... worth anything can remain in stasis! The human spirit will not tolerate that in my opinion!

    The Kaufman quote says it all for "Me":

    "The world we choose to see creates the world we see."

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  10. Hi there Diana!... Thank you for your uplifting words of encouragement and support in reagrds to our upcoming move to Rockport!

    It is indeed exciting... to be on the very fringe of the new adventure we had been searching for over these past three years!

    We know that it will yield much Happiness and the added potential for success with our business and spiritual satisfaction and fulfillment as well!

    Glad that you enjoyed these first glimpses of The Thousand Islands! More to come...SOON!

    Stay tuned....
    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Hi Bruce what will happen to the property you own now do you have a buyer for your business and home? I think the move will do you both the world of good especially to be in a lively seaside port where folk visit on a frequent basis. I wish you both all the best, you had better get packing as you don't have much time left until the day of the move. There will be lots of paintings to move too! I love the sea, you know it has it's own life and beauty and never ceases to change each day and amaze us with her radiance. Great to be sharing the adventure with you here in blogging land. All the best laddie!

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  12. Hi there Caroline!... Thanks for your visit and for all of the concerns you voiced about our move!

    Firstly... and to our advantage... we do not own either our apartment or store front. We have rented.Simply a move of belongings is necessary... but that is job enough! HA HA!!!

    Our new location in Rockport... right in the middle of the busy tourist centre of the village.... looks out onto the St Lawrence River. That... we hope, will be good for our business... but our summer life will certainly be very "full of wandering sightseers" who do not always understand about privacy... I know that well going into the situation.

    However... from November through to June... there is a beauty... freedom and an ever changing River presence that will afford the Peace we seek.

    The painting opportunities amongst the Islands ... so reachable from Rockport are endless. My old cedar strip canoe and I know the River in this area intimately.

    I will have lots to share with my blogging Friends.

    All the best back to you... Highland Lass!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  13. Oh Bruce! This all sounds wonderful...I always say..Follow your dreams! It sounds like a perfect move for you and Deb, and I wish you both all the luck in the world!! These paintings are all wonderful and when you click on it you can enjoy all the wonderful details!!

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  14. Hi there Hilda!... Thanks for visiting and for adding your observations and best wishes!

    We both firmly believe that The Universe sent this opportunity our way unexpectedly... and to not jump at this opportunity with enthusiasm and commitment to make it work in our favour... would be absolutely a mistake we would always regret! So onward... we're "all in"!!

    Glad that the paintings please you Hilda.I appreciate your good eye and your skill as an artist!

    Good Pastelling!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  15. I think your upcoming move is fantastic! I loved looking at the photos of the area where you will set up your life and business and I just have a good feeling that it is all going to be very successful for you.

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  16. Hi there You!... Good to hear from you again! So good to see those bloomin' flowers! HA HA!!

    We also believe that this move will yield many... yet unseen benefits for our business and art. But far more importantly... we're goin' Home! The circle is full Karen! I think that you can identify with that joy!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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