Family Day In Canada!

Our government... in its infinite wisdom created "Family Day" ... statutory holiday for working Canadians and their families... except that they didn't create one that applied to all people Banks are closed... federal offices and services are closed... yet stores and Canada Post are open for business! How strange!

We are at home however... sharing time with two of my family... just chillin'... quite literally! Winter moved right back into our area with some more snow and sub-zero temperatures... after two days of spring-like weather and double digit temps. The ski resorts and outdoor rink enthusiasts are happy at least... as are the snowmobilers. Our area is well endowed with much-used woodland and cross-pastureland ski trails. Snow is BIG business in our area!!!

I'm not a snow machine owner... or enthusiast. I've never even rode on one! Too much noise and jostlin' about for "Me" and my kidneys! HAHA!! Seriously though, I prefer hiking... either on foot, or on my snowshoes... where I can enjoy the quiet and the varied wildlife and birds that winter in our region. Just a difference in choices!

Here is a large 4x8 foot commission that I completed a couple of years back for the family of Ron Hallyburton family of Hillsdale. They are very BIG fans of any sport that involves speed. Son Travis depicted in the commission raced high performance snow machines until a serious injury to his knee ended his participation. Both he and his older brother Thane also drive stock cars during the summer and fall months! It is a family passion and draws them together to complete... both on the track and in the pit!

This piece was quite a lengthy undertaking... and required a lot of practice on my part to "get up to speed" on drawing these machines and the gear. I had two discs of good digital references with over 220 images to come up with the composition. I managed in a week to "splice together" a couple or related images to come up with the race action composition. In the end... both they and I were happy with the outcome. My last act was to hang the work at the head of Trav's bed... in a room bedecked in motor sport decals and trophies. The "Hallyburton Air Show"... 4x8 feet on a full sheet of cradled tempered masonite was a challenging...b ut rewarding commission for friends!

Whatever your interests... either indoor or outdoor... enjoy the last of our winter in your own special way! And wherever you can... spend some of that time with your Family! Time is very precious... and has an uncanny habit... of slipping away too quickly on us all !

Good Painting and Playing... to ALL!