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!