Rockport Paint Out ... and Reunion - Part One

People's Choice #2
Ed Andress, Master Wooden Boat Maker's Craft Still Lives in Rockport
Oil on canvas 24x20 inches - Gifted to the Andress Family

People's Choice#1

Work Tug Ishpeming - Captained by Eugene Johnston

Oil on canvas 24x20 inches - SOLD to Ishpeming's Master, Captain Eugene Johnston

The 1st International Plein Air Artists Paint Out held over the past weekend in Rockport, Ontario... in the very heart of the famous and very beautiful Thousand Islands was a smashing success! Not only were we blessed with "picture" perfect weather on all three days... but the planning and hospitality of the organizers... The Rockport Development Association and the warm reception and hospitality of all Rockport village residents at large went far beyond expectation... contributing greatly to both the level of comfort and the painting enjoyment and success of the twenty-three participating artists.

Not only did we have a carte blanche welcome to paint anywhere within this quaint and historic village itself... we were offered ridiculously low priced water taxi access to outlying, privately owned island retreats that are normally not open to visitors. My second painting was made on Pine Island... the personal retreat for John Keats, an American columnist/writer best known and much-loved "Of time and An Island"... a book which nostalgically chronicles island life and life along The St Lawrence River... as many of us have been blessed to enjoy.

For my second painting site... I water taxied out to Pine Island with several other members to explore possibilities on the island. I chose to paint the boat houses of the mansion-covered Zavicon Island located a scant two hundred feet south of Pine Island... looking eastward down the River. I was joined by Phillip Chadwick, a recently retired meteorologist for Environment Canada in Toronto. Phil and I have an early connection dating back to 1967 to Brockville, Ontario... our shared home town. He was a student in my very first class... a grade seven class at Toniata School.

Phillip was a very gifted and exceptional art talent even then and has grown to become a recognized and very successful plein air painter in his own right. He offers lectures... as "Phil the Forecaster" which tie together his observations and thesis that the plein air works of the Canadian painting legend Tom Thomson record very accurate meteorological data of specific weather in time in Algonquin Park. His after dinner talks on both Friday and Saturday nights kept all of us attending rapt and riveted by the combination of his quick and lively humor... as well as the very demonstrably plausible evidence he provided about Thomson's skill as a meteorologist! I take great pride in having taken Phil on his very first plein air outing. I "fore casted" great things for him in this school of painting... and he has done us both proud! I was very proud of him on those evenings!

The entire group of participants welded together instantly as a common family. No one was left out of the circle. No one dominated or stood off by themselves. We shared every moment of the three days... in harmony... good cheer and encouragement. Everywhere one went... you would find others who were sharing common subjects without reserve or petty jealousy. How good it felt to be in the company of such sharing individuals... brought together under their common passion for painting and this beautiful natural kingdom.

The meals were both wonderfully and tastefully prepared... and again efficiently... and with reasonable costs. And after a long day out in the fresh air... no one was left wanting for more food. The portions were excellently prepared... and very filling!

The Rockport area is a place very familiar to me. My family had a summer cottage... no a home really located at The Narrows where the mainland nearly touches Tar Island. Our family use it in all four seasons for fifty-four years. I worked in Rockport as a teen at Ed Huck Marine and Caiger's Fishing Lodge... the very site of our first evening meal! The whole experience was a home coming for me... a blessing... a catalyst of renewal.

To be able to share my knowledge of the history of the area with the other artists was so gratifying for me personally. I met so many people, old friends of our family... and saw so many faces from as far back as fifty years... fellow cottagers that I had chummed with. How gratifying to know and feel that we shared more than wrinkles and years. We shared lasting common memories and a common joy that our presence still had meaning in the minds and memories of others. I felt so blessed.... to reconnect!

On Sunday morning... we headed out for one last painting foray of choice... for one final go at this pristine painting paradise. I remained on Front Street and painted the entrance and alley that led to The Cornwall's Restaurant and Grill. The Rockport Boat Line loads its passengers from tour buses... en route to a Thousand Island cruise nearby. People came and went for lunch at The Cornwallis and Boathouse Restaurants. There was a continual stream of passersby during the course of the painting session. Due to the many questions and reunions that kept coming and going... I was unable to completely finish the painting. I'll take it from the lay in stage to finish tomorrow... from memory

I was deeply embedded in my painting thought... you know the feeling, when I recognized a familiar woman's voice behind me. That voice belonged to a woman, Janet... from"way back when" who came up from Cleveland, Ohio each summer with her family to their haunt on Tar Island. She now lives with her husband Don Pedersen and lovely family in Oregon. I had not seen her in at least twenty years.

How joyous the reunion for us both! Our now..."ancient history" could be better classed as "a crush"for us both... as opposed to a "squeeze"... in nature. We were simply friends... and common members of a cottage family/community that water skied... swam... danced... wiener roasted and hung out incessantly each summer during our teen years. Romance bloomed momentarily... and I might say was more often than not... was the result of "cross-pollination"... and sharing. Another blessing delivered!...

The greatest blessing occurred at the final scheduled event of this Paint Out event at the Boat line Patio. All artists were invited to exhibit their paintings to the public at an informal wine and cheese social under the auspices of the RDA. The event was well attended by citizens from all around... local dignitaries and press reps from local newspapers.

None of the works displayed against the surrounding benches were signed. Each had a numeral assigned directly below. Artists were not permitted a vote. Votes were democratically cast on a small ballot given each person... no matter their age entering the one entrance to the patio. They were given the two hour period to view all of the works and them they were asked to submit a single vote for their favourite painting of the lot - a difficult decision... given that each of us submitted at least four or more paintings. The ballots were then placed with the official on the door and were then tallied to determine the three favourite paintings in the exhibition. There were many very different... yet equally beautiful paintings presented.

How surprised I was... to learn that two of my five paintings were awarded First and Second place. I have never painted expecting awards and really have not followed the competition and juried shows route... except on a few occasions. I have always painted for myself and for pleasure. To be awarded two awards by people from my own heritage community really touched me. It will be a memory I will always cherish fondly.

This entire event... from start to close reflected a very unique situation... a situation totally governed by generosity and sharing. I wish to thank all of my fellow participating artists... now all friends... Wendy Merkley, her husband Art and her hard working Rockport Development Association team... The Rockport Boat Line, Andress Boatworks for the excellent water taxi service, Rockport and Island residents who permitted us to share their truly magical properties .. and our fabulous dining hosts at Caiger's Fishing Lodge and The Cornwall's Restaurant for their fine food and impeccable service and hospitality during our most enjoyable stay. Be assured that we will each carry the "Good News" about Rockport... and share it wherever we go!

Until the 2nd Annual Rockport IPAP Paint Out next September... a HUGE Thank You ... ALL for this incredible painting experience!

Stay tuned for Part Two and more pix and details... and Good Painting to ALL!

Interfacing With the Universe...

When two things... or people interface... they are in the act of a mutual linking... interaction one with the other. Whether that act of interfacing is either accidental... or driven by one of the pair... the final act of their linkage or interaction is determined by mutual agreement to move forward.

When two people... even total strangers meet... someone must initiate further action between the two by some response that is both recognized by both as nonthreatening... worthwhile and authentic in purpose. If these conditions are met in the minds of both individuals... then the initial interaction can proceed into further conversation ... and even towards the building of a long term and lasting relationship. That is a simplified... yet human example of how interface can occur. Some might define the initial contact as an act of Fate... or Karma... or serendipity. As humans... it is always one of our basic needs to classify and define what is at first new or unknown to us. That act... in a small manner offers comfort I suppose.

We all accept the term and existence of "The Universe" as scientific fact... and grammatically defined the term as "the whole of all existing matter, energy and space." But the question remains, as to how one brain can perceive and deal with that and seemingly limitless expanse and concept of existence. Many people ... including myself, have given a large amount of time and thought to try and get our heads around that term and concept. And in my own case... "being of little brain" in comparison to these greater minds, I have rather generalized the term "Universe" when I refer to it... as a rather large and unending "Creator" of successions of opportunities that one can choose to respond or not to during our daily and earthly lives. In my own way I personify the term Universe.

I dearly hope that my delving here into metaphysical things doesn't discourage or offend any of my readers. That surely is not my purpose. It is like all other posts that I write... an open opportunity to share and compare our thoughts, as well as our art and processes. In the last post I mentioned that canvas "L'Heure d'or" was special to me personally... and that I had always been at a loss to understand why it stayed around for so long... for over eight years.

But after witnessing the joy that the lady who purchased the piece shared with me in the studio, this act supplied a sort of comforting answer and closure for me. Her email of this morning... further revealing her pleasure in hanging it immediately upon arriving back home in Saskatchewan... even before she unpacked... further amplifies my joy... and the belief I have that paintings we commit ourselves fully to... will find their home "on their own steam"... as The Universe provides opportunity to release them from us. The Universe comes to your door knocking... but only after you have gone out in some fashion to the Universe beforehand.

Too often... we become discouraged and caught up in the value of immediate sales as a measure of success and acceptance. Too often... we yield or bend our principles and goals in favour of trying to procure these latter two by jumping about to "catch" the market... and in so doing... I think that we surrender that inner sense of accomplishment and worth that can only be felt by true... creators.

Yesterday... The Universe and I interfaced again briefly... and two other smallish plein air works that I truly enjoyed making found new homes... after many months of being moved and shuffled about in the Gallery. The one piece... "The Jumble" a plein air effort of 10x8 inches was fun to paint... rather like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Many noted that it was jolly... and fun to look through the maze of branches. That was exactly how it was created... painting using the negative spaces... as opposed to making it a tedious drawing exercise.

During the late afternoon, a wonderful family of four entered the Gallery... each member setting out to look about... independent of the other three. The young woman... whom I would judge to be in her mid twenties made her rounds twice and kept bringing both parents around for a conference at several pieces of various sizes. Finally she approached us at the counter and announced that she would like to have "The Jumble." That painting was waiting for her... and that meeting of the two gave me great pleasure.... far beyond the money value.

As it turned out... she had just graduated from Queen's University in Kingston (the Alma Mater for Allison, Andrew and myself) and was moving to downtown Toronto to begin her first job and this purchase was to be her first art purchase... for her first apartment of her own! Her parents added a second small 5x7 inch piece "Retired and Forgotten to round out their visit with us. Even their choice it came to be revealed was not based only upon the beauty of the painting alone.

They run a B&B closeby... and they produce maple syrup on the property. I have for a long time slowed my van as I pass their lovely yellow Cape Cod-style home on the Bass Lake Road... thinking what a nice subject it would make. Now... I know the owners... and have an open invitation to visit. What a wonderful gift back from the Universe... to meet such a wonderfully wholesome family... bound together... by genuine love for each other and choice.

I learned further from my conversation with her brother... just graduated from school as well that he was taking a year off from planned future studies, before heading off to teachers' college to work with children with special needs... using his interest and qualifications in psychology as a springboard. We shared that background interest. My teaching career... for the most part, dealt with the neediest of students.

No matter what your sense of spirituality might be... or whether it differs from what I have posted here... my hope is to encourage readers to pursue their own visions... never surrendering to not doing your best. But mostly... I simply wish to offer that belief in one's self is primary in succeeding at anything in life... and most especially when it seems the Universe and "You"... are not interfacing.

Sometimes... one has to go out to meet the Universe... to explore... to find new ideas that the Universe can offer. This can be accomplished by trying a new medium or technique... or painting en plein air... without regard for painting a masterpiece. Simply filling ones senses makes us come alive and opens our eyes to new and refreshing truths that help us to grow and sustain our creative spirits.

This next weekend, I will be at a three day 1st Annual Paint Out organized in Rockport, Ontario on the St Lawrence River... under the auspices of the International Plein Air Painters, a worldwide organization for plein air enthusiasts.... see http://www.ipap.homestead.com/ of which I am a new member. Check out there site for details and events scheduled. The area is hardly new to me..

My family cottaged at this very area each summer for over fifty years. I worked in this quaint river village... and know and feel about it deeply. That area forms the core of my own Universe... physically... spiritually and artistically. I think that this "going out" to be with like-minded plein air painters will result in some great paintings... and new relationships! Stay tuned.....

Stay the courses! Reach out! And SMILE... even "whistle while you work... and you'll be surprised... at some unpredictable moment during that hard work... The Universe will indeed SMILE back upon "You"!

Good Happy Fall Painting to all !

Final Food For Thought:

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.