Saturday, January 17, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
Meet Rose.
Rose was already featured in an earlier photo sitting in my car wearing what looked to be laser luminescent goggles of an ungodly green color. That's Rose. Full of surprises, mostly of my invention. Rose is, really, at heart, a straight shooter. I've been tempted many times to change her name to Earnestina. I am pretty sure her serious take on life is the result of living her first year on a cattle ranch north of Cranbrooke, B.C. As much as Rose is a diligent dog, she was no cow-puncher. I think Rose took one look at the hooves on those gigantic bovines and decided if she wanted to have all of her teeth in her old age, she'd best get off the ranch. So she got herself fired. Refused to co-operate with the Boss. Got the Boss so riled up he chased her right off the property, which is where some hiker friends of my rancher friend Margie, found her. She was cowering (no small coincidence there) under a horse trailer miles from her tormentor. They called him up and he admitted Rose was not working out as a herding dog, and he needed a home for her. That's where I came into the picture. Margie knew I had to give Caleb up, and before Caleb even saw the Zehnder Ranch and met John, I had a second dog in the back of my car. I paid that rancher $400, a peach pie (Margie's idea) and a painting of his favorite dog, Parker (Margie's idea) , for Rose. I should have given him a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. As it turns out, Rose is the meekest border collie in B.C., and if the meek shall inherit the Earth, it's all Rosie's. The flip side of this is that she was so danged grateful to get off that ranch that she is willing to go to any lengths to please me. Rose, as Margie predicted, is a very good dog. A willing dog, a dog who is done with cowering and has taken on the role of Best Dog on Earth. Sit Rose and she sits. Come Rose and she comes. That kind of thing. Simple but effective. Rose has become a no-nonsense, ball-crazed, obedient model of canine compliance. She's quick, but there is also something heavy about Rose. The rancher, Hugh, thought maybe she was retarded (How retarded can she be? She got herself out of that god forsaken place.). But there is something 'heavy' about Rose, in spite of her prowess at ball catching. It's hard to put words to, but she's heavy on the lead, where all my other collies were a light touch. She's slow to pick up on stuff, dogged once she gets it. She reminds me of kids I knew in grade school who sat at the back of the class, didn't say much, tried to stay out of trouble, but didn't really get what school was about. That's Rose, slow to pick up on what life has to offer. But she's catching on, and now she plays with other dogs (didn't for a whole year) and knows what a ball is for (not a hurled projectile at her) and knows what a stick is for (not for hitting her) and has lightened up a bit. And Rose is my mostly companion.
See how proper Rose is? She knows well-brought -up ladies cross their legs when they sit. Didn't even need to teach her this... she must have picked it up on her own.
Rose was already featured in an earlier photo sitting in my car wearing what looked to be laser luminescent goggles of an ungodly green color. That's Rose. Full of surprises, mostly of my invention. Rose is, really, at heart, a straight shooter. I've been tempted many times to change her name to Earnestina. I am pretty sure her serious take on life is the result of living her first year on a cattle ranch north of Cranbrooke, B.C. As much as Rose is a diligent dog, she was no cow-puncher. I think Rose took one look at the hooves on those gigantic bovines and decided if she wanted to have all of her teeth in her old age, she'd best get off the ranch. So she got herself fired. Refused to co-operate with the Boss. Got the Boss so riled up he chased her right off the property, which is where some hiker friends of my rancher friend Margie, found her. She was cowering (no small coincidence there) under a horse trailer miles from her tormentor. They called him up and he admitted Rose was not working out as a herding dog, and he needed a home for her. That's where I came into the picture. Margie knew I had to give Caleb up, and before Caleb even saw the Zehnder Ranch and met John, I had a second dog in the back of my car. I paid that rancher $400, a peach pie (Margie's idea) and a painting of his favorite dog, Parker (Margie's idea) , for Rose. I should have given him a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. As it turns out, Rose is the meekest border collie in B.C., and if the meek shall inherit the Earth, it's all Rosie's. The flip side of this is that she was so danged grateful to get off that ranch that she is willing to go to any lengths to please me. Rose, as Margie predicted, is a very good dog. A willing dog, a dog who is done with cowering and has taken on the role of Best Dog on Earth. Sit Rose and she sits. Come Rose and she comes. That kind of thing. Simple but effective. Rose has become a no-nonsense, ball-crazed, obedient model of canine compliance. She's quick, but there is also something heavy about Rose. The rancher, Hugh, thought maybe she was retarded (How retarded can she be? She got herself out of that god forsaken place.). But there is something 'heavy' about Rose, in spite of her prowess at ball catching. It's hard to put words to, but she's heavy on the lead, where all my other collies were a light touch. She's slow to pick up on stuff, dogged once she gets it. She reminds me of kids I knew in grade school who sat at the back of the class, didn't say much, tried to stay out of trouble, but didn't really get what school was about. That's Rose, slow to pick up on what life has to offer. But she's catching on, and now she plays with other dogs (didn't for a whole year) and knows what a ball is for (not a hurled projectile at her) and knows what a stick is for (not for hitting her) and has lightened up a bit. And Rose is my mostly companion.
See how proper Rose is? She knows well-brought -up ladies cross their legs when they sit. Didn't even need to teach her this... she must have picked it up on her own.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Big Gord
My new (2002) Honda CRV which LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW.
Rosie looks like a dog from Planet Zephron. Where'd she get those flashy goggles?
Thank you Big Gord.
Big Gord with his son, Gord (also my son)
I haven't introduced Big Gord to the Blog. So much to say.. so many years. We met in 1976, I was 23 and Gord was 22. We both rowed for the University of Western Ontario, and we dated for a year, then moved in together while living in Vancouver, the summer of 1977. We were married on February 18th, 1978, and our son, Gord Jr. was born on May 22nd. As you can see from the photo, Big Gord (that's what my younger 2 sons call him) is in a wheelchair, and has been since November 1, 1977. It has been an adventure through the years.... although I'm not sure Gord Sr. (Big Gord) would describe it that way. Our marriage went under, but we both stayed afloat. Barely. There was a lot of room for growth.
It's been 37 years since Gord's car accident, and he is one of the bravest, strongest, kindest and most generous people on Earth. He is one of my closest friends & my biggest fan.
Mandalas
I've been painting Mandalas. I had read about them, seen them and studied them for inclusion in my Near Eastern art history classes, but now I feel very compelled to actually create them. When I do, I feel steadier, more composed, centered in myself and settled. No small change. I just finished my fourth one... but I'll begin with the first, which I posted earlier.
Christmas Mandala
oil pastel and oil paint on poster board
18" x 22"
Baby's Breath Mandala
Guache on wood panel
12" x 12"
Celebration of New Life Mandala
acrylic on wood panel
12" x12"
Saturday, January 10, 2015
New Studio / Juniper Gallery at Artisan Square on Bowen Island
I've taken a sub-lease along with Jane Dunfield, another Bowen Island artist, of Juniper Gallery, in Artisan Square. Painting and showing our work, as well as original works by Vikki Fuller (who has the lease on this space) and Jo Wilhems of Revelstoke. Loving it.
'A Tenuous Hold'
acrylic on board
16 "x 20"
'Healing Mandala'
oil and oil pastel on poster board(!)
(not for sale)
(detail)
'Let's Meet At The Field and Walk To The Lake'
acrylic on board
10" x 12"
'Lead Dog: Tess, of Muskrat Ranch'
(Detail and Full Size)
guache on board
8" x 12"
'Bob'
acrylic on board
6"x 6"
'Bob's Tender'
guache on board
6" x 6"
'So Many Horizons and Each One is Beautiful'
acrylic on board
16" x 16"
'Hawk: Bob Approaching Wharf To Step Her Mast'
(unfinished)
acrylic on board
10" x 14"
'Ghosting'
Oil pen on board
12" x 14"
'The End'
Photo
Looking for Witnesses! Anyone who may have seen this accident, please get in touch with Bowen RCMP and provide a statement. Frosty sustained serious injuries when hit by a red motor vehicle in Artisan Village parking lot. The driver backed up and sped away, but not before this pic was taken by a by-stander. Unfortunately for Frosty, the witness did not record the license plate number, and, as you can see, there was minimal damage to the vehicle. Donations are welcme to assist Frosty with medical expenses. He may require a wheel chair and an elevated toilet seat.
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