Dreams of Spring

Ever dreamed of a time which filled your r.e.m. sleep with euphoria and that time of spring warmth? I keep having this recurring image of the nootka rose; I'm aware the wild flower is but a mere straggly bush. This painting represents that vivid beauty which awaits the warmth of the spring sun to awakening it from dormancy. We will all arise from our nightly slumber to greet a new and wonderful day.

Early Snowfall 2008

A wonderful phenomenon which occurs especially in late fall, when some flowers are still on the plants and even the autumnal colours in the forest are all about. An artic cold spell arrives unexpectedly and a beautiful dusting of sparkling snow becomes a thickening veil.

Garden of Fantasy 2008

Picturing this park and its surroundings in a skewed garden of fantasy. The tiny city as a garden feature, with all the little gnomes walking or driving and hopefully getting along. I love this view from the park with the trees and flowers everywhere and obscuring just enough but letting your imagination carry you away. And in real time that city, small and distant, filled that area of this garden painting. It teamed with life as all gardens are full of activity and growth.

Pheasant's Retreat 1993

I never realised that one of the resident pheasants at camosun bog nearby would choose our flower garden to set up a home. One spring a beautiful pheasant, quite large, with pale brown marketings and a long-tail, made a nest in amongst the tulips, lily of the valley, and forget-me-nots. In the morning during the watering of the flowers we discovered her nest building, and that part of the garden we would leave alone. She tended to the incubation and protection of the eggs and as soon as the chicks hatched they quickly moved back out into the wilderness of the bog to feed. It's always so entertaining to have all different kinds of animals finding a safe place to give birth or lay eggs; and the harmony of sharing the same space with people is so exhilarating to me.

Freedom For Far-out Falcons 2006

Say that three times fast? When I look at this oil painting, I always think of how the surface kept creating impressionistic light from merely the build up of those canary, chrome, lemon and flaxen yellows. While the birch, willow, aspen and cottonwoods shared the same space and only the subtlety in yellows would isolate each subject. Meanwhile, a wild falcon rested in one of the branches eating a freshly killed rodent. Two rude strangers illegally exercised their two pet falcons on a trail in the park, making sure they wouldn't be caught. I was shocked at what selfish people do to get away with abusing the native wildlife and people enjoying a day in a park. The songbirds, woodducks, and hummingbirds avoided the area entirely and came back later. The little bells clanked from the sky as the hunting began, whistle blowing to come back to that glove and ridiculous throwing of roped meat. They noticed we all watched them and they ran away, of course shouting insults which made me cry, boo, whoo, whoo?!? I thought how great it would be if those two beautiful captive falcons said, "We're Free"! They'll liberate themselves one day and join their relations at those cliffs Far out on the endownment lands. Even the highrises have resident wild falcons living amongst the concrete facades and their terra cotta ornamental friends.

Emotional Revisit 2008

I do find it interesting to revisit painting sites, as this one of the Iona Parklands is one of my favorite places. I'm aware of the ever changing light and the way the clouds play with the sun; shadows cast down upon the landscape create for me another unique composition. That unpredictable wind, always there arrranges the stage by moving those languishing clouds, and my hat bounces happily with the brim just teasing my peripheral. On this trip a feral cat came quite close to me and I watched it roam, and thought how beautiful it was. Someone was cruel to the cat and selfishly threw it away, but I'm happy she's survived with probably a family in the nearby forest. So everytime I paint this familiar vista, fond memories flood back to me, even if the changes are emotional.

Squamish River Spring 2005

If you ever visit the quaint town of Squamish, with that wonderful granite monolith called the Chief, hike along the dikes with that Squamish River always by your side. It will meander this way and that way, through marsh regions, with sloughs and creeks channelling the flow. Those mountains encompassing Squamish appear almost like watchmen protecting this village. Throughout the decades of driving there; that spring oil showed some of the wild flowers, especially the roses which I'm so fond of.

Bald-Eagle Family 2008

Throughout the years, many of my painting outtings have been so fun and wonderful. I know many people have lots of stories like myself about wildlife, especially the animals visiting them while they're painting. During the completion of this wild rose composition, the sea breeze was so invigorating and it's amazing the amount of grasses, seeds, pollen, insects and even leaves that stuck to this oil. The larger particles are picked out and the seeds and small air borne ones which stick, just become another ingredient to the pigment; it became grit and added to the teeth of the painting surface. As I leaned back against a straggly, tall fir, large tail and primary feathers, tawny and pale brown fluttered down upon me and stuck to the canvas. Big and beautiful specimens which one could have used as a quill pen, dipping into a well of ink and making an interesting ink drawing; or even perhaps stylized paint brushes. Above me two adult bald eagles were training their large fledged brood on how to master flight. The young just watched and hopped off the branch at the right moment when the wind gusted. They played with distorting their tail and wing feathers, and shifting their bodies like a hang glider. They all rested, played, preened, and I happily gathered more feathers. I've heard they possess mystical powers and bring strength to the lucky recipient. I've made lovely dreamcatchers as unique gifts, which I embellished with a cedar hoop. I then would weave leather to represent a spidersweb to capture your dreams. Adornment of shells, beeds, turquoise, and below the eagle feather which I hope brings strength and protection to my family and friends.

Kingfisher's Hollow 1997

Dare not to venture further in this lushes hollow.
I'm always driven to carry on with a quest and unlikely to follow,
French easle in tow and a heavy bag for my work,
A bird seeks to hunt around me, and it's ready to lurk,
Birches and Cottonwood, the feel is right and divine,
Finding the right subject, God am I in the right place and right time?
The winds caress of the grasses, upset the resting insects,
Seeds cast a drift with which its voyage unexpected,
Transcend me to a time I seek more knowledge and discover,
Lured to my subject briefly, interrupted by the calls not to shutter,
A sharp cackle from the stout, long billed, please come to me,
Beautiful life force of winged harmony,
It sparkles in the primal light with a crest crowned and glorious,
Clutching on with small claws and tail enough to retrieve its spoils,
Composition completed and creative release of ones being,
My small beauty visits each posts on which to capture a meal,
Are you of nobility and a name sake to a puppet ruler,
Those wings carry your form, a life force, perhaps a brethren crueler,
Are you really one of the king's fisher?
But I know your better than that, a Heavenly gift, just call me the wisher.

Hummingbird's Territory 1988

This happens to me constantly when I'm out and about painting; which I love. I call them my aeronautical heroes and another one of God's gifts to us all. Facets of sparkling iridescence, displayed by the sunlight; living jewels which I am blessed that day with this emerald beauty. A Hummingbird. Small but tough, a genius in flight: manoeuvring also in backwards, vertical, and hovering flight. That mighty little bird gave off mechanical sounding clicks and humming of fast wing-beats. It perched after feeding on this beautiful wild rose and kept me company. Leaving only to challenge that day, a bald-eagle, falcon, hawks, and a couple of meadow-larks. It soared skyward, and with persistent badgering sent the others flying off and out of it's territory. Always sweetly coming back to rest by me.

Indian River Creek 1988

Turbulent flow of relunctant release,
I find myself perched lanquished to a form which never ceased,
Knowing the screams and cries from the banshees,
To never loose to their menacing haunts amongst our trees,
With their threatening encounters behind,
Please God protect the next Mortal which they will proclaim and blind,
My Seeing sense, sends me to transform these forest models,
A Gift to spread the colours of transformation but never coddle,
I leave as we all leave, our Spiritual essense where we occupied,
An emotional adventure only to please mother-earth and feed our hunger inside,
Oh, that creative energy which I hope never eludes my being,
One will die many deaths, if the innovation of a vacuous existence of not seeing,
Being in this state of pure exuberance and smelling of the Earth,
Odors of pine and cedar permeate my humanity and imprinted girth,
Pulling away from that beautiful impression in colour and feeling,
Having the calling to bring one back to another adventure, but not yet, Heavens ceiling,
A grey jay observed and wild eyed porcupine kept me company, I later had discover,
Mountain friendly visitors, while I nestled in their garden to explore and cover,
Lifting my body from the falling dessecated cedar, my shape engraved my presence,
Ritual thanking of the goodness I find willed upon me, and a hike back out to the realm of resonance.

The Spring Sanctum 1997

As that forest breathes with vitality and new life,
One will search to God for a gift in this abundant strife,
Spreading out in the dawn with the dew on the plants,
Dare to rejoice and express and entrance,
Sometimes the trails are foreboding to venture,
The owls in their daytime slumber will call out and guard like centaurs,
Racing for that perfect light and playing to invent,
Another language of my visual attempts,
Silence, please prevail,
And demons off those trails.
Catching a glimpse of the red-eyed, wild dogs as they wail.
Forest damsels save the song for a chorus must be won,
The jade greens, chartreuse, limes and viridian, all licking at the bark for fun,
Nature's wonderful scent and the winds seek to numb the living,
We all know that time has begun to reach into our conscious shivering,
Time to leave, but yet, bring back the moment of Seeing,
To never forget, but reach out for one's Being.

Clematis 2005

The clematis is almost tree like and if you prune it less, only selecting the aesthetic branches, the bush will grow into a beautiful tree. We've had the nocturnal animals visit all summer and they've enjoyed consuming the sweet flowers and sometimes their bulbs. Naturally we don't care as their entertaining to watch with their hunting techniques: of sniffing, digging, and munching. The skunks will leave a scent marker and try to avoid the families of racoon which are after the same food. Racoons sometimes climb the alder and elms and squabble all night, and I've heard of them entering to eat pet food left out all night. The adjoining forest next to our land with it's hedges and thick overgrowth of brambles and wildflowers, are the burrows and dens of these visitors.

Red-Horse Chestnut Tree 1989

My trustee garden friend towering and knowing,
Leaves splay and vibrate and bold in its pastel growings,
Pale creme blossoms adorn your leave clusters,
The insects visit and sample and muster,
Imagine the seasons and quick collection of sunlight,
I know you'll be there when I peer from the night,
Drawn up of the Spring and glances of the quicken dawn,
Your reliable and consistent and all have won,
Another year and growth have ringed a mark on your being,
The same of the human which left an older momument of seeing,
We are almost the same as we have limitations to our destiny,
Yeilding promises which are met and living life is best let be,
Autumn reveals your harvest and dropping green conkers to crack,
Your large red seeds are gathered by all with such knack,
The squirrels will stash and pat down in the lawn,
People will hoard too and make hallows eve adorn,
Tears dare not flow as I know you will go,
The leaves are of autumnual and brilliant all knows,
Painters who express, will play with the colours and not rest,
Oil of all hues, and quicken days, less light from their breasts,
And the artic flows which shock all without stress,
My brave Chestnut Tree now leaves fall and duress,
Snow is your shrine which will caress your form now,
Only in time will Spring revive you, the Warmth knows how.

Seven Geese Which Loll Around

Searching for a place to rest,
That day was filled with happiness,
Along came a Goose family, what beautiful birds,
Even a Swan elegantly shone across and trumpeted a word,
A Kingfisher and Eagles fished around the park,
Our children and others played and had a lark,
Time never remains still when one is having fun,
The Clock of the day will pace and test the sun,
Even the tide laps at your heel, and wets to content,
My oil work that day never fails, I find is God sent,
Emotions are remembered and memory please don't fail,
I send a romantic message adrift, which may prevail,
Tears can't be shared and blamed on the rain,
As never let a wonderful moment escape and be tamed,
Some around us, can be trusted I feel, but live life to the hilt,
And experience the knowing of joy-laughter, ones Soul is rich for the lilt.

Beached 2008

Have you ever arrived at a park or beach, with family and friends? Then silly individuals which don't know the fundamentals of navigation, or bother to research their tidal charts, changes of depth and currents of the waters in which they are boating, thus become stranded. They never even practice safety around water or respect the etiquette of others: in vessels, or even people enjoying the parks surrounding the mudflats and rivers in which they menace. One just ignores their boorish behaviour, while many people in the park laugh at them; some take pictures of the foolish boys and girls stuck there till high tide. They remind me once of a pack of dogs running loose and scaring and stressing the migratory tidal birds. The damage done to those tired birds actually resulted in altering their yearly rest stop, which I'm sure their predecessors have done for thousands of years. Finally, someone called a wild-life officer to fine the owner, then nasty words were exchanged, and a vehicle chase ensued. The outdoors is for peace and reflection in God's garden and bringing a friend always makes your day turn out differently.

Pickers Delight 2002

Once when I was painting a Wild Nootka Rosebush and the painting was nearly completed, two kids came by with pails and began picking the ripe rosehips. They exchanged stories of the delicious jams and jellies that their harvest would yield and I thought their plunder of the fruit was a bit too excessive. Oh, those meadowlarks, weaver-finches, sparrows and robins, which had fed upon those rosehips, and unselfishly entertained me all morning during my painting of this beautiful flower, should have been left more. Animals instinctively know never to deplete their food larders, while visiting all their favorite plants and stashes; and even in winter, the ones that don't hibernate or migrate South never go hungry.

Coyote's Den 2001

Have you ever gone for a picnic and a disturbance was about you? We've had selfish people trying to ruin the fun but they were soon sent off annoyed, because they couldn't upset the summer merriment. Of course, those dreaded ants which would traverse across the blanket and bite; thousand's of little soldiers collecting more food to take back to their colony. The guests would jump up, some would scream and most would inspect the damage to their skin. Soon after, all would snatch up some food and save it; so as not to be contaminated. Once we boated along and found a beach along the Belcarra Park area with the waters of the Indian Arm. An inviting shore with clay crags and an easy bluff, which we climbed and found a nice place to set up the picnic. All the fixings for a splendid barbeque were set up and the food was cooking away, and everything that summer day was delicious. The children would play on the sand dunes, the adults would chatter away, and have a leisurely afternoon laying around on their beach chairs. Besides, who would want to exert any type of energy on a hot day. You just know when the picnic is done and the packing-up should resume. A flurry of activity is now upon the campsite, and hours of habitation is over. As we retraced our steps back to the boat we stumbled across a litter of four pups. Very cute and tawny-beige but wild looking, and probably could create a lot of trouble for us. Inadvertently we had beached the boat next to a coyote's den near the rocks, which the parent had carefully dug into the soft bluff. We found another path around and were successful in avoiding any further encounters with those beachcombers. They looked down at us and seemed so curious, but we were wary. Some were sunning, yelping for attention and some play-fighting. We caught a glimpse of the mother returning from a hunt as we were travelling along the Arm. They all greeted each other, she dropped the kill, they polished it off, and she went hunting for more.

Spring Reflections 2003

This family of Canada Geese was a nice one. They decided to rest at such a great place; right in front of me at Qualicum Beach. They hung out and stayed put for awhile and I liked that, and the subject was ready to become immortalized. Later, when the young become full grown and look like their parents, all the geese families will congregate and form a large flock. They did eventually hop off and float along with the strong currents of Georgia Strait. An injured seagull soon drifted by with a broken left wing and the feathers were soaked. It was sad to see the whitish grey gull trying to remove it and the weight of the watersoaked wing had begun to unstabilize the bird and turn the wing into a sea anchor. Rushing into the water to save it and bring it to an animal rescue centre in Nanaimo never worked, as it was wild and it swam away from me. The seagull was unbuoyant now and kept flipping to the left and the bird was submerged quite often. It came back up and surprised me now as it had removed its broken wing and uprighted itself. I watched it float back along shore past me and adapt to it's fate, of becoming flightless. I've always had so much respect for Nature, especially that day in June. How every living creature if it has to. Will try to save itself. To the best of its ability.

Grassy Shores, Saturna Island ,1997

I experienced once a mass of high energetic exuberance and waves of organized unison. Their fur was in all different colours, with little paws grabbing at front and over to top and back and down and up again. This went on for around half an hour and then they cuddled and rested and their daily exercise was over. That tornado of excitement took place in a cage in a pet store by around twenty-five little sleek bodied ferrets. I was in shock at the force of all that running and cage shaking; if the door wasn't locked properly they would have shot out and squeaked in ferret, "We're free". This painting of the seashore grasses on Saturna Island brings back fond memories when a family of six river-otters were near me and I was soon aware that a well worn-down path in the grasses near me had been used by them for years. I moved over, as not to stress them. And they were weary, but slinked on by to feed and play. They're part of the martens family, like those ferrets.

Campbell River Park 2002

When visiting Langley I usually stop at Campbell River Park and explore the different terrain and trails. You can hike or even go horse back riding on the designated horse trails. Hiking is usually my preferred method of travel in this park and in the lower valleys I've come across the little Campbell River. It is hidden most of the time by the vastness of trees, and hilly alcoves, but I always make a habit of visiting it and know where it rests. I painted this little oil on the yellow wild iris's I always find in late spring. The flow of the slow waters of the Campbell River is so peaceful and serene as it meanders behind me, and it's always teaming with activity from the birds, insects, and flowers which congregate near their water source. It's always exciting when I head back through the ravine trail and catch a glimpse of a deer or some other wild animal, perfectly still and trying not to be discovered by me, but to blend in with the plants and trees. It now has to use the park for its daytime refuge, since its night fall jaunt has forestalled it there for awhile.

Full Bloom 2006

I am extremely fond of the wild nootka rose and the fragrance from this wild flower always draws me to its location. A community of life and activity surround this rosebush and it's so entertaining for me especially in the summer. I have spent hours of open-air painting throughout the decades and each composition is unique and beautiful as not one plant is the same. One can find them on islands and marshlands and most are usually quite large in shape and each year they becoming even bigger. I feel it's a perennial and when we boat or hike and discover them thriving fearlessly in the elements, they endure flooding and don't seem to mind brackish waters. The flowers love sunlight and the butterflies and bees feed upon the nectar, wind and rain never seem to effect their growth, and when the season ends around late summer, they yield those sumptuous rosehips that the birds and animals feed upon. In winter time I've visited some of my favorite nootka roses and it's shocking to see a small plant now with just woody straggly stems. The flood waters of the river and sea batter the base with a tangle of floating debris and it's completely unrecognizable. The knowing and beauty which lies in its mysterious form will transform its secret in the bloom of full spring.

Secret Ravine with the Cadmium Waters 2008

Early one morning this spring I painted this very quick oil painting. The goldfinches were feeding on the insects, which were hiding under the young leaves of the deciduous trees in the forest. Just after a spring rain and the dawn sunlight had just shone through the foliage of the forest; that's when the beautiful cadmium waters of that ravine caught my eye and the painting begun.

Tofino 1986

I have such fond memories of the time I vacationed at the Pacific Rim; as it's such a great destination for people who enjoy painting, writing or just being in a park with the Pacific Ocean literally at your doorstep. As the highway ends and the sea air from the Pacific fills your vehicle, you know you've arrived and only have to begin exploring. At long beach the power of the Pacific Ocean was breathtaking and the surf was uninterrupted: only to create miles of sand and drifting castaways. I explored the beach and driftwood shorelines and painted many beautiful watercolours and kept a chronological record in my art of what I had seen throughout my sojourn. The forest painting is one of many and just on the outskirts of Tofino. At Tofino I whale watched and we saw some Killer whales, and the strength of the Pacific tossed that boat around but they kept that motor running at maximum speed. At the bluff of Radar Hill the sound of the angry waves crashed below, and the relentless swells seemingly tried to distort all rock formations. In time they will be at the mercy of erosion and their remnants will be dumped as sand at Long Beach.

Connecting Waves 1998

I've always enjoyed standing at a shoreline and watching the wave action; as I know somewhere else on this planet another person has a connection to me.

Stave Lake 2004

As a storm of rain and winds began to bear down on our campsite, I had just begun painting this oil on panel. Sometimes when the weather is unpredictable and conditions are not quite convenient for painting, I just keep painting and basically get the composition down fast. A storm will always test your tolerance, but I kept expressing myself and I quite like its dark tones of colour; the mood always evokes the memories of that fall day. When camping in the mountains, prepare for sudden changes in weather. And the Stave is north of Mission.

Clementis 2005

The weather in the Vancouver area and all around, has been for weeks cool and rainy and finally today we're in a warm spell. From my studio window we planted a clementis and the pink and beige flowers bloomed finally; I hope that sun stays for awhile. We planted it close by the window because the blossoms and leaves create much needed shade and the fragrance is sweet. That painting was completed years ago and I'm sure with more sun the plant will yield more flowers and look just like that composition. Wildflowers are so hardy and just bloom and some come into fruit and soon will go to seed. Just because they're wildflowers and they make do with what nature throws their way.

Birthplace Spring 2003

Everytime when I explore the flood plains of the marsh areas below the escarpment , I cross creeks and some do have in autumn returning salmon that will breed and spawn. In Spring of 2003 when I was exploring some of the cleaner creeks, they had salmon fry swimming down to the Fraser river. I always make a habit of looking especially in the tidal pools and waters around the estuaries and have actually spotted small salmon feeding and thriving. When they become bigger their instincts will drive them out to the Pacific and years later they'll be back; thus completed their life cycle.

Indian Bean Tree 2008

In the specimen orchard of Q.E. Park I painted this exotic tree. In a fleeting moment it's contorted shape took place and it sometimes resembles a sentinel guarding over the good visitors, like us, in this spooky park. I literally pushed the pigment around the canvas at light speed and this expressionistic vision was before me, and I quite like it now. The oriental plane tree and some other trees are growing in this area of the park: come and visit when in Vancouver. These trees are from other countries and are there for people to do research, the bark is quite colourful on some. Our other high-lights while visiting this park were the extremely beautiful flowers in the beds and the quarry, wildflowers hiding under the trees, the westcoast forest area, the ponds and the birds.

That Secret Stream 2001

Back in the early spring of 2001 I was hiking in the back-country of Golden Ears and the exploring is what I love about a long nature hike. I'm drawn usually to something visually beautiful and unusual, like a manifestation in the colour of the boughs of a tree. A spruce had some golden branches which contrasted with the greens and that drew me closer to that tree, and it wasn't a bug infestation. It was just a genetic gift that nature gives to some plants and animals: and many people who search for rareness like me will share with others and be back. For that Secret Stream I never knew where it lead to, but it held a secret, and presumably fed into Alouette Lake.

Foxgloves 2006

Long time ago when I was walking along a trail with a ravine that had a small brook, I spotted a red-fox. It was winter and very early in the morning and the fox never knew I had gazed upon it; what a beautiful colour and an exceptional siting for me. When there's lots of rain in spring usual around June the wild foxgloves will be abundant along the river marshlands, secret trails, ditches and the most unexpected hiking routes. I'm missing them this year, so far, and I know some years they lie dormant in their earthly vaults. Only the right conditions of rainfall and heat will liberate them into growing: their familiar spears of pink, beige, and purple trumpet flowers recognizable from afar. Such dainty delicate little gloves only a fox could slip on.

Woodland Winter Snowdrop 1995

In the month of February without fail even while the snow is falling or melting into the slushy puddles, I walked around the parks and forest woodland areas and the small nodding heads of the snowdrops would burst through the crusts. These wildflowers are hardy and can endure the icy burials which they inevitably have to face. I would be sometimes dusted with snow and below they're cosy in their blankets only waiting to be released once more into the chill of the winter solace.

Secret Waterfall 2001

Once when we were trail exploring along an escarpment we came upon this waterfall. The sound drew us closer to find that secret waterfall and there it was behind another trail of red cedars and pines. It had been there for a long time and its erosion created a small gorge. We had to lean precariously against the trees; it also hung onto the face of that clay cliff with the beautiful dancing morning light. The sight inspired me to paint the falling of water off the rock formations and its skirting into waiting pools, only to be set adrift and plunge once more into another tier below, and on to the next glorious obstacle. Eventually the waters rejoin metres below into another stream and back out to the Fraser it flows.

Spring Arrivals 2006.

Without fail every Spring the familiar species of birds arrive and the enjoyment begins for me. I love those Tree Swallows and their aeronautical antics; with gliding effortless flight. Which are in fact, the way they feed themselves and keep the insect population in control. The Yellow-headed Blackbirds, I feel are quite rare these days and the breeding pairs with that distinctive caw, will nest in the cattails. They choose to set up home far out in the marsh waters because it's the only safe place to raise their young. The Red-winged Blackbirds are the early arrivals in the cold Spring air and naturally use the same nesting routine. Animals are driven purely by their instincts and the young learn by watching their parents. The meadow-larks, weaver finches, sea and tidal ducks, dozens of other songbirds and those beautiful hummingbirds will make their annual visit to the marsh too: and I'm thrilled to see every one of them. In July practically not a bird in sight, and the plants have set seed, and another glorious Spring done.

Canada Geese Family Grazing on White Daisies 1998

After I arrived at that park near Spanish Banks, a family of Canada Geese and those downy sweet goslings came out of the pond and began to vary their diet from the algae and aquatic plants; grazed on the white daisies and grasses as we kept each other company and walked up and down the little hills. Meanwhile, all around chaos ensued; the shouting and feuding from on-leashers and off-leashers running their out of control dogs and crying from children being knocked over. A goose is a tough bird and can fend off a badly behaved dog and protect it's young. Naturally it's the owner that's the problem. Unfortunately, lots of people discriminate against the geese but lots love them too. They're a living creature and they never harm anyone. The geese and us couldn't care less and carried on moving along the hilly parklands and onto another pond with nesting red-winged black birds. Plop...plop...plop and that family was floating away and we left too.

Rebirth of the Red Cedar 2008

It always amazes me of the visual elements of our seeing. We never look past our preconceived knowledge of life. Sometimes right in front of our view even in nature the Sun will cast a Brilliant Light and illuminate a splendid vision. Sometimes, it's like a spotlight following a performer on stage. This enchanting little red cedar stood knowing and wanting to be painted and thus its performance grew on me. As I visit and watch it grow into that star of those woods.

River Marshlands and Tree Swallows (1997)

Sometimes when I'm in Delta the marsh regions hold lots of wonderful wildlife activities. There's always nesting boxes for the Owls, Tree Swallows and Songbirds which they fearlessly use and occupy for years. In Spring most of the birds will find nests in the hollows of the trees or build ones or weave them in the cattails. I've noticed the Tree Swallows breed usually two times into late summer especially when the food supply is abundant and the fledgelings grow quickly while their nest and parents are rearing another brood of youngsters. My watercolours capture a convenient and quicker moment in the field. I usually study later from those paintings and produce an oil from them.

Night Flight Tree Swallows at Dusk (2007)

It is possible to paint in the dark. Once when we were camping in Delta we would return to the familiar places that were nice and filled with nature and the kerosene lanterns are always put to good use. If you're very quiet and move in a non-threatening manner the animals, especially birds will behave naturally and sometimes visit you but still display their wildness and daily routine. When I painted this one the birds were preparing for sleep and the colony were all safely at their nests with the artificial light reflecting off their plumage.

Indian Arm Fjord 2007

Every time when I go to Seymour Mountain I enjoy hiking along the different trails. The Old Buck Trail will eventually merge into the Baden Powell Trail and that artery extends to some spectacular views. Usually from one of the Trails a wonderful scene of that glorious body of water and those straight and thriving pines appears before me. Many summers ago my friends and I would bring our kayaks down to Deep Cove and beginning to paddle along the Indian Arm. We would often stop along the steep shoreline to look up into the Mountain terrain and then proceed with some vigorous paddling as the currents in that fjord are quite challenging.

Mayne Island in Active Pass 2000

In this painting of Mayne Island the waters of Active Pass were very choppy and the Ferry and other Vessel traffic kept a safe distance from each other. I liked the coral-ochre colours of the cliffs and shoreline which compliments the prussian blues and different shades of green.

Oh, Those Memories 2001

Every time when I'm back in a forest setting, even Stanley Park. The trees aren't the same or even the natural surroundings, but nevertheless they provoked feelings of the time we were in that out of reach valley of the Carmanah.

Sitka Spruce Carmanah 1983

Back in 1983 when I visited Vancouver Island. I remember driving to Duncan and began travelling to another remote place, years later I found out that was Youbou. We explored gravel roads and I just kept driving till finally stopping at a desolate location and then we got out and began hiking and traversing deeper into the forest. You could tell it was an ancient rainforest as the trees were huge and all different kinds of cedars, spruce, fir, etc. were towering above us. On the westcoast, we are basically living in a rainforest , but this place was different and beautiful and I'm glad finding it accidentally leaves me with that fond memory.

Fraser River 1999

This flowing and mystical body of water which creates land by its silting qualities. Could also destroy by flooding and eroding since water is dense and quite distructive. The flood plains are such a great place to paint with the Fraser waters sometimes lapping at my feet. I'm glad that though we dyke up the shores and reclaim the land that the river is such a forgiving, natural , life-giving entity for us all to enjoy.

Snowgeese at Boundary Bay 2006

It's always a welcoming sight around November when the cold arctic air has arrived and the distinctive markings of the Snowgeese are in the distance. I enjoy watching them at the mudflats, estuaries and where land meets sea. They're feeding and resting before their long migratory flight. These beautiful white and black geese with that throaty honk sound each one makes. And in a week or so not a trace of one of them left. But next year for me and others without fail they are back with their young: such a warm and familiar sight.

Fungus on Cedar, Cathedral Grove 2007

I visit this Provincial Park often when I go to the Island and the old growth forest have a mystique as they're the sentinels of time. There's a community of ferns, mosses, lichens and fungae on mostly all the trees and even the dead standing ones and the beauty is overwhelming. These huge trees are hundreds and even some are almost a thousand years old and all stand proudly as I hike quietly through them. The peace which fills the air is identical to that of a Cathedral with its high vaulted ceilings and the worshippers below praying religiously to God.

Release into Serenity 1996

Because of the wind storms in Stanley Park the canopy opened up and the struggle for light was no more. With the sunlight reaching the forest floor where the new growth inhabit, the competition to fill that open void was set in motion.

The horizontal bands of movement I feel in the next composition flow rhythmically, joining all the elements in an harmonic visual scene.

The scenery in Langley is quite rural in some areas and the many parks have different landscapes. I especially like the woodland areas near the Fraser River which meanders around Derby Reach park.

When I visit Victoria I do all the tourist things like the Art Galleries, the shops, the Empress, the Museums, the Government Buildings, and mostly I enjoy Beacon Hill Park. Springs the most beautiful time there when all the flowers and the trees are in full bloom and everythings growing and it's all in walking distance from the hotel. At dusk from Dallas Road Cliffs we would see such crimson sunsets and the reflection would create a mirror image on the waters of Juan De Fuca Strait.

As the highway dips back down to sea-level and the Porteau Cove and Britannia Beach points of interest are upon you. The Sunshine Coasts region with it's many coves and islands makes for a glorious view.