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.