In the dog days of August, one hopes for a reprieve from the noon-day heat in the shade of trees. This reprieve doesn't come easily on suburban walks along the older main roads... while searching for some shade, I noticed how these cedar hedges were trimmed so aggressively on the road side. I had stop … Continue reading In the thick off it – A thicket: A Photo Safari in 2022
Jolene – A Photo Safari in 2022
On a cold, windy, and cloudy day, one sometimes only sees grey. The question is how to capture that feeling without being too obvious. I happily snapped various vistas and hoped for the best. This one revealed itself in a far corner of another shot... perhaps it was Tom Waits' voicing melancholic moods, and/or the … Continue reading Jolene – A Photo Safari in 2022
Along The Fence – A Photo Safari in 2022
I'm forever looking for interesting visuals to fuel paintings, inspire ceramics, and explore the senses. This one did all three. Back in the 1970s, it seemed like almost every. yard used these waterlogged logs as fencing. They added a rustic warmth to people's homes drove a sense of nostalgia for older, simpler times. To me, … Continue reading Along The Fence – A Photo Safari in 2022
Under The Tracks – Montreal Walls Project – Thirty-Five
On a little walk around the Georges-Vanier & Lucien-Lallier metro stations, there are intriguing brownstones facing the ivy covered walls of the elevated train tracks. Wherever there is a clear space between the vegetation, we find graffiti tags in various stages of decay. The remarkable thing is how vibrant the colours have remained over the … Continue reading Under The Tracks – Montreal Walls Project – Thirty-Five
Pride in my Students’ Work: Their first student art show in a real gallery
Theme: Panic to Power - Your journey through Covid:  You are invited to create a unique artwork of your own design that expresses how you feel about the last two years of Covid and what it feels like to come out of this pandemic. This will be part of the Mental Health Month in May 2022.Method of the artwork: … Continue reading Pride in my Students’ Work: Their first student art show in a real gallery
Getting Back on The Horse – Where to start?
It feels like months since I've written anything personal and made any personal artwork. All my mind, time, and energy has been dedicated to teaching and finishing my BFA Specialization in Art Education & Teaching License. My overthinking and imposter syndrome fiercely kicking in during evaluations, which went over with great responses from my mentors … Continue reading Getting Back on The Horse – Where to start?
Building a Teaching Philosophy – Part Three: Creating a classroom of self-motivated learners
In Part Two, I set a draft of my core values. I keep coming back to them in hopes that I can clarify what motivates my teaching philosophy. I'd like to break them down for you here and invite you feedback/questions... 1 - Building upon perspective & experience over right or wrong leads to open-mindedness. … Continue reading Building a Teaching Philosophy – Part Three: Creating a classroom of self-motivated learners
Grade One Student Portraits – A La Modigliani
It started with a question: How do I dispel the fear some of my students have at making art? Well, I could lecture them about all the innovators and show them dozens of paintings by folks like Picasso, Klee, Modigliani, Park, ect... OR, I could some excellent YouTube resources and let them see the joy … Continue reading Grade One Student Portraits – A La Modigliani
Can I Have Your Opinion, Please?
Can I Have Your Opinion, Please?
What Does Gratitude Feel Like To You? – Day 1
Introduction: Following another wonderful conversation with my amazing wife, we were discussing "manifesting", "intentions" & "gratitude". I wrote my daily journal today on the topic of intentions. I can more easily get my mind around the focusing benefits of intentions, but gratitude is an elusive and subjective concept. Elusive, precisely because it's subjective. My research … Continue reading What Does Gratitude Feel Like To You? – Day 1
The New Renaissance Mindset 