With the snow falling today, I'm really looking forward to Spring, even though I know we've got a couple more months of winter, But this recent painting helps me block out the grey/white days and dream of blue skies and flower blossoms. 
The  picture I used as reference was  taken by me last April in my friend, Pat's backyard in Sudbury, Suffolk. 

At's a my Pop! I'm not sure how old Mike was for this painting.  At least 94. I'll have to do some figuring out.  

​Now I have paintings of both parents whom I miss dearly.

I felt I needed to loosen up a bit. This 24 X 30 piece, entitled Primary, is the  third intuitive work I've done my whole life. And I loved it! It was freeing and didn't take me months to execute. Stay tuned for more!

Just in time for Canada Day! You can find 8 new oil painted Canadian Maple Leaves at Ritchcraft Gallery on Lakeshore Rd., Kelowna. Happy Canada Day, eh?

Duane looks fierce and defiant in this
"Making Faces" portrait. It won third prize in the Thompson Nicola Shushwap
Federation of Canadian Artists Exhibition last month in Kamloops! Way to go Duane!

This year I joined the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists and as an active member, I've contributed to 3 shows already. One show, called "Retro", is online. For that I submitted a graphite drawing (framed) titled "Steam Punk". 

From my "Making Faces" series, I've submitted "Milton", for the "Active Member Exhibition". For the "Artists' Choice" show I submitted "Marion", which surprised me by selling!  Both shows were at the Federation's Gallery on Granville Island in Vancouver.

I wonder if the buyer actually knows Marion, or knows someone with that name?

Making Faces show is being shown at Ritchcraft Gallery on Lakeshore Rd., Kelowna, BC, for the month of January 2018. OpenHouse on Fri., Jan. 12 from 5- 7 PM. Come and have some chuckles. If you are interested, I can do commissions.

The Portrait, "Janet", has been shortlisted in an online art competition. It is a multi-layered contest. The first part is winning online votes from the public. Winners to compete in a juried show in Vancouver. And winners from there go to a show in Miami! Please vote for me (everyday if you can) at WWW.bombayartisan.com. Log in with either Facebook or Google. Type in Janet in the search box, then click on her face to vote. (you do not have to join any membership).

Then mark your calendars for my show, "Making Faces" to be held at the Alternator  Centre for Contemporary Art at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna, BC. Please come to the opening on Oct. 13, at 7:30. Show runs for two weeks, and will display portraits of 25 friends, family, and strangers making faces that eerily show their        personality. This will be a very unique show and will make you laugh out loud!

You haven't heard from me for awhile because I've
been busy helping my 99 year old Mom and  painting goofy portraits. The portraits remind me not to take life so  seriously, and to laugh more.

I'm finishing up my 19th and 20th portrait and have another seven more to go. I've noticed changes in my technique and approach to portrait painting, and that's OK. I believe they are getting better. Having said that, I'm anxious to try a freer style when I continue my learning experience after my exhibition.

So please come out to the Alternator Gallery in the Rotary Centre for the Arts on Friday, October 13th for my opening show, "Making Faces", and tell me what you think.