More Posts to Come

Sorry but I have been kind of busy. I have a lot of posts to come over the next few weeks. The "50 Years of Our Flag" Painting is now hanging in Home Hardware in Brockville - you can't miss it! I have made many friends from Home Hardware during the construction process of our home and now they see a different side of me. I have big hopes for the continued success of this project - stand by :>)

Fly More Flags | Aviva Community Fund

Fly More Flags | Aviva Community Fund

Paddle the Arch Tour - Charleston Lake – Saturday October 5th, 2013 - Update

With just 78 hours to go, the weather forecast still looks OK for Saturday! It looks as though we will be in the warm sector of a large low centered over Minnesota. Light southerly winds and cloudy skies can be expected. Any precipitation should be further to the north along the Ottawa Valley. Temperatures will be above seasonable near 25 Celsius. There will be lots to talk about and to enjoy.
It is highly likely that there will be showers Friday night but the patented rain dance should move those east of Charleston Lake by dawn.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED – phone 613-329-6265
http://www.1000islandskayaking.com/index.php/tours/guided-trips/paddle-the-arch

50 Years of Our Flag - Update

Thirteen is our lucky number! So far the initiatives and accomplishments of the 50 Years of Our Flag Committee tallies to lucky thirteen in 2013. There is much more to come including an educational program and maybe a stamp. The Committee has entered the Aviva Community Fund to hopefully gets some funds for the "Fly More Flags" program. Vote early and often at  http://www.votebrockville.com/

1. The 50 Years of Our Flag Project began Aug 2011 with meetings between John Ross Matheson and the future Chair of the 50 Years of Our Flag Committee.
2. Our committee was formed in September of 2012 with a mandate to raise awareness of the history and upcoming 50th anniversary of our Canadian Flag. I was there from the very start.
3. The successful renaming of John Ross Matheson Way, the street in front of the County Courthouse in Brockville.
4. The commissioning and completion of the Commemorative painting with the detailed assistance of John Ross Matheson.
5. The 160 foot Flag pole, 35x70 foot Flag, Monument and Plaque installation and celebration on Canada Day 2013.
6. The introduction of Bill 57 by Steve Clark MPP - Brockville as the Birthplace of the Canadian Flag.
7. The installation by the City of Brockville of the new Gateway Signs stating Brockville as the Birthplace of the Canadian Flag.
8. Downtown Business Improvement Area agrees to fly Canadian Flags on light poles in the downtown core starting in 2014.
9. Development of the Pledge To the Maple Leaf Flag of Canada.
10. Campaign to bring awareness to the history and upcoming 50th Flag Anniversary through website, social media, radio and newspapers.
11. Mural to be painted by local school students and placed in the Centre Court of the 1000 Islands Mall  being planned.
12. The "Fly More Flags" initiative is ongoing and will be developed with a prominent national Canadian Corporation and is ongoing. This is both a Brockville and National initiative.
13. To create a National Celebration to be held in Brockville Ontario “Birthplace of Canada’s Flag”  on February 15th 2015.

Better Farming

After 15 years of writing about weather related topics for Better Farming magazine my friend and co-worker Henry Hengeveld filed his last column in August.  David Phillips, Environment Canada chief climatologist, long-time associate of Henry's and another very dear friend, suggested the Editors contact me to see if I would consider trying to "phil" Henry's shoes. I was at first very, very reluctant to follow such a talented and dedicated researcher and climatologist as Henry. However, life is an adventure and after some chats with Robert Irwin who is also an avid canoeist, I decided to give the Weather column a try and get my feet wet.

Better Farming's circulation is about 38,000. and they focus on the business (not the lifestyle) of farming in Ontario. Those who work the land are on the front line of unprecedented changes to the environment and the climate. I thought that maybe I could bring some explanations as to why these changes are occurring and just maybe assist in the farmers, the foundation of our society, adapt to and survive these challenges. To quote my colourful, favourite modern philosopher, "We are all in this together".

The first column explaining the impacts of climate change on the jet stream appeared in October. 

Queen of Peace

The sun had moved into the western sky so it was time to move to the other side of the scene at St. Brendan's Catholic Church. The tour boat cruised into view just as I was composing that portion of the painting. The Queen of Peace and the empty bench were firmly positions on the bald piece of Rockport granite. The few patches of stratocumulus clouds over New York State were also an attraction for me to play with this scene. It was a fun way to finish off the day before the Plein Air Cruise of the Thousand Islands and dinner.

33 Front Street, Rockport

It was time to shift gears and try something architectural. This historic Rockport home was built by a ship builder. The inside is graced by wooden ceilings and finely crafted wood arches for doorways. The type of workmanship and attention to detail is largely a thing of the past. The shadow of the large white oak in front of me kept time like a sun dial. A pair of crows carried on a very intelligent conversation as they tossed small twigs down to the ground and probably ate the occasional acorn. This is why one paints en plein air. A patron came by and wanted to purchase it on the spot. I still had to sign my name and photograph it for the records... and to be fare to other patrons.

Reflecting on St. Brendan

Saturday dawned under clear skies and the sun was warm on my back. Standing "on the dock of the bay" was more of a choice of comfort than a choice for composition. I guess that I was still chilled from Friday's cold front.

I decided on an unusual subject that focussed on the Rockport granite and the reflection of St. Brendan's Catholic Church and the Queen of Peace. My goal was to capture the morning colours and the motion in both the water and the rocks. Rocks do move...  I also wanted to feel the sun on my back... The titles for paintings often reveal themselves during the painting process and I enjoy a bit of humour even if they are puny.

Rockport Turbulent Stratocumulus

"You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds." - Henry David Thoreau.

As well, don't blame me for wanting to paint clouds every day. Every cloud is different and each tells a story of how, why and when they appeared in front of you. Many people are too busy to enjoy these simple pleasures of the world around you. We need to slow down and live in the moment. If that means talking and painting to clouds, then that is enough for me.

The chilly northwesterly winds behind cold front number three lifted the moisture from the frontal precipitation through turbulent mixing. The cloud bases are ragged and low to the ground and are thickest over rough terrain - like the hills of the Canadian Shield and the Frontenac Arch Biosphere. These clouds would thin overnight as the winds subsided and a drier air mass moved across the landscape. Saturday would dawn under clear skies. The September sun would be strong enough to warm the air and make a perfect fall day.