Back around 1995 I was approached by a group of ladies who wanted to give a gift to a popular well known Mennonite midwife who was retiring after many years. Unfortunately I have forgotten her name, but this is what I produced to commemorate her life as a midwife.

 I came across a VHS video that my daughter, Julie and I recorded back in 1993. I had it transferred to digital and thought it would be interesting to play it here. Julie tried to get me to do more takes as I was very stiff and serious looking, but I was already uncomfortable and didn’t think it would get any better. I think she did a fantastic job considering what she had to work with.

I set up my easel to sketch the SunLife Financial today at 12:30 p.m. in Waterloo with the intension of painting a larger watercolour for an upcoming show. What with the cold and wind, I decided to work out the proportions in my small sketch book and come back on a warmer day. Well, even trying a small sketch was too much for wussy me, so after only about an hour I decided to head to the warmth of the Heuther where I was able to scratch #42 off the 52 week challenge. By 3:45 the other hardier sketchers arrived for our throwdown.

These are pictures of my built-in china cupboard project where I designed, manufactured, assembled and built into my daughters dining room. It’s almost complete. I still have to add drawers and undercounter lighting.

 The Perth Kilt Run 2017 is happening I believe, around end of June. I’m pleased that one of my paintings is being used as a backdrop for the event for their “All Things Maple” theme. The image below is a sample of what will be on the runners shirts with their number and name.

Back in December I posted my tripod experiment for an upcoming watercolour workshop. I said I would post a follow up on how the easel performed.

It was very successful for that workshop but I wanted to make it more portable with less pieces to put together.

So here is what I did. I cut down the platform that attaches to the tripod so it would fit onto my sketch folder for carrying. Now I can open my sketch folder and clip to the platform. I eliminated the tray for holding my paints and water. I can now just clip the watercolour tray on to my open sketch folder as shown in photos. I can also clip a water cup. It’s so much more portable now.

This was the first prototype.

These are photos of my final (maybe) design.

If you haven’t heard of  Daytripping, you’re missing a wonderful reading experience. I’ve been associated with this newspaper for many years and have been privileged to have many of my paintings on their front cover including this Spring issue.

It is chock full of tourist information covering southwestern Ontario and very interesting and humorous articles.

You can pick up a copy from over 1000 locations and it’s free.

Just received my postcard exchange from Malaysia today.

Have been looking forward to receiving it since I sent mine in mid January.

Beautiful!!

This is a pencil sketch I did in 1996 in the Doon Heritage Village in Kitchener, Ontario. There have been many changes and improvements since then. The buildings are in much better condition now.

Sketched this display of melamine dinnerware at the Design Archives in Cambridge Galt on Saturday.

I forgot how colourful these were in my day.

Had a great time meeting up with USkWR at Melville Cafe for the throwdown.