Sometimes when a woman is walking along, she'll stop and notice her reflection. She may be reminded of how much she matters, what she brings to the table, or how good she looks. In this painting, When She Appeared by the Window, I'm portraying a woman who catches herself staring at her reflection in a window. Now, because I tend to show deep meanings and symbolism in my work, there are other key elements at work here. This woman is a soul-searcher, a thinker, and has a healthy imagination. She dreams big. She tends to have vivid dreams as she sleeps. 

   In this piece, a strong wind comes by, the window and structure is old, the lovely smells of the outdoors fill her nostrils, she studies her reflection, she scans the most wonderful memories of her life. She's transfixed. She suddenly realizes how beautiful life actually is. All things that truly matter come into focus when she appeared by the window...

   My art is...well...unique!  Way back when I first started, that's precisely how I wanted my art to be, different, one-of-a-kind, honest, and my own. Over time, I was blessed with collectors that could see these elements, appreciated my painting way, understood what I was trying to say with my paint, and the art grew in value.

   Today is a good day to say, thank you, dear collector. You're so very appreciated.

   I like how this piece turned out. It encompasses what I'm trying to say about love, closeness, inspiration from a partner, and evolving as a human being. 

   My true love, my soul mate, Misty, is just such a person. When she came back six years ago, she was amazing. She brought so much intelligence, fortitude, inspiration, and solid footing to my life. She even helped me evolve as an artist. Everything we experience and learn trickles into our lives, just like it trickles into my art.

   If we allow the best people to inspire us, there's no telling what wonderful things we can achieve. 

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   At times, crows seem like ghosts or spirits to me. I DO, obviously have a very open imagination. I have to for what I do, for what I contribute. 

   This piece, called, When the Spirits Gather in Silence, was one of those works that brought the sweat, sore back and feet, and tiredness. van Gogh talked about how painting could get physically exhausting. He was right. But, when the flow hits, when the spirits call, some painters have to listen. Let the sweat run...

   These tall, tall trees, these old wise pines, they know things. They sway in some sort of strange silence. These crows, they gather, they know things we cannot. They gather in silence...

   

   Ah, a summer morning. It's the thing that dreams are made of. The sound of a loon, the gentle breeze, a bit of mist, and a feel that anything's possible. This is summer to me. 

   I called this piece, Emotional Morning. For this guy, summer mornings have been filled with great emotions since I was little. My mother would take my sister and I all over the place, to lake cabins, ocean rental houses of Grand Manan, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland in my home country of Canada. In Grand Manan, I can remember being out in a big field, catching garter and red-belly snakes. I loved it!

   There was always an actual deep emotional feeling of an early summer morning. The feelings of a little boy like myself, and an artistic person, was mixed with excitement, wonder, and for some reason, a bit of melancholy. I think the melancholy had to do with my father not being with us. This was because my parents got divorced when I was four. Even though he was not present, and I missed him, I think it helped me form a certain ability to be strong and independent at an early age. That helped me a lot in life and enabled me to really enjoy everything around me.

   May you grab those summer emotions and see where they take you...  X

   I called this piece, Crow and Big Winter Moon. I'm pleased with how it turned out. It conveys how beautiful a large, shining moon and winter can be. I personally am a winter person, not liking heat, I turn away from many summer activities. 

   The mystic crow is in this painting, watching, waiting...
   
   Crow for me, represents a world unseen, or perhaps many of us WANT a world unseen, just beyond the curtain of our commonplace reality. We tend to long for dark and fun mysteries that wait, undiscovered. We want the Bigfoot to exist and the crow to bring us omens, messengers and power.

   Next time you're gazing at a big, bright, magical moon, think of a possible land that maybe waits just on the outer reaches of your imagination. That's what I do.

   Remember before the virus? Of course you do, and so do I. I Like how this piece turned out. It has something mysterious and intriguing, it pulls you in. It says, "Hey, maybe things will get to be alright, maybe things will be really cool."

   We can absolutely have a groovy world, one where we are strong and hopeful. We, as human beings, can accomplish so much. We accomplish so much TOGETHER. I mean, the inventor hermit tends to  eventually get his invention seen by others. The eccentric and reclusive artist, like myself, gets his paintings seen and collected by people. The quiet musician tends to need someone to hear their offerings.

   In this painting called, Morning Commute, it's all about the getting together.  That's we humans tend to need, being together. Maybe soon, we won't need to wear a mask or gloves to do it.

   My crows. I have deep appreciation for them. They carry mystery, craftiness, cleverness, perseverance, fortitude, and whimsy. I don't know how many crow paintings I've sold, I lost track, but they have found their way around the world. They have a power, pull and influence that goes beyond me or my painting ability. They possess their own power. I like this, it humbles me. I owe them a lot.

   This piece, called Moon Worship, is a painting I'm very proud of. It has mystery. It speaks of the ages and the crow as a messenger, a dark, yet beautiful figure. It captures my love for the mighty crow, as well as my love for night and full moon. I'm very much a night person and tend to take my nap in the afternoon. I have an aversion to the sun, particularly a hot summer sun. I detest the heat. 

   If this painting ends up in some distant land, with someone who'll embrace the crow, may this wonderful creature always bring some mystery and intrigue to their world. 

   I have great memories of being in large cities, like when I've had shows in Toronto. I love the tall buildings, the hustle and bustle of the people, the huge amount of shops and other businesses. My better half, Misty and I, enjoy walking around, taking everything in, even enjoying the sounds and smells. Not everyone likes big cities, but if you do, you know exactly the enjoyment I'm referring to. The uniqueness of a city, the pull it can have, the culture, and the excitement of encountering something different everyday. 

   I called this painting, City Morning. I'm happy with how it turned out and it conveys my love for a great morning in a large, vibrant city. 

   When I had my first show in Toronto a few years ago, it was amazing. I had two pieces in the show and one of them sold even before the exhibition opened. The other painting sold shortly after I arrived back home. The piece that sold there is called, Old City (2nd and 3rd image below). It was acquired by a private collector from the USA. These are events I will never forget. 

   Next time you feel that maybe you'll check out a big city, try to keep an open mind. You may be surprised by how much you can enjoy what a large city can offer.

   

   Love. It's the most powerful thing in the world. It can bring such enormous joy and excitement or terrible emotional pain. It can cause wars or babies, born. Whatever the case, we know that love teaches and heals, if we allow it to. 

   Many years ago, as many of you know, I met my love, Misty, in high school. We were so happy with one another, and then my life and brain changed, and I became a real jerk. We parted ways. We tried a second time a few years later, but I was still a jerk. We parted again. Then, many years later, she gave me another shot. I had finally grown up in certain ways, and we remain happy together to this day.

  When you find that real love, don't take it for granted. Embrace it, treasure it, and hold onto it. You may not be as lucky as I was, and you may not get a second chance...or two...