Thrilled to be part of the Gabriola Pop Up Show at Gallery Merrick May long weekend.

Gala is tonight @ 7:00 at the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery Fine Art Show. Its a wonderful  venue and event that shouldn't be missed. Click here for a sneak peak. Show runs from Feb 3 to 24th. 

​https://www.facebook.com/ladysmithwaterfrontgallery/videos/1708291582554201/

Whatever is meaningful, whatever brings happiness, may it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year

Forgive me friends, I'm reminded that I have to write this letter for year-end. This is part of the gift of being a working artist. It's not that I don't want to tell you what I've been up to, it's more that I would like to be out in the studio finishing my latest wall piece. It started off with two beautiful people in their twenties. In them I saw a moment of peace and love, the beautiful connection and trust of friends. It's a reminder to savor the moment we are in or we may miss life itself.
 
Last year started with vibrantly colored mixed media canvases, hand carved hydrostone paintings, and mixed media sculptures of stone, resin, metal and wood. They came with a message of connection, celebrating our differences and cooperation. One of my favorite projects was a series called Let It Grow. 
 
When I was a little guy I saw a photograph of an old man and young child holding hands. The photo was of only their hands and it was so powerfully beautiful I can still see it. So, I started casting loved one's hands together and I only wish I would have started prior to my parents leaving. The process of making the initial mold is very easy on the model taking only minutes which is great for the little guys and seniors. This is a service I offer, amongst other personal life casting commissions.
 
I had the pleasure of working with three wonderful models this year between them they gave me four life casts. One I have carved and added on to. It's in the studio now nearing completion. Another I've used as reference for a sculpture which I just completed called Transient. The other three are waiting in line. 

Now that brings me to my great but heavy Guru friend Stone. I was invited to BC Marble products to carve with about 10 other sculptors. Dust, rock chips and water flying through an orchestra of diamond saws, grinders and chisels noise.
Everywhere you looked there was a sculptor in his or her glory. Thank you BC Marble Products for such a great week. The two seals that I started there are a couple of days and a pile of sand paper from being finished. I have only one other Stone piece this year, an orca with a long way to go. 

We took part in Sooke Fine Arts show and an Arts Council show in Nanaimo where I received a People's Choice Award.  Noella and I set up our booth 4 times this year. I can tell you it's a lot of work to pack a gallery full of heavy sculptures with bruised ribs. Thankfully I have an awesome son that came to my rescue for one of the shows. Our biggest and most fun show is the Gabriola Thanksgiving Studio Tour. Approximately five hundred extremely supportive art lovers sharing their stories hopes and dreams with laughter and tears mixed in. It's awesome and it is exhausting and we love it. Alisha, Noella’s daughter, was a tremendous help during the tour. This year has taken the art to three countries other than Canada. We had people return to add to their collection and first timers. 
 
So what do I celebrate during this season? The safe arrival of my new granddaughter to compliment the wonderful collection of grandchildren that I already have. My son and daughters and the loved ones that will be so missed over this season. I celebrate those who have been able to reach in and touch me so deeply. I celebrate you that supported me with your words, your smiles, and your tears. I celebrate the one I argue with while setting up a display, the one that goes over my pieces looking for any flaws for me to fix. The same one that holds my hand lovingly while we watch TV. Noella.
 
Thank you all and I wish you a very wonderful season of love, peace and connection.

Come and see us this Saturday and Sunday. Some of the best sculptors on Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands are carving Marble all week at BC Marble Products.