MYKONOS - LITTLE VENICE SUNSET 20x24 in, acrylic on canvas, $600 framed, $500 unframed

On the Greek island of Mykonos, a tiny enclave of shops and restaurants is known as Little Venice. Here in the first of my several new paintings of our Greek trip, is a striking sunset scene of some of these apartments and open air cafes. I enjoyed capturing the vivid colour of the low sun on the water and buildings.

This is set in a quality dark mahogany frame with a two inch white liner.

MYKONOS - DAY OFF 16X20 in., Acrylic on canvas, $400 framed, $300 unframed

This beautiful fishing boat, typical of the craft that set out each day to bring in the fish that is served at restaurant tables, sat on blocks this day. The shore walk is almost empty of people today. The cruise ship comes in tomorrow.

Framed in a front loading black frame, it is stunningly simple and elegant.

Mykonos harbour 16X20 in, Acrylic, $400 framed, $300 unframed

One of my favourite Greek island stops is Mykonos. The colourful boats are fishing boats, pleasure craft and homes. The local population is small yet during tourist season shop owners, artisans, vendors from other areas of Greece dwell here for months at a time.

This painting is housed in a black front loading frame that compliments it well

SANTORINI CAFE 11X14 in, Acrylic on canvas, $300 framed, $200 unframed

Santorini is a Greek island frequented by tourists like Christine and I who rode the tram to the top of the cliff city and descended by donkey at the conclusion of our visit. Remarkably hotels, restaurants, homes are built precariously but surely on the side of this volcanic rock 1000 feet above sea level. It is breathtaking.

This painting is framed in dark mahogany frame with a linen liner.

CHRISTINE'S SUMMERS, 16X21 in, watercolour; Artist's Collection

I loved the challenge of this scene particularly with unforgiving watercolours. The reflections in the sun glasses, the shadows of the straw hat cast on Christine's face and the lawn chair were great fun. Tent trailer, cooler and picknick table and you can see that summer sun and Christine go together. This too is archived from a 1990 collection.

THE COMFORTER, watercolour, 10X15 in.; unframed; INQUIRE

Imagine pulling out a leather portfolio of your paintings and finding a stash of watercolours that date to 1990. Nice find. I did that the other day. As I recall this was not an original scene at all. I likely borrowed it from something I saw in magazine and it gave me the opportunity paint some soft colours and textures. I enjoyed watercolours exclusively for many years. I enjoy the way waters flow sometimes sponteously, sometimes guided and produce an occasional surprise effect. The artist still takes credit for it.

AUTUMN GRAZING 18x24 in. ; Acrylic on canvas, $250 framed, $200 unframed

From some vantage points Mount Baker appears larger than ever. A foal notices me as mother grazes amid the autumn grasses. Soon the rains will come to the lower mainland of B.C. Today the sun is warm upon the animals and the barns in the background.

Frame: one inch black floating frame (front loading)

WINDOW ON THE SKY - Rome 16x20 in.; SOLD

When using photography it is crucial that a painter not merely duplicate the photo. Part of my craft as a painter is to frame a photograph in the viewfinder in such a way that it will serve me well when I render a painting of the scene. In this case a photograph assisted me with one of those challenging scenes in which perspective for windows, roofs and roadway are in the extreme. On our May 2007 visit to Rome this commercial passage between buildings captured my imagination. I loved the arch with its window through which you catch a glimpse of the same bright sky that one sees above the most distant building. I wanted to paint the dramatic darks and lights so they invite the viewer to visually wander down the street. At the foreground of the wall with the motorbikes I used artistic license to create a ristorante with dull interior light. My alternative was to paint the dumpster that was actually there. Although foot traffic at times can be busy in one of these typical streets I found it unoccupied and chose to leave it that way. A couple of people far in the distance carry on the day’s errands. I was pleased with the Christmas season project.

ICEFIELDS JASPER TO BANFF 18X24 in., $400 framed; $300 framed; acrylic on canvas

This highway is an endless chain of paintable roadside scenes. Glaciers sit cold atop these majestic mountains and melt water makes its way through timbered mountainsides to the remarkable emerald lake below.

(Frame is a new contemporary mahogany coloured wooden frame with a white linen liner.)

LANGLEY ARTS FESTIVAL 12x18 in. SOLD; acrylic on canvas

Each August, classic cars line the streets by the hundreds, and local artisans display their work on Fraser Hwy which is open only to pedestrians that weekend.

CLOVERDALE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL 14x24" $250 unframed; acrylic on canvas

Annually our town celebrates the blueberry harvest with a weekend celebration that brings artisans, musicians, classic car enthusiasts, games, foods and fun to town. With bluegrass music in the background, you can look at the displays while eating blueberry pie

SET ASIDE 18X24 in., framed $250, $200 unframed; acrylic on canvas

Against the north shore mountains of Langley a tired tractor is parked with its seat and stack twisted from age and disuse. Beside it are signs in the snow of another tractor that has recently visited to feed the cattle. The sun is warm upon me as I watch and the breeze is cool on my face.

Frame: one inch black floating frame (front loading)

TOWARD THE LIGHT 18X24X2 in., framed $250; unframed $200; acrylic on canvas

I was fascinated by the movement of morning light from the meadow below right into the dark corner of the forested area. The smell of damp and musty timber came to me as light filtered through the overhead leaves. One or two old growth stumps evidence the logging that took place many years ago.

Frame: Two inch brown stained wood, rear loading, making size 21 X 27 in.

SANDCASTLE TRIO 24x30 in. Private Collection; acrylic on canvas

Three of my grandchildren were playing in the beach sand of Crescent Beach on a summer day. The two oldest have diligently constructed their sand pail sculptures and the youngest stands ready to do what we suspect – kick one down.

ONE WAY OUT 18x24 in. ; acrylic on canvas; SOLD

A rare snow fall in the lower mainland turned this 184 Street farm entrance into an attractive shadow rich scene that any Prairie resident could mistake for the Alberta foothills.

GOLD RIVER 18x20x2 in. $75 unframed; acrylic on canvas

A delightful hiking spot where trickling waters sound over rocks and beckon a hiker to slip off the boots for a cool leisurely soak. This spot is located at the Golden Ears park on the Mission side of the Fraser River.

JEFF THE NAVIGATOR 24x30 in. watercolour; Artist's Collection

The slow moving current of this White Mountains stream moved past the sun heated rocks where my son Jeff was perched comfortably, giving me the impression that he was piloting a stone boat upstream. This is archived from the early 1980’s. My son is now a father himself.

SUNSET AT POWELL RIVER 24x30 in.; SOLD

The sun was low in the west as it shone on the face of the building behind the moored water craft and the reflections danced in the water.