A Shared Silence

As the snow falls today I look back to a distant day on the river.
My memories linger and tease me of the spring past and one to come.

One memory stands out this morning, one of sharing a moment of silence.

Silence seems to be a reoccurring theme for me.
Maybe that is why I am so drawn to activities that naturally lend themselves to it.
Painting and Fly fishing to name a couple.

"A Shared Silence" captures such a moment.
I was on a drift down the Bow River with my friend Pete, when we passed these two gentlemen.
They were quietly casting and completely in tune to what they were doing.
Listening to the line as they cast, the river moving us forward, the water pressing against our boats haul and nothing more.

A gentle nod of the head as we passed from each man was all that was needed.

Funny how this only took a minute to occur, but it stands out to me many months later.
I love that, the ability to lose oneself in a memory, one that speaks to my very essence.
In away a bridge to that moment.

As I sell these works of art I find myself missing them, but I know that the paintings bring the same connection to the new owner and I am glad that I can be that bridge for others.

So when you find yourself in a daydream, enjoy it and know you're not alone.

River

As a young boy I found myself always looking forward to playing with my friends.

Always exploring our neighbourhood for pieces of the lost world.

As time went by I did lose that world.

I am amazed at how a young child can find the universe in their play time.

I am so happy to have had those moments.

A few years ago I found that world again, through playing with my boys.

They always seem to find adventure in all they do.

As we spend time by the river I watch them explore and play.

They transition from the everyday to wherever their imagination takes them.

I too feel the draw of the river.

This world opens up for me every time I spend time with my boys; wade into a river fly fishing or when I stand in front of a canvas painting.

I guess I never lost it, just forgot how to get there.

Thanks to my boys, they showed me the way back.

Silence

The memories of this time in my life came flooding back recently.
I had the pleasure of spending time with a gentleman who seemed to have had similar life experiences.
As we sat and talked over a cup of tea, we walked though our memories.

One that stood out for me was a time in Waterhen, found in northern Saskatchewan.
I was invited to fast for my first time with Rose and her group.
I had never done this before and was nervous about going for 4 days and nights without food or water.

This was to give thanks for all that had happened during the past six months.
Good or bad, we still were here to be grateful.

This image, "Morning Prayers", is one that captures a moment in the closing of the 4 day ceremony.
Those that gathered were so silent, what I thought was a direct response to being on their own for the last 4 days fasting and praying.

I remember the sky being almost blood red, turning into a soft pink glow.
The pipe on the buffalo's skull, the sweet grass, the sights, and lack of the human voice. The silence surrounding those working with their sacred bundles had such an impact on me.

In my life, I have found so many ways of distraction that never amount to anything, yet those moments of silence still impact me to this very moment.

Blessings

"Blessed in many ways" is a small painting with BIG meaning.

A year ago my sister's home burnt down.
She was out at a friend's BBQ.
When she came home to find all her home engulfed in flames, all she could think about was who got out and where are they now.
I received the phone call late that night, hearing her on the other end of the phone was both shattering and a blessing.

It is amazing what can happen in one's life.
Now I know I've heard of others going through something similar to this and they speak of how the community comes around them to support and rebuild their lives.
It is another thing to see it happen to your own family.

I am to this day overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the community gave to my sister. She is blessed to have such a group around her.

There was particular person who assisted her, one that inspired me to paint.
I will Blog about her and the painting that she received next.

I approached this person and offered to do a commission for her to say thank you for all she had done for my sister.
After a little time to think, she decided to have a polar bear with her cub as a painting.
This was so connected, a year before the fire I had painted a polar bear and her cub for my sister as a present. This was lost in the fire.
The fact that this woman wanted this as a painting made such a connection between us all, without her knowing.

The painting "Blessed in many ways" shows the Mother protecting the cub, sheltering it from the storm. Much like the community did for my sister, surrounding her with the love and warmth of the mother polar bear. My sister now owns this painting which is connected to the commission of "Guardian"
I know my sister was blessed to have the community help her get back on her feet, but I am blessed to still have my sister.

Time

This painting holds a place in time for me.


When I was a younger man I just too guide for a local Boys and Girls club.
We would take teens out on week long trips, bike tours, canoe trips or backpacking.
Mount Rundle would always be there.

Every time I see this area I am transported back to that time in my life.

The group of teens would always start out being at odds with each other, trying to find a pecking order or what social group they could hang with. Almost all of them being over whelmed at the idea of no real luxuries, or being surrounded by nature for the week.

By the end of the week, they were a unified group begging to stay for another week.

How suiting for this painting to be given to the brain tumour foundation spring sprint fund raiser to honour one of my Sons.

My sons are coming close to their teens and I am hoping they have the same connection to the back country as I did at their age. I am blessed to have the time to share my passions with them. For when it comes down to it, it is all about the time we share with others.

I never did meet the person who purchased this piece, however I hope they read this and enjoy the connection it has between the Artist, the location and the experiences that enriched my life.

Influence

What an amazing word.
I sometimes ask myself if I did not keep an open door to others influence, where would I be now?

This painting, "Alone with her thoughts" captures a woman who means the world to me.

My Mother.

Patricia has been all over the world and explored many cultural experiences.
She also helps others in relieving their physical pain in her practice.
She has been there to guide me and comfort me in my life.
And she is the reason I now Fly Fish.

So many times she would offer to take me to a Fly casting course, so finally I took her up on her offer.
Lynda McLennan stood in front of us discussing how to approach the art of casting.
Lynda, like my Mother had that connection to Fly fishing.
Step by step, motion by motion I realized I found a new home.
I remember smiling at Mom, knowing her smile held the "I thought you'd love it" look.
She was right.

We have gone fishing now many times and I find myself capturing her on canvas because she speaks to the serenity of the Art of Fly fishing.
She is not all about catching fish but the experience and being in the moment on the river.

I know this translates well since all the pieces of Art with her in them have sold and captured the hearts of those who have purchased them.

I am grateful to her spirit and for her influence on my life.

Dreams

In an earlier post I spoke of my first "Dream" animal.

In the Cree tradition, an understanding of one's life can be found through your dreams.
If one is visited by certain animals or certain things happen to you, they are possible clues to what you need to work on in your life.

I realize this may be out there for some of my friends, but it is very interesting to see how these messages play out.

One of these animals for me was the Buffalo.
It always seemed to be there when I needed protection in my dreams.
Transforming into people with messages for me to pay attention to.

My Mentor wanted me to explore this animal in a piece.
This is how "Dream Buffalo" came to be.

The piece recently sold, I found it interesting how important it was for me to hear how they valued this piece and the story behind its creation.
I am grateful that it found the proper owner.
I am also grateful for my dreams.