Solstice: The First 50 Years

38 years I have been involved with this group and this weekend Jean arranged a reunion weekend to celebrate the 50th year of the group.  Alumni gathered from far and wide for a weekend of reconnection, reunion, food and music.  Lori and Greg generously volunteered their beautiful home to gather over 2 days.  Many attended the concert on Saturday night at the Bassment.  

“Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.”

-“Bridge Over Troubeld Water”

Paul Simon 

“Trickle, trickle, splash, splash

Tell me how long will this rain last

The rain keeps droppin’, there ain’t no stoppin’

Tell me how long will this rain last.”

-“Trickle, Trickle”

Manhattan Transfer

“Evening summer breeze

Warbling of a meadowlark 

Moonlight in Vermont”

-“Moonlight in Vermont”

Blackburn &  Suessdorf

“I sing because I’m happy

I sing because I’m free

His eye is in the sparrow

And I know He watches me”

     -“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”

Martin & Gabriel

“I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down and still somehow

It’s cloud illusions I recall

I really don’t know clouds at all”

-“Both Sides Now”

Joni Mitchell

“Trickle, trickle, splash, splash

Tell me how long will this rain last

The rain keeps droppin’, there ain’t no stoppin’

Tell me how long will this rain last.”

-“Trickle, Trickle”

Manhattan Transfer

“Orange Colored (Prairie) Sky”

 -Delugg & Stein 

May/June

I finished another tutoring session today.   Much delayed because of my late start and my week off to go to Calgary, but it was so very good again.   Really enjoyed William, Mohammed, Wejdan, Georgia, Winson and Kyle.  Hope to do it again in the fall.

Fighting off a terrible cold/laryngitis and did a Brain Cancer Walk for Margot last weekend.  

The long awaited summer weather looks to have finally arrived.  🤞🏼

Birthday, Blizzard and Boxing Day

Well, it’s May Long Weekend and it’s snowing like crazy.  So, instead of doing the drive in a blizzard on Friday, I came Saturday.   Joined the Holfelds for Diane’s 85th birthday celebration and had Christmas with Brenda Sunday morning.   Such crazy weather!

Adventures In Art #45-3 Day Worshops With Joseph Zbukvic

 Day 1.   Well this guy sure knows what the hell he is doing!  What he lacks in social grace he makes up for in skill and knowledge.   So much to learn and then put into practice!  

“Indicate, don’t state.”

“Heaven and earth.” 

“Mr. Bead”

“Water is life in watercolor.”

“Kiss of life.”

“Be gentle.”

“Paint in watercolor time.”

“Dance with the watercolor.”

“That’s what it wanted.”

“Paint what you love and love what you paint.”

“Economy of brush strokes.  Don’t do in two what you can do in one.”

“Your picture is done when the major shapes are finished  and in place.  Details do not make the painting.”

“Pigment thick as vegamite.”

Day 2

My brain is getting full and I feel like I’m losing some endurance after this great creative immersion.  

Day 3

He sounded like John Housman giving instruction but he certainly knew how to challenge us with his techniques and knowledge.  I am absolutley knackered but in a very good way.   

Adventure In Art #44-Demonstration By Joseph Zbukvic

Spent 3 hours today watching a true master of watercolor demonstrate 2 different painting.  Amazing talent.  So lucky to watch him paint with such skill, talent and ease.   Impressive!

Adventures in Art #43-Workshop With Lisa Wang

What a great 3 days it’s been so far.  Staying with Wayne in Airdrie and really enjoyed seeing and learning Lisa Wang’s unique painting style.  So much water but creates these incredible effects in the cat, horse and statue she did with us.  Really enjoyed it! 

A great facility to work in!