"The Calgary Tower"
8x11 inches
August 3, 2021
Watercolour and pencil crayons on mixed media sketchbook paper
The Calgary Tower was originally built by the Husky Oil and Gas Company in the early 1970s, and was called the Husky Tower. It was later sold to the City as a tourist attraction, and its name was changed to the Calgary Tower. It has a revolving restaurant at the top, and lots of interesting displays. For many years it was the tallest building in Calgary.
"Ten Bucks"
3x6 inches
August 3, 2021
coloured pen and watercolour on mixed media sketchbook paper
The Canadian ten dollar bill features an image of a CP Rail train travelling through the Rocky Mountains, reminding us of the early beginnings of this country, when the railroad allowed people to quickly travel from one end of the country to the other. Prior to that, the most common means of cross-country transportation was the covered wagon. 10 dollars will buy you lunch at a fast food place, or 9 cups of cheap coffee, or two-three lattes.
"Abstract Wild Rose"
11x8 inches
August 4, 2021
watercolour and pencil crayons on mixed media sketch paper
I happened to photograph a patch of wild roses in Waterton during July. My first attempt to make a painting based on that photo didn’t go well, so I turned it into an abstract piece, which I rather like.
"Wild Rose"
10x8 inches
August 5, 2021
Acrylic on mixed media sketchbook paper
The second piece worked much better. The wild rose is the official flower of Alberta, which is the province where I live.
"Aspen Parading through Native Grassland"
12x9 inches
acrylic on canvas
July 2019
Project 4 - indigenous tree
Aspen look a lot like birch - the difference is that they are much smaller and more fragile.
I did this piece in Cypress Hills two years ago.
This piece is at the Broken Spoke Art Gallery in Maple Creek.
"Poeceae Grass"
14x11 inches
acrylic on canvas
August 2019
Here are birch trees and a couple of different kinds of evergreen trees. Local cattle eat poeceae grass, and turn it into delicious steaks and hamburgers.
I did this piece in Cypress Hills two years ago.
This piece is at the Broken Spoke Art Gallery in Maple Creek.
"O Canada"
6x4 inches
August 3, 2021
watercolour on mixed media sketchbook paper
Project 5 - national flag
The maple leaf symbolizes Canada and the two red stripes are supposed to signify "from sea to sea".
I salute the flag, the emblem of my country. To her I pledge my love and loyalty.
"Bow River Encampment"
14x11 inches
July, 2018
Oil pastel on mixed media sketchbook paper
Project 6 - something for which your country is famous
Under Treaty 7, we share the area around Calgary with five First Nations tribes - Kainai, Piikani, Siksika (together comprising the Blackfoot Confederacy), Tsuu T'ina Nation, and Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Every year at the Calgary Stampede, representatives from these five nations set up camp on the Stampede Grounds and share their culture and history with us.
“Garage Door”
8x10 inches
August 27, 2021
Watercolour and mixed media on mixed media sketchbook paper.
Literally, where I live. This is our garage.