Over the years I have had opportunities to do many workshops abroad in France, Spain and Great Britain. The more recent ones have included 2 locations in Spain – one at a beautiful historical property in Andalusia, an hour or two outside the city of Malaga. This location in the mountains and olive groves is called El Molino, an old mill restoration with rustic but wonderfully renovated accommodations and glorious grounds and surroundings to explore. A great location to recharge and develop new ideas for paintings. It is also an opportunity to continue studying and improving my Spanish!

Folks attending the workshop have found this location most inspirational.

In October of 2015 we conducted another workshop in a new location north of Malaga along the coast and just below the beautiful old village of Frigliana. This location, also an old mill site, La Molineta, included the use of 3 fabulous old mill buildings renovated to provide excellent accommodation for participants. The views of the Mediterranean are spectacular and the local settings and peoples most inviting. A place that allows for a variety of experiences and places to explore including the caves of Nerja.

The biggest challenge in all this is getting older and not so resilient on the travel!

During the month of Jan and part of Feb. 2010 Dianne and I , and Alan Wylie and Janice Robertson enjoyed time away in San Miguel de Allende, painting and enjoying our historical surrounds. Strangely, it was a month mixed with illness and inspired moments and I found myself studying the history of the peoples of Central America and continue to work on themes for paintings that have emerged over the year.

A return to Mexico in January of this year (2011) to Los Cabos was an extension of painting and exploring light , colour and the culture of Mexico.

I started this series about a year ago and hope to have about 12 or 13 panels in the final collection. Each piece is 48″x36″ vertical format and is accompanied by a text panel – in some cases “poetic”, attempting to communicate my inspiration and intent for the piece. The whole series together will reflect a rather personal journey and hopefully resonate with something deeper for the viewer. More pieces to follow – perhaps completing by next year.

A book now completed that “wraps” the Haida Gwaii experience and series of larger works (see “gallery”) This will be available on request. I am intending to follow with two other books on various series of works – these should be out before year end and will be posted on the “other products page”.

The Seeker Series – this is a series of works I have considered for some time and will probably complete end of next year. There will be 12 or 13 works in the series (all are 48×36 verticals – like giant pages in a book- working through a progression of concepts) All include a text complement adding an additional dimension to the series of work. The first four paintings can be seen in the “gallery”.

Early in spring 2008 a friend who works for hospice in our local area contacted me regarding a possible painting project. A new location for the local hospice society was under renovation including office space. The facility was to include a large room to serve as a creative space and retreat for children and families in time of transition. Interest was expressed in having a mural painted across one large wall in the room and my friend described her vision and sense of what might be appropriate. It would be necessary to discuss and satisfy the concerns and input of others who worked in the hospice group. Recognizing that the environment and meeting space would involve different beliefs and faiths, I agreed to prepare a simple image for presentation, working from my intuitive response to our discussion. The theme was to be reflective of the cycle of life and each individuals journey. The hospice board members all felt the need for some visual image that connected to nature and one that would be uplifting in some way. Other concerns would have to be considered including an image suited to children, teens and adults. Although there was a very limited budget for this project, I felt moved to take it on anyway. Following a number of meetings and the presentation of several ideas and colour studies the project got started.

Hospice workers, contractors and others occasionally popped in to see what was happening with the image. In September the work on the mural and other renovations in the hospice facility were completed and a formal opening was announced. Those who attended and spoke of how this facility and the mural would serve many in the years to come, truly left me feeling humbled by the whole experience.

An unexpected opportunity for service had become a truly uplifting experience.

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