I'll be uploading content almost daily when on the trip. Please check back again for updates... thanks.

- the most recent log is at the top -

 

Oct. 21-31  |  Nov. 01-10  |  Nov 11-20  |  Nov. 21-30  |  Dec. 01-03

 

 

OCTOBER 21-31 2011

 

October 31 2011

Not a bad sleep last night... slept really well, but woke up at 5:15 and couldn't get back to sleep, so... up I got.

I processed the previous 3 days worth of photos, and photo-merged several groups of photos to make up several panoramas to go on the trip journal.

The sunrise wasn't bad, but didn't get out in time to paint that.

Got my stuff together and hit the read for the town of Wabamun for some breakfast at the diner there. Then... out to paint... and as usual, kept busy on the laptop while waiting for breakfast.

Had steak and egg breakfast at the diner.. I just couldn't help myself. Again, yum yum.... it was good!   ; )

(Above and below: photos of today's paint North of Wabamun Lake.)

Drove by a 2 bay car wash, so stopped in there and hosed down the van. Then drove east of Wabamun for just a couple minutes and turned off the highway and drove a few blocks to a spot where painted.

Did an OK painting. I'll put a few finishing licks of paint on it tomorrow morning.

It was great out... really sunny and cool. It was blowing pretty hard towards the end of the painting session. My hat took off in the wind and I had to run to get it. It started to hail as well, and before I was really finished, so had to pack up at that point. 

I got back to the cabin and have off loaded the pics from the camera to the external hard drive. I'll get those processed and loaded onto the site this evening (or tomorrow AM), along with some others that I have yet to get on the site,

Oh yeah... it's Halloween tonight. That's maybe so, but here at the cabin, it's all about the painting trip.

And speaking of Halloween...

Who's that there painting... Ed Grimly, or is it some guy out in the storm getting all blown around?

Actually, I had to take my hat off because it just kept blowing off...

 

​(Above: photos of today's sky towars the end of my painting session, North of Wabamun Lake. It started to blow and hail)

 

 

 

October 30 2011

First full day at the cabin.... I got up at 9:30 and went into the kitchen where Averie was already busy. We had a chat and a coffee, and Averie made some tasty toasted BLT's. Afterward we wet for a walk taking the dogs for a run as well.

The weather was brilliant. Clear sky and crisp fresh air mild enough to be walking without a jacket. Averie took me up through a treed area with a bunch of paths. The area is used by the scouts and there's a bunch of trails.

Got back to the cabin and hung out for the first half of the day.

Dave's friends left towards noon. Dave and Danielle left an hour or so later. About 3:30, Averie and Carman left to go back to Edmonton. They had to be on deck for work stuff first thing Monday.

Before they left, Carman took me over to meet a neighbour, Stu, who they said may come over while I was there.

So... I got myself and my stuff from 'the big house' and moved into the suite above the garage. The suite is great... all self contained, heated, and has a balcony with a great view of the lake. Super sunset that evening.

(Above and below are pictures of my pad for the nest few weeks. I guess I'll have to NOT drip paint! )

I worked till about 9:30, first putting a few licks of paint on the panel I had done the day before at Terracana, and then settled into photograph processing and updating files for the trip's website, and journal.

I was very tired.... snoozing came easy....

 

(Below is a shot of Wabamun Lake from just outside the studio where I'm staying.)

(Another shot of Wabamun Lake from the studio balcony. Not a bad sunset tonight.)

 

 

 

October 29 2011

Woke up fairly early and went out to take some pics of the early morning sunrise. There was low cloud and fog in the valley behind the lodge, but unlike the previous morning, it was dead calm, and fairly mild.

The sunrise wasn't keeping up with the lifting fog, so I think I got the best of it on the first 2 clicks of the shutter. The cabins seemed almost back in the early light, with a bright amber light illuminating the end of some.

I looked around the property for a short bit, and around 8, I went up to the lodge to have some coffee.

Karen was in, and said Lisa had called saying she wouldn't be in today. I had my coffee and a short chat with Karen. and did some time on the laptop. 

Karen had said she'd be around to draw the previous night, but as it turned out, she was tired and didn't show.

I stayed in the lodge till about noon, at which point I had a 'spaghetti trough' which was very good. I shared some of my cookies with Karen, as well... and I believe I have left my tin of remaining cookies behind. Oh well... I hope you gals enjoy !    ; )

After that spaghetti trough, I was feeling sufficiently fuelled to get my butt out the door for some painting. ... and it's about time!

I made my way out to the back 40, and down to the river. I set up and went took it to the board. I painted an area of sand and water, which is part of, and to the side of the main river.  I had intended to get it done in time to be back before Karen left at 4, but it didn't happen. I finished up and  got back to the lodge about 4:40 PM. I seemed to be the only on there... main lodge closed up for the day.

I decided to hit the road and see about making it to the cabin at Wabamun Lake before clocking out for the night. I took the 16 Hwy east. Mt. Robson was socked in, so nothing to view there, but the road and driving conditions were great.

it was dark about 1/2 an hour before getting into Jasper. I stopped there briefly to get a snack and  a drink, and some fuel for the van which at that point, was extremely thirsty too.

I found a place called Lulu's Pizzeria at 610 Patricia St, which had internet and al day breakfast. I had a feta, spinach, and sun dried tomato omelette which was really great. Hmmm.... another place to keep in mind when going through Jasper again.   ; ))

Lulu's has internet access as well, which worked out perfectly, and I had to respond to a couple e-mails and contact Averie and Carman to let them know I was getting close, They had e-mailed me earlier that afternoon to let me know they were at the cabin for the weekend, and there was a class of wine waiting for me.

I ht the road and got to the cabin about 10:50 PM.

The Chrysler mini-van has been running perfectly! I can't say enough good things bout it. It runs so smoothly & quietly, and it's so comfortable to drive in! Thanks again to the guys at Malibu Motors in Victoria BC!!

The gang was all there pretty much... Averie, Carman, their son Dave, along with his girlfriend and a few other friends. They were all around the camp fire, so I joined in. I had a couple drinks and had a good time.

We didn't pack it in until 4:45 AM. I was toast! A good time for sure though. 

 

 

 

October 28 2011

It was  blowing outside and damp, so went to the main lodge for some breakfast... a few coffees and some cookies my Mom gave me before I left.

A guy by the name of Keith was also there working on website stuff for the lodge.

I ended up working on the laptop for most of the day, doing a logo redraw for the resort, and also messed around with a few website design ideas for them. I also worked on my trip website.

I went out to dinner with Lisa and met another gal, Karen, who works at the resort doing marketing etc. Had a good time at dinner. Karen left before us. Lisa and I stayed for a while and  got talking about painting, and the whole topic art in general.

We went back to the Resort and hit Lisa's studio for some drawing time, opening a book and working from photos from that... warming up with some circles, lines etc. and then getting into quick expressive sketches in charcoal on newsprint pads.

Lisa and I drew for a couple hours. Here's a couple charcoal drawings I did tonight on 24" x 30" newsprint...

Later, I went back to my cabin and worked on my laptop until about 1:30 AM.

 

 

 

October 27 2011

Had one last morning's breakfast with Pauline and Dave before heading out this AM. Did some e-mailing, then put my stuff in the van, said my good byes and hit the road.

First stop was Kamloops to have some lunch. Stopped in at Earl's and had a chicken dish. WOW... it sure doesn't look like the Kamloops I remember. I guess it's been a while since I've been there! Did some stuff on the laptop while I was there.

Took some pics along the way, Some good shots I think...

I stopped in Valemount BC, about 30 minutes from the Resort and had a steak dinner. Just had to stop, take a break, and eat something. Got some e-mailing done while there. The food was really good. If you're ever going through Valemount BC, It's the Sarak Restaurant, located on Frontage Rd., right beside the highway. Check it out and have some food!

Took some more pics along the way up, so hopefully they will turn out OK. Yet more reference shots to paint from when in the studio.

Drove all day...

I arrived at Terracana Ranch Resort about 6:30. Lisa and her brother Jordan were here still, so had a good chat with them. Very nice people. Lisa has just built a studio to paint in and has kindly offered it to me to use while here. Click Here to view Lisa's website.

Lisa is wanting painters and painting groups to come up and do there work, and workshop at Terracanna Resort. If you are interested in reading about the available studio and workshops, please click here. If you have an idea for an artist retreat or workshop, whether for an individual, or group, please email Lisa Levasseur, GM at Tarracanna Resort.

It's getting very cold, but dry so far, so that's a good thing. No snow yet!

It's also pitch black here and can't see a thing, but in the AM I'll get a sense of the place. The pics on their site looked great.

My plan is to get a bunch of painting done tomorrow and maybe a bit done the next morning before heading out to 'the cabin' west of Edmonton.

Tonight I want to load up some pics to the website before I hit the sack. Not sure at this point if it's going to happen. It's already 11:40PM.

That's if for today. Over and out...

 

 

 

October 26 2011

Weather has been good... sunny until today. Overcast with a bit of sun, but will be sunny again tomorrow according to the report.

Today was a painting day, but felt I had to resolve the 2 paintings I had done yesterday. So... that was the plan, and that was the result. I got them to a state of finished-ness and that was that. I have yet to photograph them and get them on the site, but will do that tomorrow, hopefully.

After painting, Pauline took me over to meet friends of hers...  Royden and Nancy Josephson. Royden is a Painter, and predominately, an abstract painter. He showed me his studio and a lot of his work. He's a very good painter. Check out Royden's website.

A note to anyone who owns and/or runs a gallery and represents abstract works... In my estimation, Royden is a Canadian abstractionist well worth representing.

I'll be travelling from Ashcroft, where I am now, to Valemount BC and jog down to Terrecana Lodge, which I believe is on Maligne lake.

I have an invite to stay there as long as I want. Lisa, who owns Terracana Ranch Resort, paints and has a studio on site. Click Here to view Lisa's website. She has generously offered the use of the studio while I'm there. Nice one... thanks Lisa!

Although I'm sure I'll feel inspired to paint once there, I might unfortunately not be able to stay all that long. Time's ticking and I need to get set up and painting at the cabin, which is the next stop after the lodge.

Anyway, no photographs were taken today, but tomorrow there will be pics for sure.

 

 

 

October 25 2011

Well... up at 7:30.. showered and dressed. Had a good breakfast with Pauline and Dave... stick to your ribs oatmeal with brown sugar and milk.

Pauline took me for a quick tour of the town. I got out painting fairly soon after that. I had a struggle with the first painting.  The second was not as bad a go, but really... not much better regarding the result. So... I'll go back tomorrow and see if I can amend my difficult start. But hey... it was a start never the less.

It was a great day for painting though. Sunny and clear. I bundled up for the morning paint and was able  to take off the outer of 2 coats I was wearing for the afternoon paint.

The first painting was of some yellow aspen trees against the blue of the hills behind. It seemed like a reasonable thing to paint, and fairly straight forward too, I would have thought.

I headed back to the house to spend the evening with Pauline and Dave. Had a great dinner... fried chicken, salad and baked potatoes. After supper we hung out and chatted. I later worked on the Trip Journal and finally got it up to date, uploading the photos above.

As I say, Pauline paints as well. She doesn't have a website, so I've included 3 images of her abstract work here.  Please e-mail Pauline if you would like to talk to her about the work. 

  ​

 

 

 

October 24 2011

My second night in the new van and in Barb's Driveway again. Not a bad sleep... got up at 7:30 this morning and had breakfast and a shower. Did a bit of work on the laptop and loaded up the van with the rest of my stuff.

Jane phoned to say she wouldn't be over... a flu bug had foiled their Monday plan. I took a couple picks of Barb and I, then said our good byes to each other, and I hit the road.

Here (right), is one of those shots of Barb and I at her home, gallery and studio, doing the fig (maple) leaf in her 'garden'.

I ended up back at the coffee shop in Fort Langley to try and catch up on the the 'trip journal', organizing some photos and doing some e-mails.  Had a tea in the process.

While at the coffee shop, I had e-mailed Pauline and Dave Ogilvie in Ashcroft to say I'd be coming through on the way top Edmonton. Funny thing was she e-mailed me at the same time, about the same thing. Weird or what?

So, I fuelled up at the Chevron at the No. 1 Hwy, and drove to Ashcroft to see Pauline and Dave, and do some painting in and around the area. My Dad lent me his GPS unit to use while on the trip, so... I loaded up Pauline & Dave's address and drove straight there . Nice...

I did stop to scoop some photos of spots along the way though. The lighting was ace and the aspen and/or poplar trees were bright yellow in the sun. Here's a couple shots below from the trip to Ashcroft...

I arrived at my destination and met my hosts. Pauline paints as well, so we might go out painting together in the morning. We looked around the place a bit, then had a great dinner.

My time this evening was taken up with e-mails and loading photos from today's travel onto the computer, then uploaded content to the site. Then, last of all and finally, crashing out for the night. 

 

 

 

October 23 2011

I stayed in Barb's driveway last night, sleeping in the van for the first time. Not a bad sleep really. Still need to do a bit of fine tuning regarding the organization of things in the van. I think I brought too much stuff, for staying in the van. I'm used to my 1985 Chevy panel van and the space in it. There's more than enough room in this Chrysler Town & Country mini-van,  but for staying in it, a little less stuff would be better for juggling things around while I'm in it.

It's a great van though. Seems to run really well. I'm totally happy with it. Thanks again to Darryl, Dylan and Sean McMicking at Malibu Motors in Victoria BC.

I dragged Barb out first thing this morning to take photos before breakfast. It was a clear sky above fog along the river in Fort Langley.  I got some good shots that might lend themselves to larger studio works.

Back to Barb's for breakfast, then some e-mails, and some time organizing and adjusting photos.

I left Barb's around 11 AM and hit the coffee shop for some juice (both for me, and the computer) and internet time. I had to send a job off to the printers in Victoria and get on top of the trip journal for the website.

I'll have a quick snooze in the van and then out to paint this afternoon. It looks like a a good day for it... sun with some cloud.  Well, off for a snooze now...

The snooze in the van down by the water in Fort Langley was great. The sun was shining and the air fresh and warm. I had a couple of the windows open and snoozed for an hour or so.

Went around the Fort area and took some more pics... down by the Albion Ferry Dock, and some more pics overlooking the farmland below the Fort. I drove to the east end of Glen Valley and took a few pics down there as well, before getting back to Barbara's about 5:15. She and I made some supper... salmon fillet done with Shake & Bake, along with rice and salad. The Shake & Bake on the salmon was a first for me and a definite winner.

Post supper was a chat and going over some of Barb's poems and photos etc.

I'm finishing off the day with processing photos from today. I'll get the written part of the trip journal loaded up to the site tonight, but pics will have to wait for tomorrow.

My cousin Jane is coming over tomorrow morning at 9:30 to work on the book with Barb. So, I'll be out of here when she arrives and head east to Edmonton. I'll get some painting done in the morning... probably in the Fraser Valley somewhere.

 

 

 

October 22 2011

Up early today. On the way to the ferry, I dropped off the van's passenger seats at John Kilbank's garage. I've worked with John for over 10 years. John owns Scribe Graphics on Victoria BC. Thanks for storing them John.

I made the 9AM ferry in good time. Breakfast on the ferry and a bit of work on the laptop afterward.

After getting off the ferry, I drove straight to Barbara Boldt's in Fort Langley. Barb and I have known each other for about 12 years. She's been a painter since the early 70's. Barb paints landscapes from the Fort Langley area along with 'EarthPattern' paintings, which are largely sandstone images from Galiano Island. Her work can be seen at barbaraboldt.com

I hung out with Barb for the day with an afternoon trip to OPUS Art Supplies in Langley, and in the evening to my cousin's place for dinner and a visit.

My cousin, Jane Watt, is an historian, writer and wordsmith. She and her family live in Fort Langley, not too far from Barb, and invited us over for dinner. She's working with Barbara to produce a book on Barb's life and work as a painter. It should be ready sometime in 2012. We had a great dinner and a visit, which capped off the day.

 

 

 

October 21 2011

Well, I did a lot of last minute things today, hoping to get away on the trip by the afternoon/ evening, but it wasn't to be.  It was a way busier day than expected. Not a surprise I guess.

Late morning, I picked up 2 panel boxes from Bob Langford, a painter friend of mine. He has a workshop and had the time to make these up for me. I needed them to store my wet panels in while on the trip. I met Bob via the Al Frescoes, a Friday Plein Air painting gang in Victoria BC.

After picking up the panel boxes, I had a quick pre-trip 'hi, how are you' with another painting friend of mine, Adam Noonan.

Then, it was off to Malibu Motors to pick up the van. I met Kym Hill there. She took me over to scoop the vehicle insurance. From there, it was over to my studio to fill the van up with my supplies.

Kym, owner of Mercurio Gallery, phoned late afternoon as I was filling the van's tank, saying it may be a good idea to get an expense account set up for the trip.

So... change of plans. Instead of hitting the ferry after pumping gas, Kym and I met at Island Savings Credit Union and set that up. As Kym and I are pushovers  for good food, we concluded the evening with a stop at Bon Rouge Bistro (in Victoria BC) for some dinner.

Before checking out for the night, I met a framer friend of mine, Jill, to pick up some foam core frames I asked her make up. I thought they'd come in handy to display my paintings.  Jill owns the Framing and Art Centre on Cedar Hill Cross Rd. (in Victoria BC).