Oh me, oh my, how the time does fly

I have been remiss in writing these past many months.
James and I are having what has been a relatively quiet year and loving it.
We are not doing the Farmers Market this year. I have retired from baking and am exploring other more arty ideas. Lately I have been crocheting many, many beautiful scarves. I don't know if I can sell them for anything near the time and money in them or if they are just an exercise in joy.
Our house has reached grid-lock and I have good intentions which may go further when this awful heat makes way to our favorite season: fall.
James has grown a lovely veggie garden this year despite the very long, cold, wet spring, followed by suddenly summer and heat and the worst year for mosquitoes we remember.
We had the wettest June on record and lots of standing water, and higher water than  in many years has meant a massive hatch of mosquitoes and some of the bats and swallows who would normally predate them "vanished" - even starved - in the cold, pre-insect weather.
The photo above is of a window from the house I was raised in, which is not long for this world, but it may come back in a better form. We shall see.
We have wonderful renters at last! and Les has helped James put in a 6 foot fence around the garden. 
Sorry Bambi: we love watching you and your little spotted twins, but we are tired of sharing.
The other day I looked out the living room window and a little yearling bear was going by. What a cutie, but I really don't want him that close!
James will be painting on the deck at Baillee Grohman Winery with several fellow artists next Sat.
On Sunday, Sept 2 we will be taking part in the Rutebaga Show and Sale at the Wynndel Hall. I will be in the Wynndel Arts Centre behind the hall, and I think James will be helping man the garage sale, proceeds going to the Wynndel Hall.
James has a show at Kingfisher Used Books for Nov and Dec and will be part of the Images Show Nov 23 and 24 at the Rotocrest Hall in Creston - it is all in Creston, BC. We are a happening place!
I will be doing the Christmas Craft Sale at Creston's Rec Centre on Nov 24 just so we can rush around a little more.

We still live in hopes of spring

  

We found this little Pine Siskin lying on its back on the sidewalk by my car. We think he hit a window. I picked him up and held him gently, warming him and keeping him safe until his eyes quit rolling back in his head and he was able to stand on his own little feet and fly away. It took about 1/2 hour for him to recover.

 Pine Siskins live in large flocks this time of year. We did not take him with us and release him elsewhere because we wanted him to be able to rejoin his buddies.

We've had more snow in the past month and a half than we had all winter but the sun is higher in the sky and spring is coming. These days there is the sound of bird song.

Two days ago we had a freak 6 inch snowfall over night but by that evening it was nearly all gone.
James and I will be exhibiting at the Rotary club's Wine Art wine tasting and art sale at the Rec Centre on the evening of March 30.

I have finished 3 weekends of classes in ceramic jewelry by Bea van Allmen offered at the Wynndel Arts Centre. It has been not only interesting learning more about another skill but has been enjoyable working with a nice group of ladies.
I now have to put my new knowledge into practice.

James has been cradling art for the show.
He has finished his second octave mandolin.

Ain't it funny how time slips (or gallops) away.

We've had a very open winter. James was up on the hill with a friend who was painting on a -4 C day - Brrrr.

We seem to stay amazingly busy. In early Dec James and a couple other guys performed music as Tiizak Hamra, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irxpKWj5dRM , or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkjaM2g2Zc&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkjaM2g2Zc&feature=related in the play Aladdin. James played his octave mandolin and the music had a North African feel.

This weekend they will be playing at a wake for a relative of a band member.

On Feb 18 they will perform at Artists and Dragons at Rotocrest Hall.

Artists and Dragons is a fundraiser for the Arts Council and for ArtWalk. A number of artists will be demonstrating their handiwork and donating work which will be raffled during the evening, In keeping with the Artists and Dragons theme I am crocheting a "dragon skin" scarf. 

Very happily I have been able to step down from coordinating ArtWalk. We have found in Andrea Revoy a wonderful person to take over the reigns and we look forward to new and exciting things from ArtWalk.

On Feb 28 Tiizak Hamra will perform at a fundraiser for the local zendo to help in purchase of yoga mats and equipment.

These are two of the three evening visitors we had on Feb 7. To the left the reflection of lights in the window were what my Grandad called "rabbit lights." I couldn't open the door or our visitors would have left.

This was taken yesterday. Bandy was meditating or possibly visualizing mice. Skeeter was being her own little cautious self. I think of her as "the kitten" but she is actually turning 7 this year, has been with us 6 years, and will probably always be timid.

It's the busy season, but aren't they all?

Salt & Pepper Pattie  Pan oil on panel 6" X 6" $125.00

James has continued painting a little paintings nearly every day. They are all on his Facebook page at McDowells Hilltop Gallery.  
He has a show of some at Kingfisher Used Books here in Creston until the end of the year. 
We also are part of a show at Centre 64 in Kimberly starting Nov 29, with an opening on the afternoon of Dec 4. and running until Dec 22.

James is showing 60 of his daily paintings plus some of his larger work and I am showing birdhouses, Tea cozies, and pendants I have been making using tiny images of James' paintings mounted behind a glass tile.
Our friend, Sandy Kunze will be showing raku fired clay and another friend, Bea van Allmon, will be showing here wonderful clay birds.

Coffee Grinder 8 X 10 acrylic on panel $125.00

As life goes on I notice one of my treasures "missing" and then, low and behold, there it is in the daily painting.

Ye Olde Coffee Pot 6 X 6 acrylic on panel $125.00

Can't have the coffee grinder without the pot.

Back when Ironing was still Fun 6 X 6 oil on panel $125.00

I believe he misnamed that one!
My mom had one of these and she hated it. It hissed, ran on gas, was a real fire hazard. Wash and wear was such an advance!

James and I will also be at the Creston Arts Council Craft Fair at the Rec Center this Sat, Nov 26, from 9:00 - 5:00 
and at 
the Wynndel Craft Fair on 
Sat, Dec 3, 
at the Wynndel Hall from 9:00 - 3:00.


We will be selling calendars of James' work.

James' daily paintings calendar. $25.00
and

"The Manly Calendar" $25.00

We will also have cards made from photos of his paintings and pendants I have been making of miniatures of his paintings mounted behind a glass tile.

I started these using commercial bails but have since moved to a wire work bail I make myself.

Here's a back view. They are finished with an Oriental origami paper before I attach the bail.
 The pendants sell for $20.00.

Here are couple of my tea cozies which sell for $35.00.

 

James' painting a day continues

"Dragonflies," 6"x6", acrylic on panel, $125.

"Avocado For Lunch",6"x6",acrylic,$125.

"Coffee after the Harvest ", 8"x8" , acrylic on panel , $125.

"Grapes in Waiting ", 6"x8", acrylic on panel ,$125.

"Mom and the kids,"  7" x 8", acrylic on panel, $125.00.

 "Quiet Times ",7"x8",acrylic on panel,$125.

Oh my but time goes swiftly

  

On Aug 13 we had a wonderful wedding at our place. Our son, Larry McDowell, married his fiance, Lisa Benschop.

The wedding took place on a ridge by the closest field.

We should have had more sons. It was an absolute joy. A number of Larry and Lisa's friends came early and stayed in our unrented mobile home. They spent the last few days knocking the place into shape, putting up tents, mowing grass, clearing the covered deck, and one young lady spent 3 days baking pies. Another friend cooked all the meat for the "do" and numbers of folks made salads for their picnic themed reception. Lisa's mom and a friend spent a whole day arranging the lovely loose summer bouquets that dotted tables and blankets all around.

The party went late and then it was all done but the cleanup.

 

Less than a month until the wedding!

Our son and his fiance are getting married this summer. Last week, on Lisa's birthday, I realized it is less than a month until the wedding. In that it is taking place here on the farm we still have things to whip into shape.

James has been continuing his painting a day and I need to post a few he has finished since my last post:

" Three Garlic " 14"x7" , acrylic on panel $125.00

" Strawberries and Cream," 8"x8", Acrylic on panel ,$125.00

‎"Study in Green," 8 x 8, acrylic on panel, $100.00

"Iris and Poppies," 7"x 8", oil on panel, $125.00

"Chik-a-dee,"  8"x 8", acrylic on panel ,$125.00, SOLD

" One Old Chair,"  5" x 7" , oil on panel , $125.00

We are still ever so busy with not only Saturday's Farmers' Market, but also Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 - 6:30. This week's Wed was kindly cooler. Saturday we had about everything but snow at the market: chilly breezes, rain, heat ...  you name it!

James has begun harvesting his garlic, hence the painting. We've been selling fresh at the market, along with my baking, tea cozies, cards of James' paintings, and on ....

Hope you are enjoying your summer too.

 

 

Blissfully a little cooler

I don't want to be a wimp but I'm so pleased it has cooled down a wee bit.

We had a great market yesterday. Tourists are starting to move around and, after our very slow start this spring, it was nearly like a normal Farmers Market day.

Here are some more of James McDowell's paintings:

"Squash", 6" x 7", oil on canvas. $100.00.
I think it's a Buttercup Squash looking good enough to eat.

This is last summer's squash: this year's are still wee tiny, those that have even blossomed. This is such a slow gardening year.

"Cranbrook Appaloosa," 12 x14, acrylic on canvas, $125.00. SOLD

This little horse was often seen at the first rest area east of Cranbrook, heading to Alberta. James just had to paint him.

Busy days: even busy nights

James calls this painting "Strawberry Harvest." It is oil on panel, 7" x 8", and priced at $100.00. SOLD

James has been inspired by a group of "Daily Painters" who try to paint one small painting every day. It's a challenge with all the other summer chores of gardens, Farmers Markets, and the like.

This is today's painting:

"Tomatoes for Lunch" is acrylic on panel, 8" x 8", acrylic on panel, and also priced at $100.00. SOLD

Oh my how the time does fly.

 

This weekend marks the openings of our 16th Annual ArtWalk. 

This is the 10th year I have been coordinating it and Frank Goodsir has worked with it even longer. Right now, frankly, I am tired.

 Our long cold wet spring has continued and gardening between rain storms has been a challenge. James' potatoes were nearly climbing out of the box but they got planted this week.

I still hope to get the yard knocked in shape for our son's wedding this summer and here are a few pictures of "promise."

The answer is "Yes."

Last month I quoted from  Percy Bysshe Shelley's  "Ode to the West Wind,"   
"O wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind."
Apparently it can be. It snowed all morning on April 2 and it is still on the ground! I don't know if the sun and warmth on Thursday or this snowy nastiness is the "trick"
James has continued labouring long in the shop and has finished his mandolin/mandola/ bazooki - beautiful 8 stringed instrument (4 sets of strings) and it plays beautifully.

This has been James' project to chase away the winter blues. He figures he has about 350 hours in it. 
Earlier this winter James built himself a 16 inch band saw from wood.

He used his band saw to cut parts for his mandolin. The top is made from part of a cedar block a friend brought him from up the Pend O'riele. The wood was very old and the tree was rotted out in the middle. The grain is very fine.
James cut it, hand planed it, and book-ended the pieces.

James "milled" the fret board from a piece of Brazilian Walnut another friend had given him. The back is milled from a the beautiful mahogany of an old door jamb and the sides and neck are from a mystery wood James had.

James carved and stained The Twa Corbies.
 All in all this has been quite a project. Now he is ready to get back to painting for the summer's shows and for a show in December at Center 64 in Kimberly.