Summer?

Poof!!! Another summer gone!!
So where did July go? I can't believe how fast this summer is going. And the weather this last month has been terrible - never seen so much rain. Despite all that, there have been some high points... here it goes!
The first couple of weeks of July were split between painting at the studio, and an outdoor rec course I led at Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre. The class involved full days of mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and climbing. Everyone made it out alive, and lived to tell the tale.
Then there was the pool. We put a little pool in; and with it came a fence, deck, landscaping, planters, plants, and pretty much an entire re-design of the backyard and poof - another 2 weeks gone. It is the best thing we've done for ourselves in a long time. Even little Jannique is loving it. Andrea and Jan found her a little wetsuit that keeps her warm, and now she is splashing around like the rest of us.
We had some nice visits from friends and family that allowed me to play tour guide a bit (I like that), and we all took a bit of time to enjoy a few meals, sunsets, and glasses of wine in good company.
I have also started a new mural in town. It depicts the 1604 landing of explorer Champlain on St Croix Island. I've made some progress, and am now waiting on paint before any more gets done.
The response so far has been favorable.

All work and no play makes Geoff a dull boy, and I've been playing lots, despite the weather (and a bad knee....that I don't want to think about). Been doing a lot of riding, and things are only this last week starting to dry out.

What a mudfest it has been on the east coast this year. One memorable ride we did with the off-kilter boys was in Fog City (Saint John). We were riding in such a downpour that by the end of the ride we almost had to stop and walk because we couldn't see anymore. You couldn't tell where the sky and ground met. Very rainforest!
My health has been great, and the rest of the family is happy and strong; my wish is the same for all...
Peace,
Slats

No Time and Off-Kilter

What a crazy month! I've been pulled in many directions this past month, and am just now starting to see some results from my efforts. Most of my time has been chewed up in three different areas: the trails; commissioned art; bikes.

Trails

I've been building trails for a number of years, but this year I've had some unexpected help. The town of St. Andrews has provided manpower, tools, and funding to put a big push on so all the trails can be linked together in the area. This gives us 20 km of trails within the town limits... pretty cool! It has eaten into my "creative" time, but it has been worth it.

Commissioned Art

Also this month I've had a number of commissions to get done. Two were "art piece signage" for some new businesses to town. Both took more time than expected because of the damp weather we have been having. (It just has taken forever for things to dry). I also have two new murals to paint in town. One is a historic piece depicting the landing of French Explorers on St Croix Island. The other will be smaller; a subtle little art piece on a fence between two buildings downtown. I'm using Hank (Andrea's Dad) as the focal point... a man leaning on a rail in an alley. I'm looking forward to better weather to start both.

Bikes

I've been riding lots, and so has everyone else. Unfortunately, the basement has been full all month of bike repairs. My "fix everyones' bike for free" policy is starting to wear a little thin. I think some are taking advantage of a good thing. I'm going to think on it a bit, but I may have to start charging something. It is really cutting into my time.
Something fun that is bike-related that happened this month... Off-Kilter. I started a MTB club that wears kilts! I've designed a mountain bike kilt that is made by a master kilt-maker right here in town. It is in the New Brunswick tartan, and is worn over bike shorts. The membership is growing already; soon everyone on a mountain bike in St Andrews will be Off-Kilter!

My little girl continues to grow and surprise Andrea and myself daily. We are all happy and strong!

Fight the good fight...
Slats

Outdoor Adventure

So for the last couple of years I have been going over to Deer Island to help Tim Stuart, principal at the Deer Island Community School, with an outdoor leadership program he does with his grade 8's every year.

We camp at "Camp Respect", a Christian Camp on the south side of the island that overlooks beautiful Passamoquoddy Bay.

This year we played capture the flag, swam in the ocean (brrrrrr), slept under the stars; as well as the usual canoe-kayak and mountain biking activities.

Perfect weather, great food, and lively grade 8's made for a fun time had by all!

Looking forward to next year... good luck at Fundy High , class of 2009!

Slats

Sunshine!!

It has been a great couple of days weather-wise in these parts; the sun has been good for the soul!

So a couple of things to update everyone on... I have finished my painting "The Bike Mechanic", and have it all framed and ready to go. This weekend I will build a crate, and then it heads south.

The next piece will be the same size, and will be a self portrait called "Preparing For An Epic". I'll be starting that one next week.

The second thing is that the woods are clear of snow! All the trails around here are accessable now, if not a little greasy! I put some time in, yesterday and today, up on Mt Greenlaw and Mt Chamcook. The trails all held up well through the winter, and are in near perfect condition. The time I put in on the bike this winter has paid off - all the climbs were comfortable middle-ringers!

Had an art opening tonight at Sunbury Shores for the teachers... I had 7 pieces displayed. We all walked down (Andrea, Jannique, Jan), as it was a beautiful evening. This was Jannique's third art opening; as always, she was the hit of the show!

That's all for now...
Slats

The Creative Process

My biggest struggle in life has always been balance. I know that I'm at my best when I have a nice mix of things going on. One huge piece of the "balance" puzzle for me is mountain biking. It stimulates me both physically, and visually. This helps me keep my mind clear refreshed and focused for my art.

This last week I was finally able to put in some decent miles on the trails, and boy, does that feel great! They are a bit soggy this time of year, and need a bit of clean-up, but the snow is finally gone. I'm hoping to get the riding group out soon, and will post some pictures when I do.

I had a nice visit from my cousin Stew this last week. He is an organic farmer from Southern Ontario, and we grew up together. I introduced him to Honey Beans Coffee, and took him on a tour of our area. His knowledge of "all things to do with food" was incredible. If you want to know about food - talk to a farmer... kind of makes sense, eh?

Anyway, I am almost done "The Bike Mechanic". I'll complete the painting tomorrow, and have already started to prepare the frame for it. It is a strong piece, and sets a good tone for this new series of paintings.

Thats all for now...
Slats

"The Bike Mechanic" Progress

I am making slow progress on this new painting.

I was hoping to be done my portrait of Ryan by now, but some things have come up.
The biggest time-stealer was the painting of a sign for a friend who is opening a new restaurant in town. Time was tight, so it couldn't wait.

What I have accomplished, I'm pleased with. It is a good solid start to this new direction in my work. ( All things mountain biking!!)

I have been back on the bike, but mostly on the road. There is still too much snow in the dark spots of the woods. All of the mountains are still covered on the north side, and the trails are pretty much impassable. The other day I tried to bust open a section of the rail line pass, north of Chamcook Mountain, and ended up doing a 5 mile hike-a-bike through knee deep slush... not nice!! It looks like the south side of the mountains are melted, however. I'm going to try to get up Mount Greenlaw in the morning. If I make it, I'll post some pictures.

Thats all for now!!
Slats

The Summer Studio

After a little bit of cabin fever, the temperatures have been warm enough to work in my studio on the ocean! I am always far more productive when working there.
I'm very excited about the new direction that I'm taking my line paintings in; so excited, in fact, that it is hard to sit still long enough to work on them! I can't wait for the trails around here to be rideable; I sure need to burn off some of this restless energy.
I haven't looked at this blog in a while, because I have been trying to come to terms with a death in my family. When my head is in a better place, I'll comment more on that. I would like to thank so many family and friends for being there for all of us through this time. We love you all and appreciate you all very much.
As for now, getting back to work has been the best thing for me. I'll post my progress here!
And just so you know Ryan (down there in sunny Tallahassee), you're my first subject matter.
Peace all
Slats