into the strenuous briefness

Dersu and Gypsy - Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax

2009-07-25T17:15:00.001-07:00

more new paintings

2009-03-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

march paintings, and edits

2009-03-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

10x10 inches

6x8 inches

6x6 inches

more new paintings

2009-03-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

March paintings in progress, pottery

2009-03-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

20x20 inches, oil and spay paint on canvas

20x20 inches, oil on canvas

more paintings

2009-02-17T15:37:00.001-08:00

20x20

4x5 inches

more february paintings

2009-02-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

30x30 inches
oil on canvas

6X8 inches
oil on canvas

february paintings

2009-02-13T18:14:00.000-08:00

40x40 inches

6x8 inches

6x6 inches

January Paintings

2009-01-23T14:36:00.000-08:00

Swim in Jasper (in progress)
6x6 inches
oil on canvas

new winter semester paintings

2009-01-19T18:11:00.000-08:00

24x24 inches

5x5 inches

5x5 inches

my studio

paintings hung at home

2008-12-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

30x4 foot scroll details

2008-12-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

new painting!

2008-11-18T18:24:00.001-08:00

oil, acrylic and sharpie on canvas, 3x3.5 feet

november paintings

2008-11-14T15:17:00.001-08:00

October paintings

2008-10-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

october paintings

2008-10-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Dog Team, acrylic on glass 8x12 inches

Dog Team, mixed media on masonite, 6x6 inches

My studio space at NSCAD

october paintings

2008-10-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Containers 32x40 inches

Bottles 10x12 inches

Lansing Creek 4x5 inches

Trout Lake 4x5 inches

new painting in progress

2008-10-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

more paintings

2008-10-03T17:10:00.002-07:00

my studio (new 4 by 4 foot self portrait)

self portrait detail

Landscape with lone traveller (in progress)

large scale drawing, Golden Gate

shoe still life (again)

more paintings

2008-10-03T17:10:00.001-07:00

new art

2008-09-26T16:41:00.001-07:00

pika research camp, hike to the kaskawulsh glacier

2008-07-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

bouldering near Vulcan Creek, YT

2008-06-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning Sylvie and I leave for a 3 day trek. we're heading up the Slims River to the toe of the Kaskawalsh Glacier. From there we hope to summit Observation Mountain in a day (which has a great view of the glacier and possibly the icefields, maybe even Logon) and hike back out to Kluane Lake on day 3. keep an eye open for new photos...

summitting sheep mountain 1950m

2008-06-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

working in Kluane National Park, YT

2008-06-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

working at 1600m, above the Slims River Valley. That's the Lowell Glacier in the distance.

Sylvie teaches us newbies how to catch an arctic ground squirrel.

Mine and Sylvie's cabin on Kluane Lake

Hammock camping at Emerald Lake on a day off

yukon paintings, hiking at 65 degrees N lat

2008-04-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

hike near whitehorse

2008-03-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

yukon pen drawings

2008-03-30T10:34:00.001-07:00

yukon drawings

2008-03-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

the Yukon part 2

2008-03-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

the yukon

2008-03-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

studio time

2007-10-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

another new gallery page

2007-10-12T06:48:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of this blog I have been trying to find a satisfactory way to keep my artwork seperate, on it's own page, and dedicate this one solely the the happenings and thoughts of me. Here is another attempt. Hopefully I'll begin to learn HTML a little and make it a little more appealing.
http://www.freewebs.com/jonhowse/

new drawing, living in Sackville

2007-09-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Newfoundland Photography, silver gelatin prints

2007-09-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

drawings

2007-09-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

night photography, silver gelatin prints

2007-09-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

C Prints

2007-09-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

paintings by jon howse

2007-09-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

more paintings

2007-09-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

more paintings

2007-09-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

off road triathlon

2007-07-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

cycling in the Codroy Valley/ Gros Morne National Park

2007-06-19T08:15:00.001-07:00

Kings Point hike

2007-06-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

mtn bike marathon photo

2007-06-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

The lead pack!

that's me on the far left. my good friend Billy Newell in the Newfoundland jersey won the 50km race, I was second.

Blomidon hiking, Gros Morne Mtn. run

2007-06-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

These pictures go with the last group from my hike in the Blomidon Mountians on the south side of the Bay of Islands.

Also, I went camping in Gros Morne National Park last night in my hammock and then ran Gros Morne Mtn trail this morning before work, a trail which starts at sea level and hits the 813m summit then loops back around the mountain and back down to the parking lot. This hike supposedly takes 8-12 hours, and my fastest time before now was 4.5 hours, but today, Pete (my friend and boss) and I decided to run the whole thing, wearing only running clothes and carrying one water bottle a camera and some cheese. 2 hours and 12 minutes was our final time. I was amazed. mostly at what the human body is capable of. we saw 5 caribou on the hike. Well, I'm at work right now with my legs still burning, so I best ge going and do my job - Making Coffee!!!

2007-06-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

more hiking in the Blomidons

2007-06-12T05:51:00.000-07:00

waterfall hike/ Newfoundland mtn.bike marathon

2007-06-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

the view peeking through the trees from the top, an hour and forty five minute climb.

the reward, a swim at the top of the 200 meter falls.

some big trees along the way

Yesterday Cycle Solutions Cycling Group put off Newfoundland's first marathon mountain bike race, a 50km race through trails that took most of the competetors 3 and a half hours to complete in the 30 degree weather. Billy Newell was the undisputed champion, with myself a solid 16 minutes behind in second and the rest of the field another 50 minutes back. 21 racers competed in the race and all in all I would say it was a success. up next on my schedule is the short track mtn. bike race and an off road triathlon X-Terre Neuve. But tonight I go and climb the blomidon mountains. Many pictures are on their way.

fixy riding. coffee.

2007-06-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

mocha!

being a barista

2007-06-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

me being a barista in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

Soon to come: pictures of my hiking trip in the Tablelands, my bike ride through Gros Morne, and yesterday's bike ride through the Codroy Valley, out to the Cape Anguille lighthouse and along the south coast.

new fixy bike!!!

2007-05-31T03:02:00.000-07:00

notice my little additions: orange bar tape and a mountain bike front brake lever. This bike is incredibly fun and very solid, though quite a grind riding up the steep grades to my apartment. I'm going climbing again today, maybe I'll post a bunch of climbing pics soon, as well as those promised photos from my bike ride through Gros Morne National Park.

bouldering, hair cut

2007-05-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

here is a little spot I've found with some small boulders on Corner Brook Stream, just before you enter the gorge. I was here practising a few power moves at dusk in the drizzle. It was beautiful. my crash pad should be here soon, so I hope to find some pretty big walls to climb somewhere in the forest. Also, my fixed gear/single speed bike got here today - I'm going to build it tonight when I get off work, at around 10:30pm. What I didn't realise is that one side of the rear hub is a single speed ring and the other side is a fixed gear. you can just take the wheel off and flip it to change the bike! I am so excited.
below is my new haircut, I lost about 8 inches of hair last night.

Tablelands day hike/snowshoe

2007-05-26T05:07:00.000-07:00

After a month of work at Brewed Awakening in Corner Brook, I finally managed to get away from the city and up to Gros Morne National Park. Just an hour drive away the Tablelands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was our destination for a full day of hiking, snowshoeing and tele-skiing. a friend and I were to meet another friend in a little fishing community just below the mountains where he was renting an old saltbox house to use as a basecamp while exploring the mountains for 6 weeks and engaging in some "Zen time", so he called it. He had a beautiful little shack perched in a grove of white spruce, right where the mountains met the sea. Upon arrival we were immediately offered some coffee, and were told an outrageous story of how Scott (the guy renting the shack) was involved in a helicopter rescue operation on a cliff face on the mountains just a day and a half ago. Someone had went off a cliff on thier skis at dusk and had fallen only part way down the mountian, landing on a cliff ledge, resulting in a leg broken in two places. Our crazy mountain village living friend then scaled the cliff without climbing gear to get to the skier, provided what comfort he could too him and kept him warm until the radioed park rangers and military rescue team could make it - an 11 hour wait in total in the snowy mountains. Needless to say I was beginning to get a little nervous, especially with the recent avalanche warnings.

From the shack on the ocean we jumped in the car and headed up a windy road to the base of the mountian. I hadn't been to the Tablelands in years, and the view was breathtaking. 400 million year old rock was pushed up from way down deep in the earth to form these mountains - the oldest mantle in the world to be exact, the reason for the place being a world heritage site. On one side of the road was forest and on the other was barren rock with 8 inch high 200 year old trees, and many lichens and mosses and a huge slope heading up to the snowy plateau. We put on our packs and up we went.

it was a slow climb up the side of river valley, though you couldn't see the river, as it was 30 feet below the snow in a crevace. luckily I was with people who knew the mountain well, or I may have been one of the many climbers who've fallen down into the river. eventually, after scrambling over the ancient rocks we began our slow ascent up the snow of the mountainside. about 45 minutes later we reached the bottom of "the bowl", where my two friends would ski down and hike up for the next serveral hours. I took off my pack and turned around and took in the view - the open ocean of the Gulf of St. Lawerence to the West, the interior of Newfoundland to the East and Gros Morne Mountian and the muted peaks of the Long Range Mountains to the North. I was in heaven. Not wanting the wait for my buddies to get their ski stuff unpacked and ready, I headed up the final ascent and reached the top of the plateau. It looked up there as if you were on mars - nothing but red rocks the size of basketballs. I hiked on for an hour or so, carefully keeping note of where I was heading, as there is nothing to navigate yourself against once you reach the top of the mountain. After a short while of hiking I found a nice arrangement of rocks to sit among or curl up on. I stoppend an droped the pack and sat comfortably to eat and drink some water. I had brought along salmon, and avacados and some apple pie - no roughing it for me today! I ate a little and drank lots. Then I sat and thought for a long time. I thought about what life is all about, and how mountians are made, and about how I'd love to stay there, or come back and dissapear someday soon. Everything was silent. so quiet that all I could hear was the trickle of a stream probably 5 kilometers away. I tried to concentrate on the sound of that stream, and then on the sound of everything other than the stream, in an attempt to meditate. but soon I feel asleep. 2 hours later I awoke laying on that rock among large patches of snow. I got up and continued hiking. Everything was beautiful.

By and by I made it back to "the Bowl" and put on my snowshoes and played around a little and photographed my buddies yelling "yippee's" as they flew down the mountains side, coming a little closer to the huge crazy overhanging avalanche looking ice on the far east side of the bowl. after they had completed 10 runs or so we headed back down the mountain to the car, where we had left a couple beers in a snow bank. Nothing like a Newfounland Black Horse beer after a day in the mountains. On our drive back down to the shack we saw a massive humpback whale jump right out of the water and splash down with it's majestic magnitude. I was in heaven.

We got back to the shack, took off our big bulky boots and kicked our feet up and ate for a while, then, sadly, drove back to Corner Brook. But tomorrow I'm heading back up. This time to to cycle through the park. I needed the mountains, more than I knew.

These pics aren't mine, I'll post mine once they're developed.

Impact 07 stage race

2007-05-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

well. yesterday morning I was up early and out to set up the time trial course with my buddy colin who manages Cycle Solutions. The conditions were perfect - 14 degrees or so, no wind, a little foggy. about 25 racers took part in stage one of the Impact Stage Race. These avid racers were sent out over the 15k course in 30 second intervals, myself starting about 8 riders ahead of the last guy. I had a good start, but didn't quite feel quick and strong until just before the turn around. I managed to pull it together and finish a mediocre 7th. although I've had decent results in time trials in the past, I was no match for a very intent group of half ironman triathletes on their time trial specific bikes. But that's alright, next up was my forte - the criterium.

3 hours later Colin and I were finished setting up the crit course and were doing registration and sign in. a smaller group showed for this event, maybe 18. But the core of fast guys were still there. a solo break went about 5 k into this 40k event and we let him go. however, not long after, the winner of the time trial attacked out group and bridged the gap solo. I attacked the group immediately after this and and got within 5 seconds of the lead two, but couldn't catch them. I fell back into the pack. coming up were four sprint laps for points. whoever gets the most points wins. the two guys up front were getting all the big points and the left overs were left for our pack to fight for. given my experience in bike racing, I knew exactly what position to take into the final turns and meters before the finish lines. I was first to grab the points out of our pack everytime. suprisingly, 4 laps before the finish, one of the two guys up front cramped up and dropped back to our pack, so, thinking of the second place points and double points that are awarded for the final finish line, I picked up the pace to burn the other riders before the sprint. with 750m to go I attacked, just before two quick turns and the final straight away. in the turns alone, at full speed, I gained about 6 seconds on the pack and at the line I was up to about 10. Though I was not fast enough to catch the first place rider, I celebrated with arms thrown into the air as I crossed the line with a successful and well planned sprint.

My second place crossing of the finish line was not enough to boost me up into second in the points - I finished 3rd, and was quite happy.

So then Colin, Andrea and Mark (two of our head mechanics at Cycle Solutions) and myselft took down the course and I went straight to my night shift at work. Next up was the road race, with myself in 5th place in the points standings.

Once again I was up early and out to help set up the course for our 80k road race. It was pouring rain and about 2 degrees with the wind chill. about 30 nervous racers took the line, shivering and grimacing.

18k in my legs locked up in the cold. I was out. no more points for me. Instead I made hot chocolate and drove around the course handing it out to volunteers and course marshals, as well as giving aid to numerous riders who dropped out with stage one hypothermia!

the race turned out great, with only about 40% of the racers finishing. there was a break away of the same two guy as in the crit that lasted right to the finish with the same guy winning, and then there were scattered riders crossing the line. I would like to send out a big congrats to Andrew Batstone, the winner of all three races and the overall points race. he did it with style, modesty, and respect. I would also like to congratulate David Gilliam who has turned out to be an incredible cyclist after not so many years on the scene. and another big conrats to Shawn Oxford, who came out of nowhere this year to grab 3rd in the GC and to Pete Ollerhead, the owner of Cycle Solutions, who pulled off a beautiful race, finishing 4th in teh road race, but was unable to compete for the GC due to missing the first two races with work commitments.

All in all it was a good weekend. I finished 6th in the GC thanks to my good crit result. I'm happy with were I am so far. It's still very early. I am aiming to peak for the Corner Brook Road Race and the annual Corner Brook Criterium in July. Tonight's the party and tommorrow is back to training and work.

new bike, racing

2007-05-18T11:36:00.001-07:00

my new fixed gear/single speed messenger bike. should be here in 2 weeks

Also, I came 3rd in the first mtn bike race of Newfoundland's 2007 Mudslide series. I don't feel like I'm in race shape yet, but I feel fit enough to believe I can make it there. Tomorrow is the beginning of the IMPACT stage race in Pasedena, Newfoundland. I will be competing in all three stages: individual time trial and criterium on Saturday and then the 80km road race on Sunday. I expect to have a podium finish in either the time trial or criterium, but we'll see, like I said, I don't feel fast yet.

New Blog!!!

2007-05-09T05:18:00.001-07:00

check out Brewed Awakening's new Blog: www.bawakening.wordpress.com

signature drink

2007-05-08T10:05:00.000-07:00

Coming soon to Brewed Awakening: the Hot Shot.

The Hot Shot: double espresso poured over cayenne pepper with sliced thai chili peppers sprinkled on top. served with 2 ounces of iced coconut milk.

morning latte

2007-05-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

customer's latte to go

settling in

2007-05-05T03:40:00.000-07:00

Cappuccino, pretty much the standard that I'm pouring now

the shop, Brewed Awakening

the bar

the owner and nieghboring employee

goodbye Halifax

2007-04-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

I've just returned to Newfoundland and now I'm in Corner Brook about to start work and searching for an apartment. Life is good, and I hope to keep everyone posted on the happenings of Brewed Awakening, my art making and the Newfoundland cycling and running scene. Summer is coming!

coffee culture in Newfoundland

2007-04-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

I've just finished the 5th semester of my BFA here at NSCAD in Halifax and just recently worked my last shift at Steve-o-reno's Cappuccino. A week from now I'll be boarding a bus and heading back to Newfoundland. For the summer I will be working full time at Brewed Awakening (seen below), a high quality espresso bar with a lot of style in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

I have a couple of goals for the summer. First, I would like to raise the awareness of espresso as a superior alternative to the drip coffee from chain stores. This includes displaying for the customer, on a daily basis, how smooth and flavourful espresso and espresso based drinks can be. I intend to have weekly tastings at the cafe, as well as introducing two signature espresso drinks to the menu (a sweet and a spicy variation). Also, the cafe has been set up as to make open communication between barista and customer - the espresso machine is turned so the customer can see every move the barista makes, and there is a bar and stools that face the barista's work area. I hope this, combined with the staff's personality will make for great discussion and education about coffee and the customer's experience.

Secondly, I wish to enhance the overall experience of the customer by attempting to establish a unigue, fun and energetic, though light, atmosphere in the cafe; I wish to create coffee culture in Corner Brook Newfoundland. This will include special events at the cafe: hosting monthly art shows, acoustic open mic sessions, poetry readings, and said espresso tastings.

Lastly, I wish to train a solid group of barisas to work at our cafe, and other cafes, as an investment into the coffee industry.

Hopefully, before long, the people of Corner Brook will know about, want and be able to enjoy an exceptional cup of coffee, not unlike coffee drinkers is Vancouver or Seattle, and sit back and drink it in a comfortable, hip atmosphere.

silver gelatin fiber prints, 16x20 inches

2007-03-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

"Framing Found Art"

2007-03-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

Mural Printing, 30x40 inches from a 35mm colour negative
Any Buyers?

C prints, 16x20 inch

2007-03-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

sorry for the glare on the photos, I need a better lighting system for copy photos.

C prints, 16x20 inch

2007-03-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

reproduction, self portrait

2007-03-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

finishing some paintings

2007-03-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

more paintings

2007-03-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

22 by 28 inches, oil on canvas (still in progress)

oil on paper

today's latte art

2007-03-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

Latte

Cappuccino

self portaits (1 hour studies)

2007-03-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

paintings still in progress

2007-03-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

another shift at Steve-o-reno's

2007-02-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

recent art making

2007-02-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

colour photography; bookbinding; a painting in its early stages:

brewed awakening, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

2007-01-31T19:29:00.000-08:00

Coffee Culture has hit the Rock!

new paintings

2007-01-30T16:46:00.000-08:00

acrylic on canvas, 30x36 inches

mixed media on board

mixed media on board

acrylic on masonite

self portrait, paintings thus far

2007-01-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

self portrait using only black paint (no white!)

today's latte art/ 40 below in Hali

2007-01-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

Latte art from my shift this morning at Steve-o-Reno's Cappuccino in Halifax, Nova Scotia:

My house is the bright yellow one in the middle on the left. You can't quite see it, but there is about 12 feet of steam rising off of the bay in today's 40 below weather.

studio, reproduction paintings in progress

2007-01-15T14:03:00.000-08:00

heaven

2007-01-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

It's open!

2007-01-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

Opening January 2nd

2006-12-31T12:04:00.000-08:00

it's coming...

2006-12-29T11:39:00.000-08:00

more to come from Brewed Awakening...

2006-12-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

what I am doing, what I am calling for!

2006-11-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

What is it that I want? Change, I believe, well, atleast most of the time. Do I wish to topple capitalism and exploitation and globalization, and the spiritual and cultural exile (not to mention facism and war) that these destructive (progressive)(?) powers come packaged with? Yes, but, I don't know what to suggest in their stead. So possibly, in the face of uncertainity, and frozen in the powers of what Baudelaire called the 'eternal present', I wish simply for people to be critical, and to make small, local changes, to educate themselves in world affairs, and those things behind the curtains in their own society. One of my own personal missions is to help people realise that there is a difference between 'standard of living' and 'quality of life', and that allowing our culture (Newfoundland is only one example) to fade while we chase a superficial, dehumanizing lifestyle, namely capitalism to the fullest North American extent, will mean the end of so much beauty, mysticism and human virtue. Our cultural and spiritual identity is being sucked out of our homeland by the largest, most widespread revolution of all time, one which has been sweeping accross the globe for 150 years -- capitalism. The only thing is, I'm not sure if we can stop it. We can, however, be wise, humble, commpassionate, and have concern for community and the well being of all peoples. We can advocate SUSTAINABLE development, and not give in to dominant culture and authority. But most importantly, we can talk to each other, think for ourselves, love each other and be moral and just.

If I can have any influence in my brief time here, and with my art, I would wish it to be this.

coming soon

2006-11-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

A tribute to Walt Witman, by Canadian Theosophists in Bon Echo, Ontario (site of many Group of Seven Paintings). just a little trivia from my Canadian Art History class.

Coming soon will be a series of hand made, acordian photo books. stayed tuned.

also on its way is my emulation of work by the below photographer. Not an easy task.

Micheal Kenna Night Photography

very sorry I haven't posted in such a long time. I guess I finally feel like a normal university student, busy with essays and assignments and a part-time job.

I plan to be a little more regular in my posting from here on, untill final assignments are due that is.

painting, still in progress...

2006-11-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

1/11/06
Originally uploaded by espresso_lover.

new painting, in progress

2006-11-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

Oct 31, 06
Originally uploaded by espresso_lover.

acryclic on canvas, 36x46 inches

click to enlarge

working at my apartment

2006-10-31T18:49:00.000-08:00

working
Originally uploaded by espresso_lover.

painting in my room #2

2006-10-30T18:11:00.000-08:00

painting in my room #2
Originally uploaded by espresso_lover.

painting in my room #1

2006-10-30T18:09:00.000-08:00

painting in my room #1
Originally uploaded by espresso_lover.

2nd version

2006-10-30T17:00:00.000-08:00

DSCF7931
Originally uploaded by espresso_lover.

30x36 inches, acrylic on canvas.

sorry for the flash lighting, once again...

click to enlarge

new painting

2006-10-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

30x36 inches, acrylic on canvas. Painted in one sitting.

a backpack and a bus

2006-10-29T18:14:00.000-08:00

Quickly pacing my way home, crossing city streets and dodging business men and women, in a hurry to go nowhere really, I had a sudden thought - why not leave for a day or so?

I'm always so exuberant while packing, no matter if it is for a two year journey on the other side of the continent or a weekend outing to the next town; nothing makes me happier than going somewhere else. And it's funny really, because the possibility of leaving always exists for someone of a privileged circumstance such as my own; on any weekend I can walk the one block to the bus station and go somewhere new. Though I suppose it would get expensive once becoming a ritual.

So, instead of coming home, taking off my shoes and having an end of week beer, I stuffed a spare shirt and some pencils, books and my camera into my pack and ran to catch the bus that was leaving in five minutes. I'm sure that I bought a return ticket to Sackville, New Brunswick. But I don't believe that that's where I wound up.

Even though I spent the first 19 years of my life in a small town, I've lived the last 18 months in cities: San Francisco, Corner Brook, Halifax. Sackville is a real small town, much like where I grew up. There's a real sense of community there, this I noticed in at the local farmer's market, and the local cafe, as well as the Salvation Army thrift Store (where I purchased an awesome sweater vest!) Everyone smiles and says hello when you pass them on the street. But it wasn't only the people who amazed me, it was the beauty of this little maritime town. It was picturesque, like you were living in an early 20th century pastoral painting. The leaves were colourful and jumping out at you from everywhere, and the air was crisp and quite frigid, and the sky dramatic. Also, it was as if all the leaves had decided fall on that day, like nature was putting off a show just for me. At one point, my partner and I stood below a tall maple and the leaves showered down upon us like big snowflakes.

Walking down the quiet lanes of old farmhouses, watching what people other than us city folk do, I fell in love with that town. And now it feels so dreamlike, and foriegn, begging me to return.

My purpose for choosing Sackville was because I have several very close friends who go to Mount Allison University there - yes, this small, perfect little town also has a university. I hadn't seen most of these friends since the two years we lived together at Lester B. Pearson College just outside Victoria, BC, which was now something like 18 months in the past. Sitting at the Bridge Street Cafe in wonderful Sackville, I slipped right back into the happy world which I had begun to worry was reserved only for the hindsight of memories. But no, within minutes of or reunion we were all talking and connecting again on such a warm, human level, that I felt like we had never left each other.

Sadly enough, 24 hours after arriving, I had to jump back on the bus and return to Halifax and the routine of my calculated life. But I like it here. And Sackville is only a buss ride away.

the brush

2006-10-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

I unpacked my paints today. The canvas was nearly too small as I made broad sweeping strokes with a large round brush. I had forgotten the economy of paint and how the image can appear, disappear and reappear all within ten minutes of vigorous painting. Sometimes I think I like the act of painting more than the finished piece. Along the way you could have at least five or ten different images that evoke an entirely different emotion. It's very important to focus while you paint, because as soon as you squeeze the paints out onto the palette and pick up a brush, your hand, and you emotions, can take you anywhere.

The result of today's adventure was an abstract, emotional landscape, about one meter high by half a meter wide. I'm relatively impressed with it, as I haven't painted since June. Though I really need to work on my palette (colour choice).

I hope to post a photo of this painting as soon as the paint dries. It could take a week.

I think I'm going to buy a painting box and start making some trips to the park.

things that may come

2006-10-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

I've spent many hours in the recent weeks just drawing. Not thinking - Just drawing. Considering these hours are easily rivaled by those filled with horrendous amounts of silly and inconsequential visual assignments, it should come as no surprise, especially to me, that I begin to produce images void of thought.

for example:

I've become so upset with the pretentiousness and hierarchy of the "high arts" I experience around me that I'm beginning to make a switch towards mass produced artforms, and, of course, simple, cheap forms as well.

I think I'm going to start taking the majority of my photos with a pinhole camera (a box or can with a hole poked in it) and do nearly all my drawings/paintings from now on with cheap pens and inks. On top of this I intend to make comics and prints that will be able to reach deep into the many ranks of the masses.

Maybe this is all just a phase of frustration that is merely transitory. Maybe this is what I need right now. Maybe this is what art needs right now.

life in the caffeinated lane

2006-10-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

I now work at Steve-o-reno's Cappuccino in Halifax. It is most definately the best cafe (espresso quality wise) on Canada's East coast. I must say that I'm very thankful to join their team of talented baristas, and I hope to post some photos in the coming weeks...

Meanwhile, I've been making some crazy drawings and animations and shooting obscure photos, as well as working on a few side projects that I hope to announce soon.

proof that I still exist

2006-10-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

the content artist

the pensive artist

the mentally disturbed artist

drawings

2006-10-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

open ocean

2006-10-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

The morning is a beautiful, crisp silence here in Halifax. A soft, yet dramatic, cloud cover is above the city and harbour, and fall coulours are jumping out of the hills screaming at me.

In the one week it's been since I actually sat by the sea and looked, autumn has begun. It's been four years since I last saw the fall in all it's beauty; the changing of the seasons just isn't as wonderfully exceptional on Vancouver Island, or in San Francisco.

Autumn has come as a celebration to the end of summer, and ofcourse, to the approaching winter. Living in a climate without seasons is far too much like living in a world without emotions. The winter makes the summer sweet, as the summer renders the winter brilliant. And the autumn and spring contest their beauty for us, surprising us with their colour, when we need it most.

I'd like to think that our interactions with people are much the same.

. . . . . . . . .

I've just returned from the farmer's market, followed by a walk along the waterfront (my saturday ritual). And well... I'm beginning to feel at home here. I have a job now, working at Steve-o-reno's Cappacino (the only qualty cafe around) and I've finally found some good running routes. I've got membership to a wall climbing gym again, and to the Dal rec plex (weights, running track, pool, etc.) and I've found a bunch of little places within the city where I can escape. I've found an excellent beer and wine store (bought some 'Rogue, Brutal Bitter' last night) , and a video store with a huge selection of foriegn/artistic films. And school is beginning to feel up to par, as I constantly change my direction. Next semester I will be focussing on illustration, artists' books, printed matter, and sound art. While right now I'm spending most of my time making obscure animations, or working on a book of photography/short fiction/poetry I plan to self-publish in the spring.

I'm beginning to make friends, but slowly, while reconnecting with old ones. And I guess you could say... I'm settling in.