Off the wall

Our shop will be officially closed during the time between Christmas and New Years, as it often is. But when I need a break from extended family visiting or get a little bored from resting I will steal a little out there from time to time to work on a fun project. This is the time of year I like to do some experimenting, trying of new things.

Today, with that in mind I began designing my entry into the Sign Invitational Challenge piece for this coming spring. I don't like to leave things for the last moment. We are bound to be exceptionally busy then.

The rules for this year's contest are similar to those of last year. The finished piece can measure no larger than 2 feet by two feet by six feet tall. The theme is 'sign magic'. As I thought about my entry an idea came to me from my mural painting days. People would often comment that the image I was painting seemed to come right out of the wall. What if a sign painter was in the middle of painting a billboard and that really happened? That imaginative premise would be the theme to my entry. I decided to use another favourite theme as the subject matter - steam trains. The sign painter from Normal Rockwell's cover art will serve as the figure. There will be more surprises of course as I begin the build, but we'll get to that in due time...  I set to sketching...

A lifetime investment that pays massive dividends

I hear some people comment that it is a rare thing for families to work together and get along. I don't believe it happens by chance but rather something you need to invest in.

When Peter was only two weeks old he accompanied me to town for the very first time - just the two of us. I was getting some parts from a supplier and I lifted him, still strapped in his carseat, onto the counter while I shopped. I remember the fellow who came to help us commented with some sarcasm that "I was stuck with the kid." I quickly corrected him by stating "No, I wasn't stuck with my kid, but rather we chose to spend time together." Peter was my constant companion from that time forward as we played and worked together for countless hours through the years. In the early years tasks took just a little longer while Peter did his very best to help me. I truly appreciated his efforts. When Peter was fourteen, his helping turned into a professional gig as he worked with me on my historical murals. Those murals proudly bear his signature beside mine. We travelled many. many thousands of miles together and shared so many good times. While he had much to learn in those early days, I thought of him as my equal from the start.

These days the tables are quickly turning. Peter and his wife Hailey are the major shareholders in the company and I now work for them. We still enjoy every day and share so many laughs while we work together. Its a lifetime investment that pays massive dividends. The picture below was taken twenty-three years ago while we worked on a mural in 29 Palms, California.

A Christmas wish

When Becke was young she fell in love with horses. She begged me to allow her to have a horse but being the practical sort I knew better. We sent Becke to horse camp each summer but it wasn't enough and that wish for a horse never subsided. Much pleading over many years eventually got the (safe) promise that if we ever got a big enough piece of land then Becke could have her horse. And so Becke grew up without a horse and moved onto her own, got married and had Phoebe.

In 2003 we purchased a small acreage in Yarrow. Becke quickly reminded me of my promise so many years previous. And so horses became part of our lives. Of course I was reminded that horses are herd animals, meaning we had to have more than one. It wasn't long until Becke, the animal lover noticed there were a number of miniature horses who needed help. The little horses would arrive to be cared for and loved until she could find good permanent homes for them. Soon there were many, and thankfully, many people who wanted to help. A not-for-profit, registered charity was formed called Pipsqueak Paddocks Miniature Horse haven Society. It's now been more than a dozen years of endless hard work for Becke, Janis and their crew of volunteers but in that time more than 250 horses have come and gone, all much the better for their time spent here.

One very special little guy was born on property. His name is Mulligan. He was born with dwarfism, which makes a miniature horse a whole lot smaller than normal and with a lot of potential health issues. Mulligan looks a bit odd and walks kinda funny but he has a lot of heart. Phoebe and I adopted him and he has become the official mascot of Pipsqueak Paddocks. His important job is to welcome and calm new arrivals to Pipsqueak Paddocks. Little Mulligan is the constant among the every changing equine faces. Each year at Christmas time he dictates a letter to Becke who sends it along to Santa. Here's this year's letter.