Fall Forward

Plants work on putting down deep roots in the fall. So do I. I feel myself tumbling inwards and focusing on what's really important to me. The seasons allow me to express all parts of my creative self.
I often fantasize about moving to a sunnier climate where I can frolic in the ocean full time. My only downfall might be that I get very little accomplished as an artist. I need the cold morning of fall as a reminder to start creating an inner world, one of music, painting, photography and film. Perhaps my geographic location is more of a necessity and less of an option. The cultural landscape of Canada allows me as an artist to focus on creating. Those long dark nights of winter give me more than enough free time to negate excuses and get working on something. A great painter, John Hoolie, once said to me, "create or die." Perhaps a little exaggerated but I think he was referring to the "sole" not the body.
If you have a creative mind, you should express it, however you may choose.

My first project this fall is to make a coffee table out of a stump I found while fishing near Strathcona Park. Being a "man made lake," the shore is littered with old growth Douglas fur stumps. As a child these stumps used to scare me; the many and long outstretched roots looked like arms, but now I see only the beauty of the weathered old wood. I'm only held back by the lack of chain saw experience. But as my father always sang, "I love a women with a chain saw".

My second project will be to get my feet wet filming. I haven't been behind the camera in years and I long to create film. I have an idea for a short, funny, long board movie. I've never tried comedy before and I think it's time...

Stay tuned for project number three as it involves a long awaited second season of Restless Josie.....to be continued.