Grande Prairie

So I have been working for the past few days in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

A couple of evenings ago I was able to check out the Muskoseepi Creek area. The name Muskoseepi translates to "Bear Creek" in Cree. While I didn't see any bears, I saw a good variety of birds, including Mallards, Canada Geese, Red-winged Blackbirds, Herring Gulls, and other species of ducks and gulls. I also watched some people canoeing along the creek.

Yesterday I visited the Grande Prairie museum and Heritage Village, visible on the left. They have a collection of original and reconstructed historical buildings from the past century. I especially enjoyed the Mad Trapper's cabin and the taxi post. A tabby cat named Chester adopted me and served as my guide through the village, walking me from building to building. (I think he was the local tom cat.)

This evening I took a short walk around Crystal Lake, which was full of ducks and geese honking and more blackbirds singing.

I haven't had a chance to do much painting, but last night I painted a samurai kabuki actor using my Chinese ink set. It's based off a historical painting. It was actually a lot of fun to do! I like how the tree turned out in the background, too. I ended up layering the tree leaves somewhat by accident.

Art Cards!

So recently I decided to give making gift cards a try. This is what I produced. I think it looks pretty cool, but the colors look a little washed out compared to the original painting. The real one is available on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/listing/45903780/thunderbird-eagle-card-5x7-envelope and the card is blank inside and comes with its own envelope.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

2021 update: I am still making cards. I have better quality ones now and they sell quite decently at art shows, which I manage to get to art shows.

I don't use Etsy anymore as I end up spending more on just listing my items and don't really make any money. So the cards are available on eBay. You can find them here:

Bears and Eagles Native art blank greeting cards set of 4 w/ envelopes 5"x6.5" | eBay

Sun Native art blank greeting cards set of 4 w/ envelopes 5"x6.5" | eBay

Goose and Raven Native art blank greeting cards set of 2 w/ envelopes 4"x5.5" | eBay

They're available in sets of 4 or 2. If you want to have a different assortment you can always send me a note and ask to have a different arrangement.

Day after the Snowstorm & the University of Alberta farms

So yesterday I decided to ride my bike to work, in spite of the huge snowstorm outside. The wind was horrible, and whipped the snow into my eyes. I was quite proud of myself for making it to work, pretty much on time.

By the time I got there snow had frozen in large chunks in my hair and my snowpants were soaked. Halfway through the ride I was rewarded with a gorgeous view of some snow-covered budding branches overhanging a path. It was beautiful.

Just relisted one painting "Into the Fields" on Etsy. It's one of my favorite scenes of the University of Alberta farms, with the distant city buildings removed.

This tree is beside a small field where I used to practice tai chi on sunny afternoons in summer. It can be viewed here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/37899836/into-the-fields-5x5-inch-chinese-ink

Nov 24, 2020 update: Ah, very sorry, it looks like the spot where I had the listing got updated to a different commissioned piece I had painted for someone. I still remember the painting and I have it somewhere in my collections. If you're interested, I can post an image. Oh, and if you like the cat painting I still paint commissions, so feel free to ask.

2021 update: I added an image. I also made a video about the University of Alberta farms and I reminisce about the days that I used to trek across it to school.

In the video I included the pieces of art I created that were inspired by various views of the farms. I also learned about the history of one of my favourite buildings, the Horse Barn.