New Collection of Work on Show

I seek a place visually. Somewhere I can rest my eyes and soul in peace. A compelling vision that evokes a memory or will become a memory I can recall at will. In such a complicated and troubled world, I want to create a respite for a soul.  A place free of pain and strife that reminds us  of how little time we have to savour and enjoy.  I believe in surrounding oneself with functional and ornamental art that feeds the spirit. The ability to create and share those visions with others and hear the connection they make with someone else's soul is the ultimate satisfaction for me.

Even if we cannot travel in body, we can travel in spirit and imagination. Living in a world filled with infinite sights there is no shortage of visual inspiration, especially with the internet at our fingertips. That combined with the internal visions in my mind, I can create as long as I live. That self induced job security gives me comfort, buoyancy and the desire to create work to share in various configurations.

You are invited to my Spotlight show at the Alberta Craft Council for the month of March 2016. I created several pieces that stretched my style with technique and concepts. These pieces are from my Journey Collection. 

The four o'clock sun

I love the golden light of the winter sunset even though it is at 4 in the afternoon. It warms the world around me inspite of the temperature. This was the last sunset of 2015. While taking the dogs out for a run I had one of those quiet moments that marks some point in your  life that you know you will never see again. It is that time of year when you reflect and make plans for the new year soon to begin. Looking back I have had a great year and I have some big plans  for 2016 so I can hardly wait to get started on it. I hope all of you who read this blog find a little peace , inspiration and inner strength each and every day this coming year. Namaste

Cancer Detecting Dog, Comet

We are so pleased to find out that one of the golden retrievers we bred has a very important job. Comet has been training and passed the testing and has been identified as a dog capable of detecting lung cancer. He works several days a week training and working. What a wonderful job his owners have done with him to devote the time required for this specialized work.

If you would like to see him at work, there is a short video at this link below:

https://clevercanines.ca/canine-cancer-detection

Comet

Golden Retriever
DOB: February 15, 2012
team member since August 2014

A graduate of clevercanines pupstart and core programs, Comet has been in the cancer detection program since August 2014. His favourite reward is treats. Comet’s natural alert is to drool excessively while licking the correct sample, which through training, he no longer does. His trained alert is to sit in front of the correct sample. Comet is incredibly thorough, often going up and down the row of samples several times before selecting the correct station to ensure confidence in his decision. He is incredibly diligent and has a strong work ethic.

It was a heartbreaking yet joyful day filled with emotion as Kameo's litter arrived. Live pups born then still borns and so many questions. Why? What is wrong? As I held my stillborns I could not help but question why I would continue to breed knowing the risks and pain. However, this is also the week that I was informed that Kameo's brother Comet has passed the testing and has been identified as a dog capable of detecting cancer. He works and trains several days a week identifying lung cancer. What a noble task this dog has and it was because I do what I do and so many wonderful families have my dogs and pursue such things that I will continue...even when some days are so very, very difficult.

Road Trips

I love road trips with my dogs. This was shot after their annual trip to have their certifications done for eyes and one for her heart clearance. It is a two hour drive and the day was beautiful with a kaleidoscope of colours around me as autumn sets in. The drive gives me time for reflection but also inspiration and planning. The drive through the city is not pleasant but I am rewarded with the drive through the landscapes that detox me on the way home. Here is hoping you can find a little detox space for your spirit this week too.

Selfies

I've been listening to some great podcasts this week while creating glass landscapes. Today was an interesting one about stepping out of one's comfort zone and taking a selfie to help express who I am as an artist and how and why I create.
 I don't like 99% of the photos of myself, let alone a selfie, so doing this first exercise like she suggested was a first step out of my comfort zone. It was however, what I spent hours looking at today...my very own hand in this position, creating art work I am constantly rethinking as my career moves forward this year.

Dependent

 I was fortunate to watch an excellent film this week on HBO about the life and work of Temple Grandin, a professor who has changed the way we handle animals, especially prior to slaughter. She emphasizes that if we are going to take the life of an animal we at least owe it the respect of treating it better while it is in our care.

 Every week, I shuffle the sheep to another pen so we can bring a new big round bale in to encase in netting for them to feed off. They stand eagerly waiting for the gate to open to enjoy more hay..same hay quality as the day before but new to them....but they get so excited all the same! These creatures depend on me to keep doing this, and I am happy to make them happy

Puppy Activity Centre

It is very important to stimulate puppies and expose them to lots of things visually and physically to make them well adjusted adult dogs. One of our approaches is the new puppy play center. Some of the objects make noise, some are shiny, some have texture, some are visually exciting. The puppies love playing with the variety of objects!

Rocky Studio Tour 2013

The final push is on before the annual studio tour next weekend.  I have lots of new things to show, demonstrate and show for this year. This week the studio looks like a hurricane hit it but by next weekend all will be in place to welcome new and returning guests into my studio and gallery spaces. I love the chance to show people what is possible with glass and even have a new painting  of the horses in the northern lights available this year. The map is available on the website at www.rockystudiotour.com or at the local tourist information booth. It runs July 19,20,21 and goes from 10 am-6pm each day and is a free self guided tour.

Dog Harness Alert

I don't usually post items like this on my blog, but I was shocked by the results of the testing of dog harnesses that are used to restrain dogs in vehicles. However, perhaps now more product development testing will be done to make them safer to use.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/05/22/consumerwatch-tests-on-dog-harnesses-show-100-percent-failure-rate/#.UaZMXYh1M-Z.facebook

Lambing Time!

Well, the lambs have started to arrive and I am so very grateful for the incredible weather this week that has helped all these little ones get off to a good start. They are pretty sleepy in the heat of the day or when their mom's are busy pigging out at the trough, but they are starting to spring about the pen at lightening speed and leaping off anything. It is taking longer to do chores these days as you can't help but spend more time checking, watching and just enjoying their unbridled delight in being alive.
This picture only shows a fraction of the lambs as we are already at 31 lambs in just a week!

Winter Bliss!

While my soul may be yearning for the snow and frost to go, I was thrilled to capture this shot of my Canadian mare, Lakota enjoying the crisp air!

Spring Rituals

Well, it may not feel a whole lot like spring, but the spring rituals have begun around the farm. This week the crows arrived in search of nesting material. They swoop in, land on the sheep's backs and just start plucking till they can't hold any more in their beaks and then I watch them fly off over the fields to their nesting site. We have hair sheep (St.Croix and Dorper crosses), so they actually don't get a real type of wool, but actually a hair type of fleece that the sheep actually shed out in the spring. So the sheep actually don't seem to mind the crows landing and plucking (it looks a little rough to me) but with all the snow that is inevitably to come yet this spring, they may regret losing their top coat haha

Yellow Dog Warning System

This is a great new warning system! Please spread the word to help prevent incidents.

Important Health Study on Golden Retrievers

This is a very important study that has just been released on the effects of spaying and neutering on dogs. It is also great that they used Golden Retrievers as well, so even more solid evidence for our breed as to the issues of interfering with the natural growth development of animals.

http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10498#.URxICxYek-k.facebook

Old Dog Love

Lsa (9 years) and Gemma (14 years)

There is nothing like the love and devotion of an older dog. Gemma has had an important influence in our breeding bloodlines, and since longevity is one element that everyone would like to have in their dog, we are pleased to announce another important birthday. Sweet girl Gemma, has just celebrated her 14th birthday!! Both Lsa and Gemma are living the golden years on a farm nearby with a good friend and her family.

Walk With An Old Dog

Because you will not be forever
Hope against time though I may
I paint your picture in my memory
Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray

Because you walked with me in springtime
Puppy clumsy, running free
As we grew, we grew together
You became a part of me

Because you shared with me my sorrows
Not understanding, simply there
Often spurring me to laughter
My friend, you know how much I care.

Because the years have slowed your fleetness
Though your spirit still is strong
I promise I will take more time now
So that you can go along.

Because you do not fear the future
Living only in the now
I draw strength from your example
Yet time keeps slipping by, somehow.

Because the day will soon be coming
When I will no longer see
You rise to greet me, but in memory
You will always walk with me.

Author Unknown

Blank Slates

 

I love this time of year. While this time of year seems in some ways to be winding down, in many other times it is the greatest time of renewel. Kids go back to school, and programs to learn or do something start up again and I find that so exciting. I have never understood anyone who wanders around saying they are bored! Just how can you be bored in this world? Opportunities are everywhere to enrich your life or someone elses. I will soon be teaching new classes in the studio and I am the only one teaching many of these techniques in all of central Alberta. I love seeing new people make something they never would have thought they could and the pride in them as they display their accomplishments. So if you are reading this blog from anywhere close to me, come break glass for fun!

New Bashkir Curly Foal!

Sugar has just had a brand new stud colt this morning! He is so sweet and she produces the nicest temperament in her offspring! Looks like he will be a palomino too!

Kameo's Bliss!

This is Kameo's idea of bliss!

Mud AND Sun!

What could be better! Can hardly wait for things to dry up a little around here!

Awards for GRCAB!

I was honored to be asked to create two awards recently that I can now reveal as they are in the hands of the winners. These two plates were custom designed for the Golden Retriever Club of Alberta for the Best of Breed winners for the Golden Retriever Specialty and booster shows. They are hand cut designs etched onto irridized glass and are 8x8 and 11 x 11.