Foray into Folk Art

Driftwood Folk Art! Once a small cedar tree - it drifted in as a hollow log. Mom didn’t want a picture on the wall, she wanted a branch. Leslie and I turned this one into folk art. Now gracing Mom’s dining room wall, and the home to many curiosities including soapstone birds, who have obviously hung up their laundry to dry. The cat was added by a grand-daughter.

"Refill the Well"

I had a great day at Joanne Levy’s retreat centre in Clinton. Joanne is one of Canada’s premier children’s novelists and a great host. It was fun to meet so many author colleagues. Special thanks to Hilary McMahon and Bridgette Kam of Westwood Creative Artists for a very valuable day of professional development. Here’s Joanne holding the books she’s just signed for me..

Remembering...

…my very first publication after graduating from Business School in the 80's.

It was a mail order guide, drawn by hand and set using a typewriter. As a preacher's kid, I grew up in a house where my dad wore a clerical collar. I had no knowledge of how to do up a neck tie and couldn't find a how-to guide.

So, I wrote one. I learned and then drew diagrams for the Custom Knot, The Four-In-Hand, the Half Windsor and the Windsor, as well as the lapel puff and the Bow Tie. The diagrams were drawn in 'mirror image' and I promoted the guide by saying: "Prop this guide in front of a mirror when learning or for quick reference as you become an expert." I also customized the guide for a men's wear store. They tucked one in the pocket of every suit they sold!

This blog post is dedicated to the memory of family friend, Maestro Boris Brott, who was a champion of the bow tie.

Here is the Bow Tie.

 

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