I always start out writing my blogs without any idea how long or wordy they might become. Some end up being very short and to the point.
The men pictured here with me are quite simply Pillars in my life. Let me start with the one in the middle. His name is Eric Dzenis. Mr Dzenis, or Eric as he likes me to call him, is a giant in the classical world of portraiture. Eric's work has appeared around the world and been on the walls of great corporations and residences of the wealthy and famous. May of the most well known automotive ad's featured in North American magazines in the 50's and 60's were illustrations by none other than Eric Dzenis himself. All true but he lives a very humble and quiet existence in a forested valley off Bayview in Willowdale, Ontario, where he spends his days and sometimes nights working on utter masterpieces, many today which will go largely unknown. His walls hold his impressions of the Canadian Prima Ballerina, Karen Kain among others. I came to know Eric through his son, Uga Dzenis. Uga is my principle photographer for the reproductions of my work. Often, while waiting for changes in the photo studio, I spend many hours sitting with Eric in his living room where he recounts his many experiences in the world of art. I benefit greatly from these stories. They form a foundation for me as I forge out my own existence. One of the things I love so dearly in my time with Eric is his keen interest in me. You see, most artists are known to be pretty full of themselves. Too preoccupied with their own endeavours to care about others. My late uncle Jack Reid used to joke: "If you want to know how good an artist is, just ask him...". Eric has never been that artist. He has always put me first in his conversations and seems to care little for his own story, rather to learn more about mine. (mine, by the way, pales in comparison to his. Then there is the Gentleman to the far right. His name is Ken McCaw. The best way to tell this story is to say this: One day you are working and living as if the world is your oyster. The next day you are laying in a hospital stroke ward and everything just simply STOPS. Ken is/was/is a program writer and has done very well for himself creating software that makes things around us move/function and be organized. Up until his big career halt he was engaged in a contract with the Toronto Transit Commission. Then one day he found himself laying in a bed in the ICU having just had a major stroke. "Everything just stopped" as he put it. Ken is a very talented guy. A lifetime accomplished musician, business success, independent fully self employed professional, raised a beautiful daughter, and married to the most wonderful woman in the world next to my own wife (of course). The story that I want to tell about Ken though, is his friendship to me. When your life goes wrong, when you have all reasons to be bitter and angry you will not likely be an encouragement to anyone around you. In many cases tragic circumstances cause people to become introverted and removed. My friend Ken goes out of his way to be one of the greatest encouragers to me and my art and he does so on a daily basis. The texts, the emails. The weekly meetings for coffee or lunch at our fav Thai spot in Whitby. Ken could pass the hours complaining about his own lot but instead, he wants to know how I am doing. Every time I see Ken I go away with a renewed sense of focus and purpose. We all need pillars in our life. I have a few. Two of them are these two guys. Thanks Eric and Ken. RM
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In my line of work I am exposed to wealth. Those who purchase my paintings generally speaking are from pretty comfortable lives. This is not to say they came from comfort, no, but they have achieved or been given great comforts in life. This Blog is not going to be about the rich turning their faces from the poor, not at all. Most wealthy families I know and am associated with go to great lengths to share and support where ever they can. Enough about that. Today I am blogging about a special place. Not unlike many special places that do the same function, but to me it is one that stands out in my heart. The Simcoe Hall Settlement House in Oshawa, Ontario. Oshawa it self is a place of great contrasts. One a major shipping port along the south shore of Lake Ontario, then and still to a large degree a major automotive assembly town, the home of GM Canada, it produces among others, the Camero. It is no secret that manufacturing in Ontario has had it's share of problems in the past few years and because of the prominence of auto manufacturing in Oshawa, the downturn has been brutal on the town and surrounding area. Whitby, Clarington, Ajax. One thing can be said for the economy of the region is that there has been a major shift over to technology education and jobs. For example, look at UOIT. The down side has been those who, for many reasons have slipped through the cracks, either because of lack of education, illness, lost bread winner, separation, divorce, and a small percentage due to drug abuse and alcoholism, etc, etc (the reasons go on and on), there have become a large community of people who depend on the services of food banks. Let me say here and now that I do not do as much as I should to support these islands of hope, and I am making efforts to improve my contribution (in a number of ways). Lets get to the point of this blog. This morning I was out on my usual drive seeking out photos for my next painting. I was on my way to the Oshawa Port lands because the wind was strong and I knew the waves would be dramatic. Taking Simcoe Street south from Dundas st. I came to the intersection in which a quick left turn would place me directly in front of the Simcoe Hall Settlement House Food Bank. I was not prepared for what I would see. I had been there a few times before dropping off food donations, even helped with boxing hampers. On this day the line up was out the door, down the steps, and a full block down the street. It was cold. The wind was blowing. The sky was grey. The scene could not have seemed bleaker. One by one they filed in to pick up their one box of food supplies. One by one they filed out and down the street carrying their hamper of hope to wherever they called home. I don’t doubt that some were going to nice homes where the bills have simply squeezed groceries off the priority list, but most here were going to homes a bleak as the street they were lined up on. One of the most heart breaking sights are the children. I chose not to show them in the shots I am posting but knowing there were children in that line up who were hungry. Here in Canada. That is a topic all of it’s own merit. That is a tragedy and a burden we should all take on our shoulders. Why would I take pictures of this scene? Why would I post those pictures here? There is one more aspect to this story that I also have chosen not to post. It is the well known coffee shop with a massive drive through just on the south side of the railway tracks from the food bank. Their drive through gives plain view to all who use it of the long cold line up at the Food bank. I did not ask and I am certain I would not have been given a straight answer if I did ask, but they have covered up the fence which separates their drive through so that, it seems to me, the coffee thirsty drivers won’t have to see that food bank line up. There may be another reason for the “cover up” but I can see it is pretty starkly obvious. Here’s my suggestion to the Coffee outlet: rig up a basket below your drive through pick up window, take down the tarp blocking the view, let the drivers see the line up of those who are desperate, and let the drives feel the motivation to drop a coin or two in the basket for the food bank. Then, at the end of every day have one of your employees drop that basket off at the food banks office so they can do more of what they so wonderfully do. We all can do more. Not just the famous coffee outlet. We all can donate food or bucks to these food banks. May we all remember that anyone of us are just a lost job, stroke or sudden trauma away from standing in that line up. May we reach out and support in any way we can. Not all will be rich. But not all have to be hungry. None should be hungry in this great land. No where in this great land of prosperity and wealth. RM I am asked almost weekly how it feels to be a full time artist. To make my living from the canvases I paint on. I think that just looking at that sentence in itself suggests how I feel about it.
Let me expand on it. For years I dreamed of becoming a full time artist. After all I had an uncle (Jack Reid) who had forged out a nearly 40 year career as a watercolourist. I knew since early childhood that this was doable and that such a life need not be one of doom and gloom and “please pity the poor artist”. No, my uncle Jack Reid was very successful. The parts I did not see and would not fully appreciate till I experienced such a life myself would be the responsibility. Think about it for a moment. In your current job you have a regular pay cheque, which is generally enough or close to enough to pay your bills. Feed you and clothe you. What if that were not so regular? Ahhhh, you self employed persons out there know what I’m saying. When I dreamed of full time work as an artist I had all the usual underestimations: you just think that you will be so good at painting that the buyers will stream to your front door, galleries will be calling and you will be the next Picasso. Think. Think again. Picasso is a great example. Nothing ever happened over night and with such ease for him. There was a great deal of marketing, planting and networking involved in his success. I like to refer to Mark Rothko for the best example. Rothko had what I call the best work ethic. Get up early, have breakfast, coffee and then change into your painting clothes and get to work. I have heard all the usual chatter from the usual suspects in the art world. You know the line: “I’ll get to it when I really feel it”. So many hours of many days pass by with no work done and galleries and patrons left waiting. My uncle Jack Reid used to remind me over and over again that the best way to kill your career as an artist is to not have “inventory” when galleries come calling. The same goes for patron visitors. Those who keep on buying or selling your work must know that they can always acquire more within a respectable period. So for me the work day starts early. Usually starts with getting my kids fed and off to school, yes, then I visit my local coffee spot where I sip and get my head in focus for the canvas I am planning to work on that day. Then I change into my work clothes and just like Rothko, Get to work! It’s never about feeling creative first. In fact I have learned that creativity comes with work. What I DO struggle with is distractions. This is a chapter that I could easily expand on for pages. When you work alone at home you are often called upon by family members, friends, relatives who innocently believe that you have been blessed with this all day painting gig and you have plenty of time to spare for a quick errand here or there. I have one dear friend who understands this and he is always quick when inviting me for lunch or coffee to ask if I can spare the time. He and I know that I am not God and I do not expect to be spoken too in such a way, no. It’s just that my good Friend knows that I have this strict work ethic and that is how I continue to improve my work and turn out good inventory for those who request it. It’s about discipline. Staying on track. Staying focused. Those, for this artist are the biggest challenges and a constant battle in the effort to put in a good 35+ hour week. I do take my usual breaks. When I left the Bank world I promised myself I would never become a lazy artist. I would have strict start times, break times and meal times. The funny irony is that when I had the bank job I always looked forward to breaks and the lunch time nap. Now as a full time artist I often miss my breaks and lunch is but 20 mn. I need to get a grip on that. Breaks are important. Another area of responsibility is in book keeping and accounting. Admittedly I fail miserably in that area. This year I aim to acquire the services of a good accountant so I can focus more on what I do best. It’s a real joy to paint for a living. Haven’t felt boredom yet. I guess the mixture of flavors in this career help to keep things interesting. RM Taking a detour that changed the course of my day
In my line of work I am exposed to wealth. Those who purchase my paintings generally speaking are from pretty comfortable lives. This is not to say they came from comfort, no, but they have achieved or been given great comforts in life. This Blog is not going to be about the rich turning their faces from the poor, not at all. Most wealthy families I know and am associated with go to great lengths to share and support where ever they can. Enough about that. Today I am blogging about a special place. Not unlike many special places that do the same function, but to me it is one that stands out in my heart. The Simcoe Hall Settlement House in Oshawa, Ontario. Oshawa it self is a place of great contrasts. One a major shipping port along the south shore of Lake Ontario, then and still to a large degree a major automotive assembly town, the home of GM Canada, it produces among others, the Camero. It is no secret that manufacturing in Ontario has had it's share of problems in the past few years and because of the prominence of auto manufacturing in Oshawa, the downturn has been brutal on the town and surrounding area. Whitby, Clarington, Ajax. One thing can be said for the economy of the region is that there has been a major shift over to technology education and jobs. For example, look at UOIT. The down side has been those who, for many reasons have slipped through the cracks, either because of lack of education, illness, lost bread winner, separation, divorce, and a small percentage due to drug abuse and alcoholism, etc, etc (the reasons go on and on), there have become a large community of people who depend on the services of food banks. Let me say here and now that I do not do as much as I should to support these islands of hope, and I am making efforts to improve my contribution (in a number of ways). Lets get to the point of this blog. This morning I was out on my usual drive seeking out photos for my next painting. I was on my way to the Oshawa Port lands because the wind was strong and I knew the waves would be dramatic. Taking Simcoe Street south from Dundas st. I came to the intersection in which a quick left turn would place me directly in front of the Simcoe Hall Settlement House Food Bank. I was not prepared for what I would see. I had been there a few times before dropping off food donations, even helped with boxing hampers. On this day the line up was out the door, down the steps, and a full block down the street. It was cold. The wind was blowing. The sky was grey. The scene could not have seemed bleaker. One by one they filed in to pick up their one box of food supplies. One by one they filed out and down the street carrying their hamper of hope to wherever they called home. I don’t doubt that some were going to nice homes where the bills have simply squeezed groceries off the priority list, but most here were going to homes a bleak as the street they were lined up on. One of the most heart breaking sights are the children. I chose not to show them in the shots I am posting but knowing there were children in that line up who were hungry. Here in Canada. That is a topic all of it’s own merit. That is a tragedy and a burden we should all take on our shoulders. Why would I take pictures of this scene? Why would I post those pictures here? There is one more aspect to this story that I also have chosen not to post. It is the well known coffee shop with a massive drive through just on the south side of the railway tracks from the food bank. Their drive through gives plain view to all who use it of the long cold line up at the Food bank. I did not ask and I am certain I would not have been given a straight answer if I did ask, but they have covered up the fence which separates their drive through so that, it seems to me, the coffee thirsty drivers won’t have to see that food bank line up. There may be another reason for the “cover up” but I can see it is pretty starkly obvious. Here’s my suggestion to the Coffee outlet: rig up a basket below your drive through pick up window, take down the tarp blocking the view, let the drivers see the line up of those who are desperate, and let the drives feel the motivation to drop a coin or two in the basket for the food bank. Then, at the end of every day have one of your employees drop that basket off at the food banks office so they can do more of what they so wonderfully do. We all can do more. Not just the famous coffee outlet. We all can donate food or bucks to these food banks. May we all remember that anyone of us are just a lost job, stroke or sudden trauma away from standing in that line up. May we reach out and support in any way we can. Not all will be rich. But not all have to be hungry. None should be hungry in this great land. No where in this great land of prosperity and wealth. RM |
The Artists JourneyThis is my blog page and it is where I get to be the opinionated man that I really am. The views are my own.
I invite your replies and comments, on my virtual welcome mat. 
This is me at Holly and Roy's cottage painting sketch canvases of Canoe Lake in the summer of 2011.
This sketch above became this finished painting below
 The Pine Tree Painter.How did I become known as the Pine Tree Painter? You could say I paint a lot of Pine Trees, that would be true. I paint a lot of other things too, but Pine Trees, Spruce Trees, Birch and others seem to be a continuous string in what i do. I just like the way they stand there like a custodian of the land. or a greeter to nature. So, I continue down the path with the Pine Tree Painter name on my head, It's ok. Archives
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