There's everybody else in the world... then... there's.... Patrick LaMontagne.... one of Canada's finest Political Cartoonists and well if you think his work with our nature is incredible... you should see his heroes and other folks.... A Canada best...
http://www.cartoonink.com/
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Some great talents.... imho... Happy 2016 folks
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Remembering Patrice and Nathan
In Memory of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo & W.O. Patrice Vincent
Cumberland County Soldiers Memorial, Amherst, N.S.
What a sad and tumultuous past week it’s been for Canada. South of our shared border our hearts go out in sorrow and sympathy to the country and the families of slain Canadian Forces members Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent. May they rest in peace.
(I had been saving this image to post on Remembrance Day, but now seems as fitting.)
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OUR USA-
This is the last in a short series of posts on the healing power of the arts in the lives of veterans of the armed forces. Over the last several years the arts have become more integrated into the formal medical practice of the Department of Defense.
At a ceremony earlier in November at the Pentagon, members of the Air Force presented and discussed the art they created in the process of recovery. Learn more about the Warrior Care Healing Arts Program, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Department of Defense.
Read...View...Reflect...Share...Support Arts for Healing Programs in Your Community!
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- As a mortuary affairs Airman, retired Master Sgt. Justin Jordan handled dozens of bodies of service members, many of whom were killed downrange.
But one mission at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, finally made him crack. Jordan was called to a maintenance facility for a deceased male who had been fatally run over by a forklift. That male turned out to be a good friend.
“That was the tipping point for me,” he said. “Everything I had seen before started pouring into my mind.”
Jordan said he slipped into a deep depression, became irritable and disassociated, and drank heavily to drown the emotions. But, he said, he grew tired of taking bottles of medication to cope with his post-traumatic stress disorder. So, he focused on art.
Eight wounded warriors, four of whom are current or former Airmen, including Jordan, were recognized during a Defense Department Warrior Care healing arts event Nov. 12 at the Pentagon.
The group is among more than 1,100 wounded military members who’ve taken part in a healing arts program since late 2011, when the DOD partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts to offer art therapy to recovering troops.
“By creating art and then taking it to its full extent, they have an opportunity to externalize things that may have been repressed for a long time,” Dr. Jonathan Woodson, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said at the event. “It can often sort out what has been overwhelming to them and identify the underlying causes of their emotions.”
Jordan, who served 20 years in the Air Force, paints and writes to channel his haunting experiences into a positive outlet. His work includes a book, “And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO.”
“You can lose yourself in art,” he said. “The memories don’t have control of me anymore.”
Not only invisible scars
A ride to Camp Doha, Kuwait, back in 2004 changed the life of Tech. Sgt. Mallory Dinkel, who left the Air Force earlier this year after serving almost 12 years.
The former security forces Airman was in a Humvee when an oncoming semitrailer went into her lane. Her Humvee veered to the side of the road, causing it to roll over multiple times. But her right leg was partially ejected after her door flew open and was crushed when the Humvee rested on top on it, she said.
More than a decade later, the 29 year old still walks with a limp and uses a cane. As a natural painkiller, she paints.
“It gives me an escape,” she said. “And in that moment of time, I’m not thinking about my chronic pain. I’m thinking about my painting.”
Family strong
The suffering also extends to family members who care for wounded veterans.
When Heather Miller’s husband redeployed from Iraq in 2008, she hardly recognized him.
“He was a laid back, artistic, goes with the flow type of person,” she said. “But when he returned, he was the complete opposite -- angry, short-tempered, depressed.”
She has struggled to find the right therapy for her husband, who she said has attempted to commit suicide multiple times by overdosing on pills.
Former Staff Sgt. Gregory Miller, her husband, then joined the healing arts program last year as a way to cope with his PTSD and anxiety.
“It brings me peace,” he said of his work with mixed media and acrylic paints. “I’m in another world when I do my artwork. There are no worries and I’m just creating something.”
Heather says her husband, whose condition can result in him being distant to others, now has interest in mentoring others in similar situations.
“I would encourage veterans to try new activities to see what avenues work best for them,” he said, “whether that be sports, music or art.”
Jordan, who now serves as the director of suicide awareness for Tactical 16, a veteran-run publishing firm, believes that advocacy for others can bring the real healing.
“When you can help your fellow brother or sister in any way, you have a mission again,” he said. “You’re able to get to post-traumatic growth, not post-traumatic stress.”
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from Wordpress Blogger- O Canada.... incredible gift to share with u
Artist to Appreciate: Richard Ahnertby Brett |
Richard Ahnert, Messenger (2012)
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Richard Ahnert's anthropomorphic art is both whimsical and brilliantly provocative. This Toronto-based artist paints intriguing images of animals engaged in activities one might expect of weary modern-day city dwellers. While his work harkens back to the playful (and disturbing) posed taxidermy of the Victorian era, Ahnert's paintings engage the viewer with considerable satire and reflection. The images here provide only a small glimpse of his range and more of Ahnert's fascinating paintings can be seen at his website, MyCanvas.ca: Paintings by Richard Ahnert.
Richard Ahnert, Billy Brooklyn (2011)
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Richard Ahnert, Commute (2014)
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Richard Ahnert, Feed (2014)
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Richard Ahnert, First Light (2015)
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Richard Ahnert, Panda Wear (2014)
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Richard Ahnert, Pride & Ponder (2013)
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Richard Ahnert, The Hemingway (2013)
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cause Mother's Day is every day....
Mother’s Day Homage: The Wilcox Family Gravestones
Base of Gravestone of Susan Wilcox (1834-1918), “Mother”
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The sorrows of motherhood and the difficulty of raising children safely to adulthood more than a century ago were poignantly brought to mind by a grouping of gravestones I happened upon last Fall in the cemetery of the old Pembroke Chapel (originally Methodist and later a United Church) in Pembroke, Nova Scotia.
Situated beside the gravestones for Susan Wilcox (1834-1918) — prominently marked “Mother” — and her husband, Nathan (1827 -1899), are markers for five of their children, each of whom predeceased their parents: Cyrus, who it’s noted “Drowned At Sea”, aged 27 years, 1887; Norman F., aged 2 yrs. 7 mos., 1861; Annie E., aged 13 mos., 1871; Frederick W., aged 1 yr., 1873; and Cora M., aged 1 day, 1877.
My curiosity prompted a search of old genealogical records here, which revealed that Susan and Nathan Wilcox had a total of 11 children (born between 1859 to 1880) — quite a brood! Families were larger then partly because additional helping hands were needed and life was understood to be more precarious. To lose a child is an unbearable thought for any parent and to have five leave this world before either parent sounds utterly tragic. Even though they had six children that survived them and considering that many things about life being very tough may have been taken in stride back then, I imagine that this mother and father must have endured an immense measure of grief.
Thus, this homage to motherhood and Mother’s Day and a reminder to be thankful for family, friends and other loved ones, as well as to treasure each of our precious days (on Mother’s Day and beyond).
Gravestones for Nathan and Susan Wilcox Family, Pembroke, Nova Scotia
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Markers of Norman F., Annie E., Frederick W. and Cora M. Wilcox
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Markers of Cyrus Wilcox and his mother, Susan Wilcox
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Old Pembroke Chapel, Pembroke, Nova Scotia
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Similar posts on O’Canada:
http://ocanadablog.com/tag/nova-scotia/
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Introductions: Adrian Donoghueby Leanne Cole |
A couple of weeks ago I told you how my friend Chris is always telling me about great photographers and she has found another great one today as well. I've only known of Adrian Donoghue for a short time, but I am very impressed. His work is quite different to what I normally show.
My first thoughts when I saw his work was that it reminded me a lot of the work by Edward Hopper. I asked Adrian about Hopper and he said that he loved his work and had one of his books. I think you can definitely see the influence.
I asked Adrian where in the world he was.
I live in the leafy surrounds of Eltham, a suburb North East of Melbourne. However when photographing, I am drawn to cityscapes, so I spend many weekends exploring the streets of Melbourne.
He has some very iconic buildings of Melbourne in his images, and often you see them in ways we don't normally. The image above, very rare to see an image of that with so few people in it.
As you know, the second question was how long had he been taking photos for and why.
Like many photographers, I have loved photography since my childhood, however career, children, music and a mortgage occupied much of my adult life. I returned to photography in the early 2000’s, when life became a little quieter, and just at the start of the digital revolution. As a result, digital capture and Photoshop post processing seemed a natural seamless combination.
While I think many of images are composites, there are some, like this one that I don't think is. It seems like a real scene that he has given his unique look to.
I asked Adrian about inspiration.
My inspiration comes form a number of sources. I love the Australian artist Jeffrey Smart for the way he ‘stripped bare’ the urban landscape to create a feeling of surreal reality. His inclusion of a single human form would suggest a narrative, often left up to the viewer. In addition, the ‘film noir’ movie genre has inspired my use of my ‘hatted protagonist’, who is often set in dark and threatening urban scenes. Finally, Australian artists like Charles Blackman and Arthur Boyd; these artists focussed on figurative art with many works being part of a series. Much of my recent work forms part of a series, as a result, a theme or idea can be explored in many settings.
So many of his images have been taken of places I recognise and it is nice to see them. I find the work quite inspiring and the you could be forgiven for thinking they were paintings. They really do have that look about that.
My next question was to ask him if there was anything special about the way he worked.
A hard question to answer from the inside looking out. Others have commented about my ‘style’, so I guess there is something ‘special’ about my work. Maybe a slightly dark, surreal, movie poster look.
There is a real sense of theatre and drama in his work. It looks like it has been set up, and we know that it has. Many of the images are like stills from a movie or play. They demand you pay attention.
My final question, as always, was about his gear.
I use a Canon 5Dii, with either the Canon 17-40 mm or 24-105 mm lenses. I own a 70 – 200 F2.8, however I rarely use it these days, as I am mostly after wider angle streetscapes with good depth of field. I am increasingly using a tripod, to get more interesting evening light, and have the potential to apply HDR processing.
I want to thank Adrian for giving me permission to feature his work here and show it to you. I think it is quite amazing. You can find a lot more of his work on his website, Adrian Donoghue Photography. I do hope you will go and visit, sit for a while. I have a gallery for you now of my favourite images from his site.
Tuscan light .... by Jarek Pawlak
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NATIONAL AND CANADA GEOGRAPHIC
Nova Scotians provide free instruments, music lessons in northern Canada – Nova Scotia – CBC Newsby kylegroup |
* Some media is not displayed in this email and must be viewed on the website.
Nova Scotia and Music for All, A Model to Emulate:
Brought to You by Your Curated Information Blog, Create & Be Well
Courtesy of the Artist
As I have continued the research for my book in progress, Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities: Creative Expression in the Dance of Life, the importance of music in our lives and health has become a dominant theme. Whether we are talking about the development of children or the treating of people with some form of dementia, music's healing and developmental powers become clearer every day.
Those of us from the Boston area have close emotional ties to Nova Scotia, whose generous people send the city its Christmas tree every year as a thank you for help in the past. This story from Nova Scotia demonstrates the strength and generosity of the region, and the way people there share with others.
Music for the Future, founded by Nova Scotian Julie Lohnes in 2007, brings free instruments and music lessons to children in the remote Northern Territories of Canada. The program is making an extraordinary impact on children and the others in these communities.
Read...Reflect...Share...Support Music for All in Your Community and Beyond.
"A Nova Scotia program is bringing the gift of music to people in Canada`s remote northern communities."
Source: Nova Scotians provide free instruments, music lessons in northern Canada - Nova Scotia - CBC News
Courtesy of the National Endowment for the Arts
Courtesy of Kindermusik
The Kyle Group, Supporting Music for All Children in All Places!
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It is another wet day here in Melbourne. A good day to stay home and write. I have more articles to write for Digital Photography School and I've been asked to write a post for someone else, which is always nice. I may have mentioned that already.
Speaking of Digital Photography School another one of my articles was published today:
10 Tips for Better Landscape Photography
Please take a look and share it on your social media, that would be great.
It seems we live in a world of share share now. Everyone is sharing on Social Media. It is wonderful looking at amazing photos. I get so many ideas.
Today I have some more photos for you that have been on, you guessed it, my Social Media sites, many Instagram and Flickr. I will write captions for them so you can see where they were. I hope the weather is nice where you are.
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from Wordpress O Canada....
Canadian Goose Haikuby Brett |
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Feathered northern guest,
Honking greetings high above.
Winter almost here.
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BLUENOSE- NOVA SCOTIA- Grand Banks Schooner- fishers- for u
BLUENOSE- NOVA SCOTIA- Grand Banks Schooner- fishers- for u
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Building a Bridge Between Long Beach Youth and Elders with Screening of ALIVE INSIDEby kylegroup |
* Some media is not displayed in this email and must be viewed on the website.
Another Great Outcome from Alive Inside, An inter-Generational Project:
Brought to You by Your Curated Information Blog, Create & Be Well
Courtesy of Growing Bolder
Regular readers of this blog know that I am a great supporter of Music and Memory and Alive Inside, the documentary that reveals and celebrates the power of music for people living with various forms of dementia. I cannot recommend seeing Alive Inside enough!
This screening of the film in Long Beach will raise funds for an inter-generational project, Adopt an Elder/Build a Bridge, a partnership of a high school, a church, and an assisted living community. What a wonderful way to spread the news about the power of music.
Read...Reflect...Share...Support Inter-Generational Projects in Your Community!
"On Friday, November 13 at 7:00PM, Ernest McBride High School is hosting a special screening of the award-winning documentary, Alive Inside. The film, directed by Michael Rossato-Bennett, follows the work of Dan Cohen, whose nonprofit Music & Memory, uses music to help patients suffering with Alzheimer's Disease."
Courtesy of Dancing with Cats
Courtesy of Growing Bolder
The Kyle Group, Believing in the Power of Music!
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She's Called Nova Scotia- Rita MacNeil- August 5, 2008 uploaded on UTUBE
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CANADA- FOLK ART- NOVA SCOTIA - U'LL LOVE IT... come visit
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Artist to Appreciate: David Taylor
~ Sunburst Wood Carving, by David Taylor ~
Driving along the rural back roads of the Nova Scotia shore in Kings County, I stumbled upon a classic cedar-shingled house and yard in Black Rock adorned with brightly colored wood carvings that made for an irresistible stop. As I snapped a few photos, the property’s owner, David Taylor, amiably introduced himself and explained that the menagerie of carved-wood creatures and other whimsical sculptures spread in every direction across the land are his creations. He’s even affixed a pea-green sea monster carving about 100 yards (or 90 meters) offshore that sits atop the water’s surface at high tide.
Taylor is a true folk artist in the best sense of that term. One small carving led to another and eventually Taylor found himself having devoted many years to lovingly making wood objects from locally sourced driftwood and other materials for his own enjoyment and that of others. In addition to his many sculptures, Taylor spends time making distinctive rustic bird houses, each graced with the weathered, long-bearded face of a coastal fisherman and which he regularly sells. His work is sufficiently appreciated that the nearby town of Canning recently festooned utility poles along its main business district with about two dozen of Taylor’s birdhouses in a wonderful public art display with local businesses adopting particular birdhouses.
Taylor regularly undertakes commissioned work and has more than a few birdhouses and other reasonably priced carvings available. Although he doesn’t have a website, Taylor can be reached at francesanddavidtaylor@gmail.com.
Shore Marshes and Big Sky in Early Evening, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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