We went to sleep in autumn and awoke in winter. While I sensed that snow was imminent, I was surprised to see a heavy snowfall warning issued in the middle of the night. To be honest, I was looking forward to our first dump of snow. I even bought a new shovel in anticipation of it.
On a morning as I start back on our Ideal Protein program (I put on 20+ pounds over the summer and fall), I got a heapin' helping of exercise clearing the wet snow from our pathways, front sidewalk and adjacent sidewalks in the neighbourhood. I make a point of clearing our neighbours' sidewalks as they are all raising young families and head off to work first thing. There is also about 150 feet of sidewalk that lines the adjacent empty lot. I told the folks who own it to stop paying to have it cleared as I'm happy to do it. I thought they might get started with construction this season, but it didn't come to pass. That means I get another winter of shovelling fun.
Part of my business is in a holding pattern as the Canada Post strike continues. I do 99.9 percent of my shipping with our national carrier, as the rates are so much better than the courier companies. My hope is that they come to an amenable agreement in short order. I have no shortage of work though. As I look around the studio, I have five or six commissions in various stages of completion.
I've also taken some time to do a couple of small tree paintings - tests for our upcoming "Silent Night" winter tree scene painting workshop.
Mike Tyson stepped into the ring with a much younger opponent the other night on Netflix. He lost. But I admire is courage in fighting someone a fraction of his age. I've always appreciated Tyson's tenacity and grit. He's a great subject and this image grabbed my attention a few days ago. I couldn't resist painting it on a repurposed canvas. Underneath this painting is a portrait of John F. Kennedy that had been hanging around for a time.
Heather and I are also gearing up for the Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market weekend. Today's snow reminds me that we are less than two weeks away. We will have a robust supply of gallery canvas prints, art puzzles and various art card sets. I'm looking forward to it.
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