travel
« Previous EntriesFrankton Arm Walkway
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Frankton Arm Walkway, evening walk in Queenstown, New Zealand, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Gold In The Mountains 04
Monday, November 10th, 2025
Gold In The Mountains 04, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. A favorite subject, Poplar trees and forest in the mountains of Kananaskis Valley near Calgary, Alberta in Fall.
Kingdom Animalia 2025
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
Fruit Bats, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, 27H x 33W inches framed size (2021). White mat, white wood frame with crackle finish.
Showcased in Exhibizone’s international online exhibition, Kingdom Animalia 2025 September 20th – November 20th.
One of my most memorable and favorite experiences of all time was seeing what we initially thought were pinecones until they started moving – thousands of fruit bats in the pine trees at Adelaide Botanic Gardens, located within the city limits. On a very hot summer day at sunset we sat and watched them fly low across the river while skimming their bodies across the water, then fly back to a tree, settle on a branch and lick the water off their fur.
Tranquilum 2025
Monday, May 26th, 2025
Queenstown Peaks, New Zealand, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, framed size 27H x 33W” white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish (2020). Showing in Gallerium’s Tranquilum 2025 May 28 – July 28, 2025.
Mutianyu Great Wall, China
Monday, April 28th, 2025
Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) – Great Wall Of China section 50 miles from Beijing, 24H x 18W inches soft pastels on paper
Loon Lake Loop
Thursday, April 10th, 2025
Loon Lake Loop rest stop, Arrowsmith Viewpoint, Alberni Highway 4, Vancouver Island BC, Canada. 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, framed size 27H x 33W” white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish.
Buddha Park, Laos
Monday, October 21st, 2024
Oct.1st: Buddha Park 01, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.
25 km from Vientiane, Laos, Buddha Park displays over 200 large, reinforced concrete statues based on integrating stories from Hindu and Buddhist mythology, created by Luangpu Bunluea Surirat and his apprentices, started in 1958. This is the first of many representations I have planned. I was there in 2016 and took so many photos, intending to do a series of drawings much sooner than today, but couldn’t decide where to start because there are so many interesting pieces and points of view.
Though the sculptures at first seem crudely done – for how easy can it be to manipulate concrete? – the artists have carefully rendered the grace of hands in prayer and portrayed such character in mythological gods, animals, demons, and combinations of all the above. Discovering cows grazing in the neighboring meadow as part of the setting in the far end of the park, it’s a place where the sum of its parts is so fantastic, that to dissect it in any portrayal will not do it justice. Better for you to read this link to all the information about this remarkable human achievement, than for me to only show you snippets of my impressions or try to describe it in words.
Oct. 4th: Buddha Park 02, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Oct. 8th: Buddha Park 03 – Vishnu as Narayana with Lakshmi and Sheshanaga, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
In the simplest of terms and with limited understanding, here’s my guess at what this group represents: Vishnu with weapon and symbolic items missing, in the form of Narayana (“He who lies in the waters”), is seen lounging beside Lakshmi, his female counterpart. He is mounted on Sheshanaga, a many-headed serpentine demi-god, said to exist before the creation of the universe and will remain after its destruction.
In the complex belief system of Hinduism, literature regards gods, demi-gods and goddesses assuming many forms, with different names and aspects that change with each incarnation. The broad concepts and multi-layered symbolism are only learned by lifelong (or many lives of) awareness, devotion and practice. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are 3 aspects of the One Supreme Being, and are principal deities who create, protect and transform the universe.
Oct 10th: Vishnu as Varaha – Buddha Park 04, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Oct 16th, Buddha Park 05: My best guess is that this is Durga, Hindu Goddess of war and strength, protective mother of the universe, eternally struggling with forces of good against evil. She is usually depicted riding a lion or tiger, with between eight and eighteen hands holding the various weapons and objects that are highly symbolic of her purpose.
18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Work process:
Oct. 21st: Buddha Park 06, Airavata, Hindu elephant deity or also known in Thailand as Erawan with Indra. Work in progress:
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Foo Dogs
Thursday, September 26th, 2024
Foo Dogs, Zhejiang, China, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. These Chinese lion dogs or guardian lions, also known as shishi, are an integral part of Chinese art, architecture and folklore. Pairs are placed by the front doorway as symbols of harmony, protection and power, and in Feng Shui philosophy they represent yin and yang – male and female. The male holds a ball under its paw and the female holds a cub.
Temple of Horus
Wednesday, September 18th, 2024
Temple of Horus – Edfu Temple, Egypt – Falcon, Ruler of Skies and deity of the pharaohs, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Exhibizone’s Seasons: Summer 2024
Sunday, July 7th, 2024
Damselfly at Xi Niu He, China, (Rhino’s Horn River), 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, Framed size 27H x 33W inches white mat and white wood frame with crackle finish.
Showcased online in Exhibizone’s “Seasons: Summer” 2024, July 8th – Oct. 8th