The first painting I ever sold professionally was through the Leighton centre. I actually sold a painting before that to a next door neighbor for $250.00, but I don’t consider this professional; he had been drinking before he bought it.

The store was open for about four months when Ann Harp (Leighton centre managing director and art guru) came in for some framing and noticed a painting I had recently completed.  Ann was smitten with the work and went to investigate who had accomplished this master piece - a painting of the Alberta Pacific grain elevator at Dalmead with rail road tracks going into the distance. I had painted it on a sweltering summer afternoon, standing right on the tracks with Ken Gillespie.  She insisted that the painting be displayed in the Leighton Center Gallery.

... I couldn’t believe my ears. I had been to the Leighton Center a couple of times and knew the quality of art was exceptional.  Ann took the painting with her. The overwhelming excitement to see one of my paintings on the wall of an actual gallery was intoxicating. There it was, hanging with the most respected professional artists: Brent Laycock, Robert Mcinnis and Bill Duma. I had finally made it to (what seemed to me, and still does) the big league. Like many professions, success is not simply about individual accomplishment, it’s about the people behind the scenes.  I have been blessed to have a number of amazing people who have helped me complete many of the little steps it takes to be an artist. Thank you all.

Special thanks to my wife Donna, my official art manager, organizer, and professional painting namer. John Compton who was my first mentor (and continues to be) and is the man who gave me Carlson’s Guide to Landscape painting - the best landscape book ever.  Ross Ketcheson who gave me all the confidence I ever needed and made me believe in myself. Norm Brown who taught me pride and craftsmanship.  Jean Geddes who keeps me editing and still believes there’s a decent mountain in me. Ann Harp (who sadly passed this year), and to all the people who have embodied the Leighton ideals and continue to believe in my art.    

As many of you know, I had a heart attack this fall. A genetic problem combined with a few too many chicken wings caused one of those events in life that make you take a pause for the cause. I have never needed to be sick or down on my luck to know how propitious and fortunate I've been. My grandmother always said ”count your blessings”, a lesson I took from her and have held on to. (She also said “most people don’t think what they think they think”, but that’s for another time.)  My heart attack has prompted, once again, my eagerness to paint full time and take the next step in my career.  I've decided to withdraw from the art store somewhat and work my way to painting full time. I'll continue to write this newsletter and be an integral part (including being the janitor) of the store. I just won't be there all the time.