MY ART HANGS IN THE CONSTITUENCY OFFICE OF STEPHANIE CADIEUX MLA FOR SURREY PANORAMA

Stephanie Cadieux was elected to the BC Legislature to represent the people of Surrey-Panorama on May 12, 2009.

Ms. Cadieux was voted one of Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40, in 2007. Prior to her election as a Liberal MLA Stephanie worked as director of marketing and development of BC Paraplegic Association. She is an active community volunteer having served as president of Realwheels Society, Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation as well as a member of the advisory panel and as a researcher with International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD). This is a focused dedication because she has herself lived with a spinal injury since the age of 18. She and her husband have resided in Surrey for seven years and when not working she enjoys travel, art and sailing. She has traveled extensively in Europe, Central America, Africa and North America, often as a delegate for International Development work with people with disabilities. I wish her every success as she seeks to represent her constituency effectively.

The Surrey Arts Council contacted me last week with a request from Ms. Cadieux for me to hang a couple of my paintings in her constituency office. I installed four paintings reflective of the agricultural setting of south Surrey. I met Stephanie and enjoyed brief conversation with her before her busy afternoon of receiving guests began. Yesterday, September 10th was the grand opening of her new constituency office.

My paintings will hang in this office for three months. My art has also been on display in the Surrey office of MP Sukh Dahliwal. I am involved as one of many artists in the Community Art Displays whereby we exhibit our work in the offices of Surrey MLAs and MPs, the Surrey Board of Trade, Surrey Tourism Association, the Arts Council of Surrey Office and other Surrey businesses.

Photo credit: Ron Kubara for Stephanie Cadieux portrait and photo with Mr. Campbell
Other photos: Ron Unruh

Surrey Arts Centre, 13750-88 Ave., Surrey; 604-501-5566; www.arts.surrey.ca

Stephanie Cadieux's Constituency Office:
120 – 5455 152nd Street
Surrey, BC
V3S 5A5
Website

Artists Anne-Marie Ruggeri and Philippe Janin

People from around the world have touched down on this June 2009 posting. I am repeating it because of its popularity and the recognition that these two wonderful artists have garnered. Christine and I enjoyed meeting them while we were in France this year.

Anne-Marie Ruggeri and Philippe Janin are a gifted and accomplished artistic husband and wife who own a studio/gallery in the town of Bonnieux in the foothills of Mount Luberon in Provence. During a day trip Christine and I spotted the gallery and stopped in Bonnieux. I was very impressed by the oils that Philippe paints and the pastels by Anne-Marie. Extraordinary work and priced to reflect their success. Pastel is a medium I simply cannot understand. Never tried it and am amazed at its beauty. We purchased some gorgeous cards as mementos. The first picture is by Philippe and shows Bonnieux with its church prominently in the picture. These communities always had a church central to its community and life. How things change. While the buildings remain physically central, they are tourist stops and sparsely attended by the locals. Only occasionally did we see a church alive with activity and people enthusiastic about their faiths.

You see some of the Ruggeri and Janin work by going to this linked website but I believe this is an old site. There are more of Janin’s recent works here at this other link.

I noticed that so many French artists produce postcards and posters and prints and many of them also have printed books of their art. It is clever marketing as it provides pieces at prices suitable to a range of buyers. This pair has several books.




Ruggeri has even had some of her art incorporated into fashion, and this site shows a scarf imprinted with her work. Tap the photo to enlarge it for a better view.

It was inspiring to look at their work but also to process what is required by marketing to become an established artist.

Roger Federer - Is it Important to be Better Than Anyone Else?

Is it Important to be Better Than Anyone Else?

Because of what is transpiring at the US Open Tennis Championships this week and because this July 6 blog entry (written following his Wimbledon success), has been one of my most popular posts, I am repeating it here.

The July 6 Posting:
In reflecting on Roger Federer’s monumental achievement on Sunday, I asked myself, “What must it be like to be better at something than everyone else in the world?” Accompanying questions might be, “Is it important to be better than everyone else?” or perhaps, “Am I better at something than everyone else in the world?”

I came to some conclusions. It’s more important to some people than others to be better at something than anyone else. It becomes the dominant motivator of competitive people regardless of the contest. It is enormously beneficial to careers and advancing oneself in the world.

Roger Federer was better this year at Wimbledon than all other male tennis players. Federer won the Men’s Single Trophy for the sixth time, and in the process won his fifteenth grand slam title, one more than Pete Sampras who retired in 2002. He did it by beating Andy Roddick in the thirtieth game of the fifth set, the longest title match in history. He made history at many levels. All of this success has branded Federer, which is a good thing monetarily. His father wore a ball cap with a classy signature RF logo that now extols Roger’s celebrity. He and Nike have partnered to produce a catwalk style of apparel for the man – what a racket! His monogrammed shoes are sold at the Bay.

Rafael Nadal is back after a two month injury recuperation but I think he is no match for Federer this year, and Federer will will win the US Open for a record sixth time in the open era, and his are successive years. Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras have each one five.

Some further conclusions. It is never too late to try to find that something in which you are better than anyone.

For instance, Mike Flynt is the best sixty year old college football player ever. Well he is the only grandfather to ever play college ball. He missed his fourth year of eligibility thirty-seven years ago, and at age 59 asked for a chance to make the team again. He made it in 2007 with Sul Ross State University in Texas. Flynt has given new meaning to being a college senior. Flynt is a strength coach by trade and was a conditioning coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M. He is the inventor of the Powerbase Fitness exercise equipment. He is a grandfather and is retired. He has written a book called ‘SENIOR.’ Here is his personal and fitness website.

Ron's Opinion: I am not better at anything than everyone else, and it is no longer important for me to be better than anyone else but I will strive to do what only I can do and to do it so well that it makes a positive impression or contribution within my influence circle.

Artist Peter Etril Snyder is Retiring

UPDATE: this article is dated since it was written originally in 2009 didn’t anticipate Peter’s passing. Peter Etril Snyder, 73, died on Monday August 28, 2017 at Grand River Health Centre, King St W, Kitchener where he was born January 28, 1944.

The content of the following was written to reflect information that was current to the time, and has changed with his passing and the passage of time. It still conveys my appreciation for Peter’s art and for Peter himself.

When I lived in Ontario, Christine and I collected Peter Etril Snyder prints. We could afford the prints and we enjoyed the Old Order Mennonite farming scenes. They still hang in our home as framed prints and collector plates. Now 65 year old Snyder has announced his imminent retirement. While he can never stop painting, he is closing his gallery and will no longer offer reproductions of his paintings. His website will continue to offer the sale of his originals. He will also do commissioned pieces.

His website and recent interviews disclose that some health issues, his age and general lack of energy have made him conclude that this is the right time to relax. I am sorry for his health concerns but I understand that he is being wise. He wants to travel with his wife Marilyn and to enjoy these next years without endangering himself.

Snyder’s career spans forty years and he has enjoyed good success. His paintings are avidly collected by people, corporations and organizations worldwide, including the Canadian Museum of Civilization. One of his paintings, ‘The Homesteaders’, was officially presented to HRH Prince Phillip during a visit to Alberta in 1985. During his career he has also been recognized with an Honourary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree from Wilfred Laurier University and is a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International.

His is an interesting and singular story. He was born in 1944 to Mennonite parents. His father moved the family from the traditional farming community into town He held his first exhibition in 1963 at the Mall Gallery in Ottawa. Following his graduation from the Ontario College of Art in 1966 he toured Europe and returned there repeatedly through the years as well as trips to Central and South America and United States. In 1967 he exhibited in Buffalo, NY. 1969. Familiar with the old world values, in 1969 Snyder began to capture the charm and simplicity of Mennonite life on canvas. These subjects found a keen market in the Waterloo region and beyond. He held a one-man show of these Mennonite paintings in Kitchener in 1970. He was fortunate when in 1971 the Industrial Acceptance Corporation (now HSBC Bank Canada) purchased a large number of his paintings. During 1972-1974 he held numerous one man shows throughout Ontario.

1975 was the pivotal year that he opened his own gallery in Waterloo. To open and remain operative for 40 years is a rare accomplishment for active artists. Imagine painting, running and supervising a gallery and essentially working six days each week for most of these past four decades. His gallery will be open until December 31, 2009.

“My niece, Cynthia has taken over my library of images. My hope is that my work and it’s further application does not die with me.”   Peter Etril Snyder

Since Peter Etril Snyder’s passing:
Website: https://snydergallery.com
Cynthia Weber: CYNTHIA WEBSER DESIGN is an extraordinary interior design site. Cynthia is an accredited interior decorator and a member of the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada DDA
Here Cynthia expresses her collaboration with her Uncle Peter and his art.
My interest in developing my design website and managing my own SM branding intrigued him and in 2016 when his website became out of date and needed redesigning he asked me to step in. He wanted people to have a place to come learn about his career, look at his paintings and read what he had written about each piece. I think that goal was achieved very nicely indeed! You can click through to explore the Gallery Website.

September 7th - A Day for Birthdays

Please go to
Ron Unruh Retirement Memoirs for this Posting

OLD RUSSIAN WOMAN, 20x24 in, oil on canvas, Abandoned

This painting dated 1964 has a story. As a young man in March 1965 I traded this painting for a 57 VW Beetle to transport me to college. Then thirty-one years later in 1996 the owner returned the painting to me believing that it should be a heritage piece for my family. In fact, he wrote on the back of the painting his intention that my oldest child should become the recipient of this painting. I apologize now publicly to my oldest child for not having delivered it to her. At the time that it was returned to me, I was visiting from my home four provinces away - a 4.5 hour flight. It could have been packaged and sent or carried with me. I chose instead to leave it as a gift to a relative who desired one of my paintings. That was in 1996. Then to my surprise in 2007 the painting once again became mine but once more I chose not to ship it home but rather tucked it behind my father's living room couch, still on the other side of the country. When we cleaned the apartment following my parents' deaths, I examined the painting for workmanship and condition of canvas and paint and made the decision that I would not keep it. I was sure my family did not have a place for this painting, nor did I. With noone to whom to give it, I left it in a public place with a sign that it was free for the taking. My contact information was on the back if someone wanted to let me know they had it. I have heard nothing so have to conclude that possibly the painting became part of some landfill site. That's OK. The painting served me well and it gave pleasure to a few for a long time. The VW Beetle reliably moved me around, and in 1967 the Year of Canada's Centennial, I painted her a celebrative Blue with red wheels, and white hubs and running boards. At last in 1968 I sold the car for $150 to a man who wanted to drive from St. Catharines Ontario to British Columbia and asked me whether it would make it that far. I said, "good luck!"

God's Chisel - The Skit Guys

Tommy Woodard and Eddie James are The Skit Guys. They have been best friends since high school. Think of them as the wise guys in class who had everyone laughing and managed to make a career out of it. They've been teaching God's word using comedy, drama and whatever category talking action figures fit into for over twenty years.

They write and perform skits with solidly instructive value, albeit with a spiritual punch line. They respond to invitations to come in person. They also publish the manuscript so these can be performed by other actors in other settings. They recently released two new books through Zondervan called, Instant Skits and Skits That Teach. They have also produced other plays, skits, and videos covering a wide variety of topics that are available to download through their website.

I am directing you to one skit entitled God’s Chisel so that you can watch (laugh and learn) what these guys are capable of communicating but also perhaps, so you can pick up a worthwhile life lesson. It’s a nine minute video but good! The point here will be something like this. God is at work in our lives. In the lives of his followers particularly, God is chiseling out the unnecessary and unattractive stuff. It can be painful to go through God’s discipline.

This video will subtly touch themes such as Holiness, Obeying God, Spiritual maturity, Discipline, Comparison, Becoming like Christ.

There is lots to download, borrow and buy from the tabs you find among the Skits Scripts / Vidoes / DVD’s / Books / Join the E-List at their website, www.skitguys.com

Comfort Food

The thatch has disappeared from the top of my head and now the shakes are disappearing from the top of my roof. As I write this, my house roof is being reshingled. Now that’s a set back. I will drop a chunk of change. How am I supposed to respond to that? But wait. This week, I did something I have never done before. I tried out for a TV commercial. My daughter in law Gina does this regularly and this week she told us that her agent was asking for an entire family to audition. This commercial would be for a product to minimize Alzheimer symptoms. Take One. As they videod us in the studio, my son Jeff and Gina and grandson played pretend soccer and wrestled playfully as Christine and I looked on with obvious delight. Take Two. Gina walked with me at an imaginary beach and I was asked to feign the effects of the neurological disease. Another take projected my condition six months after starting this medication and my mind is back in charge. Christine then followed this up with her own version of a stricken senior. If I or we get the part it means a few thousand dollars. And already my head is full of big ideas of how it can be spent. I am singing the Beatles song, ‘Act Naturally.’

They're gonna put me in the movies
They're gonna make a big star out of me
We'll make a film about a man that's sad and lonely
And all i gotta do is act naturally

But what if I don’t get that part? Will I be crushed? How will I handle that? We all respond to changes, pressures, setbacks, reversals, conflicts and adversity differently. Some never stop complaining, singing the blues, finding faults with whatever. Some see the bright side. Some lose their appetites and others go on a feeding frenzy. Some simply find comfort in eating certain food items. Call it comfort food. Could be pizza, or pop corn, or blizzards, or Kraft dinner. What do you like to eat when you are feeling low? Is there a particular food that picks you up or calms your spirit, or is enough of a diversion that it feels like comfort? It might be chicken soup, or spicy pasta, or hot porridge, or homemade apple pie with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Psalm 25 is comfort food for the soul. It's an alphabet soup for the soul. The reason I call the psalm an alphabet for trouble is because David has written an acrostic poem with each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It’s called an alphabetic acrostic. There are seven such psalms (25, 34, 37,111,112,119, and 145). We can’t see this in our English translations of course but knowing this gives me a valid reason for calling this my alphabet soup.

Addendum: I didn't get the commercial. They called my wife back. She is obviously a more convincing person with blank moments. Clearly I am jesting about the gravity of this let down. But we have them - true heartaches and comfort food truly helps.

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;... guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long. May integrity and uprightness protect me,because my hope is in you." Psalm 25:1,5,21

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

In 2007 Richard Dawkins joined an anti-God squad of writers with his best selling book The God Delusion. This has led to the most sustained discussion of religion in society for decades, including a flurry of counter-attacks against Dawkins and his fellow prophets. Among the other writers slamming God and religion were Sam Harris with The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation. Christopher Hitchens' with God Is Not Great which had a long run high on the New York Times best-seller list. Daniel Dennett wrote Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon and Victor J. Stenger penned God: The Failed Hypothesis. Highly successful sales led to the these writers being dubbed the "new atheists."

But religion hasn't always been exempt from scrutiny in other generations. Friedrich Nietzsche complained that he had found "…it necessary to wash my hands after I have come into contact with religious people," and Émile Zola declared the perfection of civilization will be at hand when "the last stone from the last church falls on the last priest!" Voltaire described Christianity as "the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world." Tennessee Williams saw in the God of Western mythology a "senile delinquent." David Hume called prevailing religious principles "sick men's dreams."

This ancient Psalm 19 informs us that God can survive the attacks against him because it is his glory that is in evidence as the sun shines on believers and defamers alike. Eons ago at the time of creation, praise to God began by what God made.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." Psalm 19:1-3

Click the images to enlarge them. Their definition is great for your desktop background.

September First

September First

September 1st is the start of a new liturgical year for the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Church (Byzantine). It is also Saint Giles Day in the Church of England, Knowledge Day in Russia, Teachers’ Day in Singapore, Independence Day for Uzbekistan and the First Day of Spring in Australia and New Zealand.

Here in Canada many of us becoming grumpy that it feels like summer is over and winter is on its way. School starts soon and teachers like my son and daughter in law report to their schools for some preliminary meeting today.

Comedian and actress Lily Tomlin celebrates her 70th birthday today and ‘Dr. Phil’ McGraw is 59.

Today the crew of the space shuttle Discovery awoke to begin unloading tons of equipment to the International Space Station and two of the astronauts will embark on this mission’s first spacewalk.

Our economy is beginning to recover we are told today.

September One has had some memorable moments in history. Alberta and Saskatchewan became the eighth and ninth provinces of Canada when they joined confederation in 1905. The last passenger pigeon died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914. In 1982 our country adopted its Charter of Rights and Freedoms as part of our Constitution. The Titanic was located at the ocean floor in 1985. One of our greatest heroes, Terry Fox, had run a marathon each day for 135 days when he was forced to abandon his Marathon of Hope. Running on one leg and an artificial limb, he and run/hopped over 5,000 kms since April 12th of that year. Cancer returned to his body, affecting his lungs and having been returned to Vancouver, he died one year later. His Foundation is here.

Today the 2010 Volvo c70 convertible has been previewed. You can find a review here.

And you can find a lot about September 1 at Wikipedia.

Have a great first day of September.

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 17 I thought in my heart,God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,17