21 October 2008, Save Easy, Sackville, NB
Ethel ODGEN (1870-1902), Untitled (Landscape), oil on mahogany board. 21.1 x 13.7 cm. Owens Art Gallery, Sackville, Accession no. 1999.118 (Reproduced from Atque Ars : Art From Mount Allison University 1854-1989. Sackville : Owens Art Gallery, 1989, 14).
21 October 2008, Save Easy, Sackville, NB
John HAMMOND (1843-1939), Landscape, oil on wood panel. 18.8 x 33.9 cm. Owens Art Gallery Collection, Sackville. Accession no. 1985.39 (Reproduced from reference material provided by J. Tisdale, 20 October 2008)
Spent the afternoon painting outside the Save Easy in the centre of Sackville. It is the grocery store and there is lots of traffic. I was next to the main entrance and near where people wait for taxis to pick them up. Met lots of people on the sidewalk, and there were others inside who peered through the window behind me.
In particular it was nice to meet the waitress who served me dinner at Patterson’s Family Restaurant the night before. She was with her family and they seemed to be running errands together. Her husband did most of the talking and her son showed me his red shovel. It made me wonder if I had left a good tip, if I had been a courteous customer… I don’t think she remembered me, but she seemed pleased that I remembered her.
Had two tentative offers for trades – one from a paramedic who took the time to truly understand the subtleties of the performance. He made a joke about offering his paramedic services in exchange which I thought would have been an interesting possibility, but when I asked him if he would pose for me in his uniform for a picture he was less comfortable.
The other was from a political science student originally from Vancouver who offered me some marijuana in exchange. I felt uncomfortable about the idea that I would have to post this exchange publicly on the blog, so it was my own personal boundaries that prevented this exchange.
I also met Rick (that was the name on his shirt) he asked if I wanted to paint his portrait so I painted in a figure on the horizon of the John Hammond painting. Rick was dressed head to toe in a green uniform and I happened to have my brush loaded with the same colour.
Spent some time talking to two Japanese students – one from Osaka and one from Nara. I have been to Nara and I think they were surprised at that. When they found out I was from Montréal, they asked what I thought they should do on their trip to Quebec City when the do there. Since I only go to Quebec City myself as a traveller, it was difficult for me to give them the insider information they were looking for.
