This is a painting of my Grandfather on my Father’s side. He was quite a colourful character. The portrait is a companion piece to the one of my Grandmother.  This was a characteristic pose for him, relaxed on a chair or couch with one leg up and leaning on his hand. He and my Grandmother looked after all the lighthouses and channel markers in their area, with the 39.5 foot work boat that my Grandfather built. They worked well into their 70s because the government couldn’t find anyone to take over the job.

The painting is acrylic on stretched canvas, 11×14 inches.

Temari Ball

Today’s ball is called Mandala. Another non-traditional ball, it is divided into two faces with different patterns on each. The left and center photos show the two ends. The right photo shows the side of the ball.

This temari ball is 32.5 cm around and is done in crochet cotton.

Mandala means “circle” in the ancient Sanskrit language of Hinduism and Buddhism. Traditionally, a mandala is a geometric design or pattern that represents the cosmos. You use the mandala to seek peace in the symmetry of the design and the universe.