Tassle in the Winter

Merry Christmas. Although I've taken a break from blogging, I'm trying to teach myself digital animation and I've been meeting friends on Facebook and posting the occasional animation on YouTube,. You can check them out by searching for "Videos by TruroNeil."

Although there have been storms and disruptions all around the world, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful 2011.

The cartoon suggests it's a white Christmas in Nova Scotia, but it looks like a Green Christmas this year.

Hiatus

Time for a rest.

It seems I haven't posted much for the last while; I guess I've got involved in other projects.

While there's nothing new, one can go back and find a year of memories, pics, cartoons, probably sadness and silliness.

Will take a rest and see if my battery gets re-charged in the process.

Cheers, Neil (Professor Tassel)

TC Hawk Visits NSCC

Most Tuesdays I visit the Little White Schoolhouse Museum and the NSCC (Truro) campus. I thought the TC Hawk should have a visit. He was pleased. Although the front of Forrester is changed, both inside and out, most of the campus is the same and the feeling is still there. We, Professor Tassel, the TC Hawk and I, feel at home at a McCarthy Hall Art Opening or in the hallways of Forrester, or chatting about old times at the LWSH Museum Hall.

My Extended Family

My extended cartoon family has grown over the years. This picture of the herd was done about ten years ago, and I'm sure I didn't get them all and many foster children have been added since then. The four children in front were to be part of a proposed comic strip "Down East" and included, left to right, Strum, Flint, Libby, Preston and Iza Bye. The elder couple behind them, to the left, were the Eaton-Sleeps, Les and Moira; in the middle, a bit larger than life, is Professor Tassel. To his right is the Tide family: Eb, Flo, Hi, Lo, and Saxby; to his left, G.T. and Peach Melba and their dog, Athabaska. I could probably name them all but it might tax my brain too much this morning. Anyway, that's it for now. - N

Harvest Moon Art Exhibit

Artists Alert

This TAS artist may have waited too long and missed the colours. Don't you. Get painting for the Harvest Moon Festival Exhbit which will be opening before we know it. Take in will be on the 17th and the opening reception is Sept, 18th. Exhibit runs until the end of October. More specifics to follow. Should be an invite and newsletter in the mail or on line soon.

Country Music

Did a poster for my friend Bill Huey. Each year Bill arranges concerts either honoring some country legend or celebrating country and gospel music. Earlier there was one (a poster and a concert) paying tribute to Jim Reeves. This time a Steel Guitar virtuoso joins local talent for a cpountry music concert in Stewiacke.

Magic Mountain

Truro's Magic Mountain is not a pretty sight. Out for my morning walk, I chanced upon the "junk yard" that sits in the middle of town. Yet, no matter how ugly it is, it is magical - they keep carting it away by train but it keeps building up. It never goes away. Sad.

McCarthy Hall Art Exhibit

1997 -Special Graduation

Came across some pics of the 1997 Special convocation. Teachers college 1854 - 1997. It was a sad day but also a special weekend. Saw many former students from over the years and across the province.

Walk in the Park

Although these pictures suggest the tranquility one can find in the park, a lot of people use it. Perhaps my early morning walk allowed me to get these pictures without people in them. The park is a real gem.

Railroad Heritage

Do you know where this monument is situated ? You probably drive by it without even being aware. That's one of the advantages of walking. This tribute to Truro's railroad heritage was erected on the Esplanade in 1984. It's across the street from Carsands and Truro video, on one side of the Mattatall-Varner Parking Lot and not far from the curling rink.

Margolians

Stumbled across Margolians website (www.margolians.ca) today with this picture. It's august. Must be time for the Back-to-School Sales. 20 % Off everything in the Store. Will it be more by exhibition time. A great store and an Institution in Truro.

LWSH Museum

Summer is the best time to visit the Little White Schoolhouse Museum. Student curators are there. There are lots of artifacts (school bells, slates, inkwells, old desks, spellers, readers, ... and lots of records. It's both a replica of the traditional one-room schoolhouse at the turn of the century and also a fount of information about the Normal College, the Teachers College and the history of teacher education in Nova Scotia. Did you have a relative who was a teacher ? Ever write on a slate ? time to go back in time and visit the LWSH Museum at 20 Arthur Street on the campus of the NSCC.

Looking Good!

Our flowers out front have come along nicely. We'll give it full play and ignore the back yard for the present. Have a good weekend!

1947 Bearcats

Talking to Lyle Carter today took me back in time and thinking sports. Found this picture of the 1947 Truro Bearcats. The picture was part of a Souvenir Booklet for the Maritimes Big Four Hockey League. Backrow: William Kearns, D; Frank Grabowski, D; Lou Medynski, F; Sonny McDonald, G; Buddy MacEachern, F; Kink McDonald, F. Front row: William Hepburn, F; Billy McIntyre, F; Alex Robertson, F; Warren Roach, D. Not in the picture: Jack Fritz, D; Bert Steele, F; Dalton Barkwell; Doggie Kuhn, Coach; William Cox, Mgr. Anyone remember these guys ?

Colouring book

I delivered the first copies of a "mini" colouring book to the Little White Schoolhouse Museum this morning. There's a coloured cover with two children on it, and they are featured in various poses and at various tasks related to the Little White Schoolhouse. I've considered this project for awhile, and it was a lot of fun once I got at it.

If you haven't visited the schoolhouse lately, it's a nice spot to visit and reflect on the old days in education. Summer curators are now there so the museum is open Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 5:00, I believe.

July 1, 2010

Why am I celebrating Canada Day !!!

They've destroyed my forests; they've polluted the rivers; they've blown up my dams.

O, well, July 1st is a holiday and we all need a holiday.

Everyone have a good Canada Day!

"Altered Spaces" A Collison of Worlds

A solo art show featuring the work of internationally known artist Anthony Kawalski will open in McCarthy Hall on July 5th. Originally from London, Anthony is a member of the local art scene and Vice President of the Truro Art Society.

The Opening Reception for "Altered Spaces: A Collison of Worlds" will be held on July 5, 7 - 9 pm. The exhibit last for the month of July.

Paint the Park

Looking ahead to Paint the Park, I have placed one of the creative TAS members doing her thing in Victoria Park. Paint the Park will be held this year in conjunction with Canada Parks Day on Saturday July 17th.

This is a fun day both for the artists and for the spectators. Come to Victoria Park, see the artists at work (or play) in a beautiful setting.

Truro Acquisition Show

Another fine show at McCarthy Hall. Smaller in number than some shows, but strong on quality. Be sure to see the award-winning painting, a portrait of Willena Jones, by Janice Guinen.

You can see Janice and the painting on the Events page at the Truro Art society website: http://www.truroartsociety.ca.

Reflections

I had 31 wonderful years at NSTC and I've had and having a busy and enjoyable retirement, but I can't believe it's been 16 years! Upward and onward, cheers, Neil

120 years in Truro

Want something old ? Want something new ? Want to fix something ? Try Walker's! It's a hardware store and it's an institution in Truro.

This year they are celebrating 120 years in business.

I had meant to capture a picture of the store but got their web page instead. I will take my own picture one of these days and maybe exchange it.

Walker's - congratulations.

PNC - Postcard

Have you searched eBay for postcards in its collectables section ? When I'm low in picture ideas I do a Middleton or Truro Search, and there are usually interesting items. I know several people who are collectors. Here's one of the Provincial Normal College in its heyday.

A Crock of Beans

Chowder Luncheon

Five Island Lighthouse

Recently the Five Island Lighthouse Society received a provincial award for the work they have done in preserving the Five Island Lighthouse. This wonderful photo showing the lighthouse in its new location, the islands in the distance and a wonderful sky was taken in 2008. Great picture, Vera. Congratulations to the society!

World Curling Title!

World Champions! Colleen Pinkney and her rink from Truro, pictured here after winning the Canadian Senior Women's Curling Championship, won the World Championship held this past week in Russia. Congratulations! Maybe we'll see a picture of the World trophy soon. (picture taken from a Bing Image Search Site.)

All Stars

Here are a couple of TC Cartoons from the past, celebrating sports accomplishments: some soccer all-starts and the Female Hawks are off to the Nationals. These should bring back memories to those at TC in the 80s.

Herb in Holland

Herb Peppard published an article in yesterday's Truro Daily News (April 10). It involves a trip to Holland in 2000 to commemorate the Liberation of Holland during WWII. During the parade, a young dutch girl raced from the sidewalk to give Herb a present. Herb asked me to do an illustration, and I decided to post it. They used a black and white version.

Tree Sculptures

One of Truro's attractions is its carved trees. When Dutch elm disease took its toll, many of the stumps were converted into historic carvings. One can get a map and follow these statues, learn something of the town's history and some of its memorable citizens, and also admire the power-saw artistry of those who carved the statues. These three seem to have been brought together for this postcard. There are over 20 of these tree sculptures throughout the town.

TAS Annual Group show

The fanTAStic show comes down on March 31st, but a new one opens in McCarthy Hall next week. Support the local art community, attend the opening on April 8th at 7:00 pm and invite some friends to visit the show too. Let's keep the momentum going.

Demos at Recent TAS Exhibit

Tried to create a collage of some of those who gave demos at the recent fanTAStic exhibit at McCarthy Hall. Exhibit comes down on Wednesday, the 31st. A new one

opens on april 8th at 7 p.m.

Jim Reeves: poster, concert

TC Hockey

While at the Little White Schoolhouse Museum this morning, Bill Canning showed me a picture of a 1967-68 NSTC Hockey team. Decided to scan it in for my blog. I remember a number of them, and I know that most of them would bne retired now or onto a second career. 1967-68 - that was my fifth year at TC.

Maritime Marionettes

Received an email from Heather and Darryll Taylor that the Maritime Marionettes are performing over March Break at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth . This wonderful company deserves our support. They always provide great entertainment for the whole family.

Sat. and Sun 10 am; 1, 3, & 7 pm

Mon - Thurs 10 am; 3 & 7 pm

Wednesday - French only Shows

Tassel has Taste

This is one of my favorites at the fanTAStic exhibit presently on at the McCarthy Hall Art Gallery. It is by Susan Sweet, a Past President of the Truro Art society.

You can see her work on her member's page at http://www.truroartsociety.ca/;

You can also check Susan's work on her personal blog: http://susannsweetartist.blogspot.com/

Her work is in the fanTAStic exhibit until the end of the month, and I'm sure she'll have other work in the TAS Members Show in April/May.

Or, you could visit her studio in Maitland.

ECMA Winner Attended NSTC

The Port Hawksbury Reporter recently ran a nice picture and write-up on "Cornelia and Billy," the winners of the Stompin' Tom Award at the East Coast Music Awards this year. Cornelia Boucher MacLeod and the late Billy MacLeod enjoyed a 20 year span of touring the country and the world while remaining true to their Richmond County and Acadian roots. Cornelia attended the Nova Scotia Teachers College in the 1960s. Congratulations!

Morrison Exhibit at Pier 21

TAS Member Carol Morrison has a new exhibit "Portraits of Injustice," at Pier 21 in Halifax, Both the exhibit and Carol received accolades in a fine write-up in "Arts and Life" section in the Chronicle Herald, Friday, March 5th. Hope you saw or can see the write-up and the exhibit is well-worth a trip to Halifax,

Other recent TAS newsmakers were Bruce Wood, Margaret Boyle and Katherine Burris who gave demos recently at McCarthy Hall. Congratulations to all. (The picture was scanned from the Chronicle Herald; I hope the author Elizza Bernard and photographer Christian Laforce don't mind. Thanks for the fine work on the Arts.)

from Land and Sea

A first-class addition to anyone's Nova Scotian or Art book collection is the recently published from Land and Sea, a delightful coffee table book, selected and edited by Dee Appleby.

The book was a very popular Christmas gift selection and continues to sell well. It has also gone to Vancouver as one of the representative of Nova Scotia art and culture. It is a valuable introduction to today's vibrant landscape artists.

Great job, Dee.

Truro Bearcats

It had to happen. Sometime I had to interrupt the art and cartoon scene for a sport picture; my Middleton Memories blog is filled with sports. I recently came across this clipping of the Turro Bearcat baseball team. The won the provincial championship in 1946 by defeating the Middleton Cardinals. Most of these guys were household names in the heady days of my baseball-filled youth. Used a clipping so the quality of the picture won't be that great.

Tassel Time Again

Often at graduation time, I would post some cartoons and pictures in my classroom. A little humour for some tense and emotional times. This one I drew specifically for the 1984 TC Grads. Interestingly, a few weeks later, Archie raised a piece of toast to the grads on the comic page of the chronicle Herald. To all the Grads, Hope you've had or are having a great career. NHF

There are other Tassel cartoons and cartooning tips plus a lot of wonderful art at McCarthy Hall Gallery on the NSCC (Truro campus) through February and March.

Snow Day in the Art Communnity

Artists don't worry about shovelling; they paint and embrace the snow.
Get out the mauves and blues ... fanTAStic Exhibit still on.
Members Show coming up in April.

fanTAStic Show

The Truro Art Society welcomes you to its opening on Wednesday, Feb. 3rd, 7 pm at McCarthy Hall Gallery on the campus of the NSCC (Truro). Parking behind the residence.

Various members of the TAS executive have contributed works for this showing: Oils, watercolors, sculptures and even cartoons.

I believe Salva, the mouse artist to the left, appears in a digital frame.

Show will run through February and March.

I may hibernate for two weeks

Very busy. Meetings, a newsletter to get out, an art exhibit for which I must contribute something. The TAS Exhibit below will have water colours, oil paintings, sculptures, etc. but they wish some comic relief; therefore, I'm to contribute something. I must collect, select, edit, create, ... no time for blogging. cheers, Neil

TAS Show - February

You can click to enlarge. Let's begin the year on a fanTAStic note.