YHWH

...and I lifted my hands
and felt the awesome power of God
It touched my inner core
and I praise YHWH
....and I lifted my hands
and the Spirit touched my heart
....and I lifted my hands
and felt foregiveness of the nations
the same heartbeat and same love as my relations
and it changed me
....and I lift my hands
and praise the mighty name of YHWH
God of all Nations
God of all Creation

Life on the River - Christmas 2010

  

Family Gathering Christmas 2010

It sure has been nice having family up for Christmas. As some families left, others arrived. As of now we are alone.....until tomorrow when a fresh batch of freinds arrive. We shall ring in the New Year with loved ones.

We have had a lot of fun. My brother in law brought up some snowmobiles and we went for some magnificent rides. We were able to go by trail to some remote spots that Sue and I found with the boat. We ran an abandoned rail line for a while and made a big loop around our neighbourood. It was nice to get my bearings on the land. Much of this land is crown land and I intend to make respectful use of it.

The Ice Palace

Here is a view of our ice palace from the inside. I have decided on a few modifications after visiting a few locals. The large 5ft by 1 foot hole has to go. I will board it over and cut a few circular holes. I still need to connect my 12volt lighting as well. Sue and the gang are in town right now getting me some minnows.

Taking a Break from Taking a Break

I figured I wouldnt have time to blog much over the holidays, but I just had to share this. I finally put my ice hut out. I couldnt stand waiting. While I am told to put it over with the rest of my friends, I just couldnt resist the lure of having it in my back yard. I put the hut right on the spot where we caught the most fish in the summer. This is the dry run. I have a nice hole that I cut with my chainsaw...5 feet by 1 foot. The ice is 8 inches thick. We banked lots of snow around the hut. It is a mere 50 feet from my house. It is equipped with heat and lighting. Its so flippin rad.....hahaha cheers...I'm going fishing

Come Lord Jesus

Jesus

Son of God

Son of God

Saviour

High in the sky

The morning star

is rising

Jesus

Saviour

Saviour

Peace and Contentment 2010

My friend Brenda sent me this card a few years ago. I love this image. It might surprise you to know Brenda that I still have this card. This card has sentimental value to me. It is easy to let your imagination wander when looking at an image like this. This is a good medicine image. This is the image I want to leave you with as I take a little down time with my family........see ya'll in the new year!

Grandfather Rock - Lake Obabika

"Grandfather Rock - Lake Obabika" Copyright don wright 2010

 Grandfather Rock - Lake Obabika" Picture Copyright Kim Cowan

Grandfather Rock - Lake Obabika" Picture Copyright Kim Cowan

There is a sacred place on the northern reaches of Lake Obabika, just at the foot of the old growth stand. I have been there and left tobacco offerings in honor and respect. I saw the above photo on Freinds of Temagami Facebook by Kim Cowan. It sparked my memory and my imagination, so I created the above art work. It is fitingly called "Grandfather Rock - Lake Obabika" and I dedicate this art to all those who appreciate this wonderful and sacred place.

Christmas Letter to Our Friends and Family

Susan and I wanted to take a moment to wish you all peace, love and happiness. We also wanted to fill you in on changes in our own lives.

I had been planning the great escape for a number of years. I wouldn’t call it retirement by any means, but I would call it lifestyle change. When Dylan headed to Banff, and Debbie headed to Lakehead University, there was nothing holding us back. Sue and I put the schoolhouse up for sale, and began looking to Near North Ontario. We had so many ideas and so many possibilities. We looked in towns, we looked out of town, we looked at farms, we looked at camps, we looked at stores, we left no stone unturned. In the end, we ended up with a dream home on the Sturgeon River.

We have been here for 4 months now and feel quite at home. Although we are only 5 minutes from town, we rarely leave our place......there is no reason to! We have everything we need here. We have a boat and a dock and some great fishing. We have an ATV and access 1000’s of acres of crown land. I have an icehut which is sitting on the edge of the river right now, waiting to see use. We have a nice big property with lots of grass to cut and Sue has a nice new John Deere lawn tractor. I now have a small art and music studio with a most amazing view of the river. We think our house is spectacular with a circular stone living room/kitchen and stone fireplace. From all windows we see water, and trees. We have awesome neighbours too!

Sturgeon Falls is a Northern Ontario French community situated between North Bay and Sudbury. The town is very friendly and the people are caring. We helped at the local food drive and the town raised almost 10 tons of food for the food bank! The high school students all went door to door collecting and then formed a human chain, passing 8 tons of food, from hand to hand until it reached the basement of a local church. Now thats community spirit! Sturgeon Falls has 2 Tim Hortons and a Country style, McDonalds and A&W, Mr Sub, Subway, Kentucky Fried chicken...all these things we don’t bother to eat! There is a Canadian Tire, 3 grocery stores, 2 lumber yards, several gas stations...we have it all!!!!! Also, our camp in western Temagami is now only 1.25 hours from home....a mere 80Klicks!

We hope our happiness is shining through for you all to see! From joyful and thankful hearts we wish you ALL the greatest of blessings! We extend our hand of friendship and love to you ALL. We want you to know that you are always welcome here in our home. We have spare bedrooms and lots of room. Our home can be your home if you would come to visit us. Though we have a bright new future, we do have a past, full of memories and friendships. We remember and miss all of you.

Love always,
Don and Sue Wright

Winter Soltice Event 2010

I received this invite and was asked to share with my friends. "An Evening of Art, Soul and Spirit" I think I should try and make it down for this event. Two of my Favourite artists under one roof. I also did a google image search on John Rombough...NICE WORKS!....I am wondering if Ritchie's "The Mission" will be on display....Jeesh I hope I can make it for this event!

Let it Snow!

It snowed all day yesterday and all night....Let it snow!!! That ice hut should be able to go to the river soon. I did a test hole and it was about 5-6 inches thick. People were skating on the river a couple days ago. During the storm we watched a mink feeding at the culvert beside our place. The water was still open there, as there is a creek that flows into the river. He was in and out of the river and walked the shore line over to our shed. We also saw a beaver at the open water. This morning after a night of snow, the water is no longer open for them. The creek appears to be frozen over now.

Painting..........

ideas...colors....lines.....forms....expressions......all is well.......peace is in our midst

The Angels Cried

Found this in the archives and since its December I thought I'd share it with you......the Son of God would soon become the son of man...blessings

Sandy Falls Rainbow

"Sandy Falls" Copyright don wright 2010

As I recall, it was a beautiful sunny day, and I went for a boatride up river to Sandy Falls Bay. I was floating in the bay when suddenly it began to rain. The sun stayed bright and a most brilliant rainbow arched across the sky. From where I was, I could see the arch touching the water at either end. Not only that, but the reflection formed a perfect circle! It was a moment I never wanted to forget.

Playing in the Rainbows

I'm having a great time playing in my sandbox. I decided I need to do more than one painting at a time. I have room on my table for two. Well If I was neat and organized I could probably do four. But I like my stuff every where so two is enough.

I am exploring a theme...RAINBOWS. I am loving the way the colours come together and compliment each other. I have been playing with a number of themes within the rainbow. I have been having fun using White Paper and maintaining a white background...as much as I can. I am a slob and its all I can do from keeping my splatters, smudges and fingerprints off the white.

I am going to sit here and paint rainbows until there is world peace or until Christ returns to claim the ones who love Him.....whichever comes first.

Life in the Rainbow

"Life in the Rainbow" Copyright don wright 2010



I've been playing with rainbows today. I am practicing multi coloured lines, to help with my brush strokes and dexterity. Its been a blast. I called this one  "Life in the Rainbow"

Reconnecting.....

Finding my Way and Reconnecting

"Rainbow Spirit" Copyright don wright 2010

I went to Sudbury today to buy some used living room chairs. What a score...4 for $40.00. I saw them on the cable shopping network, phoned the number and away I went. While in Sudbury I went to Sears to buy a vinyl table cloth....Found them but had to leave it at the door becuase I dont do excessive cashier lineups. I zoomed across the road to Fabricland and got fixed up with a nice clear plastic table cover. I then went to Michaels and bought some painting supplies and some canvass. I made my way home, setup my painting table, and began to paint a vision.

Its too bad I'm so rusty and such a rookie. I felt clumsy. The vision didnt really translate. Its still in my head. Perhaps as I gain proficiency and technique and experience, then my vision can be properly expressed. Nevertheless, I called the piece Rainbow Spirit. I think that all art deserves a name. If it was worth expressing, then its worth naming.

Anyway, on one hand I shouldnt embarrass myself by posting such rudimentary work but on the other hand. I'm on a journey. Things are what they are. These are just diary entries on my journey on the Red Road. I'm dropping little "seeds" in fertile ground. I will nurture these seeds and as time passes these seeds will become trees and vines, offering every good medicine to those who find pleasure in my art.

Dranfield & Wright - The Old Crossroad

This is a traditional blegrass gospel tune called The Old Crossroads. We rocked it a bit and call it Pearly Gates.

Dranfield & Wright - "Old Hands"

Here is another tune we did called Old Hands. It almost made it to an album but got xnayed by the producer...oh well. It was fun. I sing the vocals and Mark does the rest.....The wonders of modern technology and talent. Oh well...I'm a better fisherman.

Dranfield & Wright "For Better or Worse"

Mark Dranfield and I are childhood friends. He is my oldest friend. We played dinky toys together in Quebec. We have fished together and played music together all our lives. We dont really see each other a lot, but we have shared the home studio experience together on numerous occasions. Here is a song we wrote along with a poet friend of Marks. She used to submit a ton of poetry, words and lyrics and we would massage them, cut and paste them to our music. I was usuallay relegated to vocals only, as Mark has a hot guitar hand, and he engineered the songs. Any way, I like this song...check it out....Dranfield and Friends....For Better or Worse...Cheers

Tim Alberts - Singer, Song Writer, Producer and Friend

"Waiting a Lifetime" Copyright Tim Alberts

This is my gifted friend who is helping me out with my music and this is his studio. Give this a listen. He is wonderful brother in spirit and operates by the law of grace. I have some of the coolest friends!!!

My Studio

I was motivated last night to finally begin making my studio. I really wasnt sure yet where and last night was epiphany night. We did a bunch of furniture/bed trasfers between rooms and I got my table and view for my painting. This table is lovingly referred to as Oma's table and it sits right in front of a magnificent view of the river. I need to get a covering for the table before I can begin again to paint.

I also set up my music studio in the same room. I dug out my mixers and amps, my mics and cables. I have it set up for live music now, and will soon connect it all to my PC. I am going to abandon my old recording program and move to a platform common to a number of my friends. I also want to learn how to video edit while using my recorded mix. If anyone knows of some decent video editing SW, let me know.

I am so blessed. I just thought I would share that. When I look around this world, its so easy to get in the trap of comparison. We like to compare ourselves with others. While a certain amount of that is healthy, I think we tend to overdo it. Its hard not to look longingly at things that other people have, but that is a trap..an impediment in our own ability to be pleased with what we have. I think that as we express gratitude for what we do have, then we are better able to enjoy those blessings. As we express gratitude, then the blessings amplify and become more apparant. As we recognize blessings for others, and feel happiness for them, then we are able to nurture those blessings in others. Again...amplified blessings. The result of being happy and supportive of another persons joy and pleasure, help to make that joy and pleasure our own. I am truly blessed. As I sit and try to count the ways, it becomes just a silly task so I am inclined just to bask in it....and share it.

Blessings to you and yours. May you be filled with thanksgiving and joy.

Wheels Turn - Studio First Draft and Fall in the Near North

"Wheels Turn" Copyright Don Wright 2010

Well I just got back from Mississauga and while I was there I had the good fortune to record in a friends studio. He is a heck of a musician and engineer and together we layed down some tracks. He has a great little studio with some really fine gear. He does movie soundtracks and produces albums.

This is the first draft of Wheels Turn. If you have any thoughts, I am interested as I return in a month to tweek and lay tracks for the next song. I used movie maker and threw in a bunch of fall photos here in the near north for your viewing pleasure.

Cheers