Footsteps East

This week I received a notice from Edward Wedler. He and his wife Anne are embarking on a two-year painting project. It is an en Plein Air trek inspired by the Canadian Group of Seven. This will take them through Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario.

This ambitious project takes me back to earlier projects. For example, Ride the Lobster — an 800 km uni-cycle relay race through Nova Scotia. Or later, the Road to Georgetown, walking trails between Yarmouth and Georgetown, PEI to attend a conference on Redefining Rural. Along the way, there were many stories and places.

Of particular interest in Footsteps East will be the depiction of landscape and the changes over time. Edward will paint in watercolours. Anne will be painting in oils. The results will be on display at an art gallery in Halifax. All artwork that is to be shown at the gallery will be “under wraps” until after their trek is completed.

Another memory is from the 1980s. At COGS, Edward was teaching Remote Sensing. I was teaching Scientific Computer Programming. Later, my interest centred on the application of GIS software. My relationships with the industry included ESRI and ESRI Canada. Edward developed similar relationships with DIPIX and PCI. We both shared a common interest in sharing software/ computing skills to enhance understanding and application.

Subsequently, Edward and Anne purchased the bookstore, ’The Inside Story’ in Greenwood. Again, a shared interest.

I look forward to our collaboration, as we attempt to bring together landscape, community, art and story, within a shared accessible digital environment. I anticipate Edward will contribute a number of blogs to EBE, as they make their journey — camping and all.

Acknowledgements

Edward and Anne Wedler as they show the way — active living in the landscape, through art. Check out their website at wedlerfineart.com