NEWS FLASH:
Both Rome walking Tours are now available for free on this web site!
​Click here to see the tours!

When did I start painting you ask!

In 2012, I took a photograph of Corniglia, Italy. I printed a large copy of it which hung in my livingroom. After 5 years, the colour faded. I was going to print another, but in the spur of the moment decided I would paint it instead. I headed to Bijann's art store and bought what I needed to get started. But then I decided to paint a 3 dimensional version of it, which can be seen here: Corniglia. This was 2017. So, I guess, I have been painting for 8 years now and have completed 23 paintings. I don't get much time for this as I work each day (am retiring soon), have two pooches that need attention and have other interests. I mostly paint Italian towns and things related to Italy. I am fascinated with Italy; the colours, sounds, food, art, architecture, culture, scenery, olive groves, lemon trees and of course Italian wine.

Pantocrator
16 by 16 Gold leaf and Oil on Birch Cradle - available for purchase

Italy 2014 – remember when I was there for 3 months? Well, it ends up that I was in the exact spot as this painting 11 years ago from this week! …So, I guess this post is kind of an anniversary post!
Monreale, Sicily:  A Norman Arab church built in 1172, a Benedictine cloister next door, with absolutely incredible architecture.  
The interior of the Cathedral is unbelievable – stunning – glistening – captivating – humbling. Striking Byzantine mosaics cover every inch of the apse, walls, arches ...and the Pantocrator at the front of the church powerfully watches your every move and doesn’t let you get away with anything! I took a great number of photographs because it was the most incredible church interior I had ever seen. A few years ago, I decided I wanted to do something with the Pantocrator, so I opened my favourite photo in Photoshop, converted it to a line drawing, then dropped it into Illustrator to refine the image. It sat in a folder on my hard drive, untouched for years as I was still trying to figure out what to do with it. In the meantime, I had a couch cushion made of it and stared at the cushion daily to help me with my thinking! After my stressful, yet successful applications of the gold on the earrings in the Whispers in Stone painting, I decided that gold leaf must play a part in the Pantocrator project. I prepared a 16 by 16 inch wood cradle then applied gold leaf to the entire board then sealed the gold with 2 layers of varnish as the leaf isn’t 24K and will tarnish if not sealed. Finally, I imported the dusty-old Illustrator file into Laserburn and converted it to a line image that the lasercutter can understand. I did a bunch of testing to see if my laser (which is a diode laser) can even etch or cut gold leaf. It ends up that it can, and once I got the settings correct, I sent the image to the laser to be etched into the gold. I hung out in the basement with the laser during this time as I was not sure if the whole thing would catch fire. Fortunately, it did not. It took about an hour for the etching to be complete. When you cut with a laser, the burn from the light leaves soot all over the image, so I carefully cleaned it with cotton swabs and tissues. I emerged from the basement and headed up to the studio. From there, I painted the image while exactly following the colours used in the original mosaics as I tried to match the Byzantine style, and quick colour changes caused by the colours themselves and the positioning of the tessera. You can notice the abruptness of the changes in the shading on his face and hand. The edges aren’t quite dry but were dry enough today that I could hang him in the livingroom with the rest of the Italy collection. It is very difficult to photograph. This was a fun project. See more photos here.

Adorloretta
​18 by 24, Oil on Birch Cradle - private collection

After visiting the Kellogg’s Competition to see the entries, I decided that I needed to try a few things. I need to try being “looser” with the brushstroke, try my hand at people, and I need to add emotion to the painting. So, I put together this composite which is called “Adoroletta”. Adorloretta was a feisty, verbal, ancient, second cousin. She lived in Monteleone di Puglia. I met her once and the visit with her was wildly interesting as she had a long, angry, history with our family. She is no longer alive but the memory of walking with her to the town cemetery is very much alive in me, and still makes me laugh.
I don’t know the man, but he was sitting in his chair this spring in Alberobello; the town with the round, white Truli houses with those beautiful peaked roofs. He was happily watching the thousands of tourists, of whom we were two, wander through the town. The dog, who was also happy, was lounging in a small, mountain top town called Laurito, where we stopped for a coffee and chatted with the wonderfully, friendly, locals. The building was in a town we wandered through one evening called Sessa Arunca, Campania on Via S Leo. I took many photos from different angles of this building as I thought I could use it in a painting.
To address the looseness theory, I dropped on a base of colour all at once, instead of starting at the top left corner and doing detailed work right from the beginning. This was very challenging for me. Once the base was on, I went back and added details. 
To address emotion, I tried to build a connection between the three, but I haven't defined that connection. It is up to the viewer to make up the story for this piece.
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I'm Never Leaving
30 by 36 Oil on Birch Cradle -  available for purchase

The above painting, I'm Never Leaving, was one of 100 selected from over 1100 entries for the Kellogg's Annual Art Com Competition. This competition is the largest in Canada with both professional and amateur works selected.

The beautiful Italian Riviera presents five small fishing villages known as the Cinque-Terre. The villages are connected by picturesque and ancient hiking trails perched high on the clifftops overlooking the magnificent, blue, Ligurian Sea.

Hiking the trails is both exhilarating and strenuous, but everyone who visits the area is compulsively driven to complete the trek.

After an arduous day of what seems to be eternal hiking, you ascend the final trail from the rocky shoreline and witness this unexpected view of Riomaggiore. While being overtaken by exhaustion and emotion, the view of the village mingles with your soul, and you breathlessly whisper, “I’m never leaving.”
Siena
16 by 16 Oil on Birch Cradle - available for purchase
A walk through Siena the day after the Palio, with my goddaughter Britt, presented us with this view. Siena, like all Italian towns is a wonderful place to visit. 

Whispers in Stone: The Muse of Matera
30 by 36 Oil on Birch Cradle - available for purchase

Matera, Italy is a stunningly beautiful town. We wandered through it for a day scaling hundreds of steps while admiring everything about the Sassi. We paid our way into the Matera Cathedral. I am not a fan of Baroque decoration which, in my opinion destroys the interior of this church, but then I found this lovely 13th century angel silently lost within the business of the Baroque. She was carved somewhere between 1203 and 1270. I believe she needs to be free from the horror of the Baroque, so I have restored her beauty and she now lives in 21st century freedom. She has 24K gold-leaf earrings, which are not shown in this photo. The red in her earrings has been leafed.

Chiara Rose
​16 by 16 Oil on Birch Cradle - private collection

Rose window from the Basilica of Santa Chiara, Assisi, Italy. 
Garbatella
​16 by 24 Oil on Birch Cradle - private collection 
While in Rome, we had a lovely afternoon walk through Garbatella, where I spied the subject matter shown above. The laundry is mounted on a 4 inch piece of oak, to give it distance from the main panel.
​The Fiats of Lipari - private collection
​June 19, 2014, Karen and I were scooting around the island on our fifth day in Lipari, Italy, when we discovered a perfectly staged collection of old Fiats. We immediately parked the scooter and started exploring this classic ancient ruins. We had this amazing archeological site all to ourselves! They were absolutely adorable and so much fun to explore. Click here to see more!
Manarola
​30 by 40 Oil on Birch Cradle - private collection
Wow, what a project this was! I started painting on October 23, 2021 and finished on March 5, 2022, for a total project time of 217 hours. I have been keeping a journal to log my time. I estimated that it would take 300 hours, so was happy to come in below that number. This view of Manarola is from the cliff-top town of Corniglia, Italian Riviera, Ligurian Sea. I am delighted to be finished... 

Italy Travel Trilogy

The Italy Travel Trilogy is three paintings combined to tell a story of a magnificent summer vacation. Click the links in the description to see progress photos.
 
1. Left - Karen admiring the Trinita di Delia, a 12th century Arab-Moorish chapel, just north of Selinunte in Sicily
2. Middle - Keith looking out the window of King Frederick's tower, over the town of Enna
3. Right - Brittany exploring ancient ruins in Herculaneum

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Cave Party at the Limbo-Scram
​24 by 24 Oil on Birch Cradle - private collection
​This 14th century fresco has always amused me ever since I studied it in art class in the mid 70s. It's a little cave party going on to the lower right of a bunch of folks on their way to limbo-land! I have called this painting Cave Party at the Limbo-Scram, because the real titles of Descent into Limbo, or Descent to Hell, are too scary for some of my friends! The original fresco is located in the Spanish Chapel, in the Church of Santa Maria Novella, in Florence. It was painted in 1366-67 by Andrea Bonaiuto. I saw it in real-life in the summer of 2016 when Keith and I were touring Florence, and it was delightful to see. The medieval artists must have had so much fun painting it. 
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Vernazza from the Cliffs
​18 by 24 Oil on Birch - private collection
​Vernazza; a beautiful town in the Italian Riviera. This is the view from high on the cliffs. I have had the pleasure of experiencing this view with a number of friends while hiking the Blue Azure Trails in the Cinque Terre, Italy; something everyone should do. Click here to see details.
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Unbeleev - Interactive Memories of Italy, Oil on Birch, 30 by 43 - private collection
Click the photo below to see more - a collage of moving parts, activities and locations: 148 buildings, 12 locations, 29 people, 3 Vespas, 5 ruins, 4 Fiats, 4 Goats, Uncountable windows, shutters, doors, bricks and grapes. There are 5 moving parts which allows for a 16,384 possible scenarios.
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Keith
18 by 24 Oil on Birch - private collection
Keith and I travelled to Italy for a couple of weeks in 2014. 

It was his first time in Italy. He was in remission from an aggressive type of Leukaemia; the same Leukaemia that killed famous Canadian artist, Jack Chambers years earlier. Part of our travelling included various sites in Sicily. In Enna, we climbed King Frederick's tower and Keith paused to look out the window.

This is my eighth painting and it is the first painting that makes me "feel" like I can paint. I surprised myself with it and I smile in disbelief every time I look at it. It is my first painting dealing with any major perspective. 

Thanks Keith for the trip to Italy, and for looking out this window. I am celebrating your life and this painting with a party-drink tonight.
More details about Keith can be seen by clicking this link. 
Click here to see Detailed photos of painting
 

La Vista di David  - David's View (Oil on Birch, 10 by 30") - private collection

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Florence:
​If you have visited Florence, Italy, crossed the river and climbed the steps, you will recognize this view from Piazzale Michelangelo. It took 163 hours to complete the work. Each front row building averaged two to three hours to complete. The church took about 22 hours. It was fun painting this, and less stressful than "Oh Look a Castle", as I was not painting for someone; it was just for me. Sometimes, at the end of the day, I felt that I had painted for hours and gotten nowhere. Other times, painting a series of buildings made me feel that even though I still had hours of time ahead of me to finish, I was moving along just fine. Click here to see progression photos.

"Oh Look a Castle" (Oil on Birch, 12 by 36") - private collection

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"Oh Look a Castle" was a gift for my god-daughter, Brittany. It depicts a palace in Mantua Italy, the Colosseum in Rome, and Britt's favourite building (from the outside) the Duomo, in Orvieto. Britt and I travelled for one month to all corners of Italy and like to reminisce about the trip. This painting will help us do that! My high-school art teacher, and good friend, Mary Redekop, said "Someone would have to be crazy to paint that church!" - I rest my case!
​ More photos may be seen by clicking this link.

Heart of London Video Tour App was recognised with a Provincial Award and a Municipal Award.
I no longer have it posted in the app stores, instead it is available by clicking the link above. 
The tour provides a multimedia tour of the Forks of the Thames River in London, Ontario.

Hey Wendy Watch This!

Her eyes might look innocent
​               ~ but are they?
​Adventures at Lorne Avenue School, Sir Adam Beck, and in the neighbourhood, pack life full of surprises for the Rogers family as Deb grows up East of Adelaide in London, Canada. 

You might not believe that all these stories are true  
​                ~ but they are!
Life was full of wild times as Deb grew up East of Adelaide. The book covers neighbourhood and school stories from EOA, Lorne Avenue School and Beck Collegiate. There are humourous stories and some not so humourous. The focus is completely from Deb's perspective - because isn't life all about Deb?

​Click here to read the reviews.

Read it on your iPad - iBook available here.

Photo above: Book Signing and Meet the Author at Indigo Chapters Masonville!

The Heart of London App was recognized as a Leader in Innovation

We are so excited and delighted to announce that the Heart of London app was recognised for the first ever Ontario’s Southwest Innovation Award for planning and implementing a new, innovative tourism product.  

The Heart of London addresses the need for content to be provided to mobile users where they want it and when they want it, while drawing them into downtown London; the Heart of London. 

By combining storytelling, compelling graphics and video with historical research, scenic localities and place markers, London history becomes accessible to both visitors and Londoners. Every attempt was made to present the people and places of the past by using current, mobile technology. 

Heart of London Objectives:
  • To attract tourists and locals to downtown London, specifically, the Forks of the Thames River, while encouraging exploration of the history and features of the area by providing a relaxed and informative mobile tour.
  • To inspire healthy participation through walking or riding while at the same time providing a wheelchair accessible activity.
  • To provide an “on demand” approach to tourism and London history through the use of current mobile technology
​
The app is a fun and informative historical tour of London Ontario, with videos included which provide over ninety minutes of information.   

Teachers: The Heart of London app fits within the Provincial curriculum for Grade Six Social Studies; Strand A: Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present.

Live Walking Tours Available for Individuals or Groups.

Who is Deb?

Deb is a creative technology teacher and developer who lives on the block somewhere between the Flintstones and the Jetsons. Her love of ancient civilizations and London Ontario history is currently her focus as she develops apps for mobile devices about these topics. 
Mindful adult educator educating adults mindfully!

Words from Deb...

My entire career has been filled with satisfied clients who have experienced positive and productive technology based learning with me. I know the technology, the terminology, and the tricks of the trade. Most of all, I know how to share what I know with my clients in a positive, stress-free, learning environment.

I am tech savvy with the ability to listen, demonstrate and explain what you are trying to do in words that everyday people can understand. I will help you with a follow-up plan of study and success. Individual and corporate training is available.

I am currently enjoying a full-time position at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.  I spend a lot of time using Captivate and SharePoint. It's fun!
The Art of London, written by Nancy G. Poole. is now available as a free download at: 
http://www.mcintoshgallery.ca/docs/The-Art-of-London.pdf

It took 90 hours for me to convert this original paper-based publication to an e-book. It has been made available by an anonymous donor for everyone to download for free. It is a wonderful read. I can honestly tell you that because I have read it at least 10 times! It is loaded with information and great stories about the progression of Art in London and our many artists.

Two Rome Walkabout Apps are available in the links at the top of this page.

The Mostly Roman & Early Christian and the Renaissance, Mannerist & Baroque apps have sold in 44 countries around the world with 600 downloads.

The apps are available at the links above. I removed them both from app stores and made them available on this site instead.

Each app provides maps, readable content, videos, photos, slide presentations and great walking directions. They are fun, informative and helpful. Maximize your time in Rome by using these apps. They can be use don your phone while you wander through Rome!