Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer Cell Photo by Pulmonary Pathology

The more I learn about genetic factors and cancer, well, it scares me. I don't eat near enough fruit and veggies as I should. Here's a link that gives some brief info about pancreatic cancer (what my dad died from) and prevention tips.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month / The Cancer Project

Work in Progress

I started this painting 5 years ago, never liked it, and hid it behind other paintings. I decided to play with it and resolve my issues with it. It's probably bigger than just an aesthetic reason. But that's a topic for another day.

The photo above is when I delved back into it a couple weeks ago.

New Painting: Cancer Cell No. 19

Cancer Cell No. 19, Acrylic on Canvas with Crochet Circles and String, 10 x 10 inches

I've always like the idea and look of combining sewing with paint. Since canvas is material it seems like a perfect marriage. This painting is an attempt at combining both mediums. Thoughts, opinions, and critiques are always welcome. Leave your comments below...

Painting Donated to the Larimer Humane Society

I created this specifically for the Humane Society's Fundraiser. I have a soft spot in my heart for animals.

Day of the Dead

Time Flies, 10 x 12", Acrylic on Canvas by A. Canada Hopkins

Little to do with Halloween, this day is really a celebration--celebrating a life lived. There are lively festivals, colorful parades, and fun parties. Family and friends gather at the grave with offerings in remembrance and a belief that the soul of the loved-one can be communicated with.

The Day of the Dead originates in Mexico. It has been a ritual for thousands of years to celebrate an ancestors death, to remember them, or honor their reincarnated soul. The imagery, customs, and beliefs of the holiday are a blend of diverse cultures giving unique meaning to the celebrations.

Of course, I'm fascinated with all the imagery and it's symbolism. I've never gone to Mexico or a Mexican-American community to celebrate this occasion. But I imagine it would be wonderfully healing to build an altar of tangible remains, a time to speak and remember the loved one with happiness and celebration.

Dulce Catrina, Photograph by Greg Hero

I came across this poem, by Henry Scott Holland, shortly after my dad passed away in 2001. I think it exemplifies how he'd like me to remember him.

Death is Nothing at All

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

By Henry Scott Holland

Start of a Painting

I started a new painting today. This is as far as I've gotten. Not sure where it's going--just assessing as I go. Thinking I'll integrate a more detailed drawing of an organ...maybe a heart....into the abstract brush strokes. But who knows, at this stage anything can happen.

Website Update

I made some changes to the website over the weekend. Let me know your thoughts. www.CanadaHopkins.com

It is a website hosted through Artspan. Like other hosted sites, I do have to stay within their template options. But I've been really happy with them. Their tech support has been amazing because they are really fast about getting back to me or just fixing the problem. Even though I haven't chosen to do it (I'm using my website as more of a portfolio), they do have a shopping cart option. Plus they have a "Prints on Demand" feature where on-line shoppers can order prints straight from your website. I've used this company for about 3 years now. One of these days maybe I'll be able to afford one of those fancy-designed just for me websites, but for now, this works just great.