The Past is my Future

The "Howley Project" has been in my life now for 10 years and I am gratified to see it come to a close and satisfied with the resulting artwork.  

This work that I have done has now led me down the path to more research and discoveries.  From my interest in James Howley I have become interested in the Central Newfoundland Dunnage Zone and found there has been lots of research in that area and it is still ongoing.  I’ve amassed a collection of geological reports that have been helping me find my way through the “melange” and I find other large footsteps to follow such as another geological idol, Hank Williams.

Last summer I spent time in Moreton’s Harbour and Salt Harbour scouting out some formations in and around those areas.

Little Harbour, near Moreton's Harbour

Carter's Cove

Strong's Island

Pike's Arm

Reading the reports I was inspired by the descriptions of the geology of the region and intrigued by the dynamic geological history of the land formed by the death of an ocean, Iapetus.  More research to be done on that subject and another body of work in the future.

Once again, my work in the QEII Library assisted me in finding inspiration and I spent a lot of time browsing through the geology subject area in the stacks.  I found many non-technical books about men who helped shape the story of the Earth.  James Hutton, William Smith, and Arthur Holmes (just to name a few) and I found other books that explained Earth’s story and helped me to better understand it.  I’ve started my own geology library and the titles I find in the QEII are added to my Amazon wish list!

I am working on one more painting for the Howley series and I reflect on how much I’ve learned from James P. and how much more I want to learn from those who have preceeded him and those who have followed him. The journey for me is just beginning.