Following a number of years studying clay sculpture in Cornwall, England, I discovered that one reason I so enjoyed creating with clay was because it was such a lovely way to preserve a precious memory. After returning to Canada I found that wood and stone worked just as well, so I created a garden and filled it with even more memories. A gift of a canvas and frame started me painting happy pictures of Creemore's Mill St. stores and celebrations, all of which were made into cards and prints and make many more people happy, both here and abroad. Then I discovered the word "patenteur" which is a French word describing a person who devotes his life to art, but doesn't necessarily take himself seriously. I immediately coined it for myself!