Thursday, February 25, 2010

Thursday Thirteen - 147 - 13 Creative Works by My Uncle, Renaissance Man Charles E. Doucet















It's a huge crowd here today for the opening of my Uncle Charlie's art show here at A Piece of My Mind.

Come in! Come in! Have some chocolate-dipped strawberries, some grapes and cheese. A glass of wine.

Uncle Charlie is front and center for the family portrait. He's usually behind the camera! Take a picture, quick - Oh, well, he's picking up his guitar, getting ready for a jazz duo with his wife, my Aunt Noel. That's how it is with Uncle Charlie. That's why he's the Renaissance Man Extraordinaire.

As more guests arrive to the gallery, let's find a spot to enjoy Uncle Charlie's original composition which he wrote with Auntie especially for this art opening.

1 - Jazz guitar original composition



*clapping*

Oh, I just love the buttery-smooth tone of his guitar.

In case you need a bass player, he can play electric bass, as well. And if your keyboard player can't make it, he can take that gig, as well.



Uncle Charlie is a musician, composer, painter, wood carver, photographer, film and television producer and former underwater filmmaker.

That's him back in the day with an underwater camera casing, out at my favorite spot on earth, Polly Cove.








This is my favorite of his fine art photographs, taken out at my favorite piece of heaven.



- 2 Two Boulders










A lifelong fisherman, wilderness camper and hunter, Uncle Charlie has trekked deep into pristine forests to get amazing shots like Family of Wolves and Lynx in Tree.





- 3 Family of Wolves










- 4 Lynx in Tree








At some point, Uncle Charlie thought - hey, why not try painting?




- 5 An early painting














For most of his career, Uncle Charlie has been writing, producing, directing and editing radio and television commercials, regional TV series, documentaries and corporate videos. Here's a promo for a piece he did about our city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

6 - Halifax Harbour: A Geological Journey





There's a strong attachment to the sea for Maritimers, and it gives my uncle a recurring theme in many of his pieces.



7 - Dory Silhouette






















8 - Driftwood art photography




9 - Driftwood Twists














10 - A favorite driftwood face












11 - The Viking King






Uncle Charlie has turned his attention more recently to wood carving. Some of his creations do double duty as holiday greeters for the family Christmas Eve dinner.
















A passionate gardener, his affinity for growing things leads to another strong element to his photography.



12 - Grapes












13 - Amaryllis Leaves













Oh - there's the artist now! Uncle Charlie - ((hug)) - I'm so glad you decided to have a show here on my blog. I absolutely love your new website, Charles E. Doucet Creatives.


You mean you built your website yourself?


The Renaissance Man shrugs. What can he say?




And here comes his daughter, historical romance author Julianne MacLean. "Hi, Cuz!" she smiles.



Oh, Julianne - your dad's art show is really amazing.










Her brother Charlie runs up to join us.


"This is awesome!" he says.













And Uncle Charlie's sister - my mom - and his wife, my Aunt Noel join us just as another tray of cheesecake squares and Cape Breton 'pork pies' (maple and date tarts) goes by.

Mmm...I think I'll nab a few of those...

Auntie, I loved your flute in the music video.

"Oh, thank you!" she says.

The crowd continues to stroll past the art work, and Uncle Charlie is busy chatting to guests. Thank you so much for coming to my latest art show! If we're lucky, they might pick up their guitar and flute again...

Robin says Wow, a Renaissance Man is right - he's extraordinary! I love his nature photography. Thank you so much for sharing your Uncle Charles with us.

Julianne MacLean says Wow - what a fun show! I'm very proud of my Dad. He is such an inspiration to me - and so are you, Julia, my lovely cuz, for hosting his art show at your exquisite "blogallery." Great start to my day :)

Uncle Charlie says My daughter Julianne described it nicely in her comment,a "blogallery." I loved your creative approach to displaying the various images...a virtual art gallery tour complete with the obligatory wine and cheese offerings, ( and how about those chocolate covered strawberries!!) Your Auntie Noel, (my dear wife,) and I thank you for your thoughtfulness and creativity in your very impressive blog...see you soon!

17 comments:

Robin said...

Wow, a Renaissance Man is right - he's extraordinary! I love his nature photography. Thank you so much for sharing your Uncle Charles with us, and I really enjoyed the creative way you wrote it up, too.

Hootin Anni said...

LOVE the Lynx in the Tree!!!!

My 13 is literary this week. Scroll down below my Thursday Thunks to find 'em HERE I'd love to have you visit if you can find time!!

Norma said...

What a treat and honor to be invited to this show of a very talented guy. And the strawberries were so yummy! Thanks!

http://collectingmythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/02/thursday-thirteen-13-tips-from-waiters.html

Julianne MacLean said...

Wow - what a fun show! I'm very proud of my Dad. He is such an inspiration to me - and so you are you, Julia, my lovely cuz, for hosting his art show at your exquisite "blogallery." Great start to my day :)

Mia Celeste said...

Wow, I'm impressed. You have a talented family. Happy TT!

Unknown said...

Those photographs were fabulous. Had no idea Julianne's Dad was so creative.

And what's the name of this lovely wine your serving?

Janet said...

Had a fabulous time, thanks for the invitation, Julia.

Your uncle is amazing - a true artist, a gifted man! I absolutely loved the wolves (my favorite animal), and the driftwood photography (my love of all things beachy).

I'm taking away a lesson - one never knows of the possibilities until one tries; so try! Thank you, Uncle Charlie (may I call you that?) for such inspiration.

Akelamalu said...

What a talented man your uncle Charlie is! I love the photos Julia, thankyou for sharing them.

I am Harriet said...

Wow- very cool.

http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/02/why-god-made-moms-and-other-thunks/

Unknown said...

Wow! You Uncle is crazy talented. Thoroughly enjoyed this post.

Happy T13!

Shelley Munro said...

Your uncle is very talented. I love the photo of the wolves and also the one of the lynx.

Uncle Charlie said...

Hello Dear Niece:
I'm so flattered that you chose my artistic endeavors as a theme for your blog today... my daughter Julianne described it nicely in her comment,a "blogallery." I loved your creative approach to displaying the various images...a virtual art gallery tour complete with the obligatory wine and cheese offerings, ( and how about those chocolate covered strawberries!!)
Your auntie Noel, (my dear wife,) and I thank you for your thoughtfulness and creativity in your very impressive blog...see you soon!

Your loving Uncle Charlie.

JCB said...

very cool!

Janet said...

Such a talented family!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing! What a wonderful expose on someone. I really enjoyed the jazz video. I grew up in Maine, but have never made it to Nova Scotia. Right now I live in S. Korea, so it will be a while before I can make a trip. Hope all is well, and here's to communities that support their local artists!

Travis Cody said...

What an accomplished and creative man! I loved the music.

candace boudreau said...

What a great thing to do for our uncle. I did enjoy it . Noel is my 1st cousin , my moter & her mother were sisters, both have passed away. maybe on one of our trips to Hfx I will get to hear them sing , I so enjoyed the video & sent it along to my family . Thanks again , sometimes I take a long time to do this computer stuff , Candace Fraser Boudreau ., Little Bras d" Or