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...