Blue Jeans & Rubber Boots

written by Chace

My day starts early, or as early as when my mom gets out of bed. I like to go out first thing to sniff, bark and relieve myself while my mom makes her coffee.

On a nice morning, my mom (that’s what I call her, as I don’t know her name) will bring her coffee outside and sit with me for a while. Sometimes, I need encouragement to ‘do my business’.

Once Jeff (my dad)

My art students often ask me, "Where do you get your inspiration?" I usually respond with a list of various sources—my surroundings, walks on the beach, my garden, travel, and more—essentially, everything I encounter each day.

For instance, when I take my dog for a walk and notice the peeling paint on a neighbour’s fence, which shows years of wear and different layers of colour, that