I am always fascinated by sunlight, this time on the random way that slivers of light graze branches in a forest.

I used an especially rough ground as I try to find the ideal amount of tooth to make for "a come and go light" ... broken light if you wish, not unlike the impressionists' approach. The impressionists broke the pigment and I am trying to get the ground to break the colour while at the same time layering the colours like in tapestry. I think this is quite successful.

The leather harness creaks as this mismatched team slowly makes its way up and down the field. On this beautiful autumn day only the farmer and his dog are there to see their furrow-making progress. The stone farmhouse in the background was built by another farmer many generations ago.

Although the horses occupy only a small part of the painting, the focus of this piece is the team. I was constantly aware of tightening the contrasts on the horses while softening down the background scenery.

Bobbing in the gray/green waters of the Grand Canal, the gondolas dance in the misty light. Nothing else represents Venice, Italy, to me like these strange sleek crafts.

From this angle I can almost see the bottom side of the covered bridge at West Montrose. The reflection in the Grand River really does show its under structure. The end of the day sun slanting across this ancient bridge adds a dramatic element to this everyday structure. Although I have painted this historic bridge many times, this is the first try at an up close and personal view.

This painting is part of the series, My View, that I created for Rogers T.V., Cable 20.

Straddling the Arno River in Florence, this structure is the home to high priced shops that delight the tourist. Built in 1345, right at the start of the Renaissance, this is the oldest surviving bridge in the city. While my bride shopped on this bridge, I took countless photos that served as the basis for this piece. Oh yeah, I also had a couple of drinks there.

How vast and long lasting is the fortune of the Borromeo family that they still own this seventeenth century palazzo that occupies an entire island in Lake Maggiore near Stresa. I found the palace itself much to my taste but the gardens that occupy sixty per cent of the island just too ornate with an army of sculpted pieces that were obviously meant to impress.

A low home-made bridge has been built across the Conestogo River at Hawkesville to shorten a long horse-drawn route through the village.

This bridge is only one of three bridges built by the Old Order Mennonites over the Conestogo River. The genius of these constructions is that they are built low enough that the ice breaking up in spring flows over the bridge and does not threaten the abutments. These bridges reduce travel time by a great deal for those who travel by horse and buggy.

A crowded but pleasant town high up on a hill in Sicily, Taormina is on the itinerary of many cruise ships. In 2010 we stopped on a cruise that took us from Istanbul to Civitavecchia (Rome). The warm hues of the toast-coloured buildings broken by many trees and plants was just a dream.

Although the streets were busy, they were populated by happy people enjoying the sunshine and the beauty of the hill town.

Bella Lake is located just off Billie Bear Road, northeast of Huntsville, Ontario. Private lanes lead off the road to cottages near the water and offer such a wonderful chance to imagine what's at the other end.

My long-time friend, Mike Roth, has introduced me to this area which is near his cottage. Almost all of my Muskoka paintings result from visits to Mike and his bride, Melodie.

I was drawn to the sharp contrast in colour and light in this small restaurant, one of so many cafes and bars that stud the Greek island of Santorini. The people sitting and chatting by the doorway is so typical of the relaxed Greek lifestyle.

This island is a huge tourist trap. Stores and food outlets seem to pave the entire island. Although very pretty with the blue of the sea around it, I found it quite crowded and not really my cup of tea.