My Palette

Plein air painting in Arizona

2012-03-03T07:12:00.001-08:00

Oil painting at the "Jewel of the Creek", Spur Cross, Cave Creek.

Memories of Malta "F'Omm iR-Rih"

2012-03-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

Oil painting 9" x 12"

Memories of Malta "F'Omm iR-Rih"

2012-03-01T13:11:00.001-08:00

Oil painting 9" x 12 "

Memories of Malta - Resting place

2012-02-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

Water colour and ink

Let it snow!

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Acrylic painting

Before the snow

2011-12-31T08:25:00.000-08:00

Recent acrylic paintings

Art Retreat in Prince Edward County

2011-12-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

I will again be instructing at the Wilson Street Studio Art retreats in 2012 in Prince Edward County during July 19 to 22. For more information on this and other retreats please visit www.wilsonstreetstudio.ca

Art Show at Richmond Hill Centre for the Arts

2011-12-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

Exhibiting ten paintings at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts during the month of December. Show is open Mon - Sat 10 am to 6 pm and during Theatre Show hours.

Memories of Malta - Wied iZ-Zurrieq

2011-11-21T07:27:00.001-08:00

Beautiful Wied iZ-Zurrieq, landing stage for the Blue Grotto. Acrylic painting on canvas 16" x 20"

Last of the Fall Colours

2011-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

Acrylic Painting on canvas 18" x 24"

Maltese Fishing Boats

2011-11-09T05:57:00.000-08:00

From my book "Malta on My Easel" at www.blurb.com/books/2161407

Bruce's Mills, Markham, Ontario

2011-11-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Bruce's Mills, Markham, Ontario. Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb.com/books/2423741

Markham on My Easel

2011-10-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb.com/books/2423741

Marham on My Easel

2011-10-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Views from Spain

2011-10-14T03:55:00.000-07:00

London Street

2011-10-13T16:47:00.001-07:00

Quick sketch of a street in North London

Sketching in Spain

2011-10-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Managed to avoid the scrapyard!

2011-09-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

McKay Art Centre. Watercolour from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Sunset in Markham

2011-09-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Bruce's Mills, Markham, Ontario

2011-09-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Toogood Pond, Unionville

2011-09-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Farm on 16th Avenue, Markham

2011-09-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Oil painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Toogood Pond, Unionville

2011-09-10T06:07:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Find out the origin of the name 'Toogood Pond'. Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Stiver Mill, Unionville

2011-09-09T05:51:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Kennedy Road, Markham

2011-09-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

Kennedy Road, Markham. Acrylic painting from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

McKay Art Cente

2011-09-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

McKay Art Centre. Watercolour from my book "Markham on My Easel" Take a look at: www.blurb/books/2423741

Breakfast with Mario

2011-09-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

Breakfast with Mario

I am an early riser. I am used to walking furtively to the kitchen. I approach the coffee pot. Thankfully, our host has set it up with the automatic timer to coincide with my early foray into the kitchen. She never forgets. Thank God for modern technology! I am greeted by family dogs who are the only ones to wake up before me and they beckon me for a crumb. Stoically, I decline. Unlike humans, they quickly forgive and forget and are ready to jump onto my lap at the first opportunity. He’ll be back again tomorrow, the optimist.

I can see Mario with me in the kitchen giving in to their pleading eyes and handing a small crumb while putting his index finger to his pursed lips. With a twinkle in his eye: ‘Shush’. Nobody is to know that he has succumbed to their wiles and joined the rest of the family in this daily ritual. But in his case it is to be a secret between the two of us. The others are to be condemned as being too soft.

As I drink my solitary coffee, I recall the many coffees we had together. He never admitted that I woke up before him. He would either be waiting for me in the kitchen or affirm that he was up waiting in his bed to hear my nocturnal footsteps. We were very careful not to make any noise in the kitchen. We prepared the coffee cups discreetly and warmed up the milk in the microwave; 30 seconds for me and 1 minute for him. He took more milk than coffee; health reasons. It was usually two pieces of toast but Mario sometimes had cereal and occasionally even a fried egg. He was an expert chef at this.

The rest of the house is slumbering. Later on they would complain of the noise we made with the china mugs and most of all with our chatter. A breakfast discussion was an accepted ritual. Beyond chatter, it would range from Maltese to US politics. The US economy could be fixed with a move to the right. Maltese politics were more complex. We would talk about people we knew and in the end about the only incorruptible politician in Malta who never abused his position; Mario’s father, a learned gentleman, who at one time occupied the position of Minister of Finance and even Deputy Prime Minister.

There were many people we talked about, mostly Maltese. No holds barred. Mario said it as he saw it. In black or white; people were highly intelligent or stupid, learned gentlemen or peons. He always illustrated this with an anecdote. He had unburdened himself of most of his earthly goods and exiled himself to Arizona to be with his family in his last days. But his anecdotal data bank remained with him. As were many quotations (in Latin) and elegant poems. We also discussed the day’s program. The spirit was willing but the flesh was sometimes weak and he needed some prodding to go out for lunch. Later on in the day perhaps an espresso, ‘one shot’ and green tea for me. The Starbucks girl had got used to us and prepared these without asking.

As I drink my morning coffee, I wonder what we would have talked about that day. My poor replacement as a coffee companion is now the National Post (Canadian) crossword puzzle which I download early morning. I try to finish it before the rest of the family starts to work on their copy. The beautiful Arizona sunrise is another companion. Its beauty is missed by the late sleepers who only have been known to talk about sunsets. There are some compensations to early rising. But it’s no longer the same.

Markham on My Easel

2011-08-26T03:40:00.000-07:00

Markham on My Easel by Edward Abela | Make Your Own Book

Markham on My Easel

2011-08-26T03:31:00.000-07:00

Markham on My Easel by Edward Abela | Make Your Own Book

Algonquin Panorama

2011-08-15T19:31:00.000-07:00

Acrylic Painting 48" x 24"

Bridgewater, Tweed, Ontario

2011-08-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Acrylic painting from photo pn canvas 24" x 30"

Memories of Girgenti, Malta

2011-08-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

From a plein air watercolour sketch done in 1976

Life's Journey Poster from Zazzle.com

2011-07-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

Life's Journey Poster from Zazzle.com

Sketchcrawl in Unionville

2011-07-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Varley Gallery, Main street, Unionville, part of the sketchcrawl July 23 2011

Malta on My Easel - Mtahleb

2011-07-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Mtahleb, limits of Rabat, one of my favourite painting spots. From my book "Malta on My Easel" at www.blurb.com/books/2161407

Plein air painting at Tweed, Ontario

2011-07-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

An art retreat at Bridgewater, Tweed, Ontario, where I coached nine artist on a hot sunny weekend.

Beautiful Wied iL-Lunziata, Gozo

2011-07-21T04:55:00.001-07:00

Painting from my book "Malta on My Easel". Please visit www.blurb.com/books/2161407 to review the whole book.

Buskett Gardens

2011-07-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

Painting from my book "Malta on My Easel". Please visit www.blurb.com/books/2161407 to review the whole book.

Ggantija Temples, Gozo

2011-06-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

Ink and watercolour painting from my book "Malta on My Easel". Please visit www.blurb.com/books/2161407 to review the whole book.

Valletta Street from "Malta on My Easel"

2011-06-21T05:51:00.000-07:00

Street in Valletta from my book "Malta on My Easel" please see www.blurb.com/books/2161407 for more details

Mosta Dome from "Malta on My Easel"

2011-06-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

Have a look at my book "Malta on My Easel" at: www.blurb.com/books/2161407

Malta on My Easel - Gozo Panorama

2011-06-17T15:40:00.001-07:00

One of my paintings from the book "Malta on My Easel". Please visit www.blurb.com/books/2161407

Malta on My Easel

2011-06-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

Dingli Church from my book "Malta on My Easel" please visit: www.blurb.com/books/2161407

Naxxar Countryside

2011-06-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

From my book "Malta on My Easel". For more info please go to:

www.blurb.com/books/2161407

McKay Gallery Show

2011-05-19T04:43:00.002-07:00

Memories of Malta and Gozo

2011-05-11T03:17:00.000-07:00

Markham Panorama

2011-04-24T07:55:00.001-07:00

Markham sunset; recent painting

2011-04-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

New art book of my Malta paintings

2011-04-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Malta on my easel by Edward Abela | Make Your Own Book

Memories of Malta and Gozo

2011-04-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

Panoramic view of Gozo from Victoria. Acrylic on canvas 16" x 20"

Melting snow at High Park, Toronto

2011-04-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

The snow is nearly all gone now!

Award winning painting at Latcham Gallery

2011-04-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

My painting "Dreams of Spring" won third prize at the Latcham Gallery Juried Show.

Maltese Link

2011-03-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

Promise of Spring

2011-03-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

For the first time my painting has been accepted at the Latcham Gallery and is getting an award!

Memories of Arizona. Plein Air Paintings

2011-03-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Back in Canada

2011-03-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

Back home in Canada; still a touch of snow but Spring is round the corner!

Last plein air painting in Arizona

2011-03-09T14:03:00.000-08:00

Last painting in Arizona before we fly home to Canada

Old Santa Fe, New Mexico

2011-03-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Old Santa Fe, New Mexico. Acrylic painting on canvas 16" x 20"

Spur Cross Conservation Area

2011-03-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

One more week plein air painting in Arizona

Old Santa Fe, New Mexico

2011-03-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Pen and water colour wash of Old Santa Fe

Malta Memories - Grand Harbour

2011-03-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

More sketches of Malta from my last visit

Plein air painting at Spur Cross Conservation area

2011-02-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

Plein air painting at Spur Cross Conservation Area in Cave Creek, Arizona

More memories of Malta

2011-02-22T14:44:00.000-08:00

Memories of Malta ink and watercolour

2011-02-21T06:03:00.002-08:00

Memories of Malta ink and watercolour

2011-02-21T06:03:00.001-08:00

Sunset

2011-02-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

Is the new activity on the sun changing our sunsets? (Acrylic painting)

2011-02-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

McDowell Sonoran Conserancy, Arizona Plein air painting

Plein air painting at McDowell Sonoran conservancy

2011-02-12T18:37:00.000-08:00

McDowell Sonoran Conservancy had a special day to celebrate its 20th anniversary and invited artists to paint as hikers walked around and admired the scenery.

Painting in Arizona Robert Genn Newsletter

2011-02-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

I invite you to read Robert Genn's newsletter featuring this painting. (Click on the title to read)

arizona cactus

2011-02-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

There is no shortage of cacti in Arizona (acrylic painting 16" x 20")

MALTA SKETCHES FROM MY VISIT LAST SEPT 2010

2011-02-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

Scenes of Valletta: 1 Republic Street, 2 Church of our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 3. Valletta Street

Sketching in Old Scottsdale Arizona

2011-02-03T07:09:00.000-08:00

Went sketching with pen and ink in Old Scottsdale Arizona with artist Arizona Artist Grace Haverty

Follow your dream

2011-01-04T16:42:00.000-08:00

Is there an artist in you yearning to come out? It’s never too late to follow your dream. Surely, I am not the only one to follow my dream of becoming an artist after retirement. I share the joy of painting with many seniors who have found that they have more time for their lifetime hobby. Also, with others who had never picked up a paintbrush until they were in their mature years. Visual arts must be one of the most popular pastimes for seniors. Winston Churchill was a clear example. He said: “I am never going to have anything more to do with politics or politicians. When this war is over I shall confine myself entirely to writing and painting.” The actor Tony Curtis too followed his dream of painting: “Now I'm a painter. That was another opportunity I was able to pursue, I've been painting all my life, now it's become a second career because of my success in the movies.”

There are many reasons for the popularity of art among seniors. Age is no barrier to your creativity. Titian, Michelangelo, Degas and Cezanne remained active in their senior years. Painting is something you can do well way into your senior years as long as your eyesight and brush-holding fingers remain steady. It gives you growing satisfaction and is relatively inexpensive. It can also be combined with travel; paintings of places you visit make an excellent souvenir for you or your buyers. It creates opportunities for new friendships with fellow artists. And apart from other therapeutic benefits, it keeps both sides of your brain active.

Where to start? Many admire my work and say they wish they had the talent to be able to paint. My answer is that anybody can learn to paint if they put their mind to it. Very few people have not tried to draw or paint at some time in their lives. Some, like me, have been ‘Sunday Painters’ until retirement from their full time jobs (with me it was financial services) gave them more opportunity to resume their hobby on a more permanent basis. All you need is a sketchbook and a pencil. Very soon you will want to move on to paints (watercolours, acrylics, oils, pastels; take your pick)

Many successful artists are self-taught. But a little help won’t hurt. Community centres run art courses at many levels at a modest cost. This is a good way to start. There are also many Art Clubs in all areas which provide the opportunity to attend workshops and exhibit your work. Innumerable ‘how-to’ books and videos wait at your local library. Don’t get too engrossed in reading. Pick up your paint brush or pencil and start right away. If you are new to the art, you have an advantage. Your mind is not cluttered with past efforts. You have an opportunity to be original. Even young tots can come up with some unique results. The scope for growth is unlimited. You can never say you’ve achieved your goal. Paul Cezanne said “I could paint for a hundred years, a thousand years without stopping and I would still feel as though I knew nothing.”

Go outside, alone or with a friend or a group of artists, and .be ‘one with nature’. Outdoor painting (Plein air) in Canada’s magnificent outdoors is an enjoyable way of improving your skills and enjoying nature. Studio painting at home is another option. Find some space, preferably with natural light, where you can set up your easel and paint undisturbed. You may have to make compromises. Many paint in their basement without the benefit of enough natural light; it is a good space where you can leave your easel and paints from day to day ready for painting without the need of having to set up every time. A pleasant environment makes for a better painting. So put on some background music and arrange your space to be artist friendly! Leonardo is reputed to have furnished his studio complete with flowers and musicians.

The pride and sense of accomplishment of a finished painting is something to relish. Having your painting hung in an Art Show is also a source of pride. And of course, finding a person who is prepared to pay money for your work gives you an even greater sense of achievement; as is winning an award at one of the local art shows. The subjects which can inspire you are endless. Pets, people, landscapes, barns, boats, flowers, kitchen sinks …or try your hand at abstract painting.

Don’t expect to get rich by selling your art (few have) but your passion for this hobby could turn out to be a money earner. The internet has opened up a new vista for art. Many artists set up their own web site and sell internationally. I have found eBay a good outlet for selling small inexpensive art (in competition with a few million artists and dealers). The market is huge. And don’t forget. The paintings you complete and leave behind after you die could be your legacy.

Edward Abela

72 Bruce Creek Drive

Markham, Ontario L6C 2W1

905 887 7765

www.edwardabela.com

eabela0527@rogers.com

Kent Farndale Art Show

2010-05-15T05:52:00.000-07:00

Kent Farndale Art Show

2010-05-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

Have you visited Zazzle lately

2009-12-06T14:59:00.001-08:00

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

It's a small world

2009-09-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

portrait of a fellow art student in the 1970's (see it's a small world)

It's a small world

2009-09-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

In the space of a few days I've had three coincidences which were too amazing not to put down on my blog.

The first and most unusual was this. I was at my art show at the McKay Gallery where there were a few paintings about Malta amongst all the others. So I was not surprised when somebody walked in and asked me if I was from Malta. He, himself, was a Maltese Canadian and we started talking.

It turns out that his father (since deceased) was an artist and used to study art in Malta at the same art school as me in the evenings. His face seemed familiar and when I told him that I actually had a portrait which I had made of his father way back over 30 years ago, he could hardly believe me.

Back home I looked up my old paintings and there it was, not one but two portraits of his father in oils which I had done as a student of the Maltese artist Esprit Barthet! I emailed copies of the paintings to him and he was excited and passed them on to his family. He will be calling to take these historic paintings home as a gift from me in memory of his father! What are the odds of this happening?

My second coincidence was that I recently returned from a trip to N. Carolina. And the first painting I sold at my art show was to a lady from .. you guessed, N. Carolina who was on a visit to Canada.

My last coincidence in the space of these few days. I was talking to a member of our art club about my forthcoming visit to London, England for Stephen's wedding. She asked me where I would be staying in London as she was born in London, guess where; in Muswell Hill, the same place that we will be staying.

Lyceum Scouts

2009-07-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

Lyceum Scouts in Malta Over 50 years ago!

Update on Dad

2009-07-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

My older brother, Ron has pointed out that the number of students which passed under my father's tuition days was more likely in the region of 6000 (I said over 1500) I stand corrected! Photo shows my father on his certificate as an Air Raid Warden during World War 2.

2009-07-14T15:41:00.000-07:00

More Olde Time photos; l. to. r Lord Baden Powel (Boy Scout fame) landing in Malta and being greeted by my uncle Joe; Ron, John and me showing the effects of the wartime diet; dad, me and Ron after visiting our demolished flat in Vincenti Buildings, carrying some momentos (I am holding a candle which was bent with the blast from the bomb. My first Holy Communion photo.

2009-07-05T05:26:00.001-07:00

GRANDPA’S STORY

THE EARLY YEARS.

What was it like at the time when I was born in Valletta, Malta? I came into this world in 1936, shortly before the Second World War started. At the time there were no computers, refrigerators, washing machines, jet planes or televisions and even plastic was not yet invented. Cars were considered a luxury. At the time we did not even have a telephone. Toys were made of wood or metal. Some of my toy soldiers were made of lead, which is now considered a poisonous material. So were the points of pencils!

The year I was born was quite an eventful one. Malta, at the time, was a British Colony and part of the then vast British Empire, which included countries like Canada, a large part of Africa, Australia and India. The King of England (George V) was the head of the British Empire and so when he died that year, Malta went into mourning. My father wrote this in his diary:

“January 20: H.M (King George) passed peacefully away at 11.55 GMT. Heartrending news made known to mostly Paper boys. Then half mast flags. Schools and Public buildings closed. BBC cancelled all programs for the day. They listened to brief news bulletins, service and there was a speech by the Prime Minister. Many countries broadcast tributes to H.M. All entertainments stopped and everywhere in mourning.”

King George was succeeded by King Edward VIII (I was named after him) but shortly after, this king decided to abdicate his throne in order to marry an American. In those days he was not permitted to marry this lady and remain a king since she had already been married and divorced. His place was taken by his younger brother, King George VI. So the reason for my name no longer remained but since my second name was George, I was not completely out of royal names.

That year there was already some indication of the terrible war years to come. My father recorded this in his diary:

“March 7^th: The Germans entered the demilitarized zone of the Rhine and caused a riot of comment. March 11^thpm we had a mock air raid and gas raid. “The Passive defense corps” was all out. It took place in Valletta and 3 cities. All were prohibited from the streets. We started at 1.30. The maneuver lasted from 2 to 7. It succeeded. The population was scared and the people flocked out of the area to be affected.”

My father was a school teacher and got his first appointment in 1927 at age 18 at a salary of about $250 per year. My mother was a schoolteacher too and was appointed that same time at a salary of about $150 per year! She was 17 years old. My father would continue to teach for over 50 years and during that time well over 1,500 students would have passed through his classes. His subject was mathematics. He also ran the Boy Scout Group of the School as well as the sports section which included soccer and athletics.

How did we entertain ourselves in those days? My mother came from a family of six children and they all played a musical instrument. My mother played the mandolin banjo, her sisters and brothers played the piano and the violin. The toys I remember having were a set of wooden blocks and a train set. We also had toy soldiers made of rubber or lead. We went out regularly to the Floriana gardens early in the afternoon and while my mum and dad sat on their favorite garden bench, we played tag or hide and seek among the palm trees. Occasionally we had a ball and played in the large sports ground in Floriana. We even tried our hand at cricket without much success!

I was just over three years old when World War Two started and by the time it was all over I was nine. I remember little of the early years when we lived in the top apartment on the sixth floor of Vincenti Buildings. At first we were told to shelter from bombs by hiding under a table and later on we thought it safer to go down the 113 steps and stay at the bottom of the staircase. However, as the big bombs started to fall and explode, it was clear that the only safe shelter was in the caves dug in the rocks under the ground. A bomb did fall on Vincenti buildings directly hitting our apartment on the top floor and destroying the building right down to the ground. Fortunately by that time we were no longer sheltering under the stairs but had left our home to stay with my grandparents in Floriana.

Eventually, even the house in Floriana was destroyed by bombs and by then our family had to move around to other locations (Birkirkara, Sliema, St. Julans, Attard and even Gozo)

I remember when there was an air raid during the night (a siren would go off) my mother would wake us up (my brother Ronald and me) and help us put on outer clothes as we never knew how long the raid would last. Half asleep, I would then get into my pajamas to go back to bed, much to my mother’s frustration. Once down in the shelters, you could still hear the bombs falling and the loud noise of the explosions. The strong gusts of wind from the explosion were felt even down in the rock shelters under the ground and men, who always wore hats in those days, had to hold on to their hats as they would otherwise fly off.

Living in the shelter for hours and sometimes days, became a way of life in those days. There was little to do and there was a shortage of food. We had to join long queues (lineups) for milk, heating and cooking fuel (kerosene) or for a meal from the “Victory Kitchen”. This was a government organization which provided bad tasting soups, like those at the soup kitchens in the time of the American Depression. In shelters, you could hear the sound of people praying the rosary and babies crying amid the shrill sounds of bombs falling. For a while I slept in a hammock in the shelter and I once fell off it but must have been very tired as I remained asleep!

There was not much chance to go to school during the months when there were continuous bombing raids. My father often had to teach classes down in the shelters. He was also appointed a ‘Special Constable’ to help make sure that everyone went into shelters during air raids and then made sure that he went in himself! Transportation was very limited and it was not easy to get to school unless you lived close by. I was eventually enrolled in a Montessori school when we returned to Valletta sometime in 1943. My brothers John and Herbert were both born during the war and the youngest brother, Peter was born towards the end of the war.

Even as the war in Europe was gradually drawing to a close and we were able to live a more normal life, we lacked many of the day-to-day necessities of life. For a while we lived without electricity, using oil lamps as the only source of light. And even when we had electricity, there was a ‘blackout’ order and everyone had to make sure that no lights could be seen from the outside so that the attacking enemy planes could not see where the houses and people were. They even scratched out the number of miles to Valletta shown on the stone milestones in case the Germans decided to invade Malta. This was a bit of wasted effort as it was found out after the war that the Germans had a full scale model of Malta with details of all the roads and buildings.

Essential items, like bread, milk, oil, sugar, etc were rationed and you could only get your approved quota of these items, and it was marked on your ration book each week that you took it.

Cigarettes were also rationed and those who did not smoke, like my father, could exchange their cigarette coupons for food. Pity the cigarette smokers who preferred to smoke instead of getting essential food.

It was at Montessori that I realized that I had an inclination for drawing. I won a class competition for drawing a cat (I must have been about eight at the time) and the prize was a rubber eraser! That small incentive helped me to continue my pastime of drawing and coloring. After leaving Montessori, I was accepted at the Lyceum (High School) in 1947 at age 11. The subjects I learned included English, Mathematics, Nature Study, Maltese, Italian, Latin, Geography and Art. Art was my strong point and I won a Christmas card drawing competition. I had two entries but was not sure which one to put forward. My art teacher (a famous Maltese sculptor) told me to put them both. One of my classmates negotiated with me to let him have one so that he could enter it in his name. In the end, I decided it was not the right thing to do.

I had joined the Lyceum Scout Group of which my father was Scoutmaster even before I attended the Lyceum.

I was accepted as a Cub/Scout so that I could join in the camping and hiking activities. As the youngest member of the group, I would occasionally manage to get a piggy-back ride on one of the senior scout’s back when I got too tired. Ronald and I took part in the annual Scouts Christmas Party and performed sketches on the stage. Uncle Joe (left) greeting Lord Baden Powell.

My Uncle Joe was also involved in Malta’s Scouts and as Island Commissioner he was to greet Lord Baden Powell on his visit to Malta. A stamp commemorating 100 years of scouting in Malta has just been issued and shows Uncle. Joe marching with Baden Powell

At the time I was also learning the piano and could accompany the sing-along songs (My darling Clementine, etc.) This brought me to more encounters with the stage. Aunt Inez, my father’s sister, used to be part of an amateur acting group and did not like walking alone at night after rehearsals so she encouraged Ronald and me to do some bit parts. My debut was when I was 14 when I had a very minor talking part (about three words). I also took minor parts in radio plays and was part of the Lyceum small orchestral group which ventured abroad as far as Gozo! I was rehearsing to take part in a Shakespeare Play (“The Tempest”) when my acting career came to an abrupt end as I left school to start working with Barclays Bank at the age of 15. This would be the start of a banking career which would span over 44 years in four banks in three continents. But that is a story for another day……