In a house where many hurry hard, Allan Gitzel prefers to take it easy.
Each fall, as the Morris Curling Club prepares for the upcoming season, the ice maker hand paints unique works of art into the rings.
“You always dream about doing something you love,” Gitzel said. “I love art. I love curling. It’s perfect.”
Gitzel started with the Manitoba crest on a single sheet a dozen years ago. He now draws four different images with his original design still in play.
“There’s nothing stronger than Manitoba in curling,” Gitzel said. “Some of the best curlers are Manitoban.”
To brush the paintings on all six sheets, it takes Gitzel roughly 14 hours. Some of the eye catchers use up to six different colours.
“You’ve got to have patience and take breaks,” Gitzel said. “Your hands get a little cold. Your back and knees get sore.”
Pain swept away by pride. Morris is believed to be the only Canadian curling club to feature such sketches.
“Somebody asked me why I do it,” Gitzel said. “I do it because I can and nobody else does.”