June 8, 2009

Older Work...







These are pieces from 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. I know this is not a very unified represention but these are some motifs that I would like to continue to explore - I post them for my own benefit - to help me put together some ideas for my next move forward...

Ritual and Archetype

Some older work....where can I take it from here?
Parkland View 2009

A Goal - to see past the immediate (mundane and beautiful) and into the profound...
Prairie Night 2009


Night - subdued emotion in jewel-coloured tones - a time to reflect...

Life Changing Experience?

Lately I have been asking myself what direction I want my art to go - Should a life changing experience also change the direction my art has been moving or should I continue with what I have been doing. I love painting the colours and textures of the Alberta landscape but have been feeling an urge to return to some earlier motifs and try to work them out more completely.

My mother died in April and this profound experience of losing the person who was my first tie to the earth, my first loved one and the person who largely shaped who I have become, has left me hungry to delve back into ritual and fairy tales. I am going to post some old work on this blog and then, from there, try to develop the images and archetypes in a deeper, more intuitive way.

March 11, 2009

Autumn Ascent 2


Autumn Ascent (12" x 24")

Autumn Ascent 1


Autumn Ascent 1 (12" x 24")

Two New Paintings



These are my newest paintings - back to the bright colours for a while. I have too much winter around me right now (minus 41C with the wind chill this morning) and I can't even look at those chilly blues!

My trusty heat gun and old iron - essential tools for an encaustic artist

This is my palette - on a hot plate - which keeps the wax molten and ready to use.

Here are pictures of the lovely new panels (birch) and coloured pigments that I just bought.
I love the primary red, colbalt blue and the little pot of gold. I am going to experiment with the gold this week and see what effects I can get.

Stuff in my Studio

Encaustic (painting with molten wax) is a challenging medium. The hot wax is painted onto the support and has to be fused to the layer below. I love the translucence, textures and vibrant colours. Sometimes though, I wish I had more time to manipulate the wax before it cools.

I work from little thumbnail sketches that I do when I am roaming around. Sometimes I take photos as references, especially for colour. I take a lot of liberties - I am more interested in the abstract qualities of the landscape than trying to reproduce reality.
Big Plans for 2009

Last week I bought 30 new panels from Paint Spot in Edmonton and they are so well made and light-weight. I also got some new colours of powdered pigments that I have never used before. I am really excited about making some new encaustic paints and starting some new paintings!

My goal is to paint every day, (even if just a bit when I am overwhelmed).

January 20, 2009

Winter Paintings 2009

To purchase or get information about any of these paintings please contact IS Gallery:

http://isgallery.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Click on the paintings to see more detail of colour and texture.

Walk by the Frozen River

The winter river lies frozen and blue-green below the snow-covered hills under the blue, blue Alberta sky.

Windbreak on the Prairies

Looking through the branches of a lonely windbreak at another more distant line of trees. I love the sense of courage and history that these hardy lines of prairie trees evoke.

Winter Storm in the Foothills

Even on snowy days in Alberta you can sense the presence of the mountains - past snow-covered grain fields and rolling foothills - they loom just beyond sight...

Winter Morning near Red Deer

A pale gold wheat field covered with snow - golden light in the clouds - these glimpses of beauty are the inspiration for this painting. Winter colours are muted but lovely.

On Sunday Afternoon on the Prairie


I really enjoyed trying to capture the movement of the clouds that I saw over the snowy fields one afternoon in December.

Autumn Paintings Nearly Sold Out!!

I am pleased to say that my Autumn Paintings nearly all have been sold. Thanks to all who have left kind words about them. Next (after some Winter Paintings) is to expand both size of panels and number of galleries. My work can currently be seen at IS Gallery in Red Deer and Brushfire Gallery in Jasper.