Artistic License

Helliwell Park, Hornby, 22x28, acrylic

I painted this one last summer. Hornby Island is one of the gulf islands near Vancouver. The coastline of this park is very distinctive with windblown grasses and cliffs. I took some license in playing up the colours, and simplifying the shapes. Overall I was pleased and felt that it captured the feel of the place.

Making Changes

Pacific Shores, 24x48, acrylic

Well it didn't take me long to realize I was not happy with the last painting I posted. When I saw it in print it was just not right. I thought it seemed quite blah! So here is what I have done with it. Maybe it will get changed again I am still not very excited with it. I think I need to take a break and look at it later with a fresh eye. I often have a vision and get quite excited about it and then that seems to wane somewhere in the execution of the piece. It is so important to keep an eye on the larger picture and value pattern and not get caught up in endless little details that will not help.

Challenging yourself

Pacific Shores, 24x48, acrylic

I usually feel daunted at the prospect of painting large areas of rocks. Yet I am drawn to this kind of subject matter. The power of the ocean crashing against the shoreline rocks. So I try to challenge myself, and take on a big project, to try and grapple with my insecurities. I am of course never really satisfied with the results. I like to paint in a somewhat loose way, so I try to work on simplifyling the shapes and creating the feel of the subject. I am having trouble I think with a clear light and shadow pattern. Oh well, another challenge for the next time.

Painting with Feeling

Tofino Morning, 18x36, acrylic

I really think it is important to have a feel for what it is you are painting. To know your subject and have a sense of it. We have been visiting Tofino for about 30 years. It is on the west side of Vancouver Island and has a wonderful wild and natural feel to it. The beaches are vast and wild and the Pacific Ocean pounds against the rugged shoreline. It is a favorite subject matter of mine. As I am painting I feel myself there amongst the rocks and windblown trees at the shore. I have a sense of what it is that I am trying to convey. It is such a humbling thing to try to capture the power of nature in a painting. It is certainly a challenge for me!

65 Red Roses

One Red Rose, 8x10, acrylic

I was asked to participate in a fundraiser for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis organization. 65 artists from the Federation of Canadian Artists were asked to paint an 8x10 image of a single rose. These will all be combined into a large mural and presented to the Cystic Fibrosis group at a gala evening next Saturday. The mural will then be auctioned off as a fundraiser. I am very happy to be part of this great event. So this is my contribution.

Leading the eye in

Country Lane, 30x36", acrylic

I really enjoy pulling the viewer into a composition. Lanes, trails, pathways are always very appealing, we want to naturally follow them along. I try to hold the viewer visually in the picture, but also emotionally. To have them wonder what is around that corner or at the end of that pathway. To feel themselves in the scene exploring. I have been trying to control edges more lately. I find working in acrylics that I tend to get very hard edged. This one I kept the background trees as soft as I could and I am quite pleased.