Painting a Memory

Our dear friends Doug and Nora are following their dream and moving away from us after fifteen years. A group commissioned me to create a memento for them. Since they had invested so much of themselves into their cherry and apple farm and would have many fond memories of raising their seven children there I thought that the house and the surrounding orchard would be a great subject.
The first trick was to paint the scene from life without being discovered. I was granted permission by the neighbours to squirrel away in their orchard. My cover was nearly blown at one point but although my white umbrella caught their attention, Doug and Nora couldn't make out who or what I was.
Startng early in the morning I tried to catch the warm rising sun which cast a rich yellow hue over the scene and was beautifully intensified by the wild fire smoke. The up-reaching cherry branches at left indicate a fulfilled harvest and the apple trees on right are starting to show a promising crop ahead. Good neighbour Stan was able to photograph Doug in his beekeepers regalia and e-mail the image to me so I could include another personal element into the painting. I also included the airforce flag which is an important symbol from Doug's previous career.
Everyone seemed pleased with the resulting painting. (whew!)


Last week found me on a ridge high above Okanagan Lake. Spectacular setting. Bone rattling drive to get there though. Suzuki engineers have managed to design the perfect wheelbase/spring rate ratio that achieves maximum spasticity on washboard roads. Stay tuned for a suspension upgrade. Just click on the image a couple on times to get a bigger view.

A Sister's Song

Well, as promised, here is the result of my three day burn to create this piece for a submission to an upcoming show. My two little friends, Sara and Amy were chatting and eating raspberries. I tried to catch a moment as Sara sang a little song while Amy looked on with an older sister's affectionate amusement.
This is a fairly large painting, 36X30", and is a good example how a piece can lead you along taking you somewhere unexpected. I approached this several ways and seemed to founder, scraping down and starting again. At one point the direction of the painting started to lean towards blue with the sky reflecting off the shaded skin tones. Through it all I wanted to stay high key to represent the joy and hope of the moment. Did I succeed? You tell me.

Winery Art Auction

On saturday, Aug. 28th the Red Rooster Winery will present the 8th annual Bohemian Festival of the Arts. A number of artworks will be auctioned off with proceeds going to several fitness/arts programs serving financially challenged youth. My painting, "Early Porsche" is being offered. Its an oil on canvas, about 48X52" and is a compilation of a few different cars. I always loved the organic lines of the 356 models. The background was intuitive; I wanted a counterpoint to the metallic smooth lines of the old car. You'd have to see this in person to enjoy the scale of it. So if you think it might enhance your home or garage go bid on it. info at www.redroosterwinery.com under special events.

This is a large painting of my friends Harley Davidson. Here's my old 32 Ford street rod I called this "Two Little Birds", My nephews lovely little daughter and a neighbour's'56 T-BirdI have other automotive art I'll post some other time. Till next week.

Allendale Road

Here's my trusty Samarai on location south of Penticton at a popular painting site. It's an irresistable scene overlooking the vineyards and Vaseaux Lake.

My little truck gets me into any location I want; I don't often plant myself on pavement like here but this is an exceptional view. I think the finished piece turned out okay. You can enlarge the work station picture to see the painting at it's half way stage.

Any paintings I show here are available for purchase.

I'm presently consumed with a large studio piece that I need to complete in a three day stretch-getting it ready to enter into a juried show thursday. I'll post a picture of it next week

Letters of Vincent

I'm reading "The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh", written to the painter's brother Theo which spanned his entire adult life. Generally considered to be a mad genius his personal letters reveal an empathetic, thoughtful and articulate man, who was gracious right up until his tragic suicide.

Vincent's early years spent serving the poor miners in the Borinage as an evangelist (this word has been corrupted by all contemporary 'non-believers and men-stealers talking in the name of religion' - Dylan.) describe a humble man who truly lived a life of christian charity. He gave his money and clothes to his poor neighbors and shared their life as an equal.

Living in continual poverty Vincent never wavered from his search for truth and beauty through his art. His letters express his dream to bring joy to common people with his work and will inspire any reader. A recommended read.

Vincent made his first sale with "The Red Vineyard" for 400 francs in the year of his death, 1890.

His "Portrait of Dr Gachet" recently sold for $139,000,000.

I've included a third painting by an unknown and possibly mad painter.