Works in Progress

After spending a good part of a day chasing the sun around Willow River I had to be content with some photos I was able to shoot while the clouds co-operated. The leaves are starting to show fall colouring now and the area around Prince George is pretty stunning this time of year. I'll include a few below that may provide a foundation for some work.
The Creators design in nature is mind blowing. The green chloroplast plant cell takes energy from sunlight and turns carbon dioxide into oxygen in photosynthesis; the energy transfer makes sugars and carbohydrates that provide food for our bodies and, over time, fossil fuel for our Hondas. Then when the chloroplast cells die, the leaves turn from green into the blazing colours of autumn. A bit humbling when all I can do is occasionally arrange a few bits of paint to resemble a scene.
This week I'm working on finishing off a few local landscapes. My photography is pathetic (sorry) but the images will give you a bit of an idea. Check a few blog posts back and you'll notice how one of these paintings is evolving. My buddy Mike shoots the final images when the paintings are done and his skill makes them shine. You'll be able to see any of these at next months show at the Red Rooster Winery.

Willow River Work in Progress
Willow River
Willow River
Peachland Overview
Penticton
Balsam Flowers

New Work at Tumbleweed Gallery

I will be up north next week so thought I'd post a bit early before leaving. New work is framed and being displayed at the Tumbleweed Gallery in Penticton. I do show works in progress on this blog but the paintings really need to be seen to be appreciated. There are nine pieces of mine as well as a great variety of work by other artists. Drop in Tues. to Sat. and Prema and her staff will be happy to show you whats new.

Tumbleweed Gallery is located in the 200 block of Main St. Penticton, across from Starbucks. You can barely make out my painting, "Beach Boys" in the center of the window.
Here are five of my recent oils alongside Kate Kimberly's watercolours.

I hope to do at least one days painting up north so I'll be sure to post whatever comes out of that next time.

I have a big show coming up in November. I will give you more info as the time draws near.

Talking about the self portrait.

I had the privilege to lead a session at the FCA-SOS chapter this weekend. The topic was "The Self Portrait". I demonstrated one process to begin such a painting and we had a fairly lively dialogue concerning motivation and things to consider before embarking on the project.
We looked at some examples from history (I'll share a few below) which is very helpful to any artist as she considers the many decisions that need to be made in the creation of a self-portrait. We are not trying to paint a representation of surface anatomy but rather, digging deeper, taking advantage of line, value, colour, edges, symbolism and distortion to portray something important and unique in the artist.
The self portrait, like any work of art we make, should speak visually to the viewer nullifying written or spoken text. We should understand the artist a little bit more when we take in such a personal work.

Norman Rockwell


Henri Matisse


Lucien Freud


Carl Larsson


Frida Kahlo


Chuck Close


Chuck Close (now)