“A Walk In The Sunshine”

A “Walk In The Sunshine” is always a cure if you are feeling blue. I remember this painting pushing me as I listened and responded to its diretion as though it wanted to get things done and move out into the sunshine. By pushing, I mean the canvas is energy filled and directs what it wants virorously: yes, some paintings are more relaxed in the creatiion process. This painting brings joyful sunlight if you have a place that feels blue. Perfect addition to your collection.

“Venice Siesta”

For the first half day in Venice, I found no adequate words to describe what I was seeing or feeling. I walked a labyrinth of passages while watching something quite incredible. The buildings, the boats and the canals seemed held together in a marvelous balance yet I couldn’t grasp what was plainly there for me to see. And it wasn’t until I sat to sip an Americano a table alongside a canal that I fully understood what it was I was supposed to see. Reflections! Amazing reflections. Everywhere. Reflections mirroring everything in the city to make it seem like two cities. Reflections enveloping me like I’m floating inside a balloon with lovely dreams painted on the sides.

“Venice Siesta” is one of the uncountable reflections I enjoyed in Venice. I have a series of these to paint.

“Antarctica Shoreline”

Hostile, simply not habitable: “harsh” in itself being an understatement. Yet so prescious to the earth and to life. This coastline seems like no other I’ve ever  witnessed. When I first saw this place I was lost for words at the spectre of imagining how one, as a single human, might fathom the mere existance of such ice and vastness. Then, within it all, as I gazed out through the blue clear air toward these dense frozen sculptures, elements of attachment slowly seeped into my being as though I was existing with them.

“Antarctic Shoreline” is a real place on the coast of the Antarctica Peninsula. I’ve been there and I’ve seen it ( during the summer season). This is a snapshot really: the ice constantly changes in sync with glacial flows. At times the metamorphosis is stark as vast sections break away and plunge into the ocean.

“Antartica Shoreline” will be exhibited in Paris, France, in December 2011 at the Salon SNBA 2011 (Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts)to be held in the Carrousel du Louvre.

“Venice Reflections”

Two weeks ago I was in Venice, Italy, where I’m pretty sure I walked along every canal in the city although it is easy to be fooled about this given how streets and canals mingle. Certainly I encountered the same space more than once on a number of occassions: some people might call this being lost but I will only say it was so good at such locations the first time that to return was even more delightful. I will, however, confess to feeling overwelmed at the end of each day: visually overwhelmed to be specific. The oasis for me amidst all this was watching reflections on the water.

“Venice Reflections” relates to this oasis. I found this one mid-morning when I’d bought a wonderful espresso and stood outside the shop to watch things as I sipped absorbingly. Buildings everywhere in Venice seem newly painted with versions of patina and the canals blend these in soothing melodies like no where else I know. Big patches of dancing colours disturbed only by boats slicing through to spalsh everything back onto the buildings.

Reading Italian

I’ve been in Ferrara, Italy, for over a week (also managed a day in Florence). The primary reason for being here has been to follow my paintings to the successful “Here Now” exhibition that ends today. Then again, any reason to be in Italy is a good reason.

Otherwise, I’ve been walking the city streets: buildings, people and art and everywhere I see something to paint. I’ve also been absorbing the Italian language but as I’m mostly a visual person, a painter, the written word holds better with me (at least for now). Today I met up with some sculpture that allowed me to read over a shoulder. Much fun. Ciao!

“Autumn Sunshine”

Where I live the autumn colours are yellows and golds with hints of reds and oranges in the undergrowth. During the afternoon, on a warm sunny afternoon, the yellows glow as one walks among the trees so that the air is yellow and ones steps into this as though it is a golden fog.

“Autumn Sunshine” is a set of five 18″x36″ canvas (90″x36″ total). As pictured, these are displayed at the “Here Now” exhibition in Ferrara, Italy.

“Friends”

Some trees reflect elements of friendship in how they are. Togetherness is perhaps most dominant in this: togetherness in experiences.

The trees held back a little as I approached. My thoughts uttered “hello” as I reached out and the sunlight began to dance with the shadows. The trees gently touched branches in the breeze.

“Friends” relates this moment.