Painting in Mexico

During the month of Jan and part of Feb. 2010 Dianne and I , and Alan Wylie and Janice Robertson enjoyed time away in San Miguel de Allende, painting and enjoying our historical surrounds. Strangely, it was a month mixed with illness and inspired moments and I found myself studying the history of the peoples of Central America and continue to work on themes for paintings that have emerged over the year.

A return to Mexico in January of this year (2011) to Los Cabos was an extension of painting and exploring light , colour and the culture of Mexico.

Posted on: May 19, 2011

The Seeker Series – an ongoing project

I started this series about a year ago and hope to have about 12 or 13 panels in the final collection. Each piece is 48″x36″ vertical format and is accompanied by a text panel – in some cases “poetic”, attempting to communicate my inspiration and intent for the piece. The whole series together will reflect a rather personal journey and hopefully resonate with something deeper for the viewer. More pieces to follow – perhaps completing by next year.

Posted on: April 25, 2011

Painting in Spain – June 2010

What a great place for a workshop – recommend this one for anyone who enjoys all the best of destination painting, sun, history, fine food and just great workshop company!

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Great group – great workshop!

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New Books

A book now completed that “wraps” the Haida Gwaii experience and series of larger works (see “gallery”) This will be available on request. I am intending to follow with two other books on various series of works – these should be out before year end and will be posted on the “other products page”.

New Book

The Seeker Series – this is a series of works I have considered for some time and will probably complete end of next year. There will be 12 or 13 works in the series (all are 48×36 verticals – like giant pages in a book- working through a progression of concepts) All include a text complement adding an additional dimension to the series of work. The first four paintings can be seen in the “gallery”.

Posted on: April 24, 2011

The Mural – Unexpected Opportunity for Community Service

Early in spring 2008 a friend who works for hospice in our local area contacted me regarding a possible painting project. A new location for the local hospice society was under renovation including office space. The facility was to include a large room to serve as a creative space and retreat for children and families in time of transition. Interest was expressed in having a mural painted across one large wall in the room and my friend described her vision and sense of what might be appropriate. It would be necessary to discuss and satisfy the concerns and input of others who worked in the hospice group. Recognizing that the environment and meeting space would involve different beliefs and faiths, I agreed to prepare a simple image for presentation, working from my intuitive response to our discussion. The theme was to be reflective of the cycle of life and each individuals journey. The hospice board members all felt the need for some visual image that connected to nature and one that would be uplifting in some way. Other concerns would have to be considered including an image suited to children, teens and adults. Although there was a very limited budget for this project, I felt moved to take it on anyway. Following a number of meetings and the presentation of several ideas and colour studies the project got started.

Hospice workers, contractors and others occasionally popped in to see what was happening with the image. In September the work on the mural and other renovations in the hospice facility were completed and a formal opening was announced. Those who attended and spoke of how this facility and the mural would serve many in the years to come, truly left me feeling humbled by the whole experience.

An unexpected opportunity for service had become a truly uplifting experience.

Posted on: December 31, 2010