evanesce 1 - 2010

Bam! Felt like the tethers were cut on this one. The name is somewhat of a dichotomy of the image since it is frozen in time and tangible but the essence I hope is what is being captured. This was an approach atypical of my usual but definitely emancipating as, prior to this, I felt I was painting myself into a corner... eww. Horrible pun. None the less, I found it very exciting and has lent itself as a rejuvenated springboard for further exploration of expression.

I apologize for the glare.

Evanesce 1 is acrylic on canvas and is 24in H x 24in W in dimension

horizon study 2 - 2008

This next painting was completed approximately 2 years ago. I was in the middle of some fairly stressful life events yet I was able to take the time to paint this image to help stay grounded. It encapsulates some of the techniques that signify my style at the time: primarily the gradations and the solidified drips along the side of the canvas revealing the process of production. Interestingly enough, the drips often generate more conversation than the actual composition. Over time I had learned to embrace this as a larger commentary on "process versus product" or "journey versus destination".

horizon study 2 - 2008 - acrylic on canvas

36in H x 18in W

horizon study 2 - 2008 (detail)

This painting now resides in my cousin's abode.

Propaganda Study IV 2004

Now we're cooking. This one is a gooder. It still hangs in my hall though I have to hang it sideways due to the 7 foot height. I made two other works with the same dimension. It was a true lesson in planning canvas sizes for the future.

It is called "Propaganda Study IV" and I was deep into my historical readings of Marx and Hitler. I read the Communist Manifesto during this time and merged into Mein Kampf though I never did finish the latter. What really stuck with me was how "simplicity reaches many, while complexity reaches mini". The title of the piece is the true meaning in the message ;) This work was also included in my grad exhibit catalogue from Emily Carr in 2006.

This piece is acrylic on canvas and is 84"h x 24"w in dimension.

Clash 2005

Now that I am in painting mode, I thought I would post some past works to reflect a bit.

This painting, "Clash" was produced in 2005 as a tie-in project for a theatre production. It was 1 of 4 paintings made for the project. Two of the paintings were purchased while I was able to keep this painting as well as another. Though the painting was supposed to relate to the plays being produced, it was a bit of a reach. My true intention was to extend the practice of the style I was exploring at the time which was namely taped hard edge lines in a series that could evoke a sensual response from the viewer through aesthetics. The title simply refers to the clash of the warm and cool colours.

I have since parted with this painting but I do know it was acrylic on canvas and approximately 24"x 48" in dimension.

splatr study 1 2010 (Tharemustbyareesun)

It been approximately 2 years since I produced a painting. Check that. Completed a painting. My brother has been hounding me for a painting I started a year ago which continues to collect dust on my fireplace stoop. Anyway, this piece I am currently calling "Splatr Study 1" or "Tharemustbyareesun". I can go into the psychological underpinnings of this piece but right now I am feeling particularly vulnerable so I will sit on it. I can also go into why I choose to alter spelling in my titles as a reflection of the bastardized English of the texting era or the amalgamation of misspelled English words to look like an interesting foreign or ancient tongue, but maybe that was alreddherekon hysd. As with past pieces, the orientation of the painting is up to the viewer hence why I am posting it x 4.

I, of course, have a preferred way to hang this piece, but again, it can shift with my mood. So the viewer, too, has this liberty. I initially started this painting as a revisiting of previous techniques but found I was not satisfied with going through the motions. Hence "the splatrs". Now I think I know how Pollock felt. Very exonerating. There is something freeing about throwing paint and letting chance take it's course. There is simple symbolism reflecting personal conversations with self but again it can be a trap to the greater ability of the viewer being able to personalize the piece via his or her own views without getting too entangled in my own interpretation. I hope you like it.

Splatr Study 1 is 61x61 cm or 24x24 in. It is acrylic on canvas and, for those interested, is FOR SALE! Anyone interested in picking up this piece, let me know. I'm asking $650. Cheers for now.

David (p1)

This image I took recently while my Boxer David was curled up in my tent late one night on my aforementioned camping trip. The lighting was great and I took several shots. This image I chose because of both the contrast of light and dark within the wrinkled lines of David's face and limbs but also because of his massive presence within the composition. I later created the painterly effect simply by using one of the filter tools on photoshop... Why paint when the computer will do it for you?

I feel this poem is in process and I wrote it last night while painting in my shed. It has been ruminating in my head since a recent camping trip I just finished. It's not complete but as usual I like to put things out in the raw, premature to the pinnacle. To me, it speaks to the general need to explain the unknown. To put a finger on something that is omnipresent and omnipotent. To put a finger on God. There is such a divergence from conventional religions now, that perhaps because of the dilution so to speak, mythologies, superstitions and pagan ritual have a resurgence. Regardless there is a security in a figure that will always be there. Unwavering. Unmoving. Unchanging. Watching the chaos below. The significance of the fist sketch? Well, I'll leave that up to your imagination...

timetotell some1

Okay. So today I just really wanted to follow up with another post. Nothing spectacular. Just another post. I took a drawing I sketched this evening and applied some rough thought that I felt spoke to my own yearnings to connect with others and let "it" out. Without judgement and without drama. Just to share experiences. You know. That's when a connection is felt. I'm also noticing a shift in my typical as of late robot sketches. This particular one has a humanizing quality to it. Perhaps a divergence from mechanical to maniacal?

black dog eats

I thought I would try something new. Including thoughts of the blog entry as I post. My entries have been intermittent and seldom. Attributed to many of life's curves and trials. Not complaining. That would be counterproductive. Just saying. It is now 1:07 am and I wanted to go to bed an hour and a half ago. But that small voice deep inside. That voice that has become buried and barely audible. I heard it. My head and my heart and then my hands. The poem itself was composed during the last day of July 2010. The first stanza was compiled or written while driving into downtown Vancouver to pick up my son. The second and third stanzas came to me outside the gym in the evening. The photo was picked out a bunch of half staged half found compositions as I set my camera up while I carried through with various activities in the evening. I thought I would overlay thoughts and actions. If there is a correlation or something indecipherable. In the end, its really all just self wrestling self. Or dog fighting dog. And in this case black dog eats, black dog wins.