3 colour study (wob) 2002

I really need to track this back accurately but I want to put the creation of this painting to 2001 or 2002. It, too, was made during my initial exploration of colour and composition. Very, very simple. Playing with how solid colours interrupting a viewing space and creating a base response in the viewer. I really wanted to explore basic colours like orange, blue, or white. I've always liked white. It's connotation of purity and innocence. Something lost and never recovered...

This painting was another weighty piece. Acrylic on MDF- 49inH x 30inW

composition2

composition2 was a study created during the period 2001/ 2002. It was another lesson in preplanning size and material as it is four 48in x 48in paintings on thick MDF board. In other words: LARGE AND HEAVY! That aside I love the piece. It was pue experiment and exploration in colour and composition. The graphic qualities of the piece lends itself to the body of work I have created over the years that speak to commercial aesthetics. This also is another prime example of a piece that has multiple viewing capabilities for the viewer with the versatility of rotating four paintings. Another painting that influenced future studies in this vein of my artistic exploration.

composition2 is also done in acrylic medium. It also sits in my home given its size and need for substantial wall space. I really need to put a show together... (note to self)

neonewmanism 1 - 2002

This painting is a jewel. A diamond in the rough so to speak. Initially when I was studying at Emily Carr, I had aspirations to animate or illustrate. Painting was not really something I thought to seriously explore. This painting shifted my process significantly. Since I was enrolled in painting, I took the medium and decided to play with it. I loved simplicity and wanted to see what I could do with a large colour field and obstruct it with minor interruptions within the composition. This was the end result. I was quite pleased with it. It led to many other paintings and studies and probably can be attributed to my enjoyment of painting today. It wasn't until after it's creation that I was pointed to Barnett Newman. The American abstract painter of the mid 20th century. I embraced this resemblance to his paintings, hence the title.

Neonewmanism 1 is 49in H x 30in W. It is acrylic on MDF.

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.