Small Craft Warning, 36" x 48" encaustic, oil and paper on wood
Surfacing #2, 30" x 30" encaustic, oil and paper on wood
“Small Craft Warning” and “Surfacing #2″, as well as “Surfacing #1″, posted November 17th, are now at Earls Court Gallery in Hamilton. They will be part of the upcoming Artist’s Invitational show, January 12 to February 18, 2012.
The show “Heroes: Real, Fictional and Close to Home” opens with a wine reception on Thursday December 8, from 7 to 11 pm at MJG Gallery, 555 Parliament St. Toronto. Artist and gallery owner Mark Gleberzon has invited artists to contribute work on the theme of heroes.
“Watershed” is the painting I’ve contributed to the show… and below it is my statement outlining the “heroic” aspects of the piece.
Watershed, 30" x 70" encaustic, oil and paper on wood panel at MJG Gallery
“Watershed” is a tribute to Lake Ontario and specifically to the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper; in my view, a heroic organization. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, a Canadian charitable organization, works towards a swimmable, drinkable, fishable lake, and endeavors to protect and celebrate the Lake Ontario watershed.
When Mark presented the theme of “Heroes” I was delighted to arrive at this concept of combining the maps and symbols that I am currently obsessed with, along with the heroic efforts of working to heal and preserve this significant and beautiful body of water, which has been an influence on my life in so many ways. This painting juxtaposes a map-like representation of the lake and its related lakes and rivers, with symbols and abstracted areas of colour and texture, suggestive of the history, topography and navigation associated with the lake.
Part of my painting process is the search for a story; each piece suggests and reveals a story as I work, which in turn guides the direction of the piece. In the painted story of “Watershed”, the lake and its tributaries are the hero.
I hope you will join me at MJG Gallery on Dec. 8, to celebrate what promises to be a fabulous show!
Navigational chart #4, 8" x 8" encaustic and oil SOLD
Navigational chart #5, 8" x 8" encaustic and oil SOLD
Navigational chart #6, 8" x 8" encaustic and oil SOLD
These three paintings are at the John B. Aird Gallery until Thursday December 1, when the Aird’s annual festive Mistletoe Magic silent auction, and fundraiser reception takes place. The reception, Thursday Dec. 1, is from 6 to 9 pm. The Aird Gallery is at 900 Bay Street, in the Macdonald Block (Bay and Wellesley) Work is available for purchase from now until Dec 1.
I hope to see you at the reception!
Surfacing #1, 30" x 30" encaustic, oil and paper on wood panel
This new encaustic painting “Surfacing #1″ is inspired by the Margaret Atwood novel. In its intricate and complex overlays of maps and charts, text and symbols I sensed a similarity to the haunting, searching tone of the novel, and the heroine’s pursuit of understanding and peace.
In other news, on Thursday December 1, from 6 to 8 pm, the John B. Aird Gallery will host Mistletoe Magic, festive reception and silent fine art auction. More than 100 exceptional artworks by a select group of artists will be on display for purchase at very affordable prices. Proceeds from the event support the not-for-profit gallery and its exhibition and educational programming.
The work is on display for preview from Tuesday November 22 until December 1 and gallery patrons are invited to pre-bid or purchase during that time.
I have three lovely new 8″ x 8″ encaustic paintings in the show.
It promises to be an enjoyable evening! Hope to see you there.
The John B. Aird Gallery is located in the Macdonald Block, 900 Bay Street, Toronto.
Tel: 416-928-6772
On Wednesday November 9th, I will be giving a talk and demonstration on encaustic painting at the MJG Gallery in Toronto. I will talk about the history of encaustic; about my technique and what motivates my artistic practice. For those curious or interested in the technique, this would be a great way to get an understanding of encaustic painting. MJG Gallery is located at 555 Parliament St. The event runs from 7 to 10 pm. This event is is a limited to 20 people so please RSVP – $20 per person. To RSVP, please contact Mark Gleberzon at the MJG Gallery, 416.923.4031, or markaloo@yahoo.com.
Or please feel free to contact me.
Soundings #1 12" x 12" encaustic and oil on wood panel SOLD
Soundings #2 12" x 12" encaustic and oil on wood panel SOLD
I’m posting a series of a few recent paintings that will be delivered this week to two of my galleries in Toronto; XC Art Restorations and MJG Gallery. To compliment each painting here, I’ve written a couple of lines as a statement to establish a context for each piece. I feel my work is still very “accessible”, but my recent encaustics are certainly not as straight forward as my oil landscapes. I love having the chance to share my thoughts on my paintings and I do think the mini-statements add to the understanding and appreciation of the work.
Topographic, 24" x 52" triptych, encaustic, oil, image transfer on wood
This painting, “Topographic” is very much about the land with its combination of a traditional landscape in the centre panel and a specific topographical geography suggested in the outer panels. The appearance, uses and meanings of maps have always fascinated me, and I’m very excited to have found a means of incorporating them into my work. In the outer panels of this painting, I had a sense of being geologist, explorer and archeologist in one; excavating through dense layers of opaque and translucent wax to discover or reveal lakes and rivers; and in the centre, depicting the nascent scene for future navigators….
Pocahontas, 20" x 20" encaustic, oil and image transfer on wood
“Pocahontas” was inspired by the Neil Young song of the same name, the lyrics of which I’ve hand written, and hidden under layers and layers of wax. Barely discernible, but present, nevertheless. While creating this painting, I thought of the traditional native American sense of respect and unity with the land, and its contrast with the common need to control, maintain and delineate.
In “Love Letter“ I’ve used my own handwriting and fragments of collaged handwriting from other sources, layered and obscured in wax. I’ve tried to maintain a poetic and organic feel, and also a suggestion of horizon, for a piece that is reminiscent of personal connection – perhaps with the land, perhaps with a person, and conveys a sense of loss coupled with a sense of hopefulness.
As I was creating “Earth’s blood/heart’s blood“, the painting began to suggest to me a native American sort of significance for the land. As with almost all my paintings, the title seemed to emerge from the work as it progressed. As this painting evolved, the red felt blood-like, but in a very positive sense – as a shared element between earth and man.
earth's blood/heart's blood 16" x 16" encaustic, oil and image transfer
In this painting, “Climbing” I find myself making references to the landscape, to science and history, but I feel it is mostly about a yearning for celebratory sense of freedom and escape over order and routine – a poetic and panoramic sky juxtaposed over tiny type and the archaic pages of an old science textbook.
"Climbing", 16" x 16" encaustic, oil and image transfer on wood
Canoe Route #2, 24" x 50" - just completed commissioned painting
I’ve just completed “Canoe Route #2″ as a commission for clients who fell in love with the original “Canoe Route” at the TOAE, but as it was sold and a bit too large, decided to go with a custom sized version of their own.
Aside from this commission, I’ve been working hard creating new paintings for a show at the Academy Gallery which opens October 16, titled “Timeless”. This beautiful gallery is in the picturesque town of Bath, 15 minutes west of Kingston.
