Roomers

Roomers – oil on canvas 18 x 24 inches
A sketch painting based on a photo I took back in the mid 1970s–five men enjoying the warm Spring air on a Sunday afternoon.

Dream Images

Extraordinary images appear in dreams from unknown sources. Faces of strangers we've never met before. Interior rooms and hallways we explore. Are they another reality or simply symbolic of unused parts of our personalities, as some psychologists theorize? Who can know for sure. Many artists have used dream imagery for centuries. Some of the more popular examples are the masterful works of Dali or Goya.

Dream images and situations can be quite pleasant or unbearably frightening, depending on many uncontrolled factors. To anyone who hasn't mastered the art of lucid dreaming, the dreams themselves are in control until you wake yourself up. Sleep may be the natural portal to dreamland, which I generally welcome and hope will be a nice little trip every night, but on a rare occasion the odd nightmare will creep in and cause me to think, "where did that come from?"

To family, workmates and friends, who generally find the description of each others dreams boring and tedious to listen to, put your images on paper canvas or film. They could be worth a fortune someday.

Sweet dreams this weekend.

Killick

Killick –
oil on masonite panel 50cm x 81cm
The killick is a traditional homemade anchor constructed from a large rock and almost any local wood readily available. It was commonly used to anchor small boats, fishing nets and gear in Newfoundland.

Digital "Art" Debate

The debate goes on as to whether digital art should be considered a legitimate form of art worthy of consideration or collection by individuals or institutions. The main arguments seem to be "The computer processed it, therefore the artist has not fully created the piece." or "It was created in just seconds, so it can't be of any true value." Both arguements can easily be debated for or against.

None-the-less over time as today's computer savvy generation matures, acceptance and appreciation of digital art will become more commonplace. Traditionalists will still want oils on canvas but times are changing and the world of art is no exception. The line between digital and non-digital is already blurred and will eventually disappear altogether.

Watching the Pond

Watching the Pond – oil on canvas 20 x 16 inches

Morning Mist

Morning Mist – oil on canvas 16 x 24 inches
This is a painting of Mint Brook as it empties into Gambo Pond on an early Autumn morning.

Halloween Self-portrait

Halloween Self-portrait – oil on canvas 20 x 16 inches
I thought I would post this one I did yesterday on Halloween.

The Idea Takes Shape

The creation of art, the pure bliss of the moment. A true work of art takes on a life of its own. However, artists must do the preparation - have materials and tools at hand, make the first decisive marks. After a little while the image begins to take over, often not what the artist may have had in mind, not always a masterpiece but usually a magical creation none-the-less.

Painting, sculpting, printmaking, photography and other methods all share the commonality of visual art - works of art which are primarily 2-dimensional and intended to be experienced through human eyes. With this in mind we begin to understand the basis of visual art creation. The old rules of art may be rigid guidelines for many painters, but the main thrust of any self-respecting artist continues to be the pursuit of a personal style and a unique approach to the subject material.

Painters work in mediums such as oils, water colours or acrylics. I've experimented with egg tempera (yolks) as well, which gives a soft yet permanent feel to the paint. Full descriptions of mediums and painting techiques can be found on several internet web sites.

The work on this page is digital and uses a distorted photo effect for dramatic emphasis.

More babble later.

D