The Colville House

Yesterday, we visited the Colville House in Sackville, New Brunswick. The former home of reknown Canadian artist, Alex Colville. Along with his wife Rhoda, it is here where they raised their four children while he was a Fine Art professor at Mount Allison University (1946-63). They lived here from the mid 1940's until 1973. It's during this period that his artistic career flourished. His work has been refered to as Magic Realism and he paints in a pointillist technique. More than any other contemporary artist, Colville is considered Canada's Painter Laureate. This is the first summer the house has been open to the public.

The collective bank of imagery he created greatly inspired me be become a painter. Up until 2002, I was very much an Alex Colville devotee. Almost all of my paintings comprised of a figure in a natural setting relating to an ordinary moment of observation. In 2003, when two commercial galleries started to represent my work, a gradual shift occured and I turned to Still Life studies instead. Several of those earlier paintings still resonate within me as some of my best pieces.

Over the years, I've written to him on several occasions; including congratulatory wishes after viewing his retrospective exhibitions at the Musée-des-beaux-arts de Montréal in 1994, and at the National Gallery in Ottawa in 2000. He's always graciously sent me a hand written letter in reply. I finally got to meet him in person in 2002 at the Owen's Art Gallery during an opening reception for one of his shows. I was so surprised that he remembered me from the instant I introduced myself. One of those surreal moments.

Alex Colville most recently celebrated his 88th birthday on August 24. He now resides in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and is still as active as ever. His most recent painting can be viewed on the Mira Godard Gallery web site. Some of his orginial serigraph prints are available through the Fog Forest Gallery. From this Google link you can see many of his paintings.

Happy belated Birthday Mr. Colville!

Potted Geranium

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard,

14 x 18'', 2005, # 90

private collection - Boston, Ma.

Potted Geranium was created three years ago. The subject matter for this painting is indirectly related with my previous posting- Raspberry Cordial with Anne Shirley, so I was tempted to add it to this blog. The setting is from one of the upstairs bedrooms in the Green Gable House in Cavendish. I was fascinated by how the diffused light worked it's way through the petals of the blooms and on the dark wood surface. Luckily, I had brought my camera along during our visit.

I took a bit of artistic licence to change a few things within the composition. Part of the sewing machine is from the Green Gable House and the central part that would include the Singer logo was from a sewing machine that once belonged to my grandmother (b. 1889). The geranium was originally in a large can that had been covered with some Mac-tac that boasted a printed ivy motif. I opted to use a empty Campbell's Soup can - New England Clam Chowder to give a bit of contemporary realist twist, that also made reference to one of my favorite Pop Art artist, Andy Warhol.

Raspberry Cordial with Anne Shirley

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard

14 x 11'', created July 8-23, 2008, #147

Continuing my book and authors series, this one celebrates the work of Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), and more specifically her novel ''Anne of Green Gables''. The book was originally published in 1908, 100 years ago. It's quintessential Canadiana with a maritime flavor. The story tells the tale of Anne Shirley, an eleven year-old orphan who is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island . The Cuthberts had requested a boy to help with the work around the farm. The outspoken red hair girl with a vivid imagination would soon leave an indelible impression on everyone around her. Anne of Green Gables is the first of a series that includes another seven volume that follows Anne from the age of 11 to 53. These were published between 1909 and 1923.

The inspiration for this painting comes from chapter 16, Diana Is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results. Here we follow Anne serving her best friend Diana what she believes is Raspberry Cordial while recalling stories she had made up in her head. After her third glass, Diana becomes violently ill. Actually, she is drunk. What was on the pantry shelf was not raspberry cordial, but homemade currant wine. The sequence is extremely funny, especially the paragraph when she recalls that it is an uphill battle for Marilla to teach how to cook.

CBC Television, mini series, 1985

The book, Anne of Green Gables was an instant hit from the get go. Selling nineteen thousand copies in the first five months, and going into it's tenth printings in the first year. It has been translated into 35 languages, and hold the title of being the best selling book by a Canadian author with an estimate 50 million copies. It's popularity known no boundaries. In 1965 it was adapted to musical theater and is the longest running musical in Canada and possibly in the world. It has been adapted for several made-for-TV movies and the highly acclaim 1985 Emmy Award winning 4-hour mini-series featuring Megan Follows in the lead role.

The spirit of Anne is very much alive and well on Prince Edward Island. It remains one of my favorite vacation destination. I've probably visited the Island two dozen times. I only live an hour away by car. The musical stage show continues it's record-run at the Confederation Theater in Charlottetown. The capital city is also known as the birthplace of Canada. In the Cavendish area, the historical house from which the author took inspiration for the setting, attracts 250,000 tourists from around the world annually. The Village of Avonlea located in Cavendish is a must see for any Anne fan. Here, pages from the book comes to life with wonderful actors playing the characters from the fable. You can also visit Lucy Maud Montgomery's home when she lived in Cavendish, her grave site, and her birthplace in nearby New London. A lot of festivities mark the 100th anniversary of the book that includes a set of two stamps issued by Canada Post, and the release of a 25¢ coin by the Royal Canadian Mint.

The book cover illustration featured on this painting was done by Scott McKowen. The talented artist who lives in Ontario, created the drawings for a series of classic books published by Sterling Publishing. The drawing done in scatchboard (an engraving medium) evokes the look of the art during the time these stories were written. Other books in the series includes Oliver Twist, Peter Pan, The Swiss Family Robinson, Gulliver's Travels and many more. McKowen was featured on the blog ''Lines and Colors'' in 2007.

The glass sitting on the book is made by the oldest glass factory in France, La Rochère was founded in 1475. This 8 oz art-glass features their Bee motif.

I most recently spent 5 days on PEI during the month of June, where I did a solo trek of 662 km (411 miles) in 5 days on my hybrid bicycle. Day 2 and 3 included the 270km of rolling hills that stretches from one tip to the other - North Cape to East Point.

I leave you these wonderful words from Anne....''I love bright red drinks, don't you? They taste twice as good as any other color''.
-private collection

Outside the Jar

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard

12 x 10'', created May 18- July 6, 2008, #146

The painting that attracted the most attention during the opening reception of my solo show at Handworks Gallery last October was ''Shooter marble in the Light''. It was sold even before the painting arrived in the gallery. There were several collectors interested in acquiring it. That evening, I was introduced to several patrons of the gallery and was approached to do a commission of this subject matter. They invited me to their home to do a photo session, where I photographed some jars, marbles and some of their glassware collection and heirlooms. They have an artist's dream house with great natural lighting coming from deep seated windows, and windowsills that become mini stages for still life compositions. I did a photo shoot of about 200 images. This is the first of several paintings that they have commissioned.

The glass shelf on which the jar is lying on was set inside one of these deep seated windows in their kitchen. The marble on the far right has a reverse reflected image of their amazing sunroom.

-Private collection

GROUP SHOW at the Fog Forest Gallery

Dock, 12½ x 12½'', acrylic polymer emulsion

on gessoed hardboard, #61.

-SOLD

I currently have three paintings on display in the summer group show of the Fog Forest Gallery in Sackville, NB, Canada. ''Dock'', ''Just-picked Strawberries'' and ''June Blooms in a Red Glass'' (SOLD) are on exhibit. I will be adding a new painting to that show a bit later on this month. The exhibition runs until the end of July.

Red Spider - Alfa Romeo

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 8½'' x 11"

Created April 14 - May 14, 2008, #145.

The Spider is a roaster produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1993 (190 Spiders were badged as 1994 Commemorative Editions for the North American market). Widely regarded as a design classic, it remained in production for almost three decades with only minor aesthetic and mechanical changes.

This painting is a gallery commission with the client supplying the photographs. I got to choose what would work better for me in keeping with my own artistic and aesthetic vision. It was actually the first time since 1987 that I would paint from an image I did not take myself. All the same, it was pretty much eye candy. The only drawback was I did not get to take a spin in it.

- Commission

Juried Exhibition

I am pleased to announce that, Are we there yet? was selected for the inaugural juried show to be held at the Kamloops Historical Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kamloops, BC. This is also the first time that I get to show my work in beautiful interior British Columbia. The painting will be for sale during the exhibition that opens on April 18, 2008.

Surfacing

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 12 x 12"Created March 7 - 14, 2008, #144.

The image was taken from a corner in my tiny studio, where I also have two large bookcases. This image just kind of happen by itself. I often drink water in this glass mug and decided to continue my art book series on this piece. POP ART by Tilman Osterwold was published by Taschen as part of a 17 book series for the company's 25th anniversary. The cover image is M-Maybe (A Girl's Picture), 1965 by Roy Lichtenstein. While playing with camera angles, I was able to capture a view of her left eye surfacing on top of the water. Another point of interest was how the books and photo albums behind were all lined up in a reverse order underneath the surface of the water. I usually try to read a little while having breakfast. My wife Suzanne on the other hand is an avid reader. On this self are books from Danielle Steel to Jane Austen, from John Grisham to Arthur Miller, from Ernest Hemingway to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I had a lot of fun with this piece

-SOLD

Keeping up with the Joneses

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 12 x 12"

Created February 25 - March 5, 2008, #143

The title is based on a popular catchphrase that refers to the desire to be seen as being as good as one's neighbours or contemporaries using the comparative of social standards or accumulation of material stuff. The origin of the phrase is rooted in the once popular comic strip of the same name created by cartoonist Arthur R. "Pop" Momand. The strip debuted in 1913, ran in American newspapers for 28 years, and eventually was adapted into books, films and musical comedies.

In this still life reincarnation, I'm taking elements used in previous paintings and created a new composition. On the right of three of the bottles is a reflection of our fence that has lattice on top. I could have named it, Good fences make good neighbours from the Robert Frost poem, Mending Wall. I'll probably use that title in a future painting.

I first came across Jones Soda Pop in a Starbucks coffee shop during the late 1990's. The beverage came to market in 1994 and originates from western Canada. The images on the labels are submitted by the public, and if your lucky enough, you might end up on a bottle of Orange Cream Soda, Strawberry Lime, Blue Bubble Gum or Green Apple Soda. I'm a sucker for this type of products. It's like Pop Art meets pop culture.

-private collection

"Art and Critique"

The art critic, Elijah Shifrin is currently doing a series of critical essays of my artwork on his website, Art and Critique. The first of three installments was posted today. This LINK will direct you to his website, where is has also reviewed the artwork of several other artists for us to discover. You can also check out his past critiques on his initial blog before adopting a website format on this LINK.

Thanks to Todd Ford for nominating me, and to all those who took the time to vote for me on the public poll giving me this privilege.

Are we there yet?

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 14 x 20"

Created January 15 - February 24, 2008, #142.

This is my first figure painting in four years. I have to admit that it was somewhat of a struggle. I usually paint hard surfaces and inanimate objects. Here, I'm dealing with fabrics and flesh tones. The faces became tedious to the extreme. I'd thought that I might never get them right. It turned out to be a grand exercise of patience. At 5 weeks, it's time to call it a wrap.

Featured in this slice of life with my son Jean-Luc are his two other cousins on my wife side of the family. Isabelle lives in the province of Québec while Céline lives in northern New Brunswick. Gabrielle, the model in "La Balançoire" is Isabelle's sister. The photo study for this painting was taken 3 summers ago, when they were 12, 10 & 7. They have grown so much since then. They always get to spend a week together during the summer vacations.

The graphic novel that Jean-Luc is holding is from the serial The Adventures of Tintin. Tintin is a globe-trotting, crime solving Belgium journalist/reporter. He was created by Georges Rémi under the pen name Hergé. It first appear as a comic strip in a Belgium newspaper in 1929. The series of graphic novels have been translated in 50 languages and 200 millions copies have been sold. The series is very popular especially in Europe and French speaking Canada. I am not certain about its popularity in the rest of the North American continent. This volume is entitled "Tintin au Tibet".

---------

-This painting was selected in the juried FCA show at the Kamloops Historical Courthouse Centre for the Arts, 7 Seymour St. Kamloops, BC, April 18-27, 2008

- Included in my solo show at Handworks Gallery - Oct 16-30, 2009

-SOLD

International Artist Magazine

One of my painting is currently featured in the February/March issue of International Artist Magazine (#59) on page 59. I've just picked up a copy, and it's an exciting moment in this stage of my artistic career. I was contacted back in 2005 for the possibility of being included in their "Master Painter" section. A painting entitled "Dayliles and Japanese Lantern" done in 2004, had caught their attention. It is definitely a spirit booster, and I am honored by the accolade. View this LINK for details.

Daylilies and Japanese Lantern

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 11 x 8.5",#67

Private collection- Moncton, NB

La Balançoire

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 11 x 15"
Created- August 8-15, 2004, #75.

Private collection- Toronto, Ontario.

I've always found it difficult to paint during the month of January, and this year is no exception. I'm a bit slow getting out of the starters block. Each New Year is like a renewal for life itself; I'm wiping the slate clean and getting another shot at it. I'm not the all-consuming painter and wouldn't pretend to be. Life itself is a window of opportunity, and as much as I like to paint, I also want to expand my horizons in the grander scheme of things. I took a month off from my brushes to spend more time my family, to see a lot of the critically acclaim films that always comes out pre-Oscar time, to do some skiing, to renew my passport, to start planning our family trip to California this spring and to tie loose ends. It's not the easiest thing to juggle a full-time job and a painting career on the side.... your always chasing deadlines.

I've just started my first painting of the new year, and it will be a while before I post it. It's my first figure study since 2004, and a complex one at that. When it takes a few days just to do the drawing, it usually translate in many more days than usual to paint.

I won't be having a solo show in 2008, but I do have several projects planned. I'll be submitting works in juried exhibitions, I have several commissions lined up and will do my best to provide new paintings to the galleries that represents me.

In the meanwhile, I'm posting an older piece of my last figure painting. The model is our niece Gabrielle. I took the photo study on her backyard swing in Québec, and transported her to this farming field on Prince Edward Island. The image was used on the cover of a CD released last year by the Montréal musical duo Christel. We have two other nieces on my wife side of the family who will be featured with our son Jean-Luc in my upcoming painting.

Sitting on a CLUE

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 12 x 12"

Created- December 9-15, 2007, #141.

Just in time for Christmas, I bring you what I would have liked to see appear under our tree as a 10 year old. I spotted this Gumby & Pokey bendables in a gift shop in Cape-Breton, NS a few years back. I regretted not buying them at the time. With a credit card, you are only a click away to your heart's content, so I was able to order this dynamic duo on-line in their 50th anniversary packaging. Gumby was created by Art Clokey in 1955. He made his television debut on The Howdy Doody Show in 1956 and that same year had his own NBC Saturday morning TV series. The bendable toys were introduced in 1964. I remember watching many episodes in reruns during my childhood years. This painting is all about visual impact, color and surfaces. Never have there been so much lettering in one painting. My favorite part is the area surrounding the marble, which I decided to add after I had already started the painting.

Interesting TRIVIA-

-The Checkered Game of Life was invented in 1860 by Milton Bradley and the modern version was introduced for it's centennial year in 1960.

-Clue was invented in Great Britain in 1948. Outside of North America, it is known as Cluedo.
-It takes 1440 still-frame pictures to make 1 minute of clay animation. re: Gumby

-Click on this link to go down memory lane for a 1960's commercial of 'The game of Life" .

-private collection

"Comfort & Joy" group show at the Fog Forest Gallery

The last four postings on this Blog, Study for Summer of '69 (sold), June Blooms in a Red Glass (sold), Cat's Eyes on Cat's Eye (sold) and Cherries in Colander (sold) are on display in a group show entitled, Comfort & Joy at the Fog Forest Gallery, in Sackville New Brunswick until the end of December. The Fog Forest Gallery is located at 14 Bridge Street in beautiful Sackville,NB.