1940 Chevy Truck

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 2010

9 x 12'', #184

The Atlantic Nationals is an annual car show held in Moncton during the month of July. This Chevy truck was parked under a bright sun with puffy clouds underneath a tall leafy tree. This explains all of the unusual and freaky stuff happening on the bright red paint surface. It's quite evident that this pick-up has a proud owner and it's condition is immaculate, even sporting some amazing mag wheels. It's all eye candy to me and becomes an irresistible subject matter to paint.

As I was doing the pencil drawing, it occured to me to personalized the New Brunswick licence plate. Instead of signing the painting as I usually do, the new plate now reveals the info for the painting.

AVR- are my initials (Alvin Victor Richard),

184- corresponds to the painting's catalogue number,

08/2010- month it was mostly painted in.

This is the third of three paintings to be part of the invitational group show ''The Still Life'' to be held at the Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento California from October 2 to November 5, 2010. 

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Update - September 7, 2012
This painting will be part of a group exhibition entitled: 

ASPECTS OF REALISM
Saint John Arts Centre
City of Saint John Gallery
20 Hazen Avenue
Saint John, NB CANADA
(506) 633-4870

September 7 - October 27, 2012
Opening reception is on September 7 - 5:30 to 7:30pm

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Handworks Gallery

12 King Street,
Saint John, NB, CANADA E2L 1G2
(506) 652-9787
e-mail - info@handworks.ca 

-SOLD

Held over Monet

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 12 x 9''

2010, #183

Two weeks ago, my 15 year old son Jean-Luc's soccer team was playing in a tournament on Prince Edward Island. After winning their game on Saturday morning, we made our way to Charlottetown to visit the capitol city. While doing the rounds of the art galleries, I discovered the magnificent art glass of Robert Held at Details, Past & Present Art Gallery. Upon entering the gallery, I was greeted by a collection of his vases and bowls. They brought me to a standstill and I was transfixed. The quality of the glass, the purity of the colors, almost as if these vessels were illuminated from within. I realized at that very moment that I was not leaving the premises without buying a piece. I also knew that it had just became an ''Objet de désire'' that I would want to paint very soon.

Robert Held is a California born artist, currently living in Vancouver BC. He has been a glass blower since 1968. He currently has nine assistants by his side working in one of the largest art glass studios in North America. He is represented by art galleries & museum shops throughout North America. His main influences are Louis C. Tiffany, Gustav Klimt and Claude Monet. I am a great admirer for all three. The most logical choice for me was to superimposed my new acquisition over a pocket-size Claude Monet art book from my own library. The color scheme was perfect and the book complimented the vase to perfection. This vase in part of his Meadow Line collection. The title of the painting is a play on word. It's a piece where art imitates life, life imitates art, and art imitates art.

Jean-Luc visiting Claude Monet's house in Giverny, France - 2006

In 2006, Jean-Luc had to do a presentation of a famous artist in front of his art class. Earlier that month as we were making our way through France and Switzerland on a family road trip.....it also turned into a field trip to acquire hands-on exposure to the world of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet. We visited a few museums that housed his artwork in Troyes, Lyon & Paris and visited his domain in Giverny. The pink house where his art studio was also located, the breathtaking flower gardens and the Japanese inspired arched bridge leading to the large water lily pond with the weeping willows.

Claude Monet is considered one of the founding members of the Impressionist movement. The term Impressionism was coined by art critic Louis Leroy in 1884 upon viewing Monet's painting, ''Impression, soleil levant'' during the first group show of this new artistic league.

Last month we had the last of the original windows on our house replaced. I requested windowsills for the second floor bedrooms during installation. The ledges have yet to be painted, so the natural pine board did create a warmer palette to set up the composition. I've done at least a dozen paintings featuring windows.....there will be more to come.

This painting is the second of three to be part of the invitational group show ''The Still Life'' to be held at the Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento California from October 2 to November 5, 2010.

-SOLD

Red Current Jelly

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard,

14 x 11'', #182, 2010

This painting is a companion piece along with a smaller painting done in 2007, ''Un déjeuner sur l'herbe''. The photographic session was done a the same time, it just took a while to get back to the imagery which I was longing to do for a while now. This painting appears comptemporary, but could have been painted 125 years ago. Wilkin & Son started producing preserves in Tip Tree, a village in Essex England back in 1885. The Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plate on which the jelly sits on is from a Portugal pottery house which started producing ceramics in 1884.

My first trip to Europe in 1986 included spending a few days in the south of Portugal. In the wake of my recent trip to the south of England, it seemed fitting to bring these two items together at this time.

About a month ago I was contacted by the Elliott Fouts Gallery requesting my participation in an Invitational group show ''The Still Life'' that is schedule to run from October 2 til November 5 , 2010 in their gallery located in Sacramento, California. It was an offer I could not refuse. Not only to have the opportunity to show my work across the continent, but among the other participants are four artists which I have been in contact with and are part of the artist links on this blog. It's a small world folk!

This painting is the first of three to be part of this show.

-SOLD

Sheriff Woody & Crayolas

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard,

10 x 12'', #181, 2010

Pixar's Toy Story was release in 1995, the same year my son Jean-Luc was born. It was the studio's first full-lenght film and the first ever feature done using computer generated imagery. When Jean-Luc was old enough to talk, he started asking to watch the VHS tape, and has probably viewed it dozens of time. By the age of three he had rename Buzz Lightyear, Buzz Suckle.

I was a fan of Pixar from the get go. They set the bar very high for themselves and other animation studios. Not only are the visuals completely mind boggling, the scripts are always so brilliantly written and the choice of voice-over actors truly bring the characters to life. No studio has received more critical and commercial success as this franchise.

Toy Story 2 was released in theaters in 1999. Jean-Luc received the VHS tape as a Christmas gift when it was released the following year. In the same box as the film was the entire collection of small action figures that could be purchase at McDonald's with or without the Happy Meal.

Toy Story 3, Pixar's 11th feature film was released less than two weeks ago and has already grossed 335 millions worldwide and is most likely to break the studio's worldwide gross of 867 million held by Finding Nemo (2003). I saw it last week-end with Jean-Luc at my side. The final 30 minutes are extremely sentimental and I did find it hard to hold it together. Andy is moving on to college and the storyline follows his toys as they are accidentally put at curbside in a garbage bag instead of in a box in the attic in storage. Only a few of his toys remain. As Andy outgrew many of them, some were sold at a yard sale including Woody's significant other, Bo Peep.

Jean-Luc's toys have had a similar faith. He is not a pack rat nor a hoarder. Most of his toys have also ended up in yard sales, given to smaller children or donated to charity. I've kept Sheriff Woody Pride in my studio since he parted with the rest of his toys from Toy Story. I knew one day that I would want to paint him.

Jean-Luc with Woody & Jessie
Disney World, Orlando - 2005

A mason jar's main utility is of preserving. With this painting I am preserving the essence of Jean-Luc as a child, the many parallels of growing up and the role Pixar's films has had in capturing the imagination of generations young and old.

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Update- Dec 18, 2010- To date Toy Story 3 has become the most successful animated feature film in history. It has amassed an staggering world gross revenue of $1,063,143,492 making it is the first animated film to break the 1 billion dollar plateau. It is currently the 5th highest-grossing film worldwide of all-time (behind Avatar, Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The return of the King, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.)

-SOLD

A Cat & Fish Tale

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 8 x 10''

#180, 2010

This latest painting was conceived for an upcoming group show entitled ''CATS'', opening at Handworks Gallery on May 7. When the gallery invited me to submit a piece for this exhibition, I came across the book The Cat in the Hat at Costco that same evening. It was one of the first books I ever read when I started to learn English in grade 3. After re-reading it some forty years later, I decided to incorporate the fish in the imagery since he appears as the voice of reason of this fable. Also a great opportunity to add a few Cat's Eye marbles in this whimsical context.

Dr. Suess (Theodor Suess Geisel) remains an iconic American author and illustrator. His most famous book is Green Eggs and Ham. The Cat in the Hat published in 1957 comes in a close second and is ranked at #9 on the best sellers children book list of all-time, selling 10 million copies.

I purchased this fan-tail goldfish especially to do the painting. He seems to be enjoying his new larger fishbowl quite well and is currently residing in our son's Jean-Luc's bedroom. He has received the name of ''Maurice'', named after a goldfish from a Nestlé commerical. The week prior, Jean-Luc had to do a presentation in front of his French class at school and do a critical analysis of a French television advertisement. Check out this very funny ad, where the fish gets the blame for eating 3 chocolate Mousse in one sitting.

-SOLD

L'arrivée

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 12 x 10''

2010 - #179

This painting is a commission piece from a photo study taken by the clients. It is only the second time that I do work from imagery not conceived by myself. The painting celebrates homecomings, as a couple moving into their beautiful new home and the arrival of their first child. Both events occurring in 2004.

It is a rather minimalist piece. My greatest challenge was to get the lighting right in order to create the proper atmosphere. The light in the wine bottle is coming from the window as the sun is dimly setting on a cold January day.

-commission

Olympic Confectionary

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 12 x 12''

2009 - #178

Corner Store no. 2 completed in 2007, was from of the same store located on Barrington Street in Halifax, NS. This time, I painted the other end of the sign which boast not one, but two of these Coca-Cola buttons. Just in time for the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympiads with Coca-Cola being a major sponsor of both the Olympic Torch Relay and the Games themselves. I was actually painting the word Olympic on the sign as the Olympic flame had reached Halifax and ice hockey superstar Sidney Crosby (member of team Canada) was passing the flame to Sarah Conrad, a Nova Scotia snowboarder vying for her second Winter Olympics, who got to light the cauldron during the community celebration at the end of the day. Wishing them both the best of luck in their quest for GOLD!

-SOLD

Canoes at Moraine Lake

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 15 x 11''

Oct. / Nov. 2009, #177

The image may look familiar, since this is a larger version of the painting, Study of Canoes at Moraine Lake. Even when I did the study, I realized that I was challenging the laws of landscape art by drawing the horizon in the dead center of the image. In return, the top and bottom half may appear to compete one against the other for the subject matter's focal point. I wanted the viewer to see both part as having equal weight by the magic of perspective, and use the canoe as a mode of transportation in order to truly enter and explore the landscape instead of looking at it from the lake's edge.

This painting will be part of the art auction for Ability NB, held in Fredericton, NB, during the month of November, 2014. Details to follow. 
-SOLD

Olympic Torch Relay- Vancouver 2010

photo by Adam Huras - the Telegraph Journal

Lto R - Jean-Luc, myself and Doreen Nowlan-Gallant

Today was full of excitement as I had the honor to share in the Olympic Flame with the communities of Cap-Pelé, Shediac and Moncton, NB, as an official torchbearer during day-25 of the Olympic Torch Relay of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

In 1976, I watched the Olympic Torch Relay make it's way through the streets of Montreal on route to the stadium while the opening ceremonies were taking place. My 14 and a half year old son Jean-Luc is exactly the same age I was then, and today had the opportunity to stand besides me in my 1988 Calgary torchbearer's suit and witness the lighting of my torch firsthand, becoming a full-circle moment for me.

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As we were only three torchbearers in the village of Cap-Pelé, it was a more intimate and personal experience. When I received the flame and passed it on, I got to hear our national anthem of ''O Canada'' each time; first from the crowd, then by the children from the elementary school. During both times we stood at attention and touched the tip of our torches high as two flames became one. When I got to run my leg of the relay, the Olympic spirit within me was beaming brighter than the torch itself.

People were so enthusiastic both along the course and the festivities later held in community celebrations in Shediac and my hometown of Moncton, where cauldrons were lit. My torch which I got to keep, became a symbol of the Olympic spirit and in turn I would become an ambassador of sorts in sharing my experience with everybody around me. I was more than happy to let anybody hold the torch as I had my photo taken with several hundred people, from babies, tots, kids, teens, adult and seniors. Many school took a two-hour break so the school kids would have a chance to witness a moment in history.

The true meaning to this most memorable day in my life will truly reveal itself when the Olympic flame reaches Vancouver on February 12 and enters the stadium on route to the cauldron. As it happened during the Calgary Olympiads, my heart will be bursting with pride. Thank you RBC, Coca-Cola and the wonderful team behind this monumental event.

''A monopoly of lollipops'' is a finalist

A monopoly of lollipops, 16 x 16'' - 2009

Private collection - St Philips, Newfoundland

A monopoly of lollipops was named a Finalist in the Still Life/Floral category in the 26th Annual Art Competition of the Artist's Magazine. Winners and finalists are announced in the December 2009 issue of the Artist's Magazine on news stand now. Thanks to the judges for this honour.

Stawberries on a Sunday (revisited)

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 2006-09

27 cm diameter, #101

This painting will be among the paintings on the block at the 19th Annual Art & Antique Auction in support of the Canadian Paraplegic Association being held in Fredericton, NB on November 12, 2009. I have been associated with this very worthy cause for the third year.

-SOLD

Near & Far - Opening reception - October 16, 2009

A Gallery Hop in Saint John, NB is an event that always brings out a crowd on Friday evenings as openings are held in several exhibition spaces in the port city. My son Jean-Luc was the official photographer during the evening of the opening of my own solo show at Handworks Gallery. At one point he said, there are too many people, I can't see the artwork.

It was fun meeting the public. I got to chat with fellow gallery artists Holly McKay & Lynn Wigginton. To share my enthusiasm with others who seem genuinely excited to see my new work. When the evening was over, 14 of the 21 paintings had a red dot. Many thanks to all the people who came to view the artwork, to all those who send me warm wishes and the patrons who acquired the paintings. Thank you to Cliff Turner and Shannon Merrifield, the gallery owners and their staff for doing such a superb job.

Photos- top- with Cliff Turner / Cliff is an amazing hyperrealist painter who had a solo exhibition that concluded on Thursday. The very large 5 x 7 feet painting entitled Hot Wheels in the bottom photo, was a piece of that show.

middle- with Jean-Luc / bottom- mingling !

In other news, I want to congratulate my wife Suzanne, whom this show was dedicated to. Today, she reached the final destination of Santiago de Compostella during day-28 of the 800 km walking / backpacking trek across Spain on the Camino Francés. Bravo!

Marbles on ''Three Coke Bottles''

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, #176

5 x 7', 2009

Three Coke Bottles is an acrylic and silkscreen done by Andy Warhol in 1962. Here it appears as a blank card format on a semi out of focus Campbell's Soup Can 1 (1968), from the book Pop Art by Tilman Osterwold.

I leave you with famous quotes by Andy Warhol:

-''I am a deeply superficial person''.

-''Everybody must have a fantasy''.

-''Art is what you can get away with''.

-''Think rich, look poor''.

-''TV is not something to watch, but something to be on''.

-''Employees make the best dates. You don't have to pick them up and they're always tax- deductible''.

and of course,

-''In the future, everybody will be world famous for 15 minutes''.

This is the final piece for my solo show, Near & Far that opens this evening at Handworks Gallery in Saint John, NB. Everyone is invited to the Opening reception that will take place this evening from 5 to 8 pm and will coincide with a Gallery Hop with the other 10 art galleries/institutions of the city.

Part of my solo show- Near & Far - October 16-30, 2009.

-SOLD

Reflecting on Andy Warhol

 Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, #175

5 x 7'' - 2009

Pop art emerged in the mid 1950s in Britain and in the late 1950s in the USA. Pop art challenged tradition by asserting that an artist's use of the mass-produced visual commodities of popular culture is contiguous with the perspective of fine art. Pop Art removes the material from its context and isolates the object, or combines it with other objects, for contemplation.The concept of Pop Art refers not as much to the art itself as to the attitudes that led to it. (ref-Wikipedia)

Andy Warhol was a major contributor of the movement when it exploded during the 1960's. He was a larger than life figure. Often using other people photography and commecial items to create silkscreen prints and mixed media installations. From Marilyn Monroe to Wayne Gretzky, Brillo soap pads to Coca-Cola, Orange Car Crash to Double Silver Disaster (electric chair). He was also a photographer, illustrator, painter, avant-garde filmmaker and a socialite.

I've always admired his colorful art, and to a certain extent, have been influence by his body of work as a painter. He died the same month I started to paint, February of 1987. Painting #2 of my list of original paintings was entitled, ''Not Andy Warhol''. It was an experimental double portrait of my wife & myself in a se-tenant inspired piece based on his serigraphs. I've had a chance to see a few of his solo exhibitions including a show at the annual FIAC (Grand Palais) in Paris in 1989 and at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto during the spring of 1998. I hope one day to visit his Museum in Pittsburgh.

In this painting are a pocket size journal with two half Campbell's soup cans by Warhol, and an image, Self-Portrait (1967) as seen on page 55 of Tilman Osterwold's book, Pop Art. What surprised me the most about this piece was that I was able to pull off the portrait with paint, because the preliminary pencil drawing was awful. The Chinese ball was the object however that made this piece important enough to paint. Of linking the art with the artist on the reflective sphere.

Part of my solo show- Near & Far - October 16-30, 2009.
-SOLD

Tomate sur TOMATES

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, #1747 x 5'' - 2009

The next three paintings are all inspired by Andy Warhol. Warhol's first solo exhibition took place at the Ferus Gallery, Los Angeles, during the summer of 1962. The show comprised of 32 paintings of all the varieties of Campbell's Soup cans sold by the company at the time. When asked why he painted them, he replied that he had eaten Campbell's soup for lunch for the last 20 years. On May 9, 2006, Small Torn Campbell's Soup Can (Pepper Pot) - 20 x 16'', 1962 was sold at a Christie's auction to Gagosian Gallery for a whopping $11 776 000 (incl. buyers premiums)- click here.

Last week, as I was doing the grocery shopping, I notice a display case in the store that boosted more than 60 varieties of Campbell Soup Cans.

Campbell's Soups have been around since 1869, and the famous font lettering on red with the gold seal from the 1900 Paris Exhibition as been around for more than a century. Classic design are all in fashion. In 1968, Campbell's introduced the mail-in offer of the groovy Souper Dress , which could be bought for $1 and two labels.

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Part of my solo show- Near & Far - October 16-30, 2009.

-SOLD