Two pinwheel candies on Target

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, #161

12 x 12'', 2009

This mason jar was purchased on ebay more than a year ago especially as a prop for a painting because of the greenish tint in the glass. In the meanwhile, I've been using it in my studio to store some candy. This image is from a studio shoot I did on the spur of the moment while I was waiting on paint to dry. The art book is ''Pop Art'' by Tilmon Osterwold (page 2) with Jasper Johns ' Target (1974). The original artwork by Johns is en caustic and mixed media on canvas. There appears to be a collage of newspaper print underneath the paint. In the photo study, you get reds that bleeds on the yellow that does not occur on the original. It is probably cause by depth of field of the camera. The title was inspired by my son Jean-Luc whom I suspect sneaks into my studio to visit the jar sitting on a bookcase, since I have no explanations why I have to refill it once in a while since I don't eat any.

Near & Far - Handworks Gallery Oct. 16-30, 2009

-SOLD

Pansies in frappucino bottle

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, #171

7 x 5'', 2009

As a painter, whenever I see pansies at the market or greenhouse, they literally stops me in my tracks. You almost get the feeling that their interesting splattered color patterns had been created by some form of explosion originating from the center of their bloom.

I have a weakness for logos, commercial items that put a lot of thought in classic design that becomes part of popular culture. The Starbucks logo is one of them. It is based on a classic 15th century Norse woodcut of a mythical two-tailed mermaid siren. I remember visiting Vancouver in 1987, there was a buzz about a hip new coffee shop. Starbucks served fancy coffees, Jones Soda Pop and homemade desserts. The small coffeehouse that originated and first opened it's door at Pike Place Market in Seattle in 1971, has since become the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, with stores in 49 countries. During another trip to Vancouver in 1991, we rented a car in order to visit beautiful Victoria and Seattle. Pike Place Market is a historic property (1907) and one of the oldest continually operated farmer's market in the USA. My most vivid memory of that place was not Starbucks, but patrons buying seafood at the fish market while the fishmongers were bellowing at the top of their lungs and throwing salmons towards the clients who caught them in an open newspaper. It truly had a Carnival-like atmosphere.

On a sadder note.......I want to dedicate this image to my aunt and godmother, Rachelle Richard, who's funeral service I attended this morning. She has always been a part of my life ever since I was born. After I left home, even though my visitations were less frequent, our relationship endured. She was a very gracious, attentive, generous person who truly loved life and her family. She was a five-year breast cancer survivor. Last year, cancer would reappear in her lung, and she fought a very valiant battle until she accepted her faith with dignity. She also had an extended circle of friends who would often visit her. During the wake last evening, it was mentioned that on certain days there was probably more coffee served in her kitchen than the local Tim Horton. The word Pansy in french is ''Pensée''. ''Pensée'' has a second definition as ''a thought''. Today, my thoughts are with her and all those who loved her dearly.

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

-SOLD

BBQ caddy

Acrylic on stretched canvas, #160

16 x 12'', 2009

Heinz Ketchup was first introduced on the US market in 1869. In 1909, it crossed north of the border and became available on store shelves for Canadian consummers, making 2009 it's centennial year. For this painting, I've recycled props from past paintings to create a new composition. The Coca-Cola caddy was featured in Empties, the salt & pepper shakers in Atlantic Salmon, and the red charcoal BBQ in a least five previous paintings. Have I ever mentioned that red is my favorite color to paint with, the more the better. Here, this painting gets the royal treatment. One of my rare paintings done on canvas.

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

Tangerines in a hurricane vase (an homage to Edgar Degas)

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, #159

15 x 11'' - 2009-2012

When my wife Suzanne says she loves a painting of mine, it truly means that it stands out among my past work. I took the photo study during our last Christmas vacation at her sister Carole's home, who lives in Bathurst, NB. As I sat down at the breakfast table on Boxing Day, Carole had set up a hurricane vase with five tangerines as a table centrepiece. I had brought along this art book that I had received as a gift the day before from Suzanne, and had yet to peak inside. It was really hard to resist the combination of orange and blues, and cropping it tighter just gave it more impact. The book is entitled ''The Treasures of the Impressionists'' by Jon Kear.

It contains 30 rare facsimile documents such as sketchbook samples and drawings from Manet, Sisley, Cézanne, Monet, Degas, Pissaro and Renoir. This coffee table book has a hard shell slip cover with the image of Blue Dancers (pastel, 1899) by Edgar Degas on it's cover.

It was a lot of fun to reproduce pastel strokes using acrylic paint. My main concern was not only to try to get everything exactly right, but also to achieve the effect of pastel, the proper hues and lighting. Because the book is at an angle and is affected by surrounding lighting, some contrasting effects seem somewhat exaggerated. The most surprising aspect was that it was not that difficult to paint. It was very liberating to be able to paint so loosely and at great speed. The lettering however had to be as close to perfect to pull it off. I used drawing gum to mask the letters before painting the ballet dancer, then spent hours fiddling around with the letters. Very à propos after viewing the Degas room at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasedena, California the year before.

Exhibited in Near and Far solo show at Handworks Gallery, Saint John, NB - October 16-30, 2009 and in the Still Life Invitational at Elliott Fouts Gallery, Sacramento, Ca., Oct, 2012. 
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Updated - September 10, 2012. Painting was revised. My signature originally appeared in lime green in top right corner. The whole top corner was repainted and signature is now more discreet. The colour of the tangerines was revised and the painting now has a Liquitex Soluvar removable glass non-yellowing varnish making the colours and glass effect even more vibrant.  

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During the Christmas Holidays of 2012, we spent 10 days in Louisiana. We visited a small portion of the Musson House, now known as the Degas House, located at 2306 Esplanade Avenue between the French Quarter and City Park. Edgar Degas stayed here with his Musson relatives during 1872–73. Both his mother and grand-mother were born in Louisiana. While we were too late for the two hour + tour, I did get to talk to one of Edgar Degas grand-niece who is a tour guide.

To acquire about this painting, please contact: 

Fog Forest Gallery
14 Bridge Street, Sackville, NB
(506) 536-9000 
e-mail- gallery@nbnet.nb.ca

-SOLD

Home Preserves

Acrylic on hardboard, #158

16 x 16'', 2009

This appears like a fun piece on the surface, but it is a reflection on the housing market and inspired after I completed an overhaul renovation of our basement in January. The Canadian government has recently introduced an action plan to help stimulate growth in the housing industry with their Home Renovation Tax Credit Program, which allows homeowners to get a tax break for renovation on their homes based on eligible expenses for improvements on their house, condo or cottage. It is a reflection of the housing market that is trying to make a rebound.

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

-SOLD

Solo exhibtion - Near & Far

I am starting to post artwork that will be included in my solo show at Handworks Gallery in Saint John, NB. With a bit less that three weeks before the opening, I am currently working on painting number 17. I have started a series of smaller paintings in order to fill the space. With the exception of the two paintings above, the rest of the collection will consist of new works.

''Are we there yet?''- 14 x 20''

Acrylic on hardboard, # 142, 2008

-SOLD

I usually paint from photographic material that I find in my own surroundings. For this show, I have including imagery also found during my travels that still retains the same familiar attributes. I've decided to study the theme quite broadly, with acrylic paintings that makes references to consumerism and popular culture, while trying to create a narrative by linking some of the imagery together, either with subject matter, elements found within the artwork or cross references from my own life.

Handworks Gallery is located at 12 King Street, Saint John, NB.
To purchase artwork posted for this show, please contact the gallery.

Gallery hours: 10:00am to 6:00pm (AST) from Monday to Saturday

Telephone - (506) 652-9787, e-mail - info@handworks.ca
Artwork must remain in the gallery until closure of the show.

Near & Far runs from October 16-30, 2009

Crab apples, cranberries and jellies

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 11 x 15'' #36, 2001, private collection

Moving right along, I have started painting number 12 for my upcoming solo show at Handworks Gallery next month. It is a fun and stimulating period to paint, as I hang each new painting on the main floor of our house, giving me a sneak peak of what the exhibition will look as a whole.

In the meanwhile, I am posting an older piece that dates back to 2001. During the fall of 2000, our son was in kindergarten, and my wife had volunteer to accompany his class on a field trip to an apple orchard, Fleurs du Pommier. Before leaving, she asked me if I wanted to tag along, so I grabbed my camera and off we went. As we were waiting for the school bus to arrive, I started to roam around the grounds and when I entered a barn and saw this window spectacle, I knew instantly that it was really a gift in front of me. I have to say that it was a piece that made me realize that maybe I should venture more towards painting still lifes. As Jean-Luc now enters ninth grade and High School this week, my wish for him is that his curiosity for learning continues and that learning new things can be both educational and fun with the right attitude.

Vine-ripe tomatoes

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard, 11 x 15''

#83, 2004, Private collection

I am currently working on painting #10 for my fall solo show. In the meanwhile, I am posting a painting that was completed in the late fall of 2004. The image was inspired by the tomatoes themselves. It was about the time that I first notice that you could buy tomatoes that were not detached from one another but still on the vine as a grouping.

My mother-in-law was visiting us for a week. While we were at work, she had washed the dishes and did not know where we stored the 2-liter Pyrex measuring cup, so she left it on the counter, right next to the tomatoes.....and the conceptual idea was born. I added the knife as an element of transformation and to create tension. As Mary Pratt once said, ''What is art without tension''.

Homemade Preserves

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 14 x 18''

#85, 2005 - private collection

The imagery for this painting was inspired during an escape week-end in Nova Scotia during the fall of 2004. I had kindly ask a country store owner in Mahone Bay, if I could photograph some of their homemade preserves on the window sill where a diffuse light became the perfect stage.

I am currently working on painting number 9 for my fall solo show at Handworks Gallery.

The Deep End

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard

33,5 cm diameter round, 2004, #65

Private collection - Halifax, NS

After getting out the WD-40 a few times, I have finally started to paint again after my long vacation, my return back to normal life and my 9 to 5 job. I felt very rusty to say the least. I've made some progress on my current painting, and hope that I'll be able to complete it by weeks end.

The above image is of my son Jean-Luc at the age of 8, at the salt water pool in Fundy National Park, NB. At the time, he was taking swimming lessons and had just passed level 1. He was actually jumping from the 3 to 4 feet deep level when I took the photo study. For the painting, since he was between the age of 8 and 9, I took out my magic wand to change the numbers at pool side, to reflect his age at the time. It is a piece about conquering one own fears.

Amazing Spain

I've returned last week from the most incredible 35-day trip, where I spent two days in France, and the remainder in Spain. My main objective was to walk/backpack the 800km Camino Francés that starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port France and ends in Santiago the Compostella Spain. I had planned 29 walking days for this trek. Things went so well in fact that I was able to cover the distance in 28. Just incredible weather, sunshine almost every day, with only about 6 hours of rain while I was walking. The landscape was breathtaking, on certain days it felt as if I was walking through a picture Post Card. So much history has occurred on this route that dates more than a millennium.

The fraternity between pilgrims was like nothing I had ever experienced. At times, it felt like a meeting of the United Nations. I made so many great friends, made so many connections. The warmth of the local Spanish people was equally remarkable. I was lucky to have been spared any major injuries, only 3 tiny blisters. On the final walking day, my marathon running past came back to haunt me, so I opted to walk the marathon distance of 42,2km (well actually, it was 42,6km) , which made it even more significant for me. It was a journey of a life time, one for the ages.

Any travel would not be complete without taking advantage of the art along the way. After landing in Toulouse France, I was off to visit the city. My art stops included la Salle des Illustes at the Capitale (city hall). Here, gigantic mural-like impressionist paintings of Henri Martin and Paul Gervais adorn the walls. In the hall next door, a civil wedding was taking place, after which the bridal party had their picture taken in front of the Gervais masterpieces with a theme of love and marriage. I was then off to l'Hôtel d'Assézat, home of the Foundation Bemberg and it's excellent collection of paintings ranging from Toulouse-Lautrec, Manet, Monet, Degas, R, Duffy, Gauguin and especially Pierre Bonnard of which there was at least 3 dozen paintings. All housed in the city's most elegant Renaissance mansion built in 1555 by Nicholas Bachelier.

Along the Camino, the art could be found mostly in the hundreds of churches. Some ranging from the size of a small chapel to the most elaborate, sophisticated and largest Gothic church I have ever seen, the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Burgos, built over a 400 year period. The above photo is only a portion of the structure. It has to be seen, as no words can quite describe it. There is an enormous amount of wealth in these institutions. It is impossible not to marvel at the talented individuals who created the frescoes, paintings, wood and stone carvings, sculptures, architecture and overall craftsmanship found here.

I also had the opportunity to visit the very colorful Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Castilla y Leon. The MUSAC is the most important contemporary museum in the province of Leon. While in Santiago de Compostella, I visited the Centre Galego de Arte Contempranea, another large multi level space. Exhibitions in contemporary art galleries either cater to geniuses creating innovative conceptual art and installations and/or on the obscure, avant-garde, issues dealing with censorship, morality, underground culture, often explicit and graphic material, to push your buttons and at time to shock you. Well, these were no different even if they were on the route of the third most holiest pilgrimage in Christianity. Admission is free, meaning that these institutions are government funded. When Andy Warhol said, ''Art is what you can get away with''.......he was right!!!

But my real ''Coup de coeur'' happened in Madrid, where I spent 3 days sight-seeing before returning home. It happened at the Museo Sorolla. Joachin Sorolla (1863-1923) was a Spanish born impressionist painter who lived in Madrid. In 1932, his exquisite home and studio was transform into a museum following his death. I can't really recall seeing any of his work except in art books. As you pass through the street gate that leads you into a wonderful enchanted garden, the experience of stepping into his world has already begun. While entering the third of interconnected studios spaces where he painted, my jaw dropped and at that moment he went from being an obscure painter to one of my all-time favorite. In the larger room with a vaulted ceiling, paintings were hung salon style, his paint box and brushes were all there. A creative space that exuded a palpable energy. The museum continues on the ground level into the living and dining room of his residence and for another four rooms on the second floor. There was easily 80 paintings in all on display.

As luck would have it, my newly found admiration for Sorolla's work would reach a climax, as the Museo del Prado was hosting a major retrospective of his work until September 6. My admission ticket even had a pre-set viewing time, as the entire space was elbow to elbow. In the first room, the instant I saw the very fair-skin female nude seated on a marble base that can be seen on this link , I instantly became teary eyed. I knew I was in the presence of a genius. The way he paints light, the whites, his use of pastel colors, the contrasts, his compositions and subject matter really sets him apart. It's moments like these are when you can truly connect with art and see how it contribute to society and becomes an essential part of what it means to feel alive.

All of the figures studies set along the shoreline and marine paintings with the wind blowing in the white canvas sails that has light coming from behind, becoming illuminated in both pastel and the darker contrasting shadows being cast from the masts and the folds......well, they just took my breath away.

The Prado Museum has one of the finest collection of European art from the 12th to the early 19th century, featuring spanish master painters from the golden age - Goya, El Greco and Diego Velazquez, who's painting ''Las Meninas'' is considered by some as the most famous painting in the world. For the most part, the art found here are mostly Academic paintings. In all, I spent 4½ hours there.

After El Prado comes the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Spain's national museum of 20th century art. Several temporary exhibits included a compelling retrospective of Juan Munoz and the permanent collection that includes many Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Guillermo Perez Villata, Sigfrido Martin Begué to name a few. Outside the Reina Sofia is the enormous sculptural work entitled ''Brushstroke'' by Roy Lichtenstein as shown above.

The masterpiece of Reina Sofia is Picasso's Guernica as shown above. The mural size painting had a whole room to itself, and was jam-packed with people. I only got to view the painting from a side angle.

The last of the Golden Triangle of Art is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that also includes the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection. For it's overall collection, this one was my favorite. It houses a very impressive collection of old Flemish and Dutch masters, and an equally impressive list of international artists like John Singer Sargent, Marc Chagall, Childe Hassem, William Merritt Chase, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Piet Mondrian, Lucian Freud....just to name a few. And what could be better than a Richard Estes painting.....how about three. And of course a retrospective of the brilliant French impressionist painter, Henri Matisse.

Solo Show at Handworks Gallery

''Home Preserves'' - 16 x 16''

Acrylic on gessoed hardboard

April 13-21, 2009, #158

I am currently preparing a solo exhibition at Handworks Gallery in Saint John, NB. The show will be entitled ''NEAR & FAR'' and will run from October 16-30, 2009. It is a very broad title, so I have a lot of breathing space to explore the theme. Are we there yet? (2008) is the initial piece to jump start the show, the rest of the collection will feature all new paintings. The fun part of preparing a solo show is that it permits you to create a visual narrative and link images together. I will be aiming for 24 paintings, 16 large and 8 smaller pieces.

I will start previewing the new paintings about one month before the opening date. The above painting is the first installment and posted as a sneak peek, except that I've opted to display it in Black & White. I will be posting Home Preserves again in September in full colour. I am currently working on painting number 5, and so far so good....the last two are among my all-time favorites.

During the next few months, I will continue to post recent paintings completed prior to 2007 (birth of this Blog) and update the painting count for the solo show.

Sparkling Treasures

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 14 x 20''

Created March 24- April 7, 2009, #157

This is a commission piece. It is yet another glass on glass study set on a grid wood storage cube with a sheet of tempered glass on top. This is the reason the base is so pale in color, light is being refracted. When they chose this particular image among the few hundreds I took, I agreed to honor their wishes, because it had the punch of colors they wanted, and the red plate was a family heirloom that was special to them both.

When I did the photo shoot, I knew that if they chose this type of imagery, it would in turn be setting the bar very high, like a high jumper going for a personal best by 10 cm. I procrastinated during the past year of painting too quickly because I knew I had this particular image to tackle. In retrospect I should have started with this one in order to put any doubt to rest, because the moment I started the pencil drawing, I realized that I could paint it. Even if it was the most complex glass piece I had ever done, if I isolated the image in small areas, it all made sense. Needless to say, I am pleased of this piece and the whole series. It was a great privilege for me to do these paintings and it was only fitting that they got to chose the title for the last piece.

-Private collection

Losing my marbles

Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 14 x 20''

Created - February 20- March 24, 2009. #156.

This painting was somewhat challenging on a cerebral level. I spent three days on the drawing alone. With just pencil lines and no contrasting definition, I kept getting lost in the lines around the rim of the mason jar that it lying on it's side. I always use a grisaille technique with Payne's grey acrylic paint. Once the paint has dried and cured, I them apply the colors on top in transparent layers. My goal is always to try to pull it off with my signature bright colors.

In this case, for the exception of the marbles and the out of focus greenery on the bottom, it was pretty much a monochromatic type of imagery. In the end it did work out, as the main focus here was to showcase the marbles with this glass on glass study. The jars may appear to be floating, but they are actually on a glass pane shelf that is recessed in a deep window. I had not painted this large in a year, and working on a flat surface is always a challenge in itself. I've had this title on the back burner for a while, it seemed like a propos painting to use it on.

-SOLD

Wine Tasting

 Acrylic polymer emulsion on gessoed hardboard, 12 x 10''

Created January 17 - February 19, 2009, # 155

It has been a while since my last posting. After the Christmas Holiday, I did a complete make-over of our basement, which also included my studio. I am extremely pleased with the outcome. So after a one month hiatus from my brushes, this type of imagery is always intimidating when I am not painting on a daily basis. It's a process of defining, redefining and what seems like an endless series of tiny details.

In this windowsill still life, we find three completely different wines. Aufkellereien, is the German white wine as previously painted in Cheers. An Australian Shiraz, also known as Syrah. A dark skin variety of grape is used in this blend with a bouquet of ripe cherries, strawberries, spice and vanilla oak aroma. Yellow Tail Wines is bottled by Casella Wines . Completing the trio is a Gewürztraminer Ice wine. Gewürztraminer is an aromatic wine grape variety that performs best in cooler climates. This 2005 vintage was bottled by Sumac Ridge, a winery near Summerland, in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. 2005 was a very hot year with high brix levels resulting in an abundant fruit character. The grapes were picked at less than minus 8 degrees Celsius and underwent a slow cold fermentation for 45 days. The word Brix is used in the food industry for measuring the approximate amount of sugars in fruits, vegetables, juices, wine, soft drinks and in the sugar manufacturing industry.

We did a road trip of BC and Alberta in 2007 and drove through the beautiful Okanagan Valley where we visited the Burrowed Owl Estate Winery in Oliver. The wine was great, and the scenery was breathtaking.

-SOLD