Another levitation painting based on a fond memory.

New painting completed. This is a little visual shout out to my cousin Blake. Waaaaaay back in the day he would pick me up in the country and take me to the pool hall in Steiner to hang out. On the car ride we’d usually listen to Tool and then be subjected to the new Alanis Morissette jagged little pill album over and over at the pool hall. Don’t tell anyone but I kind of liked that album. Fast forward to now and certain smells still bring a WAVE of memories flooding back, and the smell of now discontinued “Air Freshner Red Clover” brings me back to the car rides. Thanks Blake for picking me up and getting me out of the country, introducing me to Tool which still rules and being an awesome big cousin and kind of like a big brother if I’m being honest. About 10 years ago I was able to find a box of these air fresheners in a farm supply warehouse in Idaho and still have them! Hermetically sealed using my mom’s bag sealer. 😂 I will be attaching one to the back of the painting so the Red Clover can live forever. I’ve never found an air freshener that smells as good and I wish they would bring it back! Hope you all enjoy the new levitation painting.

The storm and the field.

This painting is simply an ode to the prairies. I wanted to capture that ridiculously bright yellow against the darkness of a prairie storm. This is a representational painting but with a modern twist to the canola that almost seems to glow against the dark backdrop. One of my favourite moments to see living here on the prairies.

Another levitation. Oil on canvas. 10” x 10”

For some reason this has become something I’ve gravitated towards. (See what I did there?) I like the idea of something being beautiful even though it’s been crushed, bent and broken. I’m enjoying these little visual metaphors.

Always an honour.

Recently, I was asked to do an oil painting of this lovely gentlemen who passed away a few years ago. It is always my goal try to capture the person as close as possible. At times it can be nerve-racking to pay close attention to all the details and qualities that make this person so unique. When I paint someone for a client it is my goal to get it to the point where I can say “hello” to them. When that moment comes, I know the painting is complete. I really hope it brings them fond memories when they walk by and look at it. Thank you Donna for giving me the chance to capture your husband in such a beautiful moment.

Levitating a Toyota Hatchback

Well, it all starts here! I decided to create a series of works that depict the levitation of objects. I shared my idea with a very good family friend, Kate. She was looking to get a painting from me and I thought what a perfect match. Weird idea for a wonderful human being. Kate wanted her Toyota Hatchback captured and I was happy to create this work for her. I’m so happy she likes it and I hope it brings back many good memories for her! This work is 12”x12” oil on canvas. Thanks for the opportunity to create such a fun piece!

Levitation

Had this idea a while back to create these ridiculous 12” x 12” paintings in a series I like to call “Levitation”. Here’s a sneak peek at the first one. It will be a long series as I’m doing them in between commission works. I love the richness of cadmium yellow and how easily it can take on shades.

The beauty of faulty lights.

As stated in the last post I love the faulty lights in Winnipeg. I have enjoyed creating this painting of my son walking through some of these street lights. It was extremely difficult to recreate the amount of luminescence they give off, especially without using pigments that were not fugitive or non-permanent. There are still a few lights around. Go enjoy them while you can.

The blue/purple lights of Winnipeg

I absolutely love driving/walking down the streets of Winnipeg and goi my under the blue/purple lights. I have started a painting capturing a moment under the lights. Here’s a sneak peek .

The colour of paper

Kind of interesting taking paint and waiting for the “feeling” of it to be right. Not the actual texture or consistency of the paint, but when you look at it, does it cause reaction from you?

Good to be in a new space

The fall was crazy with the build but I’m finally in the new studio space. Time to shut up and start doing.

Collaboration

Just finished a semester with a really great group of students, including one kid who wanted to do a collaboration piece with me. We decided to split the responsibilities, I got stuck making the mice! The title of this work is “Toxic Wonderland”. Seems fitting for the times. Enjoy!

Honouring a former student of mine.

It has been one heck of a year. I haven’t posted anything for the entire year of 2020 and sort of glad I didn’t. I still made art, and thankful I did. One of the pieces that was both challenging and rewarding is the work shown here. This is a portrait of a former student of mine. Grew up in a small town with a very white population. Last year the BLM movement made waves throughout the world, even in little towns like Steinbach, MB. This portrait is of the woman who helped organize the first BLM march in Steinbach and I wanted to honour that moment by capturing a strong and confident person and incorporate one of the posters made for the march, into the work. I’m happy it’s completed and that it’s in very deserving hands. Taylor I am proud of what you did last summer, and I hope you never forget what you did that day. I hope WE never forget what the black community has sacrificed and endured.

“Hope”

Well after quite some time, especially in the conceptual realm for this piece, “Hope” a 3 x 5 foot oil on canvas is completed and going to its rightful owner. It was an honour creating this piece! Happy new year everyone.

A recognizable work of art.

If you’re like me and watched tv after school in the 90’s this painting should be fairly recognizable.

Pure pigment and oil

I think we take it for granted how beautiful paint really is. We buy a tube of paint and and don’t even think about the process or what’s in it. Mixing pure pigment with oil is a tedious and wonderful experience. Mixing such raw elements to create paintings that will hopefully last longer than I. Some of the most beautiful pigments are the most dangerous!

Finally done!

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...I decided to make a painting for my boy Jonah.  It started with a couple of characters and a Death Star but suddenly it turned into an ode to Star Wars. This painting is oil on canvas, 5 x 4 feet and took way too long to finish.  Thank you to my wife Andrea for all your support and giving me time to finish this up.  Time to hang this on the wall and move on to new works of art.  May the force be with you all.

Homestretch

Star Wars painting almost complete.  Here’s a sneak peak at Luke Skywalker.  The most difficult part of the painting.  

New easel is home.

Thank you to Gerald Reimer for all his help building this beautiful new easel.  It’s made out of cherry wood and treated with some crazy new German wax stuff!!! Gerald did a splendid job on this thing and I can’t thank him enough.   Also, a shout out to my good friend Mac’s mom whom I met in the store recently and she visits the website every now and then which I thought was super cool!  Cheers!  

Almost done!

Almost done the giant 5 foot Star Wars painting.  Here’s a sneak peak at just a small part of this thing!