Series

At the end of each day in my studio I endeavour to use up as much of the paint on my pallet as possible by working quickly and spontaneously on small sheets of paper. The paintings that have recently emerged are a reflection on the solitude I experienced when I was staying home and staying safe

 

This ongoing series celebrates the beauty and mystery of the four seasons – inspired by the music of Antonio Vivaldi as interpreted by Max Richter.

My fascination with northern landscapes continues. Part of this series is inspired by a 2018 raft trip on the Alsek River which started in the Yukon territory and ended in the Gulf of Alaska. Images of majestic mountains, vast ice fields and turquoise glacial lakes remain vivid in my memory long after I have returned home. The other part of this series expresses my love for the pristine lakes of northern Ontario which offer a welcome escape from the business of every day life.

The West Fjords is a rugged, isolated region located in the far northwest of Iceland. Sheer, steep cliffs plunge into the ice cold fjords of the north sea. The weather is often nasty and rainy. Dense fog banks move in at a moments notice. Such unpredictability inspires dramatic, moody interpretations of the landscape.

Iceland is a place of unrivaled beauty and varied landscapes; it is also an area of great seismic instability. Evidence of this volcanic volatility manifests itself in surreal landscapes of black, burgundy, peach and ochre. A veritable feast for the eye of a hungry painter.

In May 2015 I spent a week in Swedish Lapland, just south of the Arctic circle.

There was still snow on the ground and the hours of daylight were quickly increasing as summer solstice approached. The lingering snow magnified the brilliance of the arctic sky and distant objects were often obscured or obliterated by the bright arctic sun. The snow was receding, revealing stories and mysteries of the land.

I often go into my studio with no notion of what I will paint or why. It is play time – discovering new colours, experimenting, being bold.