Telling Stories

A Dream Of Joy & Sadness 11x14" Oil

I am often frustrated trying to reach this goal I have in my head for the way I want my paintings and drawings to be. I am searching for a certain something which is hard to pinpoint. I am looking for more story, more expression in the work.

The Complex Simplicity Of Opinions

"I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say, 'He feels deeply, he feels tenderly.'"
Vincent van Gogh

The movie "Loving Vincent" is set to open in theatres shortly. This ground-breaking movie is entirely hand painted, and I am eager to see it. Not just for the way it was crafted, but for the story of Vincent. Much of what he wrote over his all too short of life really resonates with me, as I'm sure it does for many other artists.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

What A Sweet Duck - 8x10" - Oil 

It's been a really long winter here in Alberta. As I type this, it's the end of April and it is still snowing. All winter, between the weather and caring for an aging dog, I had hardly been out of the house aside from weekly trips into town for groceries, and the odd trip to a nearby city for appointments. I was decidedly housebound and eager to see green and get outside to paint. This funk had extended itself to my work at the easel.

Don't Worry About Rejection

Storm And Sunshine - 8x10" - Oil on panel

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Easel

Moon Rising - 16x20" - Oil

My painting mantra has been "I don't paint the landscape. I paint my spirit disguised as the landscape." I often stray far from those intentions, however. Sometimes I do paint the landscape as it is without reflecting on my mood or spirit at that time. If I was strictly painting from my inner spirit I would not use references, but I often do use one. Granted I try to find a reference (or references - I often use several at once) that suits the mood I want to convey, but I'm still basing it on a particular time and place. 

 

Farewell My Friend

When Ravens Speak - 11x14" - Oil on panel

"Gone — flitted away,

Taken the stars from the night

And the sun from the day!

Gone, and a cloud in my heart."

~Alfred Tennyson

Technology In The Studio

Green Fields - Digital Painting

Is A Bad Economy Good For Art?

Changing Seasons - 8x10" - Oil on canvas

I've been asking myself this question for awhile now. With the global price of oil being down the economy has not been in a good state. The media has daily reports of how the downturn in the economy is affecting other industries, especially retail and the sale of so-called luxury items, like real estate and vehicles. Yet, despite all the doom and gloom news about how consumers are being cautious and reigning in their spending, my sales have been better than ever. Paintings have been selling on a fairly regular basis - so good in fact that I'm starting to be concerned about the taxes I'm going to end up paying. 

I am not alone. Other artists have also reported increased sales this past year. Local art auction specialist Levis, in Calgary, Alberta, just finished a record auction seeing 91% of the lots being sold for record high prices, with many paintings selling for more the double the pre-auction estimates. With Calgary being the Canadian centre for the energy sector, their economy has been hit hard by the energy prices and drop in stock share prices. The expectation for this particular auction was not good, so the robust bidding and standing room only audience was a bit of a surprise. Or was it?

When the markets become unstable investment in more stable assets such as jewels, antiques, collectibles and art increase. These goods are viewed as tangible assets able to maintain long term value. This wouldn't be the first time investment in art increased while markets fell. In 2008/2009 art investment increased by 25%. The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) 2014 Art Market report said 2014 global art sales broke all sales records and surpassed 2007's pre-recession levels with sales valued at over $70 billion US. 

Dr. Clare McAndrew, speaking on the report stated: “The art market reached its highest ever record level of sales with continuing strength in Modern and Post War and Contemporary art.  It continues to be a highly polarised market, with a relatively small number of artists, buyers and sellers accounting for a large share of value.  However, a promising trend counteracting this to some extent is the growth in online sales, which has encouraged a greater volume of sales in lower priced segments”. 

My little sales probably don't even factor into those figures, but the fact my records show increased sales is encouraging. While the rest of the world is full of doom and gloom, my fellow artists may be secretly celebrating their luck.  Besides a more stable investment, the other benefit to investing in art during bad economic times is that when all the news around us is depressing, you have a beautiful piece of art to adorn your house providing a piece of stability and well-being. 

Who Said Being Stubborn Was Bad?

Backstage Wait - 11x14" - Oil on linen

I'm Doing It All Wrong

Benalto Farm - 11x14" - Oil on canvas panel

Art is subjective making it hard to find a definitive answer of what is great art. Sure we have answers from various experts on historical art and why it should be considered great; and even experts on modern art, but few of us will agree with those opinions. As a painter it is up to me to figure out my own standards. What do I like. What do I want my paintings to say and how do I want them to look?

Overcoming Fear

Free Spirit - 8x10" - Charcoal on paper

Storm Dodging

The Driveway - 8x10" - Oil on panel

Wow, I didn't realize it has been over a month since my last post. I've always said that I can paint, or I can write. I can't do both; and since it's summer (almost) painting is in full gear. Our plein air season is short in Canada, so I have to make the most of it. 

I got a new Strada easel (thanks to my photography royalties) and had to take it out for a test drive Friday night. Only problem was we had stormy weather. It had been raining and blowing most of the day. There was a break in the storms and the sun was casting some beautiful shadows across the driveway, so I set up and went to work.

No sooner did I start then more clouds rolled in obscuring the light. Then the wind picked up and the rain was right behind it. I tried to finish up inside but I had done a bad job. The next night the weather was exactly the same, so I took another stab at it.

I changed my composition a bit from the first night. I didn't like the angle of the driveway. Much happier with the results now......though looking at the photo I see I have a few edges at the end of the driveway that need to be softened. 

I Am The Silence

I Am The Silence - 14x18" - Acrylic

Painting Painting Painting

Learning To Fly - 8x10" - Oil on panel

Art Sale This Weekend

Accurate Colour Photographing Artwork

Daylight Dance - 11x14" - Oil on board

What Would Artists Paint If.....

Against The Wind - 9x6" - Oil on canvas

It's A Hard Knock Life

Old Country - 16x20" - Oil on linen

Xanadu Gallery

Angel Can Fly - 16x20" - Oil

The Road To Better Drawing

A Little Mouse Illustration

In life, when you travel down a new road you never know where you may end up, or what twists and turns lay ahead. And so it goes when I started my drawing adventure at the beginning of the year.