At the end of a long, twisty road through some of Canada's finest natural beauty, lies the tiny historic village named Killarney.  Though widely known currently as a gateway to the expansive and beautiful waterways and islands that lie offshore, there was a time in its' past when the village was a vibrant, bustling fishing port.  There remains a smattering of visual clues pointing back to these times, such as this well seasoned vessel and the old buildings it now rests between.  
As a painting subject, I was drawn the strong colour compliments of red and green that work so well together.  Also the distinctive white rock Killarney is famous for that is seen immediately in the background.   

Many of the farms scattered around this part of the world contain a part of the property that remains unworked, reffered to as as a bush lot.  For me these are priceless treasures and for a number of years I resided on a local farm that included a lovely bit of forrest, some in hardwoods, some in softwoods, with a meandering creek that ran through the middle.  Daily walks with my sidekick Brownie allowed me to really become familiar with the place, as I watched the different types of days and different seasons colour the scene with variety and beauty.
On the day of this painting, the sun was setting early, filtering through the bush, causing the remaining foliage to sparkle in the light, while the trees cast long shadows  across the adjoining field.
​If you look closely you will also see 2 visitors in the background, who would occasionally appear about this time of day.

On a road trip to drop off a commissioned painting this past winter, I spotted this old bridge hidden among some brush just off of the new highway.  Of course, I swung around for a better look, and there stood another fine example of a bowstring bridge, examples of which are still found scattered throughout the province.  While familiarizing myself with the scene, I was delighted to see the old building just up the river on the edge of a pond, which once served the local farming community as a feed mill, and decided it needed to be part of the composition.  
With the painting evolving as a very limited palette type, I pondered the notion of including a burst of colour to play with the balance of the piece and the idea of adding a bright red cardinal came to me.      

This particular stretch of Manitoulin Island shore is very familiar to me, as a child we would camp in the nearby campground, and follow this rugged shoreline out to the old lighthouse site.  Every visit back feels like reacquainting with an old friend, the terrain seems to have not changed at all in that half century.  Of course those rocks have been worked upon by the cold, clear waters of Lake Huron for more years than I could ever imagine, changing little by little with the passage of time.
I find myself lingering while back here, mesmerized by the colours, sounds, shapes and quiet all around, especially on a moody, foggy day.  I wanted this painting to give the viewers the same feeling, and cause them to pause and just soak it in, like I did!

Very happy to announce the relaunch of my website donkilby.com!  
Working with Laura @ Forwardweb.com, who provided excellent service with this top to bottom rework, I am finally able to check off one the biggest items on my
​'to do' list.  Have a look around and please let me know what you think!
With the ever growing importance of digital marketing, having an engaging, relevant, easy to navigate site is the artist's best friend.  
To further my digital outreach and profile, in the next few weeks I will be sending out the first issue of my bi monthly enewsletter, featuring news and highlights such as; new art, work in progress, upcoming shows , etc.  To put yourself on the receiving list, contact me at donk@rogers.com.

As if all of the above isn't enough, an even bigger exciting announcement for the Kilby Gallery is waiting in the wings.  Watch here for the big story soon to come!    

Between home and my favourite local hike/ski/bike destination, runs a quiet but beautiful side road with a pastoral view in all directions.  One of the attractions on that stretch is this simple, well weathered building, what folks on the farm would call the driveshead, with various implements and things tucked into the shadows.  I waited throughout the summer to see how the building would fit in a fall coloured scene.   While travelling about I'm always on the lookout  for old buildings like this one, well settled into their surroundings, a shape that catches your eye and with many stories to share.

When the clients and I worked out the best way to show off this typical but so lovely family farm, we settled on this view, as would be seen from the roadside into and back from town and the many other things found off that way.  Each trip past would involve an involuntary turn of the head to see what going in the fields and farmyard, eyeball the recently turned soil (and chastise yourself if it wasn't worked pretty straight knowing other neighbours would be travelling by as often as yourself, seeing and sharing anything of note.  (something like . . . did you see that winter wheat coming up over on the Waggs east field?)  so this is my take  on what one of those passerbys would see on a pleasant Autumn day.

One of the blessings of where I live and work is to be situated in the valley of the Beaver River, with the friendly river twisting and turning its way down to countryside and town to the open water that is Georgian Bay.  A quick dogs walk from the gallery frequently finds me in this very spot, stopping to have a breath and admire the sun illuminating the snow in such a flattering light!  The rich dark of the moving water and background treeline, contrasts so well with the strong shapes of the snow covered ground.  This is one of those paintings I find myself studying with a softened focus of squinted eyes, paying extra attention to the abstract design of the shapes, both negative and positive, and how intriguing and unpredictable an arrangement they create. 

Another gloriously bright and colourful winter day to capture with paint and brush!  This piece was created to remind the friends/clients that have recently moved on from this magical place, what they are leaving behind.  Don't worry though, the new home and property that now will be home looks spectacular itself!  
Having a ski with your dog on a bright, fresh day like this one, makes whatever winter brings with it, worth the trouble, for me!  

Just up from the Red Barn seen on 'Tenth Line Auction'  painting a few above, is this valley and surrounding woodland.  Evergreens occupy the damp valley bottom while hardwoods dominate the higher ground.  A tobogganers delight, another celebration of winter!  And another painting focused on the core design, a collection of shapes and colours, brought into a delicate but pleasing asymetrical balance.

 Making a sale of original art to someone is always most welcome and a big deal.  Having that person come back again and again for more of your work is the greatest compliment and greatly appreciated!
Recently I visited the home of some good friends and collectors and viewed my artwork situated throughout their beautiful home.   Below are pics of the art and the rooms it shares.
p.s. This list will have to be expanded soon as new work has been commissioned and is underway, yay!

Revisiting the theme of strong female and classic auto with this new work.  Much planning went into finding the right combination of figure, auto and background, to create an interesting combination of negative and positive shapes, strong and muted colours, and asymmetrical balance contribute towards a striking composition and thoughtful use of the canvas.  I like the way the classic blue Bugatti directs your eye to the right while the female driver is pointed towards the opposite side of the frame.  What is she looking back at, that's up to you to decide!

for details re: size, faming and price, see 'New Works' under 'Artwork'. 

Memories of trips to a cottage are typically coloured with clear blue skies, sparkling water and brilliant colours wherever the eye falls.  In truth, days spent on the lake are far more varied; overcast, greyish days with maybe a hint of rain in the air are just as common, and in my opinion, just as stimulating visually.  Compositionally speaking, this painting is almost divided corner to corner and I especially like the strong negative space that is the sky, defining the trees on both sides of the narrows and balancing off the rich colours and textures that surround it.

for details re: size, faming and price, see 'New Works' under 'Artwork'.

A small study of the venerable coyote, loved and loathed throughout the land.  As per usual, I am most draw to the composition of the piece, close cropping leading to strong, interesting negative shapes.  Just last night, the local coyotes came to life somewhere after midnight and my sidekick Brownie excitedly replied to the call and reply with some barking of her own, always makes her day, or night!

for details re: size, faming and price, see 'New Works' under 'Artwork'. 

For a painting to really be a success it needs to bring me to a place or a memory that left an favourable impression at some time.  This piece based on a walk along the beautiful beach at Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, seems to achieve that goal.  A day of lively weather, where one would want at least a wind breaker on, the rollers endlessly breaking along the beach is a scene I could just spend a morning soaking in, hope others feel the same!

for details re: size, faming and price, see 'New Works' under 'Artwork'. 

A smallish study based on a scene behind a home I once lived in.  For a hay farmer, da few days of sunshine is hoped for after the crop is cut, drying out and waiting for the baler to bundle it all up.  A balance of blue skies and heavy clouds against the greens and golds seems to work well here.

for details re: size, faming and price, see 'New Works' under 'Artwork'.

Another small study of a crow preparing to land ahead.  Rather than locate the bird on the centre of the frame, I choose to back it up a bit to allow for imagined movement ahead into and beyond the composition.  Something about crows and ravens just keep calling to the artist in me!

for details re: size, faming and price, see 'New Works' under 'Artwork'.

Happy to announce my participation in this years Ojibway Art Show!  Due to the unique circumstances this year presents,  the upcoming version of this show will be a digital online exhibit and sale, running from July 31 to Aug 9.  Normally located on Ojibway Island, Point Au Baril Station, this show has been a standout featuring many artists who's work has been influenced by the unique and captivating landscape of that area along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay.  I am very happy to included with this years many contributors, and am offering 4 of my Georgian Bay themed works, including 'To the Point' as seen above.  I continue to be inspired by this wonderful landscape and have new works underway that are based on my many visits to the region.
To view the show, visit 'ojibway art show online 2020' to view the offerings and maybe take home a wonderful new addition to your art collection! 

With the approach of the Summer Solstice it seems slightly odd to be exhibiting a 'new' winter themed painting.  This local landscape was begun late last fall when the first snow of the year fell over the autumn scenery.  Just up the road a bit from home is where I caught a glimpse of the unique scene.  The narrowed down  colour palette is the key to this piece.  Framed in vintage wood to continue with the warm tones, for sale and currently on display at the ArtBank Collective in Clarksburg, On. 

​

Before resettling in the beautiful Blue Mountains region, I resided in the picturesque hamlet of Eden Mills and really got started as a fine artist, crossing over from my Illustrator roots.  The place was overflowing with exciting subjects to paint and many of my earlier works originated from there.  Across the road from my home was the Eramosa River and the remains of one of the original mills, converted into a private residence.  This painting depicts the exit of the mill pond and was an especially colourful place in the autumn season, as seen here.  Paintings can take you back and sometimes even take you to a place you have never actually been but feel like you had!

2 newly completed automotive portraits.  Both are very red, both are the same size painting, and both are iconic sports cars of their era and easy to notice!
They obviously varied with background treatment, but I think each compliments the cars very well.  My ultimate goal with these projects was to capture on canvas some of the excitment and thrill these two cars exude in person!

Based on a scene on the clients' property, this bright, colourful piece fit in perfectly with the impressive new addition to this grand home.  

​  

Located in the same home as the above image, this large commissioned piece was designed to work well in this expansive room,  which included deep blue lounges and chairs, as well the a strong presence of red found throughout the grand dining  room.
The painting itself is based on a visit to the Knothole, a quiet old fashioned cottage located near Parry Sound that has inspired me to create a number of paintings,  with many more to come! 

Based on a late fall paddle into breathtaking Killarney Provincial Park, the focus of this painting was on creating a compelling arrangement of strong colours and shapes.  There are rare days when the air is so clear the blues and greens seem impossibly strong and sharp, this was one of those!


​

As a child, I spend part of my summers on Manitoulin Island, camping at Providence Bay.  Looking back, that was a magical time, days of off hiking, exploring, swimming, campfires and always beautiful scenery!  One of our favourite rituals was hiking along the rugged Lake Huron shoreline out to the old Lighthouse point, which included a basic meal cooked over a driftwood fire.
When working away at this piece, it was like all the memories of clambering along this rocky shore came back to me and I could recall navigating these very rocks.  
Set in an elegant warm grey wooden frame, this painting currently is on display at Van Allan Designs in Collingwood.  


​

Recently completed commissioned work, this painting depicts a fairly typical rural landscape in nearby St Vincent township.  It is a large piece (39" x60" plus frame) and was chosen and designed to work in a specific location in the clients' home.  It felt like I was working on 2 or more paintings in one and the tall tree was added to the foreground to knit the fore, middle ground together.  The painting invites the viewer to take their time and reflect on the quiet way of life that marks the countryside when enveloped in winter.