One of the more satisfying moments in the process of creating a new painting is applying a couple sealing coats of varnish.  Not only does this signal the point of no more adjustments and tinkering with the artwork, but it also unleashes the rich vibrancy of the colours in the piece.  Additionally, the product I use, while pricey, is carefully matched to the paints by their manufacturer, and ensures a long, trouble free life ahead for the painting.  
​Of course, there still is a frame to come, custom made by yours truly, but we'll save that is for another post!  

Very happy to post this interview I recently participated in with my good friend Joanne Poluch of Remarque Art Consulting (remarqueartconsulting.ca).  Joanne is in the business of connecting art collectors and interested parties with artists and their work.  On her regular arts program seen on Rogers T.V., as well as an active and lively presence on social media, Joanne speaks with a rich and diversified range of creative people, revealing their stories and their art through engaging interviews such as this one here.  Many thanks to Joanne and her husband Orest, the man behind the camera, for their wonderful feature of my new gallery and my story as well.
Enjoy!   

After years of working away as an Illustrator, the calling that had lured many a  commercial artist before came to me as well; that was to try my hand at being a fine artist, painting whatever I chose to.  The blank canvas however, can be quite daunting  and the question soon arose, what exactly will I paint?
Fortunately for me, around that time I had just moved home to the hidden gem that is the village of Eden Mills, a picturesque community not far from the city of Guelph, in southern Ontario.
Besides being filled with an abundance of great folks; creative types and true friends of the environment, the place was also overflowing with visual stimulation and painterly appeal.  The wonderful Eramosa River wound past the old mill and through town, directly across the street from my home, a converted general store built from stone, dating back to the mid nineteenth century. That historic gem appealed to both the  historian as well as artist in me and became the first subject for my new life as a fine artist.  Dog walks, bike rides, drives around the village and surrounding countryside  offered an endless treasure trove of exciting material for me to capture on canvas.
With all this literally right outside my door, I made a decision to focus my painting efforts exclusively on all these striking sights, scenes and characters located nearby.  As can be seen from the extensive collection of artwork shown below, I had a lot to work with and was kept busy for years.  I wouldn't say I came close to exhausting this priceless resource but eventually I packed up and moved to my new home in the town of the Blue Mountains.
At the foot of the Beaver River Valley, surrounded by the unmistakable Niagara Escarpment, with the cool, clean waters of Georgian Bay only a few blocks from home, I have found a new place to explore, be inspired by and capture with my paints.  It will be 10 years here soon and I am only scratching the surface.  Stay tuned for much more to come
Meanwhile, have a look below and introduce yourself to the place where my time as a fine artist began!

​don

This big reveal was originally scheduled to take place some time ago, but with the continued business closures related to the covid crisis, I haven't officially shared but the time to do so is now!
So the news is that I have relocated my art gallery from the shared space, the ArtBank, down the street to a new location that exclusively showcases my original art, known once again as the Kilby Gallery.  
5 1/2 years ago I opened The Kilby Gallery, featuring my artistic efforts, in the charming village of Clarksburg, Ontario situated along the scenic Beaver River and just down the road from the magnificent Georgian Bay.  In that time I have created many new pieces of art, met a lot of great people, furnished many homes, businesses and cottages with my artwork, and along with Brownie the Gallery Greeter, became a fixture in this wonderful little village.
This vibrant, artistic community that is present day Clarksburg, is an eclectic and inviting mix of shops and galleries; a 'must see' destination for those visiting the region, or anyone looking for original art, antiques, honey, hardware or even a bit of lunch!
The artwork found in The Kilby Gallery, all created by myself Don Kilby, reflects my love and awe of the region; from the bay to the escarpment, valleys, rivers, small towns and pastoral rural scenes, in each unique and memorable season. With the quality and quantity of scenery and subjects to choose from, I strive to make each painting, from the smallest study to the largest grand work, stand alone original, unlike anything I have created before it.
The new Kilby Gallery is designed to offer an uncluttered, friendly space to see and spend time with the art included within.  As soon as its possible, the doors of my new gallery will be open and all will be welcomed to drop in for a look around.
Curb side sales and inquiries are most welcomed, additionally the large windows along the main street will always display new and exciting pieces, be sure to have a look!
In the meantime, here are some pics of the new place, let me what do ya think!
thanks,
don         

42"x22"
Not really known as a painter of flowers, but I'm fascinated with all facets of the natural world and the complex shapes and strong colours made this a challenge I was happy to undertake!  If you stare at this one for a while, the flowers melt away and whats left is an intriguing arrangement of negative and positive shapes defined by vivd contrasting colours !

24"x56"
Most of my Georgian Bay paintings have been focused on the natural scene, but for this one, we have the comfortable seats surrounding the fire pit as a key element.  I like the way it invites one to imagine themselves, with friends and family, seated in these chairs taking in the spectacular view, or even enjoying the warmth of a good evening around the fire.

32"x18"
The first of a pair of horse in field paintings, (think diptych), combining my desire to paint some intense spring colours , as well as something with a horse in it.  
​The second painting to come, will be an equally stunning creature standing in the same field, happily chewing away, should make a nice pair!

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'.