New Year - New Work to Show!

'10th Line Auction'

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.

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'On the Farm' commissioned work

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.

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'Beaver River'

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. 

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'Around the Loop' commissioned work

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!  

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'The Big Hill'

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.