Always exciting (and a relief!) to get some new art wrapped up and ready to share. Below are 5 new pieces I'm looking forward to showing around, each is totally unique.  The next batch is already underway and will be more diversified than ever, I promise!

Georgian Bay is an artists' dream, and the fall is a time it really comes alive with drama and colour!  The vibrant hues of the courageous little red oak, constantly pushed around by the west wind, as well as the rich sumac lying in the underbrush, challenged my painting abilities as well as the paints I use to create them. Truly one of those 'take you there' pieces!

First automotive themed painting for me in a while, this early 50's Buick Special is oozing style and cool!  While working on this piece, I imagined what it would be like to drive a set of wheels like this, how different from the sanitized, competent yet soulless offerings that fill the roadways these days.  A real work of Art!

On a Sunday morning hike I found myself following a little creek that wound through the countryside not far from home.  Being late spring, the water was flowing and the new green grass was vibrant and contrasted last years so nicely.  As I worked on the piece, I reflected on the news from a friend that a black bear had been around locally and I decided to include one here, seem quite appropriate.  I'm quite happy with the way the composition leads you gradually to the bear, and its discovery feels reminiscent to spotting one in real life, keep those eyes open people!

With so much of the Great Lakes shoreline tamed and occupied, it was a real treat  to experience the raw beauty of an unmolested beach like this one, Mystic Beach.  Between the bone chilling water, and the thick black mass of bush, lay the jewel like blanket of clean luxurious sand, free of human foot prints and discarded coffee cups, I only hope my painting shares some of this natural wonder! 

I like my paintings to trigger a memory of something I have experienced before, and this painting reminds me of countless paddles in the Ontario wilderness studying the edges of waterways and the forests that line them.  I'm especially drawn to a scene that includes the vibrant real colours found in nature, but also the extremely limited palette that often accompanies them!

As a professional painter, I have developed a reputation as an artist who doesn't repeat himself.  Building on my training as an Illustrator, capable of creating artwork featuring a vast range of subjects and scenes, I am constantly challenging myself with something new and different for my next painting.
In spite of this, there have been a few themes that have surfaced in my body of work.  One of those would be the Red bike, which has been featured in a number of paintings, as seen below.  The bike was found at one of the unique and picturesque homes located in Eden Mills, a lovely village that was my home before moving up to The Blue Mountains.  For some reason, its mix of age, style and patina seemed to fit in a number of my paintings.  There certainly are other cool bikes out there and maybe one day I will paint one of those, but for now this vintage red lady's bike has served me well as an artistic muse!

Here is a short note sent to me regarding on of my new paintings at the Kilby Gallery.  It's a treat to hear how another reads and reacts to something I made, very gratifying!
thanks Gary!

Hello Don,
 
I had to reach out to comment on After the Fire.  The painting really speaks to me!  The foreboding sky in the distance that is so ominous. However the sunlight around the fire pit creates a warmth that feels fleeting.  I am cold and warm at the same time as I stare at it. I find myself worrying about the approaching night fall and being stuck outside yet knowing I can retreat to a cabin. Not sure if you have to be one with Georgian Bay to feel this but I certainly do.  I love it. 
Regards;
 
Gary

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!