NEW CANADIAN WORK

Since arriving back in Canada in late March, I have been busy preparing for a number of Ontario shows, including those at Left Side Gallery (Flesherton), Loft Gallery (Thornbury), EQ Gallery (Burlington), as well as Gypsy Creek’s next Art By The Falls on May 19 and 20.

I am currently working on a series of 30 inch square acrylic paintings, some of which should be ready for the Art By The Falls show. They feature a darker palette that I have typically used in the past. In addition, the themes are somewhat darker, perhaps reflecting current social concerns and the tragic nature of the human condition, as opposed to my focus on the natural environment over the past couple of years. I’ve included an example to the left, entitled (as the words directly painted on the canvas attest to) “Monk or Soldier”.

I will also have some pieces from a series of oil paintings I completed in late 2006. In contrast to the more recent acrylic work, the former utilized a much lighter palette and continued my exploration of natural themes. To the left is a 24 inch square oil painting entitled simply “Cormorant”.

PURA VIDA

Is this really what I look like in Costa Rica? The phrase "Pura Vida" (literally, the pure life) describes the mood quite well. This portrait of me enjoying a glass of "vino blanco" at La Bahia Restaurante near San Juanillo was painted by my very talented and lovely wife, Anna Green.

Between restaurant outings, yoga classes, hiking, and attempts at surfing, I managed to complete a new series of paintings while in Costa Rica over this past winter. Inspired by the natural beauty of both the jungles and beaches of this lovely country, the “Tierra Madre” (or Mother Earth) series is comprised of six acrylic abstracts on canvas, each 24 inches square. They are currently on exhibition at the Nativa Gallery in the Pacific beach town of Nosara, where they will likely remain for some time.