Honouring Remembrance Day 2024: A Symbolic Tribute in Denim

As Remembrance Day 2024 approaches, we pause honouring courage, sacrifices, and lives that shape our world today. This year, I’ve created a painting that is both a personal tribute and a shared symbol, capturing the essence of Remembrance Day through a close-up image of a denim jacket pocket—a canvas that speaks to the every human, worn by everyday people. On one corner of the pocket rests a small red poppy, Canada’s enduring symbol of remembrance, and beside it, three tiny buttons painted in red: one marked with a peace sign, another with a heart for love, and the last with a maple leaf for Canada. Each icon tells its own story, yet together they form a message of hope, solidarity, and unity.

Honouring Remembrance Day 2024

Example of Remembrance Day painting on wall and with red frame.

The denim or jean jacket has its own quiet, resilient symbolism. Where uniforms of war can signal a particular allegiance, denim is a common thread, a fabric of the everyday that wraps around us all, a universal garment. Whether for work, comfort, or expression, denim has become the uniform of the “every human”—a piece of clothing that connects people across borders, standing as a testament to resilience, durability, and familiarity. With this piece, I wanted to evoke that sense of shared experience and connection, making the denim jacket not just a piece of attire but a statement of common ground among us all.

Honouring Remembrance Day 2024

The poppy pin holds its place in the composition with reverence, bringing to mind the countless stories of bravery and sacrifice that mark Canada’s history. Its red hue, striking and solemn, is a reminder to reflect not only on past conflicts but also on the ongoing wish for peace worldwide. The three red buttons add a quieter yet equally potent voice to the painting. The peace sign is a prayer for calm and understanding among all people, the heart an emblem of love and compassion, and the maple leaf a tribute to Canada’s ideals, values, and commitment to peacekeeping.

This painting is not only about remembering those who served but also about honoring the enduring desire for a world where we are all connected in humanity. It’s a small reminder of the importance of praying for each other, even for those we may never meet, and holding in our hearts the hope for a better future, especially in uncertain times.

This Remembrance Day, may we all take a moment to acknowledge our shared humanity, to remember those who have come before us, and to embrace the collective aspiration for peace. Whether we wear a jacket or a uniform, a poppy on our lapel, or simply a memory in our hearts, we are bound by our shared stories, dreams, and hopes for a brighter, more peaceful tomorrow.

Honouring Remembrance Day 2024

Say A Little Prayer, acrylic on canvas, 18×24, Brandy Saturley, 2024

See more photos of the painting and purchase here.

See 10 paintings about Remembrance Day here.

Four Vivid Paintings for Autumn – Maple Leaf and More

It is a time of year that fills us with warmth on crisp days, these vivid Autumn leaf paintings express my love for this season. For an artist who paints the colour palette of gold to red and green is a feast for the eyes and the soul. I walk daily outside and sometimes I collect these leaves for my studio, I find the endless shapes and colour variations incredibly fascinating. The warmth of Autumn is a part of the spectrum I only seem to paint in the Fall, and with good reason, there is subject matter abounds.

Over the years autumn leaves have found their way into my paintings and the subject of fall and Thanksgiving something that brings joy and celebration with loved ones. The first paintings of Fall and leaves that drew my attention were that of American modernist painter, Georgia O’Keeffe, on our recent trip to Santa Fe and the home and studio of O’Keeffe I was joyful to see her garden and collections of stones, skulls and the trees that lined her property. At the Georgia O’Keeffe museum I was able to view many of her remarkable pieces live, including many informed by nature and of course the fall leaves. I was particularly drawn to this painting, Dark and Lavender Leaves, as it almost resembles a flame in the dark, something also representative of the Autumn season with cracking outdoor fires and indoor fireplaces.

Vivid Autumn Leaf Paintings

Dark and Lavender Leaves, Georgia O’Keeffe, 1931 – Oil on canvas, 20 x 17 inches New Mexico Museum of Art Museum of Fine Arts

Here are four paintings that embrace the colours of Autumn, nature and leaves. From sugar maple to Japanese red, these still life paintings emit the joy of Autumn.

Vivid Autumn Leaf Paintings

Two maple leaf still life paintings by Brandy Saturley. Golden Maple and Six Point Leaf, 2016

Vivid Autumn Leaf Paintings

Red Red Maple, acrylic on canvas painting of Japanese maple leaves by Brandy Saturley, 2007

Vivid Autumn Leaf Paintings

Family Tree, acrylic on canvas painting of family hugging tree in an Autumn, 2024 SEE MORE HERE

See more paintings by Brandy Saturley here.

Paintings of the Elusive Moose, Inconceivable!

When it comes to spotting a moose in Canada, it can be a daunting task. I have explored Canada from coast to coast to coast and I have yet to cross paths with this magical beast. Though I know one day we will meet, I have seen plenty of documentaries about this gargantuan icon of Canada. While death by moose is a very real thing in Newfoundland, thankfully we haven’t faced down a moose on the road. Here are two new paintings that tell stories of the moose in his own element.

In these most recent paintings the moose features both prominently and elusively. My goal was to capture the magic, folklore and playful nature of this beautiful beast.

Inconceivable Mooseness: in this vertical painting we see the moose front and centre in the grassy marshlands adorned with flowers and strands of grass. He is surrounded by a magical landscape of mountains to water and wispy cloud summer sky. The landscape is dotted with tiny points of light of many colours, perhaps symbolizing fireflies and other creatures and reflections in the water. This painting while a vivid pop art palette and rendering, carries a soft and playful feel.

Elusive Moose Paintings

Spirited Island: there is an island called ‘Spirit’ in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. In Maligne Lake, it is a view many people associate with the Canadian Rockies. The Island is a spiritual place for the Stony Nakoda First Nation who believe mountains are physical representations of ancestors. Peter Gales’ image of Spirit Island hung in New York City’s Grand Central terminal in the 1960’s. It was my time to render this landscape into my series of paintings about my adventures in Canada. The painting features the island central with red canoe on the shore of the island and a moose on the far side. Paddling on your own to this magical spot can take four hours each way. In the foreground the emerald waters swirl around a rock with a pine seedling, some floating maple leaves and some magical pop art details of dots and vivid hard edged palette. The painting is electric and alive, much like the live location.

Elusive Moose Paintings

See more paintings by Brandy Saturley inspired by the Canadian Landscape and wildlife here.

An Ode to Jasper, Alberta – Paintings That Celebrate A Special Place

With Jasper on our minds and in our hearts it was time to put brush to canvas and make some paintings that express my love for the beauty of this special place filled with Rocky Mountains and wonderous road trips in Alberta.

What better way to traverse these landscapes than in a cherry red Tesla, where no sound and no fumes are created, impeding the enjoyment of this pristine place of wild momentous beauty. Autumn colours and golden hour highlights the curves and shapes of the hard and soft edges where the road, meets the tree-line and then rises to the Rocky Mountains.

Over the years we have enjoyed many road trips through beautiful Jasper, Banff and much of the Rocky Mountains, lakes and prairies province of Alberta. There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you are dwarfed by nature and feel so small against the powerful giants as their peaks play with the clouds and light of these rapidly changing skies. Brisk forest air and wildlife abounds in these landscapes offering discovery around every corner.

Here are two recent paintings featuring views from the passenger seat and through the window.

Sound of Silence: painting of mountains and forest from the road entering Jasper National Park

Jasper Alberta Paintings

Momentous: painting of mountains driving through Jasper National Park featuring red Tesla

Jasper Alberta Paintings

Paintings for Mountain Lovers: Nine Paintings from Jasper to Banff, Alberta

canadian paintings for sale

Earlier paintings by Brandy Saturley featuring imagery inspired by Banff and the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. From BC to Alberta, including Mount Robson the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and Waterton Lakes. From glacial peaks in Banff National Park to Lake Louise. Nine paintings capture the exhilaration of the peaks they depict. The series originally titled, ‘I See Mountains’ offers supersaturated palettes and vivid pop art outlines. Like neon signs, these mountains vibrate and light up any room.

 

Painting 15 in A Series about Newfoundland

We were up exploring around Cape Bonavista lighthouse, and by up I mean, above the Avalon Peninsula, where I was based out of during my month in Newfoundland. A three hour and forty minute drive each way, from Pouch Cove Foundation. On our way to the iconic lighthouse and town, I received a text from a friend. Make sure on your return trip you have lunch in Trinity, it’s a quaint little town that really has an old colonial Newfoundland feel. And this is where painting 15, in this series about Newfoundland began, on a lunch stop in a town called Trinity.

A Trinity in Newfoundland

Looking down on Trinity, Newfoundland – October 2023, Brandy Saturley

Trinity, nestled along the picturesque Trinity Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador, boasts a rich historical background. Its quaint streets are adorned with a collection of architectural gems, each designated as a Registered Heritage Structure by the esteemed Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. The town’s harbor, a hub of maritime activity since the 16th century, witnessed the arrival of Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real on Trinity Sunday of 1501, bestowing upon the site its enduring name. By the 1570s, Trinity had already established itself as a vital summer outpost for fishermen from England’s West Country, drawn by the abundant riches of the migratory fishery. Beyond its maritime legacy, Trinity holds a place in medical history, serving as the pioneering ground for the introduction of the smallpox vaccine to the New World by John Clinch in 1798.

Unique architecture in Trinity, Newfoundland – October 2023, Brandy Saturley

When we arrived at Trinity it was a ghost town, being Autumn in Newfoundland many places are closing up for the Winter. The restaurant situation is hit and miss this time of year, with no regular hours really being kept in any place we have explored. Immediately I was drawn to the multitude of colourful buildings all situated on a quiet cove. A sparse landscape dotted with colour, the idyllic Newfoundland setting.

Trinity Newfoundland

A ‘trinity’ of colourful homes in Newfoundland – October 2023, Brandy Saturley

As I was clicking through photos from my trip, I kept returning to the photo above of a ‘trifecta’ of buildings adorned in Easter hues. If I was only going to paint one visual story about this place, this grouping expresses the town in one photo. From the trio of buildings, a ‘trinity’ of it’s own to the unique heritage structures, to the English influence. It is all felt and said in this photo, with the rock and the grass, all I felt that was needed to complete this story was a woman searching for meaning in this historic little town.

Sketching out the underpainting on black gesso ground – Brandy Saturley 2024

For this painting I began with a black gesso ground, something I haven’t done before, and I NEVER use black. Black is something you must be careful with as it can become too graphic and too comic book, I have always veered away from it. I found that with this piece it offered a different way to tackle the plank siding. Rather than being heavy outlines it offers ‘peeks’ into darkness and ultimately was successful in this painting. It gives the painting a sketchbook feel, and I like this for telling the story of this piece. It felt like I was painting on a chalkboard!

Working the angles, a painting in progress. – Brandy Saturley 2024

A poem for the finished painting about Trinity, Newfoundland

Let her wander, fearless, beneath Newfoundland’s vast sky,
In her red toque and yellow slicker, love’s quest does not belie.
For amidst Trinity’s hues, where tales of old abide,
Her love may yet be waiting, in the ebb and flow of tides.

A Trinity in Newfoundland

Trinity, 20×20 inches, acrylic and gouache on wood panel, 2024 Brandy Saturley

Learn more about this painting and see additional photo’s here. See all the Newfoundland Paintings here.

High on Canada Drive – A Painting About Icebergs in Newfoundland

When I am working as an artist abroad, and on the road, I don’t drive. This leaves me with the opportunity to soak it all up and take notice of things around me, looking for the next opportunity to ditch the car and jump out for a few moments to capture something that catches my eye. I spend a great deal of time as the passenger, on the roads of this continuing journey of Art.

I have always been interested by this perspective, looking through a windshield that sometimes reflects the sunlight, takes on bug splatter, and various elements of weather as we drive across Canada. The photos and video I capture on these trips offering views from the rear view and sometimes a wiper gets caught in the frame. Even when I am captive in a long line of city traffic, there is something to shoot, even if it’s my Nikon on my lap, captured by my iPhone. I am always getting high on the energy of this drive across Canada.

High on Canada Drive

Driving to Tors Cove, Newfoundland – October 2023

With my latest figurative landscape painting, I chose to focus on this perspective from the passenger seat. I found this photo on my iPhone that I took while stopped at an intersection in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. Naturally, being the Canadiana enthusiast I am, I had to take this photo of a sign called Canada Drive. As we waited what seemed like eternity at this intersection, my mind began to drift on the subject of Canada Drive, and then I heard a song come over the Sirius satellite radio.

High on Canada Drive

“Lounging in the living room in long johns
More distant than Victoria to Saint John’s
Trying to use a record to repair my heart
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to start again, my friend
You’re leaving me high and Canada dry
I’m out of your head and I’m losing my mind
Listening to Neil is making me cry
You’re leaving me high and Canada dry.”
Canada Dry is a song by the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Barenaked Ladies, from the album, Fake Nudes. I’ve long been a fan of the Ladies, since their very first album, through their break up and re-launch into the world, when I felt like they were leaving us high and Canada Dry.
High on Canada Drive painting

Brandy Saturley studio – April 2024

Coming home to Victoria, sitting in my studio with feet up and a few finished paintings about Newfoundland, I stared at a new wood panel ready to take on a story through use of acrylic and oil paints. It was April and my friends in Twillingate were hailing the arrival of iceberg season. With my Apple playlist set to the best of the Barenaked Ladies, these lyrics began to penetrate my mind and my eyes began to see the next painting. I saw beautiful glacial teal coloured bergs, against a complimentary orange/red sunset sky, with this street sign of Canada Drive. Rather than paint the entire traffic light I chose to focus on the red light, against this intersection with the icebergs towering high above the sign. While you would never likely see icebergs from this Newfoundland locale, it does offer pause about the climate and the Earth.
High on Canada Drive

Detail view, High on Canada Drive, acrylic and oil on wood panel, 2024 Brandy Saturley

When the painting was finished and I was searching for the title, I was going to go with Canada Drive, for obvious reasons. But that just wasn’t right to me, and instead as I listened to ‘Canada Dry’ over and over I found the title. High on Canada Drive, referencing the height of the icebergs towering over the city, and also if you were to see icebergs from this vantage point, you may be high on life, a dream or some mind altering substance. Or perhaps you’re just an Artist making sense of the world.

High on Canada Drive, Oil and Acrylic on Wood Panel, 12 x 36 x 2 in, 2024, Brandy Saturley

More details and high resolution photos of the painting here.

A Painting About Newfoundland – Celebrating Art Deco in Canada

When I set out to explore and photograph St. John’s Newfoundland, I expected to find the vividly painted character homes on the iconic Jelly Bean Row and the Battery of the harbour. What I did not expect was to fall for a building that would transport me back to my days as a teenager when I would watch sockless Don Johnson in his white linen suits, on Miami Vice. As soon as I walked up to the side door of South Beach Residences, I could hear the sounds of Jan Hammer and feel the warmth and swaying palms of Miami, and then the cold Newfoundland wind knocked me back to reality. Art Deco in Canada is very much alive, and not just in Newfoundland.

Art Deco in Canada

South Beach Residences, side door – St. John’s Newfoundland 2023 – Brandy Saturley

What exactly is Art Deco? The Canadian Art Deco Society describes it as a 20th century phenomenon that emerged during the period between the First and Second World Wars. It was a new style for a new modern era. Combining the affluence of materials with the artistic simplicity of specific design, the Art Deco style often focused on geometric forms composed primarily of angular elements, like highly stylized chevrons and zig-zags. Other characteristics of Art Deco include: sunbursts, sweeping curves, ziggurats (staggered or tiered pyramid shapes), a liberal use of sleek-looking material, as well as Egyptian influences and motifs focusing on birds and floral patterns. Recognized as a popular, non-revolutionary modernism, Art Deco was a self-conscious split from the past.

Art Deco in Canada

South Beach Residences, Newfoundland, Canada – Brandy Saturley 2023

When I was in Toronto delivering my goalie’s mask painting to the Canadian Olympic Committee Art of Sport event, I found myself at the old Maple Leaf Gardens building , which is now a Loblaws, amongst other things. Few may realize that one of Canada’s most celebrated sporting venues, Maple Leaf Gardens National Historic Site of Canada (below), is an example of Art Deco architecture. This Toronto landmark exhibits the style through its symmetrical yellow brick façade and dome with crowning lantern. Other prominent characteristics of Art Deco within the Gardens include its simple brickwork pattern, and use of metal along the building’s patterned window arrangement. Many of the original fittings, fixtures, fabric and design components relate to the Toronto Maple Leafs and survive to this day, contributing to the heritage value of the building which is now a rehabilitated building, housing a local grocery store and upper floor arena.

Art Deco in Canada

Maple Leaf Gardens – Brandy Saturley 2013

Painting South Beach Residences – Art Deco in Canada

As my work continues on this new series about my time exploring Newfoundland in late 2023, I am flipping back through moments, photographs and things that made an undeniable impression on my psyche.  These things that draw my attention are the things that become part of my visual storytelling in their own way and in a time that means something to my work. When I found this photo I had taken and decided that this would be the subject matter for the next painting, I then began to delve deep into the history of this building holding my attention.

Brandy Saturley in studio, Victoria, Canada – 2024

Built Before Newfoundland Became Part of Canada
In the optimism which followed the end of WWII, local architect William J. Ryan designed and built the first Art Deco building in what was then the Dominion of Newfoundland. Completed in 1947, with a building envelope constructed with concrete, mixed and poured by hand, its distinctive and creative form stood in strong contrast to the local architectural vernacular. Over the years, South Beach became home to architects, a radio station, a bookstore, and an art gallery. Which brings us to today, and the six years it’s taken to restore and transform this exceptionally well engineered building into the modern Residences of South Beach.

It’s been a labour of love. Today, the iconic Art Deco landmark is known and loved far and wide. Pedestrians stop for selfies. Filmmakers and artists celebrate its design and colour palette. Morawetz included it in his ‘Art Deco Architecture Across Canada, by Tim Morawetz’.  A captivating book showcasing more than 150 Canadian Art Deco buildings.

The Finished Painting – A Little Miami in Canada

A pop modernism style painting about an art Deco masterpiece. Painting visual stories of my travels across Canada.

Art Deco in Canada

I’ll Meet You in South Beach, Newfoundland – original acrylic painting on wood panel, 2024, Brandy Saturley

See more photos of the painting here.

Sources Consulted

The Eastern-most Point in North America: Painting Cape Spear Lighthouse

It was my first week in Newfoundland and my plan for this first week in residence at the James Baird/Pouch Cove Foundation was to explore and soak up some iconic locations. The impressions I arrived with about this distinctive Canadian locale were as follows; fishermen, cod, Sou’Wester hats and lighthouses. I never set out to paint lighthouses before, even though I have visited a few on my west coast island home. This tells the story behind painting Cape Spear Lighthouse.
CapeSpear_NEW_6 by Brandy Saturley on 500px.com

As we began our day, a drive down the coast of the Avalon peninsula, through St. John’s and up and over a hill hiding the eastern-most point on the coast of North America. As we came through the dense dwarf pines and juniper of Newfoundland a naked point appeared where the rock looked like dinosaurs and was colored iron oxide red. Cape Spear offers many things besides the tall angular white lighthouse. There are a few buildings that dot the landscape all dressed in whites with stripes and details of coast guard signal red.

On this day the clouds and light were shifting quickly and dramatically, the scene changing from minute to minute. The wind on this day was hurricane force, it was a challenging climb up the side of the hill to the top and once there we really had to hold on or be blown out to sea! The historic happenings at this place are astounding, to say the least. On Canada’s most easterly point of land, the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador offers a glimpse into the lives of 19th century lighthouse keepers and their families. Marvel at icebergs, migrating whales, and hunting seabirds on this rough Atlantic coast.

Discovering Cape Spear: A Journey Through History

We began a journey through time as we unraveled the captivating history of Cape Spear, a region steeped in heritage and resilience. From its indigenous roots to its pivotal role in World War II and its iconic lighthouse, each chapter reveals a unique facet of this remarkable destination. Long before the arrival of European settlers, the Cape Spear region was home to the Beothuk peoples, who thrived amidst its rugged beauty. Their presence intertwined with that of the Mi’kmaq communities, whose nomadic lifestyle echoed through the land, leaving an indelible mark on its landscape. Venturing into the annals of time, we discover the origins of Cape Spear’s name—a testament to the resilience and optimism of the human spirit. From its Portuguese roots as “Cabo da Esperança” to its French adaptation as “Cap d’Espoir,” and finally, its anglicized rendition as “Cape Spear,” each iteration carries with it a tale of hope and endurance.

Guardians of the Sea: World War II

As the world plunged into the darkness of World War II, Cape Spear emerged as a strategic stronghold, guarding the entrance to St. John’s harbor. Canadian-manned gun batteries stood sentinel, their silent vigil a testament to the bravery of those who defended these shores. Today, remnants of this pivotal era stand as silent witnesses to history, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

Beacons of Light: Newfoundland Lighthouses

Perched majestically upon the rugged cliffs, the Cape Spear Lighthouse stands as a beacon of hope and guidance for seafarers navigating treacherous waters. With its origins tracing back to 1836, it holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland. Step inside its hallowed halls, where echoes of the past reverberate, and discover the legacy of those who tended its light through the ages.

Preserving Heritage: A Legacy of Protection

In recognition of its historical significance, Cape Spear has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada. The meticulous restoration of the original lighthouse and keeper’s residence transports visitors back to the bygone era of 1839, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who called this rugged coastline home. Wander through the halls of the visitor center, where tales of yore come alive amidst a treasure trove of memorabilia.

Navigating Nature’s Fury: Cautionary Tales

Amidst the breathtaking beauty of Cape Spear lies a reminder of nature’s untamed spirit. The mighty waves that crash against its cliffs, though mesmerizing, bear a solemn warning. Parks Canada’s vigilant efforts to safeguard visitors underscore the importance of heeding these cautionary signs, ensuring that all who tread upon these shores do so with reverence and respect.

Whether you seek adventure, enlightenment, or simply a moment of tranquility amidst nature’s grandeur, Cape Spear awaits, ready to unveil its secrets to those who dare to explore.

The Work Behind The Painting: Cape Spear Lighthouse

As my process goes, it begins with my attention being drawn to something specific, in this case it was planning a day long excursion to Cape Spear. Then the exploration begins on foot with Nikon and iPhone in tow, documenting the day through photography and video. Hiking to the top of the point, hanging onto the white picket fence-line, letting the wind carry me along the the fence until I could sit in the Parks Canada red Adirondack chairs. Watching the light, shadows and clouds move and the scene change rapidly.

Having my hair catch in my mouth and blind me as I hiked along. Walking through the tunnels under the site and standing where the soldiers of WWII stood. Feeling the pounding waves shake the ground, mesmerized by the continuous metamorphosis of the white crest of the wave. Breathing in the salty air, touching the rock beneath my feet, sometimes sharp and sometimes smooth. Letting the sounds of the wind and waves block out all other sounds, the white noise of nature. Feeling the energy of the wind, it’s playful like a child dancing around you and screaming loudly. Thinking, it would be humorous to open an umbrella in a place such as this, with dreaming of it carrying me up in the air like Mary Poppins.

The wind dances here, the waves are like a dramatic conductor of an intense symphony and the sky and clouds like sheep being herded my dogs across a never-ending field. Returning back to my studio at Pouch Cove, sitting down to write. Then five months later finding myself back in that place at Cape Spear while looking through my photography and video. And now with this painting, number 11 in a series that continues to unfold here on the west coast of Canada in my Vancouver Island studio.

The resulting painting finding a title, through my love of The Beatles music.  With Wind and Without – a play on words from a Beatles tune and sentiment, ”life goes on within you and without you”.

Painting Cape Spear Lighthouse

With Wind and Without, 48×30, acrylic on canvas, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

See more about this painting, here.

To Dory or Not to Dory: Painting the Timeless Charm of Newfoundland Dory Boats

In these two new acrylic paintings on wood panel I set out on a journey through time and tradition, delving into the captivating world of Newfoundland’s iconic dory boats. From their humble origins to their vibrant presence in Petty Harbour, these vessels have etched their place in maritime history and inspired generations of artists, including myself. I have been painting Dory Boats of Newfoundland.

Painting Dory Boats of Newfoundland

Brandy Saturley in her North Saanich, Canada studio, 2024

Capturing the Essence:
As I explored the picturesque landscapes of Newfoundland, it was the allure of the dory boats that drew my attention. Whether it was their distinct form, adorned with striking hues, or their silent presence amidst bustling waterways and strewn across the land, these boats cast a spell on my soul. In these new paintings, I am telling visual stories of their essence on wood panel, weaving tales of Newfoundland’s maritime heritage.

Painting Dory Boats of Newfoundland

Petty Harbour, Newfoundland – photo Brandy Saturley

Unraveling History:
While the true origins of the dory may be shrouded in mystery, the meticulous research of scholars like John Gardner has unveiled glimpses of its past. Dating back to 1719, the dory’s journey spans continents, yet its heart remains rooted in the fishing communities of North America. From the shores of Long Island to the rugged coastline of Newfoundland, these boats have been integral to the livelihoods of fishermen for centuries.

Painting Dory Boats of Newfoundland

Petty Harbour, Newfoundland – photo Brandy Saturley

A Portrait of Petty Harbour:
Nestled along the eastern shores of the Avalon Peninsula lies Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, a quaint haven steeped in history. With its roots tracing back to the 1600s, this bustling fishing community has witnessed the ebb and flow of generations. Against a backdrop of rolling green hills and the vast expanse of Motion Bay, Petty Harbour stands as a testament to Newfoundland’s enduring spirit.

Motion Bay, Petty Harbour, Newfoundland – photo Brandy Saturley

Romanced by Tradition: Painting Dory Boats of Newfoundland

In my latest works, I pay homage to the timeless pull of Newfoundland’s dory boats, particularly those adorning the vibrant hues of yellow, green, white, and red. With each brushstroke, I aim to evoke the nostalgia and romance synonymous with these beloved vessels. From the glistening waters of Petty Harbour to the bustling towns, my paintings serve as visual love letters to the dories that grace Newfoundland’s shores.

Painting Dory Boats of Newfoundland

In studio making a painting about two dory boats. – Brandy Saturley

 

A Dory for You and One for Me

Painting Dory Boats of Newfoundland

A Dory for You and One for Me, Acrylic on wood panel , 24 x 18 x 1.5 in, (60.96 x 45.72 x 3.81 cm) – Brandy Saturley 2024

Downside Up

Downside Up Acrylic on wood panel 18 x 24 x 1.5 in (45.72 x 60.96 x 3.81 cm), Brandy Saturley 2024

As I reflect on my artistic journey through Newfoundland’s coastal wonders, one thing remains clear: the dory boats of Petty Harbour are more than just vessels; they are guardians of tradition, symbols of resilience, and timeless beacons of maritime charm. Through my art, I hope to preserve their legacy for generations to come, ensuring that their stories continue to inspire and enchant all who encounter them.

You can find more of my Newfoundland Paintings here.

Capturing Newfoundland’s Essence: ‘Love on The Rock’

It was an early October morning, I rolled out of bed in my loft at the Pouch Cove Foundation, and stumbled sleepy eyed down unfinished wooden stairs in my wool socks, trying not to lose footing and slide to the bottom. Today my plan was to make it to Cape Bonavista Newfoundland, a four hour drive each way in one day, all to see an iconic east coast lighthouse and town, two peninsula’s up from my Pouch Cove studio. The gift of rising extra early on this day was a glimpse of a sunrise, in the first place to see the sun in North America. With foggy mornings and ever changing Autumn skies, thanks to constant wind gusts, the light changes rapidly in this place, which is wonderful for an artist who paints and take photographs. It also means you have to work and move quickly, and use your eyes and intuition to capture what may be delivered in any given minute.

Painting Love on The Rock

Sunrise in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland – photo Brandy Saturley

Fast-forward to right now, the month of Love, February. I have been going over my photography and writings of the trip, and finding what speaks to me visually and in my heart. As this series of paintings about Newfoundland continues to grow and evolve, I am finding myself recalling the romance of the wind, rain, cliffs, waves and light. I am connecting to the feeling of the place, even though I am home on the west coast. Every day I walked the town and parts of the East Coast Trail, often crossing back through the cove and sitting above the Cove letting the wind rip through me, returning to my studio with crimson face, the kind where if you put your hand on your cheek it leaves a temporary white imprint of your fingers. More than a few times I got caught in a rain storm as the skies shifted quickly, but I LOVED IT. I wanted to get soaked, cold, salty and tingle. It feels like a clean slate, a new adventure, a fresh perspective, and these are all things I came to Newfoundland for, developing something new in my work.

Painting Love on The Rock

Heart shaped blue rock – Chance Cove, Newfoundland – photo Brandy Saturley

‘Love on The Rock’: a journey of discovery, of connection, and of love

With this new painting I find I am expressing all these things, in a figurative landscape that includes floating rocks, which is something I have painted 3 times now since I began developing this series. Of all the great things that commanded my attention when I was in Pouch Cove, rocks were the number one draw for me, the variety, the colours, the shapes and how each beach I visited had distinctly different selections and colours. The Rock of The Rock is REMARKABLE.

Painting Love on The Rock

Constructing LOVE on the beach – Bell Island, Newfoundland – Brandy Saturley

This brings me to my new painting, titled ‘Love on The Rock’. For in the heart of Newfoundland’s wild embrace, amidst the silent symphony of rocks and waves, lies a love story waiting to be told—a story of love on The Rock.

Love Painting

Love on The Rock, Acrylic Painting On Canvas, 18 x 36 x 1.5 in, Brandy Saturley