Peace Love Canada

Painting Peace, Love, and Canada

The inspiration for this painting, Peace, Love, Canada, was sparked by the rise of #ICONICCANUCK on social media. Back in 2013, I launched my Instagram page just before embarking on my inaugural solo exhibition at Edmonton’s Gallery A, which was then part of Visual Arts Alberta. The hashtag #ICONICCANUCK ignited a frenzy of engagement with my Canadian-themed artworks. Amid the whirlwind of activity, I found little time to engage in lengthy written responses to comments. Instead, I opted to communicate through imagery, a mode of expression that resonates deeply with my artistic sensibilities.

Chair of Contemplation, September 2023, Brandy Saturley

“Take everything as it comes; the wave passes, deal with the next one. ~ Tom Thomson

In response, I would respond using three distinct emojis: the iconic peace symbol fingers, a vibrant red heart, and the unmistakable Canadian flag. These visual responses allowed me to convey my sentiments succinctly and artistically. The idea of transforming these emojis into a tangible painting had been brewing in my mind for quite some time. Now, as I prepare to embark on a journey to a painting residency in Newfoundland, I find myself reflecting on the extensive travels I’ve undertaken across this magnificent country over the past decade, as well as drawing inspiration from the legendary landscape painter Tom Thomson.

Painted in acrylics and gouache on canvas, this distinctively ‘Canadian pop art style’ painting was created using hard edged strokes, layering of cobalt, ultramarine and Payne’s grey with hints of cobalt violet, blue-green and hints of a peach toned linen. The piece was painted to appear as if the linen canvas below is showing through and the edges unfinished, when in fact it is just the way the paint has been applied.

Drawing upon the essence of Tom Thomson’s masterpiece, ‘Summer Day,’ I present to you ‘Peace, Love, Canada.’

Peace, Love, Canada – original acrylic painting on canvas, 2023, Brandy Saturley

September 26, 2023

Healing Power of Art

Artist Process, New Paintings

The Power of Sentiment – The Healing Power of Art

Recently, the heartbreaking news of devastating summer fires in two places I hold dear, Lahaina, Maui, and Yellowknife, NT, has profoundly affected me, influencing my current body of work centered around the journey of a Polar Bear King. The undeniable healing power of art has been extensively documented and discussed. Art has the remarkable ability to tap into the inherent healing potential within each of us, fostering a sense of communal connection.

When we stand before a work of art, we become linked not only to the artist but also to others who have shared in this experience. This connection, whether to ourselves or to fellow art enthusiasts, lies at the heart of the art-and-healing nexus. Healing, much like art, is not a static destination with a prescribed timetable or endpoint; rather, it’s a meandering path with numerous potential avenues. ‘Art can harness the healing power within each of us and help bring us into community with one another.’ MoMA

Just as every encounter with a cherished piece of art offers fresh insights and emotions, the healing process is a dynamic journey, with opportunities branching out in myriad directions.

A short story and two new Polar Bear King paintings.

The Chair of Contemplation – painting, installation and photography by Brandy Saturley

A Tale of the Polar Bear King in Lahaina and Yellowknife

In the lands of Lahaina and Yellowknife so grand,
Where summer wildfires scorched both sea and land,
A tale unfolds of two paintings so rare,
Of a Polar Bear King, on an expedition, solitaire.

They hung in a gallery, dusty and old,
Their frames chipped and tarnished, or so I’ve been told.
One showed the bear, resting under a great Banyan, with a crown of Lei on his head,
The other, in the town of Yellowknife, where around the town, wildfires had spread.

Under the Banyan Tree, 24×36 inches, acrylic and gouache on canvas, 2023

One sunny day, as the sun took its rest,
The paintings came to life, yes, you read that jest!
With a shimmer and a shake, they broke from their frames,
The Polar Bear King leading their colorful games.

Through swirling vortex, they journeyed so bright,
From Lahaina to Yellowknife, day and night.
They soared through the skies, o’er mountains and plains,
Healing the wounds of the fire’s fiery reigns.

In Lahaina, the first, where the palm trees did sway,
They brought rain and cool breezes to chase heat away.
The people rejoiced, their spirits set free,
As the paintings worked magic, for all eyes to see.

Then on to Yellowknife, where winter was near,
The Polar Bear King brought the Northern Lights clear.
They danced in the sky, a colorful delight,
Chasing away darkness and the cold of the night.

Defender of The North, 24×36, acrylic and gouache on canvas, 2023

The paintings, they whispered tales of hope and of grace,
Of a world that’s in need of a loving embrace.
With a twinkle and gleam, they returned to their place,
In the gallery, dusty, with a smile on their face.

The Polar Bear King and the healing they’d brought,
In Lahaina and Yellowknife, their wonders were sought.
Now their story is told, a tale to inspire,
Of two paintings’ journey, set the world to inquire.

Healing Power of Art – sending love to the world.

With these paintings I am sending a beautiful bubble of protection, healing and love to the peoples of Lahaina and Yellowknife. See all the Polar Bear King Paintings here.

Chair of Contemplation August 2023, Brandy Saturley studio, Vancouver Island, BC

September 1, 2023

21st Polar Bear Painting

New Paintings

The Journey of the Polar Bear King Continues: Unveiling the 21st Polar Bear Painting

As our world evolves amidst the warming climate and melting ice, the polar bear, a majestic symbol of this changing landscape, has captivated my attention for several years. This year, more than ever before, I find myself drawn to the allure of this beautiful beast draped in a snowy white cape. My artistic journey intertwines with that of the polar bear, resulting in the completion of my 21st painting, a testament to our ongoing exploration together.

Focused on the Arctic realms, my new painting narrates a captivating story that encompasses landscapes, nature, and the people of this pristine region.

The Chair of Contemplation: finishing the 21st polar bear painting

A New Narrative: Monarch of the Arctic Realms

This contemporary masterpiece unveils a majestic mountain landscape, adorned with ethereal brushstroke clouds and glistening icy waters, reflecting the ever-changing Arctic sky. At the forefront of this scene stands a magnificent polar bear, its regal presence subtly emphasized by the mystical outline of a crown hovering above its angular head. A ptarmigan bird perched atop this majestic creature adds a touch of whimsy, symbolizing the delicate balance within the Arctic ecosystem.

Beneath the polar bear, a young girl draped in vibrant red captures our attention. She finds solace amidst the frigid beauty of the Arctic, concealing herself behind a bouquet of vivid purple saxifrage, a stark contrast to the surrounding icy palette. The landscape, in a state of flux, portrays the undeniable impact of the changing world around us.

The mountains, rendered with mesmerizing simplicity, stand as bold blocks of color and dynamic contrasting stripes. This stunning piece is skillfully painted on raw cotton duck canvas, a deliberate choice that softens the artist’s edges while enhancing the allure of pop art-inspired outlines. The canvas, infused with fluid acrylics, creates a captivating effect, where colors flow into the very fabric of the artwork, imbuing it with a sense of depth and fluidity.

This painting tells a captivating narrative, serving as a profound commentary on the evolving Arctic, showcased on a grand canvas that commands attention. Its beauty and storytelling prowess elevate it to the status of a true masterpiece, inviting viewers to contemplate the delicate balance of nature and humanity within this ever-changing landscape.

As the polar bear’s presence continues to permeate my artistic vision, I’m moving beyond the canvas. To further develop this series, I’ve started incorporating short stories into my work, with the future creation of sculptures in mind.

Monarch of The Arctic Realms acrylic and gouache on canvas 48 x 48 x 1.5 in (121.92 x 121.92 x 3.81 cm) Brandy Saturley 2023

The Details: the 21st Polar Bear Painting

See more images of this new contemporary polar bear painting by Brandy Saturley.

“I AM The Polar Bear, and The Polar Bear is ME.”

This year, I’ve produced 12 new paintings featuring this magnificent white bear, often adorned with a crown of gold leaf. One of my polar bear paintings can be found on the Art in Nature Trail in Banff, Canada, and 7 smaller works are exhibited in the Willock & Sax Gallery in downtown Banff, appropriately located on Bear Street.

August 11, 2023

Painting of Ukrainian Dancers

New Paintings

The Art of Shumka – A Portrait Painting about Ukrainian Dancers

An Edmonton, Alberta collector of my paintings with Ukrainian Canadian roots sends me photos from time to time. Most recently she has been sending me joyful photos of her daughters’ Ukrainian dance group. The group is known as’ ‘Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ and are the most widely known Ukrainian dance performers in Canada. This is where the story of my most recent painting, a portrait of Ukrainian dancers, begins.

Ukrainian Shumka dance is a traditional Ukrainian folk dance that has been passed down through generations of Ukrainians. The dance is performed by both men and women, and is characterized by its lively and energetic movements, intricate footwork, and colorful costumes. Shumka dance has a rich history that dates back hundreds of years. It was originally performed as a way to celebrate important events in Ukrainian culture, such as weddings, harvest festivals, and religious holidays. Over time, the dance evolved and became more stylized, with various regional variations emerging throughout Ukraine.

Today, shumka dance is still performed at cultural events, festivals, and competitions throughout Ukraine and around the world. It has become an important symbol of Ukrainian identity and heritage, and is cherished by Ukrainians both at home and abroad. One of the defining characteristics of shumka dance is its complex footwork. Dancers wear special shoes with wooden or leather soles that allow them to produce a variety of percussive sounds as they move across the dance floor. The footwork is often fast and intricate, and requires a great deal of skill and practice to master.

In addition to the footwork, shumka dance is also known for its expressive arm and hand movements. Dancers often use their arms and hands to convey emotions and tell stories through their movements, adding an extra layer of meaning and depth to the dance. Finally, the costumes worn by shumka dancers are another important aspect of the dance. Traditional costumes feature bright colors and intricate embroidery, and are often decorated with beads, sequins, and other embellishments. These costumes help to enhance the visual impact of the dance, and also serve as a reminder of Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage.

What I decide to paint in any given time is all about my intuition. Things that are vibrating and drawing my attention, touching something within me, I am a human lighting rod. What influences the work are things seen, heard, touched and tasted. Things that pull at my heart and cause my chest to pound. Perhaps the war in Ukraine and the constant news, but also the voices of my Ukrainian mother and grandmother whispering in my ear. The texts from an art collector who radiates sunshine into the world, who proudly shares photos taken at Shumka Dance performances in Edmonton. The YouTube videos of the dancers and the upbeat polka music. The colours of the costumes and smiling faces, they radiate the essence of Ukrainian culture ad hospitality. All of these things move me, and then I receive one photo that stops me in my tracks with the note, “they came from Ukraine three weeks ago, they just keep going in Ukraine.” The photo (shown below) was radiating beauty, innocence and joy, and the colours and patterns of their cultural costumes seemed to be creating abstract landscapes of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Shumka Dancers in Edmonton, Alberta Canada – photo courtesy Crytes family.

Painting of Ukrainian Dancers

I was particularly taken with the face of the boy in the front center of the group and what his face is communicating. I chose to make him the focal point of my final painting. I used fluorescent gouache for underpainting and finishing details, the paint sets the canvas aglow. Below is a photo of the resulting portrait painting.

Spirit of Ukraine, 36×36, acrylic on canvas, 2023 – Brandy Saturley

Ukraine Strong, 40×30, acrylic on canvas, 2022 – Brandy Saturley

In my paintings of recent I am exploring the relationships between my Ukrainian family, history and influences and my modern-day artist self.

At this time in my life my parents are aging fast, and things are changing daily. My mother who was my earliest mentor in art and life, is now requiring our care. I am feeling the need to take time and connect more deeply to my cultural roots, which includes Ukrainian. My Ukrainian grandmother and grandfather immigrated to Edmonton from the Ukraine and created a restaurant business in Edmonton in the 1940’s. As I begin inheriting pieces from my Ukrainian great-grandmother and grandmother, I am discovering my Ukrainian heritage, woven with arts, crafts, symbols, and stories. I am also affected by war in Ukraine and moved by the stories of the people and the immigrants to Canada. As my career and work as a Canadian Artist continues to ascend, the depth of my work grows with renewed excitement and explorations of my Ukrainian Canadian heritage. In my paintings of recent I am exploring the relationships between my Ukrainian family, history and influences and my modern-day artist self.

Paintings about Ukrainian heritage and culture – Canadian artist Brandy Saturley studio

You can watch the behind the scenes process of making the painting on YouTube here:

In conclusion, Ukrainian shumka dance is a vibrant and energetic folk dance that has played an important role in Ukrainian culture for hundreds of years. Its complex footwork, expressive arm movements, and colorful costumes have helped to make it a beloved symbol of Ukrainian identity and heritage, both at home and abroad. I am looking forward to continuing the exploration of my Ukrainian heritage in my paintings.

Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley with her painting about Ukrainian Shumka dancers, 2023

May 1, 2023

Ahead of Their Time

Artist Process, New Paintings

By Centuries: Artist’s Ahead of Their Time

There are numerous articles and books that talk about Artist’s ahead of their time. Perhaps the most famous painter described as being ahead of their time is Van Gogh. Over the centuries there have been many, who were painting about the culture of the time and their thoughts. So while they were painting what they were living, they were in many ways addressing internal thoughts about the future.

As I continue to explore themes about contemporary Canadian culture and my journey as a Canadian Artist, I find myself intuitively addressing questions that are currently on my mind, through my art. Right now I find myself on a path of painting figurative works about Canada, set against vivid backdrops of shadow, light and saturated colour. With my first few paintings this year, I find myself romanced by outdoor skating on frozen ponds and lakes. I am listening to a soundtrack filled with poetic lyrics that project images of joy and appreciation for life. These sounds are colourful, haunting and even romantic. From Joni Mitchell looking for a river to skate away on, to the Tragically Hip who are ahead by a century, the soundtrack flowing in the studio is important to the flow of my paintbrush.

My hope in posting this article is to share a little behind the scenes experience into how I work in the studio and how this new painting came to live. I carry a large cotton duck canvas of five feet high by four feet wide down to my studio and I begin to sketch out the idea I’ve been developing. A painting about two women, becoming one. One Inuit woman wrapped in a Hudson’s Bay Eight Point Scarlett blanket, and one Caucasian woman wearing a red parka with furry white trim. The backdrop will be Northern Lights (aurora borealis) and the night sky filled with stars, some shooting and some larger than life. One woman with the ear of a wolf and one the antler of a stag deer. Together these two women will appear to be shapeshifting and becoming one under the Aurora night sky. It is a magical, spiritual and futuristic story about friendship and common ground. This painting tells stories of how life should be for all Canadians, and this painting speaks of sisterhood and equality.

While I begin with an initial rough sketch on canvas, I move on quickly to laying down an underpainting through colour blocking in neon hues.

My palette becomes a furious abstract painting and evidence of an artist busy painting.

Once I have laid down all the underlying colours I move on to painting out the background, blending on the canvas as I go and this leads me to a question, do I want more texture in this painting? and the answer is, yes.

After the first few days I take the canvas and lay it flat on my studio floor, I begin applying dots of paint through pouring paint in a loose pattern to the background sky of the piece, then the piece has to dry overnight and harden before I can begin the second day of painting. I do this numerous times, and create dots of varying sizes, each by hand, painting over each layer as I work.

I move the painting to my crank easel so that I can work more finely on details in the lower portion of the canvas, thankfully I have numerous easels and lots of space in my studio so that I can work on this canvas from multiple vantage points and orientations.

Detailing the hair and face in this painting, because my style of working is very much influenced by realism but also pop art. An idealized portrait, and some might refer to it as magic realism. I refer to my style as ‘Canadian Pop Realism’.

Once the details are done and I feel like the journey of this painting has come to an end, I sit back and take long looks at the piece, contemplating it’s story and overall balance. There has to be ‘a flow’ in the composition, the eye must move around and then land somewhere in the centre of those faces, they are the focal point of this piece.

Once I am finished the front of the painting, the edges get their treatment of texture and colour to compliment the piece.

Ahead by Centuries, acrylic and gouache on canvas, 60″h x 48″ w, 2023, Brandy Saturley

A painting that perhaps in it’s time, may be ahead of it’s time. See more visual stories on canvas by Brandy Saturley here.

February 7, 2023

Outdoor Ice Skating Paintings

New Paintings

The Romance of Ice and Snow – Outdoor Ice Skating Paintings

Across Canada winter is a time for lacing up your skates and heading out onto the ice. Naturally this would lead me down a path of exploring outdoor ice skating paintings on canvas. For some it may be a frozen lake in the Rocky Mountains, for some it may be a farmer’s field or park that is flooded with water during the freeze. For some it may be skating down the Rideau Canal in Ottawa or in a park in Quebec. If you grew up in Canada, you know how most the of the country celebrates winter, on ice.

Early in 2021, I painted two pieces about playing hockey outdoors on fields frozen over and lakes at the base of the rocky mountains. These paintings were telling visual stories about the discovery of winter pastimes on skates in Canada. Expressing the love for skating outdoors in the Winter. Shortly after these pieces were completed I moved on to paintings of figure skaters on a frozen Lake Louise in Banff National Park. There is something romantic about these rocky mountain locations in Winter, with frozen glacial hues of teal and undertones of Payne’s Grey, the ice crystals reflecting a myriad of pastel colours from magenta to yellow. Winter is magical in Canada and romantic as we bundle in our Hudson’s Bay blankets and parkas and sit by outdoor fires. The whole landscape is aglow, day and night.

To begin 2023, I again find myself romanced by icy landscapes and skating outdoors, this time the skaters are like most of us, enjoying a skate around a lake or playing on the ice. These new paintings tell stories that celebrate Winter.

Angel of Snow & Ice – Skating on an outdoor pond, a young girl in a yellow parka is found making a snow angel on the ice. A textured piece, a portrait on an abstract background.

Original acrylic painting on canvas, 36×48, 2023, Brandy Saturley

Glide Away – A group of people skating on a frozen pond, snowy hills and treelined in the distance. Their shadows seem to be gliding away from them as the afternoon sun goes down.

Original acrylic painting on canvas, 36×48, 2023, Brandy Saturley

See more recent original paintings by Brandy Saturley.

January 19, 2023

Artwork of The Year

Art For Sale, New Paintings

The Best Paintings of 2022 Voted by You, Artwork Of The Year.

Thirty-four original acrylic paintings on canvas, that is how many new works I created in 2022. We narrowed this down to four paintings that we thought were the best this year, and then asked you to narrow it down to one painting, selecting Artwork of The Year for 2022. In a year that included contemporary pop realism paintings of canoes on lakes, polar bears, elk, snowy landscapes and people enjoying many different outdoor activities, the stories I was writing on canvas emitted a joy and love for life. These paintings were filled with wonder and a lust for wandering. Some moments influenced by Canadian popular culture and some by the experiences I was having during my travels of the year. There was a nod to The Queen and Nanaimo Bars. Solidarity with Ukraine and the strength and spirit of men and women. I played with creating in place at the Banff Centre and in Maui, Hawaii. In my Victoria BC studio, I was dreaming up narrative’s about my past and future journeys.

Here are four paintings we narrowed the year down to, telling visual stories on canvas. Listed in order of votes received, the number one painting of 2022 as voted by you, is Dreaming Under Northern Lights.

1. Dreaming Under Northern Lights

Crisp northern air, standing under the aurora borealis. A girl in a fur trimmed parka gazes up at the northern sky and watches the dance of light. Dreaming under the night sky and the magical dance of the Northern lights.

2. Golden Hour in the Heart of Canoeland

Two scarlet red canoes meet at sunset, on a lake in Canada. In the distance two snow peaked mountain ranges, and a swoosh of clouds. The tree line bordering the lake sparkles with shades of emerald and lime green. Reflections on a perfect moment shared in nature. Perhaps a skinny dip? where are those canoe lovers.

3. Ukraine Strong

Portrait of the artist in Ukrainian headdress, honouring her heritage and in support of Ukraine. She wears a blue collar flannel of red and black check, the quintessential Canadian business shirt. A Canadian Ukrainian with a pysanka egg of Ukraine flag yellow and blue resting between bicep and forearm. Against a background of wheat fields and blue sky.

4. Vermillion Canoes

In the land of Vermillion Lakes, with mount Rundle with it’s distinctive slope outline in the distance. Two red canoes sit at sunset, the owners not to be seen. Perhaps an evening skinny dip or picnic. Filled with hues on sunset from red to orange and pink, a grassy fringe in the foreground frames the piece. Clouds like short brushstrokes sweep the sky. A piece meant for a large feature wall, it measures 3×5 feet. In a series that includes Sunset in the Heart of Canoeland, created in March 2022.

Thank you for reading and voting! See all the paintings Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley made in 2022.

January 6, 2023

NEW Polar Bear Paintings

New Paintings

Paintings of Polar Bears on The Road

Have you seen these polar bears? Discovering new sights, sounds, and experiences; these paintings of polar bears on the road, perched on the hood of a red Jeep Wrangler are pure Canadian pop art adventure. Over the years I have captured many moments with my Nikon camera as we drive across Canada, offering opportunities to capture authentic places that I can then incorporate into my pop art style Canadian paintings. These new paintings offer a narrative about the iconic polar bear looking for adventure.

King of the Polar Bears rides on the roof of a scarlet red JEEP wrangler, snow capped Mt. Robson in the background. Taking a road trip through the rocky mountains of Canada. The polar bear wears an outlined King’s crown and rides with confidence, he is King of the North. Adapting to the changing climate, he is out for fun and adventure. Discovering new sights, sounds and experiences.

Queen of the Polar Bears rides on the roof of a scarlet red JEEP wrangler, stopped on the railroad tracks of prairie Alberta. The electricity of the power lines above tingles and charges her journey. Taking a road trip across Canada. Positioned on the railway tracks, she pauses and takes in the moment. A stormy prairie sky and fields of wheat in the distance. Adapting to the changing climate; discovering new sights, sounds and experiences. This is a companion piece with King of The Polar Bears.

These paintings offer a graphic and pop art style feeling, with realistically painted elements set against pop art backgrounds and outlines. These paintings are bold and distinctly Saturley.

See more photos and to purchase contact my business manager Robert now.

Lots of new art coming your way!

Sincerely Yours,

Brandy Saturley

February 24, 2022

Iceberg Paintings

New Paintings

Paintings of Icebergs That Capture the Spirit of the Landscape

At the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, in the Photography wing of the museum you will find some gems. One such gem is a photo of two men resting near an iceberg during the Terra Nova Expedition to Anatarctica, led by Robert Falcon Scott. The photograph by Herbet Ponting was taken in 1910 and makes me think of Lawren Harris and Rockwell Kent iceberg paintings. Painters, explorers and photographers have been drawn to these glacial giants for hundreds of years. Paintings of icebergs will always reflect more than the ethereal beauty of these essential landscapes, for what they capture is more than just a landscape, they capture something that gives and sustains life itself.

Capturing the spirit of the landscape, transcendental and other worldly. These original acrylic paintings collage together landscapes, people, nature, shapes and vivid colours. Weaving new visual stories on canvas that have a distinctly Canadian pop art style. I have been drawn to the works of Lawren Harris from his Group of Seven period, but also love how he evolved his work into more abstract realms with the Transcendental Painting Group. When it comes to colour play, I often think of ‘Squares with Concentric Circles’ by Kandinsky. maybe this is where the circles are coming from in my recent work.

When I decide on what I am painting, I begin with a central character. Whether that character is a mountain, a moose, or a human matters not, I’m looking for a starting point to my visual story on canvas. These days I rely heavily on intuition to guide me, and even I discover things within my work years down the road, that I did not see when I was creating the piece. I think this is what makes great art, the ability to see new things in the work for years to come. With the heat rising here this summer, and little to no sign of icebergs off Twillingate, Newfoundland, known for it’s famous ‘Iceberg Alley’, I felt compelled to tell a visual tale about icebergs. My contemporary take on landscape paintings of icebergs. Beginning with a painting that features a woman in a bikini, between two icebergs. A polar bear seems to be flying as he leaps from iceberg to iceberg. This is, ‘When Polar Bears Fly’.

The second painting about icebergs features a trifecta of bergs, three sisters of ice on the ocean. A woman in a tilley-esque hat, and red coat, scans the horizon for bergs as they continue to evade her view. This is, ‘Looking for The Bergs’.

These paintings of icebergs are the two most recent in a body of work that captures the ‘spirit of the landscape’ – these paintings offer visual stories of the landscapes that inspired the art. Here you will find paintings with iconic Canadian imagery such as mountains, oceans and icebergs; set against vivid and playful backgrounds that are sometimes otherworldly. These original acrylic paintings collage together landscapes, people, nature, shapes and vivid colours. Weaving new visual stories on canvas that have a distinctly Canadian pop art style, the vision of a Canadian artist known as the ‘Iconic Canuck’.

Watch behind the scenes video of these paintings in process, a peek inside this iconic Canadian Artist’s studio.

July 19, 2021

Mountain Paintings With People

Inspiration, New Paintings

Paintings of mountains: beyond the Group of Seven

I remember the first time I saw a painting of a mountain, I was about four and it was hanging on our wall. It was a painting by my grandmother, a minimalist palette of blues to grey and white. Heavy oils and palette knife scratches. Then a decade later I had my first experience with paintings of mountains by Group of Seven founder, Lawren Harris, these were much softer looking mountains, they had a modern feel.

Even though I could appreciate these Canadian landscapes, I had not yet fallen in love with the mountains. Perhaps growing up on an island, where beaches, ocean, and rainforests were my backyard, I never really thought about mountains much.

I recall my first time putting on skis and taking a bus to visit the only ski area on our island, Mount Washington was further North than my hometown of Victoria. Still not a mountain lover, those slopes had my attention as I was first learning to ski down hills.

Even family trips through the mountains from BC to Alberta were lost on me, maybe it was the fighting with my sister, and the weird things my Dad would do and say, not unlike the National Lampoon Vacation films.

It really wasn’t until about 2010 that I really fell for the mountains. Driving from BC to Alberta to deliver paintings to a gallery in Canmore. In winter, these mountains take on a whole new persona, draped in glistening blankets of shiny ice and snow, with the odd bit of rock peaking its way through, these mountains now became animalistic. These mountains were watching me, as I was staring into their folds of shadow and light. It’s as if these mountains were people, and I wanted to paint their portraits. So, I began to paint the character of the mountains and I began to add humans, sometimes staring, and often having silent conversations with these behemoths of the landscape.

Fast forward to my most recent painting, again I have positioned people in the landscape, with the mountain looking on, because sometimes we see mountains and sometimes they see us.

This is ‘The Kiss’ (love in the Rockies)

April 26, 2021