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No Dress Rehearsal

Presenting Your Art to an Audience for the First Time, There is No Dress Rehearsal

Watching the recent documentary, No Dress Rehearsal, about Canadian Artists The Tragically Hip felt like discovering an old friend in a new light. For much of my career, I was working in parallel to The Hip, exploring Canadian themes in my art without really knowing their music. But over the past decade, I fully embraced The Hip and their incredible ability to capture Canada through song. Now, their music has become a staple in my studio, often playing in the background and setting the tone for my own brand of visual storytelling.

The Tragically Hip felt like reconnecting with an old friend, a reminder of why this band has come to hold such a special place in my heart—and in my work. Their poetic lyrics, which touch on history, geography, and the quirks of Canadian identity, often reverberate in the background while I’m in the studio, setting the tone as I paint my own interpretations of Canada.

What resonates most is how much we have in common: a deep love for Canada and a unique approach to weaving stories—The Hip through lyrics and music, and me through paint on canvas. Their songs remind me of the power of a well-told story, something I strive to achieve in my paintings, which are rooted in our landscapes, icons, and cultural symbols. We share a commitment to travel across Canada, exploring both big cities and rural communities. Just as they tirelessly toured, I’m inspired by the places and people I encounter, gathering stories and images to shape my work. Traveling from coast to coast to coast, I gain a broader understanding of what it means to be Canadian—a theme that’s central to both their music and my own work.

There’s also that distinctly Canadian quirkiness we both bring to our work. Just as The Hip were known for their playful, sometimes ironic take on what it means to be Canadian, I work to bring a similar spirit to my art. My paintings often include playful Canadian motifs, like plaid, hockey stories, rural locations, and landscapes that feel instantly familiar, yet they invite viewers to look deeper. This approach makes me feel like I’m part of the broader Canadian narrative The Hip helped shape, just in a different medium.

The Hip’s legacy is more than musical; it’s a cultural marker, inspiring artists like me to explore Canada in all its complexity. With their songs playing in my studio, I feel connected to that same spirit, driven to create paintings that speak to what it means to be Canadian. Their influence helps me set the tone and pace as I bring my own vision of Canada to life on canvas.

Working with The Hip’s music as my backdrop, I’m constantly inspired by their ability to bring Canada to life in ways that are both personal and universally relatable. As I paint, their music pushes me to explore what it means to be Canadian, just as they did through their lyrics. And with their songs filling the studio, I find myself weaving together my own stories of Canada, capturing the essence of our shared home one canvas at a time. There is no dress rehearsal when it comes to being an artist and laying your heart on the line.

More about The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal here.

More about Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley here:

October 29, 2024

Plaid in Canada

Canadian Paintings

Six Paintings Telling Tales of Plaid in Canada

Growing up in the 1970s in a province known for its trees and logging, I became deeply familiar with the Canadian uniform of plaid. My father worked in the forestry industry, and he wore those heavy wool plaid jackets with metal snaps—the quintessential attire for his trade. Plaid was everywhere, from the beaches littered with runaway logs to the backs of loggers, lumberjacks, and fishermen. But the tradition of plaid in Canada reaches back much further than my childhood memories.

Plaid’s roots in Canada trace back to Scottish immigrants who brought their tartan patterns with them to Nova Scotia. These early settlers, struggling to survive in a new and rugged land, carried with them not only their fabrics but their values of hard work, community, and perseverance. The plaid flannel shirt evolved into a symbol of the Canadian Everyman—approachable, hardworking, and unpretentious. It evokes a sense of homegrown authenticity, embodying the spirit of “nice Canadians” who work together for the common good.

Over the decades, plaid has been worn by some of Canada’s most iconic figures—from the fictional Bob and Doug McKenzie and the famous Quinlan Quints to the legendary Neil Young, the elder statesman of flannel. The plaid shirt has become an unofficial emblem of Canada itself, representing the land of the True North, strong and free. It’s a fabric that transcends divisions. Plaid isn’t just one color—it’s red, blue, black, and white—a patchwork that mirrors Canada’s diverse yet unified identity.

Plaid’s resurgence today, especially among the youth of 2024, underscores its lasting appeal. Companies like Dixxon Flannel have breathed new life into the fabric, infusing it with pop culture flair and turning it into a fashion statement for a new generation. Plaid, once the uniform of loggers and fishermen, now proudly adorns the backs of men and women from all walks of life, whether at work, at the opera, on the outdoor rink, or even on a wedding night. It’s no wonder Elon Musk named his premium Tesla the PLAID model X.

As a Canadian artist dedicated to telling the stories of the Canadian experience, plaid has naturally woven itself into my work. From still life to larger explorations of Canadian identity, plaid serves as a visual metaphor for the strength, warmth, and resilience of the people who wear it. Most recently, I completed a still life of two plaid shirts hanging on a stark white wall—a quiet homage to this enduring symbol of Canadian culture.

Brandy Saturley wearing her Dixxon flannel plaid shirt, 2024.

Here are six paintings that tell the tale of plaid in Canada and beyond, offering a glimpse into how this simple fabric continues to inspire and connect us.

Come on Just Let’s Go – acrylic on canvas painting, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

2. With Hearts on Our Sleeves, acrylic on canvas painting, 2017 – Brandy Saturley

3. Ukraine Strong, acrylic on canvas, 2022 – Brandy Saturley

4. Son of Canada, acrylic on canvas, 2022 – Brandy Saturley

5. Tulip Tartan – Red, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas painting, 2023 – Brandy Saturley

6. Tartan Tulip – Lemon, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, 2023 – Brandy Saturley

See more paintings by Brandy Saturley here.

October 23, 2024

Political Climate and Art Sales

Advice for Art Collectors

How Does Political Climate Affect Art Sales in Canada?

The political climate can have a significant impact on art sales in Canada, as it does in many countries. Several factors related to the political environment can shape both the art market and the demand for different types of art. Here are some key ways the political climate may influence art sales:

1. Government Support for the Arts

Cultural Policy and Funding: Changes in government policy around the arts can directly affect sales. In Canada, the government has traditionally provided funding through organizations like the Canada Council for the Arts. When governments increase funding and support, it creates opportunities for artists to create and showcase work, boosting visibility and sales. Conversely, cuts in funding can limit opportunities, making it harder for artists to sell.
Public Art Programs: Policies that promote public art commissions (e.g., murals, sculptures) can lead to more opportunities for sales, especially for contemporary and local artists.
Brandy Saturley working on mural sized painting at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, 2022

2. Tax Policies

Tax Incentives for Art Buyers: Canadian tax policy can have a direct influence on art sales. For example, when tax incentives favor the purchase of art (e.g., allowing deductions for art acquisitions by corporations), there may be an increase in demand, particularly in the high-end market. Changes in capital gains tax, estate tax, or deductions can encourage or discourage investment in art as an asset.
Tax Breaks for Donations: Policies that encourage donating art to public institutions (such as the ability to claim charitable donations for valuable works) can influence the secondary art market and the behavior of wealthy collectors.
The Art of Brandy Saturley and Ferrari at Victoria Premium Automobiles, Victoria BC 2013

3. National and Global Political Stability

Economic Confidence and Art as Investment: Political instability often affects the economy, and economic downturns tend to reduce discretionary spending. In times of political uncertainty (such as during elections or global trade tensions), buyers may hesitate to make significant purchases, including art. However, in some cases, art is seen as a safe-haven investment, particularly in volatile times, which could increase sales in specific sectors of the art market (especially for blue-chip art).
Trade and International Relations: Canada’s trade agreements and international relations can impact the import and export of art. If international relations are tense or there are restrictive trade policies, this could affect the flow of art between countries and the ability of galleries to showcase international artists, thus influencing sales.

4. Political and Social Movements

Demand for Politically Relevant Art: Political movements, such as environmental activism, Indigenous rights, or social justice movements, can create demand for art that addresses these themes. In Canada, for example, there has been growing interest in Indigenous art, driven in part by movements for reconciliation and decolonization. Art that resonates with current social and political issues often experiences increased visibility and sales.
Censorship and Artistic Freedom: The political environment may affect what types of art are supported or censored. Political climates that favor freedom of expression often foster vibrant art markets, while those that limit expression may constrain the kinds of art that are produced and sold.
On Guard, acrylic on canvas, 2013, Brandy Saturley – Colart Collection Quebec, Canada

5. Global Art Trends

Impact of International Politics: Global political changes, such as shifts in U.S. or European politics, can indirectly influence Canadian art sales. Art collectors are often influenced by global trends, and political upheaval abroad can shift the focus toward Canadian artists, particularly if international markets become less accessible or desirable due to political instability.
End of An Era, 2022 Acrylic On Canvas 60 x 36 x 1.5 in (152.4 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm) Brandy Saturley

6. Public Sentiment and National Identity

Cultural Nationalism: In times of political change, there may be a surge in demand for art that reflects national identity or political values. For instance, during periods of national pride or political shifts, there may be increased interest in art that portrays Canadian landscapes, history, or cultural symbols.
Political Patronage: Political leaders and institutions may become patrons of the arts, either to reflect political messaging or to promote certain cultural values. This can create a market for works that align with specific ideologies or values of the ruling party.

Goalie’s Mask: red, white & Dryden (The Goalies Mask Painting) 2011 Acrylic 48 x 36 x 1.5 in (121.92 x 91.44 x 3.81 cm) Brandy Saturley

In conclusion, the political climate in Canada affects art sales through a combination of cultural policies, economic stability, social movements, and the international art market’s influence. Whether it’s through government support or the evolving tastes of buyers influenced by political trends, the intersection of politics and art remains a dynamic and influential factor in the Canadian art market.

Political Climate and Art Sales – Art That Focuses on National Identity

“I am telling visual stories of my travels in Canada, from Coast to Coast to Coast.” Brandy Saturley is an acclaimed contemporary Canadian Visual Artist widely recognized for her evocative portrayals of Canadian culture, landscapes, people, wildlife, hockey and icons. See more paintings by Brandy Saturley here.

Canadian Visual Artist and Pop Art style painter, Brandy Saturley.

October 16, 2024

Vivid Autumn Leaf Paintings

Georgia O'Keeffe, New Paintings

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.

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.

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

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

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

See more paintings by Brandy Saturley here.

October 10, 2024

Elusive Moose Paintings

New Paintings

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.

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.

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

October 2, 2024

Jasper Alberta Paintings

Canadian Paintings, New Paintings

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

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

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

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.

September 19, 2024

Woman Art Show Newfoundland

Art Opening

The Woman Art Show – Over 100 Figurative Painters

Opening September 21, 2024, The Woman Art Show, has become an annual exhibition of some of the best figurative painters from around the world. This well known figurative art show is produced annually by the James Baird Gallery in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland.

One hundred figurative painters from over twenty countries exploring the theme of woman. As in past years we are spanning the globe with outstanding artists and their practices. I am proud to have one of my paintings included in this important show. This show features my painting, ‘West Coast Solitudes‘. This painting features a woman peering out the window of a hotel room, she is wrapped in the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company point blanket, and she is enjoying a glass of wine. This Canadian pop art style rendering features a west coast palette of greens and earthy tones, reminiscent of my Vancouver Island home.

This show features work by the following figurative painters;

Griselda Alvarez, Jennifer Anderson, Kayoon Anderson, Duma Arantes, Majo Arrigoni, Robin Asquini, Zach Atticus, Abraham Brewster, Heather Brunetti, Katie Butler, Melissa Calabria, Diana Carolina, Ricardo Celma, Antonella Cinelli, Rossi Emerald Crimson, Yury Daraskevitch, Diego Dayer, Dan Ferguson, Sandra De Jaume, Jaq Grantford, Olivia di Gregorio, Lola Erhart, Maria Andres Fernandez, Annie Flores, Shelia Flaherty, Nanette Fluhr, Jane French, Vincent Giarrano, Jaq Grantford, Barbara Hack, Sadko Hadzihasanovic, Quinn Henderson, Heather Horton, Shelah Horvitz, Azul Iturri, Saara Knapp, Pippa Hale-Lynch , Caroline Ji, Sophie Jodoin, Colleen Kiely, Nicolina Kovalenko, Francien Krieg, Maya Kulenovic, Kim Leutwyler, Kathrin Longhurst, Ellen Star Lyon, Betzalel Maida, Marilyn McAvoy, Kai McCall, Stefany Milan, Hernan Javier Munoz, Reuben Negron, Laurence Nerbonne, Camila O’Gorman, Malin Ostlund, Tomas Ortolani, Chrystal Phan, Valentina Porcelli, Constance Regardsoe, Sam Reuter, Gwen Roberts, Manu Saluja,Paula Saneaux, Al Saralis, Daniela Savarese, Brandy Saturley, Shane Scribner, Sara Scribner, Natalie Segovia, Nicole Sleeth, June Stratton, Ian Strawn, Matt Talbert, Zienna Brunsted Stewart, Mark Tennant, Lesley Thiel, Terri Thomas, Nadine Tralala, Christina Troufa, Shannon Vaught, Amy Webber, Graeme Wilcox, Caitlin Winner, Torsten Wilber, Rimi Yang, Pippa Young, Rodolfo Zagert, Anne-Marie Zanetti, Narelle Zeller, Brenda Zlamany, Luis Zuluaga

More about the show here.

More Canadian Pop Art style paintings by Brandy Saturley, here.

September 16, 2024

Why Collectors Choose Original Art

Advice for Art Collectors, Art Collector Homes

The Allure of Art: Why Art Collectors Choose Original Art

Many articles and blogs explore the benefits of collecting original art versus fine art prints and reproductions. Often, these perspectives come from investment advisors, gallerists, art dealers, and art consultants. But what insights do art collectors themselves offer? Why do we as Art Collectors Choose Original Art?

During the pandemic, the CEO of Artsy shared his reasons for collecting original artworks across various mediums. His motivations included the significance of owning a piece of culture, supporting artists directly, and the sheer joy of possessing something uniquely handmade and one-of-a-kind. Above all, the most compelling reason we collect original paintings, sculptures, or photographs is our love for the artwork. We want to have it in our space, to enjoy it every day, and to share its beauty with friends, family, and guests.

Martini View – commissioned landscape painting by Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley – Oak Bay, BC

The Psychological Appeal

From a psychological standpoint, collecting can provide life support over time, act as a means of trading, form a basis for community and communication, serve as a stockpile of wealth, and become a mechanism for self-identity and expression. Collections inform, educate, offer emotional comfort and security, and mark our lives in personally meaningful ways. The human process of collecting is fundamentally consistent, whether it’s fine art or pop star memorabilia. Collecting is a basic human instinct that has enhanced our evolution, offering both material and emotional value to individuals and communities. This modern view of collecting acknowledges its natural human roots, influenced by economics, social structures, education, fashion, and personal history.

If you ask a psychiatrist about the drive to collect, one aspect might be an addictive personality. There’s also the incremental cultural value—owning a painting, along with its preliminary sketches and studies, can feel like piecing together the life of the artwork, which hints at a compulsive desire to complete a narrative.

Art Collector’s Homes – Canadian Art Collection – paintings by Brandy Saturley

Art as an Investment

When art collectors are asked why they buy art, the primary reasons include building a collection, decorating homes or spaces, supporting artists, and finding inspiration and joy. Fewer collectors mention purchasing art purely as an investment, although this is an increasing trend. Art is gaining recognition as a stable alternative asset class, especially in times of economic volatility.

In essence, collecting original art is about passion, connection, and the human desire to own something truly unique. It’s about enriching our lives with beauty, supporting the creators, and finding a sense of personal and cultural fulfillment.

Private Art Collection – Toronto, Canada – Canadian Artists

10 Reasons to Choose Original Art

It’s an investment that not only benefits you, but directly supports someone else
The importance of ownership of your own culture
You are tired of throwing money away on depreciating assets
You Love Art
You Love The Artist and want to see them do well
You are addicted to collecting things
You want to own something that only you can
It’s an extension of yourself, and expression of your inner creativity
It’s beautiful and you love beauty
You can’t explain it, you just know that you can’t go through life without having the artwork in your home

Private Art Collection – Quebec, Canada – Brandy Saturley

Want to share your reasons for collecting original artworks? Reach out here.

June 10, 2024

Weird Art in Canada

Canadian Art, Canadian Paintings

What Makes Art Unique – Weird Art in Canada

Having recently returned from an art trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico I came home with a new appreciation for the quirky and even absurdities in Art. Weird art captivates our imagination by pushing boundaries and challenging norms. It reveals aspects of life and human creativity that we rarely encounter. From George Condo’s portraits to modern works like Damien Hirst’s pickled shark, these pieces provoke curiosity, intrigue, and sometimes even discomfort. So, in its eccentricity, weird art invites us to explore the unexpected and embrace the unconventional. Making weird art in Canada.

Sometimes referred to as ‘quirk’, ‘lowbrow’ or ‘funny’ – their have been many weird artworks that have captured our attention, for generations, and we are still talking about these works in the contemporary world. Whether it be ‘American Gothic’, The Scream or the melting clocks of Dali, weird art transcends genres and movements and can be found worldwide. Surreal, whimsical, or absurd art provides an escape from mundane reality. It invites us into fantastical worlds, sparking imagination.

In Canada, we are known as having our own quirky brand of humour, that is distinctly our own. Having travelled across the country over the past two decades soaking up the uniqueness that is Canada, I can attest to the weird wonderfulness that is Canada, but this is not reflected in most of our art galleries, which strikes me as odd. As the ‘Iconic Canuck’ I took my weird and quirky Canadianisms on the road and found an audience amongst those who appreciate laughing at themselves and their country. Underlying these quirky visual tales painted on canvas, a serious undertone about our place in the world and thoughts about the future of our country.

The “Canadianisms” series has toured in both Edmonton and Calgary, and has garnered the artist notoriety as the voice of Canadian Pop Art. In her most recent work, Saturley has turned once again to the landscape, never really having left. Her new, visionary paintings collage different, unexpected elements of Canadiana rendered in her characteristic pop aesthetic. They oscillate between a graphic realism used for Canada’s famous mountain peaks or views of forest lakes, and the abstractness of the colorful, even psychedelic backgrounds. The sincerity of their celebration keeps them from tripping over into kitsch. Instead they are otherworldly and transportive, playful and humorous. ~ Andrea Bell, for Whitehot Magazine

For me it is fun to look back at these weird and wonderful ideas that launched me into the Canadian Art Market and with galleries across the country. Some of my weird art serves as a critique of culture, politics, or consumerism. It highlights absurdities and prompts reflection on societal issues. In 2025, I will celebrate 15 years of painting stories of Canada on canvas, and I have a few things up my sleeve. For now, a trip back through these tongue in cheek narratives about a country known for it’s red maple leaf, Mountie’s, syrup of gold, hockey culture, Nanaimo bars and landscapes.

12 Paintings – Making Weird Art in Canada

From stories of the Oilers defeat and trade of Wayne Gretzky to the Stanley Cup. From tales of the Ukrainian experience to the people of the prairies, Canadian celebrities and the fans. These paintings tell quirky Canadian narratives of yesterday and today.

Death of a Rookie – 32×32, acrylic on canvas, 2012 An ode to the Oilers Steve Smith, in the style of Jacques Louis David, referencing The Death of Marat painting created in 1793. “Saturley’s Death of a Rookie, Rise of a Hero is a take on the political painting The Death of Marat by French painter Jacques-Louis David, 1793.

The Story of the Wayne Gretzky Trade – 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2012 Brandy Saturley – Painting of The Oilers on the ice and Janet Jones in goal, with Gretzky transfixed by her gaze. A tale of the Wayne Gretzky trade to the LA Kings.

A Cup for Louise, 22.5×19, acrylic on canvas, 2013 – Brandy Saturley Imagine an afternoon sipping tea in the tearoom of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, out of Canada’s most coveted cup? Having tea with Stanley at Lake Louise.

The Climb, 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2015 – Brandy Saturley This piece speaks to the climb we face in all areas of life through referencing the long climb to achieving the Stanley Cup. The piece carries heavy symbolism with Lawren Harris-esque rocky mountains in the background.

The Eh Team, 36×36, acrylic on canvas, 2013 – Brandy Saturley Painting of a mountie with thumb up in a Fonzie-esque ‘eh’

Perogies in the Wind, 30×24, acrylic on canvas, 2012 – Brandy Saturley Painting of perogies hanging from a clothesline on the Canadian Prairie

Bieberscape 24×30, acrylic on canvas, 2011, Brandy Saturley Painting of Justin Beiber hairstyles that he became famous for early in his career. The hair acts and landscapes on the road through the Nevada desert.

Canada is Sweet & Salty, 24×30, acrylic on canvas, 2011 – Brandy Saturley Painting of a naked Pamela Anderson laying on top of a Mackintosh toffee bar at Peggy’s Cove with puffins.

A song for an Alter Ego, acrylic on canvas, 2011, Brandy Saturley Painting of Burton Cummings and his alter ego, on a trip across his catalogue. A Beatles’esque take on Burton’s inner thoughts.

A Punch Line and an Unknown, 36×48, acrylic on canvas, 2013 – Brandy Saturley A painting on an outdoor hockey rink of a group of hockey buddies wearing the ‘Habs’ famous line jersey numbers, along with a goal tender with a paper bag over his head.

Canadiens Gothic, 48×36, acrylic on canvas, 2014 – Brandy Saturley

The original painting the started the People of Canada Portrait Project in 2014, inspired by ‘American Gothic’. “American Gothic (1930) is a painting by American (Iowa) artist Grant Wood. The painting depicts a farmer and someone you may assume to be his wife standing in front of their house. The farmer is dressed simply and holding a pitch fork, the wife is dressed simply as well, adorned by an apron.

In reality, the people in this painting are not as they seem, they are models (artist’s sister and town dentist) that Wood selected to replicate what a typical person living in Iowa would look like. In American Gothic, Wood uses the house and its perspective owners as a satirical outlook on American culture at the time. Saturley’s Canadiens Gothic (from the People of Canada Portrait Project) has a similar setting to Wood’s American Gothic. Shown is a hockey player (Reg) in a Canadiens hockey jersey, holding a hockey stick. Beside him is, we assume, his wife (Penny) wearing a “Hoodie” or a “Bunny Hug” if you are from Saskatchewan. The figures are standing not in front of their home, but in front of a building titled FORUM, “the most storied building in hockey history” and home of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club. Unlike Wood’s American Gothic, the figures in Saturley’s Canadiens Gothic did pose together (selfie taken by Penny) and are a couple living in Manitoba. Replacing the pitch fork with a hockey stick, and replacing the simple but staunch black jacket with a hockey jersey, evokes a level of relaxation on one’s day off.This contrasts the work element (farming) with play (hockey); or, comparatively speaking, a way of life (farming) juxtaposed with the Canadian way of life (hockey). Penny’s attire also gives to the notion of comfort and does not attest to any domestic fortitude

Dreaming in the Colours of Eh, 36×48, acrylic on canvas, 2014 Asleep on an HBC point blanket, the green blanket like a field of emerald grass with red poppies falling from the sky. The poppies made from sheet music of ‘O Canada’. The woman sleeps peacefully with Canada Goose winter hat and ruby red boots, holding a green monopoly house in her right hand. The woman wearing a Vancouver Canucks jersey, but no pants. This piece was created as part of a series referencing the ‘Wizard of Oz’ and my journey home after exhibitions of work in Alberta. Somewhat surrealism, definitely symbolic, this piece tells many stories depending on the viewer. Acrylic painting on canvas with collage.

Remember, art’s impact is subjective, and what’s “weird” varies from person to person. Ultimately, weird art enriches our cultural landscape and invites us to explore the extraordinary.

June 6, 2024

A Conversation With O’Keeffe

Artist Process, Georgia O'Keeffe, Inspiration

My Trip to Abiquiu, New Mexico: A Conversation With Georgia O’Keeffe

After months of planning, May first finally arrived. We packed the Tesla with all our gear, provisions, and most importantly, pillows. With the passenger window tripod securely affixed, we set out on a long-awaited journey. I’ve written countless times about my deep admiration for Georgia O’Keeffe, the iconic American modernist painter celebrated for her vibrant depictions of flowers and the desert landscapes, flora, and fauna of New Mexico. Though my studio and home are on Vancouver Island along the Pacific Northwest Coast, our path would take us diagonally across seven states, culminating in Santa Fe, New Mexico. On my way to have a conversation with Georgia O’Keeffe.

New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, 2024, Brandy Saturley

Our destination, New Mexico, particularly the enchanting locale of Abiquiú, has a rich history. Settled by Tewa Pueblo families and the Roman Catholic Church in 1742, Abiquiú is known as “wild chokecherry place” in the Tewa language. The vivid canyons and majestic mountains surrounding Abiquiú have served as the backdrop for numerous films, including Red Dawn, Silverado, Lonesome Dove, City Slickers, 3:10 to Yuma, No Country For Old Men, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Cowboys & Aliens, The Lone Ranger, and Breaking Bad.

Georgia O’Keefe studio in Abiquiu, New Mexico – Brandy Saturley 2024

We arrive in Santa Fe on Cinco de Mayo and are greeted by a parade of Chicanos and Mexican Americans proudly and literally rocking their meticulously painted low-riders. A lowrider is a customized car with a lowered body that emerged among Mexican American youth in the 1940s. Lowrider also refers to the driver of the car and their participation in lowrider car clubs, which remain a part of Chicano culture and have since expanded internationally. These customized vehicles are also artworks, generally being painted with intricate, colorful designs, unique aesthetic features, and rolling on wire-spoke wheels with whitewall tires. Lowrider rims are generally smaller than the original wheels. They are often fitted with hydraulic systems that allow height adjustable suspension, allowing the car to be lowered or raised by switch.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations 2024, Santa Fe Plaza, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

With Santa Fe as our home base for five days the plan was to begin with visiting the Georgia O’Keeffe home and studio in Abiquiu. A one hour drive from Santa Fe through valleys of brush and arid landscapes we came to a curve in the road and a destination between two mountain ranges. The O’Keeffe Welcome Centre, the meeting point to begin a guided tour of just over and hour. In the welcome centre there are a few exhibits of items from the O’Keeffe homes and her closet, some of her mid-century modern chairs, a short film and a library of books all about the artist. From her paintings, to pottery, photography, her relationships with designers from fashion to furniture and jewelry to her passion for growing her own food and cooking. There is also a gift shop that sells many unique items by local artists and of course copies of O’Keeffe’s work and her famous hats.

Georgia O’Keeffe Welcome Center, Abiquiu, New Mexico – 2024 Brandy Saturley

We board a tour bus, with a few other O’Keeffe fans and we head out with a tour guide who is not only a painter himself of forty years, but also a fine arts teacher. He tells us that he and his wife enjoyed the tour so much when they came, that he ended up taking on the job of tour guide, and what a wonderful, passionate and informative tour we enjoyed. We began with her garden and learned of the only two days per week local irrigation system called acequia, in this remote climate. I did not know she was such a committed gardener and she grew most everything she would need to sustain her in this desert locale.

Georgia O’Keeffe home garden, Abiquiu, New Mexico, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

After, we entered through a tiny side door to her inner courtyard, depicted in many paintings and photographs of the iconic artist over the years. It was a hot and windy day, the sand under your feet in the courtyard reflects the red and earthy tones of the adobe structure. It is here you begin to feel her presence, or at least I did, as I drifted off into the moment feeling and hearing the wind, inhaling the dry smells and noticing the shadows cast by the mid-day light. This indeed was a place for an artist to live and work, and that artist was Georgia O’Keeffe herself. After talking about her ultimate reason for buying this place in 1945, the door in the courtyard, which she painted many times over the years.

Georgia O’Keeffe Home – courtyard and door, Abiquiu New Mexico, 2024, Brandy Saturley

Having to leave the courtyard is difficult, but I knew it led to her living room and the beautiful picture window and skylights within, and I was ready to enter that home where she spent at least half her year every year until her death at 98 years old. A good long life, likely due to her mostly vegetarian diet of fresh foods and her active lifestyle in the garden, the landscapes and the studio. The dining room is next and comes with a window back into the courtyard, a small nook fireplace and a wooden table with sawhorses for legs. The style is modern, practical and minimalist, from mid-century modern furniture to simple wooden structures. All the lights hanging from the ceiling are just bulbs hanging from wires, with the exception of the hanging light in this area, it is simply and round paper shade of white, from her time in Japan, not Ikea.

O’Keeffe Home Abiquiu, New Mexico, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

From the dining room we can peer through another window that opens to another inner courtyard where her famous spiral sculpture sits, wooden slats across the roof and mostly open to the elements. The light here is magnificent and glowing, there is a real warm yellow cast to the light in New Mexico, quite the contrast to another favourite of mine and O’Keeffe’s, Hawaii’s light is much cooler blue in contrast.

O’Keeffe Home and Studio, Abiquiu New Mexico, 2024 – Brandy Saturley

From region to region, colors change dramatically. In New Mexico, the light encompasses a full spectrum of colors, reflected both in the landscape and the sky, offering a broader array of shades than almost anywhere else. I have personally counted around 50 shades of green in the landscapes, and the sky’s personality shifts daily. The seasonal changes are remarkably distinct, and the transformation of light is truly wondrous. Consider how changing the color of sunglasses alters your perception of light; that’s akin to how the light itself changes in New Mexico. However, while New Mexico’s light is captivating, it isn’t necessarily better for painters. North light, which is more neutral and blue, is often preferred for painting. The yellow tint of southern light can affect color perception. What makes New Mexico’s light so fascinating is its impact on the landscape, rendering colors unlike those found elsewhere in the country. Each season offers a broad range of colors: Winter presents stark contrasts, Spring bursts with green, Summer is rich with vibrant hues, and Autumn is golden and vivid blue.

O’Keeffe home in the kitchen, Abiquiu New Mexico – Brandy Saturley

Back on the tour we enter the kitchen with another beautiful view and gorgeous light with root cellar off the kitchen and O’Keeffe’s own plants lining the window like she still lives in this place today. Off the kitchen a big pantry where you can see her canning, some old linens, wine and champagne bottles, as she did have a dinner party now and then between her work and travels. Another interior courtyard and three private guest rooms, if only we could stay one day!

Georgia O’Keeffe studio view – Abiquiu New Mexico, Brandy Saturley 2024

Across this courtyard and parking garage we find the studio building, and it is truly an artist’s paradise. With another big picture window and view of the landscapes and mountains in the distance, the light is everything in this room, it is cooler than the rest of the house, an almost blue light in this room. We find remnants of the artist, some bones, and a collection of rocks. A fireplace, record player, books and a long table used for working. We find an easel, typewriter and storage for paintings. We find a telephone with a hand written contact list beside. The names Arturo and Ansel stand out to me, as her famous friend and iconic landscape photographer Ansel Adams is obviously the Ansel whose phone number is written here. Arturo was her assistant at the end of her life, an artist and potter, he taught her to work with clay when she was in her 80’s. Like I often say, Artists never retire. They may find themselves with limitations as they age, but this offers a challenge and the path to experiment with making art in new ways and new mediums.

Georgia O’Keeffe telephone contact list, Ansel Adams, 2024 Brandy Saturley

Then we walk through her ensuite and closet where her famous black dress hangs, along with many other dresses. A tall narrow door provides passageway into her bedroom, which is made for a bed and not much else and it comes with another iconic view painted by O’Keeffe. The curved road, landscapes, and mountains. This room is all window, and her bed is placed in a way so that she can see the view every morning. Though this was her primary residence and studio, O’Keeffe came and went between her other home at Ghost Ranch, which was her summer place.

Georgia O’Keeffe closet and clothes in Abiquiu home – 2024, Brandy Saturley

As an artist who paints and takes photos I can see why she settled here in her middle age, she knew it would be a place that would fulfill the vessel for years to come, and as she aged and could travel less, this place would sustain the artist impulses. The energy in this place is not only because it was hers, it is also because of the place itself, it feels old, the mountains have stories to tell from centuries of inhabitants and Earthly changes. You can feel the universe here, it is spiritual, it allows you the peace to think and go within, while also being connected to the Earth and nature. I wanted to sit here all day and paint, observe, hike and explore. It is a special place, a scared place, worth many more visits. I can’t help but wonder what O’Keeffe would think of her home now a museum where strangers wander through listening to stories of her time in this place. Thank you Georgia, lovely to be in your presence once again.

View from Georgia O’Keeffe’s bedroom – Abiquiu, New Mexico 2024 Brandy Saturley

Read about my time following O’Keeffe on Maui.

See more photos from Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio Tour – Abiquiu, New Mexico

May 21, 2024