Artist Statement

I have always had a great appreciation and love of our untouched nature, and I have gained inspiration by one of Canada’s most recognized artist Tom Thomson and his love for nature. His portrayal of the unsullied ruggedness of Northern Ontario’s nature has defined or greatly influenced a very large portion of Canadian landscape paintings and artists. I am one of the many, his style and passion for our country’s natural landscape have brought out the passion in me for this country’s natural beauty and to develop that love as a landscape artist.

Ironically our backgrounds both have a number of similarities both have a Scottish heritage both trained early to be illustrators, and both of us went on to work in graphic arts. Our graphic arts background helped us to develop a keen sense of observation and an eye for detail. Both traits we applied to the nature around us. These traits have given us an appreciation and respect for Mother Nature’s mystery and beauty.

Having experienced the rugged beauty, Mother Nature has given us, translates to each piece’s use of colour and has provided an image that is a engaging. Although few people are shown in our works, the views painted suggest places where people can meditate in quiet reflection. Each with similar motifs of a tree or trees on a rocky shore that conveys a sense of the iconic northern grandeur. The pictures, with their rich colours, often have a dynamic sense of movement.

As an artist following in his footsteps I look upon my art as a labour of love and compassion. I am investing my time and skills to produce a piece or pieces that the viewer will be able to add their own story to, and enjoy for a life time.

It all begins with a mental vision of the image that I hope will unfold on the canvas and begin a story.

First I look for images that meet my mental vision. These images are compiled as layers in photoshop where the final image is composed. As an artist I find myself quite often spending several hours of editing, adjusting and manipulating the various pieces to acquire the desired composition. Once created I usually take time to sleep on the digital image. Seldom do I just accept the first version, and more likely than not I will make revisions and adjustments, until I am truly satisfied with the composition.

Once the composition has been developed to a my satisfaction, a full sized print out of it is made. The print out is used as a template similar to the artist Michael Angelo who used his sketches to position the elements of the composition onto the canvas correctly and than transfer the outlines of the image to the canvas. Even at this stage the critic in me may see something that is not right and the necessary adjustment(s) are made, before starting to apply any paint.

This whole process allows me to see possible problems and correct them before they arise. It also forces me to think about the stages I must go through while painting, to avoid any problems that might also arise while painting.

The artist in me prefers not to work with under colours building my image using multiple layers of transparent colour (glazing) to achieve the desired finished image. I paint from background to middle ground to foreground. This helps to give the image depth and a certain amount of realism as each of the subsequent layers overlap. Even within each of the key layers I paint the object farthest away first and move forward. Depending on the image and desired results this may mean many layers of colour applied on top of each other. It is a very meticulous but very rewarding process when you see the viewer beginning to tell the story that will be told. A true labour of love.