From The Artist / Author…

Art and writing have been part of my life since early childhood. Born and raised in the country and surrounded by forests teeming with wildlife it was easy to draw inspiration from nature and all of the beauty it has to offer the observer. Painting and writing about animals, birds and nature in general has always been a great source of joy.

Whether painting vignettes on a white or solid-coloured background or creating a full-canvas scene, the wildlife and plants throughout Canada are rich and diverse. From tiny hummingbirds to majestic beluga whales, nature allows me to visualize, imagine and create, whether with subtle or bold colours.

I strive to have each of my paintings tell a story and every children’s storybooks paint a picture. If the spectator or reader of my works experiences the emotions intended, I feel, as an artist and writer, I have done my job.
I design my painting vignettes purposefully to allow my intended subject to shine. A visitor to an art exhibition once commented – ‘Your paintings allow the viewer to look past all of the normal clutter and just focus on the true subject.’ It was a simple statement of acknowledgement of this specific style I create – subject truth and clarity.

Whatever subject or story that I choose to paint or write about, I invite the spectator or reader in to reflect on the work. I want everyone to hear the voice of nature, wildlife, even our precious pets. There is a symbiotic relationship that thrives between nature, creatures – whether wild or domestic – and humankind. We all just need to open our eyes to the beauty of everything that lies in front of us. Art and words brings it all to life.

A Perspective On Creativity…

While art and writing have remained within me throughout my life, it was most often a ‘go-to’ source for creative and emotional wellbeing rather than a profession. However both genres always pulled me back into their realm in times when I felt a need for expressive output. Both were always there when I needed them.

Creativity always seemed forefront for me in whatever fashion or role it took over the years and decades. As a landscape designer, this profession has allowed me to continue this creativity, albeit in a very different form. From tiny spaces to multi-acreage properties, the outdoors became my palette. I was able to paint a picture and tell each client’s story through the magic of landscape design.

But visual art has a way of pulling you back into its beauty and expression. In 2019 my passion for art resurfaced but in a very different and focused direction. It was a time to bring to light, the recent plight of our Canadian wildlife. To capture the magnificent world of Nature that I treasured all my life. I felt it was a time to revisit art.

And so it is with great pleasure, I continue to work with my landscaping clients while my renewed journey with art has me exploring what the canvas holds for me, currently and in the future. With inspiration from the splendor of Nature and all that surrounds us in this glorious world, there is no doubt that the artist that has always been within me will continue to grow even more.

The Vision…

All art begins with a vision. Whether an artist chooses to work in realism, modern, abstract or anything in between ~ there is always a vision. Sometimes the end result represents that exact vision. And sometimes the final piece takes on a new direction or a very different ‘feel’.

Wherever the journey takes the artist ~ the most important aspect of any work of art is the true and honest interpretation of the subject as seen and created through the vision of the artist…

Whether I capture the magnificence of Nature, the reality of our Canadian species at risk, the fusion of art and photography or a brief exchange of love and loyalty between a person and their pet, my vision is always to tell that story at that moment.

Below is one of my ‘in progress’ paintings and my step by step process as I see the subjects and interpret my vision through to the final layout.