99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green... Part III

The last painting of 2010... The New Year promises to bring more personal explorations in circles and glazing... Seasons Greetings!

99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green... Part II

99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green... part 1

(3x) 99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green...

My latest painting, a triptych involving glazes... looking forward to exploring this more in 2011!

Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park September 2010

This is a photo taken by a friend of mine... Aaron Domes... he caught an interesting and beautiful double exposure while capturing the setting sun... this was during an Artist retreat at the park... the 2nd annual... very fun, educational, spiritual and all throughout a visually stunning landscape. I was there directing a clay sculpture workshop in which the participants reflected on and engaged with the environment they had experienced over the 3 day retreat. The work is likely to be featured at the Bowman Arts Centre showcases in 2011... clay as well as paintings, sketches and even glass blowing from what was talked about thus far... looking forward to that!

The Mooly Keystone Talky

The Mooly Keystone Talky emerged through an evolutional anomaly involving a passionate love affair between Sir Edmond the Moose, Jenavieve the three-toed monkey and the pink-tickle watching hourglass goat of Delaware. One might think this was an odd love affair, but all things considered it makes perfect sense. There are three 'key' points: #1 - The pink toe nails, centre-ear and pink goatee and underbelly clearly compliment Sir Edmond's choice of tie that he wore at all cocktail parties in the Wilberly Forest. #2 - The grand smile only came after the union of the beast which completed its ability to converse in the realm of abstract thought and, of course, grunting. #3 - Jenavieve's swinging capacity was slightly diminished but through this magic union the Mooly Keystone Talky was now a much better dancer; especially in Disco, Jive and the not so oddly, Swing.
The Mooly Keystone Talky enjoys long walks on the beach, romantic candlelit dinners and Wrigley's gum. Topics of conversation may include 'The first time one ate pork spareribs', 'The New York Knicks', and 'Interplanetary travel.' If you plan on talking to the Mooly Keystone Talky, you better bring lots to drink. (Fine Wine is not recommended) Instead, a banana puree is preferred; with a twist of lemon. The Mooly Keystone Talky has also been known, in certain circles, to be a bit of a jester. Not afraid of the stage or crowds, this beast has evolved as a bit of an actor. If you are a film buff, pay close attention to the Grand Canyon scene in Thelma & Louise... you will see the wince of Mooly in the back seat of the caddy. On a more front and center note, Drew the Mooly had a voice role in the animated version of Honey I Shrunk the Kids. (Drew played the grasshopper) Where to go next: "To The Moon, Alice... To The Moon!!!"

The Cyclofused Dandysloth

The first known creature of its kind, the Cyclofused Dandysloth is the most intriguing of the cross-barrier watersporting subversive lazy creatures of the southern Hemisphere. It is associated with the sloth variety for its cyclical attachments along its twisted extremity; namely the orange-green-purple striped sluggish form. The Cyclofused Dandysloth's feet are composed of rotating glowing orbs that allow for a more energy-efficient lifestyle. These orbs contain solar panels that then power the rotating cycles for a constant crawling movement along both earth and water surfaces.
Classified within the wooly grub family of known species, the Cyclofused Dandysloth is a three-eyed creature, yet the two outside eyes are nocturnal and remain closed until twilight... oooohh, SPOOKY! The Cyclofused Dandysloth now feeds on human detrifuse such as cotton candy, used cotton swabs and Alpha Ghetti. It has two wind up ears that are heat sensitive and may implode if they come into contact with fire. Its furry torso is composed of waterproof buffalo-like fiber that keeps it warm in all of the elements.
There is one weakness of the Cyclofused Dandysloth; if gum lands on its torso and pierces the 1000 year aged secret black marking, the beast may fly into such a rage that its head can swell up three times its normal size... leaking its pink ear juice EVERYWHERE!! This can serve as a fatal blow, otherwise the Cyclofused Dandysloth is virtually invincible and can live several millenium on its solar-powered efficiency. *Note: If you encounter the Cyclofused Dandysloth (which is pictured here life-size) be warned; envoke slow movements but no whispering... instead chatter loudly in gibberish or Pig Latin, it will confuse the beast so much so that it may freeze-up allowing you for a quick escape before it discharges its pink juice all over your shoes!

The Cock-Eyed Winged Walhorlaffe

The cock-eyed Winged Walhorlaffe is a migrating beast of the Northern Boreal region of Alberta. Originally discovered in 1775 by Walter Dewsworth near the city of Lloydminster along the banks of the Loyga creek, the Winged Walhorlaffe emerged to much surprise and excitement by the local townsfolk. This creature takes flight only during 'magic hour' as the sun sets and for this reason has been a prize subject to the photographic enthusiast. Its complimentary feather coat gleams with pride in the golden light of the sun during flight.
Some key attributes of the cock-eyed Winged Walhorlaffe are its long legs and walrus-like tusks. This beast is known for its culinary skills; always sporting a chef's hat with its proudly coded slogan: I love Alberta ART. Also, this is the only known animal of the wild to embody, via natural selection, a multi-buckle system with electric plug-ins. It has a high conductivity and for this reason is capable of powering up to six electric eggbeaters or lawn mowers simultaneously.
There are seven lucky coins that accompany the cock-eyed Winged Walhorlaffe: #1 - The ducky lucky coin. #2- The swimmers expense. #3 - The old frog's grief of Wednesday. #4 - Waiting on forever to end. #5 - If you fall into the abyss this will rescue your Miss. #6 - My tie is loose send in the moose. #7 - I am not weak, I will tear you inside out on the High Lord of Altabar's command. In 2010 the Cock-Eyed Winged Walhorlaffe was given the distinction as the official "super-beast" mascot of Alberta during Arts Days.

In a Circular World...

I decided to use the circle as a starting point... the painting came together quite naturally. It is a 3x4 ft. painting. I freehanded the circles so they are not 'perfect'; instead they reflect my visual balance. I plan to do more in this motif for an upcoming 'Burning Ground' studio group exhibition at the Trianon Gallery in Lethbridge, AB. It is a wonderful space. I look forward to the opening on Nov. 20th, 2010.

Impulse

My most recent painting... quite large (4x6ft diptych) that came together quite spontaneously... in fact on an "impulse". The canvases were purchased on impulse, the concept of a loose EKG monitor (of course abstract and organic lines - my style/aesthetic) was a quick thought and the colours are never entirely arbitrary but do happen through quite an intuitive and unplanned process... so it is called "Impulse."

Bold & Beautiful... St Patrick's Fine Arts Division 1 students

My most recent school visit with the TREX program was to St. Patrick's Fine Arts Elementary in Lethbridge. The Grades 1s,2s & 3s took to working with construction paper to emulate the style and technique of the "Direction(s)" exhibit that was on display in their hallways. After a brief presentation on colour theory, my artistic influences and a Q & A with the kids, they were very enthusiastic to get started on their own abstractions! The results speak for themselves...

In the midst of creating... St Pat's Grades 1, 2 & 3

St. Patrick's Fine Arts Elementary Grades 1, 2 & 3

Grades 1, 2 & 3 students created some non-objective works of Art using coloured construction paper. The black background is meant to simulate a loose 'drip' grid-work, stained glass or mosaic look.

St. Patrick's Fine Arts Elementary May 2010

Derek Lidstone, St. Pat's teacher, decided to take his turn at the 'drip-drive' creative process. There was no shortage of interesting and dynamic student works created at St. Pat's.

Every student had their own signature style and approach to the 'drip-drive' process. Their usage of colour was especially individual; unique.

Two student works hang beside 'Flitter', a Gustav Klimt inspired painting in the "Direction(s)" exhibit.

Two St. Pat's student works hang above two of the "Direction(s)" exhibit paintings.

Students at St. Patrick's elementary captured in a state of inspiration and creativity...

Dripping in every "DIRECTION"...

I recently had the opportunity to work with grades 4,5 and 6 students at St. Patrick's Fine Arts elementary school in Lethbridge. After a short slide presentation, a viewing of the "Direction(s)" exhibit and a brief lesson on colour theory, the students took to making their own 'drip-drive' creations. The results were nothing less than exceptional!

"The Language of Enthusiasm"

I was reading a book entitled "The Alchemist" and came across this phrase... 'the language of enthusiasm,' and at that moment I knew I had found the title to my latest painting...
This will be a part of "Making it Big in Lethbridge" a new group exhibition (April 10th, 2010 - onward) at the Bowman Art Centre galleries, Lethbridge, AB.

My Brains at Work....

Ok, so this is my latest creation... was thinking roots or dendrites or something of the sort... oh yah... and colour, colour, shape and line too of course!

This one is a 3x4 foot once the four canvases are connected together...

"Matrix Mayhem"

This is a collaborative piece I worked on with a poet named Jeff Godin a few nights ago... we spent a few minutes discussing our pseudo-scientific approach to its structure and the process we would use as a creative springboard... then went mad with enthusiasm for a few hours! It will hopefully be a part of the Poet/Artist group exhibition at the Yates in Lethbridge in March of 2010.

BROOKS, AB High School Art Student Works...

These are four of the many abstract works created during my visit to their school earlier this week. I found it very stimulating to be around such creative and enthusiastic individuals. I hope to have more opportunites to work with students where the work travels. The drip & swatches of colour idea seems to be very accessible to all ages, and provokes unique compositions and colour combinations.

A Visit to Brooks Composite High School

Earlier this week I had an opportunity to spend a couple of days with high school students in Brooks, AB with the TREX program. I did a brief presentation with three senior high classes, had a question and answer session alongside the exhibit, and then the students took to canvas with their own abstractions using acrylic paint. Using drips as a starting point, the students made highly creative colourful works of Art. In some instances, the students were quite inventive, doing things that I hadn't thought of with this process. It was a stimulating and exciting couple of days!