Yesterday, I mentioned that I originally intended to input my self-portrait as only one of the crowd. I wanted to be the small face in the back, right of the composition... the spectator behind the crowd, looking at whatever they were looking at. Hmmm... I wonder if this means I have a secret desire to … Continue reading A Crowd of Me – Two: I see some change in perspective
A Crowd of Me – One
Staring at the big (30" x 30"), white canvas is often the most stressful part of my process. How do I start? Where do I start? That very first mark is so important to me that I find myself in a battle against my fears and insecurities. A multitude of voices clamour for dominance in … Continue reading A Crowd of Me – One
Tourism Under The Windowed Wall – I found myself in this one
Previous Post on this: Tourist Under The Windowed Wall – Opening another feeling I'm still paying with style and ideas from David Park's work. I've decided to walk out of my comfort zone step-by-step and close off the inspiration images while painting. It helps me see the composition differently when I let it get coloured … Continue reading Tourism Under The Windowed Wall – I found myself in this one
Montreal Walls Project – Nine – Consider Textures as Landscapes
In almost every shot I take, I look at it in black and white. This helps me see the textures of the subject, where light hits the surface, where imperfections are, and often gives me a glimpse at something more beautiful than colour can illustrate. Such is the case here, where the sunlight illuminates the … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Nine – Consider Textures as Landscapes
Montreal Walls Project – Eight – Imperfect Beauty
I know I'm biased by my obsession with the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, but this is ridiculously beautiful to me! If I could reproduce this on my ceramic, I'd be in heaven! The stains from paint, mortar, stucco, and pollution remind me of the surprising beauty found on wood fired raku ceramics. ORGANIC! Imperfect and beautiful! Call … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Eight – Imperfect Beauty
Montreal Walls Project – Seven – Giving In To Wabi-Sabi-ness
I had to walk by this spot on the wall several times to get a sense of what I was seeing. This recently closed hot-dog joint was closed and the wall next to it's take out window is being repaired. First by removing the hideous aluminum covering... this is what's underneath: decades of patchwork repairs … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Seven – Giving In To Wabi-Sabi-ness
Montreal Walls Project – Six – Not All Bricks Are Red
Somewhere around the 1970s, the building were getting surfaced with yellow bricks; not bright yellow, of course, which would have been spectacular to see, but these warm, beige bricks with a hint of yellow in them. While the grime of urban pollution could be easier to wash away from these bricks, it seems the graffiti … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Six – Not All Bricks Are Red
Montreal Walls Project – Five – The Old Materials Are Still More Beautiful
This building only recently underwent renovations to the outside of the building. It was covered in ugly and faded aluminum siding from the 1980s. It must have been a pleasant surprise to uncover such beautiful bricks underneath. You may not be able to see them, but a great many repairs have been done to this … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Five – The Old Materials Are Still More Beautiful
Montreal Walls Project – Four – Uncovering Natural Variations (Thank you, Dad!)
While the most common bricks in Montreal are of a warm red, there are also a great many made of a terra cotta mixture. When they are dry, they show only subtle variations in colour, but after the rain has touched them they explode with variations. This wall reminded me of a cherished story my … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Four – Uncovering Natural Variations (Thank you, Dad!)
Montreal Walls Project – Three – Remnants of The Old City
Montreal is over 375 years old and the original city was build with hand hewn stones often quarried near the waterfront. These building stones can still be found in the foundations of the oldest buildings. These look and feel of these stones is so indicative of the architectural history here that you can also see … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Three – Remnants of The Old City
The New Renaissance Mindset 