Thursday, February 28, 2008

Cats, Grapes & Gourds - Oil Paintings


His Royal Nibs
9 x 12
Oil on Canvas

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The cold days are getting fewer and my senses thrill at the very thought of warm days ahead. I can just imagine myself soaking up the spring sun like a cat. Cats; all sleek beauty and nonchalant elegance combined with kittenish goofiness, oozing attitude and personality galore. His Royal Nibs has it all.


Purple Translucence
8 x 10
Oil on Canvas

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Purple Translucence - all about the semi-transparent aspects of grapes and the effects of light. Available at the Johnson Gallery at 7711-85 St. 780-465-6171 http://www.johnsongallery.ca.


Light Play
9 x 12
Oil on Canvas


My painting Light Play was chosen in 2006 to be part of the juried travelling exhibition 'The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century'. The exhibition featuring the work of 56 artists from countries all over the globe will be touring America from spring of 2008 to December 2010. For touring schedule go to http://www.smithkramer.com/exhibitions.php?currentSchedule=92

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Subject Matter in Art

What makes an artist choose a subject and paint it in a particular way? Artists all have their own reasons for how they compose or make subject matter choices in a painting. Sometimes we work on a theme for a while, sometimes we paint what simply catches our eye and other times there are more complex ideas at work.


Gathered Up
5 x 7
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Gathered Up was a simple reaction to the fresh loveliness of these tiny little crab apples that grow next door to my Mother's house. They were arranged simply as they might have been when they fell from the tree.


Reflections on Black and Yellow
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There were more complex ideas behind Reflections on Black and Yellow which is about contrasts of all kinds. The gleaming reflections in the smooth, shiny black cup contrasting with the broken up reflections in the lumpy surface of the dazzling yellow lemon, all on a neutral background. Contrast in all ways, light/dark, bright/dull, colour/neutrals, and shiny/textural.