Just finished co-curating OneLine, a solo show for my enormously talented friend Satoko Naito (Rico) at the Jasper Art Gallery. Using accordion-style blank books, Rico deftly captures everyday scenes in pen and ink using one contiguous line. The books are then meticulously packaged in handpainted boxes. We suspended some of these from the ceiling structure at the Jasper Art Gallery and lined the perimeter walls with framed prints. Slick vinyl graphics and extended labels complete the installation. A young, enthusiastic crowd of 140 many of whom were captured in the displayed artwork thronged the gallery on opening night. The show continues until May 11.

Renowned land-based artist to speak at opening night of the Alberta Public Art Network Summit

Looking forward to the arrival of Peter von Tiesenhausen when he comes to town for the opening night of the Alberta Public Art Network conference on April 18th. Peter is a controversial, multi-media artist whose practice has grown from landscape painting to installation, sculpture, performance and beyond. His work often deals with the ideas of time, life, voyage, death, spirit, nature and humanity. There is a strong pursuit of sustainability often evident in the work and an attempt to understand time and substance from a variety of perspectives.
 

Residual snow bring new colours, textures to the palette

It is rare to expose a work in progress, however, since the intent of this blog is largely to journalize my day to day discoveries as a visual artist, I am bravely sharing today's exploratory study. Like my inspiring friend, the artist Jason Bartziokas, I frequently turn my back on the imposing rock and ice viewscapes Jasper is known for and find rich satisfaction in painting intimate forest settings similar to this. Right now, the gradual transition from winter to spring is bringing new values to my palette.  Snow shadows are softening and my paintings in general are losing their seasonal edge. I have opted for a crudely gessoed, masonite surface and applied base painting layers using bristle brushes and a fairly aggressive scumbling technique. In coming days I will gradually refine and isolate these underlying, darker layers before selectively applying gradient hues of white and eventually some skeletal branches. My intent is to keep the overall approach as textural as possible to capture a moment in time when the granular, retreating snows of winter yield to the coming of spring.

Alberta Public Art Network (APAN) Summit 2017 comes to Jasper!

Looking forward to attending the Alberta Public Art Network (APAN) 2017 Summit, April 18-20 right here in my hometown of Jasper. APAN supports and mentors Alberta public artists and administrators. It also creates awareness of Alberta public art projects and opportunities. This conference will feature elements of theatre, music, local cuisine, guest speakers, panels and pop-ups.

Upcoming Group Exhibit

The Jasper Artists Guild perseveres in its production efforts to elevate the profile of its members by providing frequent exhibition opportunities like 'Meeting of the Waters' opening March 10 at the Jasper Art Gallery. I have set aside my oils temporarily and am working towards submitting three new mixed-media acrylics to the show.

Signal Mountain, Jasper

What Signal Mountain lacks in height it makes up for in width;  I captured this gentle Jasper icon on a late October afternoon. Impending snow foretells the inevitable transition from the bold hues of autumn to winter's monochrome.