'Tis Autumn

…but without the annual exhibition

After 30 years of presenting my annual one-night exhibition in November, I am taking a hiatus this year. Though I am keeping a steady painting schedule, the frenetic job of organizing and hosting the exhibition is absent, leaving some breathing room for other opportunities and experiences.

I am already missing many aspects of the show - the crescendo of excitement leading to the exhibition and the necessary focus required for creating both the paintings and executing the event. I’ve missed going to press check for the invitations at the printer’s and opening the box when they are finished a few days later (congratulations to Pioneer Press Ltd. on their 130th anniversary!) I’ll miss seeing my year’s work framed and installed in the lovely architecture of the Hotel Macdonald, and of course I’ll miss the moment when the show is finished and we celebrate with our volunteers and I can finally take my shoes off. Most of all, I miss prospect of seeing my collectors and friends, meeting new ones, and sharing my work with you.

The exhibition will resume in November 2025… Same time, same place, I hope to see you there!

That all said… I haven’t exactly been lazing around eating grapes from the garden and watching leaves dance to the ground while humming strains of ‘Tis Autumn. It’s been a busy and productive year, which on the travel side of life included several ski/ice climbing trips, two road trips to visit family and two extended backpack/canoe trips, all of which will inspire new work in the coming years.

"Brugge Nacht"  |  Watercolour  | 21 x 14"

This year my work has been accepted into five international juried exhibitions and competitions. “Brugge Nacht” was accepted into the 99th Annual Open Water Exhibition of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolor, opening at the Helson Gallery in Georgetown, Ontario, November 13 - January 12.

This piece will be available after January 12, 2025 - please contact us with your expression of interest.

“Windswept” was accepted into the 5th Annual Women in Watercolour International Competition and received Third Prize for Landscape and Judge’s Favourite. “Autumn Retreat” was shortlisted for the Art Renewal Centre’s 17th Annual Salon (finalists announced in January) and “Europe on Time” was accepted into the Almenara Art Prize online exhibition, Sept 7 - November 30, 2024. “Europe on Time" also received the 2nd Place Award for 2-dimensional work in the Federation of Canadian Artists "Artist's Choice" international exhibition.

“Autumn Retreat'“ Watercolour 26 x 39”

“Europe on Time” Watercolour 26 x 40”

In the spring, I painted a new body of work for my introductory exhibition at White Rock Gallery entitled “Travelling Light” and am preparing for a group show there opening this December 7. I completed a large commission (“Autumn Retreat”) for Canada House Gallery and will have new work at their annual group exhibition in Banff this November 23. Then, I’ll dive head first into two major solo exhibitions in 2025, one at Canada House Gallery in April, and my 31st Annual Exhibition in November
at Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.

Thank you for reading!
I hope you have a lovely fall, with time to savour the colours and fragrances, Thanksgiving and Halloween and gifts from the garden if you are fortunate enough to have one, because
‘Tis Autumn.🎶

“Windswept” Watercolour 19 x 29” (Sold, Private Collection)

A Visual Ode to Jasper

In response to the devastating fires in Jasper National Park, I have compiled a portfolio of paintings inspired by my experiences in the park. Over the years I have been fortunate to have skied Marmot, mountain biked many trails, learned to rock climb in Hidden Valley, ice climbed Maligne Canyon and many other routes, backpacked the Tonquin valley, Skyline Trail and Maligne Pass trails, and canoed Maligne Lake. As many Canadians have, we’ve supported and enjoyed many of the restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, lodges and private lodgings. I am grateful for each experience and the resulting memories and paintings.
I know I speak for many when saying Jasper is our happy place.

I send my heartfelt condolences to the people of Jasper who lost homes and businesses. It seems there are no words that are constructive, and I’m sure many people feel helpless. It may be small comfort now, but the landscape will endure, the town will be rebuilt, and eventually the families and wildlife will return.

For today though, I hope you can take solace in these few images.

Canada House Gallery has set up a Fundraising Initiative to support relief efforts for the town, and I am pleased to donate “The Jasper Towers” to the initiative. 100% of the proceeds of the sale will be donated directly to the fund through the gallery.

27th Annual Exhibition Update

The show will go on - just differently.

After 26 years of holding the exhibition at Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to change the format of our one-night show for this year
to protect the health of our guests, volunteers and staff
during the Covid-19 pandemic.
An online opening will be followed by an in-person exhibition
at Annesley Studio over 11 days by appointment.

“Age of Steam” Watercolour | 25.5 x 40” (39.5 x 54” Framed)

The paintings will be unveiled and available for purchase
on our website commencing at
5:00 p.m. November 5th.
The paintings can then be viewed in-person by private, timed appointments at
Annesley Studio | November 6 - 15, 2020

Curbside pick-up, private studio visits or shipping
will be arranged for collectors.
Our first come - first serve / no pre-sales policy is still in place.

Though we won't have the pleasure of being together at the lovely Fairmont Hotel Macdonald for the first time in 27 years, we are looking forward to accommodating our valued patrons by presenting the new paintings in a physically distanced and safe manner while keeping as much consistency in the show as possible.
As always, the invitations will be mailed in early October. The next online preview will be on October 5th.

The 2020 exhibition model is a work in progress,
and details will be announced here
and on social media platforms as they are confirmed.
As with everything 2020, this is all new for everyone and hopefully some creative ideas and new opportunities will be the result.

The Show Will Go On

Ok I know it’s a variation on a cliché, but there is truth in the statement. In this time of incredible turmoil and uncertainty, I can share a bit of certainty.

The 27th annual exhibition will be held on November 5th, 2020 as always. We plan to hold our one-night exhibition at Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, but we realize the pandemic will require flexibility.

It seems particularly important in this moment to uphold those things we are able to, to recognize the things that give us comfort and a sense of normal, and to make plans for something to work towards and look forward to.

This isn’t to say that everything will be the same. With social distancing measures there may be changes to logistics such as the line up, food and wine service, the purchase desk and limits to the number of attendees in the exhibition rooms at one time, we are not quite sure yet. However, we will be sure to take all precautions to ensure the safety of our guests and volunteers.

If we are not allowed to gather together once again, the exhibition may have to happen in smaller shifts or move online only. I’m getting ahead of myself and speculating at this point, but one way or another, the show will go on.

As those who follow my work know, my November exhibitions have a central theme based on our recent travels to a specific city or country, with a smaller series of landscapes from back-country trips in Canada. Since we are not able to travel this year, I’m taking the opportunity to look closer to home for the beauty I normally seek while travelling. We are all likely getting to know our own homes, communities, cities and province much better these days, which I think is a gift - opening ourselves to all that our own back yards have to offer. However I am also dreaming of and remembering the places we’ve been fortunate enough to see and am enjoying reliving these experiences through new paintings.

The exhibition will include several series: architectural paintings comparing scenes from home and abroad, landscapes based on our own “back yard”, and a series of still lifes exploring vintage music and fabric, two of my favourite isolation therapies.

Another sure thing is that artists of all disciplines are in a highly creative moment, producing new works and new ways of presenting their achievements to the world. As part of the audience I take solace in and am grateful for this outpouring. As an artist I am fortunate to count myself among this group and look forward to sharing my new work with you in November. Meanwhile, take care of each other, stay well and safe.

Art for Music

I have decided to expand my sale/fundraiser idea (and give it a name - “Art for Music”) to include the giclée reproduction “Precipice.” 5 signed and numbered giclée reproductions are now on sale for 20% off, and I will donate $100.00 per print to the CKUA Radio Spring Fundraiser. Available in the Paper Shop

“Precipice” Giclee Reproduction | 23.75 x 12.5” | archival Ink on archival paper

Let me back up a bit. When CKUA’s Grant Stovel interviewed me a couple of weeks back (Thanks Grant!) about my gesture of support (a price reduction on card packages and a 25% donation of proceeds to the station,) it was a fledgling idea and I wasn’t sure how to articulate the “why,” other than it just felt right. I just wanted to do what I could to support musicians, their industry and the station that supports them. Now that the fundraiser has started and the C-crisis (which shall remain unnamed) is continuing its devastating path, it seems right to expand the initiative.

Refer to my last blog post “There is Always Beauty” for more background.

The “Precipice” giclée is a reproduction of a watercolour painting I did in 2018, depicting the view from the Alpine Club of Canada’s famed “Abbott Pass Hut” in Yoho National Park, defiantly sitting atop the Great Divide. The view from almost 10,000 ft. is astounding and I have made several paintings from our hike there. The hut is closed now, not because of the C-crisis but because some of the ridge had fallen away and destabilized the building and it’s being remediated for the upcoming season. So for those who have made or dreamed of making the scramble to take in the breathtaking views, or are feeling frustrated at not being able to visit the mountains, may this image bring the mountains to you. If you decide to purchase one, enjoy the music that your purchase will support.

Fine art card packages continue to be 25% off with 25% of proceeds donated to the fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who has already purchased cards! I hope you are enjoying them and if you have sent them to loved ones, that they appreciate the physical connection you have made.

“Art for Music” will continue throughout the CKUA Spring Fundraiser to the end of April 2020. My hope is to raise $550.00 to support one hour of programming. Visit the Paper Shop

There is Always Beauty

This is a trying time for humanity, full of tragedy and fear, pain and uncertainty, but you don’t need a anthology of the awful from me. There is great generosity happening around the world, as well as ingenuity, creativity and yes, beauty. Artists are still creating works of art to sooth themselves and their followers. Those spending time in self-isolation may pick up a brush or guitar or pen to pass the time, and for some it may even turn into a new direction but at the very least it is creative, comforting and beautiful. There are also many who offer their time, their talents, even their own toilet paper, and that is also beautiful.

For actual and eloquent writing on beauty I suggest poet Shawna Lemay’s blog Transactions with Beauty It is saturated with beautiful writing, images, observations and wisdom.

Sale in the Papershop

Yesterday I was trying to think of what I could possibly do to join in supporting the beautiful efforts. As someone who mostly works in daily isolation, listens to the radio most of my working hours, and an avid traveller, I cooked up a small & simple idea. To help with the disappointment at cancelled travel plans and isolation, I decided to offer my fine art card packages at 25% off (featuring locations from at home and abroad, perhaps sparking memories or future plans.) Sending physical cards are one safe way we can connect with each other to help deal with isolation. I also decided to donate another 25% of proceeds to the upcoming CKUA radio fundraiser. The arts in general are suffering badly right now, especially the performing arts. CKUA supports the local independent music industry and they in turn support our well-being and will help get us through this challenge. Visit the Paper Shop to support this gesture.

Light Moves

Solo Exhibition | April 18, 2020 | Canada House Gallery

“A Fine Prospect” Watercolour | 54 x 42” framed | Private Collection

For the past 6 months I have been working on my upcoming exhibition at Canada House Gallery April 18 in Banff. Due to the pandemic, there may not be a physical opening per se, but we plan to deliver the paintings next week so they will be available at the gallery. The physical gallery is now closed, but will maintain their virtual presence through their website,  Instagram and Facebook and will continue to have a staff presence in the gallery, available by appointment only. You may reach them 403-762-3757 to make arrangements.  All paintings will be online later this week and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you.

“Crowfoot” Charcoal on Board | 54 x 41” framed ) Private Collection