It seems that each year starts out slow, and crescendos to the craziness that is December - the flurry around Christmas, the attempts at finishing projects and fulfilling obligations in order to start the new year fresh. So now that we’ve circled around to a new year, there was a short moment of “slow” with a clear slate ahead and the clear head that goes with it. That lasted about a day. This year has started in a bit of a sprint.
AWS 155th Annual Exhibition
“Arisen” Watercolour, 30 x 42””
“Westminster Abbey, Watercolour, 14 x 21”
I am very pleased to share that "Arisen" (Watercolour, 30 x 42") has been accepted into the 155th Annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolour Society, April 11-30, 2022 at the Salmagundi Club in New York.
This is the second AWS exhibition I have been accepted into, the last being in 2015 with "Westminster Abbey" (watercolour 14 x 21")
We were fortunate to attend the reception dinner at the Salmagundi Club in New York in 2015, and if the stars align and the world isn’t navigating another covid wave and borders are open, we hope to attend this year.
If so, it will be the first airplane trip we will have done since 2017, an exciting and curious prospect.
“Tree lines”
Solo Exhibition | April 23, 2022 | Canada House Gallery, Banff
I am preparing for another solo exhibition at Canada House Gallery. My last solo at the gallery was “Light Moves” in April 2020, when I delivered the entire exhibition to an essentially quarantined town due to the first serious covid restrictions. The exhibition went ahead online without an opening, which was necessary though a little disappointing. The gallerists worked hard to accommodate collectors and did a fantastic job, and for sure it would not have been easy. I am optimistic that this year will be normal-ish and people will be able to see the work in person. I hope to see you there.
“Treelines” | Watercolour | 55.5 x 40” framed
“Tree Lines” examines in detail the graphic lines that trees create, as well as the broader influence of the natural treeline on experience and landscape. Trees, by their very form and the shadows they cast, create graphic lines that function as compositional elements in painting. A single tree is sculptural, structured, abstract, - a vertical sentinel mirroring its image in linear shadows across fresh snow, water, land. Lines of evergreens march up the flanks of mountains, thinning out until just a few brave ones cling to a precipice. The serrated black silhouette of the treeline against snow or emerging from low lying clouds provides contrast and is useful for portraying dimension. Wood grain resembles closely stacked lines and is an opportunity to explore texture and pattern (hinting at the still life paintings here in case that was vague.)
It dawned on me this year while backpacking in the high alpine, that each back country experience is defined by the treeline, the upper edge of habitat at which trees grow. The treeline dictates so many aspects of a trip from what to pack to way-finding, travel times and setting up camps. Below treeline, the forest provides shelter from weather and sun, provides limbs to hang lines, string tarps, cache food. Living can be easier in the treeline. Of course there are also drawbacks, but I am not one to disparage trees.
Above treeline, the landscape is another world, with vast open views and clear sight lines to where one might venture, even a different quality of light and shadow, and an earthier colour palette. When climbing out of a forest there is a feeling of freedom, and if the weather holds, clarity. One is certainly exposed to the elements which requires different gear and skills, especially in winter, but the reward is the feeling of being on top of the world, light and unconfined.
Okay, off I go back to the easel (drafting table actually.) For snippets of paintings I’m working on for the exhibition, follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
Visit the exhibition page here, or visit Canada house Gallery.
Thank you for reading my ramblings on tree lines.
Above treeline (Jasper National Park)
A whole bunch of tree lines. (Kootenay National Park)
