Artist Profile
An unquenchable desire to proclaim the essence of nature’s spiritual power motivates me to paint the immense and mystical coastal landscape of Lake Superior, the focus of my work.
I create paintings that are contemporary and representational with abstractions of colour, line and shape that encourage a viewer’s eye to look within for the intrinsic wild spirit of my subject.
My artistic process unfolds by constant study and experimentation. Vivid colour engages me. Complementary colours, value and intensity contrasts, simplified line structure, form and texture – the
arrangement of these elements creates the strength of my expression and translates the excitement and emotion that inspired the original concept of each painting.
Continuous re-evaluation of the message I wish to impart, within the language of art, has led me from painting realism to a stylized abstract approach.
I was born in London, England, and at an early age our family emigrated to Northern Ontario. I now live in Sault Ste. Mare, close to Lake Superior. I keep an active studio and teach painting as an independent instructor. My art education involves Fine Arts at Humber College, Sault College and most recently at the Haliburton School of Art & Design. I have received numerous awards for my work and my latest accomplishment is being nominated by the Ontario Arts Council for the K.M. Hunter Award.
‘Findings’ – Current series of work 2018
Along the water’s edge of Lake Superior, just north of Agawa River, winds a rugged, picturesque coastal trail. It snakes around massive boulders and sheer cliffs of granite, with tree trunks, rocks and path cloaked in bright mosses and lichen. The enormous caves formed by fallen granite must be crawled under and wriggled around to navigate the trail. A hiking expedition along the coast led me to this location where I experienced a mystical encounter that determined my new series of Lake Superior inspired paintings.
A Northern Perspective – comprises painting the periphery of Lake Superior examining the geological phenomena of the region including man-made structures that have become part of local heritage. I am drawn to investigating the history and culture that this conveys. The area of study extends from Batchawana Bay, through the Lake Superior Provincial Park to Hattie Cove, Pukaskwa National Park, and following the north-western coastline of Lake Superior, ending at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
An earlier series – Aspirations of the Soul – includes the coastal landscape from Gros Cap (at St. Mary’s River) to Michipicoten Harbour, Lake Superior, exploring bays, coves, and rock formations. My influences are Lawren Harris, A.J. Casson and most recently Casper D. Friedrich, Ivan Aivazovsky and J.M.W.Turner. I am intrigued by the Romantic painters and have been studying their techniques – applying it to recent work. I am especially interested in the use of light with strong contrasts. My new work is inspired by the Agawa Coastal Trail at near Agawa Rock. Contrasts of values and of textures will be dominant design principles in this new work with clear ties to nature yet embracing an emotional response to the subject, allowing the painting to move toward abstraction. This new series will be presented in 2018.
Exhibitions
2018 Findings – Studio 1921 Gallery –June, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
2018 – In the Spirit of Tom Thomson & the Group of Seven Exhibition, Perivale Gallery, Manitoulin Island
2018 – La Cloche Juried Art Show, Whitefish, Ont.
2018 – Pathway – Haliburton School of Art & Design, Haliburton, Ont.
2018 – Ontario on Paper 2 Exhibition- Sir Sanford Fleming College, Haliburton, Ont., Romni Goodwood Arts Center, Goodwood, Ont., Studio B/Neilson Park Creative Center, Etobicoke, Ont.
2018 – 70th Algoma Art Society Exhibition – Sault Ste. Marie Museum, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Perspectives from Here – 150 Artists from the North – Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario June – September 2017
Progressions VI – Contemporary Landscape Exhibition 2016 – The McMichael Canadian Collection/Haliburton School of Art and Design Ontario Provincial Touring Exhibition
Progressions V – Contemporary Landscape Exhibition 2015 – The McMichael Canadian Collection/ Haliburton School of Art & Design Ontario Provincial Touring Exhibition
A Northern Perspective – 2016 Solo Exhibition
Muskoka Place Gallery – Port Carling, Ontario August-October
Temiskaming Art Gallery – Hailebury, Ontario March 02 – April 22, 2016
Studio 1921 – Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario May-June 2016
Elements – 2015 Sir Sandford Fleming Collage – Haliburton School of the Arts, Haliburton, Ont
Exploring Fields – 2015 Sir Sandford Fleming College – Haliburton School of the Arts, Haliburton
The North Now – 2014 Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition October 24, 2014 – January 04, 2015 Thunder Bay Art Gallery – People’s Choice Award
All Out 2014 – An exhibition of works in oils, acrylics, and mixed media by the artists participating in the 2014 Advanced Individual Studies Program of the Haliburton School of the Arts, Sir Sandford Fleming College
Amalgam 2014 – An exhibition of works on paper in a variety of media by the artists participating in the 2014 Haliburton School of the Arts Advanced Individual Studies Program.
Progressions II Ontario Provincial Touring Exhibition 2014
Progressions II – Ontario Provincial Touring Exhibition 2013
Aspirations of the Soul – 2012 Solo Exhibition Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario May-August 2012
Progression 2011 The McMichael Canadian Art Collection / Sir Sandford Fleming Ontario Provincial Touring Exhibition
Progression 2010 The McMichael Canadian Art Collection / Sir Sandford Fleming Provincial Touring Exhibition
Willisville Mountain Project 2009/10 – Touring Exhibit – The Willisville Mountain Project, a Northern Ontario multidisciplinary art project that showcased artwork by 45 artists from Ontario, Quebec and the U.S.
Awards
LaCloche Art Show – 2018 Whitefish, Ont. Honorable Mention
2017 K.M. Hunter Artist Award Finalist – Ontario Arts Foundation, Ontario Arts Council
The North Now – Northern Ontario Juried Exhibition – Thunder Bay Art Gallery – Peoples’ Choice Award
Winter Festival of the Arts The Art Gallery of Algoma – Award 3rd Prize 2014
Olive Graig Gallery – Alberta House Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Annual Juried Show – Award 2nd Place 2013
Festival of the Arts, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – Award Judges’ Choice 2003, Best Use of Color 2004, Honorable Mention 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Lacloche Art Show, Manitoulin Island – Award Best Oil 2006
Olive Graig Gallery, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan -Honorable Mention 2005
Grants
Arts Education Project – 2016/17 Ontario Arts Council
Exhibition Assistance – 2015 Ontario Arts Council
Professional Development – Northern Arts Grant 2015 Ontario Arts Council
Artists in Education Grant 2012/13 – Ontario Arts Council
New Work – Northern Arts Grant 2013 – Ontario Arts Council
Emerging Artist Grant 2008 – Ontario Arts Council
Artists In Education Grant 2008/09– Ontario Arts Council