Month: June 2012

Squared to the Sea – new painting series by Terrill Welch

/ Terrill Welch / 9 Comments

Themes often emerge when an artist is painting that then become conscious explorations. Such is the case with my latest series of paintings “Squared to the Sea” which began to appear a little over a year ago. The series is likely not finished as I still have some square canvas in the studio. I will add new ones over time as they are completed. Yet it seemed like time to introduce the work as group.

The square is a challenging composition to bring to life with intrigue and interest. I have been drawn to the challenge and the idea and with my ongoing love of the sea it seemed like a worthy exploration. The following paintings are organized in a pleasing visual order for your viewing pleasure. Please note, as is often the case before I can present a series,  some of these paintings are already part of private collections. However, there are still many that are awaiting homes and I have listed purchase locations after each painting. Enjoy!

ALONE BY THE SEA

Quiet places fill a deep well within. East Point on Saturna Island is one of Canada’s newest national parks. This scene would be most recognizable to anyone who had walked out to the end of the point during a low tide and then turned to look back towards land. Alone By The Sea is a long way from lonely on this warm sunny August afternoon with a cool breeze coming in off the water.

20 x 20 inch oil on canvas – available at Xanadu Studio Gallery HERE.

SPILLING OVER

An ideal accent for a contemporary room with its soft tones. The movement of the water in this piece gives it strength beyond its size and allows the painting to provide both peace and energy.

12 x 12 inch oil on canvas – available at Artsy Home Gallery HERE.

A SUMMER DAY

There is something special about a summer day and the sea and a paint brush.

8 x 8 inch oil on canvas – in a private collection British Columbia, Canada.

 

GRAY ON GRAY IN BLUE

The gray on a plein air painting day can be powerful with a quiet compelling beauty.

12  x 12 inch oil on canvas – in private collection Ontario Canada.

COASTAL WINTER STORM

As I stepped out in the dark on our side deck to hand grind my morning coffee beans, fine snow brushed my cheeks. It smelt of winter and reminded me of damp wool and hot chocolate. It was time to paint.

12 x 12 inch oil on canvas – available at Artsy Home HERE.

SKY CLEARING

A small painting that carries more than its square inch weight in hope and freshness.

10 x 10 inch oil on canvas – If you are interested in buying this painting and you do not want to wait that long, please feel free to contact Terrill directly.

SUMMER MORNING MIST

The morning and the brush seem to swiftly move together before both have moved on into midday.

10 x 10 inch oil on canvas – in private collection Texas, U.S.A.

WHISPERING

The magic of hearing the sea whispering.

12 x 12  inch oil on gessobord – in private collection British Columbia, Canada.

SEA AND CLOUDS

Sea and clouds need not explanation to enjoy the play of light, colour and freshness.

36 x 36 inch oil on canvas – in private collection British Columbia  Canada.

ORANGE SEA

A bold reminder of the many colours of the sea as it reflects the wishes of the sky.

12 x 12 inch oil on gessobord – in private collection British Columbia, Canada.

GREETING DAWN

As the seagull tucks its head around the morning light sings out a warm greeting.

6 x 6 inch oil on gessobord – in private collection South Dakota, U.S.A.

ORCAS IN EVENING

A richly textured impressionist west coast sunset seascape which I actually experienced complete with orcas surfacing in the Strait of Georgia.

12 x 12 inch oil on gessobord – in private collection British Columbia, Canada

PEARS BY THE SEA

This particular kind of lovely pear has been painted and photographed for what seems like forever. They are a powerful symbol of abundance, cultivation or agriculture and culture. I want to marry them – at least for awhile – with the sea because the sea is, at least for me, a symbol of eternal change and continuity. My desire is to go more deeply into our human relationship to our environment. A study of pears by the sea seems like a good place to start as any.

12 x 12 inch oil on canvas – If you are interested in buying this painting and you do not want to wait that long, please feel free to contact Terrill directly.

ROMANCING SUMMER BY THE SEA

There are those mornings in August by the sea where the sun is filtered by mist with a the promise of blue skies seeping into your awaking. Such is this day. Some paintings seem to guide the brush from the first stroke of the underpainting. The canvas, the brush and the artist move across the surface as if choreographed by a grand mistress of creativity. Did this painting come out of some illusive muse? Possibly but it was highly influenced by several known influences. The first being my experience on Saturna Island last summer in August which provided the reference image and essence of a particularly spectacular summer morning on East Point. Secondly, I was reading THE SWAN THIEVES by Elizabeth Kostova. If you have read the book you will know how deeply the sea, romance and painting are part of its gift to the reader. Finally, just before beginning this painting I was in an art gallery in Sidney B.C. Canada and admiring an artist hand-embellished reproduction of “Evening thoughts” by Italian artist Pino Daeni. I have seen an original Pino painting several times and reproductions many times. But this time I was admiring how he might accomplish that sensual mystery in his work. Then I asked myself, could I possibly capture this in a landscape, particularly one I loved and already could sense its sensual presence. Of course my figure does not have flowing dresses. She is a strong muscular modern woman with little to give her gender away until you see her smile that touches her lightly around her eyes. But this won’t happen today. Today, we admire her, head tilted down as she walks over the sandstone enjoying the summer morning mist in August by the sea.

30 x 30 inch oil on canvas – available at Xanadu Gallery Studio HERE.

THE SEA TO ME

Lusty dank seaweed brings its dark beauty to the summer sandstone shores along the inside passage on Saturna Island. My hand remembers. – defining the sea and softening the mountains into a grander relationship between sea and sky – closing in the view and leaving a sense of more to see beyond the edges of the canvas.

12 12 inch oil on canvas – in private collection British Columbia, Canada.

It is often difficult to decide at what point to show a body of work.  When I feel I am closer to completing my exploration of this subject matter I hope to put this work together in a catalog or art book. For now, I hope you have enjoyed this expanse of time as expressed through these paintings.

ONLINE GALLERIES include –

Artsy Home for most original oil paintings currently available

Local Mayne Island VENUES –

Green House Restaurant – small original oil paintings

Working in progress BLOG –

Creative Potager – first place new work is unveiled. Subscribe to stay current.

CONTACT THE ARTIST DIRECTLY

If desired, original work  can often be purchased directly from Terrill Welch. Please contact Terrill for personalized service.

Seven Tips for Buying Original Paintings

/ Terrill Welch / 2 Comments
What are you going to put on those walls? – Seven considerations when buying an original painting.

Homes and offices are places we spend a lot of our life. We want and need them to serve us well. The walls and what we put on those walls are a big part of being in that space. At some point many of us feel we are ready to add a piece or two of original art work. But where do we begin?

I often get asked for advice about what to consider when buying original paintings. This is not an easy position to be in as an artist. However, I get that you want to know that you are making a good decision. Original work can be an expensive purchase and I appreciate that you want to make sure you are making the best choice. So here are my seven considerations for when you are buying an original painting.

1. Buy what you love. Yes, a painting can be considered an investment but that should not be the primary reason it is enhancing your walls. Many times paintings do substantially increase in value but there is always a possibility that they won’t. When considering the purchase of an original painting, I want you to imagine being able to enjoy the work for the rest of your life. You just can’t take your eyes off it!

2. Think about where the painting is going to “live.” What room will it be in? What will it add to this room? What purpose is the painting going to serve? For example, I often suggest a seascape on a wall where I feel the room needs opening up or some movement. Conversely, I will suggest a dense forest painting on a wall that needs more of a feeling of warmth or privacy. However, sometimes we just fall in love with a work and will create or organize a room or space to enjoy its company – which takes us back to consideration number one.

3. Stick to your budget with creative vigor. No one needs to be art poor. However, there is usually a way to have a few carefully chosen original pieces in your possession. First, decide on your budget. Next decide if you need to save for your painting or if you are ready to purchase now. If you are saving for an original piece, can you buy a card or a small print of the artist’s work to help focus your intention? This is a great way to support an artist and a successful strategy to eventually being able to purchase an original painting. I now have collectors of my work that started in this very way. Also, if there is a specific painting you just can’t live without but it is beyond your current budget – ask about purchasing on lay-away. I have done this with many buyers on what I call a three-payment-lay-away-plan. The buyer makes 3 equal payments on pre-agreed dates and when the final payment is made they take the painting home. Finally, consider making the artist a fair offer within your budget. Pricing is of art work partially subjective and many factors are taken into consideration. I have been known to accept a reasonable offer below a ticket price simply because I knew the work was going to be appreciated. Often, I make a counter offer that adds value without reducing the price significantly such as delivering and helping to hang the painting or paying for part of the shipping costs. Or I will add in my art book or calendar that also features the work. I have even included a magazine where a painting the buyer was interested in purchasing was on the front cover. You may even want to remember to ask if your work has been featured anywhere. These are fun additions for both buyer and the artist.

4. Ask to take the painting home on trial. Sometimes it is just too hard to decide if a painting is right for your home or office space. You are almost sure but you need to “see.” Many artists and galleries will let you take a painting home on trial for a few days. You pay for the painting by cheque or by leaving credit information and it is not processed unless you go through with the sale. Further, with online purchases of my original paintings I offer a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase it will be fully refunded when, at the buyer’s expense, the painting is returned to me unharmed within 30 days.

5. Know the quality of what you are buying. By this I mean the physical quality of the products used to create the painting. For example, I use premium quality canvas or mounted boards and good quality water-miscible oil paints. Sometimes artists, out of necessity, will use economy grade or poor quality materials such as much appreciated Canadian artist Emily Carr (December 13, 1871 – March 2, 1945). If it is not obvious what was used – ask. A painting, on good quality material and using good paint, should offer more than one life time of enjoyment. However, poor quality products can be fragile and a painting will need extra care for preservation. You still may choose to buy it but it is best to know ahead of time the quality of the materials used.

6. Take your time. Be prepared to wait for “your painting.” I have often told this to patrons of my work. It has sometimes taken months and even years until “their painting” was painted. The deep smile of knowing “this is the one” is worth the wait. Of course some buyers become collectors and they have purchased a handful of paintings. For some reason it seems to get easier after the first purchase.

7. If you don’t see exactly what you want ask about commissioning a piece. I have only one word of caution. Do not ask the artist to paint something just like the one that is for sale only in colours to match your couch. I once had a buyer do this and my response was “have you considered buying a new couch to go with the painting?” Also, not all artists do commissioned work. This is always a good first question to ask before making a request. Sometimes you may be looking for a larger or smaller piece than what is being exhibited and the artist will have what you are looking for in their inventory. Ask for what you want because you just might be able to get it.

So there you have it. Now, what are you going to put on those walls?

Terrill Welch’s work can be viewed and purchased through several venues. These listings are provide for your convenience.

ONLINE GALLERIES include –

ArtWork Archive original paintings and acrylic sketches currently available.

Latest SOLO EXHIBITION –

Oceanwood Inn –  STUDY OF BLUE, opened June 30, 2011 and closed July 27, 2011, Mayne Island. As of February 2012, only 4 of the 15 paintings shown are still available for purchase.

Working in progress BLOG –

Creative Potager – first place new work is unveiled. Subscribe to stay current.

CONTACT THE ARTIST DIRECTLY

If desired, original work  can often be purchased directly from Terrill Welch. Please contact Terrill for personalized service.

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