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!

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

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

SKY CLEARING

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

10 x 10 inch oil on canvas

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 – sold and in private collection Texas, U.S.A.

WHISPERING

The magic of hearing the sea whispering.

12 x 12  inch oil on gessobord – sold and 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 – sold and 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 – sold and 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 – sold and in private collection South Dakota, U.S.A.

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

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 – sold and 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.

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