We are swiftly moving into 2015 but as promised, here is the best fourteen of 2014 paintings as selected by the artist Terrill Welch. This year there are several painting sketches included from the three-month European travels as well as finished paintings. The paintings and painting sketches are organized in no particular order and shared here for your viewing pleasure. A few words accompany each painting or painting sketch to provide some background into their creation and a window into the influence of everyday life in the work of the artist.

Please note that scale of original work is difficult to convey in this type of post. Close observation of the size information is recommended.

1. Afternoon canal watch in Venice Italy – 18 x 24 cm acrylic painting sketch on linen finished paint block.

The gondoliers are often in convoys swinging their way around the canals of Venice with enchanted passengers. I watch from the top of a bridge someplace deep in the fish-shaped city. I love to watch their progression, yet have little desire to take a ride. Earlier today I heard someone say “Venice is slowly decaying with a declining population and is on life-support of tourism.” May the canals continue to fill with gondoliers and smart-phone videoing guests – living their dream of Venice.

The original sketch is not for sale. Art prints can be purchased by clicking on the image or HERE.

2. Breezy Bay Morning – 36 x 36 inch oil on canvas

Squared with a Breezy Bay Morning on Saturna Island. This painting is more than a nostalgic moment. It is about a global myth and a modern-day fantasy. I leave you with its loose grasp on your critical thinking. I leave you within the warmth of our common dream.

3. Evening with Cezanne’s Mountain – 18 x 24 inch oil on canvas

This evening painting, which began with an acrylic painting sketch on the painters’ mound in Aix-en-Provence, is about the interplay between our internal world and what is accentuated by the light resulting in our creating what we believe we see is in front of us. Montagne Sainte-Victoire as we know from the work of Paul Cezanne is an exemplar subject for this conversation. There is a second painting of the same scene in the morning as well.

4. From the White Room Aix-en-Provence – 25 x 35 cm acrylic painting sketch

From the vantage point of the white room in Aix-en-Provence,France, I often stood and observed the interactions and comings and goings of locals and tourists as they passed on the streets below. It was a delicious bird-like view for painting where few looked up and noticed my prying inquires.

The original sketch is not for sale. Art prints can be purchased by clicking on the image or HERE.

5. Garry Oaks on Brown Ridge – 14 x 18 inch oil on canvas

Following the goat paths where the Garry Oaks lean into Brown Ridge on Saturna Island is a beautiful sight. We must stop before looking up from our feet and out over the inside passage towards Saltspring and Vancouver Island. These muted hues have endurance and awe brushed into their presence. Canadian landscape art is imminently present in this view.

6. Morning by Pont d’ Avignon – 24 x 36 inch oil on canvas

The Pont d’Avignon or Pont Saint-Bénézet once had 22 arches. The bridge was eventually abandon as the arches took too much upkeep due to being damaged when the Rhone river would flood. The four remaining arches are believed to have been built around 1345. The bridge was the inspiration for the song Sur le pont d’Avignon. The subject for this work began with a plein air sketch while I was standing on the riverbank on an early morning in June of 2014 in Avignon France.

The original sketch is now in a private collection . Art prints can be purchased by clicking on the image or HERE.

7. Morning with Cezanne’s Mountain – 18 x 24 inch oil on canvas

This morning painting, which began with an acrylic painting sketch on the painters’ mound in Aix-en-Provence, is about the interplay between our internal world and what is accentuated by the light resulting in our creating what we believe we see is in front of us. Montagne Sainte-Victoire as we know from the work of Paul Cezanne is an exemplar subject for this conversation. There is a second painting of the same scene in the evening as well.

8. Oyster Bay Late July – 12 x 16 inch plein air oil on canvas

This plein air of Mayne Island’s Oyster Bay 12 × 16 inch oil on canvas seascape brushes against the immediacy of the west coast Canadian landscape.

This painting is now in a private collection. Art prints can be purchased by clicking on the image or HERE.

9. Promise – 12 x 16 inch oil on canvas

The fog has been hesitant to raise her skirts much above her knees on the island ridges. We can’t really blame her. After all, we have been gawking without shame, seeking even the tiniest glimpse of blue sky and sunlight between her cottony ruffles. Today though, within the deep winter quiet, we are given brief moments of reprieve from her dowdy grey garments. It was not a dazzling display but enough to leave us momentarily content, hopeful even.

10. Red Gate – 30 x 40 inch oil on canvas

On a rare snow day, the whites reach for colour through the fog over at the field with the red gate on Mayne Island, British Columbia Canada. Please do feel free to walk into this southwest coast contemporary rural landscape painting and stay awhile.

This painting is now in a private collection. Art prints can be purchased by clicking on the image or HERE.

11. Stuart River Kicking Leaves – 24 x 36 inch oil on canvas

Snow is not far off and a day of kicking leaves means there is a good stockpile of winter wood. The larder is full and the winter vegetables put down. With the last heat of the sun on our back and cool northern breeze on our face, kicking leaves is a luxury between the tasks that are necessary to survive another winter.

12. The Olive Tree – 40 x 30 inch oil on canvas

This work is created using reference painting sketches, photographs and my memory from traveling this spring to a farm outside of Florence Italy. The painting of the olive tree seems to collapse history and time onto a contemporary the canvas.

13. Trail Along the Ridge – 30 x 24 inch oil on canvas

There is a place called Mount Parke on Mayne Island that has a trail that meanders steeply up to above the cliffs behind our house and runs along the ridge. Sometimes if there is low fog it is possible to climb up on the ridge into the sun. It is like some special magic has happened. I want to laugh and clap my hands and do a little gig along the trail.

14. What is Left in Avignon France – 8 x 10 inch acrylic painting sketch on canvas board

There comes a time when every traveler must pack up and move on. Tomorrow is the day we leave Avignon France. This still life is a collection of basic foods that are left and represent the richness of our experience in this warm beautiful city. Mostly the painting sketch is about exploring the idea that we can divide our lives up into pieces and moments but it really only makes sense as a whole.

This painting sketch is now in a private collection in France. Art prints can be purchased by clicking on the image or HERE.

Happy New Year and all the best in 2015!

If you would like to glance back at last years collection they can be found at “Best 13 Paintings of 2013 Happy New Year”

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