Out and About Summer 2022

Finally my long hex painting gets to be seen in person at the Sooke Fine Arts Show

until August 1st. I finished this painting last year and it was then accepted for the Federation of Canadian Artists 'Limitless' online show. The details were somewhat lost in that format.

Last winter I decided that the figure's expression was too grim. I wanted a more hopeful expression. Eventually I was satisfied with it and ready to submit it to Sooke.

As it is 42" x 70" it fairly filled my small studio. It is great to be able to stand back and see it from different angles on a big wall. I had to hang it on the outside of my studio to be able to get some distance.

I like this angle when you are looking into the box more.

You might ask what is it all about. Titled 'The Next Chapter', I was thinking about life's changes and challenges that can wake us up, bringing the realisation that we can move on from what once was and embrace the next chapter of our lives. Opportunities arise to help us escape from the box our situation has put us in. Often this takes courage and a leap of faith but once open to new ideas, the possibilities are endless.

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At the Federation Gallery From August 1st to 14th I will have two pieces

in the 'Vancouver Salon' show.

'Tricolour Stonecrop' 16" x 20" oil on canvas

Oh I love the cheerful stonecrop, I have painted it many times and every time I encounter it on a walk I can't help but take more pictures. It is so resilient, growing on rocky headlands seemingly capable of surviving on air. I just loved this grouping, there they were, so close together but obviously dealing with slightly different challenges or getting different nutrients. Then again perhaps they were just displaying their different personalities, one feeling pretty peachy while another was a little green with envy and the fiery temper of another under control and blossoming into purity....

'Peony Light' 20" x 16" oil on canvas

What's not to love about peonies? And with the light shining through their petals they are a perfect spring delight.

The Paris Salon initially began as the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and throughout the 18th and 19th centuries was considered one of the largest and most important art events in the western world. These days, the salon style exhibition typically refers to the way in which the artworks are hung, in large groupings of work that extend from the ceiling to the floor. This means that the 2022 Vancouver Salon is chock full of gorgeous artworks, displaying a broad range in styles and mediums. With over 100 works, the gallery is brimming with unique art for every enthusiast.

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From September 26th until October 15th I will have a piece in the Federation Gallery's show, 'Annual International Representational Exhibition' which is bit of a mouthful so is commonly referred to as AIRE.

'Geranium Blue' 24" x 36" oil on canvas

This Cranesbill Geranium is a low growing and unassuming perrenial, that captured my attention with its bright red stalks arching out from a common centre. Like fireworks, the star shaped green leaves explode from many of the stalks spreading out to a final explosion of delicate purple blue flowers.

I had this A.A. Milne poem in my head when I named this painting. It's a lovely bit of nonsense, from 'When We Were Very Young'(1924).

'The Dormouse and the Doctor'

There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bed

Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)

And all the day long he'd a wonderful view

Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)

A Doctor came hurrying round, and he said:

"Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed.

Just say 'Ninety-nine', while I look at your chest…

Don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?"

The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied (When he'd said "Ninety-nine") that he'd tried and he'd tried, And much the most answering things that he knew Were geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head, And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said: "What the patient requires is a change," and he went To see some chrysanthemum people in Kent.

The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue), And he knew there was nothing he wanted instead Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant, He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent. "Now these," he remarked, "give a much better view Than geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

They took out their spades and they dug up the bed Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red), And they planted chrysanthemums (yellow and white). "And now," said the Doctor, "we'll soon have you right."

The Dormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh: "I suppose all these people know better than I. It was silly, perhaps, but I did like the view Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

The Doctor came round and examined his chest, And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics, and Rest. "How very effective," he said, as he shook The thermometer, "all these chrysanthemums look!"

The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sight Of the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white). "How lovely," he thought, "to be back in a bed Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)."

The Doctor said, "Tut! It's another attack!" And ordered him Milk and Massage-of-the-back, And Freedom-from-worry and Drives-in-a-car, And murmured, "How sweet your chrysanthemums are!"

The Dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes, And imagined himself such a pleasant surprise: "I'll pretend the chrysanthemums turn to a bed Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)!"

The Doctor next morning was rubbing his hands, And saying, "There's nobody quite understands These cases as I do! The cure has begun! How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun!"

The Dormouse lay happy, his eyes were so tight He could see no chrysanthemums, yellow or white. And all that he felt at the back of his head Were delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

And that is the reason (Aunt Emily said) If a Dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed, You will find (so Aunt Emily says) that he lies Fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes.

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