Thursday, December 10, 2015

My first post had me at my board working on this piece titled "Ontario".
I was in the process of refining the composition.
Here is the result.
The island and lake shapes, color shifts, and additional detail
in the foreground make for a much more satisfying result.
The photo quality captures more of the detail as well.
I believe the extra effort was well worth it.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Many times I revisit a piece. This is regarded as a cardinal sin 
in most quarters...now ask me if I care.
The first version was close...it was chaotic...but not chaotic enough.
The chaos was too controlled. I needed random chaos...to reinforce 
I also needed to reinforce the circular
elements and get more expressive with my brushwork.
Yet not lean to far in that direction as that would make me 
an expressionist...which I am not.  
So judge for yourself if I was right.

Sunday, November 22, 2015



On a recent trip to England I was elected designated driver.
Big mistake.
I had experience driving in Ireland.
So I thought "no problem".
However the difference between traffic in both
countries is significant. Also roundabouts are congested
in England and vacant in Ireland.
Here is the result.  My first accident in over 45 years of driving.


I had to record my emotions after this harrowing ordeal.
So I created this piece.
I was tempted to title it M4...or perhaps Roundabout Roulette...
but settled on "Green Piece" so as to not ruffle the feathers of 
my English fans...and I have some.


Saturday, November 14, 2015


My many fishing trips to northern Ontario inspired this piece.
An abstracted view of islands and lakes, as seen from a float plane.
Somewhere below a rustic cabin, Pike and walleye await.
Liberty was taken with land, sky and water, creating a more compelling composition.
Flat areas of color, contrasted with delicately rendered trees, 
conspire to add a balance between the real and the abstract.