Teakerne Arm - August, 2009
Acrylic on canvas, 48" x 36"
Located at: Private Collection (SOLD)

There were several things I wanted to capture in this painting. The customer wrote that her fiancé is a mariner. This is the spot where he proposed and it is her wedding present to him.

She mentioned the waterfall, the craggy rocks, the distant hills, the boat, the old-growth forests, and noted "there must have been close to 100 white birds flying above us that day." She sent me a picture of the view looking towards the ocean. I loved the look of the water in that particular view: it seemed to glow far off in the distance. In art language we call it a "transition" - a shading technique from dark to light.

Usually I obsess about doing skies but for this painting, I focused on the water because her fiancé loves it. Water is fascinating because of how it moves and the way it reflects everything around, above, and below. There's a pattern to the waves but the effect in the painting is a little more random and stylized, to look like streamers or something celebratory, which is reflected in the airstreams above. Moreover, even the waterfall is bubbly and champagne-pour effervescent.

The gulls flying above are like rice or confetti, like what the guests at a wedding would throw in blessing at a departing newlywed couple. It's funny: seagulls are chaotic fliers; they don't go in flocks or patterns. From what I've seen of their behaviour, they charge up in clusters when there's a storm coming or some kind of disturbance below. Maybe it was the couple and their boat, maybe it was a big school of fish or a whale, but it's an interesting point to capture on that day.

The boat is positioned to point at the proposal spot. The rock is painted with lots of texture because one should experience a painting with touch as well as sight; it just has to be a tactile, sensual thing. I'm sure no one can tell, but the underpainting of the rock is orange and red and pink for underlying warmth. There's a lot of hidden light in that rock.

This is also a diagonal composition, which is typically more restless than classic triangular compositions. The first area of focus is the boat, then the waterfall, and then the eye follows the path of light off the far right-hand side of the painting. Normally this would be a landscape no-no because you are supposed to lock the viewer into the picture by putting a framing tree or a darkened element on the far right side. You don't want the viewer to wander off the edge of the canvas and never come back.

But I left the view towards the ocean open because I kept thinking of that "view facing the ocean" photo she sent. They must have marvelled at the view that day, and I remembered this quote:

"Life has taught us that love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The best part? She had already planned on using the quote in the ceremony! Sometimes things are just meant to be.

Winfield - May, 2009
Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 30"
Located at: Private collection (SM).

A quintessential summer scene from the Okanagan: clear water, opalescently-hazed mountains, Seadoo, boat, dock, cooler, deck chairs, lawn, and beachball. It's a Where's Waldo of summer symbolism.

Mayne Island - February, 2009
Acrylic on canvas, 10" x 8"
Located at: Private collection (GS)

This is a small painting of a Mayne Island view, complete with typical West Coast trees, green-blue water, and a Golden Retriever waiting to go for a walk.

Kamloops Winter - December 22, 2007
Acrylic on Canvas, 30" x 24"
Located at: NSCU Whistler.

Oh, boy, do I know Kamloops in winter. Also in summer, fall, and spring, but winter seems to be the longest-lasting season.

This one is based on this reference photo. I exaggerated a LOT as you can tell, fluorescently so. I wanted to go way over the edge with color and contrast it with the smooth, cold slopes. It reminds me of the Kamloops of my childhood, when the winters were snowier and more Wonderlandy. Or possibly the late 80s, when things in general were just a lot more neon.

You know what I'm talking about, right? Good heavens, was I the only one who accessorized an army green jumpsuit with a neon pink headband? *facepalm*

No progression, alas - this was my own holiday relaxation project.

Osoyoos Vineyard - February 9, 2007
Acrylic on Canvas, 20" wide X 16" tall
Located at: Private collection (S&BW)

My in-laws had an auction for my father-in-law's choir, so they asked for a painting to donate to the cause. I did this one: Osoyoos vineyard view based on the cover of a wine country brochure.

It depicts Osoyoos as seen from the vineyard hills, looking down at the lake.

Backyard - November 19, 2006
Acrylic on Canvas, 18" wide X 36" tall
Located at: Private collection (OZ/DZ).

This was a surprisingly fast knife-and-brush painting. I think it's because I had the picture in my head for a while. It is my parent's back yard in Kamloops.

They have a little spot above their fireplace that is just perfect for a 36" tall by 18" wide canvas. We were trying to think of what could go there, and we happened to look outside... well, why not the backyard? There are these three trees that I could stretch onto a tall skinny canvas...anyway, something very simple because it's near the painting I did of Kamloops, which is already pretty detailed.

Progression is here.

Shuswap - October 27, 2006
Acrylic on Canvas, 20" wide X 16" tall
Located at: Private collection (A&RT)

Official commission piece. The direction I got from the customers is that their favorite things about this view are the layers of the mountains in the distance, the peacefulness of the water, the cloud formations, and the contrast as you look out at the trees, shore, water, and mountains.

The thing I like best is the translucent water lapping on the shore and the stylized waves overall. They turned out well. I had experimented with a few different cloud formations - in the end, I kept it simple. Lake clouds do tend to be light and scuddy, so this is more representative.

Kamloops (The Meeting of the Waters) - September 24, 2006
Acrylic on Canvas, Triptych, (3 x 24" wide X 36" tall), so 72" wide X 36" tall - or 6' x 3'.
Located at: Private collection (OZ/DZ)

This is my Dad's birthday present and the colors are intended to match their living room. The doing of it is also a present to myself since my birthday is at the same time, 30 years later. I really enjoyed doing this one: no frustration - it was an easy painting, other than the size, which is BIG for me! But: I *know* this view! And I loved doing it.

My Dad proposed to my Mom overlooking this view. They were married Feb. 4, 1967. Incidentally, John proposed to me on that same date, Feb. 4, 1997.

So the view has a lot of meaning for me. I was born here, I was raised here: this is Kamloops.

The name "Kamloops" comes from "Tk'emlups", which is a Shuswap indian word meaning 'where the rivers meet'. So there are the North Thompson and the South Thompson rivers right there, meeting and mixing. By the way, the Overlander Bridge is not that wiggly, but that's my interpretive touch.

Here it is In Progress.

Okanagan Lake Wine Country - January 15, 2006
Acrylic on Canvas, 36" X 48" (3' X 4')
Located at: Private residence (JW)

This is the big canvas - I finally tackled it.

There still might be a bit to do with this one - I'll leave it on the easel to ponder.

I think it needs a little more detail up top, but maybe not. Maybe some more white highlights on the water. Maybe not. Maybe I just need to look at some more photographs and get an idea of what I can fill in for detail. Otherwise, leaving all else alone, it is a fairly zen-like and simplifed view of the Naramata bench. It's kind of how I always picture the Okanagan - endless atmospheric perspective and a perpetually sunny day.