When Uncle Arthur Came to Stay

Well this is my most challenging painting to date and I must say, I'm rather pleased with the result. It's a compilation of several images actually. The chair is one I've had for years, the door is from my daughter's house, the hat is from an elderly friend, and the suitcase belonged my inlaws. The light is courtesy of the sunshine and the window shadows are from my imagination. That was the trickiest part by far. The scene is intended to provoke thought; Who is the visitor? Was he unexpected? What kind of reception is he receiving? Acrylic, 18x24inches.

Gibsons Gulls

This summer a curious seagull became a frequent visitor to our deck. He must have heard that I am rather fond of painting seagulls because he seemed intent on posing for me. In fact he was more than willing to share his many attitudes at a mere arm's length. All this he did in exchange for meagre tidbits from my kitchen (although he made it clear that he prefered baked goods to more healthy choices). We had somewhat one-sided conversations in which I told him what a fine feathered creature he was and I grew to look forward to his daily visits. Eventually, however, my model vanished without a fare-thee-well. I've done a few more gull paintings, but somehow it just doesn't seem the same since my muse has gone. Perhaps he felt that he was being exploited... Here's a sampler.

Molly's Condiments

Molly's Reach is an iconic establishment in beautiful downtown Gibsons Landing. The cafe was once a set for Nick, Relic and the gang who made up the cast of the long-running CBC television series, "The Beachcombers". It has now been reincarnated as a thriving little restaurant (I'm particularly fond of the breakfasts). The cafe exterior has been photographed and painted a myriad of times. Instead I chose to paint the condiments on the table. I know these could theoretically be any condiments on any table, so you'll just have to take my word on it! I confess however, the vinegar jug is a substitution for the existing sugar tray. I wanted all of the objects to be glass (because I love torture!) and because it was much better compositionally. The painting is acrylic, 24x12

Morning Slants Boldly Into My Kitchen

On a rare & precious sunny Winter's morning, this scene greeted me in my kitchen. Sometimes a composition demands to be recorded. I got out my camera and photographed the scene, pretty much as it presented itself. An artist friend convinced me that it also begged to be painted. Acrylic, 24 x 20