The Naked Silo

Happy However After 14" x 17", oil on Bristol board, 2020, private collection. Much like the situation with my Sleepy Fox painting, this one was also done for a family member's birthday. My brother-in-law, Tim, reached a milestone (it's on the jersey), but, since everyone has to stay away from each other because of the pandemic, he could only share the special day with his wife and two kids. I loosely based my still life on " Still Life on a Table " by Willemsz Heda from around 1644 (though, I basically just used the table, tablecloth, and the light-coloured fabric that's now underneath the baseball glove). Then I added a bunch of his favourite things* in a satisfying composition –all intended to put a smile on his face the day he turned 40. And it worked! He'll get the painting itself when it's dry (and safe) enough to send to Ottawa. Happy birthday, Tim! Here's a time lapse video of this painting's creation: *...

CEV Phase 2 A 14" x 11", oil on canvas, 2019 CEV Phase 2 B 14" x 11", oil on canvas, 2019 In my post about  Phase 1  I mentioned and linked to the trio of paintings I did in 2010 featuring wine in wine glasses with a few other items, but it was this painting below that specifically inspired this challenging new series... Full-bodied, A 18" x 14", oil on canvas, 2010

15" x 22", watercolour, 2002,  collection of Steam Whistle Brewing I had a show at the Steam Whistle Brewing HQ in 2002 and did this painting for that –and then for them to add to their collection afterwards. I set up the still life of fresh beer on my parents' back patio one summer evening and I added the watermelon because it's a refreshing seasonal symbol to me and it adds visual interest since the colour of the rind matches the bottles and the red flesh is (obviously) complementary. There's a second pilsner glass behind the front one, but it's hard to spot unless you look closely. I did a number of shots and arrangement variations and this one was my favourite, but I should have moved the second glass a little to the right so it's in view (especially since there are two bottles visible).  The invitation I created for the event: (look at that URL! ha-ha.) Click here to see a similar painting to the one in the invite.