Rivers and Tides

Andy Goldsworthy has long been one of those artists I am continually inspired by. His work is a collaboration with nature, often defying all expectations of what can be accomplished using only raw materials found in their natural environment. As his works are site specific and often sculptural, it is all the more wonderful to me that they are constructed using the natural elements of each site so that the work is integrally linked to the space in which it is assembled. Part of the beauty (or perhaps downfall) in using these materials, however, is the ephemerality of many of these works. Leaves, twigs, ice or water based projects can quickly decay, wash away or fall apart leaving only their memories, or a photographic reference that most of these works are viewed through. Even the more sturdy of his constructs such as his many stone cones and other rock sculptures have the potential to eventually be disassembled by time...

Gallery Visit: Artist and the Sea

As a small island, Scotland is understandably deeply influenced by its proximity to the ocean. One of the many ways this is evidenced is through a long history of artists who have been inspired by the sea and the plethora of industries, cultures and lives that revolve around it.
The Artist and the Sea gathers a host of different artists and subject matter that relate back to the ocean whether it is through the portrayal of harbours, boats, fishermen/women or through the attempts to evoke that feeling the sea awakes in us. There is a huge variety of perspectives and media–art and artists from opposite ends of the spectrum inspired by and working with the same theme. It is fascinating to see such contrasting perspectives that surround a similar subject matter.

The Artist and the Sea is on until May 2016

A Long Time Coming

Some work in progress...

Direction

"As the Crow Flies" encaustic and mixed media, 2013

For Miles

"Thin Air" acrylic on canvas, 2011

Sedna

"Sedna" encaustic and mixed media, 2012

Lost Channels

Sketchbook

Sketches from landscape site, mostly not quite finished. Top to bottom, left to right: pen & ink, charcoal, pencil, pencil.

Cry Me a River

Riverside Park, acrylic on canvas, 2012

Fall in the Air, Fire in the Sky

"Fire in the Sky" acrylic on canvas, 2011

Earth Art

          This video documents a landscape collaboration in which I made candles out of walnut shells and set them afloat in a lake. I wanted to explore the way a landscape changes in darkness and the effect of adding light. I also wanted to look at the contrast of fire and water: the fire became a part of the water, moving naturally with the currents and reflecting the light, it appeared almost like a part of the landscape yet fire as a part of water is an unnatural occurrence. 

The transient nature of the project was also evident as the candles were subject to the elements and were pushed by the wind and water currents; they weren’t controlled by anything that I did. The wind often blew the candles out, some got stuck on branches in the water and others floated far out into the lake.

I find the most interesting things about landscape collaboration to be the inevitable effect of the environment on the work. Whether it happens immediately or takes a longer time, there is always change. The control of fire was the one thing that historically separated humanity from other species: since then we have gone on to exploit all other natural resources possible. In terms of my collaboration, the landscape’s control of these human made objects showed the real insignificance of people when compared to nature. Environmental factors can destroy almost anything humanity has created. The destruction of our environment through human interference continues but we know that ultimately this will unleash greater forces in nature than humanity can control. 

Thanks to Dave and Patrick for your help in filming.
Soundtrack property of Tony McManus 

Fan

“It is the soul that sees; the outward eyes
Present the object, but the Mind descries.
We see nothing till we truly understand it.”
― John Constable

Depths

“It is there if you just close your eyes and breathe softly through your nose; you will hear the whispered message, for all landscapes ask the same question in the same whisper. 'I am watching you -- are you watching yourself in me?' Most travelers hurry too much...the great thing is to try and travel with the eyes of the spirit wide open, and not to much factual information. To tune in, without reverence, idly -- but with real inward attention. It is to be had for the feeling...you can extract the essence of a place once you know how. If you just get as still as a needle, you'll be there.” 

― Lawrence Durrell, Spirit Of Place: Letters And Essays On Travel

Peak

                   

“One of the functions of landscape is to correspond to, nurture, and provoke exploration of the landscape of the imagination. Space to walk is also space to think, and I think that's one thing landscapes give us: places to think longer, more uninterrupted thoughts or thoughts to a rhythm other than the staccato of navigating the city.” 

― Rebecca Solnit, Storming the Gates of Paradise: Landscapes for Politics

I Am Nature

'Quilt' mixed media on panel, 2011

Plein Air

Dwarfed by boulders, set in a landscape of stone and wood, the beach looks out onto the waters of Georgian Bay where the Giants Tomb stands in stark relief against the sky. It is the resting place of the spirit Kitchikewana. Blue shadows chase each other across its surface, quick and silent as if at any moment the giant could  be awakened. As fast as they are gone, they are replaced, a constantly shifting mass that seems to bring the island to life under my very eyes. The wind is a perpetual, ever growing presence, playfully lifting the waves into white caps that dance around the rocks on shore. The trees wave back in response, only just beginning to show the brazen colours that will soon adorn them, as yet revealing only a hint of what is to come.

Plein air painting at Awenda Provincial Park

Painting a picture with words is harder than painting with a brush, but neither of them do the reality justice.

Spirit

"Spirit" acrylic on canvas, 2011
22x30

Touch the Sky

"The High Road to Linton" acrylic on canvas 8x10

"Lochaber Dance" acrylic on canvas 8x10

"Return to Kintail" acrylic on canvas 8x10

     These paintings were inspired by traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, hence the names. I've always wanted to travel to both these countries but so far have only managed it through my art. Celtic music is especially inspirational to me as it is so evocative of the landscapes where it originated.

Keep it on Wax

"Familiar Features of the Roadside"
Encaustic and Mixed Media, 2012
4x2.75