“Taking Flight” is a new cold wax and oil painting from my current series inspired by nature.  When beginning this piece, I had no idea, what forms and shapes would reveal themselves. Instead, I added layer after layer, creating shapes, covering shapes, excavating paint to reveal new shapes. I do this play and exploration until I look upon the work and my heart sings. When the feeling is right, I move in and make adjustments to the composition thinking and working in a more technical manner. 

I love to tell stories, and I do tell a story in this painting. I do this in a lot of paintings actually. Unlike this painting, in some it is more predetermined, sometimes a thought, poem or quote is lingering in my mind and comes through in the work. With Taking Flight, I found myself having conversations with my work while it was in progress. I find that if I take the time, to sit back and really look, which sometimes means spending hours in the studio just looking, there is often something that the painting is sharing with me that emerges. The story that emerges for me in this painting is a reflection on this glorious time of year and about growth (which is sometimes very uncomfortable) and also about embracing uncertainty. But this is my story, perhaps not yours. I truly believe that the wonderful thing about spending time with art, is the opportunity it affords to discover our own stories, when we take time the time to really look. 

This weekend marks the 14th annual studio tour. (October 15th and 16th) from 10-5. I will be showing with artist Karen Pasieka at 8 Whalen Court in Richmond Hill. I look forward to sharing more of my work with you then! richmondhill.ca/studiotour for detailed map and participating locations.