How to be an artist?

Jerry Saltz's book, "How to be an Artist" has been a great inspiration in Covid times. The first time I encountered the book, it was a recorded version read by the author. Mr. Saltz's voice is one of the best parts of the book as he brings his ideas to life. His...

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Back to basics

Back to basics

Miscreant♪ Miscreant♪ After teaching a course in drawing and art theory this spring, I was eager to return to graphite as a main medium and also wanted to test out some drawing paper recommended by a local art store (Framemasters). While the picture is drawn with...

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Time’s Arrow

Time’s Arrow

1939 Maple Leaf This rare Maple Leaf truck was built in Canada in 1939 and symbolizes a focus on Canada’s National identity as Canada entered World War II. This truck was an US brand in all but name. The old garage in the background symbolizes the era of the gas...

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Time and change

Time and change

Time’s Arrow Series 1931 Chevy Truck in the Woods 1931 Chevrolet Truck This work aims to contrast the linear and machined image of the rusting wreck with the organic and lyrical movement of the trees and grasses. The truck is now...

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A new direction in my work

A new direction in my work

Time’s Arrow Series Abandoned and ignored. The dry grasses create a camouflage suited perfectly to the hunting coyote. The machine gazes on harmless and silent, it too becoming landscape, a coral reef on the prairie, offering...

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A new direction in my work

A new direction in my work

Time’s Arrow Series 1936 Dodge Fargo truck This beautiful Dodge Fargo truck (1936) has been cannibalized for parts and sits on the edge of the field, slowly sinking into the weeds. The patina of rust has replaced most of the...

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A new direction in my work

A new direction in my work

International Harvester , 1939. Time’s Arrow Series International Harvester Truck, 1939 This truck, produced at the start of World War II, is from makers of farm equipment and other vehicles. The setting, the Big Muddy badlands of Southern Saskatchewan highlight the...

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A new direction in my work

A new direction in my work

Time’s Arrow Series The McCormack binder. This part of the machine with long metal fingers, engaged in bundling and tying sheaves. Like sewing machines, these binders stitched the sheaves of grain together and replaced a great deal hand work and reduced the...

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A new direction in my work

A new direction in my work

International Harvester Binder in the Grass Time’s Arrow Series The McCormack and the International Harvester Binders once cut and bundled the grain into sheaves as the first part of the harvest process. The parts are cast metal and machined gears still showing their...

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A new direction in my work

A new direction in my work

1936 Dodge Fargo truck Time’s Arrow Series My works are not a sentimental journey into a past way of life on the Canadian prairie, but a visualization of the laws of entropy and our endless march towards change regardless of its value. We can lament the lost...

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Painting in the Midi Pyrenees

Painting in the Midi Pyrenees

The countryside is lush and beautiful. In the part of the midi-Pyrenees I am in, the landscapes range from pastoral to forested to dramatic escarpment where the remains of castles are located. It is early May, so a bit cool and rainy. No plein air painting for now. It...

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Painting in Cathar Country

This summer, I will be living and painting in Cathar Country. Right now, I am trying to figure out how and what to pack for both plein air and studio painting. I have decided to work with Acrylics rather than water colour or pencil crayon. They have such versatility...

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Shawne Arzab

Shawne Arzab

Of all the artists I know well, this artist is both talented and funny. She is also self-effacing and does not appreciate the truly stunning nature of her work. At least, she doen't let on. While she works in papier-mâché for her sculpture work, her...

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The Art of Pencil Crayon Painting 6

The Art of Pencil Crayon Painting 6

6. More on the Irojiten pencil crayon This crayon is great. It sharpens well and so far, no breakage. The blending results with the various crayons have different and some very welcome effects. I was surprised that some colours, when laid in, were more resistant to an...

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