RECENT ARTWORK
Toronto Cityscape
Oil 10"x12"
An idea that came to me one morning was a cubist cityscape with something different... colour glazing. I first created a value cubist inspired painting and then add a series of glazes after the value painting is dry. I call it "Adaptive Cubism". It creates an image within an image and plays with brain's ability to resolve perspective and expected colour. The focal adjustment of the brain encourages the study of both images in an attempt to resolve them into a reality and meaning.
Random Choice
Mosaic cubist abstract on a constructed substrate
18.5" x 18.5"
I thought about trying to interpret cubism as a mosaic piece. I constructed a substrate that would add a physical dimension. The use of opaque white smalti increases the effect of shadows as light moves through the room. The surface of the raised tile groupings adds to the changing reflection effect, and the random sense of movement.
Hanging by a Thread Mosaic
Collaborative Mosaic
A collaborative mosaic which includes my small contribution (number 38 in the image. It is designed to bring awareness worldwide for the plight of Afghan women and girls. The Canadian contribution was started in Quebec by a group of mosaic artists. It will go on tour in Canada and eventually find a home.
Sunflowers in a Blue Vase
Oil, 12" x 12"
Sunflowers are the embodiment of sunshine and summer. People are drawn to them for their shear beauty and for the memories they evoke. Memories of light and warmth. We pause our hectic lives to admire them in fields, shops, or our homes. A painting of sunflowers is a good way to get through the cold and grey of a Toronto winter.
Sunset in the Trees
Oil, 12" x 16"
Driving back to Flagstaff after our visit to the Grand Canyon provided a satisfying end to a wonderful day of travel. The December sun was setting through the ponderosa pines, so I snapped a few photos and shot a short video. The frame-by-frame view of the video revealed some amazing shots. One of those became this painting, which harkens back to one of my earlier painting styles. It turned out well and is one of my favourites.
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NEWS
08/17/2023
Painting Selected for Society of Canadian Artists 55th Open International Juried Exhibition
So thrilled and honoured to have a painting in the Society of Canadian Artists 55th Open International Juried Exhibition! The show is overflowing with amazing works of art.
The official opening reception and awards presentation is Saturday, August 19, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Neilson Park Creative Centre (56 Neilson Drive, Toronto, Ontario)
Check out the links to show...
https://societyofcanadianartists.com/2023-55th-open-international-juried-exhibition/
My painting...
https://societyofcanadianartists.com/2023-55th-open-international-juried-exhibition/#bwg29/2826
6/25/2023
Three Paintings in the Summer Smalls Festival Show
So excited to have three landscapes in the Summer Smalls Festival Show at the Leslie Grove Gallery running June 28th, 2023 to July 16th, 2023
The Opening Reception date is June 29th, 2023 from 6-8pm.
The gallery is located at:
1158 Queen St. E
Toronto, ON M4M 1L2
and produced by the:
The Artists Network www.artistsnetwork.ca
The Leslie Grove Gallery www.lesliegrovegallery.ca
3/26/2023
Painting Selected for Colour Splash Show by the Ontario Society of Artists
Excellent news! One of my paintings was chosen for the 149th Open Juried Exhibition of the Ontario Society of Artists 2023 Colour Splash taking place at John B. Aird Gallery (Artscape West Queen West • 906 Queen Street West, B05, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6J 1G6)!
Exhibition runs April 6th to May 4th.
The Opening Reception date is Saturday April 15, 2-5pm. Artist Talks on Saturday April 22 at 3 pm.
Juror Josh Heuman will host a Colour Spash! Wine Tasting event on Saturday April 29, 3:30-5pm. He has selected Ontario wines inspired by some artworks in the exhibition. Registration is required and the cost is $55 (capacity 24).
12/16/2022
"Hanging by a Thread/Tenir à un fil"
(from Social Media Post of organizers)
Accompanied by Victoria Jahesh, from the Afghan Women's Center of Montreal, Madeleine Turgeon unveiled the project "Hanging by a Thread/Tenir à un fil" at Maison Félix-Leclerc, Vaudreuil-Dorion in Quebec. Sixty-three hand-made mosaics were united to express the solidarity of the Canadian artists for the rights of Afghan women and girls. Workshops in July were given with a few Afghan members of the community and citizens to share the art of mosaic. This Canadian scarf is adding its contribution to the international project that is growing every day to raise awareness of the social and economic situation of the Afghan women and girls. All the mosaics were assembled with glass tesserae and mirror and glass beads for the International Year of the Glass 2022.
Afghan dresses and fashion accessories were displayed for the public. The mosaics were assembled and glued to Canadian yellow birch panels to remind the world of the light wood logs that the Taliban are smuggling to finance their government. The panels will tour in Canada in 2023.
One positive thing announced is that trade will reopen with an Afghan network with Pure Art. This Non-Profit organization is a proud member of the North American Fair Trade Federation to reconnect with Afghan craft women to keep alive artisan craftsmanship (embroidery, sewing and beading)
Special thank to Afghan Women's Centre of Montreal, Maryam Monsef, Simone Vandette, Lise Trudeau, Marie Josée Berthiaume, Sahar Asefi, Makai Aref, and her whole family to be such help in the comprehension of the afghan culture. Special thanks to the Art and Culture team at the Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion.
10/06/2022
Opening Night Reception for "Putting the Pieces Back Together"
It is opening night reception for the mosaic exhibit "Putting the Pieces Back Together" presented by the Ontario Mosaic Artists. There is a fantastic number of extremely talented mosaic artists at the show. Hope to see you there.
The exhibit runs from October 5th, 2022 to October 30th, 2022 with the opening reception on October 6th, 2022 at Leslie Grove Gallery.
Check out the details at the link above for the Ontario Mosaic Artists.
"The only thing that is constant is change." - Heraclitus