 Stiles Cove 2009, Oil on Canvas, 24 x 48" |
Paintings: oil Current paintings show the unique, geological formations along the coastline through traditional oil on stretched linen or canvas. Oil paint has been applied in a traditional approach building up layers, using thicker paint over thin but in a restrained surface texture that is smooth. As the painting develops into thicker overlays of colour these also develop into more complex and richer colours and patterns. |
 The Grand River Adventure 2009, Printed and Painted Quilt, 38 x 62" |
Works on fabric: printed and painted quilts Recent works on fibre explore the surface decoration through painted and stencilled areas, as well as the use of computer-printed images and text transfers. The painted areas use fabric paints such as “Liquid Colour” and “Setacolour” which are heat set. Some areas are embellished with appliqued, computer-printed images of original paintings or photographs and text transfers. |
 Pack Ice 2000, Watercolour, 10x29 inches |
Paintings: watercolours These are painted with Winsor and Newton Artist Watercolours on Arches paper. The paint is applied in the transparent technique (no white paint is used) that allows the light to bounce off the white paper and make the colours glow. The flow of the paints is applied both wet-in-wet (where the colours run and blend freely into one another), or on dry paper to get defined and hard edges in techniques that suit the subject. These watercolours are painted either on location or from memories and experiences drawing on a large collection of reference materials. They are worked directly in paint from the beginning – without a pencil under-drawing – and use a variety of techniques including dry brush and salt texturing, with firm control and intentional application and direction. |
 Tablelands 2005, Egg Tempera, 24x12 inches |
EGG TEMPERA Painted on a cradled wood panel, egg tempera is one of the oldest painting methods where the binding medium that holds the ground pigment colour on the surface is pure egg yolk. Egg yolk binds easily with water and pigment but dries to a water-resistant finish as it cures over a year. Some of the earliest examples are Roman-Egyptian wall paintings from the first to fourth century. It was also popular for religious icons painted on wooden panels in the Byzantine and Medieval periods and wall paintings of the early Renaissance. Brilliance of colour is one of the main qualities of this medium. The overlaying glazes and brushstrokes of pure colour create a depth and luminosity as the purity of the traditional gesso ground shines through the layers of paint. As it dries almost instantly, the blending of numerous brushstrokes, slowly applied, creates and develops the form. This slow layering of paint requires planning and an understanding of how to make light , form and space. It is a planned and careful process that reminds us that painting is more than self-expression; it is also a craft and a discipline. |
 Icicles at Makkovik 2003, Dyes on Silk, 54x30 inches |
Works on fabric: silk paintings These works are hand-painted in the serti technique, using gutta as a resist, and dyes applied in a wet, watercolour style.The white outline of the gutta gives a slightly decorative feel to the design. The dyes are painted in a subtle and realistic definition of form, similar to a watercolour technique. The dyes are fixed in the fabric by steaming them which makes them dry-cleanable and washable. The dyes are colourfast but the silk deteriorates in direct sunlight. |
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