Henry David Thoreau wrote that "in wildness is the preservation of the world”. Everyone has their own definition of wilderness. It is a place that exists in one’s mind as much as it is a tangible place.
Paintings and photography highlighting wilderness settings and wildlife are images Canadians appreciate and enjoy. Wilderness areas are recognized as important for ecological study, conservation, solitude, and recreation. Wilderness is also deeply valued for cultural, spiritual, moral and aesthetic reasons. It is the wildness of a place that makes it a wilderness, not the absence of people. Paintings in this show focus on Canadian forests, waterways, and wildlife in their natural habitat.
The Grizzly bear is a symbol of the Canadian wilderness and is often thought to be the keystone to a healthy ecosystem. Wildlife artist, Kelly McNeil of Brampton, with her dramatic oil painting “Canadian Snow Angels” captures the spirit and vitality of grizzlies at play. Kelly McNeil’s wildlife paintings are fresh and dynamic with confident brushwork and strong colour. Kelly's compositions depict animal life engaged in activity using pure warm colours to capture the energy and drama in nature. A red tailed hawk in flight, seagulls chattering, and wild horses grazing are skilfully rendered subjects of paintings displayed in the current show at Tay River Gallery. Kelly loves to paint the wildlife around her and handles all exotic creatures competently. Kelly Mc Neil is a versatile artist painting portraits and landscapes as well as teaching painting in workshops at her studio and abroad. Kelly has shown her work in various galleries and wildlife shows across North America. She is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and a member of the Portrait Society of Canada.
France Tremblay, Kanata artist exhibits two wildlife paintings in the current show, Canadian Geese painted in acrylic and Mallards rendered in coloured pencil. She uses a refined technique and careful planning to convey her interpretation of her subject matter. Many layers of glazing are applied meticulously with attention to fine detail and light as a critical element in her compositions. France is a signature member of the Artists for Conservation and full time artist and art instructor. Her artwork has been juried into high profile exhibitions in the United States.
Stuart Arnett Ottawa area graphite artist displays two detailed drawings in graphite,"Porcupine Caribou" and and large work, "Wait for Me" , featuring a mother merganser and her eleven chicks. Stuart creates highly detailed pieces in graphite that depict species and habitats that are endangered. Arnett is a self taught artist and signature member of the Artists for Conservation and was recently elected to the Society of Canadian Artists.
Peter Miles of Richmond Ontario shows an oil painting, "Swans of Muskoka", a highly defined work and study in contrast. From Stefan Thompson, of Ottawa, two endearing and whimsical highly interpretive wild creatures, White Wolf and Goldwing are painted in earth friendly acrylic paint from organic pigments and using recycled supports. Jody Richardson of Ottawa exhibits "Panther", an endearing soulful creature painted in intense colour with strong brushwork,a partly imaginary creature with strong impact from this expressionist painter. Naturalist and wildlife enthusiast,Cedric Colond of Ottawa bring his unique style in realism to three paintings of wild birds in acrylic.
" Lake Lebarge Shoreline" by Janet Moore, a compelling work capturing the northern terrain of Canada, demonstrates the artist's controlled brushwork and mastery of form in harmony of elements."Stand of Birches", painted with a bold palette depicts an autumn scene in Ontario. Janet Moore has been a professional visual artist for 25 years and has exhibited widely in group and solo exhibitions. She studied at the Emily Carr College of Art and Simon Fraser University. Janet runs an Art Retreat at her Home Studio Gallery B & B and offers art workshops for guests, near Barry's Bay, two hours from Ottawa.
Leah Dockrill paints the rugged and wild Newfoundland coastline in acrylics with her characteristic strong palette and realistic style. Leah's seascapes are striking yet tranquil compositions conveying her experience of the coastal setting,and are scenes viewers easily connect with on an emotional level. Leah Dockrill, Toronto area artist is an elected member of the Canadian Society of Artists and Ontario Colour and Form Society.
Three scenic landscapes in pastel,"Joys of Winter", "Summer's End" and "Cloud Covered Grasses" by Stephanie Wellman are highly skilled studies in light with an almost photographic quality to them. Stephanie Wellman of Russell Ontario, is a master pastellist and signature member of the pastel Artists of Canada.
Alan J.T. Bain's watercolours impart a feeling of immediacy capturing the artist's experience of the wilderness on location. The artist's enjoyment of the boreal forests make this a prominent focus in much of his work. Algonquin Granites captures the unusual colouring of the rock forms encountered on plein air travels.Alan Bain is an elected member of the Canadian
Society of Painters in Watercolour and an elected member of the Canadian Society of Artists.
Kathleen Wright's oil paintings, Blue Heron on the Rideau, and Petrie Island are part of her focus on protected habitats , as she has an affinity for "edges where water meets land", and finds them an inspiration for her current work. Kathleen Wright lives in Kenmore On and is a member of the Foyer Gallery.
Tricia Savoie, gallery artist exhibits a number of idyllic wilderness scenes, a soft edged forest at Bark Lake "Infusion". a natural path leading into the forest at Bark Lake,"Venerable" a view of the Shield with "Mantelpieces", and " A toast to October", a warm, welcoming forest in full fall colour.
J. Allison Robichaud exhibits a trio of winter landscapes from plein air trips in wilderness areas that convey the atmosphere of the settings, calm on a beautiful winter day and forboding on a more tempestuous day.
to be continued.....
