The Rockstar

There is a Cardinal I know; he is a regular in my yard all year long. He has a bit of attitude and is often on look out, making sure things are safe for his mate. He has a little chip out of his beak, so I know it's him. He is also quite sensitive, you can on occasion see see him feeding his soul mate. He uses this regular perch and sometimes the wind hits his peak in such a way you just know, this one is a rockstar.

Male cardinals are so iconic, the reds and blacks command your attention. This one obviously has mine.

Early summer of 2024 I had the good fortune to take a workshop in Montreal with Casey Baugh, an artist I've followed and admired for many years. I love his approach to charcoal and paintings and I'm grateful for his willingness to share his craft.

(above, that's me and the painting I created during the workshop)

The portrait workshop was exactly what I needed. It was just the right mix of fellow artists, instruction and atmosphere. It took place in the studio space at Atellier de Bresoles in Old Montreal. Talk about feeling immersed in art. Casey took us through his process to create a portrait from photographing the model to finished painting. Then, it was our turn. With the music playing in the background, some shoe gaze classics, perfectly setting the mood, I soaked it all up. From reinforcing the fundamentals, to breaking the "rules" and letting your creativity take hold. To paraphrase Casey, we are light magicians, flinging mud onto canvas.

I left Montreal inspired and could not wait to get into my studio to fling and smear some paint onto the canvas, watch my edges, transitions, values and not lose sight of the story; my story, and that which I’m communicating in the work.

For the last couple years I've been inspired by the flying, feathered creatures I see regularly. They've become my friends, caught my imagination, I don't know if it was Covid or turning 50 or just coincidence. It doesn't really matter, I love these creatures, these birds of my neighbourhood.

So here it is, my first painting post workshop. It's larger, full of texture, abstraction, transitions, edges, tonnes of chroma. Loved painting it.You can see this painting on display at the Kanata Civic Art Gallery until March 2nd 2025.