October 13th, 2011

October 13th, 2011

 

 “October 2011 – Open Spaces/Early Autumn.”

Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 48”

Finished. At last!

This was the first new painting I began when I moved back to Calgary in April. And yes, that was almost 7 months ago! This was one of those pieces where I hit a number of “walls” where the painting ended up sitting for long periods of time while I worked on others.  But it is that difficulty in reaching a satisfactory resolution that often leads to some of my more interesting and gratifying work. 

 I really enjoy the depth and luminous quality of this painting. There is at times a physical sensation in the act of seeing that is part of my experience in the world around me and I find such moments in this work. A feeling that is both pleasure and agony…heartache and joy. A moment of connection to the space beyond all the places: of memory and dream, of the landscapes of long-time and no-time…of ever and ever. Amen.

-Kate.

 

September 29, 2011

September 29, 2011

The City

There is so much to see in the city.  Everyday the landscape around me is alive with shapes and lines, colours and symbols.  So many perspectives and angles contrasting with the sky and ground and horizon.  This painting was very exciting for me, especially when it first began to take shape.  It ties into work from University days, some 8 or 9 years ago, and the endless line doodles which formed into tiny cities and abstract patterns on the pages of my notes…


I love the natural world, the country, the parks and places outside large human settlements and there is a lot I miss about living on an acreage.  But the city is alive in a whole different way and this painting is a reflection of that.  It’s fun. It’s play. It’s music (big city jazz). And it marks another stage of evolution in my work, evidence of my life settling back into Calgary and moving forward.

 – Kate

August 22, 2011

August 22, 2011

“August 2011 – Along the Summer Pathways.”

Acrylic on Paper, 30.5” x 42”

 

I’m very happy with it…my current favourite… though that is usually, if not always, the case with new work. This one was inspired by summer here in Calgary…bike rides along the Bow river and various creeks and waterways coming down from the foothills, surrounded by the wild and beautiful and strange life of the prairies.  All those wonderful grasses, flowers and shrubs…dragonflies, wild roses, thistles…the hot humming, buzzing and richly scented perfume of Alberta summer.

 

– Kate