Wishing you a cool Yule and all the best in 2007!
Thank you to all my friends and family, which include all my collectors, for your support over this past year.
Yours in art,
Keena
December 20, 2006
November 25, 2006
November 24, 2006
Thoughts on the "Essences" Series
For those of you who have known me and my art for awhile, or have looked at the history of my work, you will have seen a trend away from photorealism and detail across the entire painting to a more expressive and focussed appraoch. I attribute this to a number of things, none of which can be attributed to failing eyesite! LOL.
One is that I have learned a lot about animals over the course of my life, and I no longer need to learn about them through painting every hair. The spirit of the subject must prevail, as well as the entire composition being more than the sum of its individaully detailed parts. Another is the fact that photography is an art form unto itself - why paint something like a photograph when you can just take a photograph of it?! I also love impressionist and plein air (on location) landscapes, the approach to which I have been applying to my wildlife pieces, with details only in the center of interest - just as the human eye actually sees.
The "Essences" series is a distillation of the above approach. It takes a subject and strips it to the barest of what contstitutes it. I am having fun with "testing" it on my children, who must correctly identify the animal before I call it a successful "essence"! When I am ready to post it on my website, www.keena.ca, I will provide a key so you can see if you "got it right".
Say, what do you think of these for tattoos? Logos? Let me know what you think.
Yours in art,
Keena
One is that I have learned a lot about animals over the course of my life, and I no longer need to learn about them through painting every hair. The spirit of the subject must prevail, as well as the entire composition being more than the sum of its individaully detailed parts. Another is the fact that photography is an art form unto itself - why paint something like a photograph when you can just take a photograph of it?! I also love impressionist and plein air (on location) landscapes, the approach to which I have been applying to my wildlife pieces, with details only in the center of interest - just as the human eye actually sees.
The "Essences" series is a distillation of the above approach. It takes a subject and strips it to the barest of what contstitutes it. I am having fun with "testing" it on my children, who must correctly identify the animal before I call it a successful "essence"! When I am ready to post it on my website, www.keena.ca, I will provide a key so you can see if you "got it right".
Say, what do you think of these for tattoos? Logos? Let me know what you think.
Yours in art,
Keena
November 23, 2006
New Work - Calligraphy Wildlife
It's been a long time since my last post. In the intervening time, I have moved! (What a surprise!). This time though it is to a beautiful rural acreage on the outskirts of Vanderhoof.
On to the new art...
"As I grew older , I realized that it was much better to insist on the genuine forms of nature, for simplicity is the greatest adornment of art." (Albrecht Durer).
I come from a background of highly detailed wildlife painting. In order to capture the animal and learn its mysteries, I had painted every hair. But I came to realize that there is no mystery in it, no life. There is nothing that engages the viewer, or the painter, except to say that it looks like a photograph, or comment on how much patience the artist has. Over the course of my career in art I have more strongly embraced the ideas that "minute and elaborately finished pictures never strongly impress the mind, and are but mere curiosities..." (Samuel Prout)."...if you are simple, you will stimulate the imagination of the observer." (Ugo Mochi). How much can you strip down a subject and still have it remain true to the subject? Thus began my explorations in the question of what constitutes the "essence" of the subject, its spirit. Here are a sampling of my answers:
I call this my "Essences" series. Definition from the American Heritage Dictionary:
es·sence (
s
ns) Pronunciation Key 
![[P]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uDYQGDcuReLjBBrdt7CzBmV-OsFPNPtS0iPm8PHOJ0L6ITPzikTEGNcNBzW0f2e6AQIo-aJag76pq5zYahQ6aNPXdiKzGyol0tMg=s0-d)
n.
As always, I'd be happy to know what you think! You will also be able to see the whole series on my website very soon.
Cheers!
Keena
On to the new art...
"As I grew older , I realized that it was much better to insist on the genuine forms of nature, for simplicity is the greatest adornment of art." (Albrecht Durer).
I come from a background of highly detailed wildlife painting. In order to capture the animal and learn its mysteries, I had painted every hair. But I came to realize that there is no mystery in it, no life. There is nothing that engages the viewer, or the painter, except to say that it looks like a photograph, or comment on how much patience the artist has. Over the course of my career in art I have more strongly embraced the ideas that "minute and elaborately finished pictures never strongly impress the mind, and are but mere curiosities..." (Samuel Prout)."...if you are simple, you will stimulate the imagination of the observer." (Ugo Mochi). How much can you strip down a subject and still have it remain true to the subject? Thus began my explorations in the question of what constitutes the "essence" of the subject, its spirit. Here are a sampling of my answers:
I call this my "Essences" series. Definition from the American Heritage Dictionary:es·sence (
sns) Pronunciation Key n.
- The intrinsic or indispensable properties that serve to characterize or identify something.
- The most important ingredient; the crucial element.
- The inherent, unchanging nature of a thing or class of things.
- An extract that has the fundamental properties of a substance in concentrated form.
- Such an extract in a solution of alcohol.
- A perfume or scent.
- One that has or shows an abundance of a quality as if highly concentrated: a neighbor who is the essence of hospitality.
- Something that exists, especially a spiritual or incorporeal entity.
As always, I'd be happy to know what you think! You will also be able to see the whole series on my website very soon.
Cheers!
Keena
August 16, 2006
CPAWS Mural Ottawa Unveiling
Just wanted to let you know that on August 17th at 2:00 p.m. the Earth's Treasure Chest mural mosaic will be unveiled in Ottawa at the Super Ex at Landsdowne Park and will be on display until August 27th from noon until 10p.m. daily. The Mural will be located in the Pet Pavillion and features work from over 140 artists from across Canada. To see more about the mural please visit http://www.MuralMosaic.com.
The auction will be coming up in November!
The auction will be coming up in November!
August 7, 2006
Keena is Artist of the Day at WNAG
Keena, a signature member of the Worldwide Nature Artists Group, is Artist of the Day tomorrow, August 8th, 2006.
Please come visit the website! You can even send e-cards with Keena's artwork on it.
See you there!
Please come visit the website! You can even send e-cards with Keena's artwork on it.
See you there!
August 3, 2006
Silent Alarm - Cougar
Here's the newest painting! It is acrylic on canvas, 11x14 inches.This fellow is the same character as the previous painting. While in the hideout something trips the silent alarm... What could it be? Stay tuned!
June 28, 2006
Hot Off the Easel! The Hideout (Cougar)
A cougar glances behind to make sure he wasn't followed on the way to the Hideout...Acrylic on poly-linen panel. 24x18 inches.
June 20, 2006
New Painting - Velvet
Here is a new painting, hot off the easel. It's called Velvet (I know - there's no velvet on the antlers, but that's not it - the nose fur reminds me of velvet!). It's 18x24 inches, acrylic on poly-linen on board.
PS: See how many triangles you can find in this composition...
I count 8, but I may be missing some!
May 29, 2006
Mural Mosaic Update and NEW Painting
There has been a change in the Mural Mosaic Plans...
People have been so excited about the event that the new "WESTERN CANADA" unveiling will be at the Alberta Capital Ex, July 20th-29th, in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Northlands Park.
The "EASTERN CANADA" unveiling will be at the Super Ex, August 17th-27th, in Ottawa, Ontario, at Landsdowne Park.
As a result of the new dates, Keena has created another piece for the auction! It is #178 (right below ROBERT BATEMAN! Woohoo!).
It is titled, "On the Ridge - Dall Ram", approximately 16 x 16 inches, acrylic on masonite panel.
This is the original panel I was given to work with, with the sketch painted in on top.
Don't forget - this Fall will be the ONLINE AUCTION!
People have been so excited about the event that the new "WESTERN CANADA" unveiling will be at the Alberta Capital Ex, July 20th-29th, in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Northlands Park.
The "EASTERN CANADA" unveiling will be at the Super Ex, August 17th-27th, in Ottawa, Ontario, at Landsdowne Park.
As a result of the new dates, Keena has created another piece for the auction! It is #178 (right below ROBERT BATEMAN! Woohoo!).
It is titled, "On the Ridge - Dall Ram", approximately 16 x 16 inches, acrylic on masonite panel.
This is the original panel I was given to work with, with the sketch painted in on top.
Don't forget - this Fall will be the ONLINE AUCTION!
May 9, 2006
New Painting
This is a painting I started before the move to BC, and I've just now finished it. It is 9x12 inches, acrylic on panel, titled: Spring Snow Patterns (Aaron Provincial Park, Ontario).
In this piece it was the lovely abstract patterns of melting snow and ice on the creek, as well as the crisp colours that inspired me to paint it.
May 8, 2006
Griffin (Bernese Mountain Dog) - Commission
Commissioned by Linda Anderson of Sioux Lookout, Ontario.
The acrylic on canvas is 11x14 inches. Linda said the final approval digital photo made her cry... How's that for a compliment?! Can't wait to see what she says when she sees it in person.
The acrylic on canvas is 11x14 inches. Linda said the final approval digital photo made her cry... How's that for a compliment?! Can't wait to see what she says when she sees it in person.
April 26, 2006
Upcoming Events
In Vanderhoof on Sunday, July 30, 2006, I will participating the in the Garden Tour. It will be a Garden Tour where one can not only see the most beautiful gardens in the Vanderhoof area, but also see artists demonstrating their art. Some additional art may also be displayed and for sale.
Mural Mosaic Update
Here is an update on the Mural Mosaic entry:
This is a digital sketch of the background on the panel I received (I didn't have my camera available)...
This is a digital sketch of the background on the panel I received (I didn't have my camera available)...
I let it sit on my easel for half a day or so until I decided what to do with it. It could have been a landscape, I suppose, but this is what I came up with:
It's titled, "Red and Bold, Eyes of Gold" and is roughly 16x16 inches, acrylic on panel.
Detail:
This is panel #118 (slightly below center, to the right) of "Earth's Treasure Chest" a Wildlife Fundraiser for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. The mural launch will be May 12-13, 2006, at the West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta, where it will be available for auction.
You can visit http://www.muralmosaic.com/ or http://www.muralmosaic.com/cpaws.html for details. You can also click the link in the post title.
Please be sure to visit the mosaic in person if you can - it should be an amazing sight to behold!
March 13, 2006
February 22, 2006
Aspen Grove Studio is relocating!
It's official as of this afternoon - Keena's on the move. Aspen Grove Studio is moving back to British Columbia. Vanderhoof, about 45 minutes west of Prince George, and the geographic centre of BC, will be our new home. The move date will be around the 20th of March, 2006, with everything in place as of April 1st.
I will keep you updated on new contact information as I get it.
It's official as of this afternoon - Keena's on the move. Aspen Grove Studio is moving back to British Columbia. Vanderhoof, about 45 minutes west of Prince George, and the geographic centre of BC, will be our new home. The move date will be around the 20th of March, 2006, with everything in place as of April 1st.
I will keep you updated on new contact information as I get it.
February 11, 2006
Keena to participate in a Mural Mosaic
The Mural Mosaic is a huge mosaic created from smaller panels which are each an artwork unto themselves! This work will be a charity event to raise funds for the preservation of Wildlife and to support youth environmental education.
The finished mural will be on display at the West Edmonton Mall.
Participants include Robert Bateman!
Check out the website for further information: http://www.MuralMosaic.com/
The Mural Mosaic is a huge mosaic created from smaller panels which are each an artwork unto themselves! This work will be a charity event to raise funds for the preservation of Wildlife and to support youth environmental education.
The finished mural will be on display at the West Edmonton Mall.
Participants include Robert Bateman!
Check out the website for further information: http://www.MuralMosaic.com/
Art Show for Literacy
In January, for Literacy Week, the Sioux Lookout Literacy Society held an art show. Keena and several other artistic memebers of Sioux's community were present. It was a diverse showcase of art from woodworking, collage and quilts to stained glass and video, as well as traditional media such as acrylics, oils, and charcoal.
In January, for Literacy Week, the Sioux Lookout Literacy Society held an art show. Keena and several other artistic memebers of Sioux's community were present. It was a diverse showcase of art from woodworking, collage and quilts to stained glass and video, as well as traditional media such as acrylics, oils, and charcoal.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)