A Painter Passing Through

I am a lifelong admirer of the music of Gordon Lightfoot. After his passing on May 1, 2023 I wanted to create a tribute piece to him. This image is inspired by Gordon Lightfoot's 1974 album cover "Sundown". I titled it “A Painter Passing Through” as homage to his 18th album from 1998. As a nod to his memory I wanted to portray him as a travelling troubadour, incorporating some imagery that is covered in his songs, the railway tracks, the landscape and trees, the sun descending in the western sky. I think that I have achieved an impression of a timeless traveler who has left his mark on the world with this depiction.

Annual Juried Exhibitiion at Whitby's Station Gallery

Life’s Moods

31st Annual Juried Exhibition 

December 4, 2023 – January 27, 2024

Each year, this well-loved end-of-year event motivates our creative supporters to create submissions based on a specific theme. “Life’s Moods” is an open-ended and versatile theme that’s sure to ignite diverse, thoughtful responses.

Art is about moods: how people feel, how people respond and how they respond to one another. Our emotional states can change when we express ourselves creatively. This year’s theme seeks to explore the emotive dimensions of visual culture.

My painting "Tinnitus" is a part of this exhibition.

Awards will be presented to the top three entrants from each category at the official opening reception on Wednesday, December 13.

https://www.stationgallery.ca/exhibitions

1997 Williams-Renault FW18

An older work, the 1997 Williams-Renault FW18 of Jacques Villeneuve in which he won the 1997 F1 championship. Gouache on board. 28” x 14.5”

WIP Update Gordon Lightfoot Colour Version

An update on the colour version.  This image is inspired by his 1974 album cover Sundown. I will title it “A Painter Passing Through” as homage to his 18th album from 1998. As a nod to his memory I want to portray some imagery that is covered in his songs, the railway tracks, the landscape that will be portrayed as a background, and an overall sense of a timeless traveler who has left his mark on the world.

Completed Commission

This is a commission for a client out west. Her partner owns a '72 Camaro Z-28, a 2013 Camaro ZL1 and a 2009 Mustang Shelby. He is a retired firefighter who had ties to the Torrance Fire Department in Torrance, California, and who was at 911 and the Oklahoma bombing in 1995, so he wanted a reference to that as well. Coloured pencils and chalk pastels on Strathmore paper. 20" x 13.5"

Commission WIP

Here is a WIP commission for a client in Idaho. They own a '72 Camaro Z-28, a 2013 Camaro ZL1 and a 2009 Mustang Shelby. He is a retired firefighter who had ties to the Torrance Fire Department in Torrance, California, and who was at 911 and the Oklahoma bombing in 1995, so he wanted a reference to that as well.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

 A small study depicting the Battle of Britain Memorial Fight aircraft. Acrylic on Board. 7.875” x 13.625"

Paul McCartney

A pencil and charcoal rendering in preparation for an oil pastel. 11" x 14" on Strathmore Paper.

A Painter Passing Through

Here is my tribute to Gordon Lightfoot who passed away on May 1, 2023. He was the quintessential Canadian balladeer and poet. This image was inspired by his 1974 album cover Sundown. I’ve titled it “A Painter Passing Through” as homage to his 18th album from 1998. The image of him on the tracks helps to accentuate the title I hope.

Fortunate Son

My pastel portrait of John Fogerty, founder and lead vocalist of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). An icon of the 60’s and 70’s, he is listed on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 100 greatest songwriters at no. 40

1912 Lorraine-Dietrich in Charcoal

This piece depicts a 1912 Lorraine-Dietrich as would have been driven by Victor Hémery at the 1912 French Grand Prix. It’s rendered with charcoal on Canson Mi-Teintes coloured/textured pastel paper. Paper Size: 19.5" x 12.875". Image Size: 16.5" x 10.25"

Ford Louisville Line Morton Salt Short Hauler for AMT/Round2 Corporation

Another project for an upcoming release for AMT/Round 2. A Ford Louisville Line Short Hauler that will be rendered in gouache. Here is the linear and some progress on the colour rendering.

Dodge L-700 Box Art Completed

Here is another completed project for AMT/Round 2 Corp. A Dodge L-700 rendered in gouache. The client made a myriad of revisions during the rendering of this one, it really pushed my abilities but paid off in the end with what I think is a very interesting illustration. Reference photos of a built-up model were provided.

Dodge L-700 in Gouache (WIP)

 A few in-progress shots of my Dodge L-700 project for AMT/Round 2.

Marta Lisa

An oil pastel rendition of my wife. I entitled it “Marta Lisa” as it reminds me of the famous Mona Lisa. 16.625” x 23.875” on Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper. I wanted to capture a bit of a “renaissance” feel to this one as the pose is very regal. Marta took the photo that inspired this piece herself and when I saw it I just had to depict it. Marta’s father was a gifted professional photographer and I think that Marta has inherited some of that talent.

Here is another completed project for AMT/Round 2 Corp. A Peterbilt 352 “Coors” rendered in gouache. The client asked for a winter scene and a specific colour scheme to show a “Rocky Mountain” backdrop to go with the “Coors” theme. This project required a side view profile rendering as well. Reference photos of a built-up model were provided.

Peterbilt 352 "Coors" More Progress

More progress on the Pete. The landscape reference is for colour scheme and setting as the client asked for a "Rocky Mountain" theme with cool colours including pinks and blues.

Peterbilt 352 "Coors" WIP

 Some progress on the Pete

Peterbilt 352 "Coors" in gouache for AMT/Round 2 Corporation

Another project for an upcoming release for AMT/Round 2. A Peterbilt 352 "Coors" that will be rendered in gouache. Here is the linear.

Dodge L-700 in Gouache

This is the linear for an upcoming project for AMT/Round2 Corporation. A Dodge L-700 in gouache.

2nd of 3 in Tripoli

This image depicts Hermann Lang in his Mercedes W154 on his way to the second of three consecutive victories on the Mellaha circuit of the Tripoli Grand Prix in 1938. The attached screen shot was my initial reference in creating this one. Acrylic on canvas. 12" x 16"

Auto Union Racing Car in Acrylics

Working away on this small acrylic. It will depict an Auto Union race car in the Alps. The Auto Union were the predecessors to the present Audi. Auto Union AG, was an amalgamation of four German automobile manufacturers (Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer) founded in 1932 in Chemnitz, Saxony. It is the immediate predecessor of Audi as it is known today. The challenge with images such as these though is the details need to be correct, and I think this image needs to be revised as it depicts a chassis that didn’t actually race in the Alps, so it will need to be updated to depict a 1938 Auto Union N83.