I’ve had the urge to create more minimalist work for a while but hadn’t found the spark to ignite my creativity, until now..
In February when I decided to devote myself full-time to my art practice, my friend and framer Peter gifted me the most stunning frame made of weathered reclaimed wood.Peter explained to me why he has a passion for working with reclaimed wood, often referred to as Urban Salvage”…
“Urban salvage is the term used to describe lumber from trees cut down in urban areas. In the mid Vancouver Island area, these are trees that have fallen or been cut down because of storms, road construction, new home developments, disease and more.Although there is nothing wrong with this lumber, is is not sold commercially due to its visual imperfections. Salvaged lumber includes features such as beetle burrowed holes, fire scorching, irregular grain, live edges. burlesque and bits of bark.In my opinion, salvaged wood contains the most beautiful imperfections and is art in itself. Wood is like a box of chocolates, as I work with it, it reveals amazing surprises!”-Peter
The imperfections of gnarly knots, burrowed holes and live edges took my breath away.The “flaws” and imperfections were beyond beautiful to me as well. They seemed to tell a story. I have always been awestruck by the giants of our forests and in my imagination I personify them. I think, what have they been witness to on this planet in their century after century of living? I reflect on how the environment has worn their bark, how the seasons have shaped their grain. And how they withstand the gnawing of critters and birds. And through all of this adversity they demonstrate resiliency and fortitude. Such power, such grace, such wisdom they hold.
I have wanted to create a more minimalist abstract body of work for a while now and just hadn’t found the magic to ignite my creativity. This gift from Peter was the perfect inspiration. Since then, on my walks to the beach and through the forest, I’ve been noticing the effects of water on our native landscape. I’ve paid attention to how the water nurtures the trees with tenderness and how it shapes the land with intense force. These observations inspired my need to translate these effects on the elements in a new way. I decide to create these paintings with the perspective through a macro lens.
When directing my brush I imagined the movement of water searching for a path along rocky shorelines, inching its way through tree fibres, carving trenches on sandy beaches. Reshaping the environment with its power. I applied fine layer upon fine layer of paint to emulate the growth rings on trees. Using spatulas and cloths rather than paint brushes allowed me to shape paint in a more intuitive and physical way on the canvas. I used metallic paints of gold, copper and bronze to symbolize the shimmer of tree sap and rock minerals. My colour pallette is reflective of nature. Earthy tones of raw umber and burnt Sienna; muted blues reminiscent of water and air and shades of grey and black echoing our rocky shorelines. All of this resulting in an entire body of work I have titled The Elements Collection. Modern, minimalist and earthy.
I offer you these 10 stunning paintings including float frames handmade by this inspiring craftsman, Peter. Utilizing sustainable locally reclaimed wood, that was consciously selected to complement each painting. This collection is our creativity and nature working together in harmony to create something meaningful and beautiful just for you.
